Hot Smart Rich with Maggie Sellers Reum - Maggie Sellers On A Week In My Life In Japan — Cherry Blossoms, Market Meltdowns & K-Beauty Breakouts

Episode Date: April 16, 2025

In this week’s solo episode of Hot Smart Rich, Maggie Sellers takes you behind the scenes of her trip to Tokyo and Kyoto with the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), where business, beauty, burnout, and inspiration collide. This isn’t your typical travel vlog. It’s a raw, unfiltered look at what it means to build a business while living out of a suitcase, navigate elite global networks, and stay grounded when your skin’s breaking out and your schedule is maxed. Maggie opens up about the emotional rollercoaster of stepping into high-pressure rooms while not feeling her best physically, how changing your environment can shift your self-image, and what it’s really like to network with billion-dollar business leaders over sushi in Japan. This first-of-its-kind episode blends travel diary, business insights, beauty commentary, and personal reflection. If you’ve ever felt like you’re “not doing enough” while on the road or wondered what really goes on at invite-only global business trips, this one’s for you. Join the HSR Global Angels Community 💌 Link to join: ⁠Click here to join⁠ This is a community by you, for you. It’s peer-led, community-driven, and built for ambitious, like-minded women. Whether you’re looking to connect with business besties, discover the best Pilates class in your city, or find new friends—this is where it happens. CONNECT WITH MAGGIE SELLERS Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@maggiesellers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@maggiesellers_⁠⁠⁠ YouTube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hotsmartrich⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Maggie Sellers⁠⁠⁠⁠ READ THE NEWSLETTER ⁠⁠⁠HSR ICYMI⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Stay ahead with consumer startup trends, business news, and investing insights. SHOP HOT SMART RICH ⁠⁠⁠HSR Merch⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Shop My⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ABOUT MAGGIE SELLERS Maggie Sellers is the founder of Hot Smart Rich, an investment and media company designed to empower women in business and entrepreneurship. A multi-hyphenate creator, investor, and entrepreneur, she’s redefined female empowerment with her sharp, candid insights into business, wealth-building, and startup investing. As a leading voice on TikTok and LinkedIn, Maggie’s content reaches over 180,000 ambitious women looking to elevate their careers, finances, and businesses. Maggie is also an angel investor in brands like Allara Health, Mixlab, and De Soi and a venture partner in HSR Ventures, where she backs the next generation of consumer startups. Forget outdated notions of female empowerment—Maggie is reshaping what it means to be a modern power player in business and investing. 📢 This episode is produced by HSR Media, a division of Creative MES LLC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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From binge all episodes exclusively on Paramount Plus. case you missed it, you're allowed to be hot, smart, and rich. So let's get into it. Hi guys. Welcome back to another episode of Hot Smart Rich, the podcast. This is definitely the most vulnerable state that I've recorded the podcast intro with. I feel like since I started the podcast, I've had so many things that like normally would stop somebody, just the amount of inflammation and general unwell I felt after getting surgery moving. And And now having like 50 dots, red dots and bumps all over my face from the K-Beauties treatments that I've gotten done today, I debated not filming an intro.

And then I was like, that would just be so not hot smart rich. And it's really interesting because little side note, I don't know if you guys watched the last episode of or the last season of White Lotus, but the character, Mook, who's like a stunning K beauty pop star, her real name's Lisa. she's in the band Black Pink. She has more of like a round face. And I feel like over the last few years, I've tried to like shy away from my round features

because the look that's in is like the skinny, pointy nose and like the skinny pointy jaw. And like that's just not my natural aesthetic. And because of her and because of being in Asia where they actually, their beauty standard is actually a round face. I feel like I'm leaving Asia. even though I've gotten some medical procedures done, like lasers and Botox,

a little bit more, like, excited about my natural features. And I don't think that lasers and tightening and whatever, like, take away from that. But it's just a really interesting thing to think about, like, getting yourself out of your environment if you're starting to feel like less than or not good enough. And I know sometimes I feel like that when I'm scrolling on social media for the first time. And I felt like that actually a lot throughout this trip. And I think to show you guys the real behind the scenes is to see obviously all of the amazing stuff that we're going to do. Like this vlog is going to take you behind the scenes to Tokyo and Kyoto with YPO Young President's organization,

which is an extremely hard organization to get into. Your business has to be doing over $20 million a year in annual revenue. You have got to be a hitter. And there's all these amazing experiences. But the flip side of traveling is, especially, when you have celiac is like your skin breaks out if you're out of routine or you maybe do gain a little bit of weight or you feel disconnected from your friends or you feel like you're not maybe pulling your weight in certain ways at least I feel like that all right now with my business and

things that I'm working on but then I think about like all of the amazing opportunities that are going to come from experiences like this connections like business ideas even just like the way that I look at my own beauty now and so it's just always so funny. And one of the things that I've been thinking about a lot recently and I've been able to regulate my emotions a lot more, Courtney will attest to this, is like when I would normally get into having an anxiety attack, I say this to myself. The most powerful person in the room is the person that's able to regulate their emotions. And I say, gratitude is the regulation of emotions. So when I feel all of those things of like, I'm out of routine, I'm breaking out, I've gained weight,

I'm not fitting into clothes right now. I feel disconnected from my friends. I feel disconnected from my business. I literally pull out a piece of paper on my phone. And I write down all of the incredible things that are happening because of this same experience. And it's just completely shifted my mindset. And I think that's something that I really wanted to start the vlog with and why I was like, I have to film an intro.

Even though I'm in Korea, the vlogs about Tokyo and Kyoto. and my face is a little bit off, let's just say, if you're not watching the video. But I hope that you guys enjoy this vlog. I also am learning that I do need to talk more throughout the segments because there's like four major sit downs, which goes over like the itinerary, things I'm learning, especially as like the markets are dipping. But I think that I can still improve on this. So I'm open to all the feedback.

I am so excited that you guys are here, that you keep tuning in. you guys literally give me a sense of purpose. And I think it's so easy when you have a life with a partner like Courtney to just absorb into their world and their people and their things. And like you guys really give me my own sense of purpose and make me feel like there's a greater opportunity for everybody if I'm able to like disseminate the information or create a space that allows people to dream big. And so I just wanted to say thank you guys so much for being.

HsR, being so supportive of what we're building, and I can't wait to take you guys to Tokyo and Kyoto. Love you guys. First off in Tokyo is going to be the wet market, baby. Oh, thank you. Suzuki Fish Market. Suzuki Fish Market. We just walked 40 minutes from our hotel.

We're staying at the Hollywood... No. We're staying at the addition, what's it called? Tonorama or something? Tonorama, and it's like a 40-minute walk. It's beautiful sunshine. And oh is that that's not the Tokyo tower is it? No.

Oh. Um, but here let's go to the fish market you guys. This is the what part of the fish? That's the most expensive part. You went right for it. You smelled it. Tokyo. I can't believe I'm saying that. I'm so excited.

I have always wanted to come to Tokyo. wanted to come to Tokyo and I'm finally here not just because I'm obsessed with Hello Kitty if you know me you know I love Hello Kitty but also just because Japan has been on my list since I was little I feel like my aunt and uncle had a house that was very like Japanese inspired and the architecture and the culture of Japan really fascinating and now that I've been here for two days I feel like it's going to be a constant rotation on my travel schedule at least hopefully it is beyond anything I ever expected so we've been here for two days and we are here for another week before

we go to Korea we're here now for YPO which is young presidents organization which lucky number three has been a member of for the past 17 years and they do a couple's trip every year which the spouses get to go on So now I am on the first couples trip. I'm a little nervous. I don't know what to expect. I also like my alone time So I'm definitely nervous trying to fit in like working more than when we usually go on trips because I just like know how that's gonna go But tonight is our first night with YPO after spending two days just the two of us and we've done a lot since we got here So I'm just gonna get ready for dinner. I'm gonna fill you in on the last few days and then our room is insane it is so big that I'm having trouble finding stuff but I'm not going to wash my entire face I'm just going to put makeup over top I've been wearing this since 8 a.m. this morning but everybody else from YPO just got here from LA so they're super jet-legged I don't think tonight's going to be a crazy late night or crazy like and the rest of the week is like a packed itinerary so I feel like people are going to keep it pretty chill tonight aka I'm keeping it pretty chill tonight

I don't find it that hard, I guess, to travel as much as we do. I'm definitely more tired today than I think I expected to be, but that's just because Courtney doesn't need any breaks. And I, even when I'm at home, like, I like to take some breaks. So I feel like I just actually worked in the bed for the first time since we got here, just like completely comatose, just writing the newsletter and doing some of the investment stuff that I have to get done and approve. and now I'm wiped thinking that I was gonna be able to rest

and not really getting any sort of rest. But hopefully we get to bed early tonight because tomorrow we are up at like 7 a.m. And the way that like the whole schedule is gonna work is there's like a morning activity, a lunch, an afternoon. Then they give you like two or three hours to work because everybody that's in YPO has to have a business that's doing over $10 million.

So they're running real companies. And so you have to give them some time to work. and then you do a dinner or something at night. So it's like going to be pretty insane. But I'm really excited. Everybody that's here, I think there's like 15 members. I've only met maybe like four of them. So it'll be like a lot of new meeting people, which I usually like.

Just the first night is always a little exhausting. So I think we're going to just say that we wanted to go back to our room and get an early night and then be back at it tomorrow. So I'm just going to finish getting ready and then to you guys to dinner. Hopefully they don't judge me that I'm building stuff, but I guess this is kind of like the behind the scenes that I always wanted to see. And hopefully it goes well, but who knows? Amazon presents Jeff versus Taco Truck Salsa, whether it's Verde, Roja, or the orange one. For Jeff, trying any salsa is like playing Russian roulette.

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Two days only. Tuesday, April 28th and Wednesday, April 29th. Open your PC optimum app to get your coupon. We're officially done day two of YPO's part of the trip in Tokyo and I had to come on here even though I thought I would be more exhausted I'm not because I'm just so energized by my obsession with Tokyo that I needed to talk about it because if it was any place else I feel like I would be exhausted after Hawaii spring break Tokyo then going to Seoul mostly for work for Seoul and then finally getting back to my new house in LA but because it's Tokyo I I feel incredible and energized and I'm around like the smartest coolest people with YPO that I have to talk about it.

So why do I love Tokyo? I don't know. Let me show you this view first. I don't know if you guys can see this. Yes, that is my new Kelly too, by the way. But like, do you see this urban sprawl? I mean, I don't know of anywhere else in the world that for as far as the I can see, it is just buildings. Like in every other city, there's breaks.

There's like natural habitats that have been built, but this is just complete urban sprawl. And it's filled with like the kindest people. The Japanese have a culture of like a service-oriented attitude. And it is unlike anywhere I've been in the world in terms of like the relationship that people have with each other. They're so respectful. They're so polite. They're very demure. I also love how clean it is.

is in full transparency like I've obviously talked about how obsessed to am with India but when we would do like two four hour drives in India two to four hour drives in India we'd have to stop on the highway and go to the bathroom and like they were really hard to go into because they're just very dirty whereas in Japan like every gas station or like area that you're stopping whereas in Japan every gas station when you go to the bathroom has a toto toilet that has a heated seat and automatically flushes and you don't have to do anything. thing. Like, it is so clean. There's no garbage. And then when you add in the culture of Japan of like the fashion and the food, it is just like honestly becoming very quickly one of my top favorite cities.

And I hope to come here to be able to come here like every other year at least. Um, and then YPO itself, like is just an organization that I feel so lucky to now peripherally be a part of as a YPO spouse. Um, As an example, like it is a crazy time in the markets and there is a gentleman on the trip He's actually been in YPO the longest. He's probably like 60 65 and he used to run a three billion dollar hedge fund and He's still very involved in Stocks and trading and I think he does it for his family office, but might do it for a few like smaller people now and he was up all night from 1030 in the night Tokyo time to 4.30 a.m. this morning to make sure that like with everything going on he was making the right trades and just being extremely

involved in how volatile the market is and it's like being around people like that and I personally have always learned the best through experiences and through association and I think especially through osmosis so I feel so grateful and lucky to be especially navigating this time and all the founders that are coming to me like what am I doing right now like what should I be doing I have this resource of people even if I don't know to go to and be like what are you guys doing and I just feel incredibly lucky I also like don't love group things as much which like I've never been the girl who loved sleepovers growing up if that says anything about me I'm a very like independent

person as much as I'm like an extrovert and I was a little nervous traveling with like 20 people on this schedule and like being at the lobby at 9 like I'm a very free spirit I hate rules and it's been the easiest trip. I don't know what it is about YPO, but every single person is just so lovely, is like so ambitious, and it's been such an incredible trip. So come with me to the rest of it,

and I can't wait to do it a little debrief soon. My first time in Japan, we're in Kyoto at the market, and this one is free, so then I have a bike. Ready? I'm trying to get this in my mouth. What's your rating? This is the sign of the film. but it's a nineer.

Ha ha ha ha ha. Alright, you give us a little more background. So the quick background, maybe from what I know, and then I'll... I'll... I'll tell you about this. Hey! I don't want you know. But the idea is in Kyoto, you have five different areas of this city.

Oh, nis. Hi guys, good morning vlog. This is day two in Kyoto. We came here from Tokyo yesterday on the bullet train. It only took us like two and a half hours and if you're coming to Japan you need to make sure that you don't just go to Tokyo but Kyoto you have to visit. It actually used to be the capital but it switched to Tokyo and it has such like a demure sense of peace here.

We also had our first like free time for a few hours yesterday and Courtney and I just got to go inside sea and look at all the cherry blossoms. We went and visited the Lalabo cafe which was so beautiful. Went to a food market and then we had a really amazing special dinner last night. It's not called Geisha here. It's called like I don't remember but they have a different word for Geishas in Kyoto. So we met with them last night, learned a little bit more about the culture. And then today, I decided to stay in the hotel room. I feel so exhausted and so behind on so much stuff.

I also am not used to eating as much as we are and not having personal alone time, which is really important for me. And then I had to specifically film two different brand campaigns, one of which was actually such good timing, because it's about my mental health as an ambassador of Kim H and like I can feel myself needing to like implement my own advice. I always think that's so funny like influencers dish out so much advice but it's like they kind of just make it also for themselves too.

So I'm going to take my own advice and I'm going to film this stuff, catch up on a bunch of emails and a bunch of work that has been sitting in my inbox and just take the day to relax before we do an amazing experience tonight in Kyoto. It's our second last night with YPO. We've already had some people leave to go back because obviously these people are so busy. And I'm still deciding if I want to take the helicopter tonight or if I want to take the bus. The bus rides an hour. The helicopter is 15 minutes.

I am extremely afraid of helicopters. I never even like really wanted to go in one. But I do think it's like a really cool experience that if I can master up the courage probably make sense to do while I'm in Japan but there's some really smart people on this trip and half of them are going in the bus so I don't know I'm really unsure of what I'm gonna do I know Courtney is definitely taking that helicopter so I'm still TBD what would you guys do I don't know we're gonna see what I'll do but I'll figure it out anyway I'm gonna catch up on some work and then

and get ready to go to an amazing experience tonight. Okay, go. Okay, go. Yeah, in the real world, yeah, you just don't know. Deepest scowl. I think he was like, 6.5.

What? Yeah, in the real world, yeah. You just don't know any better.