Off The Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe - Rebecca Minkoff | From Building a Fashion Empire to Love, Setbacks & The Truth About Her Beliefs!

Episode Date: February 11, 2025

#814. Rebecca Minkoff built a global fashion empire before social media, online shopping, or going viral was even a thing. Her bags defined 2000s style (Lindsay Lohan, we’re looking at you), and she’s tackled both the highs of the fashion world and the drama of Real Housewives of New York City. Now, she’s telling it all—from hustling door-to-door in the early days to nearly losing everything during COVID. She clears up misconceptions about her beliefs, shares her most cringe-worthy fashion week moment, and reveals which celeb she needs to see carrying one of her bags. Plus, her new book Fearless is here to help female entrepreneurs take on any challenge. Don’t miss this one—tune in now! If you’re LOVING this podcast, please follow and leave a rating and review below! PLUS, FOLLOW OUR PODCAST INSTAGRAM HERE! Thank you to our Sponsors! Check out these deals! MACY’S: The Macy’s Valentine’s Day Sale runs from February 11th to 17th, offering 20–50% off storewide at macys.com DIME BEAUTY: Revive your skin and give yourself a routine refresh you deserve! Go to DIMEBeautyCO.com today. Spade & Sparrows: Use code OFFTHEVINE to receive 15% off your first order at See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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I found this fascinating. I heard you were a dancer before and that you felt like you didn't fit in and I grew up dancing and I always felt like I didn't fit in and I had to quit because I wasn't good enough. But tell me about your journey with dancing. It was pretty much the same.

I had to quit because I wasn't good enough. Yeah. But I fell in love with dancing. I mean, I have memories at the age like two and three performing at like the San Diego State Fair. Yeah. I started taking it really seriously when I was 11, 12. And then I had an opportunity to go to a performing arts high school where instead of any elective, you just did your whatever you got into. So I got into the dance program. I was like, I'm going to be a modern dancer. I was obsessed with Alvin. Ailey. Oh, me too. And then my chest grew. Oh. And I just remember. being treated differently because they were like bouncing around.

Yeah. And no one had like the hold them down leotards yet. Yep. And I was also five, nine. Yep. All the boys were still like a foot shorter than me because they hadn't hit puberty. And I just remember my teacher saying you ruin the symmetry. And so you can't be in the front and you really can't be in the back.

So. So sorry you're a woman. Sorry for being a woman. And so when I look back, it was like, you know, it's always perspective. You know, it's like that it was like the worst thing. And all I want to do is be a dancer and like gave everything to it. And then I just had a point when I moved to the city and I was like, well, I either give it my all and try and go for it in spite of and modern dances has always been more forgiving of women's bodies. And I remember passing Baryshnikoff.

I was on my way to class. He was leaving. No. And I was like, if I can't have that, I don't want it. Yeah. you know and like i want to be at the top of my game yeah and i knew i wasn't good enough you know deep down to be that and i just said okay i love fashion it's what i've been studying and doing as well and this is going to be where i pursue but that was a moment for me when i passed him on the

street i love that priscilla block she's a country singer i just had her on and her moment of realizing she was going to pursue singing was Taylor swift stopped on the side of the road she was wearing a Taylor Swift shirt and Taylor Swift stopped it was like hey I love your shirt and she was like this is the sign i needed and she pursued music And now she's killing it. But it's interesting when you have those moments. How old were you? When I passed him on the street, I was like 19.

That's like a, not a core memory, but one of those trajectory, like changed everything moments and that you remember. And you're like, nope, I'm not bad. I want to be this. Exactly. But how sad because I, mine never grew. And I did have the chest for ballet. I would give anything to have the chest size that you have.

Having big boobs is really overrated. Gosh, but don't we all want what we don't have because I would. give anything for some tits. You know, I'd give anything for some tits that weren't in my waistband. But you also have had four children and like look incredible and you are a super mom and hero. Like you are doing it all. Thank you.

So I'm like, we're also hard on ourselves, but we wonder where it stem from. And then we're like, oh, oh, we had other women telling us our body wasn't ideal to do what we love to do. Yes. And then it all starts from there. It's just, it's crazy because I remember in dance studios like being told my body was what a ballerina should look like. And so then when I started gaining weight around the age of 17, it was like, and I love you, mom. I know you weren't meaning anything by it,

but she grew up a professional ballerina. And I remember coming home from a dance company that I got a scholarship for and I gained so much weight. And my mom was like, oh, you get. And I was like, oh, shit. And then like, you know, like it just, those things stick with you. They really stick with you. They really stick with you. It takes a long time for those things to go away. I mean, I don't think they go away. Yeah. Well, yeah. My daughter has the ballerina body and has the turnout, all natural. And I'm like, don't you want to do this? This is my dream. She's like, I have no interest whatsoever. Isn't that crazy? Taking everything in me, I'm like, you were blessed. You were born to be a dancer. I know. And she's like, I don't care. That's so funny.

That's, my sister always wanted a boy who played hockey and she got one. And he was so good and then he decided he really wanted to do basketball and she didn't want to like you know like break down right in front of him but she was like okay and went to her room and had like a full-on meltdown because she was like she loved being the hockey mom she was the one with the cowbell in the crowd like cheering and it was like her dream and the other day she called me crying and he decided he wants to go back to hockey and she's just so happy about it how old are your kids so 13 10 7 and 2 oh my gosh. When did you have your first child? I was 31. I'm 39 and definitely wanted to have children,

but I'm like, oh shit, we're getting up there. Not an age in general, but like to have a baby because now I'm considered like geriatric. I know. But those are such ridiculous and outdated terms. Like Hallie Berry had a baby at what? Like 56, Janet Jackson. Like, oh, true. You know, the uterus is ageless. Just just know that. It's the eggs that are. It's the eggs. Yeah, which I have mine frozen. So I'm happy about that. I do want to talk about family life and having kids and all that. But I want to talk about your first big break. I know you moved to New York when you're 18 years old,

which I think, like, I moved to Vancouver from a very small town when I was 19. And I was like, I'm like, I'm in the biggest city in the world. I felt like so lost in Vancouver's like Canada. Everybody's so nice. I feel like moving to New York at 18 will toughen you up. Did it? What was that like? It's certainly tapping to me out.

Yeah. I moved. I was living with my friend at Fordham University. he would sneak me in. I had taken him in in high school when he had come out to his family, did not go well. So he moved in with us. So he was like, let me return the favor. Stay with me.

I just remember I was nervous, but I was more excited. And I was like, I had an internship that was paying me like three bucks an hour. And I was just in the fashion world. This was in the fashion world. And I was just so excited to be there and so excited to like finally make my dream come true, like from the pages of W Magazine and bizarre. So for me, I should have been more nervous, but it never, I don't know, I was just so elated about like, oh my God, I had this goal and here I am.

Yeah, because New York is so intimidating. I feel like to an 18-year-old girl starting in the fashion world, I feel like that would be intimidating, but you're even, it doesn't matter what age you are. I feel like women have the best intuition ever in your gut was telling you that this was right. Yeah. Honestly, the most intimidating was like learning the streets in the subway. Like that is the hardest thing to master. And once you've mastered it, it's like, I can do anything.

I can't do it. Like, I go to New York almost every month, every other month. And I am like, how does this work? I'm honestly such a baby. But it's because I see too much on Instagram of the New York subway. It's like people of the subway and I see too many videos where I'm like, what is wrong with people? This is a very special time right now. Like, it is out of control.

You're right. It's a special time. Of our youth. Okay. People being said on fun. being, you know, pushed into this. Like, this is a whole new world that we're living in. I really, I was saying this the other day where my girlfriend was talking about how scared

she is to have kids. And I'm like, yeah, but every generation has been scared and been like, oh, look at, like, we had, we didn't have this growing up. And every generation has reasons to be scared. And I'm like, if you're a good parent, that's, you know, at the end of the day, I feel like that's all that matters. But I'm like, we used to be in crazy wars and bad things were happening. But people were not as stupid as they are right now.

Like, bad things always have happened, but people are just so stupid now. Like, I can't believe it when I go to the airport, what I see. I know. You don't think they're just crazy? I think, I don't know that they're stupid. A lot of people are crazy. Yeah, I meant crazy. Okay.

Yeah, okay. They're crazy. Like, I'm, there was a guy, I took a video of it. I didn't expose his face because I was like, okay, I'll have some level of respect for this human, even though it's like a little bit. He was picking his toes on. the flight. Bare feet picking his toes,

letting shit hit the floor. I could, and I knew I was looking at him like like I was making it obvious that like this is, sir, this is unacceptable. I mean you should just do that in your bathroom. I feel like flight attendants should have the right to be like

please stop doing that that is disgusting behavior. Most definitely. I feel like they just let people. Especially they're too scared. Want another drink sir? I'm like no. No. Stop giving this man, alcohol, and give him a sock. Yeah. I don't even like it when people take their sock, like their shoes off.

Me either. Like, keep your shoe on. There is not as thought. The plain etiquette. My mom still dresses up to the nines to go on a plane. And I'm like, no, Mom, we don't do that anymore. But we still act like not an animal on a flight. Correct.

Keep your shoes and socks on and no personal hygiene on the airplane. How about that? A guy peed on another guy in first class on American Airlines the other day. What? No, United States. Not that it matters. Either way, it's bizarre. Why?

I think he was drunk and took Xanax or something. Oh. Was totally out of it, thought he was in the bathroom. That's why I don't take those things. You never know what could happen. I was so scared on an airplane. Like, I've done like a half of Xanax once on an airplane because I thought I was going to have a panic attack. But like to actually drug yourself, knock yourself out and drink alcohol on top of that, I would be scared of how I would behave on a plane.

Yeah. That's why we don't do that. No, it would be like bridesmaids. Except worse. That's funny. If there was a girl like that on my plane, I would be like, that's hilarious. Oh, my gosh. Okay, sorry, I always lose track and go off on tangents.

But you had your first fashion show the night before 9-11 in New York City. How old were you when that happened? I was turning 21. And when we say fashion show, let's just like really. Okay, tell me what it was. This was not like the glamorous, like, Tom Ford fashion shows. But it was your first. It was my first fashion show.

But it was like five of us who hobbled together the funds and did like a group show. And so we all had, you hustled five people together. We hustled five people together. We all had five looks, something like that. So like the audience was definitely parents and close friends. It's not like any fashion editors were there. But it was for me a big deal. Yeah.

Yeah. I feel like to move to New York at 18, where did you move from? I moved from Florida. Florida, right. Yeah. So to move from, that's such a big change, number one. I mean, we bought my coat at Nordstrom in Florida. And I was like, this will be a great winter coat, mom.

And then it was like the flimsy. Yes. I got to New York because I remember moving in October and I was like, oh, this is not going to last. And my mom was like, fine. We'll go to Century 21 and I'll buy you a real coat. Did you move to New York with like nothing? I moved with like three work outfits and like a, what did you call it? Like a workout, like a winter coat that was literally nothing, a rain jacket.

Oh my gosh. Yeah. And so from 18 to 21, you were just like figuring out, I worked for a designer. So I had a paid internship six months in. I was like, I've shown you my worth. You will hire me. And the CEO said, yes, I will hire you. And so I eventually made my way into working in the design department.

And I was overseeing. Well, I had a boss, but there was two of us, the design of the collection. And that was what I was doing. And so at 21, you have your first fashion show that, of course, is not glamorous because it's your first. And you work really hard for it. And you probably felt like on top of the world at the end of it where you're like, I did it. We, you know, had this great fashion show and something life altering happens the next day. Yes. And it's 9-11, which is, I feel like that alone would, that alone impacts obviously

people and who they are. And then you're like, what were you feeling when that happened after to try and, because I would move back home. I would be so scared. It would have crippled me. I feel like everybody lives in fear after that. And especially when you're in New York City. How did that impact to you. So my parents were actually on their way to the airport when it was all happening. And while there was still cell phone service, they called, they said, you know, we're okay. We're, we're actually they had a travel day that day. I was like freaking out that they were on one of the flights. No kidding. Yeah. Oh, wow. So they said we've rerouted. We left the airport. We got a rental car. We're going to drive to my aunt's house. We're going to regroup. And then we're going to drive to Florida.

You need to get in the car. We'll pick you up. And I was like, no. Really? I am a New Yorker, even though I was three years in, I said, I'm staying. What would I do if I went home? Just leave it all? Just like run. That would be me. I run.

People like fight or flight. I'm like, get out of here. Oh my God. I'm kind of like a stay and the first thing I said was like, we have to do something. We have to go down and like, what can we do? And I was lucky enough to be part of a volunteer group that was literally at Ground Zero helping the firefighters with basic means, water, food, rest. And I did that every day for two weeks until things were organized enough.

And then the red tape got very red. And then you couldn't go down there and just lend a hand. Right. But that's what I did every day. And when I wasn't there, I was at the hospital. There was a hospital on 14th Street. And we were also like just, what can we do to the first responders who are here who haven't slept? And I mean, you have this moment.

We're like, cool, I have to start over again because everything I just worked hard for is gone. But it also puts it in perspective. It's like it doesn't even matter. Yeah. It's like, you know, maybe we'll talk about this. later or not, but like Monday of last week, my priorities were very different than Tuesday when the fire started, you know? And now it's like everything is aligned towards like, what are we doing to support? And who cares that I thought it was urgent that I needed to do

some outreach? The fire is happening right now and the evilness of people starting fires and everything. I'm like, what is happening in the world? And I always see all this evil. And then it's, you know, you've got to look to the people who are, what are people doing to help? What are people doing to give back how the communities come together and then that's like as hard as it is to focus on that yeah people are really out there doing things to come together and so you learn that at a very young age because to go through something so terrifying and life changing and change the whole world at 21 I don't I guess I think like this is what my mindset was I was 23 and I had lived in Vancouver for four years and there was supposed to be like the big one of the earthquake that was

like going to hit Vancouver and everyone kept talking about it I was like I'm out of here yeah I'm going to move back home have babies with my high school sweetheart Ryan butter and and just like I'm out because I get so crippled with fear yeah now that's different though like you do I do I think like something that you can't control like an earthquake or like if someone's like hey flood I'm not going be like, I'm going to sit here and volunteer for the relief efforts of a flood. Like, do you know what I mean? Like, you would do the safe thing, obviously. But I think in an instance where you're still alive, you know your city's hurting.

Yeah. Okay. I think it's a little different. I think you were right to want to like abandon cart. I really. Yeah, I really, I really did. But I didn't. Grab a coffee and discover nonstop action with Bud MGM Casino.

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But MGM operates pursuant to an operating agreement with Eye Gaming Ontario. What we were starting to talk about was just perspective of, of, you know, what really matters in these. And it's not even like a tough time, like stubbing your toe. sucks. This is like, you know, mass destruction and people dying and awful things happening. I cannot handle anything to do with animals and the stuff that's like with the fires. I just start sobbing. I know. But it's just, I mean, that really, I feel like probably she had a big impact on who you are and how you do business, how you do life, how you do relationships when something so scary happens like that. Yeah. Yeah. It definitely is something that I feel a calling to do

what I can. I mean, even in my book, I talk about it. Like, I would work till three every day and then I would volunteer at this artist nonprofit. And the whole goal was just to give undiscovered artists a voice. Yeah. Yeah. And I didn't get paid for it. You know, I didn't get anything from it, like, tangible that people would expect. But it was the joy of like, look, we just broke this artist or they got to have a place to do a free art show. And I mean, I've been doing that since I was 20. Wow. So, I mean, I did it. I stopped eventually. But I like, But you did it. Yeah.

Yeah. Wow, that's beautiful. I always find it interesting, too, with someone like yourself who's, you know, you really started from the ground and built what you had. And you started at a time when there's no social media. There's no online shopping, which I'm like, what was the world before that? Like, what? That's just obviously grown in your favor.

But how did you go about marketing your business and getting in with the right people? So in the beginning, it was literally door to door. I think that. No. Oh, yeah. that's that's a hustle right there that's a hustle yeah oh you must just want to smack the gen's ears well i actually just actually mentored two gen zers today and i was like oh there's hope they are kind they're kind but they were prepared and organized they had questions that they were asking me i was like

i'm impressed okay okay great they both had their own businesses wow yeah i was like okay okay love that okay that does give me hope okay great sorry um door to door but also when 9-11 happened I took a piece from my collection which was this like distressed cut up i love new york shirt and i put it up for sale and so that got so much press it was crazy yeah and so i was able to pick up the phone and call these boutiques they did not hang up on me because they were like we don't know why we've heard your name right and but okay fine come on in so it was door to door and then i found a girl who was a road they're called road agents yeah and they go door to door they have relationships so she and i had suitcases and we'd show up in places. Wow. Like Yvonne. Was that Canadian? No, Avon. You remember

Avon? Yeah, but we had the hangers. We'd hold it up. They'd place their order. It was, I mean, that's how it was done. Holy shit. That is so impressive. Yeah. And if you got big enough, you'd get picked up by like a bigger, you know, clothing showroom and they would sell your stuff. That's like you read about it, one of those things. Like, you read about it. It's in the history books. Yes, in the history books. You're going to be in the history books. That's so cool. You kind of have to without, you know, now we have these, this online presence and whatever, but you still have to build it to get somewhere online too, you know, but you really started door to door. And in Union Square, by the way.

Wow. I would print these postcards from my home printer because I couldn't afford and I was stand in Union Square and I'd be like, go check out this new designer, go check out. And I would hand out postcards and then I'd run to the store, be like, do we sell anything? You'd like, we sold one shirt. I'd be like, okay, two or postcards equals one shirt sold. I got to print 400 next time. And I would literally, that was my, like I call it a magic ratio. Like every business has this, you'll hit a certain number of things that you've put out

and you get a sale in or a sale back. And once you find that golden ratio, then it's like, it's like the cheat code. There's people out there that I feel like would be like, oh, I got one t-shirt out of that. Like, I'm out of here. But you were like, okay, my mindset is. And I feel like that's why you've gotten to the place that you've gotten to because you add that mindset. Yes. Did you already have connections in the city?

like when you said you moved in with somebody or that no so i moved in with my friend then my parents came up after about two weeks and i was like cool we're going to get me an apartment now right guys yeah no no uh we went to dinner with my dad's first cousin and she was like all right you can stay in my daughter's playroom if you babysit her twice a week but you have to clean up and make it look like you're not there every day yeah and i was like got it great i'm in so i moved there uh the only connections i had were the people at the office yeah um and i was like where you go and shop for real winter coats. And they're like, this place called Zara.

It's a new concept store. No way. Yes. And I was like, where do I go to buy office clothes that I look nice? Zara. No way. Funny. I didn't know it was.

I thought this was Zara just came about in the last like 10 years. No, it started probably how long have I been doing this like 25 years ago. But it was like new and affordable. Yeah, now it's ridiculous. I feel like Zara. Zara home knows fire. I do like Zara home. But it's really expensive.

It's so expensive. I'm like, I'm like, oh, I'll buy that armoor. It's probably like 500 bucks. And it's like 3,000. I'm like, I'm not buying a Zara home armor. I only like window shopping with that one. Yeah.

I want to talk about the moment because I remember this paparazzi photo. The moment that Lindsay Lohan was seen with your bag. Yes, I love that moment. So that was in 2005, which was when Lindsay Loan was like, the pop rotsie of the game. Yes. We're like obsessed with her. Obviously, her having that bag is a huge career boost for everybody to see her with this bag in paparazzi photos everywhere.

Yep. Was that like a very big change in the career trajectory? It was huge. There was a number of celebrities in a row that just made things pop off in a way I could have never imagined. But again, no social media, no direct consumer. A celebrity in your whatever it was guaranteed press and sales. And it was easy. It wasn't like it is today where you had to do a deal with them and pay them and how many posts and stories. It was just like. And it was so organic. It was so organic. That was like a drug deal that moment because there was a gifting suite that someone was generous enough to give me for free because I like had a little bit of like a name going. And my friend who's a stylist, Elario, I said, I'll be right back. I got to go to the bathroom. And I get back. She's like, oh my God,

you missed it. Lindsay Lohan came through here. And she missed you on the first round. But on the second round, she grabbed the bag and she walked out with it. And we got the shot. And I was just like, this is going to change everything. So, yeah. Wait. So she. So she came around on the second loop and got one of your bags. And then that's how, and then she wore it on her way out. And that's how it got photographed. Yep.

And then that Kristen Cavillary, Hayden, Panettiere, Reese Witherspoon, Jessica, Alba, all these like 2005 it girls were just wearing the product, not just, we were getting it to them. In similar situation, a friend of a friend was like, I know someone who knows someone.

I was like, I'll give the whole chain a bag if you can get the final one to the girl. Yeah. And that's crazy. because that's, you know, now in the social media world, we all want to have, like, I want to have celebrities drinking my wine. I would love somebody to, you know, like, I love for you to come on my podcast. Like, it's such a, but back then it was the paparazzi and social media was just magazines. Like it was, but everybody was obsessed with those magazines. Oh my God. There was a

competitive brand in the handbag space. When Sienna Miller wore their bag, the brand was called Cuba, I think the figures I was told was they went from $3 million to $20 million in a year just from her wearing that bag and that paparazzi shot. Like that was the time that it could like explode the growth. That was which is so funny now because I do feel like celebrities are having like a downfall. Like everyone's like they're wearing that. Not for me. Like everyone wants to see celebrities like have like their slice of humble pie and go away,

which I'm like, no, not that I'm a celebrity, but it's social media influencer. or people just want to, you know, see them fail, I guess. Yeah, but I feel like whether it's a celebrity or an influencer, like, I think everyone at the end of the day still want someone that they look to that's like, oh, I like them for their style. Yeah, 100%. So who's that going to be if everyone goes away? It's not going to be my neighbor from down the street.

Right. That's true. I have gotten, I had zero style probably five years ago, but one of my girlfriends here as a stylist and I started being like, you know what, I would like to invest in some like clothes and certain bags and things like that. And once I did it, I was like, oh, this is a slippery slope. I love it now. Yeah. I love following people for trends. I love seeing what's happening with. What do you think about where the style is at right now in the world? Because I feel like, well, I guess there's different generations. Yeah. But like what do you think is it right now in the world

with style like what it's in uh well i think everything baggy and oversized yeah you've seen my pants i can't even walk they're so big i i feel like i want to wear everything that i said i'd never wear i was like i just want a great pair of pleaded pants yeah and i want like i want to look homeless essentially in how big my sweatshirt and sweatpants are and i'm going to wear that out yeah not just at home i know it's just funny how it changes or i was like skinny skinny jeans for life yes and now i'm like do not come back if you come back i am not in i want as baggy and loose a pan as possible i know i literally were a sweat suit to dinner last night i was like this amazing i know and i got compliments i know low rise no never though do you do low rise no i'm saying if it comes back i'm due

okay thank god like when i did see like the whole gen z like the cropped low rise pant with the crop shirt i was like this will never happen again not not for me not with these abs i can't i can't Can't do anything low rise. Yeah. Just no. But what is your, what is your favorite trend that's like now in the past? What was it like something that you're like this skinny jeans? Yes.

But was there something? I'm trying to think of what the trends were in like the 2000. Like when when everyone started buying your bag in 2005, what was the trend that they were wearing? Okay. It was a juicy couture. Oh yeah. Sweat shirt that was lined with rabbit fur.

Yeah. RIP. Yeah. I had one. I bought it on eBay because I couldn't afford the real thing. with your wife beater tank tops i don't think i'm allowed to say that your oh yeah ribbed haynes tank top yeah yes and your low rise bell bottom jean tucked into an ugg yep i did that puddles around the hug yeah that was the look

oh my gosh i have a uh photo of me in those the bell bottom low with a massive belt Remember the big belt? Yes, I do. Tucked into I, which I would always wear moccasins and a juicy sweater. Oh, I thought that was so cool. Tell me about the process of designing and launching your first handbag. Was it the morning after bag? Yeah, it was the morning after bag.

Did you anticipate its iconic status? Like, how did you come up with this concept? Okay, it was not an organic. I was toying with the idea of adding handbags to the clothing line. Yeah. A friend of mine, an actress who was on a very big hit show at the time, Jarma and Greg. Her name is Jen Elfman. Yes.

Love that show so much. It was such a good show. Oh, it's so good. Just wait. She's filming something now. It's going to be incredible. She came to me and she said, do you design bags? And I was like, yeah.

Totally. She's like, great, I need it in two weeks. It's for a key, like, the character will never take off the bag. It'll be everywhere. And I was like, done. And then I called up my leather vendor because I'd been making leather jackets. And I was like, where do I get a bag made in Manhattan? And she's like, here's three addresses, go see all of them.

Wow. So I went to them. I went to the guy and he came back and he was like, do you know who else I make for? I'm doing a really bad Russian accent. I was like, what is that? And I said, no, and he brought out a competitor of mine. And I was like, oh, if he makes for her, like, we're good. Right.

I was like, I need this bag in like two weeks. And I basically wanted the bag to be something that at the time, everything that was out there were these iconic, like, have to have bags that had logos all over. them the fendi spy bag the mark jacobs bureaucami like for louis baton but after like three months you were like oh cringe right i've seen it on everyone everyone has it and now it feels older outdated so i wanted the antithesis of that i wanted a bag that was trendy and cool but wasn't splattered with something so iconic that you'd be sick of it yeah and so for me it was really important to have the design be something that a woman felt like she's first and the bag makes her look great The logo's in the back.

It's very discreet. And I had had this vintage travel bag that was like a big duffle, but I liked the general shape. And I brought it and I was like, can we shrink it? Can we add this to it? Can we put these dog hooks on it? And that was kind of the ideation phase. And then he delivered it to me.

I shipped it. Like I had a day left. I shipped it. FedEx missed the delivery window. Her assistant called me. It was like, where's the bag? We're about to start filming. And I was like, I don't know.

You can't just, like, go online and track the bag. Right, right. And so they used a different bag, and I was devastated. So she had one and I had one because I paid my last $1,800. I had these bags made. Yes. And I was like, cool. Well, I just got my first designer bag.

And then I was, like, sad walking around Manhattan with it. Like, now what do I do? And women were stopping me left and right, organically, like, who makes your bag? And I was like, oh, maybe there's something to this. Yeah. So I showed my friend Alaria, the stylist. And she's like, I love it. And I want to buy it for the store that I'm consulting for in L.A.

was like the hot store. It was called Satin. And she bought it. And then she goes, oh, by the way, I know someone at Daily Candy. Do you remember Daily Candy? No. No. But I'm also Canadians, so a lot of names don't sound familiar.

It was like, again, when email was something you wanted in your inbox, like it was the hottest, newest, latest, one thing every day. And anything that they wrote about sold that. went nuts. It was like the Oprah effect. Yeah. Yeah. So she got her friend Crystal to write about it and the bag sold out in literally 10 minutes. No way. Yeah. And then they're like, okay, we want 75 more. Okay. Sold out again. And that was the beginning of like, oh, this could be something. Yeah. And I mean, you've been in the industry for 20 plus years. How do you, I never like the word relevant, but like I mean it in a positive way. Like, how do you stay relevant? in such a competitive industry. I look at Madonna. Yeah. And I go, how many times this woman have to reinvent herself to stay relevant?

Yeah. And she always did it in her own brand. She never went off brand. Yeah. But I feel like you are reinventing constantly. And it's exhausting. Let me tell you. Sure.

Jamie can also tell you how exhausting it is. Because you always have to be thinking of something that's going to get someone's attention, especially right now, which is every two seconds. Yep. Someone needs something else. So it's like, you have to think of like the 10-year plan, but then also, okay, in the next month, what am I talking about? What am I doing?

How are we relevant? And I think it's also widening your scope of what you stand for. So you're not just, I'm only bags. It's my charitable contributions, my interest, my passion, my lifestyle habits, my health, my wellness. I'm an author. I'm a pocket. Like, I'm hitting you from a lot of angles.

Yeah. So depending on what you're picking up in the world, you can get different slices of the brand and the lifestyle in me. Wow. That's smart. I mean, makes sense because you're smart. But it's,

I find it so hard because you're right. Like even, even when I'm scrolling, if it doesn't have my attention for like longer than five seconds, I'm like, next, next.

And I feel like, yeah, you've just done such a good job of keeping your brand so relevant and like fresh and new. And the reinventing, I think that's such good advice because how do you stay like

true to yourself when you're constantly reinventing everything because that is part of the business but I like you said it's exhausting yeah how do you do that well this is not just me like you might hear me talking but there is an incredible team that helps behind the scenes and lots of ideas and lots of input and I think at the end of the day if you are so clear and we weren't always like this but we got so crystal clear on what we stand for as a brand and what I stand for and how that Venn diagram intersects yeah that when you go to reinvent you just sort of go down the checklist, you know, if someone came to me and said, we'd love for you to talk

about, I don't know, the plight of dolphins in Japan. Yeah. I'd be like, I love that. But like, doesn't it, like, there isn't that for this. Yeah. Yeah. And so I think it's kind of like, once you're so clear on that, it becomes really easy to focus on those pillars. Yeah. Okay. I said earlier we would talk about this. I want to know about your married life and having a family. Yes. Because to me, like, I think the dream would to, you know, I can't start now because there's no chance I'm having four kids now, but I feel like four. Never know. I do.

I do know, actually. It's definitely one and done if it happens. But I just feel like I would, I love the idea of four kids and I just, where do you guys live right now, New York? So I filled my time between New York and Florida. New York and Florida. Okay. And do your kids go with you?

Yes. And no. Sometimes they're with me and sometimes they're not. Yeah. lately i've been like you just stay home yeah yeah how did you your husband meet we met oh god this is a really long story do we have time for the long story yeah sure so the gentleman that i had been uh pining over since i was with someone broke my heart yeah no one was good enough compared to him yeah a good friend of mine said there's a guy you should meet his name is gavin he's in the band

he's a musician he's so cool this was in l a we were on a hike and i was like cool introduce me and she's like, I don't know how to get a hold of him. Like, he's on MySpace. So I checked his MySpace profile. I was like, he looks very mature. He has a Sharpie mustache on his profile. Like, I don't do that. Six months later, he and I were at this cafe and she was there with me. She's like, that's him. And I was in a relationship, which was a terrible one, as was he. And there was like this wave and this moment where we looked at each other. And I was like, huh, he is handsome. Maybe he's not immature with his Sharpie mustache. Right. Maybe he's just funny. And then six months later, I get a call from said X and he said, I love you. He used to call me every New Year's and be like, I love you.

And I would drive me crazy. So this particular New Year's, I was like, I'm flying out to LA. We're going to figure out our relationship. My parents lived there. So it was easy for me to just go. Yeah. I call him and I was like, I've landed. I'm coming over. He's like, you can't come over here. Like, I never invited you over. Like, but I'm here. So I reroute to my parents house. And I'm like, I'm such an idiot. I'm such a gullible loser. Right? And my friend was like I'm going to this party and you know who knows let's just go and see what happens and Gavin was there no way yeah and so she pushed me into him and I was like I'm putting on a charity event and I need a band maybe you want to perform so that was like the the guys of like the

exchange yeah and this girl kept coming up the whole time we were talking she's like Gavin want a drink Gavin do you want something to drink Gavin and I'm slow in the signals department really slow really wants him to have a drink and then I was like oh they're together and I'm the idiot that's just like, I'm going to keep talking to you. So I was mortified because I'm not that type of girl and I left. But by then the exchange of information had been made. And it was, you know, we were set on a course. So long story short, we had coffee.

He told me he was seeing her. I took a long drag of my cigarette because I used to smoke. And I was like, let me know what happens with that. And I just bluffed. And then I went back to New York and then he texted me on my sidekick about 10 days later. and it's like, hey, that's not a thing anymore, you know, I'd love to talk to you. Yeah. So that was, that was it.

We did long distance for a year and a half. I was his little roadie and I went to all his shows. And then the music industry went out of business. Yeah. And I was just starting my brand. Like I was me and an intern out of my fifth floor walk up. Wow. And he called me.

He's like, well, I got to start over and you seem like you got something. I was like, I don't think I have anything, but you can come here. You can live with me for free for six months until you. figure out your next gig but after that like I got no money yeah this is you know yeah wow that that mentality a lot of people couldn't do that they're like well I don't know what I'm going to do in six months and I don't know what kind of money I'm going to make and I don't know where and I just put all my money into this and this that's like a not the opposite of the what is it a scarcity mentality but we had nothing so like what was there to lose like we literally had nothing but that's such a great

mindset if you want to like I feel like the people who stress and free out over money and what's next and like the people who need this plan are the ones who don't like live out their dreams. Yeah. I feel like you have to kind of be this person. Like I remember not having, I didn't even have $10 when I was going on The Bachelor because I spent all my money to buy dresses to go there. My mom like spent all her money to help me get dresses and everything to go out there. And this is like the false confidence at its finest. I was like, well, I'm going to need 11 row ceremony dresses because I'm definitely making it to the end and my mom goes just don't be the drunk girl on night one I was like wait I might be the drunk girl I'm either going home night one

or he's going to see my personality and be like okay you're my wife that's what I thought I was like I'm either night one or long game and I went into like debt from dresses to go on the bachelor but I was like I believe in this and I think there's a bigger purpose of why I'm going on and I didn't stress at all about money I remember if I had $10. I was like, great, I get coffee today. Like I, I just never had, now I'm more. We stressed out about money. Don't get me wrong. Oh, now I do big time. Because when we got married, like, we thought that one of our parents was going to pick up the like small 20 person dinner tab. And none of our parents were picking it up. And we were outside the restaurant calling our credit card

asking for an increase on our $500 limit. Like that's, that was like, we definitely stressed about money. But again, you still were doing it. Like, well, we didn't have a choice. The restaurant was going to let us leave. Oh my gosh. Yeah. Wow, that's crazy. Yeah. I was like, thanks, dad.

Thanks, father-in-law. For nothing. Gosh, that's so, yeah, I always was like, Dad. I need to pay my rent. Thank God for parents sometimes. Do your kids show interest in fashion? My sons do not. I have three boys, one girl.

My daughter does a lot. Really? Yes. She's always like, I want to pick your outfit. Look at the outfit I pick. in New York. There's an incredible sewing class. She made her own outfit.

She was so proud of like the design she did. Now she has these like little mini mannequins and you can drape clothing. And so I really don't want her to go into this career. But she's set on it. Wait, why don't you want her to go into that career? I don't know. I feel like I'm still stuck on the dancer thing. I'm not going to lie.

I'm still there. She has an incredible voice. So I'm like, you're a triple threat. Yeah. Like go do that. Does she like entertaining? Like, did she like performing? She does.

Oh, okay. Yeah. Well, that's cool. Yeah. But, you know, when we're like, okay, read your lines for this audition, she's like, I don't need to read my lines. I know everything. I'm like, no, you don't.

Wait, how old is she? She's 10. She's 10. Or she was asking the national anthem for this race that was like a marathon. Okay. And we were like, you have to practice. She's like, no, I don't. I was like, Ariana Grande practices, okay?

And I was like, you're not doing the race. if you don't practice. She's like, then I won't do it. No! Yeah. Did she do it? No. No way. Yes. So. Oh, funny. Yeah. So she's a no at all. Wait, that's what is her sign? She is a Leo.

Such a Leo. Yeah. No, I don't know. But I was leading. I was counting on you to tell me what it was. No, my girlfriend's a Leo. And it's I always, I always pretend like I know what I'm talking about with signs and I actually have no idea. I only know about like three. You can show me any horoscope. and like covered up, I'd be like, oh, that's so me. Wow, that's for somebody, you lived in L.A. for a while, didn't you? Or were you always New York?

I was always New York, but I spent so much time in L.A. Did it make you, like, not want to get into astrology? Because everyone does there. You're like, no. No, I just always, again, I was always that person where you could cover it up and I would say that was me, so then I lost faith in it. Okay, that was me too, but then I got into birth charts and now I'm, you know, we all I believe there is something to it all.

Of course, yeah. Because, yeah. My husband, of all people, was like, Like, here's how it works. Really? He was just going on, again, the moon. Yeah. That when you are a baby in a womb and amniotic fluid, like there is a push, pull, there

are magnetic forces and that might change who you are and what you're drawn to just based on like water and how it flows. And I was like, now that I can agree with. Yes. I love that shit so much. Yeah. That, oh, your husband's into that. He's not.

Oh, he's not at all. But he was like, here's the part that I can see how it could. that magnetism or whatever it is could alter an outcome of someone's personality. And I was like that I like, do you believe in like the secret, like the law of attraction? I don't know what the law of attraction is. What? You've never seen the secret? I've heard. I've seen the book cover. I could, in my eyes, it's like I can see it too. It's like the book cover with like the red writing and like burning behind it. But I really, I didn't really follow it. Oh my gosh. I get into things like so heavily when when I believe in something and then I start like seeing the proof of believing in

I go all in. Yeah. Like I'm like, I live my life based on the secret. I really do. I like, I have this goal. It's what I want. And it doesn't just happen because I want it or because I did a vision board. Right.

I have to like take the steps to do it. See, I'm like, if I put it on a vision board, it's happening. I love that. I have a vision board downstairs. And right now all it has on it is like dollar signs and then jelly roll's face. Because I want to get them on the podcast. I love it. It's like dollar, literally like, it's like, invest better, dollar signs.

And I'm like, and jelly roll. Oh my God. Why jelly roll? I feel like I always like his story. Okay. I feel like he, I feel like he's like a really like look on the bright side, positivity, believe in who you are and you'll go places. Like he, I love his message.

Yeah. I think I love that he's just got face tats everywhere, but he's like a soft teddy bear. Yeah. I feel like he's just got an interesting story and how he's gotten to where he's gotten to. I think is cool. And I love his music. Well, there you go. And he's in Nashville, so I'm like, I've just visualized him right here.

Me too. You are both Jewish and practicing Scientologists. That is so unique. I feel like Scientology often, like, draws a lot of curiosity, a lot of controversy over, because there's been like misconceptions and documentaries and all of this. You know, you never know. A documentary could literally convince me of anything. Yeah.

So I'll watch one and be like, well, that's what I believe. And then they could do a documentary on the other side of it and be like, well, now I believe that. It's so convincing. But what is like the biggest misconception that you would ever want to clear up about it? I think it's more the fact that it's still new. I think if we look at like religions that are 5,000 years old, anything new can be considered controversial or there's misconceptions around it simply because it's what 75 years old. Maybe my math isn't correct. If you look at what is historically, like what Jews had to go to, what we're still going through as Jewish people.

Christianity, Muslim, like every new religion. I mean, can you imagine in year zero what, you know, if Jesus Christ, like what that must have been like, or if you believed in him or the Spanish Inquisition? And so I think that it's just an unknown. And I, you know, I hate to sound like a broken record, but I'm like, if you are curious, go to Scientology.org and just look for yourself because that's what I know as the place to send people rather than me going, okay, listen to me for 20 minutes, tell you everything about it.

Right. And it really is a thing about you have to figure it out for yourself. Yeah. Because I feel like that's one thing people get frustrated at with any religion is when other people are just there like trying to push it down your throat or into the way they do it. So you're like, well, go to this website and see for yourself. Yeah. Have your own opinion.

I think that the main difference in what I think is confusing and maybe I didn't do a good job on TV of explaining is Judaism is rooted in belief. Scientology, the word itself, means knowledge. So it's rooted in knowledge and you improving yourself through gaining knowledge about yourself, others, relationships, you know, impacts of work. And if you are more knowledgeable and more educated about all those things and you have tools to improve that, then you can improve yourself. You can be a better Jewish person, the better atheist, a better Catholic.

You know, they're not, they don't take away from each other. Yeah. Yeah. So for me, one enhances the other. So how did it make you feel when that woman came out with that documentary about how terrible? Was that like so infuriating for you? Or because I feel like she was kind of like angry about it? She was angry. This is what I'll say. In any organized activity or any activity, there's going to be some dissatisfied people. Of course. Anything we do. Yeah. I think that when you specifically sell a one-sided view that is unfounded and able to be proved false and even she admits wasn't vetted a lot of her sources were not vetted on TV. I'm kind of like, why would anyone believe that?

I can't believe she said that. She was like, well, yeah, I actually didn't do my research. But, you know, like an extreme comparison is like, do you believe what a. neo-Nazi if they were to make a documentary about Jewish people, like, no, you wouldn't, you know? That's what I mean about the, it's like, it's almost scary what documentaries can do because like the John Bonnet Ramsey stuff. Like, I'll watch one thing on it and like anyone can, these producers are professionals.

They know what they're doing. They know how to sell a show. They know how to edit it in the proper way. Yeah. They know how to get the clips that they want. You know, like, if you have the right, like, media outlet, the right producer. the right network behind you, anything is so believable. And, you know, I don't know.

I just find it so scary because I'm like, I can watch any documentary. Yeah. And they'll have enough to convince me that. I think documentaries can do that. But I think you have to like analytically go, okay, what is the agenda? What is the purpose? Who is that person? And then again, you know, from what I know and from what I've experienced,

having been around it almost my whole life, like it's helped me overcome depression. Wow. It's helped me overcome anxiety. Not that you don't get flare ups of that stuff, how I approach motherhood, you know, treating my kids as tiny little grownups as much as possible. I'm not going to say I'm perfect in that department. It's helped me with communication with. I mean, I've been in this business for 25 years and people are always like, you're so calm. And I'm like, yeah, because I have tools that I'm using. You've practiced. To like stay calm and deal with stress that it's not just explosive at people. Right. And so I think you go, okay, you again have to see for yourself. and it has to be true for you. There's no dogma shoved down your throat.

Right. But that's what I know is how it's helped me. And so that's, that's the only truth I can speak to versus some, you know, someone who's trying to sensationalize and attack. So you've practiced your whole life. Not my whole life. Okay. My parents practiced both my whole life.

Yeah. Then when I was around 18, I would say like 16, I was dealing with the, you're ruining the symmetry. Your chest is too large. Yeah. And I did a course that. was overcoming suppressive elements in your life things that are holding you back and from that point i was like what's the word um when you have like a whatever catharsis like a not a catharsis but like a when the butterfly goes into the cocoon i'm so butchering this story um no i wish i could

help you but i'm well whatever when it goes to the cocoon it comes out yeah so i after they evolution sure we'll say an evolution i remember saying okay i don't get to i don't get to i don't don't get to perform. I'm going to choreograph my own damn show and I'm going to make this so successful and I'm going to get it on the road and it ended up being this, you know, my county was small but like, it ended up touring. And I was like, okay, there's something that I'm studying here that I learned that was giving me success. So then when I was 18 and I moved to New York, I don't know anyone I'm like, I am lost. I was like, oh, okay, maybe I'm going to go to the center in New York and like at least I'll have community and I'll, you know, see what else is available to me. And that's

for me when I kind of began on my own journey studying it. Do you find it challenging to talk about because you're like I don't want to like I want people to learn for themselves and go, you know, do their own research because I find like even when people ask me about my spirituality like it's so different all the time for me and it's always changing and growing and different beliefs like come about and like I used to never thought I think I would pray and now I pray every night and I don't know who I'm prayed to but I do it and I love it. And it's, but I get like, almost uncomfortable because I don't, I think people are afraid to talk about certain things like this, I guess.

But you've probably been, have you been made to feel like it's a shame or are you proud of it? I'm incredibly proud of it. And I'm, I'm well aware that because it's new and people have questions, like, I'm like, ask me whatever you want. When I won't do that is when I know someone's intentions are just to attack. And I can totally see it. And then I'm like, you're not going to, I'm not going to waste my breath. on this conversation. Yeah, because you won't win and you won't do what you're, you know, what you believe

in anyways, I always feel like this, sorry, I'm totally cutting you off, but with like this course that I took, kind of at the end, they were like, now don't go tell people they need to do this course and this is why and this is why it's, it's to be the light. And if they are interested in that in you, then, you know, you can talk about it. But yeah, it's not to go tell people what they should and shouldn't do. I mean, since when does telling anyone what someone should do ever worked? never works. Like when you're like, dump that guy. He's a loser. You're like, right, I'm going to go to his house tonight. Yeah. And we're going to get back together. Yeah. It doesn't work. You have to

honestly, it has to come to you for yourself. Yes. And in this case, you have to see that it works in your life. Yes. Or else, why are you spending your time doing it? Does your family practice both, your whole family? Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Is there challenges with that or do you love it? The only challenges with it is honestly like I want to do Shabbat every night. I mean, every Friday. you know I want to break the Sabbath every Saturday and sometimes it's like basketball yeah this that and I'm like we didn't do it again and another you know another two weeks has gone by since we didn't you know do this yeah and I don't feel like my kids are getting the exposure to Judaism as much because it's a regularly scheduled programming yeah that sometimes I'm just like

yeah yeah I get that has the show been empowering to you with it or were they like support of you talking about it? No, okay. I will say, how are we answering this one? This is what I'll say. I think that I arrived to that experience already with judgment.

Yeah. So no conversation felt curious or I want to know and I want to be respectful in the way you would with any other religious belief. It felt like we've heard some things we're coming into it with these conclusions

and it wasn't an area then because I felt that so probably that I felt comfortable as comfortable as I'm with you or on any other place that I've discussed it. And it's reality TV at the end of the day and I'm aware of that. And what is reality TV? Drama, sensations, right? Like you're not going to want to listen to me talk about how it's helped me and made me a happier person. True.

So I also knew going in like this isn't the format to discuss this. Yeah. It's kind of how I felt. Yeah, I especially, I feel like that show specifically, just because I've interviewed other women. And I just, I mean, nobody's, I feel like the intentions of that show is dramatic effect. It is for the drama. It is for the, like, controversy. It's like for everything.

It's not a feel good homework, you know, like. Yeah. I mean, I think it's pretty clear at the episode where Bryn's like, I like stirring the pot. Right. And we're going to play a rumor game. Like, oh, now you want me to be vulnerable? with you about my most private and personal beliefs. Like, am I an idiot?

Do I have idiot stamped on my forehead? No, I'm not going to discuss this with you here. Thank you. Okay, yeah, because honestly, I, a naive 29-year-old me who had never done anything in that industry in my whole life, I remember being like, these producers are so trustworthy. They're family to me. I'm going to open up and be vulnerable and share everything.

And I was like, oh, you dushed me. You literally duched me so hard. that again that's bachelor and that's a very manipulative like edited show and i know how they do it on the real housewise the editing and like not even editing but just like setting up scenarios to work people up to rile you know ruffle feathers like i feel like they put you in these situations yeah to not feel safe yeah and i think all of us were really diverse And I just would say, you know, to some of the girls, like if you had something that was brought up in a way that made you feel not comfortable or that the intentions were not honest, how would you feel, whether it's your sexual orientation or something that's happened to you or a traumatic event, would you open up and share? You probably wouldn't. Right. And so I chose to answer the questions that were asked of me. But you're going to get more real answers listening to this podcast than you probably did for me on the show. Yeah. You're like vulnerable and real.

And they're like, can we edit that and we'll edit that out? Yeah, I'm not going to edit any of this out. That's, so for people that are more just curious like me, I think a lot of people, again, like because you say it's new, people aren't knowledgeable. They only know what they read or hear about. And you might have already answered this. You might tell me again the same answer and that's fine. But what is one thing that you would encourage people to explore or learn to better understand

it? Would it be doing your own research? I would say read a book by Aaron Hubbard or go to the website, Scientology. org there's free courses there's there's so much free stuff for you to just say oh is this for me yeah before you do anything else um even if it's not like is it for me it's to better understand what it is if they watch the show if they follow you you know to because i don't know if i was so open about something that i believed in i would not want people to just attack me for something that makes me happy i'd want them to like but i mean a lot of people don't want to do that but it's also interesting

like we're in a day and age where you can be almost anything and you can find solace and so much and everyone can have you know it's not like 50 years ago where it was like you get to be Catholic or Jewish and that's it or Christian you know like now it's like you're finding your spiritual support from how many different sources right so the you know to me I'm just like let everyone do what makes them happy yeah you know can we get out of like totally agree with that why are we fighting people on finding their happiness it's kind of it kind of is more a sentiment of the person attacking. Oh, of course.

You know, then what the person who's doing it is doing. Yeah, like, why would what you do with your beliefs and what makes you happy? Why would that bother somebody? Did the women respect that about you? Yeah, they did. Okay. For the most part. That's good.

You saw the snark. Yes. Well, yes. And I mean, you're just, you've always kind of been about empowering women and female-led business, which I love. And it must be hard when you don't get that support back from other people. Oof, that was rough. Yeah.

This is what I'll say. And I do believe that when I was asked to do the show, the intentions and what was relate to me was true. Yeah. I was very much told, this is a new direction. We want to be fun, funny, with a little bit of drama. And the drama's always light. That's what they told you? Yeah.

I wouldn't have agreed to do it otherwise. Yeah, because to me, I'm like, that sounds great. I would sign up for that immediately. And I love that it was a diverse group of women representing New York City. everyone, for the most part, has their own career. And I was like, wow, what an awesome reboot. I'm down for this. And then you get into it and you're like, oh, that's not what this is.

Can't get off the ride. Going to do my best. Yeah. That's like dancing with the stars. I feel like they're like, no, it's so fun and you're dancing. And then you're like, oh, this is a grind and I'm in the dance, the ballroom every day, eight hours a day. My body's falling apart.

I'm tired. How tone do you get after? that i didn't get toned at the end of this journey okay i was toned but i was also broken i was spiritually mentally physically broken after and i'll do it all again asked me to come on the all-star season oh absolutely not no no no i i was already asked to do this show i am not doing it why why i did i not just tell you i'm gonna tell you by achilles heel like what i tell you as a dancer i was not good enough i can't remember a routine oh That's my not good enough.

So if you're like, and one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, I'll be like, let's go back to one, two. Let's do it like ten times. I think that's what helped me on the show was growing up. I remember choreography very easily. Yes. And that definitely helped me. And I panic under pressure and it was COVID so we didn't have an audience.

So I got to just go out there and like, they did like a laugh button and a clap button. And I was just like, yeah, I feel like that really helped me actually. But back to you supporting women, you literally have a whole podcast called Superwoman, which I love, I want, um, I want to know, I would love to. I would absolutely love to. When did you start your podcast? I started it in 2018. Cool. Um, I was doing, so you got in at a good time too. I got it at a good time. Yeah. I had no idea what I was doing for a very long time. None of us do. Um, and I just wanted to, you know, I felt lucky enough that I was exposed to the circle of women that were so incredible. And I was like, there's got to be a way to share these women's stories and

it needs to be on a podcast versus in my store doing a 70 person event. Right. So that was kind of the impetus for it. And I really wanted to share how hard it is and the challenges we face and we overcome because a lot of the women I have on, you know, people see their Instagram fees and they're like, oh, they're perfect. They've had it all. They had everything buttoned up. And so I like to like get in there and be like, what do we not know about you and how hard was it? How messed up was it? How did you recover? So what's your story in that department? How did you? Was your like hardship mess up come back from? My God, there's been so many. I'd say the biggest and first one was with my apparel. It was when it got to be sizable enough that I needed someone to help me sew everything. Yeah. I found a guy in the garment center, this really great Japanese talented pattern maker slash shower, but he was also a smoker.

So when he made my first order to this really incredible store in L.A., it was like the store to be in. He was called Madison. Okay. He smoked. Oh, no. And I go to pack up the order. Oh, no.

And it all smells. And I was like, if I don't get this order to the store, like, I'm, where am I going to take all this stuff to get dry cleaned? I don't have any money. I was like, I guess the smell will dissipate by the time it reaches L.A. It did not. Did not. The owner calls me. That's part of the story behind the bed.

So the owner calls me. He said, I am canceling my check. and the next time you're in L.A., you're going to come smell this clothing. And I was already planning to be in L.A. And I go there and he, like, makes me smell it. But it was a good lesson. He just could have been an asshole. Sure.

But he's like, you need to know this. If you're going to be in business, this is not the way. Yeah. And did you go smell it? I smelled it. It really smelled like, you know, when your clothes used to smell after you'd get home from a bar. Yes. That's what it smelled like.

Oh, nobody wants that either, even smokers. No. Yeah. But he let me dry clean it. And then, you know, he only took half the garments back, not the other half that I couldn't get this deadshed out. But like, it's learnings like that. They're just like, yeah. I could have stopped this.

Yeah. But again, that's good that you can, the benefit of hindsight, you're able to look back as a lesson. And I felt so bad the other day because I am obsessed with true food. And every time that I. What's true food? Oh, it's like a healthy option for like takeout. Oh, okay. And it's almost like a sweet.

green, but better. Yeah. And so I felt so bad because I kept getting my favorite salad and every time they forget the dates and it's my favorite part of the salad. And I was like, I do not want to be that girl that messages them on Instagram and thinks because I have a blue check mark. I can like get free true food or something. I didn't want that. But I was like, I worked in the restaurant industry for 11 years. I was always working my way up. I thought I was going to be a gym of a restaurant. Like I thought that was my path. And so I was like, I would want to know if that was happening. So, and I honestly was like, I'm so sorry to bother you. And I don't, but this is like the 10th time has happened and I'm not being dramatic,

but is there a date shortage? Because I totally understand if they're really felt so bad. I'm going to send you some dates. Yeah. I love dates so much. And I was just like, uh, I don't want anything from this. Like, I'm just wanting to let you know because it happens every time. It even happened when I went into the restaurant.

I was like, do you guys have dates? He's like, did they not come on there? I was like, what was that? There's a date shortage. There wasn't. No date shortage. It's just they always forgot. It's just a cavalier freshman person.

A Gen Z. It was totally a Gen Z in the kitchen who just got lazy. But no, I was like, you want to know these things. And again, that was a very different story. I don't know why I went off on that one. But like to know and to go in and be like, okay, you're right, you right. That's like, it's humbling and it's a good lesson. It's humbling.

Very humbling. That wasn't the first time that happened. That True Food replied. And they were like, we are so sorry. Here's a gift card. I was like, that's all I wanted. Just kidding. Just kidding.

I didn't. I didn't. I want to talk about the female founders' collective because it's helped so many women grow their businesses. Is there a particular story from the collective that really moved or inspired you? Oh, my God. So many, I'm sure.

There's so many. I think one of the ones that I love the most is a woman had come up to me and she said, I just want to let you know because of the female founder collective and because I attended one of your events. Our events are very education-driven. It's not a rara event where everyone's like,

look at me, I achieved this, and listen to my story. It's like, no, what's your pain point? Here's the expert on that. And she said, I was a receptionist. I quit my job. I started my own social media consulting agency. Now I have five clients.

And you get to hear these stories of these people that maybe you never see or meet. And they're like, because of what you did in the event you had and I felt equipped with tools to actually like take control of my life and like do something that I want. So it's like those stories that are so incredible. Yeah. Or even with the wildfires. like somewhat disrelated, but Tuesday morning, I posted an Instagram fundraiser. We've done almost $2 million for the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. Incredible. And that's the power

of our community. Yeah. It was like, women are like, we are going to band together. We are showing up. Yeah. Jennifer Aniston, Brooke Shields, Duolipa. They all participated in. Vanessa Hudgens. Wow. Yeah. I mean, that's just so powerful. That must make you feel like to keep going. Because I feel like 20 plus years, I feel like there'd be times that jaded you and made you want to just stop or get, but then there's that kind of impact that you're making. Yeah. And you go, no, okay, I'm doing the right thing. 100%. I mean, I did say to one of my partners, I was like, I wish my real job could feel this good all the time, you know?

Like, but that's, again, my charitable heart that wants to just do that all the time. What is the most rewarding part, I guess, of the show? Because I'm sure there's a lot of things that you're like, oh. But what is something that was rewarding for you from the show? Rewarding for me was getting to know Uba. Okay. Yeah. We became really close.

Yeah. Getting to know Jessel. I love that woman. Yeah. So making new friends was probably the most rewarding. Yeah. And I think sometimes you just need a slice of humble pie. Yeah.

Even though you're already humble, you can be humbled her. Always. And that definitely happened. That's fair enough. I mean, I do think everybody in the world can be humbled so it's not like you're the only one and it also it also gives you perspective on um i think the last time i felt like i was in a group of mean girls was when i was 13 and i was dropped by all my friends and i remember being home on a weekend being like i have no friends i have nothing

to do and i dove into my creativity and i became this like crafter and that really saved me and I was like, good. Now I've experienced that reminder again. Yeah, yeah. And it, in some sick way, it fuels you to go do something creative and innovative. And it's like a, you know, it's like a weird, it's a weird thing. No, that's a beautiful thing to be able to take like something, like, I just feel like it's so crazy to experience it for at 13 years old.

And then again, as a grown adult woman. Yeah. Who your mission in life is to support other women. Yeah. and to build each other up and you have all this proof behind you actually doing that. You don't just talk about it. Right. To feel that way is, I don't know, that would like really hurt my feelings.

You know, it didn't. Part of it was more the shock of like, oh, we're back here. Yeah, yeah. Is this what we're doing? I get that. And so that was the hurt was like, oh, I have to now spend my time doing this. And then it didn't because I was like, I am not letting this petty shit get to me.

Yeah, good for you. I'm not. It's just like it's 13 year old behaviors sometimes. Yeah. I kind of experienced that on Bachelor, of course, with so many women living together dating the same guy. I was like, the tagline is always like, I'm not here to make friends.

I'm like, I actually am. I love to make some, and I have. I've made incredible friendships out of that whole franchise. And it's like, you know, you meet the right people through it. You do. Yeah.

And you stay away from the ones that you don't. God, I literally have eight million. you more questions. Well, I have time. What time is it? You're good? Okay. Because I want to talk about obviously your book, Fearless. Is that the one right there? Oh, this? Yeah, this whole thing. I wasn't really prepared. Yeah. I kind of had a feeling this would happen. As soon as she said, Rose, I was like, my girl. So what inspired you to write this book? Okay, so I wrote the first iteration of the hardcover. Yeah. During COVID. Yeah. I had a deadline that I had to meet, frankly. Yeah. And I was determined to do it. And I thought at the time, we, just to give

perspective, we lost 70% of our business overnight in COVID. Oh, wow. All of our, 70% of our orders were canceled. We were at the brink of going out of business. Whoa. And so I went back to what I knew. I went back to the little girl that stood out and handed out postcards and all the grassroots shit I did to like get. And I was like, I am going to see if me and the tiny team that was left, We were like 60 people pre-COVID. We went down to 22 during COVID. If we as a team can apply a lot of these, what I have in the book, to stay in business. I'll just give it that goal.

My vision board was not like anything other than we need to stay alive. Wow. So I was sort of in real time experimenting and seeing if certain things we were doing was working and then writing the book about it. So the book is not a self-help book. It is really a business book, but through a mindset and tools you can apply, for your business or in life. That for me, I was like, I tried it once.

I tried it a second time. It worked. We're good. And then we released in paperback where it's being released in paperback. And I added another chapter. And the chapter is all about everything I wish I had known, really about money. Can I have that book? Yes, you can.

Okay. This is for you. And it's not like, listen, I'm no CPA. I'm no financial expert. But like, just do not depend on some man that's going to have the money. you know like save your money but that doesn't mean you don't get your blowouts and your botox you know just like the stuff that I had to learn the hard way yeah when my business lost everything and I was like oh I don't have a pot of gold right so right so what is what is

my safety net I don't have one yeah cool so I just wanted to give perspective on having almost you know worked 17 years for nothing and luckily we saved the business and everything's okay and we're back to growth, just, I wanted to republish it with that sort of hindsight. Yeah, wow.

I actually can't wait to read that. I'm like struggling right now with wine because wine sales are down across the board by like a lot of, a lot, like so many companies are just sitting on so much inventory of wine

so they don't want to take any more. Yeah. And I'm just like, oh, my life is over. My career's done. I'm going down the toilet and I just start spiraling. And I'm like,

that book's going. going to help me. Yeah. And the goal, listen, it's called Fearless. And I always say this. You don't finish the book and be like, I'm fearless. Right. You're like, I'm still scared, but here I go. But I'm going to do it scared. That's my favorite. That's, I say it on the podcast all the time. Oh, I love that. Where can people get the book anywhere? Anywhere. Amazon. I'm encouraging women to seek out female founded bookstores. Cool. And support them. But yes, Amazon. Oh, great idea. Oh, I love that actually. And then Super Bowl collaboration with Aaron Andrews. I know. I love her so much. I love her. I'm a obsess.

with her. Tell me more about this. So Aaron and I actually, ironically enough, had connected over COVID. We were going to do a collaboration then. And I think we both had a phone call where we both were like, oh, now is not the right time to do anything other than what we know how to do. So we parted ways on that thought. And I recently reconnected with her. And it was the quickest collaboration and most stressful that ever had to be. But we took my best selling Tabitha Moto jacket, which is oversized and kind of just has this cool rock and roll vibe. Yeah, I love it. We had the Super Bowl, 2024. I know it's the right date because I've verified it.

Wait, 2024. The year on the jacket says 20204 because it's the 2024, like, team. Got it, got it, got it. Yeah, it's complicated. And it's distressed. It kind of looks like a Harley Davidson back, but it's like the Super Bowl. Yeah. And so that comes out, and then we're going to have another bigger, more immersive collaboration

for September of this year. That's awesome. Yeah. Oh, I really, honestly, everything she's ever sent me, I've been like, this like it's they never have cute stuff for women i know golf please do a golf collab with someone why is why are sports clothes for women i'll even say this i was watching um the team liberty yeah play on the court and i was like i could make your uniforms so cute you have to you have to tuck the long ass jersey that's down to here makes your butt look chunky when it's

not and the shorts like who wants that shit i don't know i was like i volunteer i'll do it for free just so that I can like know how cool you're going to love yeah you just I just want to watch me like I did that you're welcome I know my contact there was like it's league apparel like you can't change it and I was like well I need to speak to the head of the league okay that's on my vision board well I'm gonna put it on mine for you thank you yeah you just have a little asterisk like this is rebecca's yeah I'll send you a picture of it every day so that you see it every day and then it yeah there you go that's funny there's Michelle money who was from bachelor franchise but now She's with a Canadian golf player, and she actually makes really cute golf stuff.

But I feel like it's just every time I look anywhere for cute sports stuff, it's... Wait until you see what we're doing in September. Oh, I can't wait. You're going to just want to wear it like not to the game. Right. Well, I would. I will. Yeah.

Okay, just a few rapid fire questions and then I'll wrap up. Let's do it. Favorite go-to piece from your current collection? So we're about to launch our morning after our morning after bag revamp because it's my 20th anniversary. So it's what would the bag be for the. girl now not then and it's smaller it's sort of like very very uh it's got a lot of riz a lot of riz oh look at you yes my children are teaching me that's awesome okay who would you love to see carrying one of your bags oh my god i'm trying to get lindsay lohan if you're listening back into my

20 years later you better she's definitely her back to my podcast yeah we need yeah and she's like she's having a whole rebrand herself i know what about it talk about a glow up talk about a Well, I said that to my, I got my eye surgery to get my eyelids done. You did it? Yeah. And I was like, give me what Lindsay Lohan had. Okay, yeah, well definitely, that's, again, a little corner for you on my vision board. Okay, Lindsay and Liberty Uniform.

Yeah. Favorite guilty pleasure TV show. Even though I am not a fan of women hating women. Yeah. Part of my homework assignment from a Bravo expert fan was like, you need to watch the real housewives of Salt Lake City. to understand what a good show is versus your show, which sucks. Really? And I was like, okay, I'll take this homework assignment.

And those women give me life, okay? Crazy. I've never watched them. I've seen like bits and pieces of it, but yeah. Name your favorite city for fashion inspiration. Paris. Really? Yes.

What is it about? Because it's chic and effortless? It's chic and effortless. And like, it's not, no one's ever trying too hard. It's always like, oh, I just woke up like this with my hair. effect and my eyeliner is just winged enough and you're just like okay you can't do a Russian accent but you are good at French that's true they are just so like casual chic there yeah so true what's one item in your closet you can't live without a leather jacket I have about 10 different versions

I love that uh who inspires you the most in your life oh my gosh uh rapid fire and then the deepest question ever I know I know right now it's my two year old uh huh he so just to like give the the rapid fire a very long answer with my first batch of puppies the first three uh work was all in all consuming and even when i was with them doing bath time bedtime whatever i was in my mind i wasn't present and at the stage of my company from when i had my son two years ago i didn't have to be in that stressful fighter flight mode and so bath time was just bath time and putting him to bed there's no rush because I got to get back on the computer and I go. Yeah. And so he's, I'm, because I'm receptive, I'm able to be taught by him so much. And he's just, he's just the best thing I've

ever done. That's so sweet. Yeah. Oh, wow. It's like even just having nieces and nephews and like my best friend's kids like seen, you know that cheesy saying, like seeing the world through their eyes. Yeah. It's so true. I know. I hate those things, but it's true. I know. It really is same. But I'm like, it actually is true. And I can't even imagine it being my own. I can't. I can't even imagine. Just like that they have so much wonder. Yeah. Yeah. And innocence. Yeah. I guess I'll wrap it up. Okay, fine. I'll wrap it up.

What is next for you and the brand? Well, this year is all about celebrating the 20th. So the book comes out February 4th. Our collaboration comes out February 4th. I think the items are for sale on the 28th. And we have a couple of just big hero events plan just to celebrate. Yeah. And I think that I'm just ready to. is, you know, I'm going to make my vision board and add some more exciting things to it. Yes.

I feel like you're the kind of person who, if you put something on a vision board, it's going to happen. Oh, damn right. It is. So, like, the biggest, most outrageous, audacious goals. Okay. That's my homework assignment from today. Yes. I need my therapist, that was my assignment because I love making vision boards.

It, like, makes me happy. She goes, then why haven't you done one? I was like, you're good. Yeah, exactly. I pay you. Exactly. And then I started one and a lot. I was like, I love this so much.

It's just like, it makes me feel motivated and I'm get excited about things again. And I started, I started booking. I'm writing music again. Wow. Yeah, I just, I had the laziest, like, holidays in first week of January. And I was starting to get into a rut that felt like depression. I was like, oh, no, no, no, we know how to get out of this. Yeah.

Go to your therapist. When you're like, I know how to get out of this versus like I don't see how. It's like such, even knowing how to do that is like a relief. Oh my gosh. It's, I gave myself. a high five. I was like, that's growth, bitch. That's growth. That's huge. Yeah. Yeah, I was really proud of myself. Thank you. I'm okay. So, yeah, air high five. There's a room behind you. It's our confession booth. And it's where you go in and tell us your dirtiest, no, I'm just kidding.

You're like any kind of embarrassing story. Okay. I was thinking about this. Yes. Something that you're like, I can't believe I'm going to tell this on a podcast. I have a lot, but the media loves to twist my words. Of course. I'm a nobody. And they twist my words. If I say this one, then the headline's going to be this. I always like, so I'll give you what I can knowing that whatever I say, I don't want twisted. I'm done with those days. I hate it so much because I could say something like that I don't even think would ever get picked up ever.

And then I'll sit and I'll see a headline. And I'm like, first of all, that's not what I said. Yep. And then I don't have that mentality of, well, at least my podcast names out there. I'm like, no, that feels icky. Yeah. I'm like, I hate it so much because it's not fair. It shouldn't be allowed to happen.

Here's a really extreme example of something that's very fresh. Yeah. My daughter last night comes to me and she said, Mommy, I went on to Apple News. Oh, no. And I put in my name. And an article came up that said, I said, I hated you and I thought you were being a bad mommy. I never said that.

And I said, I know you didn't say that. I said, I was telling a story about how you taught me a lesson when I wasn't present and you said, mommy, you're not really being my mommy right now. And the evil woman there made the headline that you said that I was a bad mother. There is a special place in hell for those people. And I was like, we worked to change it. We work to edit it. And she's like, but it still says that I said that about you. I said, I know you didn't say that about me. And I was like, you taught me a lesson in that moments and that's what I was trying to get across. And it's so fresh for me that you bring this up. Because I was like, this is the

effect that twisting people's words has. And I hate it because sometimes it does happen like obviously I'm not run into media being like well put this as a headline but I feel so guilty when something happens from my podcast where it's like causing any kind of online bullying

or trolls to come out. I'm like oh no! I mean I get it at this point and I know a lot of people understand that this happens but I hate it so much. I know I know. So let's try and not for desperate clickbait to justify their paychecks. How does people put their little head down at night and sleep. Frankly, I don't know, but that's what I know it to be. So it never like

gets to me to extreme way now because I'm like, oh, another person who had to get that click. I know. I'm like, I hope they're putting food on their table for their children through that because that's the only way all accepted. You know, okay, well, let's get you in the confession case. Okay, good. On that note, let's create a pick headline. So one of my most embarrassing moments and I've never shared this before was I attended a party, a fashion week party. I thought that this camera crew was interviewing me as Rebecca Minkoff, but someone must have told them that I was the new up-and-coming designer for, I think, Berberi. And we get through the whole interview and they're like, so what excites you most about being the design of a burberry? And I was

like, oh, I'm not your girl. And then they're like, well, who are you? And I said my name and I was like maybe five years in and they had no idea who I was. So that was fun. And I knew that footage would never see the light of day. Thank you so much for coming. Where can everybody find you. Everyone can find me at Rebecca Minkoff, at Becky Minkoff, at the female founder collective. You can buy my book Fearless, wherever books are sold and listen and download my podcast, Superwomen, wherever you listen to this podcast. I mean, you are, you are doing it all. Well, again, team. Team, yeah. That is, gosh, I've learned that. I always tried to do everything by myself. And then I was like, oh, yeah, I need help. I need help big time.

Yeah. And that's such a cool place to be, too, to know you need help and get it and then have everything run a lot smoother because of it. 100%. And then you can show up as who you want to be. And when people are awesome, like they do awesome things with you and the power is multiplied. I agree. Like this one. Like this one.

She's a real one over there. You can't see her. Jamie. Jamie. Thank you. I'm Caitlin Bristow. I'll see you next Tuesday. See you next Tuesday.

Thank you.