Aprilynne Alter: From Wall Street to YouTuber - Failing Twice on the Way to Building a Life You Love

For six years straight, I failed at building my company. I tried everything under the sun—different business models, hiring teams, raising money, chasing trends. Every time, it fell apart. Sometimes I failed quietly, sometimes in ways that hurt to admit. At one point, I even gave investors their money back because I knew it wasn’t working.But those six years weren’t wasted. Every wrong turn, every mistake, every late-night pivot taught me something I couldn’t have learned any other way. And when I finally pieced it all together, when I finally unlocked what actually makes a business work, I made half a million dollars in my first six months.This is the breakdown of everything I did wrong, and the lessons I wish someone had told me sooner. If you’re serious about building a business, you can’t afford to miss this video.

In this video, I’m sharing 5 life-changing habits that transformed my mindset, productivity, and overall well-being. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unmotivated, these habits will give you the clarity and discipline to take control of your life and level up in every aspect—whether it’s career, relationships, or personal growth. Perfect for entrepreneurs, students, professionals, or anyone looking to break free from your limitations and build a stronger, more successful future!

Real talk: I probably wouldn’t have gone to college if I had really thought about what I wanted to do. Most of what actually got me paid, hired, and passionate had nothing to do with class. College used to work because it signaled credibility in a world where few people had one. But now? Everyone has a degree. In 2025, some of the world’s top companies—including Google and Apple—no longer require one for many high-paying roles. What actually sets you apart is what you’ve built, launched, or learned on your own.And college doesn’t just delay that—it often blocks it. You lose four years you could’ve spent gaining real experience and take on debt for it. This episode breaks it all down. (And yeah—if you’re trying to be a doctor or lawyer, that’s different. But most people aren’t.)I’m not telling you not to go to college—I’m just saying, be intentional. No one should commit to six figures of debt and four years of their life without seriously reflecting on what they want and where the world is heading. And if by the end of the episode you still think college is the right path? Perfect. My job’s done. You’re making a big decision with clarity—and that’s what matters.

(FREE) Full Summary of Strategies here: https://shop.beacons.ai/avni_barman/fbec628f-9433-411f-a5e8-0ef15fd0bcb775% of my biggest outcomes—from landing a six-figure job to building a brand for over half a million—came from just 25% of my time.The other 75%? I was in my “off” era. Traveling, resting, living. In this episode, I’m revealing the 6 transformative strategies I use during my “on” era that make that kind of output possible. These are the exact systems, mindset shifts, and productivity hacks that let me sprint toward success in a fraction of the time, without burning out.If you feel like you’re working constantly but still not seeing the results you want, this is your turning point. Listen now, or keep wondering why everyone seems to keep lapping you with less effort.

Jade Beguelin, co-founder of the iconic skincare brand 4AM Skin, joins The Gen She Podcast to share her journey from working long hours in finance to launching her successful skincare brand that caters to busy individuals seeking a simple yet effective routine. We dive into the founding story of 4AM, which began with Jade's search for a minimalist skincare routine that could keep up with her demanding schedule.Jade discusses her unconventional path, transitioning from working on a derivatives trading desk at JP Morgan, to gaining startup experience at a growth marketing agency, before finally taking the leap to work on 4AM full-time. She offers advice on knowing when it's the right time to leave a corporate job to pursue entrepreneurship.Jade also shares valuable insights on building a brand with limited funding and resources. She drops all the scrappy tactics that have fueled 4AM’s profitable growth - from leveraging her own 150K+ TikTok audience to drive sales to hosting a star-studded launch party with 818 Tequila on an impossible budget.

Ever wondered why some people seem to crack the code of success while others are stuck in the hamster wheel? The truth is, school doesn’t prepare you for real success—but habits do.I have spent an unreasonable time with Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, growing up with their kids at one of the most expensive private high schools in the Bay Area to now actually hanging out with them…I’ve always been super fascinated by their habits and intentionally observed them over the years so I could incorporate them into my life.Yes, it’s definitely isolated me from a lot of people, but it’s allowed me to achieve a life and a career I could only have dreamed of. So, I want to share the stories and secret habits I learned from being in these rooms that are not often talked about with you so we can all have a seat at the table. ✨ What you’ll learn in this video: ✅ Habits that will transform your productivity – even if you feel lazy ✅ Strategies for better decision-making and problem-solving ✅ The unconventional approaches world-class entrepreneurs swear by Adopting these habits can be the game changer for your school, business, and personal growth. Whether you’re a student, an entrepreneur, or someone tired of mediocrity—this is for you. Let me know what you’re curious about in the comments👇

Natalie Holloway, co-founder of stylish and functional fitness brand Bala Bangles, joins The Gen She Podcast to share how corporate burnout, world travel, and the Pandemic led her to build Bala into the household name it is today. Natalie opens up about her initial career in advertising and how a growing discontent led her to take a bold leap—leaving the security of corporate life to explore the world and ultimately, discover her entrepreneurial spirit.Natalie shares how her journey through 13 countries inspired the creation of Bala Bangles—stylish and comfortable ankle and wrist weights designed to elevate any workout. A combination of strategic planning, passion, and resilience fueled Bala's growth, as Natalie recounts pivotal events like their Shark Tank experience, which coincided with the lockdowns of the Covid-19 pandemic, propelling the brand into the spotlight. Natalie discusses the intricacies of scaling a CPG business, the challenges of inventory management, and the critical importance of maintaining a close eye on finances.Moreover, Natalie addresses the complexities and empowerment of balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, offering a nuanced take on how being a parent has sharpened her skills in prioritization and efficiency. Learn what it takes to thrive as an entrepreneur as Natalia sheds light on the perseverance and ingenuity required to transform a simple idea into a successful brand.

Gen She’s success today is 1000% because I’m obsessed with it. I jump out of bed excited to work on it, stay up late getting ahead, and even work through the weekends—simply because I love it. But how do you find something you’re obsessed with? That’s exactly what we’re diving into in this video—how to ditch the "Sunday Scaries" for good and find a career that truly excites you.If you’re feeling unfulfilled or uncertain about your career path, this video is for you. We’ll explore actionable strategies like Odyssey Planning and how to leverage your unique strengths to align your work with your passions. Don’t settle—follow these three steps to move closer to a career you love.

Whitney Uland, celebrity life coach and founder of How to Be Famous, joins The Gen She Podcast to provide her unique insights into demystifying the negative stereotypes often associated with fame, advocating for a paradigm shift where fame is instead viewed as a valuable resource for influence. Whitney believes that anyone can become famous and that women, especially, can leverage that fame to drive change for causes they’re passionate about. With a track record of success in training others to unlock their “celebrity energy”, Whitney breaks down everything she teaches into practical strategies that can be implemented in your life immediately.Whitney also explores the implications of gender dynamics within social media spaces, examining where men and women have distinct advantages and challenges. Gain a deeper understanding of how to cultivate a robust online personal brand through compelling storytelling and fostering genuine connection and engagement.

7 years ago, my life was so different. I felt stuck, confused, and like nothing was going right. But then, I made some changes... In honor of my last day as a 27 yr old, I wanted to take a moment and reflect on the 27 things I did to turn my life around. If you feel stuck or unsure about your life, take a moment to look within. Maybe there’s something you can tweak, change, or improve. Let’s talk about how to do that and how small improvements can get you big results. I hope this helps you as much as it helped me!