How Alicia Grande Built a Beauty Empire with $25K in Savings

As a refugee from Ukraine, Katerina Schneider arrived in the U.S. with nothing but $50 and a suitcase. Now, she’s the founder and CEO of Ritual, a multi-million dollar wellness brand reshaping the supplement industry. This week on SUPERWOMEN, Katerina shares what it took to start Ritual with no roadmap. What began as a search for a better prenatal became a mission to raise the bar in wellness. Tune in to hear how she built a business from the ground up, what she’s learned about leading while raising three kids, and why being “selfish” made her success possible. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Katerina Schneider, CEO of Ritual (02:26) A childhood that built grit and perspective (04:00) Building a business while pregnant with no blueprint (05:21) The impact of her experience in different industries (07:44) Why she decided to quit her job to start Ritual (09:04) Learning to surround herself with great leadership (12:18) Why women still trust bad advice (13:33) Creating a product that met a real need (15:55) How to tell if your supplements are actually safe (18:13) Balancing work and life with three kids (22:41) How to simplify wellness when overwhelmed by trends Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She faced COVID, cancer, and closing the biggest deal of her life… all at once. Alicia Grande, founder and CEO of Grande Cosmetics, built her beauty empire with grit, fearlessness, and a touch of scrappy brilliance. In this episode of Superwomen, Alicia shares the story behind GrandeLASH, how she turned her postpartum struggle into a category-defining product. From bootstrapping trade shows to landing Sephora and Ulta, Alicia’s journey is an example of perseverance. Tune in to hear how she stayed fearless in the face of overwhelming challenges, what she’s learned about balancing ambition with family, and the advice she wants every aspiring founder to know. Episode Guide: (00:00) Cozy up with Macy’s (02:39) Meet Alicia Grande, CEO of Grande Cosmetics (05:48) Her lash serum “aha” moment at a trade show (09:11) What it really means to bootstrap a business (10:11) The childhood survival skills that gave her grit (12:40) The work ethic of today’s generation (19:08) The moment she knew she made it (20:32) Creating a whole new category at Sephora (25:37) Surviving cancer, COVID, and a company sale Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

She fought her way into 1980s Hollywood when the boys’ club ruled everything… and she refused to back down. Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas went from an ambitious Valley girl to one of the most powerful agents in entertainment, representing Julia Roberts, Madonna, and Jennifer Lopez, who later became her producing partner at Nuyorican Productions. In this episode of Superwomen, Elaine gets real about surviving the sexism of Hollywood’s golden era, why she walked away from the top of her game to reinvent herself as a writer and producer, and how her viral debut novel Climbing in Heels is pulling back the curtain on that world. It’s raw, it’s inspiring, and it proves that sometimes being relentless is the only way forward. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Author & Producing Partner to Jennifer Lopez (02:25) The heartbreak that launched her Hollywood hustle(09:15) Cracking the code to get past gatekeepers(11:58) Surviving sexism while climbing the agency ladder(15:28) Leaving agenting at the top of her game(18:10) Lessons from working with Jennifer Lopez(19:52) Climbing in Heels and three women’s stories(23:03) Turning the book into a TV series(28:02) Facing fear, cancer, and learning to just do Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alison Kosik spent 15 years covering the biggest stories in business at CNN. But the most important lesson she learned came when she realized she had lost control of her own finances. This week on SUPERWOMEN, I talk with the journalist and author of “What's Up with Women and Money?” about the turning point that inspired her to take charge. Alison opens up about the early career moves that led her to CNN, the challenges of parenting while working unpredictable hours, and the moment she decided to handle her money on her own. She also shares what she learned through interviews with financial experts, why confidence plays such a big role in money management, and the practical steps women can take to protect themselves from financial vulnerability. Episode Guide: (00:00) Cozy living starts at Macy’s (00:39) Meet Alison Kosik, Author, What’s Up with Women and Money? (02:25) Alison’s early days as a journalist (06:31) Covering the New York Stock Exchange on CNN (08:07) The personal story behind her book on women and money (11:42) Financial lessons no one tells you about (16:59) Why many women let their partners manage their finances (19:50) Hard money conversations with your partner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kate Davidson Hudson was supposed to climb the career ladder every fashion girl dreamed of.  Instead, she walked away and built a tech company from scratch. This week on SUPERWOMEN, I sit down with the founder and CEO of a shoppable AI closet platform, Vêtir, and a longtime force in fashion media and luxury tech. From her early days at Harper’s Bazaar and Elle Magazine to co-founding the content-meets-commerce platform Editorialist, Kate has always been at the intersection of editorial storytelling and digital innovation. Kate opens up about the pressure of leaving a dream job, learning to lead without a playbook, and why she became obsessed with personalization and automation. We also get into the risks of fundraising, being a woman in tech, and what happens when you sell a company but stay attached to its soul. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Kate Davidson Hudson, founder and CEO of Vêtir (02:42) How she broke into magazines at 21 (10:00) Leaving ELLE to launch a fashion startup (11:52) When she knew Editorialist was working (15:12) Walking away after selling her company (17:16) Facing bias as a female founder in tech (20:30) Why AI needs more diverse perspectives (22:51) What Vêtir does and how it works (27:40) Balancing creative instinct with business pressure (29:40) Hard lessons on hiring friends and co-leading startups Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chelsea Riggs found her dream job on Craigslist. Yes, really. In this episode of SUPERWOMEN, I sit down with Chelsea to talk about how she became the first employee at Amika, why she stayed for 15 years, and how she turned a scrappy startup into a powerful, culture-shifting beauty brand. We go deep on what it takes to grow alongside your company, how to navigate rejection, and why sticking to your vision is often the smartest move you can make. Chelsea is proof that you don’t need a perfect résumé to lead. You just need to start, stay curious, and keep showing up. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Chelsea Riggs, CEO of Amika (01:31) Early signs of her beauty obsession (03:35) Leaving fashion and moving to NYC (06:32) The pressure of “sticking it out” at your job (07:05) The harsh reality of the fashion industry (10:47) Finding Amika on Craigslist (13:24) Industry reaction to Amika’s entry into retail (16:56) Pivoting to SalonCentric (19:59) Handling rejection and uncertainty (22:11) Why she stayed with one company for 15 years (25:44) Navigating the Amika acquisition while pregnant (27:16) What it was like to be promoted to CEO post-maternity (29:25) Why she was chosen to lead (31:51) Advice for founders on the importance of connections (34:34) Reflections on learning from every role and building resilience Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dana Perino’s life was not going according to plan. But one moment changed her career forever. This week on SUPERWOMEN, I sit down with former White House Press Secretary and co-host of Fox News’ The Five. Dana gets real about the rollercoaster moments that defined her career, from unexpected opportunities to professional setbacks and her struggles with work-life balance. Plus, get an inside look at her new book for young women, “I Wish Someone Had Told Me…” She discusses the things she wishes she knew in her twenties, the advice that actually helped her along the way, and how her marriage helped her succeed. Episode Guide: (00:00) Meet Dana Perino (00:29) The inspiration behind Dana’s new book for young women (04:07) Why you shouldn’t worry your twenties away (05:50) The new rules of mentorship and career planning (07:07) Resume mistakes that cost you the job (09:16) The woman who got hired after writing Dana a letter (11:57) The day Dana almost quit the White House (16:13) How saying yes changed her career (twice) (18:32) A different perspective on work-life balance (21:46) Daily routines and why Dana swears by them (22:28) The leadership lesson she learned from her CEO (25:32) Why love is not going to hold your career back (29:42) The cowboy advice that changed her perspective Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to order my book, “⁠⁠Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success⁠⁠.” Follow SUPERWOMEN (⁠⁠@rmsuperwomen⁠⁠) and Dana (@danaperino) on Instagram. Support this podcast: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/rmsuperwomen⁠⁠  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a version of Dolores Catania you know from TV, but the real story runs much deeper. This week on SUPERWOMEN, I sit down with “Real Housewives of New Jersey” icon and “Traitors” winner Dolores Catania. Before she became a fan favorite, Dolores was a single mom pushing through heartbreak, self-doubt, and financial stress. In this episode, she opens up about what it meant to walk away from Season 1, why she eventually returned, and how staying grounded in her values contributed to her longevity in a space that rewards drama over depth. Dolores also gets real about difficult topics like aging, menopause, and divorce, and why she’s starting a forum for women to share their stories. You’ll hear her perspective on relationships, parenting, boundaries, business missteps, and what really matters after the cameras stop rolling. Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to order my book, “⁠Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success⁠.” Follow SUPERWOMEN (⁠@rmsuperwomen⁠) and Dolores (@dolorescatania) on Instagram. Support this podcast: ⁠https://bit.ly/rmsuperwomen⁠  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on SUPERWOMEN, I sat down with Julianne Fraser, founder and CEO of Dialogue NYC, a marketing and strategy consultancy bridging the gap between purpose-driven brands and the ever-evolving world of digital influence. With a deep understanding of the influencer and social media marketing space, Julianne built Dialogue on the belief that influence should be rooted in authenticity and trust, not just reach. Her work centers on crafting intentional campaigns that align brands with creators who genuinely reflect their values and cultivate long-term loyalty. Before launching Dialogue in 2017, Julianne built a career across top agencies and startups, where she noticed a recurring pattern: brands chasing fast, surface-level partnerships without investing in real connections or storytelling. However, she knew this was a key part to thoughtful content strategy. Drawing from years of experience across both traditional and emerging platforms, Julianne developed a vision for a more thoughtful approach to influencer marketing, one that prioritized relationship-building, creative alignment and lasting impact. With that mindset, she stepped out on her own and began building the foundation for what would become a trusted consultancy grounded in purpose and perspective. In this episode, Julianne shares what it’s been like to grow a company in an industry that rarely slows down. From building trust with creators to managing rapid shifts in the digital landscape, she reflects on the importance of boundaries, long-term thinking and protecting the integrity of the brands she represents. We also talk about how she’s built a business model that leaves space for real life, something she believes is critical to both creative energy and sustainable growth. Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to order my book, “Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success.” Follow SUPERWOMEN (@rmsuperwomen) and Julianne (@juliannefraser) on Instagram. Support this podcast: https://bit.ly/rmsuperwomen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on SUPERWOMEN, I’m joined by Carolyn Aronson, founder and CEO of It’s a 10 Haircare. Before becoming one of the few female entrepreneurs in the beauty industry to own and operate her own brand, Carolyn spent decades behind the chair as a stylist and salon owner, learning firsthand what both professionals and everyday consumers needed from their products. She didn’t just study the market; she lived it. Carolyn’s early life taught her resilience and self-reliance, qualities that would become central to her entrepreneurial path. This, however, wasn’t Carolyn’s first venture in beauty. Her first line didn’t succeed, but it gave her the hard-earned lessons she needed to get it right the second time around. She took everything she learned, the missteps, the financial risks, the hard-won insights, and applied it to what would become one of the most recognizable hair care brands in the country. In this episode, Carolyn shares how staying independent gave her the freedom to lead on her own terms. She talks openly about learning from failure, launching without outside funding, and the importance of creating products that work for all hair types. Today, It’s a 10 is sold in more than 25,000 salons and retailers across the country, but getting there meant making bold choices and sticking to her guns. Carolyn shares how staying true to her vision, even when it meant going against industry norms, was the key to building a brand that stands out. If you're navigating your own path, questioning the rules, or wondering what it really takes to succeed on your terms, this episode offers a powerful reminder that sometimes the most successful route is the one you create for yourself. Thank you for listening! Don’t forget to order my book, “Fearless: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success.” Follow SUPERWOMEN (@rmsuperwomen) and Carolyn (@itsa10ceo) on Instagram. Support this podcast: https://bit.ly/rmsuperwomen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices