The Real Reel

Episode 205: As someone who was always terrified of getting her lips done, Natalie knows the importance of finding someone you trust to get the job done so you can look and feel your absolute best. On this episode, Nat is sitting down with Marissa Barrionuevo, a friend and her own physician assistant who specializes in cosmetic procedures. Marissa shares her journey of how she discovered her passion for aesthetics and how she strives to help her patients feel confident and beautiful while maintaining a natural look. The two discuss the importance of being honest with clients, the dangers of chasing trends, and the toxic beauty standards perpetuated by social media filters. Marissa also shares some valuable life lessons she's learned in her 20s, including the importance of finding your inner confidence and not caring about what others think. Whether you're considering getting cosmetic work done or are just curious about the industry, this episode offers a candid, unique, and insightful look into the world of aesthetics.   Today’s episode dives into:  How Natalie became one of Marissa’s clients   Marissa’s journey to becoming a PA and how she found herself in cosmetics   Why she has no problem saying no to her clients before they go overboard   Comparison and the influence social media has had on the world of aesthetics   The art of finding and balancing confidence   The role social media has played in her career   Navigating real life and online mean girls     Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast. Follow Marissa and book with @marissathepa     Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:   The Farmers Dog - Get 50% off and free shipping on your first box of fresh, healthy food at thefarmersdog.com/REALREEL    Apostrophe - Get your first visit for only five dollars at Apostrophe.com/REALREEL when you use our code: REALREEL     Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/realreel    Rothy’s - Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/TRR.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 204: This week, Nat’s chatting with you live on video from Raleigh, NC! For her first ever video recording, she’s diving into a frequent question found in her DMs and a niche topic she knows she may receive some heat for—her opinion on living in major, sought-after cities in the U.S. As someone who has lived in hotspots like Charlotte, Los Angeles, New York, and Miami, Nat has personal insight on the great and not-so-great qualities of each destination, and she’s getting real (reel) about them all. Like why she’ll never call L.A. home, the shockingly hot food scene in Charlotte, her overall obsession with NYC, and the quality of life she’s found for herself in Miami. Tune in and join Nat on a nostalgic trip down memory lane, because, who knows, maybe you’ll even be inspired to make your next move.    Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast.     Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:     The Farmers Dog - Get 50% off and free shipping on your first box of fresh, healthy food at thefarmersdog.com/REALREEL    Supergut - Head over to Supergut.com and use code REALREEL to save 20% off your order    Apostrophe - Get your first visit for only five dollars at Apostrophe.com/REALREEL when you use our code: REALREEL     Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/realreel    Rothy’s - Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/TRR.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 203: New month, new podcast set-up! This week, Nat is over the moon to be recording from her new and improved podcast space in Miami, kicking this exciting chapter off with an episode you won’t want to miss. For the inaugural in-person recording, she’s joined by Tree3’s CEO, the incredible Katina Kenyon. With over 20 years of experience under her belt in corporate America, from leading high-power teams on a global scale at companies like Dell, founding her own company, and now taking over as CEO for Tree3, Katina is a wealth of knowledge and dynamic experience. Unlike the usual CEOs we encounter, she was hired on to take over the role at someone else’s company, offering a unique perspective and insight on the position that isn’t frequently discussed. The energy in the room is palpable as the two swap stories about their perspectives on the corporate world vs. the #startuplife, sharing their wisdom and sage advice for the aspiring entrepreneurs out there.    Today’s episode dives into:   Katina’s early days as a leader and her perspective on what it means to be one   The fruitful benefits of working for a major corporation   Networking and the influence it’s had on her career trajectory   Leaving her role at Dell and founding her own company   A breakdown of Tree3’s business structure and the process of becoming their CEO   Utilizing user feedback and the importance of pivoting as a business  How to build a thriving team both in person and remotely  Katina’s true thoughts on the concept of "quiet quitting"   The main differences she’s seen working at both large corporations and start-ups  Her advice for aspiring leaders currently working in the corporate world     Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast. Follow tree3 and check out tree3.com     Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:   The Farmers Dog - Get 50% off and free shipping on your first box of fresh, healthy food at thefarmersdog.com/REALREEL    Supergut - Head over to Supergut.com and use code REALREEL to save 20% off your order    Apostrophe - Get your first visit for only five dollars at Apostrophe.com/REALREEL when you use our code: REALREEL     Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/realreel    Rothy’s - Get $20 off your first purchase at rothys.com/TRR.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 202: Today’s episode is Natalie’s favorite of 2023 so far, so you know you’re in for a treat! Daina Trout, current CEO & Co-Founder of premium kombucha brand Health-Ade, joins Nat to break down all things business from her views on the role of CEO (and why she’s transitioning out of that role) to the art of hiring to communicating through packaging and brand values. Unlike the entrepreneurs that we often hear from, Daina and her two co-founders didn’t originally go into business due to their passion or need to problem solve; they fell into the kombucha space only after making the decision to start a company (open to ALL ideas at first) and after deciding to take a step back from their original concept. Daina and Natalie come full circle in today’s convo as they start and end with the importance of following your gut, which is both Heath-Ade’s mission and a general rule of thumb that both women follow as entrepreneurs.  Today’s episode dives into:    Why marketing is both an art and a science  How promising a lifestyle rather than simply a product can lead to more brand loyalty  The two-fold vision and mission behind Health-Ade kombucha  The importance of connecting with your consumers face to face  How Daina’s experience at the farmer’s market influenced the trajectory of Health-Ade  Why a CEO constantly needs to be problem-solving and compartmentalizing, no matter which stage of growth the company is in  Why there are actually an infinite number of ways to do things “right”  The reality of facing imposter syndrome and feeling fraudulent in business  Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast. Follow along @heathade and find today’s guest @dainatrout.  Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:   The Farmers Dog - Get 50% off and free shipping on your first box of fresh, healthy food at thefarmersdog.com/REALREEL  Supergut - Head over to Supergut.com and use code REALREEL to save 20% off your order  Apostrophe - Get your first visit for only five dollars at Apostrophe.com/REALREEL when you use our code: REALREEL   Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/realreel    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 201: After over 25 successful years in the beauty business, there’s no denying that Korres skincare has withstood the test of time. From a small pharmacy in Greece to the shelves of Sephora and beyond, the evolution of this established brand is worth talking about, and today, Natalie has the privilege of doing just that when she sits down with their founder, Lena Korres. The two dive into the controversial topic of "clean beauty," the personal nature of skincare, how Korres stands out from the competition, and everything Lena has learned from building an established brand since the 90s. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on the ultimate success story and the power of consistency, both in life and business.    Today’s episode dives into:   The oversaturation and confusion within the "clean beauty" space   Why skincare is beyond personal and there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all product   Lena’s background as a chemical engineer and the reality of being a female in the field    What prompted her to develop clean beauty products in the first place  The importance of connecting face-to-face with customers and building a trusting relationship with the community    What launching a "clean beauty" product was like back in the 90s and their first ever product   Understanding that adapting is necessary and the power of sticking to your mission    Lena’s current role within the brand and her true thoughts on having a specific "road map" as a founder      Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast. Shop and follow @korres     Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:     The Farmers Dog - Get 50% off and free shipping on your first box of fresh, healthy food at thefarmersdog.com/REALREEL    Supergut - Head over to Supergut.com and use code REALREEL to save 20% off your order    Apostrophe - Get your first visit for only five dollars at Apostrophe.com/REALREEL when you use our code: REALREEL     Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/realreel  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 200: It is no secret that being in your 20s is a wild ride, with so much unknown and no clear roadmap of what’s to come next. After a long-awaited trip back to Honduras to visit family, Nat’s feeling sentimental about this decade thus far and reflecting on all she’s learned in her 26 years. On this episode, it’s just Nat and the microphone, as she shares everything she wishes she would’ve known before entering this phase of her life including all the things nobody tells you but you inevitably come to learn with age. From friendships to careers to comparisons to mindset shifts and everything in between, there’s a lot of ground to cover, and Nat’s getting deep. Whether you’re just entering your 20s, in the midst of these amazing years, or have already experienced the ups and downs of this life stage, there’s comfort in knowing you’re not alone on the journey.  Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast.   Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:     The Farmers Dog - Get 50% off and free shipping on your first box of fresh, healthy food at thefarmersdog.com/REALREEL    Supergut - Head over to Supergut.com and use code REALREEL to save 20% off your order    Apostrophe - Get your first visit for only five dollars at Apostrophe.com/REALREEL when you use our code: REALREEL   Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/realreel  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 199: If you typically find yourself shopping at any of the major grocery stores like Whole Foods, Publix, Walmart, or Costco (just to name a few), it's highly likely that you're already very familiar with Kevin’s Natural Foods. After almost a decade of business, there’s no denying the name they’ve made for themselves and the reliable reputation they’ve cultivated... and on today’s episode, Natalie has the honor of connecting with Kevin himself! As a co-founder and COO, Kevin McCray has definitely learned a thing or two over the years, and today he’s (literally) dishing out all the behind-the-scenes, nitty-gritty details of building a business from the ground up. From the autoimmune disorder and lifestyle shift that inspired his products to his thought process as an entrepreneur and everything that’s contributed to his success in the consumer food space, this episode is rich with the ingredients necessary to take your ideas to the next level.    Today’s episode dives into:   Why some of the best products never actually make it into the consumer space   The power of persistence and other traits that make a successful founder    Kevin’s autoimmune disorder and the major diet and overall lifestyle shift that came along with the diagnoses   The lightbulb moment that led him to create Kevin’s Natural Foods   A breakdown of their product development and the integral role of focus groups    Sous vide style cooking and why Kevin swears by it for his products    The decision to use his name in the branding and the importance of story-telling    How he landed his products at major retailers like Costco and Walmart      Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast. Follow @kevins.natural.foods     Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:     The Farmers Dog - Get 50% off and free shipping on your first box of fresh, healthy food at thefarmersdog.com/REALREEL  Supergut - Head over to Supergut.com and use code REALREEL to save 20% off your order  Apostrophe - Get your first visit for only five dollars at Apostrophe.com/REALREEL when you use our code: REALREEL   Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at shopify.com/realreel  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 198: Natalie is no stranger to the world of content creation. With nearly a decade under her belt as a social media personality, she’s experienced the natural ebbs and flows of the business. From the phases of rapid growth to more slow and steady progression, she’s seen and experienced it all. In this episode, after a year of feeling slightly removed from her online presence, Nat’s candidly sharing where she truly stands with social media, the goals she has for this year, and her detailed plan of attack to achieve them. Plus, she gives us an honest update on her New Year’s intentions, including but not limited to dry January and her mindset on travel. Nat knows she isn’t alone in her content creation journey and is dishing out her tips and best practices for growth, productivity, and consistency to help you get that much closer to where you envision yourself!  Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast.   Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:   Supergut - Head over to Supergut.com and use code REALREEL to save 20% off your order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 197: Are you curious about gut health but have no idea where to start? If the answer is yes, you’ve come to the right place. This week, Natalie is interviewing Supergut founder and CEO, Marc Washington, to discuss what the recent hype about the gut microbiome is really all about in a way that’s digestible (no pun intended) and easy to understand. Marc gets candid about the personal tragedy that led him to create Supergut, the importance of finding your "north star" as an entrepreneur, his recommendations for achieving a healthy gut, and where he sees the health industry 10 years. Tune in for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, life, health, and, most importantly, trusting and honoring your gut.     This episode dives into:   Marc’s true feelings about the ongoing saturation of the wellness space    The importance of having a "why" as an entrepreneur    How he turned a tragic loss into a meaningful career in the health industry   Defining the "scare" and what encourages people to make a lifestyle change    Gut health: what it is, why it’s so important, how to feel it, and how to achieve it    What to know when evaluating if a "health" product is legitimate   Small changes to your lifestyle that will have a big impact on your overall wellbeing   Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast. Check out and follow @supergut  Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:   Supergut - Head over to Supergut.com and use code REALREEL to save 20% off your order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode 196: New Year, new goals? Let’s get into it. Nat’s shaking things up this week with a fitting and timely live recording of Rella’s most recent webinar to discuss all things goal setting alongside a robust panel of ladies! In this special episode, she’s joined by TikTok star and podcast host Sarah Baus, Busy Blooming founder Tess Barclay, and Rella’s very own Head of Product, Natacha Bomparte. The ladies get candid about goal setting, the struggle of maintaining goals, tips to hold themselves accountable, and some of their personal and professional intentions for the year ahead. Whether you’re an aspiring influencer, entrepreneur, business owner, or just tuning in for some quality banter, this conversation will reinvigorate you to keep your dreams alive and might even steer you in the right direction. After all, slow growth is still growth.    This episode dives into:  The process of deciding which goals and intentions to focus on for the year  Why we need to normalize quitting goals early if need be and listening to our gut   Best practices to track, check in, and maintain your goals    Examining what makes a good goal and why the cringier, the better  The practice of keeping personal and business goals separate    Tips to avoid burnout and why we need to treat rest as a form of productivity    A sneak preview of a new and exciting Rella feature for creators    Thank you so much for being a part of our podcast community! Please be sure to rate, follow, review, and of course, post to your highlight reel. Follow your host Natalie on Instagram @nataliebarbu and @therealreelpodcast. Follow @sarahebaus, @tessbarclay and @natacha.bomparte  Thank you to our sponsors for making this episode possible. Check out these deals just for you:   Supergut - Head over to Supergut.com and use code REALREEL to save 20% off your order.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices