Emma Grede: Good American Co-Founder and CEO

It's been three years since we sat down with Jen Atkin, the celebrity hairstylist and founder of award-winning brand Ouai, and a lot has changed. A savvy businesswoman, Atkin has successfully expanded Ouai into a holistic lifestyle brand by introducing new categories like fragrance, hand care, and solution-based haircare remedies. Tomorrow, December 8, Atkin is making her debut as an author with her memoir and spirited guide Blowing My Way to the Top: How to Break the Rules, Find Your Purpose, and Create the Life and Career You Deserve. On this episode of Second Life, find out what exactly Atkin covers in her book and how she continuously modernizes her brand.

7 Des 202046min

Noura Sakkijha, the CEO and co-founder of Mejuri, founded the beloved fine jewelry brand with one mission: to empower consumers to buy jewelry for themselves rather than waiting for a special occasion or a gift from a significant other. And with over 800k followers on Instagram and a game-changing weekly drop model, the brand is, simply put, crushing it. It only makes sense that Sakkijha comes from a family of jewelers. Still though, her career path was anything but linear. On this episode of Second Life, find out how Sakkijha went from industrial engineering to founding and leading Instagram’s favorite fine jewelry brand.

30 Nov 202044min

As the founder of Brother Vellies, a sustainable luxury accessories brand supporting local artisan economies all over the world, Aurora James has been pushing the fashion industry forward and reframing our definition of a luxury good for some time now. On this episode of Second Life, we’re welcoming Aurora back to discuss new projects that have solidified her status as a visionary changemaker and industry leader—including the 15 Percent Pledge, a nonprofit advocacy organization urging major retailers to commit 15% of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses.

23 Nov 202059min

Sarah Paiji Yoo’s mission is simple: we shouldn’t have to sacrifice a clean home for a clean planet. As the CEO & Co-Founder of Blueland, a brand eliminating single-use plastic by creating innovative household products in reusable packaging, Yoo has become a leader zero-waste lifestyle movement. On this episode of Second Life, hear how Yoo has not only founded this brand but has also successfully started and sold numerous others—ultimately learning the importance of personal and professional evolution.

16 Nov 202043min

After over a decade, Elizabeth Holmes left the Wall Street Journal, where she held the esteemed position of senior style reporter and columnist to explore a career in freelance journalism contributing to notable publications including The New York Times, Town & Country, and more. Holmes also became a voice on social media through her sartorial commentary series on Instagram called "So Many Thoughts," in which she chronicles the royal family’s style. Now, on November 17, Holmes is turning the series into her first-ever book, HRH: So Many Thoughts on Royal Style. On this episode of Second Life, hear how Holmes taps into her extensive experience as a journalist covering everything from political campaigns to the retail industry to bring us a book on the fashion and branding of the four most influential members of the British royal family.

9 Nov 20201h 2min

After moving to the US at a young age, Camila Alves McConaughey embarked on an evolving, dynamic career path—from fashion and modeling to becoming a lifestyle expert and entrepreneur. Today, McConaughey is the co-owner of organic baby food brand Yummy Spoonfuls, and founder of the lifestyle and community website Women of Today with the purpose of building a space that encourages connection around family, food, fashion, wellness, home and more. On this episode of Second Life, hear how McConaughey learned from each experience to continually grow her career and the importance of never giving up on your dreams.

2 Nov 202040min

After 27 years, Jenna Lyons, renowned style icon and president and executive creative director of J.Crew Group, stepped down. There, Lyons fearlessly worked her way up the corporate ladder, ultimately creating an authentic brand identity through photography, styling, new designs, and innovative collaborations. But eventually, it was time for Lyons to create a new brand identity for herself. Now, Lyons has just made her debut in the beauty industry, launching LoveSeen, an inclusive eyelash line embracing all beauty aspirations. Plus, after two years of development, her new show, Stylish with Jenna Lyons, is set to release on HBO Max December 3. On this episode of Second Life, hear how—and why—she pivoted away from the world she knew so well to further manifest her creativity.

26 Okt 202055min

It all started when Veronica Garza, the founder and chief ideation officer of the Mexican American food brand Siete Foods, began experimenting with alternative food options to fit a grain-free, low-inflammation diet. As someone who suffered from multiple autoimmune diseases such as ITP and lupus, restricting her diet was a way for Veronica to combat her often debilitating symptoms. But it wasn’t fun. Missing staples in her diet, like tortillas, Veronica decided to create a solution: a grain-free, almond-flour tortilla that would eventually launch Siete Foods. Backed by her family of seven, the brand has grown to include 30 better-for-you heritage-inspired products and is now the number one tortilla and chip brand at Whole Foods Markets around the country. Pretty impressive. Also impressive: This was Veronica’s first foray into food after getting an MBA in digital media management and teaching a freshman seminar course at a college in Texas. On this week’s episode of Second Life, hear how, after years of struggling with her health and struggling to find the right career path, Veronica’s brand became a solution to both.

19 Okt 202043min