STORIES OF WOMEN IN LOS ANGELES CULTIVATING SUCCESSFUL LIVES FOR THEMSELVES
LA Woman: A podcast by Julie Roth
Stacy is the founder and CEO of Media Design Group. For almost 15 years, her agency has helped companies book advertising space for their products and services. Despite stiff competition from other agencies, the relationships she has built with clients have stood the test of time. Visit mediadesigngroup.com to learn more about Stacy and her team.
Kerrigan is the co-founder of Sagely Naturals, a line of high-quality CBD wellness products. Since 2015, Sagely Naturals has been at the forefront of taking CBD mainstream. Their focus on lab-backed, beautifully designed products that work have helped expand their business to retailers like CVS, Ulta, and Nordstrom. Visit sagelynaturals.com to learn more.
If you’ve ever picked up an organic snack at the grocery store, part of that reason is Nicole. As the Founder of Late July snacks, and now Nixie sparkling water, she has a wealth of knowledge and experience in not only the snack food business, but in growing a successful company over time. Find Nixie Sparkling Water at your local grocer and visit drinknixie.com to learn more.
Chef Janette “Puttie” Clark is a celebrity private chef who turned her home cooking skills and knack for flavors into a full-blown career. Janette began her hustle in New York, making sandwiches for the finance crowd. And before long, her name began making the rounds in the music business. Through tenacity, drive, and pure faith, Janette has gone from catering small gatherings to cooking for some of the biggest names in Hollywood. Learn more at simplyputt.me and follow Janette’s journey @chefputtie on Instagram.
Sophia Elias is the creator of Fine Ass Lines greeting cards. Sophia began developing her illustration style as a personal outlet, but she soon found herself publishing her witty creations online. Before long, she was translating her work into greeting cards, and she’s been building her business step by step ever since. Visit fineasslines.com to learn more.
Kaylin Marcotte is the founder and CEO of JIGGY Puzzles. Kaylin’s passion for puzzles began years ago, and the idea of making a mark on the industry was always on her mind. She launched JIGGY in 2019 with the idea of not only creating a beautiful puzzle experience, but profit-sharing with emerging female artists worldwide. Timing is everything, and since so many people have been spending more time at home, JIGGY quickly garnered a puzzle-loving following. Visit jiggypuzzles.com to learn more.
Sharon Pak and Jordynn Wynn are the co-founders of Insert Name Here. INH burst onto the beauty scene in 2018 with their premium, affordable line of hair pieces and wigs. Combining extensive product research with their experience in cosmetics and beauty, their ponytails become instant bestsellers. With a focus on quality and building a following through social media, INH is just getting started. Visit INHhair.com for more and follow @insertnamehere on Instagram.
Season finale. Crowns & Hops knows craft beer. They also know who’s been left out of the conversation around it. CEO Beny Ashburn and COO Teo Hunter are not only creating your new favorite brews, but cultivating a new voice in the beer business. By offering a quality product, an upcoming Inglewood brewery, and a grant program for black-owned beer businesses, they’re making space for people of color to pursue careers in the industry and chill with a delicious craft beer. Visit crownsandhops.com to learn more and find their California stockists.
Amanda Groves is a partner at PLUS Capital, a venture capital firm that specializes in celebrity-driven investments and equity. In this episode, learn the basics of venture capital, what she and her partners look for when investing in a company, and the A-list celebrity career she admires the most. Learn more at pluscapital.com.
Courtney Cowan is the owner and operator of Milk Jar Cookies. Since 2005, this cookie bakery has been a labor of love. Courtney turned her passion into her second career step by step, from developing recipes to choosing the right location, and most recently signing a book deal. Milk Jar Cookies ship nationwide and the Milk Jar Cookies Bake Book is available now. Visit milkjarcookies.com for more information.
Samata is the CEO of Red Carpet Green Dress. Through collaborations, events, and celebrity ambassadors, Samata and her team are bringing sustainability into the spotlight of fashion and apparel. As an experienced journalist and fashion designer, Samata has been preparing for this role for years, and her message of sustainability is more important than ever. Visit redcarpetgreendress.com to learn more.
Sarah Godshaw is the founder of Sidway Swim, a classic and stylish swimwear line made in LA. From the time she began design school at Otis, Sarah knew swimwear was her goal. And after working as a corporate designer and helping a few smaller brands, she struck out on her own. With rave reviews from Glamour, Refinery29, and Vogue, her hard work and eye for flattering silhouettes is really starting to pay off. Visit sidwayswim.com to learn more.
Cristina Palomo-Nelson and Megan Papay began Freda Salvador, a modern footwear line for women who pound the pavement. With their combined 25 years experience, they’ve seen trends come and go, but their sell-out worthy shoes aim to redefine modern feminine style. Learn about their history in the industry, how they crashed a showroom appointment to get their start, and how their own evolving style has guided their designs. Visit fredasalvador.com to see for yourself.
Kimberly Dillon is the Founder of Frigg, a beauty and wellness CBD company. She’s been an expert and speaker for years on the topic, and has been part of the CBD industry since leaving her corporate career several years back. Now, she’s started her own line of wellness products, which restore balance to hair, scalp, and skin. Visit getfrigg.com to learn more.
Gaby Dalkin is the founder and CEO of What’s Gaby Cooking. After taking a chance and going to culinary school, Gaby has gone from private chef and food blogging to a burgeoning business, complete with a line of products at Williams Sonoma. Now on her third cookbook, there’s no stopping Gaby in the kitchen or anywhere else. Visit whatsgabycooking.com to learn more.
Beth Birkett is a true culture connoisseur. From an early age, this New York transplant has been developing a style, career, and ambition all her own. And together with her husband Chris Gibbs, she’s helped make UNION a legendary streetwear shop and fashion label. She’s now heading up Bephie’s Beauty Supply, a fashion label and marketplace that uplifts other brands and creators. And with her philosophy on supporting young designers, Black women, and true creators of culture, the sky’s the limit. Visit bephiesbeautysupply.com to shop and follow @bephiesbeautysupply on Instagram.
Marissa Hermer is the owner and operator of The Draycott and Olivetta, two of LA’s most popular restaurants. After getting her start in PR, Marissa teamed up with her husband to launch several successful bars and restaurants in London. She was also a star on Bravo’s Ladies of London and authored her own cookbook. Since coming back to the US, she’s hit the ground running and her career continues to charge forward. Marissa’s kindness, generosity, and passion for a dirty martini have made her a mainstay in the hospitality industry. Visit TheDraycott.com to learn more about the You Give, We Cook, They Eat campaign, and follow @MarissaHermer on Instagram.
For today’s special episode, we went back and spoke with three of our favorite guests to discuss how COVID-19 has changed their lives and industries over the past few months. Here’s the lineup:
- Colleen Wolfe, NFL reporter, host, and podcaster
- Dr. Sharrica Miller, registered nurse, professor, and entrepreneur
- Adina Reyter, jewelry designer and entrepreneur
Three LA women with different experiences and perspectives, but one theme runs through each of these incredible people: never, ever giving up.
Catherine McCord is the founder of Weelicious and One Potato. After pursuing her passion for food in culinary school, she started a family and began making recipes for young kids. From there, her blog was born. Now, Weelicious has grown into three cookbooks and One Potato, a fresh and delicious meal delivery service. Catherine’s philosophy on keeping recipes simple, approachable, and customizable has gained her a loyal following and robust business. Visit weelicious.com and onepotato.com to learn more.
Kate Miller is co-founder and CEO of Miss Grass, the online magazine and marketplace for all things CBD and cannabis. After bonding over their vision for the future of the cannabis industry, Kate and her co-founder Anna Duckworth joined forces and launched their Venice-based company in January 2018, the same month that marijuana became legal in California. Now, they have grown to become a destination for those who want to educate themselves, get a few pointers, or simply pick up their favorite CBD products online. Visit missgrass.com and keep up on Instagram @missgrass.