Brief Summary
In this episode of the Jay Shetty Podcast, Jay interviews Emma Grede, CEO and co-founder of Good American and founding partner of Skims. Emma shares her journey from East London to becoming one of America's richest self-made women, discussing the importance of ambition, hard work, and self-belief. She challenges societal expectations for women, emphasising the need for self-care and setting realistic expectations. Emma also shares insights on building successful relationships, both personal and professional, and the importance of inclusivity in business.
- Ambition and self-belief are key to achieving goals.
- Hard work and perseverance are essential, even in unenjoyable jobs.
- Inclusivity and diversity are superpowers in business.
- Self-care and setting realistic expectations are crucial for women.
- Building strong relationships requires shared experiences and continuous effort.
Intro
Jay Shetty introduces Emma Grede, CEO and co-founder of Good American and founding partner of Skims, highlighting her achievements and influence in the fashion and business world. He expresses his admiration for Emma's energy and authenticity, noting her impact as a rule-breaker who is changing the way we think, lead, and live. Emma reciprocates, expressing her excitement to be on the podcast and acknowledging Jay's influence on her.
The Ambition Mindset
Emma discusses her upbringing in East London, where aspiration and glamour were scarce. She found inspiration in fashion magazines, viewing them as a means of escapism. Emma credits her mother for instilling a sense of self-worth and the belief that she was as good as anyone else. This upbringing taught her respect for others and a drive to seek more than her immediate surroundings offered.
Overnight Success Is An ILLUSION
Emma reflects on her early jobs, from a paper round to working in a delicatessen and clothes shops. She emphasises the importance of finding pride in any job and learning from every experience. Emma highlights that success is not overnight but the result of years of hard work and planning. She also notes that hard work involves getting up and thinking about the end goal, even when it seems distant.
Every Job Will Teach You An Important Lesson
Emma shares her experience working in a fashion show production company and the challenges of cold calling for sponsorship. She notes that the rejections were disheartening but taught her valuable skills in sales and storytelling, which are essential for entrepreneurship. Emma also reflects on how negative experiences with previous bosses shaped her leadership style, inspiring her to be an inspiring and empathic leader.
How Fear Can Help You Grow
Emma discusses how fear has been a motivator in her career. She dropped out of school at 15 and felt inferior due to her lack of formal education. She now seeks out situations that scare her, as they indicate growth and progress. Emma also shares her belief in the "rule of thirds," where a third of the time you're happy, a third you're okay, and a third you feel crappy, which helps her manage expectations and persevere through challenges.
Every Relationship Has Chapters
Emma discusses her approach to relationships, noting that she has always sought companionship. She values the partnership she has with her husband, who supports her ambitions. Emma emphasises that relationships need chapters and transitions, just like careers. She also shares how shared projects and experiences contribute to a strong and evolving relationship.
The Tradeoffs Mothers Make Daily
Emma reflects on how her mother would describe her as a child, noting that she was always a dreamer and a doer. She discusses the challenges working mothers face, particularly the societal expectations of what they should be. Emma stresses the importance of dispelling the myth of "doing it all" and acknowledges that her life is a series of trade-offs. She hopes her children see her living out her dreams and are inspired to do the same.
CHALLENGE The Expectations Set For Women
Emma shares her perspective as a child who grew up with a working mother, noting that she always felt loved despite her mother's busy schedule. She emphasises that quality time is more important than quantity. Emma also highlights the importance of lowering expectations and being honest about what we're capable of, rather than trying to meet impossible standards.
Take Time To Reflect On What Matters To You
Emma discusses how she makes peace with the challenges of balancing work and motherhood. She emphasises the importance of reflecting on cherished memories and recognising that the best moments are often unplanned and sporadic. Emma also shares a story about Oprah, highlighting that people are often too focused on their own issues to notice our mistakes. She encourages women to challenge the expectations and be selfish for longer in their lives.
What Makes A Successful Relationship?
Emma shares her thoughts on maintaining a strong relationship with her partner while managing successful careers and a family. She believes that love is the foundation, guiding them to do what the other needs in the moment. Emma also highlights the importance of shared projects and rituals in sustaining a healthy relationship. She emphasises that relationships are only as good as the stories and memories created together.
Practice Who You Want To Become Everyday
Emma discusses the importance of practicing who you want to become every day. She views life as a practice and strives to be the best version of herself in every aspect. Emma acknowledges that she has memories she has locked away, particularly times when she was not proud of her behaviour, but she is committed to working on herself and evolving as a person.
Misconceptions About Working Women
Emma reflects on a memory she cherishes: the birth of her first child. She recalls feeling an immediate drive to return to work, as she had a clear reason for doing what she was doing. Emma challenges the societal misconception that women cannot be both nurturing mothers and ambitious professionals. She also points out the double standards applied to men and women in the workplace.
What’s Your Intention When Going to Work?
Emma discusses how she approaches building a team, acknowledging that not everyone will share her level of passion and ambition. She separates her expectations from what others might need and recognises that some people are primarily motivated by a paycheck. Emma also notes that it is important to be realistic and not expect everyone to be as driven as you are.
Don’t Be Afraid To Take Chances
Emma shares how she accidentally became an entrepreneur, driven by frustration and a desire for better compensation. She emphasises the importance of not being afraid to fail and being honest with yourself. Emma also highlights that taking a chance on yourself can inspire others to do the same. She also shares her experiences with failure, noting that she has lost and failed more times than she has succeeded.
How To Come Up With A Good Business Idea
Emma discusses how she selects problems to solve when building a business. She starts by identifying problems she personally experiences and then considers how to create inclusive solutions. Emma emphasises that inclusivity is a superpower in business and should be integrated from the beginning, rather than added as an afterthought. She also shares her experiences with falsifying an image of inclusivity.
How A Successful Businesswoman Thinks
Emma shares her perspective on why companies often fail to create inclusive products and services. She believes it stems from where decisions are made and who is making them. Emma suggests that companies should include diverse voices in the decision-making process to avoid insensitive or tone-deaf mistakes. She also shares her experiences with pitching businesses to groups of people who are not her end audience.
The Most Stressful Part Of Building A Business
Emma discusses how she has maintained her hunger and innovation, even when things are going well. She is fuelled by competition and a desire to win. Emma also emphasises that she is not satisfied with short-term success and aims to build generationally defining businesses. She also shares her thoughts on the most stressful thing about building a business, which is the expectations that come from the outside.
Responsibilities That Come With Success
Emma shares her strategies for dealing with stress, including maintaining a ritualistic routine, prioritising gratitude, and focusing on the small joys in life. She also reflects on her journey from East London and feels grateful for her current circumstances. Emma also shares what little Emma would say to her now, which is "Well done, love you did it, keep going, keep going".
Emma Grede On Final Five
Emma answers the "Final Five" questions:
- Best advice ever received: Make a decision and move on.
- Worst advice ever received: Stay in your lane.
- How someone who doesn't know you well would describe you: Kind, ambitious, not to be messed around with.
- How someone who knows you deeply would describe you: Sensitive, very thoughtful, tough.
- If you could create one law everyone had to follow: Lead with kindness.
