The work advice you need, from women who’ve been there. Every week, join the co-founders and co-CEOs of theSkimm, Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg, as they hel...
For millennial women, Julia Stiles needs no introduction. She portrayed some of our favorite characters growing up – like Kat in 10 Things I Hate About You and Sara in Save the Last Dance – and challenged one-dimensional portrayals of female characters. After two decades as an actor, Julia has taken her talents behind the camera to direct her first film, Wish You Were Here. Listen as she shares how she’s managed to stay grounded despite being a child actor, how she manifested her directorial debut, and why she has no regrets about taking her time to make it happen.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, shares:
How growing up in New York City helped her maintain a grounded attitude
Her decision to go to college instead of continuing her acting career
Why Hustlers marked a new chapter of intention for her
How being a mom was the best preparation for being a director
Advice on how to be confident when you lack skills needed for a specific job
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30:25
Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald on Levain Bakery’s 30-Year Climb to Success
Unlike MBA grads focused on scaling and selling companies, Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald built Levain Bakery with no intention of selling. Baking was the life plan, the thing they’d do til their hands couldn’t anymore. They embraced slow, sustainable growth for years with no regrets. Then came a compelling offer and a gut feeling that led them to finally take on an investor. Listen as Pam and Connie share how a YWCA brought them together, how a New York Times article skyrocketed their company's success, and why having patience was their greatest tool.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Pam and Connie share:
What they loved about their former colleague and supporter, Anthony Bourdain
How chance bike ride with an old friend got them a small business loan
When they knew it was time to expand to new locations
How they navigated tedious problems like meeting with community boards and dealing with frustrated neighbors
Why scaling their business slowly was key to their success and when they knew it was time to take on an investor
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30:37
CNN’s Laura Coates on Sacrificing Financial Independence for a Career Move
In 2015, Laura Coates traded courtroom drama for newsroom deadlines, leaving her job as a Justice Department prosecutor to dive into a journalism career. She was a new mom with no media experience or contacts, but knew she’d regret it if she never tried. Fast forward to today. Laura is CNN’s Chief Legal Analyst, a Sirius XM host, and a trusted voice on today’s most pressing legal stories. Despite her success, it didn’t come without sacrifice. Listen as Laura gets real about the hard conversations she had with her husband – and herself – about prioritizing her professional ambitions over financial security.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Laura shares:
How she charmed her husband when they first met, despite having a waxed off eyebrow
Why she found it difficult to financially depend on her husband while figuring out her career
How she got her foot in the door in media with no connections, and why getting the second foot in is more important
Why she never shuts down her kids’ curiosity around current events
How she’s dealt with big personalities in the courtroom, and on television
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33:55
Bobbie CEO Laura Modi on Making the Unpopular Move
Laura Modi’s organic baby formula company, Bobbie, thrived during a formula shortage that saw nearly 50% of the nation’s formula supply vanish. As desperate moms searched for alternatives, many turned to Bobbie, leading to massive growth—until the demand threatened the supply. Laura faced a critical decision: continue accepting new customers or pause growth so OG Bobbie babies were taken care of. Laura tells the story of how her bold choice paid off and how Bobbie has future-proofed itself through smart business decisions.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Laura shares:
How growing up in rural Western Ireland taught her hospitality
Why it took having a second child to push her to start Bobbie
How she navigated Bobbie through a product recall just two weeks after it launched
Bobbie’s recent 15% price cut, and how the company was able to do it
Why implementing paid family leave federally would help alleviate moms’ mental health issues
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35:21
L’Oréal CMO Han Wen on The Power of Listening First
When Han Wen got a job at L’Oréal as an entry-level marketing associate, she didn’t even know what marketing was. The interviewers didn’t care. They spent the bulk of the interview talking about her bold outfit, which she got off the sales rack at J.Crew just an hour before. Fast forward to 2022, and Han became the CMO of L’Oréal USA at just 39-years-old. Talk about a full circle moment. Han shares how she made impressions throughout her corporate career, and how she’s gotten really good at listening – even when it might be hard to hear.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Han shares:
Why her work stint in France was nothing like “Emily in Paris”
The best lesson she learned about being a people manager
What she focused on instead of chasing after titles during her career
How having kids destroyed any illusion of control, and how it carries into her work
Why L’Oréal encourages some rule-bending to make great products
Follow Carly and Danielle on Instagram @carlyanddanielle, and be sure to subscribe the show so you never miss an episode.
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The work advice you need, from women who’ve been there. Every week, join the co-founders and co-CEOs of theSkimm, Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg, as they help you get what you want out of your career by talking to the smartest leaders they know.