Second Life

Lilly Singh has proven to be a woman who can truly do it all—from being a comic and YouTube sensation with over 15 million subscribers to becoming a NYT best-selling author and actor. It’s no surprise she’s landed on lists like TIME’s Most Influential People on the Internet and Fast Company’s Most Creative People. In Singh’s latest role, she’s both center stage and behind the scenes as TV host and executive producer of NBC’s A Little Late with Lilly Singh, making her the only female currently on late-night television. On this episode of Second Life, find out how Singh went from studying psychology to finding happiness through content creation and letting go of her “plan B.”

Dr. Barbara Sturm, renowned aesthetics doctor, entrepreneur, and beauty innovator, completely transformed the beauty industry through her unique approach to science-backed skincare. In 2014, she launched her eponymous skincare brand, Dr. Barbara Sturm Molecular Cosmetics, which includes a diverse range of products sold in major retailers around the world and most importantly celebrates all skin types. On this episode of Second Life, find out how Dr. Sturm used a medical background in orthopedics as a basis for her skincare philosophy—one that’s garnered a cult-like following and made her one of the most sought-after beauty professionals in the world.

Kim Malek, the CEO and co-founder of iconic ice-cream brand Salt & Straw, has completely modernized the ice-cream industry by creating a brand whose ethos goes beyond the delicious dessert. Malek has built an unparalleled brand through a unique business strategy focused on building a community, supporting local artisans and farmers, and continually creating custom, one-of-a-kind ice-cream flavors. On this episode of Second Life, find out how Malek merged her past marketing careers at notable brands like Starbucks and Yahoo! to catapult her dream of starting an ice-cream business into a reality.

Elaine Welteroth is one of the most inspiring women in the media industry. She was named the youngest EIC at the helm of a major Condé Nast publication before becoming a New York Times best-selling author, award-winning journalist, producer, and television host. Welteroth is also a powerful voice in the movement of change, as she was recently appointed Cultural Ambassador for Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote campaign and now hosts a new podcast Built to Last, which amplifies the stories of Black founders, past and present. On this episode of Second Life, find out how Welteroth continually evolves her career while remaining grounded in who she is.

June Ambrose is one of fashion’s most influential stylists, costumer designers, and image architects and is now the creative director of Puma. Through her extensive years of experience, Ambrose has established a name for herself styling and creating custom pieces for notable clientele, including Jay-Z, Will Smith, Missy Elliott, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Lizzo, and more. Therefore, it may come as a surprise that Ambrose began her career at an investment banking firm. On this episode of Second Life, find out how Ambrose made a drastic career pivot, how she managed to get her foot in the door in the music and fashion industries to ultimately define culture through fashion, and everything she learned along the way.

World-class tennis champion Maria Sharapova is an absolute powerhouse. At a young age, Sharapova achieved the unthinkable: At age 17, she won Wimbledon, which was just the start of her tennis career. She went on to win five career Grand Slam titles, became the seventh female player in the Open era to complete the career Grand Slam, and was the first-ever female athlete to serve as the Russian delegation’s Olympic flag bearer. In February of this year, Sharapova announced her retirement, but her success doesn’t end on the tennis courts. Sharapova founded Sugarpova, a premium candy brand and strategically advises and invests in like-minded brands like Bala Bangles, Therabody, and Supergoop!. On this episode of Second Life, find out how Sharapova is evolving her career and using her past experiences to catapult into new business ventures.

Cameron Diaz is the quintessential Hollywood actress. She’s starred in iconic films, including The Mask, There’s Something About Mary, and Charlie’s Angels, and has been nominated for countless SAG awards, BAFTAs, and Golden Globes. In 2014, Diaz became a best-selling author with her two wellness-centric books, The Body Book and The Longevity Book, which reveal Diaz’s outlook on body positivity and living to your fullest potential. Now, Diaz has launched clean-wine company Avaline alongside Who What Wears Co-founder Katherine Power, defining a new standard for clean ingredients and transparency. On this episode of Second Life, find out how Diaz is continually evolving herself beyond Hollywood and how to build a brand you truly believe in

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.