Claim Your Confidence with Lydia Fenet

Diana "DB" Barnes has been constantly evolving throughout her career. Having previously worked in the music, fashion, and tech industries, she is currently the Chief Brand Officer and Creative Director of WHY Brands–a portfolio of consumer lifestyle brands which houses the world's most loved baby lifestyle company Munchkin Inc. She is also the co-founder of Curio, a premium brand of finely crafted home goods designed to elevate the every day. Diana’s work overseeing the creation and execution of brand design and strategy and WHY Brands earned her the honor of being named among 20 of the top CMOs in the world by Fast Company. In this interview, we discuss Diana's career path, her current role at WHY Brands, and the importance of doing things that terrify you. 

Don’t miss this episode where we talk about:

• How Diana’s love of writing and language led to her passion for typography and graphic design
• The many different industries Diana has worked in and why it’s important to broaden your field of knowledge and experience
• WHY Brands’ focus on innovation and how the key to innovation is listening to your customers 
• Joining the team at Munchkin, Diana’s perspective on staying relevant as a legacy brand, and why Diana founded Curio
• What drives Diana creatively and her advice for other creatives who are just starting their professional careers

Find Diana:

www.whybrands.com

IG: @dbartifex

X: @dbartifex

LinkedIn: Diana Barnes “DB”

Follow Lydia:

www.lydiafenet.com

IG: @lydiafenet

LinkedIn: Lydia Fenet

Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text!

To stay up to date with Claim Your Confidence and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram and on YouTube.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.

Recorded at The Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center.

Thank you for listening.

In 2014, less than 2% of venture capital dollars went towards female-founded companies. So, Anu Duggal started Female Founders Fund–the first early-stage fund focused on investing exclusively in female founders–to help support the women who are building the companies of tomorrow. Over the last ten years, FFF has become the leading source of institutional capital for female founders with over $3B in enterprise value and Anu is now one of the few female solo GPs managing over $100 AUM in the venture capital industry. In this episode of Claim Your Confidence, we talk about Anu’s entrepreneurial journey, why she launched Female Founders Fund, and diversifying venture capital. 

Don’t miss this interview where discuss:

• Growing up in multiple countries, how travel builds confidence, and Anu’s early career path
• What Anu learned from her first entrepreneurial venture launching India’s first wine tasting bar before going to business school
• The ins and outs of venture capital funds, what entrepreneurs need to know, and what Anu is looking for when deciding to back a company
• The untapped potential of investing in female founded businesses, FFF’s success stories, and the milestone of returning their first fund
• Being open about the challenges of being a founder and sharing the lessons you’ve learned with those that are just beginning their journeys 

Find Anu:

www.femalefoundersfund.com

IG: @anuduggal; @femalefoundersfund

LinkedIn: Anu Duggal

Follow Lydia:

www.lydiafenet.com

IG: @lydiafenet

LinkedIn: Lydia Fenet

Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text!

To stay up to date with Claim Your Confidence and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram and on YouTube.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.

Recorded at The Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center.

Thank you for listening.

While working as a licensed skin therapist and instructor in the ‘80s, Jane Wurwand saw the need for high-quality skincare products within the industry. So, she founded Dermalogica to fill that gap. Now, Dermalogica is one of the top professional skincare brands and continues to train thousands of skin therapists across the globe each year. Jane is also the author of Skin in the Game and the co-founder of the Found/LA, a nonprofit with a mission to connect underserved entrepreneurs and small businesses to the funding, coaching, and community they need to thrive. In this episode, we discuss why Jane founded Dermalogica, what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur, and the importance of developing a skill set. Don’t miss this interview where we talk about:

• Jane’s first job working at a salon and how that set her on the path towards becoming a skin therapist
• Embracing the messy journey that is entrepreneurship and asking the question: “how badly do you need it?”
• How Jane identified the white space for quality products and training for skin therapists in the U.S. after she moved to LA
• Dermalogica’s educational foundation and what sets their professional training program apart from the rest
• Jane’s nonprofit Found/LA and what she’s doing to help small businesses find success

Find Jane:

www.dermalogica.com

www.foundla.org

IG: @janewurwand

X: @Dermalogicajane

Follow Lydia:

www.lydiafenet.com

IG: @lydiafenet

LinkedIn: Lydia Fenet

Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text!

To stay up to date with Claim Your Confidence and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram and on YouTube.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.

Recorded at The Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center.

Thank you for listening.

*Listeners of this episode can get 10% off any online purchase from PXG Apparel using the code ClaimYourConfidence.

Renee Parsons is a leader in business, fashion, and philanthropy. Recently named the Chief Marketing Officer of PXG, Renee has helped usher in a new era of cutting-edge and versatile performance golf and lifestyle clothing designed to seamlessly marry comfort and style. Renee is also the co-founder of The Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation which aims to provide hope and life-changing assistance to vulnerable, underserved, and marginalized populations often overlooked by mainstream philanthropy. In this interview, we talk about how Renee launched PXG Apparel as a fashion industry outsider, the lessons she’s learned while playing golf that also apply to her everyday life, and how she gives back.

Don’t miss this episode of Claim Your Confidence where we discuss:

• PXG focus on providing products that go above and beyond and the benefit of having a direct line of communication with your customers 
• The importance of focus, perseverance, and picking yourself up after a setback
• How Renee is supporting female golf players in a largely male-dominated sport and promoting inclusivity through the PXG brand
• Becoming aware of the artificial timelines imposed on you by others, or by yourself, and letting those timelines go
• The Bob and Renee Parsons Foundation, Renee’s mission when it comes to philanthropy, and what it means to give hope to others
• The first ever PXG Apparel only retail location has opened as a Pop-Up Store, November 1st, 2024 - April 2025 in Scottsdale Fashion Square

Find Renee:

www.reneeparsons.com

www.pxg.com

IG: @reneelparsons

X: @ReneeLParsons

LinkedIn: Renee Parsons

Follow Lydia:

www.lydiafenet.com

IG: @lydiafenet

LinkedIn: Lydia Fenet

*The offer is valid only for purchases on www.pxg.com. This offer is not valid at any PXG retail or fitting locations, or any other websites. Other restrictions may apply. Visit www.pxg.com for details.

Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text!

To stay up to date with Claim Your Confidence and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram and on YouTube.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.

Recorded at The Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center.

Thank you for listening.

Mastering any new skill can take years, and that was Paul Ollinger’s experience when he first started doing comedy. After working in sales leadership for fifteen years at companies like Yahoo and Facebook, Paul took the leap to pursue his passion for stand-up comedy and has since opened for top comics like Daniel Tosh and Chelsea Handler, and headlined the legendary Carolines on Broadway in 2019. Paul is also an author, podcast host, and keynote speaker, and his podcast, Reasonably Happy (formerly known as Crazy Money), explores the connection between money, happiness, work, and meaning. In this episode, we discuss Paul’s career path as a comedian, what the mantra “dare to suck” means, and becoming yourself onstage. 

Don’t miss this interview where we talk about:

• How Paul discovered his love for comedy while in business school, why he stepped away from it once, and what eventually brought him back
• Pushing the boundaries, taking risks, and finding your lane 
• Paul’s experience working as one of Facebook’s first 250 employees and how he refound his footing after retiring from the corporate world
• The difference between walking away from something and walking towards something new
• Why Paul started his podcast Reasonably Happy and what it means to be authentically fulfilled

Find Paul:

www.paulollinger.com

IG: @paul_ollinger

X: @Paul_Ollinger

LinkedIn: Paul Ollinger

Follow Lydia:

www.lydiafenet.com

IG: @lydiafenet

LinkedIn: Lydia Fenet

Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text!

To stay up to date with Claim Your Confidence and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram and on YouTube.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.

Recorded at The Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center.

Thank you for listening.

Even if you aren’t familiar with Gwen Whiting’s story, you will definitely know her as the founder of The Laundress who’s premium and eco-friendly cleaning products revolutionized how we do our laundry. Over the course of 17 years, Gwen built The Laundress into a household name before eventually selling the company to Unilever in 2019. After watching the brand she created become unrecognizable to her, Gwen created a new start for herself by founding The Fill–a private members cleaning community and collection of sustainable solutions offering maximized luxury and minimal impact. In this interview, we discuss The Laundress’ launch story, Gwen’s experience selling her company, and how she’s reinventing the wheel yet again. Don’t miss this episode of Claim Your Confidence where we talk about:

• Gwen’s inspiration to create The Laundress and what it takes to disrupt and reinvent an entire product category
• Trusting and believing in yourself as a founder and how no one is going to care more about your mission than you
• Selling The Laundress to Unilever, what Gwen learned, and what she would have done differently looking back
• Understanding your brand’s roadmap and exploring all of the opportunities for growth available to you
• Gwen’s new company The Fill and her focus on building community around her brand and products

Find Gwen:

https://www.gwenwhiting.com

https://www.thefillclub.com

IG: @gwenlwhiting; @thefillclub

LinkedIn: Gwen Whiting

Follow Lydia:

www.lydiafenet.com

IG: @lydiafenet

LinkedIn: Lydia Fenet

Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text!

To stay up to date with Claim Your Confidence and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram and on YouTube.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.

Recorded at The Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center.

Thank you for listening.

For over two decades, Kate Schelter has been working as an artist, designer, image consultant, and all-around creative, reimagining brand identities and bringing dreams to life with her creative touch and signature blend of color, joy, and vitality. Founder and owner of Kate Schelter LLC, Kate has worked with countless companies such as Bulgari, Veronica Beard, The Colony Palm Beach, and St Regis Hotels. And in her book, Classic Style: Hand It Down, Dress It Up, Wear It Out, Kate curates a collection of simple yet iconic fashion classics to help readers develop a personal style that they love. In this episode, we talk about Kate’s design philosophy and inspirations, pursuing what makes you “nerve-cited”, and how she transformed her passion into a career. 

Don’t miss this interview where we discuss:

• Living in NYC in your 20s and how Kate got her start working as a freelance photographer at Vogue
• All of the different facets of Kate’s work, including brand collaborations, her original artwork and illustrations, and her book Classic Style
• Her approach to collaborations and how she incorporates a brand’s identity into her designs 
• Leading with excitement and focusing on what authentically resonates with you
• Kate’s fertility journey and how she learned to reach out and share her burdens with those that support her

Find Kate:

https://www.kateschelter.com

IG: @kateschelter

LinkedIn: Kate Schelter

Follow Lydia:

www.lydiafenet.com

IG: @lydiafenet

LinkedIn: Lydia Fenet

Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text!

To stay up to date with Claim Your Confidence and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram and on YouTube.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.

Recorded at The Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center.

Thank you for listening.

For many, growing up with a twin means having a built-in best friend. For Lizzie and Kathryn Fortunato specifically, growing up with a twin means having a built-in best friend and business partner. Inspired by the following she had fostered while making jewelry in college, Lizzie launched her namesake brand in 2008 with Kathryn’s help. Now, they work together as full time entrepreneurs and are committed to creating luxurious pieces–from handcrafted statement necklaces to fine jewelry–that champion intentional production. In this interview, we talk about how Lizzie and Kathryn built Lizzie Fortunato Jewels as co-founders, their advice for new entrepreneurs, and staying true to yourself as a business owner. 

Don’t miss this episode where we discuss:

• Why Lizzie began making jewelry and how she and Kathryn developed the blueprints for a future business while in college
• The importance of authenticity for longevity and why Lizzie doesn’t focus on trends as a designer
• How one $10,000 check from Kathryn gave Lizzie the launchpad she needed to expand the business and how that check has remained the brand’s only funding to date
• The importance of community, mentors, and strengthening your support network, and how Lizzie and Kathryn work together as co-founders and sisters
• Celebrating the different facets of their identities as entrepreneurs and moms

Find Lizzie and Kathryn:

https://www.lizziefortunato.com

IG: @lfjewels

LinkedIn: Lizzie Fortunato; Kathryn Fortunato

Follow Lydia:

www.lydiafenet.com

IG: @lydiafenet

LinkedIn: Lydia Fenet

Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text!

To stay up to date with Claim Your Confidence and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram and on YouTube.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.

Recorded at The Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center.

Thank you for listening.

When hearing the word “etiquette”, the first thing that might come to mind is table manners, but certified etiquette trainer and founder of Old Soul Etiquette Mariah Grumet is here to share that there’s much more to etiquette than meets the eye. It’s how we present ourselves to the world, how we interact with others day-to-day, and even how we network in our careers. Since founding her company in 2021, Mariah has helped clients of all ages build confidence, create stronger connections, and reach their full potential through her modern and vibrant twist on traditional etiquette. In this episode, we discuss what inspired Mariah to become an etiquette trainer, transitioning from a corporate job to an entrepreneurial lifestyle, and Mariah’s top three etiquette tips for anyone looking to show up every day as their best self. 

Don’t miss this interview where we talk about:

• Mariah’s definition of what etiquette is in this day and age and all of the ways that it can apply to our lives
• Turning a passion project into a fully-fledged business through social media
• The ins-and-outs of networking etiquette, whether it be a chance encounter in a coffee shop, at a networking event, or even through social media
• Mariah’s wedding etiquette book What Do I Do?, why she wrote it, and her next book idea
• The importance of knowing how to talk about yourself and Mariah’s advice for crafting the perfect elevator pitch

Find Mariah Grumet:

https://www.oldsouletiquette.com

IG: @oldsouletiquette

Facebook: Old Soul Etiquette LLC

LinkedIn: Mariah Grumet

Follow Lydia:

www.lydiafenet.com

IG: @lydiafenet

LinkedIn: Lydia Fenet

Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text!

To stay up to date with Claim Your Confidence and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram and on YouTube.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.

Recorded at The Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center.

Thank you for listening.

It’s hard to believe, but Claim Your Confidence has now released over 80 episodes since our launch as a podcast in 2023. To celebrate this milestone and thank our audience who has tuned in from the very beginning, this episode was recorded from a live call-in Q&A session where I answered all of your burning questions about confidence, career-building, and everything in between. If you’re thinking about making a big leap or are just looking for some extra motivation in your day-to-day life, be sure to listen in to hear my advice on:

• Remembering to celebrate the big and small wins in every aspect of your life
• How to prepare for and ace any interview
• The ins and outs of networking, whether it be within your company, through a shared interest, or via social media
• Reclaiming and maintaining your confidence at work and as a parent, and what I do on days when I don’t feel confident
• Understanding the landscape of your life and knowing how to optimize your productivity

Follow Lydia:

www.lydiafenet.com

IG: @lydiafenet

LinkedIn: Lydia Fenet

Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text!

To stay up to date with Claim Your Confidence and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram and on YouTube.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple or Spotify or where ever you get your podcasts.

Recorded at The Newsstand Studios at Rockefeller Center.

Thank you for listening.