On this episode Margaret Mueller, CEO & President of the Executives' Club of Chicago is joined by Coco Meers, CEO & Co-Founder of Equilibria. Coco discusses how this Alabama native's early aspirations of dance & law transitioned to marketing and brand management. She talks about the journeys of her Chicago-based startups and how the windy city is both tough and nurturing to its entrepreneurs. Tune in as she discusses the meaning of balance, the intersection of wellness, self-care, and beauty, and more.

Host of this episode: Margaret Mueller, CEO & President of the Executives' Club of Chicago

1:42 – Early upbringing in an attorney driven Alabama family

4:11 —Women are strong—Coco shares her admiration in seeing her mother reinvent herself

7:10—Coco's new career path—marketing

10:18—Discuss the importance of P & L and brand management experience

12:07—Coco discusses the pivot to entrepreneurship, working for Loreal, deciding to go to business school, and building her portfolio from early-stage consumer companies.

14:17 —Coco shares insight into her first company Pretty Quick & the significant role of supply and demand

18:13—Next chapter of entrepreneurship—Coco leads beauty at Groupon

19:30—Coco provides advice for entrepreneurs; she discusses the influential role of a startup and the importance of investing in companies with unit economic viability.

22:33—Comparison of Chicago's startup culture versus the West Coast; investments versus conservative investments

24:14—Coco discusses Equilibria and explains CBD Products versus cannabis products.

28:08—Coco shares her journey of CBD discovery and Equilibria's founding as a health tech services company.

31:50—Lessons learned—Coco discusses when business partners aren't the right fit

35:24—Advice for those interested in using CBD products for the first time & Coco's personal CBD routine.

42:46—Providing support to members and employees during the pandemic

46:25—Coco discusses the benefits of starting a business in Chicago and recruiting globally.

51:30—Coco discusses the impact of her English major and supporting the Arts

53:43—The intersection and balance of wellness, self-care and beauty

59:00 —Rapid Fire Questions

Host of this episode: Margaret Mueller, CEO & President of the Executives' Club of Chicago

Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, the Executives' Club of Chicago

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