Esther Has A Podcast

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Personal reunion show!  After sliding  into Jessi's DM's to congratulate her on her first comedy special, “Minivan Money”,  it occurred to me that we hadn't spoken in way too long. Jessi and I go back to the naughty noughties, when MTV’s Aftershow was just taking shape and they still served hosts and guests (like me) hard liquor during the live broadcast.
In this episode, we go allll the way back to those days on the Aftershow couch and chat about her entire career evolution to present day. Jessi is now a mom, writer, host of a hit podcast  (Phone A Friend) and incredibly successful touring comedian.

In this episode, we dive into:
-  Context and behind the scenes scoop on those early days with MTV Canada
- "Incidents" that took place and questionable things I said on air (O.m.gee.)
- Her jump from the network over to LA
- What gave her to the push to start creating content for the internet
- New Mom Who Dis, and the possibility that Justin Trudeau has her on a blacklist
- How hosting "thankless" Canadian awards shows evolved into standup
- The celebrity she offended too badly to recover from on the Emmy's red carpet
and SO much more.
Her career has taken her down a wavy road, and she's incredibly entrepreneurial in her approach to everything.  Listen in and let me know what you think.
xo E
Presented by Fresh. 

If you have thoughts or feedback to share, we are here for it! Find us on Instagram @Esther_Has_A_Postcast and we want the judgement, so please do "rate & review" wherever you stream your podcasts.

Send us a text

If you have thoughts or feedback to share, we are here for it! Find us on Instagram @Esther_Has_A_Postcast and we want the judgement, so please do "rate & review" wherever you stream your podcasts.

Send us a text

 Kristen Gale's life went from zero to TEN real quick.  After she got fired a second time from her second internship (who even knew unpaid interns could get fired?) she took a fortuitous wrong turn on Queen Street West in Toronto,  and the neighborhood's "pearls of promise" set her into action.  Almost overnight, her concept of a beauty bar that had the efficiency of low-end nail salons with the standards of high-end spas became THE TEN SPOT.

Kristen tells it all as it happened;  how her business has evolved into an international franchise model over the past 17 + years, big learnings, shower-cry moments and what she still loves most about The TEN SPOT. 
In this conversation, we discuss: 

• How The TEN SPOT went from idea to construct 
• A detailed account of how she secured financing (because it shouldn't be a secret that most businesses require MONEY) 
• The jump from one location to many 
• Stumbling onto the notion that she had created the foundation for a franchise business 
• Growth moments that came from "dumb-dumb" mistakes all the way through 
• The absolute power of asking questions 
• Self awareness and self belief 

...And so much more. Am I convinced that I need to open a TEN SPOT franchise location now? Probably. 

If you have thoughts or feedback to share, we are here for it! Find us on Instagram @Esther_Has_A_Postcast and we want the judgement, so please do "rate & review" wherever you stream your podcasts.

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This conversation could be a masterclass on not following any playbook and trusting intuition.  Often credited as pioneers of what is now known as the "clean beauty" business,  Fresh Beauty Founders, Lev Glazman & Alina Roytberg, unpack their ride to global success.

We chat about: 

• Humble "broke" beginnings
• Finding enormous early success and navigating the challenges of supply and demand 
• Creative freedom with " no benchmarks"
• The craft of carefully and strategically selecting retail partners 
•  Pivotal brand moments - including partnership with LVMH
• The importance of gratitude and NEVA taking anything for granted. 

...and so much more.

Naturally, I needed to share my favourite products and ask about theirs too. I could have spent 5 more hours with them, but they're busy with their empire. 

If you have thoughts or feedback to share, we are here for it! Find us on Instagram @Esther_Has_A_Postcast and we want the judgement, so please do "rate & review" wherever you stream your podcasts.

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For this episode, a passionate and successful crew of PR experts were invited (forced) in to dissect, debate and clarify the role that PR plays in the current age.
Meet The Panel:
Catriona Smart, Founder of Creative Agency, That Good
Lisa Kruger, Co-Founder of Boutique PR Firm, We Are Milo
Milka Mili, Founder of PR Agency, Conversation Agency 
Karine Idrissi & Kristina Argento, Partners / Co-Founders of PR Agency, Sundae Creative
We discuss:

• Common misconceptions and client expectations in the current media landscape
• The role of the traditional media and opportunities in newer media spaces 
• Rules of engagement in Influencer Marketing 
• The value of building connection through story telling to raise brand awareness
• Organic vs paid placements + best practices

And so much more. 
Plus, we answer some excellent listener submitted questions. 
We may have to do a part two!?  Listen in and weigh in with your thoughts!  

If you have thoughts or feedback to share, we are here for it! Find us on Instagram @Esther_Has_A_Postcast and we want the judgement, so please do "rate & review" wherever you stream your podcasts.

Send us a text

If you have thoughts or feedback to share, we are here for it! Find us on Instagram @Esther_Has_A_Postcast and we want the judgement, so please do "rate & review" wherever you stream your podcasts.

Send us a text

Hot tea incoming. We sat down with Sarah Segal, The CEO of DAVIDsTEA to discuss her ride to the role she's in, and how the brand she's driving has made a significant dent in how North American's consume and understand tea. 

We're unpacking:

• How she found a passion which changed her career trajectory 
• The brand's evolution from retail concept to multi-channel business 
• The importance of experience in retail  
• Market trends to  health and wellness that DAVIDsTEA was primed for 

and much more. 

If you have thoughts or feedback to share, we are here for it! Find us on Instagram @Esther_Has_A_Postcast and we want the judgement, so please do "rate & review" wherever you stream your podcasts.

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Jenn Harper had exactly zero experience in the Beauty Industry, or as an entrepreneur when she set out to build her cosmetic brand, Cheekbone Beauty.  After overcoming her battle with alcoholism, Jenn had a vivid dream that set her into action, with the intent to give back to  her First Nations community. She has since built a certified clean, sustainable, and profitable cosmetics brand that is rooted in representation -  with her initial goal still at the core. 
This conversation is a deeply personal dive into her experience on the road to Cheekbone Beauty's scale-up, and is not to be missed. Yes, there is crying, but also laughing and incredible inspiration is to be found here.  I dare you not to be moved.
Oh, it must be said that Cheekbone Beauty makes phenomenal products that I'm currently loving.
Find them:
Cheekbonebeauty.com
Sephora (online and in store)
JC Penny
and more.
Check her out on IG: @cheekbonebeauty
and @CheekboneJenn 

If you have thoughts or feedback to share, we are here for it! Find us on Instagram @Esther_Has_A_Postcast and we want the judgement, so please do "rate & review" wherever you stream your podcasts.

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We don't throw the word "icon " around loosely, but when the Roots Tuff fits...

This conversation with Meghan Roach, CEO of Canada's foremost treasured heritage brand, and international success story (Roots)  is  a glimpse into her genuine passion for the future of the company. With the iconic lifestyle brand now in its milestone 50th year, Meghan discusses:

• Her  journey from  private equity to the Roots C-suite 
• The humble beginnings of Roots and how it morphed into the company it is today 
• Strategic moves to engage a new audience 
• The impact of emotional connectivity  
• Opportunities for growth in Canada and  major markets abroad 
•  Importance of authenticity over any performative marketing 

Plus, her role in all of this. 

Note: whoopsie - Minor correction to flag . Roots did 1M in sales by 1974 (not in their first operational week). Still major if you ask us.  Enjoy the episode! 

If you have thoughts or feedback to share, we are here for it! Find us on Instagram @Esther_Has_A_Postcast and we want the judgement, so please do "rate & review" wherever you stream your podcasts.

Send us a text

If you have thoughts or feedback to share, we are here for it! Find us on Instagram @Esther_Has_A_Postcast and we want the judgement, so please do "rate & review" wherever you stream your podcasts.