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Join Alicia and George as they explore the inspiring story of Bobbi Brown, founder of Jones Road Beauty, who built a billion-dollar brand, sold it, and then reinvented herself in her sixties. We discuss entrepreneurship, branding, strategic decisions, and the importance of authenticity and timing.

keywords

Bobbi Brown, Jones Road Beauty, entrepreneurship, branding, non-compete, beauty industry, clean beauty, business reinvention, family business, social media influence

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Bobbi Brown's Inspiring Journey

01:54 The Origins of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and Its Market Impact

03:49 Selling the Business to Estée Lauder at 38

04:35 The 25-Year Non-Compete and Its Challenges

06:43 Transitioning to New Ventures During the Non-Compete Period

08:32 The Serendipitous Creation of Jones Road Beauty

10:28 Launching Jones Road on the Exact Day the Non-Compete Expired

12:28 Viral Success of the Miracle Balm and Brand Growth

14:26 The Focus on Clean Beauty and Ingredient Transparency

16:25 Building a Family-Owned Business and Staying Authentic

18:20 Lessons on Timing, Authenticity, and Reinvention

20:03 The Power of Social Media and Personal Branding

22:10 The Massive Market of Beauty and Personal Care

24:09 Reflections on Non-Compete, Legacy, and Next Chapters

27:00 Inspiration and Final Thoughts

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She’s Built Different: https://shesbuiltdifferent.substack.com/

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Join Alicia and George as they explore the realities of writing and publishing books, the impact of media and marketing, and the importance of platform and passion in success. They also delve into personal insights on family, relationships, and the influence of social media on perceptions and opportunities.

keywords
book publishing, marketing, social media, author success, platform, passion, family, relationships, media influence, entrepreneurship

Timestamps:

00:00 The Joy and Struggles of Writing
05:37 The Publishing Process and Its Challenges
11:05 The Reality of Being an Author
12:53 The Pay-to-Play Award System
14:18 The Influence of Wealth on Success
16:32 Expectations in Marketing and Promotion
18:33 Behind the Curtain of the Book Industry
20:32 Revenue Recognition and Payment Delays
21:44 Passion vs. Profit in Writing
23:23 The Role of PR in Book Success
25:20 Quality vs. Quantity in Parenting
28:24 The Balance of Metrics in Business and Relationships
30:49 Leveraging Substack for Writers
33:40 The Reality of Quick Rich Schemes

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Sponsors: 

She’s Built Different: https://shesbuiltdifferent.substack.com/

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This episode explores the nuances of social media influence, the reality of wealth, the American Dream, and the future of technology and content creation. The hosts share personal stories, insights on financial habits, and predictions about AI and media evolution.

keywords

social media, wealth, American Dream, AI, content creation, social media influence, financial habits, social media trends, future technology, family life

Timestamps:

00:00 Betting on Yourself: The Entrepreneurial Mindset

09:37 Navigating Parenting Challenges and Expectations

19:10 The Illusion of Wealth: Social Media and Aspirational Poverty

28:10 Housing Market Realities and Financial Decisions

28:20 The Evolving American Dream: Home Ownership vs. New Aspirations

30:33 The Changing Perception of Home Ownership: From Asset to Investment

32:58 Multi-Generational Households: A Return to Tradition?

34:54 Influencers and Content Creation: Value vs. Grift

38:28 The Future of Media: AI, Content Creation, and Human Touch

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This episode explores the evolving landscape of marketing pivots, influencer marketing, AI innovations like Swan AI's mirror, and the importance of adaptability in business and life. George and Alicia share insights on how rapid technological changes and market dynamics demand quick pivots and authentic content strategies.

 keywords

marketing pivots, influencer marketing, AI mirrors, Swan AI, social media strategy, business adaptability, brand trips, user-generated content, AI disruption, entrepreneurial journey

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Swan AI and Influencer Marketing

02:44 The Evolution of Influencer Brand Trips

05:49 Understanding the AI Mirror Technology

08:28 The Importance of Authentic Content Creation

11:36 Navigating Pivots in Business

14:11 Generational Perspectives on Pivots

16:53 Defining Success and Wealth

19:49 The Changing Landscape of Employment

22:26 The Future of Work and AI

25:03 Personal Stories of Pivots and Growth

Sponsors: 

Relive Gaithersburg: https://relivehealth.com/gaithersburg-md/

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Keesha Scott is a co-founder of Guardian Recovery, a national behavioral health company with 800 employees and 17 facilities nationwide, a podcast host, and a soon-to-be published author. In this episode, she sits down with Alicia and George to talk about building a business with her husband, parenting through addiction and loss, and why leading with vulnerability is the most powerful thing she has ever done.

Keesha and her husband bootstrapped Guardian Recovery from a two-person idea into a company rooted in a deeply personal why: both are in recovery, and her first husband died of a drug overdose. She opens up about what it looks like to build a business alongside a spouse when the mission is that close to home, including the terrifying moment during COVID when they thought the whole thing might sink.

From wearing a weighted vest upside down to accidentally going viral, Keesha's approach to life and parenting is refreshingly unfiltered. She shares the story behind her podcast and upcoming book Cake for Dinner, why she stopped making herself small, and the one piece of advice she would give every couple running a business together: always remember your why.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Keisha Scott and Her Journey

02:56 Building Guardian Recovery: A Family Affair

05:38 Navigating Sobriety and Parenting

08:16 The Intersection of Business and Personal Life

11:05 Wellness Practices Amidst Chaos

14:08 Embracing Authenticity and Imperfection

16:53 The Meaning Behind 'Cake for Dinner'

19:38 Lessons from Parenting and Social Media

22:38 The Impact of Social Media on Adolescents

25:24 Preparing Teens for Real-Life Challenges

28:11 Upcoming Book and Future Plans

30:56 Insights from Podcasting and Real Stories

33:37 Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts

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Sponsors: 

Relive Gaithersburg: https://relivehealth.com/gaithersburg-md/

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Follow Cake for Dinner | Keesha Scott:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keeshawscott/

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/cakefordinnerpod/

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What really happened to the woman behind MacKenzie-Childs? In this episode, Alicia and George go back to finish the story they started in episode 51, because it turns out there was a whole chapter the internet left out.

Before private equity entered the picture, there was Pleasant Rowland, founder of American Girl, who bought MacKenzie-Childs out of bankruptcy for $5.5 million on a $15.3 million debt. What she did next is the part that got glossed over and it is a masterclass in capitalism doing what capitalism does, regardless of whether it feels right.

Victoria MacKenzie-Childs passed away on March 4, 2026 at 77, and her death brought the full story out into the open. Alicia and George break down the Roland era, the non-compete, the lawsuit over Victoria’s own first name, and what it actually looks like when a creative builds something extraordinary, loses it, and keeps going anyway. Plus: why your lifestyle is exactly like the elastic in your underwear and why that matters for your business too.

Timestamps:

00:00 - The underwear elastic theory of lifestyle creep

01:00 - Meet your hosts (and their new grand-chickens)

03:00 - Quick recap: Episode 51 and why we’re back

05:30 - Honoring Victoria MacKenzie-Childs and the creative spirit

07:30 - The origin story: a TikTok comment that started it all

11:45 - Pleasant Rowland enters: the chapter the internet skipped

15:45 - How Pleasant Rowland used debt as leverage (the non-compete)

20:15 - The Roland era 2001 to 2007: rebuilding and the lawsuit over their names

26:00 - Capitalism vs. the artist: protect the creative at the table

32:30 - Victoria’s comeback: the ferry boat, M-Prize, and making art anyway

37:00 - Lifestyle creep, debt, and why the elastic never snaps back

38:30 - Know your non-negotiables before you need the money

39:00 - The classic founder cautionary tale (and what to do differently)

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Sponsors: 

Relive Gaithersburg: https://relivehealth.com/gaithersburg-md/

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What actually happens after the big exit? In this episode, Alicia and George talk about the wealth event no one fully prepares you for and the three tensions that sneak up on almost every founder: identity crisis, lifestyle creep, and the paranoia of losing what you worked so hard to build.

From a Chanel bag to a Lamborghini that eventually just sat in the garage, they share their own wins and regrets, including why every financial advisor tells you to wait six months before making a major purchase after a wealth event and why almost no founder actually does.

The conversation gets personal as George opens up about the identity crisis that followed his post-sale sabbatical and Alicia shares how her childhood shaped her perspective on what money can and cannot buy. Their bottom line: don't wait for the number to hit before you figure out who you are outside of your business.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and the truth about startup cash flow

03:15 - Preparing for a successful business exit

06:00 - Lifestyle changes post-wealth event

09:08 - The importance of financial planning after a wealth event

12:04 - Identity crisis after selling a business

15:00 - Celebrating success and lifestyle creep

18:00 - Managing expectations and requests from others

21:28 - The psychological impact of wealth

24:52 - Finding value and purpose post-wealth

28:05 - Changes in life post-wealth

31:21 - What hasn't changed despite wealth

34:20 - Personal stories and reflections on fear and wealth

36:31 - Advice for “couple-preneurs” and identity discussions

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Follow George and Alicia!

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Alicia and George call out three myths dominating entrepreneurship culture right now: more AI means more productivity, more money means more happiness, and owning a business beats working for someone else.

They get into what actually happens when companies rush to implement tools without knowing what problem they're solving, the hidden costs that pile up when you start stacking subscriptions, and why the most-shared headlines about workplace transformation don't hold up under scrutiny.

The second half gets personal. A $90 yurt near an active volcano beats an $1,800-a-night hotel, and they unpack why that gap exists and how targeted advertising keeps people chasing an upgrade they don't actually want. They also push back hard on the idea that entrepreneurship is the obvious path to a better life. Some of the happiest people they know have stable jobs, real vacation time, and no one calling them on weekends.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and the truth about startup cash flow

03:03 - AI’s productivity gains vs. reality

06:02 - Common pitfalls in AI implementation

10:35 - Future vision: AI-powered memory aids

15:03 - Cost implications of AI tools

20:30 - Recommendations for beginners in AI

28:34 - Reconsidering work and success

36:02 - The fleeting nature of material happiness

44:01 - Importance of industry knowledge before entrepreneurship

50:21 - Prioritizing time with family over hustle

53:07 - Final thoughts on happiness and fulfillment

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Sponsors: 

Relive Gaithersburg: https://relivehealth.com/gaithersburg-md/

Support the show

Follow George and Alicia!

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/
www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother
https://liftlikeamother.com

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Stacey Spikes built MoviePass from the ground up, a subscription model that let you see unlimited movies for one monthly fee, only to watch investors hand his company to someone else.

Alicia and George break down how slashing the price to $9.99 turned three million subscribers into a $40 million monthly loss, why gaming growth metrics is a trap that even smart founders fall into, and what really happens when you take capital from people who want control more than they want your vision to succeed.

They also get into the uncomfortable truth about who gets rescued when a startup is drowning, and why Spikes buying his own company back out of bankruptcy might be the most satisfying ending in startup history.

Timestamps:

0:00 - 1:00 Alicia and George introduce their personal update and episode background

8:00 The initial concept of MoviePass as a gym membership-like subscription

13:00 How aggressive subscriber growth was prioritized over profitability

14:00 The impact of lowering subscription prices from $40 to $9.99

16:00 The unsustainable math: losing $40 million in May 2018 alone

17:00 Changes in strategy: limiting use, locking out users, and the fallout

19:00 The financial shenanigans: loans, SEC issues, and the ultimate bankruptcy

22:00 The return of Stacey Spikes and the lesson in founder resilience

26:00 Critical reflections: why growth without profit is a business failure

28:00 The importance of founder control and avoiding bad investor influence

28:30 Racial disparities in startup funding and investor bias

30:00 The legacy and current state of MoviePass’s innovative idea

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Follow George and Alicia!

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https://liftlikeamother.com

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Robert Wang left his career as a PhD scientist to build the Instant Pot with his wife Tracy after one too many "what's for dinner" moments as two working parents.

He breaks down the 18-month development process, how he grew a cult following of millions with zero marketing budget, and why selling direct-to-consumer on Amazon was the move that changed everything.

Alicia and George dig into what really happened when private equity came knocking, why building a product that never breaks can actually work against you, and what every founder should know before signing on the dotted line.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Personal Stories

00:59 The Problem: Dinner Dilemmas for Busy Families

02:06 The Birth of Instapot: Solving a Household Problem

04:06 Instapot's Early Success and Word of Mouth Marketing

05:50 Market Domination in 2016-2018

09:36 Private Equity Acquisition and Growth

11:51 Changing Hands: From Startup to Corporate

12:28 Financial Strategies and Overleveraging

17:23 COVID-19 Impact and Supply Chain Challenges

18:09 Product Safety and Quality Issues

20:03 Sales Decline and Market Saturation

21:28 Debt, Interest Rates, and Profitability

22:06 Bankruptcy and Restructuring

22:56 Post-Bankruptcy: New Ownership and Strategy

27:00 Lessons for Entrepreneurs and Investors

30:45 Final Takeaways and Episode Wrap-up

⸻

Sponsors: 

Relive Gaithersburg: https://relivehealth.com/gaithersburg-md/

Support the show

Follow George and Alicia!

https://www.instagram.com/liftlikeamother
https://www.instagram.com/marriedtothestartup
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemckenzie/
www.linkedin.com/in/liftlikeamother
https://liftlikeamother.com