When Eric Malka co-founded The Art of Shaving, he wasn’t just launching a brand—he was reshaping an entire industry. With a relentless drive and a deep belief in natural skincare, he built one of the most recognizable luxury grooming brands, ultimately selling it to Procter & Gamble. But after achieving his dream and reaching the pinnacle of success, Eric made a surprising decision: he walked away.

Despite building a billion-dollar company, he found himself anxious, unfulfilled, and questioning everything. He realized that success alone didn’t guarantee happiness—and that real fulfillment required something deeper.

Before the interview I had the chance to read his new book,On The Razor’s Edge: The Story of The Art of Shaving. ****Eric shares how he transformed from a young entrepreneur with something to prove into a seasoned investor helping the next generation of founders.

This is very unlike every other big brand name interview. So many of his responses surprised me and some of my favorite moments include:

• How a chip on his shoulder fueled his success (and why self-doubt can be a powerful motivator)
• Why visionary founders struggle with execution—and how to find the right balance
• The truth about entrepreneurial luck—and how to increase your odds of finding it
• How to overcome overthinking
• What most investors get wrong about backing early-stage entrepreneurs
• How he helps founders today—not as a consultant, but as a partner

Eric doesn’t just talk about success; he talks about what comesafter—the anxieties, the realizations, and the hard choices that most entrepreneurs don’t see coming. This is a must-listen for anyone building a business, navigating ambition, or questioning what success really means.

Connect with Eric:

Website

Book

Socials:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-malka-9071529/

https://www.instagram.com/malkaeric/

https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Eric Malka

https://www.tiktok.com/@malkaeric?_t=ZT-8sAGjrp5GU2&_r=1

When the pandemic shut down the travel industry overnight, most travel bloggers scrambled to pivot—but few did it as successfully as Gary Arndt. With over a decade of experience as a travel photographer and blogger, Gary had already built a massive social media following. But when he launched his history-focused podcast, Everything Everywhere Daily, he quickly realized that social media wasn’t the key to podcast growth.

Instead, he took a different approach—one that went against the grain of influencer-driven podcasting. Now, with over 1.5 million downloads per month, Everything Everywhere Daily has become a powerhouse in the industry.

In this episode, Gary shares:

If you’re a podcaster (or thinking about launching one), this episode is a must-listen. Gary’s no-nonsense approach to podcasting cuts through the noise and offers real, actionable insights on what it takes to succeed. I personally learned so much from him during this episode, and I hope you all find it just as valuable.

Listen to the podcast: https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/

Today, we’re diving into a topic that has completely transformed how I work and how I manage my time as an entrepreneur: creating systems for success.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to juggle it all—emails, content creation, client work, finances, or just keeping track of your never-ending to-do list—you’re not alone.

Here’s the thing: success isn’t about working harder; it’s about working smarter. And that starts with building systems that let you save time, reduce stress, and focus on what matters most.

By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with practical strategies and tools to create systems tailored to your business and lifestyle.

Here are the key takeaways from the episode:

The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. Even small changes can make a big difference over time.

I’d love to hear from you: what’s one system you’re excited to implement? DM me on Instagram @himaddiekelley or comment in the reviews—I can’t wait to see what you create!

And if you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow solopreneur who could use a little more structure in their life.

Links I mentioned:

COVID-19 changed everything for everyone, but no industry was as dramatically impacted as the supply chain. The pandemic brought supply chain issues to the forefront, helping people understand not just what the industry is, but also how stagnant it had become. Now we're in an exciting time where innovation is booming in this space, and investors are jumping at the opportunity to get in on the ground floor.

The supply chain has never been sexier and it's a fantastic time to be a founder in this industry—and wherever there's innovation and budding startups, I'll be there. As part of that effort, I'm heading to Manifest conference in February, the innovation hub for all things logistics & supply chain.

I have the honor of interviewing Katie Date, their SVP of Industry Relations & Strategic Initiatives. She has an impressive resume, starting at MIT's Center for Transportation & Logistics, where she spent a decade researching. She then went on to found the Women in Supply Chain initiative.

I was thrilled to pick her brain on all these changes and innovations in the industry. This episode is perfect for anyone who's considered starting a company in supply chain—it's a great download into what's happening in the industry right now and how to succeed in it.

Katie is also sharing practical tips for those in D2C. Since logistics makes up a huge portion of these businesses, we're providing actionable tips to help you reduce costs and improve efficiency.

I was especially excited to discuss how and why Katie founded the Women in Supply Chain initiative. Her advice on climbing the ladder and finding success in male-dominated industries is fascinating. She walks you through how she founded this initiative—so if you've been thinking about doing something similar for your industry, you won't want to miss this.

Katie is an academic, but she's also a doer. She's incredibly inspirational and wonderful to chat with. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did.

Here are the key takeaways from the episode:

Mimir listeners save an additional $200 off the current registration price (that's $600 off the current price!) but only if you register before prices increase this Friday, January 24th!

Register now & save: ManifestVegas.com/Mimir

It’s that time of year when your feeds are full of other people talking about their new years resolutions, 2025 rebranding, or goal setting for the year ahead. All of that is great and definitely think you should have some guiding compass for the year ahead. And you absolutely need the podcast episodes about all that good stuff. But, this is not one of those episodes.

Anyone can set goals, but sticking to them or setting the right goals is impossible if you’re still blocked by the same shit you were last year. Seriously, how can you set appropriate goals let alone stick to them if you’re plagued by self-doubt or the mental blocks that probably prevented you from achieving your goals last year? So, I wanted to do something different for the new year.

In this episode I’m sitting down with KC Cohn who is a personal branding coach. She helps women entrepreneurs bogged down by self-doubt feel confident and clear about who they are. Then, she goes a step further to help them take action towards a life and business that fulfills them.

In our conversation, KC is sharing how she built her coaching business and how losing her mom made her realize her mission. To make sure you have the exact tools that you need to overcome your blocks, KC is walking you through the step by step framework she takes her clients through. Most of whom saw results immediately after her sessions.

If you’ve been putting off or been put off by the hype around setting goals, then this episode is perfect for you. I guarantee that by following KC’s advice, or even better reaching out to her, will help you achieve more this year. Also, KC is offering you guys a free resource designed to help you take that first step towards a better and brighter you. So be sure to listen all the way through and check the show notes to get access.

Here are the key takeaways from the episode:

Connect with KC:

Get your free “Why You?” tool email: [email protected]

https://www.instagram.com/houseofvision_kc/

https://www.facebook.com/kc.cohn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kc-cohn-9139837/

We all know that magnesium is a critical supplement. But interestingly, the majority of people today are magnesium deficient. I had my own assumptions as to why this is the case, but I wanted to chat with an expert to really understand why magnesium is so important for our body and why we can’t seem to get enough of it.

So, I reached out to Sandy Sanderson, who after experiencing severe symptoms that were misdiagnosed by traditional medicine, conducted extensive research and healed herself. This lead her to found Elektra Magnesium, which makes topical solutions that allow for magnesium to be optimally absorbed into the skin, while fitting seamlessly into your daily routines.

When I first chatted with Sandy it became glaringly obvious that she is a fantastic source for all things magnesium. Her extensive research and years of experience truly makes her a subject matter expert. In this episode she’s getting really deep into the science behind what magnesium’s role is in the body and the root cause of our deficiencies. Magnesium is not only critical for digestion and nutrient absorption but also critical for regulating stress and heart health. It can prevent diabetes, help with restless leg syndrome, acne, and so much more.

Just a heads up this episode is probably the most information rich episode I’ve had to date. It’s a lot to absorb in just an hour so grab a coffee and pen and paper because you’ll want to take notes. Sandy is incredibly knowledgable which makes this essentially a debriefing on medical journals and honestly the best woman for this episode. I guarantee that after you’re done listening, you’re going to want to head straight to her website and get her products. I personally suffer from magnesium deficiency that couldn’t be solved through oral supplements, so I was completely sold after talking to Sandy.

You’re going to learn a lot from this episode, so buckle up and let’s welcome her to the podcast.

Here are the key takeaways from the episode:

Connect with Sandy:

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandy-sanderson-17903324/

Pinterest:  https://au.pinterest.com/elektramagnesium/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElektraMagnesium

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

Website:  https://www.elektramagnesium.com.au/

I dont know about you, but I always felt like my resume didn’t tell a consistent story. I had done so many different jobs and I always felt like that made me appear lost. But what I didn’t know at the time was that all this diverse experience was preparing me for entrepreneurship. All entrepreneurs have to wear 17 different hats, and think across 17 different business units. So, what I originally thought was a fault, was actually a strength.

When I connected with Dominic Minogue, the founder of Dirty Water, I was so excited to have him on the podcast. Like me, his background is incredibly diverse. He started in fashion and then moved to mobile gaming. But, he always knew that he wanted to do something that aligned with his passions and was more brand focused.

Along came Dirty Water. If you love a light beer, but don’t want all the added calories, then Dom’s product is exactly what you’ve been looking for. In this episode, he and I sit down to chat about his entrepreneurial journey.

This episode is great for anyone whose ever wanted to start a consumable product. Dom is taking you through all the things you need to know to get started. From finding flavor houses, to getting the product into the market. Of course he’s sharing his learning lessons along the way, from when to start getting feedback from others, how to get your customer base obsessed with your product, to the early grind that all entrepreneurs experience.

One of my favorite parts of the conversation centers around how to take a comprehensive look at your experience and distill the common themes to be able to tell your personal story most effectively. If you’re pitching to investors, or trying to convince people to work with you, this is one of the most valuable skills you can have. To be able to translate why you’re a boss across the variety of your past experience, and demonstrate why you’re the right person for the job. This is something I found fascinating and a huge takeaway for me personally.

Wether you’re starting a drinkable greens company, or maybe a new protien bar, or simply just here for the vibes, you will learn a lot from this episode. Without further ado, let’s welcome Dom to the podcast.

Connect with Dom:

IG page: @dirtywaterhardseltzer

Tiktok: @dommelier

Link to website: https://dirtywaterbrand.com/

Connect with Maddie

It’s Mimir’s first birthday!!

I can’t believe it’s been one year of podcasting. I’m incredibly grateful for this journey. Thank you for listening to this episode and every other episode you’ve listened to.

A lot has happened over the last year so I want to share my top 5 learning lessons from podcasting and business.

Overall, being a business owner of any kind is one big learning lesson. We realize things about ourselves that we wouldn’t if we didn’t go down this path. We’re constantly being asked to grow past our own limits.

Since something greater drives us all, we can’t let our own bullshit get in the own way of that.

Here are the key takeaways:

Discounted registration for Manifest!!

Connect with Maddie

In this episode I’m sitting down with Stacey Speranza, co-founder and host of The Business Casual Podcast. I was so excited to plan this episode with Stacey. I haven’t had the opportunity to connect at this level with another podcast host, especially one a seasoned as Stacey. So this episode was slightly selfishly motivated… but don’t worry I promise that this episode is packed full of great nuggets for you too.

Stacey and I are obviously pulling back the curtain on the entire podcast process. Everything from getting guests, to developing your personality as a host, to getting picked up by podcast networks. But overall, the conversation is so fun, and when I say conversation I mean conversation. So many of the interviews that I do are truly interviews, but this conversation feels different.

Stacey and I are peers and we’re connecting over that so I had such a blast chatting with her and editing this episode. Also if you’re just joining the podcast for the first time, this is a great episode to start with. You’ll get to learn a little bit about me as the host while getting some tangible takeaways too. Wether you’re looking to start your own podcast one day, curious about the behind the scenes of podcasting, or simply here for the vibes.

As you’ll hear Stacey call out in the middle of the episode, the theme is that nothing happens overnight. As business owners, as podcasters, and with networking in general, you’re playing the long game. This is a fascinating topic because both of us are gen z and one thing our generation struggles with is overcoming the need for instant gratification. I think many of us give up early because we don’t see immediate results.

But for those who recognize the value in the long game, you will be rewarded. It takes work, and it’s a mindset shift, but Stacey is talking you through all of that. I truly believe one of her superpowers is networking, so Stacey is breaking down how she has the confidence to put herself out there, and tips to help you guys build that same level of confidence.

You guys are in for a real treat. We’re laughing, we’re giving hot tips, and at the end of the episode, we’re spilling some tea. I truly hope you guys enjoy this one as much as I do, so let’s welcome Stacey to the podcast!!

Here are the key takeaways from the episode:

Connect with Stacey:

@stace.speranza @business.casual.podcast

Link to show here: https://linktr.ee/thebusinesscasual

Connect with Maddie

In this episode, I sit down with Trista Chan, a registered dietitian and founder of The Good Life Dietitian. Trista specializes in helping high-achieving women overcome emotional eating habits, optimize their nutrition, and reach their goals.

Episode 50!!! holy crap you guys!! I am so grateful for this crazy journey and that you all tune in every week. It’s my pleasure to be able to facilitate these conversations for you each and every week, and knowing that it’s impacting just one of you is what keeps me going. so thank you from the bottom of my heart. This podcast means so much to me and I’m happy we’re at 50 already!! here’s to 500 more.

This episode is slightly different from our usual type of content. It’s very education focused. You guys know I’m always preaching that as business owners we can’t pour from an empty cup and our health is such a key portion of that. So this is a JAM packed episode full of practical strategies for blood sugar relation and intuitive eating. If you struggle with your relationship with food then you’re going to want to take notes. I definitely did.

One of my favorite parts of the discussion centered around emotional eating. We already know that the mind-gut connection is real, and I truly beleive that so much of our relationship with food is emotion based. So, Trista is sharing valuable insights and free resources to help you work through emotional eating patterns, so you can make food choices that align with your goals.

If you’re interested in health, food, or what it’s like to be a registered dietician than this episode is for you. Trista is incredibly informed and I really enjoy her approach to personalized nutrition. This episode is all about the critical role of diet in thriving in everyday life, and therefore your business. So without further ado, please welcome Trista to the podcast!

Connect with Trista: 

Free hormone + gut health toolkit - https://www.thegoodlifedietitian.com/freebie-signupInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/thegoodlifedietitian/

Connect with Maddie