What to Spend On (and What Not To) When You’re Building a Brand
Have you recently become a new founder and find yourself asking the question: Where should I spend my money when I’m just starting out? What matters most in the beginning, and what can wait? This mini-episode of Aspire with Emma Grede, brought to you by Shopify, will help you answer those questions. On today’s pod, Emma will help you decide which areas of your new business need attention and which areas can wait. When you’re building a brand from scratch, every decision counts. The way you invest in the earliest days has a massive impact on what your business becomes. Luckily, Shopify is a platform that actually lets you put your time and money toward the things that matter. Stay focused on your customer and product while Shopify helps you streamline all the decisions only you can make as a founder.
In this episode you’ll learn why:
-Getting early products or prototypes into the hands of potential customers is one of the most important things you can do as a startup.
-Social media, PR or a launch event alone will not create longevity or customer loyalty.
-Investing in things your customer will actually feel has a lasting impact.
-There's a big difference between what looks valuable and what is valuable.
If you’ve been thinking about starting something of your own, Shopify can help you take that first step. It’s built to make turning an idea into a business simple—from setting up your store to handling payments, inventory, and shipping. That way, you can stay focused on what really matters: bringing your vision to life.
Explore what’s possible at shopify.com/aspire
To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
13:03
--------
13:03
How to Win in the Golden Age of Entrepreneurship
What separates the entrepreneurs who start… from the ones who win?
Harley Finkelstein (President of Shopify and the man who has worked with millions of founders) sits down with Emma Grede to reveal the hard-earned truths behind building a business that lasts. From the real reason most people never act on their ideas, to why the “golden age of entrepreneurship” is happening right now, Harley breaks down the mindset, tools, and strategy that turn dreamers into doers.
In this conversation, Harley shares:
-Why execution matters more than ideas
-How to start a business with no money, no network, and no experience
-The habits shared by the most successful founders on Shopify
-Why the cost of failure has never been lower
-What it takes to scale a business in today’s creator economy
-The mindset shift every entrepreneur must make to succeed
Emma and Harley go deep on the courage, grit, and resourcefulness needed to build something from nothing — and why someone watching this right now could be the next billion-dollar founder.
If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a builder, or someone sitting on an idea you’ve been too afraid to start… this episode is your blueprint.
To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
1:27:00
--------
1:27:00
The Obsession That Made Her Unstoppable with Charlotte Tilbury
What does it take to turn obsession into a billion-dollar beauty empire?
In this episode of Aspire with Emma Grede, global makeup icon Charlotte Tilbury sits down with Emma to share how she went from a young girl with a dream to building one of the most powerful and influential beauty brands in the world.
Charlotte opens up about the mindset behind her success — how belief, obsession, and relentless innovation helped her disrupt an overcrowded industry and create products the world didn’t even know it needed. She reveals the lessons she’s learned about leadership, confidence, and self-worth, and the unshakable drive that made her unstoppable.
If you’ve ever doubted yourself, hit a wall, or wondered how to keep believing when no one else does — this conversation will change how you think about success.
To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
1:23:32
--------
1:23:32
Is Your Idea Worth Pursuing? Here’s How to Tell
Do you have a spark of an idea that feels like it has potential? This mini-episode of Aspire with Emma Grede, brought to you by Shopify, will help you realize if your spark has the potential to turn into a flame. On today’s pod, Emma offers solid steps to begin realizing your idea’s possibility. From identifying what problem your idea is solving to differentiating yourself from a crowded market, Emma guides you through the right questions to ask. Being an entrepreneur doesn’t mean changing your circumstances in a day...It’s a calculated journey that requires a step-by-step approach to test and learn. This is where a tool like Shopify starts to come in handy. Shopify isn’t just a place to sell things—it’s a platform that helps you test your idea.
In this episode you’ll learn how to:
-Name the problem your idea is solving to help people care about your product
-Identifying your audience and asking yourself how willing are you to dedicate the time and effort
-What can I bring to this solution that will set it above the rest?
-What sets you apart from the competition, your difference is your power.
If you’ve been thinking about starting something of your own, Shopify can help you take that first step. It’s built to make turning an idea into a business simple—from setting up your store to handling payments, inventory, and shipping. That way, you can stay focused on what really matters: bringing your vision to life.
Explore what’s possible at shopify.com/aspire
To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
--------
13:04
--------
13:04
“Don’t Let Anyone Control You With Money” with Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon may be known as America’s sweetheart — but behind the scenes, she’s built a billion-dollar empire that changed Hollywood for women everywhere.
In this episode of Aspire, Emma Grede sits down with Reese to talk about the moment she stopped waiting for permission, the lessons she learned about money and ownership, and what it really takes to pivot in your career when everything looks successful from the outside — but you know you’re meant for more.
From her first acting gig at 14 to founding Hello Sunshine and selling it for nearly a billion dollars, Reese opens up about:
-How to recognize when it’s time to make a change
-Why independence — not wealth — is real power
-The biggest money mistakes women make (and how to avoid them)
-What it means to truly bet on yourself
If you’ve ever felt stuck, under-valued, or ready for your next chapter, this conversation will remind you: you are your own best investment.
To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Build the life of your dreams and learn from the world’s most successful people.
Emma Grede, one of America’s richest self-made women, wants you to make the most of your life. On ‘Aspire with Emma Grede', learn through thought-provoking conversations with some of the most successful and smartest minds on the planet, including goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow, investor, philanthropist and former chair of Starbucks Mellody Hobson and international bestselling author and “On Purpose” podcast host Jay Shetty. Each episode will unpack their habits, philosophy and strategies, covering career advice, well-being, psychology and of course how to win in business. The show offers personal stories, data-driven advice, real-world strategies, and the experience you need, to turn your dreams into reality.
Emma Grede is a founding partner and chief product officer of SKIMS and CEO of Good American. She also made history as the first Black woman to serve as an investor on Shark Tank.
Australia