If You Only Listen to One Podcast Today, Make It This One
In this episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, entrepreneur Emma Grede shares her journey from a challenging upbringing in East London to becoming a successful business leader. She discusses how her early experiences shaped her approach to business and explains her perspective on personal responsibility, mindset management, and the importance of pursuing excellence in all tasks, regardless of their perceived significance.
The conversation covers practical aspects of business development, including Grede's experience launching Good American and her "rule of thirds" for managing entrepreneurial expectations. She also shares insights about relationship building in business, emphasizing the value of maintaining connections with vendors and industry contacts. The discussion extends to modern business practices, including how Grede implements AI technology in her companies to improve efficiency.
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1-Page Summary
Emma Grede's Personal Background and Journey to Success
Growing up in East London with a single mother, Emma Grede was the oldest of four girls who took on significant family responsibilities from an early age. Despite challenging circumstances, her mother instilled in her a strong sense of confidence and equality. Emma found escape in fashion magazines and dreamed of a better life, eventually pursuing her passion through unpaid internships and entry-level jobs after dropping out of college at 17.
The Mindset and Principles That Guided Emma's Success
Emma Grede emphasizes personal responsibility over blaming external circumstances. She believes in carefully managing one's mindset and thoughts, recognizing their crucial role in shaping outcomes. According to Emma, excellence should be pursued in all aspects of life, not just the glamorous ones. She stresses that applying oneself fully to every task, regardless of its perceived importance, creates opportunities and builds credibility.
Challenges and Lessons In Starting and Scaling Businesses
When launching Good American, Emma faced unexpected challenges despite immediate success. She recalls selling out inventory on day one but lacking the industry knowledge to quickly restock. Emma advises entrepreneurs to maintain realistic expectations about building a successful business, introducing her "rule of thirds": expect to feel great, okay, and terrible each for about a third of the time. She emphasizes that people often overestimate what they can achieve in a year but underestimate their potential over a decade.
Key Roles of Relationships, Networking, and New Technologies in Business Success
Emma's success stems largely from building diverse business relationships, not just high-profile connections. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining strong relationships with vendors, suppliers, and behind-the-scenes industry contacts. In terms of innovation, Emma actively promotes the integration of AI in her businesses, implementing bonus systems for teams that successfully incorporate AI to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can foster a growth mindset by journaling your daily experiences with a focus on personal responsibility and mindset management. Start by writing down situations where you might typically assign blame externally, then reframe them to identify what you could control or influence. For example, if a project at work didn't go as planned, instead of blaming team dynamics, assess and note what actions you could have taken to change the outcome.
- Develop a habit of excellence in routine tasks by setting personal benchmarks for everyday activities. Create a checklist for mundane tasks like cleaning, organizing your workspace, or responding to emails, and aim to improve your efficiency or quality each time. For instance, if you're organizing your desk, time yourself and try to reduce this by 5 minutes while ensuring everything is in its optimal place.
- Build a diverse network by reaching out to one new professional contact each week. Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with individuals from various industries, roles, and backgrounds. When you send a connection request, include a personalized message mentioning a shared interest or admiration for their work. This practice can lead to a rich web of contacts over time, mirroring the diverse relationships that contribute to business success.
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Emma Grede's Personal Background and Journey to Success
Emma Grede's ascent in the business world is a tale of resilience, tenacity, and an undying pursuit of passion regardless of circumstances. Her journey from East London to the fashion industry showcases her unwavering drive and entrepreneurial spirit.
Raised by Single Mother, Emma Grew Up In East London, Cared For Younger Sisters
Despite Challenges, Emma Developed a Strong Work Ethic, Independence, and Determination to Pursue a Better Life
Emma Grede grew up in the challenging neighborhoods of East London, raised by a single mother. As the oldest of four girls, she assumed a “parentified” role, shouldering responsibilities like ironing school shirts and preparing lunches for her sisters. Her mother instilled in her a profound sense of confidence and equality, emphasizing that she was neither superior to nor beneath anyone. The harsh realities of her environment compelled Emma to be constantly on high alert, which contributed to her strategic and thoughtful nature. She wanted to escape her situation desperately, fantasizing about a life beyond her immediate reality, with fashion serving as her haven for escapism. Whether it was idolizing individuals like Naomi Campbell or poring over fashion magazines, Emma saw the fashion industry as her ticket to a life filled with fulfillment and pleasure.
Emma’s early life was tough, but her mother did her best with the limited resources available. The lack of a fulfilling career in her surroundings motivated Emma to leave her challenging upbringing behind. Even as she faced the dangers of her neighborhood, she remained determined to make something of herself, maintaining a clear goal even if the pathway was yet to be discovered.
Emma's Early Career: Entry-Level Jobs & Unpaid Internships in Fashion
Instead Of Waiting For The Perfect Chance, Emma Actively Pursued Opportunities to Learn and Grow, Even In Less-Than-Ideal Positions and With Long Hours
At the age of 17, after moving into a high-rise apartment without necessary amenities like a fridge or oven, Emma made the tough decision to drop out of college. Finances were tight, and she could no longer afford her education. However, this did not stop her from striving to stay engaged in fashion. Emma tirelessly sought out work placements, often working for free in an attempt to remain connected to her passion. She moved from one entry-level position to another, all the while nurturing her dream of a career in fashion.
Emma's early career was marked by persistence and self-belief. Sh ...
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Emma Grede's Personal Background and Journey to Success
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can cultivate resilience by starting a "Challenge Journal" where you document daily challenges and your responses to them. This practice encourages reflection on how you handle adversity and promotes growth in resilience. For example, if you face a difficult situation at work, write down the challenge, your initial feelings, the action you took, and the outcome. Over time, you'll see patterns in your problem-solving and can actively work to improve your responses.
- Develop a habit of seeking learning opportunities by dedicating one hour each week to exploring free online resources related to your interests. Whether it's fashion, technology, or any other field, use platforms like Coursera, Khan Academy, or YouTube to find content that helps you grow. For instance, if you're interested in fashion, you might watch a documentary on fashion history or follow a tutorial on clothing design.
- Enhance your work ethic by s ...
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The Mindset and Principles That Guided Emma's Success
Emma Grede's approach to life and business is a testament to her belief in personal responsibility and the importance of mindset in achieving success.
Emma Emphasizes Personal Responsibility Over Blaming External Factors
Emma Grede advocates for taking personal responsibility instead of blaming outside circumstances. Growing up in a culture where blame was common, Grede wasn't taught to take responsibility but now firmly believes in figuring things out for oneself. She considers it vital to manage one's thoughts carefully and take responsibility, which she teaches to her children as well. Mel Robbins agrees, emphasizing the recognition of one’s desires as the starting point for taking responsibility.
Emma Learned to Manage Her Mindset, Recognizing Its Crucial Role In Shaping Outcomes
Grede views careful selection of thoughts as critical in being purposeful and manifesting outcomes. Acknowledging her mindset's influence on her success, she emphasizes the importance of self-belief and coupling vision with diligent effort. She attributes her ability to manage reactions, such as anger, to her personal development and emphasizes that maintaining a positive mindset and emotional control is vital in her journey.
Key Principle For Emma: Excel In all Aspects of Life, Not Just Glamorous Things
Emma Grede stresses the importance of starting with oneself when looking for something to care about and to contribute to the world positively. By managing her mindset and excelling even in mundane tasks, she has built a foundation for success. She recognizes that life unfolds in chapters, urging patience and openness to learning from each phase.
Mindset of Excellence in Mundane Tasks Builds Credibility and Opportunities
Grede believes in the significance of applying oneself excellently in every task, regardless of its perceived importance. This mindset, she argues, creates a magnetic attraction that can lead to more opportunities. Emma also emphasizes the importance of having personal standards and practicing kindness and empathy in self-talk as forms of excellence. She advocates for action, even if imperfect, and encourages constant work towards personal goals. Emma personalizes the principle by discussing how she learned to improve her speaking pa ...
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The Mindset and Principles That Guided Emma's Success
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Counterarguments
- While personal responsibility is crucial, it's also important to acknowledge that external factors can significantly impact one's ability to succeed, and not all outcomes are within an individual's control.
- The concept of managing one's thoughts, while powerful, may oversimplify complex psychological challenges that some individuals face, such as mental health issues that require professional intervention.
- The idea that recognizing one's desires is the starting point for taking responsibility might not account for situations where individuals' desires are suppressed or unacknowledged due to cultural or societal pressures.
- The emphasis on self-belief and vision coupled with effort doesn't always guarantee success; luck, timing, and external support systems also play significant roles.
- The principle of excelling in all aspects of life can lead to burnout if not balanced with self-care and an understanding of one's limits.
- The belief in creating opportunities by excelling in every task may not always hold true in environments where systemic biases or networking play a larger role in creating opportunities than individual merit.
- The recommendation to work towards the highest version of oneself through action might not c ...
Actionables
- You can create a "Thought Audit" journal to manage your thoughts by writing down negative thoughts and reframing them into positive actions or learning opportunities. For example, if you catch yourself thinking, "I'm not good at this," write it down and then reframe it to "I'm improving each time I practice."
- Develop a "Vision-to-Action" roadmap by listing your personal goals and breaking them down into small, actionable steps that you can start taking today, no matter how small. For instance, if your goal is to become more resilient, your first step could be to read a book on resilience and summarize key takeaways that you can apply to your life.
- Practice "Everyday ...
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Challenges and Lessons In Starting and Scaling Businesses
Emma Grede candidly discusses the hurdles she faced when launching Good American and the valuable business insights she gained from those experiences.
Emma's Good American Launch Taught Her the Value of Business Fundamentals
Emma Faced Challenges From Underestimating Demand and Industry Complexity
Emma Grede's launch of Good American was a mix of immediate success and unforeseen complications. She recalls selling out inventory on the first day—a testament to the brand's strong market appeal. However, running out of stock presented a major issue, as quickly restocking was not an option, posing the risk of customers turning to competitors.
Grede admits to the complexities of the apparel industry that she hadn't fully appreciated, despite having experience with her agency and opening offices around the world. She found that understanding how to make clothes and navigating the intricacies of the industry were essential for successful operation. After realizing she knew little about running an apparel company, despite praise for Good American, she had to quickly learn the ropes of the garment business.
On launch day, Emma faced the challenge when they ran out of inventory for specific sizes by mid-morning due to a lack of fabric reserves or vendor arrangements, a problem known as being "off calendar." Her inexperience in the industry led to criticisms regarding her capability to be a CEO, pushing her to directly handle customer service to apologize for delays.
Emma Emphasizes the Need for Realistic Expectations About the Time and Effort Required to Build a Successful Business, as It Rarely Happens Overnight
Emma Advises Entrepreneurs to Prepare For Ups and Downs and Stay Committed to Their Long-Term Vision, Rather Than Expecting Instant Success
Emma conveys that hard work and patience are fundamental to reaching a successful position. She once thought success would come quickly and felt entitled to it, but her mindset shifted when she acknowledged that success isn't guaranteed. She credits this realization with spurring actual progress. Now 42, Emma has only felt fulfilled in her role for five years, despite previous jobs that were just satisfactory.
Stressing that success is a journey, she criticizes the notion of overnight success in entrepreneurship. Emma highlights that the road to success is not a sprint but a marathon that includes slowing down and even making backward strides at times. Entrepreneurs should manage expectations and treat their business responsibly, understanding that profit isn't just about money—it’s about having options and flexibility.
She also emphasiz ...
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Challenges and Lessons In Starting and Scaling Businesses
Additional Materials
Actionables
- You can simulate a product launch to gauge demand and refine your operations by creating a small-scale mock release of a product or service among friends and family. This exercise will help you understand potential customer behavior and operational challenges without the high stakes of an actual market launch. For example, if you're thinking of selling handmade candles, do a test run by offering a limited number to your social circle and monitor how quickly they sell, what feedback you receive, and how well you handle the process.
- Develop a "business stress test" by outlining hypothetical scenarios such as supply shortages or unexpected demand spikes. This proactive approach allows you to think through potential solutions and create contingency plans. For instance, if you're starting a local bakery, imagine a scenario where your main flour supplier runs out of stock. Brainstorm alternative suppliers or different recipes that could help you navigate this challenge without compromising your business.
- Create ...
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Key Roles of Relationships, Networking, and New Technologies in Business Success
Emma's journey in the business world showcases that a strong industry network, diverse relationships, and integrating new technologies like AI can be pivotal to achieving success.
Emma's Industry Network and Relationships Proved Key to Her Businesses' Success
Emma Grede's path to success was not one she originally envisioned. Rather than starting with fashion clients, she made a name for herself by working with corporate brands, leveraging the contacts she made in production roles.
Building Value Through Diverse Relationships: Vendors, Suppliers, and Industry Contacts, Not Just High-Profile Connections
Emma's keen understanding of diverse business relationships was key to her growth. She secured an opportunity with Volvo through a referral from a CMO she met within her industry network. Emma recognized that relationships with vendors, suppliers, and industry contacts are just as crucial as those with high-profile entities.
Grede emphasizes the less glamorous but critical aspects of networking— the people behind the scenes. She believes that leveraging available resources and learning from every experience contributes significantly to one's career development. Grede's proactive use of her contacts, from clients to factories and lawyers, underpins her approach to value-building through diverse relationships.
She shares insights into her early career, noting that various roles helped her gain reputation and understanding in the fashion industry, which eventually allowed her to create an agency and carved out a niche for her in brand partnerships.
Her company, Good American, sprang from recognizing an unmet need in the market, a realization made possible by her extensive background and network. Grede leveraged her industry experience, notably convincing key figures like Chris and Chloe, to support her idea. Moreover, foundational business relationships, like that with Pete Nordstrom, proved more instrumental to her company's success tha ...
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Key Roles of Relationships, Networking, and New Technologies in Business Success
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While Emma Grede's success is attributed to her strong industry network, it's important to note that networking is just one aspect of business success, and other factors like market conditions, product quality, and customer service are also critical.
- The emphasis on diverse relationships is valid, but it's also important to recognize that high-profile connections can sometimes offer disproportionate value due to their influence and reach.
- The narrative suggests that leveraging every experience contributes to career development, but it's also true that some experiences may not be as beneficial and could potentially lead to burnout or a lack of focus if not strategically aligned with one's goals.
- The success of Good American is linked to recognizing an unmet need in the market, but it's also worth considering that market needs can be highly dynamic, and continuous innovation is required to maintain success.
- The use of AI and technology is highlighted as a key to efficiency and innovation, but over-reliance on technology can also lead to challenges such as job displacement, privacy concerns, and ...
Actionables
- You can expand your professional network by joining diverse industry groups on social media platforms like LinkedIn and actively participating in discussions to build relationships across various sectors. For example, if you're in marketing, engage with groups in technology, finance, and production to gain a broader perspective and potential contacts that could lead to collaborative opportunities.
- Start using free or low-cost AI tools to automate routine tasks and improve productivity in your personal projects or small business. Tools like Otter.ai for transcription or Canva's AI-powered design suggestions can save time and introduce you to the practical benefits of AI, which can then be scaled up as you grow.
- Create ...
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