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Hot Smart Rich

Maggie Sellers
Hot Smart Rich
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  • Natalie Holloway's Secret To Getting A Shark Tank Deal & Bootstrapping to $20M, While Having 3 Kids (Bala Founder)
    On this episode of Hot Smart Rich, Maggie Sellers sits down with Natalie Holloway, co-founder of ⁠Bala⁠, the brand that made fitness hot. Natalie built Bala into a $20M business with a Shark Tank deal from Mark Cuban, faced near bankruptcy, and navigated the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship—all while raising three kids under four.The conversation gets real as Natalie shares the hardest moments of scaling Bala, from the chaos of explosive growth during COVID to nearly losing the company. She breaks down what saved the business, why she prioritizes profit overgrowth, and how she made the tough call to lay off nearly her entire team while pregnant.Maggie and Natalie also dive into motherhood, ambition, and the reality of balancing it all—plus, Natalie shares what really happened with Bala’s Drunk Elephant drama, how she deals with copycats, and why she believes affiliate marketing is the future for brands.⸻🔑 Key TakeawaysYou can build a $20M brand without raising big VC money. Bala’s success proves that profitability is more important than endless fundraising. Natalie and her husband bootstrapped their way to the top—then nearly lost it all.Scaling fast can break you. Bala blew up overnight after Shark Tank and COVID, but hypergrowth almost killed the business. Natalie shares the hard truth about layoffs, cash flow, and surviving the free fall.Motherhood and entrepreneurship? There’s no perfect balance. Natalie had to make brutal business decisions while pregnant. The real talk: founders don’t get maternity leave, and work-life balance is a myth.Copycats and competition will come—so stay ahead.Drunk Elephant launched a Bala-inspired product. Knockoffs are everywhere. The only way to win is to innovate faster than they can copy.The smartest founders are shifting from influencers to affiliates.Natalie shares why paying influencers big bucks is outdated and why affiliate marketing is the new power move for brands.Negotiate like a man. Women are still underpricing themselves in business. Natalie learned to ask for more, own her worth, and not settle for the first offer.Bala is just getting started. NYC fitness studio? More retail expansion? Natalie spills what’s next and why she’s betting big on IRL experiences and digital fitness.⸻This episode is sponsored by Frate Returns. Tell them HSR sent you and learn more here!⸻Items Mentioned in This EpisodeBala — the original workout bangles. ⁠Shop here⁠ (https://go.shopmy.us/p-14639476).Form x Bala — the set. ⁠Shop here. (https://go.shopmy.us/p-14639584).⸻⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐If you like what you hear, rate, review, and subscribe to Hot Smart Rich, the podcast supporting women who own their worth — in business, wealth, and life.Subscribe on YouTube: https://hotsmartrich.com/subscribe⸻💌Own your worth — and build the life you want. Subscribe to the Hot Smart Rich newsletter, the no-BS guide to startup life, consumer brands, and becoming your hottest, smartest, richest self, written by Maggie Sellers. Join 250,000+ women building wealth, confidence, and community on their own terms.Subscribe here: https://hotsmartrich.com/subscribe⸻Follow Maggie here:Instagram: @maggiesellers ⁠⁠(https://www.instagram.com/maggiesellers/)Tiktok: @maggiesellers_ ⁠⁠ (https://www.tiktok.com/@maggiesellers_)LinkedIn: Maggie Sellers ⁠⁠(https://www.linkedin.com/in/sellersmaggie/)ShopMy: https://shopmy.us/maggiesellersAmazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/maggiesellers⸻Follow Natalie here:Instagram: ⁠@natalieholloway (https://www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/)⁠@bala⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/bala/)⁠@balacize⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/balacize/)⸻More from Hot Smart Rich:The Hot Smart Rich Money Mindset: https://hotsmartrich.shop/collections/shop-all/products/hsr-50-20-20-10-method Merch: https://hotsmartrich.shop/⸻This episode is produced by HSR Media, a division of Creative MES LLC, with support from Vandana Ravi and Coldea Productions.
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  • Maggie Sellers on Why It’s Time to Get the Prenup, Call Out Your Copycats, and Stop Doing Work for Free (ft. Katie Sellers)
    Weddings. Wealth. Women doing free work.This week, Hot Smart Rich is back with sisters Maggie and Katie Sellers—talking candidly about navigating money in relationships, the pressure of influencer wedding culture, and what happens when someone starts copying your brand move for move. (Hint: you trademark or die.)From a quick catch-up post Maggie's Euro trip to a 400% raise for the DCC, this episode covers personal stories, hard-earned lessons, and straight-up tactical advice on everything from prenups to trademarking to finding a partner who gets your ambition.If you’re navigating wedding pressure, financial conversations in your relationship, or trying to protect your brand from copycats—this one’s for you.⸻Key TakeawaysMixed finances doesn’t mean mixed values.Maggie and Katie break down how to approach money in relationships, what to consider before combining finances, and why a prenup is self-respect—not pessimism.Wedding culture is spiraling.From Sophia Richie Grainge to the Bezos/Sanchez media circus, we dissect the current state of influencer weddings—and how to stay grounded in your own vision.You’re not crazy—they’re copying you.Maggie opens up about the reality of being copied and why protecting your intellectual property is not optional. Trademark early, trademark everything.The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders effect.The power of reality TV is underestimated—especially when building in public. We explore how narrative-driven platforms shape culture and why founders should pay attention.Women need to stop doing free work.Katie shares the moment that led to a 409% raise—and why advocating for yourself is the most HSR move you can make.AI is not optional.We break down why creators must start experimenting with AI tools (yes, even if you’re not “technical”) and how to think bigger than ChatGPT.Supportive partners are a strategic advantage.Maggie shares the top questions to ask when dating to find someone who supports—not competes with—your ambition.⸻LinksUse ⁠⁠⁠⁠Opus Clip⁠⁠⁠⁠ to turn long videos into shorts.⸻⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐If you like what you hear, rate, review, and subscribe to Hot Smart Rich, the podcast supporting women who own their worth — in business, wealth, and life.⁠Subscribe on Youtube⁠⸻💌Own your worth — and build the life you want. Subscribe to the Hot Smart Rich newsletter, the no-BS guide to startup life, consumer brands, and becoming your hottest, smartest, richest self, written by Maggie Sellers. Join 250,000+ women building wealth, confidence, and community on their own terms.⁠Subscribe here!⁠⸻Follow Maggie here:Instagram: ⁠@maggiesellers⁠TikTok: ⁠@maggiesellers_ ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠Maggie Sellers⁠ ShopMy: ⁠Maggie Sellers⁠Amazon Storefront: ⁠maggiesellers⁠⸻Follow Katie here:Instagram: ⁠@katiesellers_ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠Katie Sellers⁠⸻More from Hot Smart Rich:⁠The Hot Smart Rich Money Mindset⁠⁠Merch⁠⸻This episode is produced by HSR Media, a division of Creative MES LLC, with support from Coldea Productions.
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  • Bryony Basse (Deery), Dior Global Wellness Expert & Founder of Pilates By Bryony, On Going From Broke and Heartbroken To Building A Million-Dollar Pilates Empire
    What does it take to rebuild your life, your body, and your business from scratch? In this episode of Hot Smart Rich, Maggie sits down with Bryony Basse (née Deery), founder of Pilates by Bryony and Dior Global Wellness Expert, to talk about the moment everything changed. After a life-altering car accident in her early 20s left her in chronic pain, Bryony turned to Pilates as a form of healing. What started as recovery became her purpose and ultimately a multi-million dollar global brand.She built a multi-million dollar digital fitness business from her living room floor with a tripod and an iPhone, found strength through solitude, and learned that the real flex is owning your identity, your IP, and your income.But the story doesn’t stop at success. Bryony opens up about walking away from a relationship marked by the emotional toll of financial imbalance and power dynamics, and how meeting the love of her life helped her rewrite her story. Financial independence, she shares, gave her the ability to love fully without resentment, performance, or transaction.This is a conversation about power—reclaiming it, building it, and learning how to hold it. If you’ve ever questioned your worth, your voice, or your path, Bryony’s story is proof that everything can change when you stop waiting for permission and start choosing yourself.⸻Key TakeawaysYour power starts with ownership. Bryony owns her name, her content, and her business. She breaks down why holding the rights to your brand and IP isn’t just smart—it’s essential for building something no one can take away.Learning is a superpower. Through her role as Dior’s Global Wellness Expert, Bryony had a front-row seat to how world-class brands operate. She shares how adopting a learner’s mindset helped her bring luxury strategy to her business—without losing authenticity.She built a multimillion-dollar brand from her living room. After a car accident left her in chronic pain, Pilates became her way back. With nothing but a tripod and an iPhone, she turned that recovery journey into Pilates by Bryony—and never looked back.Financial freedom changed how she loves. Bryony reflects on how financial imbalance shaped a past relationship—and how building her own income allowed her to step into partnership from a place of clarity, not dependence.You can rewrite your story at any time. From heartbreak and injuries to global success, Bryony proves that reinvention is possible when you choose yourself—and stay rooted in your purpose.⸻Chapters 00:00 – 09:10: From hospital bed to Pilates—how it all began09:11 – 18:43: Building Pilates by Bryony with no budget, no help18:44 – 27:25: Learning from Dior, and the power of a learner's mindset27:26 – 36:12: Navigating power dynamics and love after success36:13 – 48:30: The business of wellness, brand-building, and going global⸻LinksUse ⁠⁠⁠Opus Clip⁠⁠⁠ to turn long videos into shorts.⸻⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐If you like what you hear, rate, review, and subscribe to Hot Smart Rich, the podcast supporting women who own their worth — in business, wealth, and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⸻💌Own your worth — and build the life you want. Subscribe to the Hot Smart Rich newsletter, the no-BS guide to startup life, consumer brands, and becoming your hottest, smartest, richest self, written by Maggie Sellers. Join 250,000+ women building wealth, confidence, and community on their own terms.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⸻Follow Maggie here:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@maggiesellers ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@maggiesellers_ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Maggie Sellers⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ShopMy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Storefront⁠⁠⁠⁠⸻Follow Bryony here:Instagram: @bryonydeeryPilates By Bryony: @pilatesbybryonyPodcast: Beyond the Mat⸻More from Hot Smart Rich:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Hot Smart Rich Money Mindset⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⸻This episode is produced by HSR Media, a division of Creative MES LLC, with support from Coldea Productions and Vandana Ravi.
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  • Allison McNamara, Founder of Mara Beauty, On How Getting Divorced, & Losing 40 Pounds Totally Changed Her Life and Supercharged Her Business
    Allison McNamara, Founder of Mara Beauty, On How Getting Divorced, & Losing 40 Pounds Totally Changed Her Life and Supercharged Her BusinessWhat happens when you stop hiding, start healing, and finally show up for yourself—and your brand?In this episode of Hot Smart Rich, Maggie sits down with Allison McNamara, founder of MARA Beauty, to unpack the full spectrum of personal and professional transformation—from coming out and getting divorced to finally stepping into her power as both a founder and a face.For the first time, Allison publicly shares what it meant to come out, and how embracing her identity brought her closer to her community and more aligned with her creative voice. She also opens up about the decision to end her marriage, lose 40 pounds, and finally claim her space in front of the camera—not just behind the brand.This conversation goes deep into how these shifts impacted MARA’s success, including three Sephora sellouts, a commitment to owning her formulas, and how leading with clarity and confidence became her greatest business strategy.Whether you're navigating identity, rebuilding after a pivot, or just wondering how to stop playing small—this one’s for you.⸻🔑 Key TakeawaysComing out helped her come into her power. For the first time, Allison publicly shares what it meant to come out—and how embracing her identity brought her closer to her community and more aligned with her creative voice.Choosing yourself is the first pivot. Ending her marriage wasn’t just a personal decision—it was the catalyst for a full-scale transformation. Allison shares how reclaiming her life also supercharged her business.Wellness isn’t vanity—it’s velocity. Losing 40 pounds helped her feel mentally sharp and physically strong. That internal shift translated into leadership clarity and outward momentum for MARA.You can be both the founder and the face. Stepping into visibility changed everything. Once Allison began showing up for the brand—not just behind it—MARA hit a new growth curve.Owning your formulas is a power move. Allison breaks down why MARA has always developed and owned its formulas—no white labeling, no shortcuts. It’s the long-term play that builds real brand equity and IP value.3x Sephora sellouts are no accident. MARA’s viral moments didn’t happen by luck. Allison shares the behind-the-scenes decisions—from reformulations to community storytelling—that helped the brand sell out three times at Sephora.Your business grows when you stop playing small. From sharper campaigns to higher ad spend, Allison’s mindset shift led to bold bets—and the returns followed.Quiet confidence can be a competitive edge. MARA’s success is rooted in product integrity, founder honesty, and long-game thinking. Allison shows that you don’t have to be the loudest voice to build one of the most respected brands in beauty.⸻LinksUse ⁠⁠Opus Clip⁠⁠ to turn long videos into shorts.⸻⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐If you like what you hear, rate, review, and subscribe to Hot Smart Rich, the podcast supporting women who own their worth — in business, wealth, and life.⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⸻💌Own your worth — and build the life you want. Subscribe to the Hot Smart Rich newsletter, the no-BS guide to startup life, consumer brands, and becoming your hottest, smartest, richest self, written by Maggie Sellers. Join 250,000+ women building wealth, confidence, and community on their own terms.⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe here⁠⁠⁠⁠⸻Follow Maggie here:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@maggiesellers ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@maggiesellers_ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Maggie Sellers⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ShopMy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Storefront⁠⁠⁠⁠⸻Follow Allison here:Instagram: @allisonmcnamaraTikTok: @allisonmcnamara_LinkedIn: Allison McNamara⸻More from Hot Smart Rich:⁠⁠⁠⁠The Hot Smart Rich Money Mindset⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merch⁠⁠⁠⁠⸻This episode is produced by HSR Media, a division of Creative MES LLC, with support from Coldea Productions and Vandana Ravi.
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  • Susan Yara on How She Sold Naturium To e.l.f For $355 Million, Her FTC Investigation, and Building Through Backlash
    What happens when the internet turns on you, your marriage falls apart behind the scenes—and you still scale Naturium (your startup) into a $355M acquisition from e.l.f.? Susan Yara is telling her side of the story. In this episode of Hot Smart Rich, Maggie sits down with Susan Yara, the founder of Naturium, for one of the most honest and tactical conversations we’ve had on the show. Known for her credibility and candor in the beauty space, Susan opens up about the backlash over her undisclosed involvement in Naturium, being cleared by the FTC, and scaling a brand that became a case study in profitability, performance, and modern brand-building.But this isn’t just a founder story—it’s a personal one. Susan shares what it was like navigating a divorce while in the public eye, raising two kids as a single mom, and redefining her relationship with identity, ambition, and authenticity. From moments that nearly broke her to the business strategies that built her, this episode is a blueprint for long-game thinking in beauty and beyond.Naturium became one of the first creator-founded skincare brands to exit at scale—paving the way for brands like Rhode by Hailey Bieber to follow. As a pioneer in the masstige skincare category, Susan didn’t just ride the wave—she helped define it. Her story proves that credibility, community, and clarity still win in the age of algorithms and outrage.For anyone building in public, recovering from criticism, or wondering if you can be both honest and successful—this one’s for you.⸻Key TakeawaysControversy doesn’t cancel you—lack of clarity does. Susan opens up about the Naturium backlash, her FTC clearance, and how transparency helped rebuild trust with her audience and consumers.You can build while breaking down. She reflects on navigating a divorce during the brand’s biggest growth phase—and how personal transformation shaped her leadership.Masstige is the new frontier. Naturium’s success helped define the mid-tier, high-efficacy skincare category, making room for other creator brands like Rhode to follow.Retail still matters. Scaling with Target wasn’t just a channel strategy—it was a credibility builder. Susan breaks down how shelf space drove awareness and repeat sales.Quiet founders can lead loud growth. Susan never sought the CEO spotlight. But leaning into her strength as an operator—not just an influencer—helped Naturium stand out in a crowded space.Partnerships over Perfection. She unpacks her working relationship with Ben Bennett and how mutual trust helped them navigate mistakes, milestones, and media storms.Margins over vibes. Susan made Naturium profitable from day one—and explains why obsessing over contribution margin (not Instagram likes) is what scaled the business.⸻Use ⁠Opus Clip⁠ to turn long videos into shorts.⸻⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐If you like what you hear, rate, review, and subscribe to Hot Smart Rich, the podcast supporting women who own their worth — in business, wealth, and life.⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⸻💌Own your worth — and build the life you want. Subscribe to the Hot Smart Rich newsletter, the no-BS guide to startup life, consumer brands, and becoming your hottest, smartest, richest self, written by Maggie Sellers. Join 250,000+ women building wealth, confidence, and community on their own terms.⁠⁠⁠Subscribe here⁠⁠⁠⸻Follow Maggie here:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@maggiesellers ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠@maggiesellers_ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠Maggie Sellers⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ShopMy⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon Storefront⁠⁠⁠⸻Follow Susan here:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@susanyara⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠@susanyara⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Susan Yara⁠YouTube: ⁠@Mixedmakeup⁠ ⁠@SusanYara⁠⸻More from Hot Smart Rich:⁠⁠⁠The Hot Smart Rich Money Mindset⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merch⁠⁠⁠⸻This episode is produced by HSR Media, a division of Creative MES LLC, with support from Coldea Productions and Vandana Ravi.
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About Hot Smart Rich

Hot Smart Rich is your place to hear unfiltered conversations with the people shaping the future of culture, creators, startups and community. Hosted by Maggie Sellers, investor and media powerhouse, and guests breaking the mold, you’ll get the real deal as it relates to navigating the startup fast lane, leveling up your life or becoming your hottest, smartest, richest self. New episodes weekly on Wednesdays.
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