Have you ever wanted to start a business but told yourself, not now, it’s not the right time? This mini-episode of Aspire with Emma Grede, brought to you by Shopify, might help you realize, there’s no perfect time to start a business. On today’s pod, Emma shares why she decided to become an entrepreneur and offers key insights from her journey over the years. From tips on how to discover your “why” to the importance of a platform that can support you, Emma reminds us that every business starts with a founder taking that first step.
In this episode, you’ll learn How to:
-Identify your personal why and use it as your anchor
-Move forward even when self-doubt shows up
-Understand what entrepreneurship can truly offer to your life
-Start small and build momentum one step at a time
-How to create a support system that allows you to stay focused
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
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The Change Agent: From street corner to the corner office
If you’ve ever felt like where you come from holds you back — or that success only happens for people with access — this conversation will change how you see yourself.
Music mogul, entrepreneur and branding genius Steve Stoute joins Emma to reveal how he turned being underestimated into his advantage, using his roots, instincts, and connection to culture to build an empire that reshaped music, marketing, and business.
You’ll learn how to:
-Turn rejection into momentum
-Use your background as your competitive edge
-Build ideas that move culture — not just chase it
Watch this if you’re ready to stop waiting for permission and start turning your story into your strategy.
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1:14:43
You Can Start That Business. Here’s How.
Thinking about starting a business but don’t know where to begin? In this solo episode, Emma breaks down the 10-step blueprint every first-time founder needs to turn an idea into a real company. From testing your idea to understanding the completion and market landscape to building a brand, pricing for profit, and leading a team — Emma shares the lessons she’s learned building multiple brands into a global powerhouses. This is the real, unfiltered roadmap to launching your business — no investors, no fluff, just the mindset, structure, and execution you actually need to succeed.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How to start before you feel ready
• Why execution matters more than ideas
• How to research your market and find your customer
• The smartest way to manage money and risk
• Why brand and product have to deliver — every time
• How to lead, hire, and grow sustainably
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Creating Success Word by Word with Tracee Ellis Ross
Tracee Ellis Ross has built an extraordinary life as an award-winning actor, producer, entrepreneur, and visionary founder of Pattern Beauty. But behind all of that success is a woman who believes deeply in the power of words.
In this episode of Aspire, Emma Grede sits down with one of her favorite women — and businesswomen — on the planet to talk about how Tracee’s intentional approach to language, therapy, and clarity has shaped everything from her relationships to her leadership.
Tracee opens up about how she manifests with purpose, the patience it takes for ideas to bake, and why redefining success starts with what you say to yourself.
This is an inspiring, grounded conversation about becoming who you are and using your words to build the life and business you want.
Listen if you’re ready to:
-Speak more intentionally
-Redefine what success means for you
-Build confidence from the inside out
-Learn how your language can shape your success
To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy
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1:18:39
Start with Yourself: Change Your Mindset, Change Your Life
If you’ve ever felt stuck, like no matter how hard you work, something’s holding you back, it’s probably not your talent or your hustle. It’s your mindset.
In this solo episode, Emma Grede reveals how mastering your mind is the ultimate unlock for success, confidence, and peace of mind. She shares the exact mindset tools she’s used to build businesses, overcome fear, and turn self-doubt into fuel for growth.
Plus, Emma announces her brand-new book, Start with Yourself, coming in 2026—a guide to building the mindset that changes everything.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
-Reprogram negative self-talk and handle haters with strength
-Turn failure into feedback and fear into action
-Build daily habits that wire your brain for success
-Use visualization, gratitude, and self-compassion to level up
-Celebrate your wins and protect your energy
If you’re ready to stop holding yourself back and start building a mindset that works for you—not against you—this episode is where it all begins.
Preorder Start with Yourself wherever books are sold, and share this episode with someone who’s ready to transform their life from the inside out.
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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.
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