Hot Smart Rich

• 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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  48:29
• 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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  46:51
• 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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  58:09
• Former WeightWatchers CEO, Sima Sistani, on Embracing GLP-1s, Leading Through Controversy, and Facing Uncertainty with Conviction

  What happens when your salary becomes a headline, Oprah steps back, and your bet on the future of health divides the internet (and the markets)?In this episode of Hot Smart Rich, Maggie sits down with Sima Sistani, former CEO of WeightWatchers as she reflects on the boldest pivot in WW’s history—integrating GLP-1 medications like Ozempic—and what it was like to be at the center of a cultural storm. From media backlash to public salary scrutiny, she shares what the press missed, what she’d do differently, and how she found peace in stepping away. This is a masterclass in how modern CEOs manage perception and pressure.Sima and Maggie talk about ambition, identity, criticism, and the discomfort of no longer being the one everyone’s watching. This episode isn’t just about reinventing a brand—it’s about reinventing yourself.For founders and operators, it’s a blueprint for leading with conviction—even when the room isn’t ready.⸻Key TakeawaysGLP-1s changed the game—if you were paying attention.Sima didn’t wait for consensus. She led a bet-the-company pivot based on science. She acted fast, with one eye on cultural shifts and one on long-term impact.Strategy requires stamina. Pivoting WW came with skepticism and scrutiny. Sima stayed the course, proving that real reinvention requires endurance—not just vision.The most powerful rebrands come from within. Sima joined WW to shift diet culture from the inside. Real change comes from systems, not slogans.Public perception doesn’t always match private reality. From Oprah’s exit to WW’s bankruptcy headlines, Sima shares what the media missed—and what she stands by. In public leadership, clarity is not spin. It’s survival.Visibility is vulnerability—especially for women. Sima reflects on being a public CEO, mother, and Iranian-American woman in a system built for polish. She proves you don’t have to sand yourself down to be taken seriously.Apology is not weakness—it’s real leadership. When called out by body positivity advocate Katie Sturino, Sima didn’t hide. She apologized, then turned it into a platform for change.Money and meaning aren’t always aligned. Sima shares how it felt to see her comp become a headline—and how she stayed centered through the noise.Leaving can be leadership, too. Stepping down was a full-circle decision. Sometimes your greatest impact is knowing when to walk away.What do you do when the noise dies down? Sima speaks honestly about no longer being in the spotlight—and how letting go helped her reconnect with purpose.⸻⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐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 Sima here:Instagram: ⁠@simaLinkedIn: Sima Sistani⸻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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  1:15:13
• DWTS Lindsay Arnold on the Pivot That Changed Everything—Money, Marriage, and The Movement Club

  What happens after 10 seasons on national TV? You build something of your own.In this episode of Hot Smart Rich, Maggie sits down with professional dancer and entrepreneur Lindsay Arnold to talk about life after Dancing with the Stars — from launching The Movement Club to growing a brand rooted in purpose.Lindsay shares how motherhood motivated her to build something real, how she overcame doubt to launch, and what it’s like to go from talent to founder. They cover brand trips that convert, building in public, and navigating money, marriage, and motherhood with clarity.For anyone making a pivot, balancing life and ambition, or building with intention — this one’s for you.⸻Key Takeaways​You just have to start. Lindsay launched The Movement Club during her first pregnancy, not because it was the perfect time but because she knew the need was real. Action beats perfection.​Authenticity scaled her business. The Movement Club didn’t go viral overnight. It grew because Lindsay integrated it into her real life. Her audience didn’t just watch her promote it—they watched her live it.​She’s part of the new wave of founder-led brands. With over 2.5 million followers across Instagram and TikTok, Lindsay is building trust and brand equity in public and showing creators how to do it with intention. ​Brand trips work when they’re intentional. The Movement Club’s Hawaii trip wasn’t just about content. It delivered a 200 percent ROI on subscriptions and sparked community-led growth.​Motherhood is a multiplier, not a limitation. Becoming a mom gave Lindsay the clarity and conviction to build with purpose. It didn’t slow her down. It gave her a deeper reason to speed up.​Being the breadwinner comes with its own dynamics. Lindsay shared what it’s like to navigate ambition, marriage, and money as the primary earner, and how she and her husband Sam stay grounded in true partnership.​Softness and strength can coexist. From postpartum to pivoting in public, Lindsay proves you can be transparent without oversharing and still lead with power and clarity.⸻Try The Movement Club With a 7 Day Free Trial⸻⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐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 Lindsay here:Instagram: @lindsarnoldTikTok: @lindsarnold⸻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.⸻This episode touches on Lindsay Arnold’s full evolution—from So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD) to Dancing with the Stars, to building a wellness brand as a mom of two. We talk about her husband Sam Cusick, her daughters June and Sage, and how her sister Rylee Arnold is following in her footsteps. As a Utah-based, modern Mormon founder, Lindsay shares her take on motherhood, ambition, and boundaries in the public eye. From viral moments (yes, even the fart ones) to faith, fitness, and family, this episode also nods to connections with Derek and Julianne Hough, and broader cultural conversations like Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. If you’re searching for anything from Lindsay Arnold’s postpartum fitness to Movement Club brand trips in Hawaii, you’ll find something here.

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  56:08

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