Business Class: Office Hours: Recent Episodes
American Express
Office Hours, powered by American Express, spotlights what innovative leaders are doing to navigate today’s business environment. To find upcoming conversations, visit www.amex.co/officehours. And to learn more about Business Class from American Express, with insights and resources to help your business thrive, visit www.amex.co/businessclass.
Co-founder of SuitShop and the Senior Vice President of Integrated Marketing and Communications at FedEx talk about what makes excellent customer service, managing deliveries during peak times, and building trustworthy, dedicated vendor partnerships. Hosted by author and entrepreneur, Suneel Gupta.
Clint Harp, Owner of Harp Design Co., Carpenter, and TV Host (Restoration Road), talks about the building blocks for his business, running it with his wife, Kelly, and more. Hosted by author and entrepreneur, Suneel Gupta.
Anjula Acharia, Founder & CEO of A-Series Management & Investments, discusses finding unique brands and people to support and managing work-life balance. Hosted by author and entrepreneur, Suneel Gupta.
Tony Hawk, Professional Skateboarder and CEO of Birdhouse Skateboards, talks about turning a passion into a career and using his platform to help create skateparks in underserved communities. Hosted by author and entrepreneur, Suneel Gupta.
Jeni Britton, Founder of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, dishes up details on her background as an artist, the inspiration behind her unique ice cream business, and more. Hosted by author and entrepreneur, Suneel Gupta.
Richard Blais, chef, cookbook author, and TV personality talks about running multiple restaurants and finding creative ideas. Hosted by author and entrepreneur, Suneel Gupta.
Jason Oppenheim, President and CEO of The Oppenheim Group, award-winning real estate broker, and TV star (Selling Sunset) discusses his path from law to real estate, building a business, and more. Hosted by author and entrepreneur, Suneel Gupta.
Billy Porter, Founder of Incognegro Productions, Emmy, Grammy, and Two-Time Tony Award Winner is a boundary-breaking entertainer and entrepreneur. But feeling free to embrace his authenticity didn’t always come easily. Now he roots his business decisions in letting his full self shine brightly on the stage, screen, and behind the scenes. Hosted by author and entrepreneur, Suneel Gupta.
Hannah Bronfman, Founder of HBFIT, stretched her passion for wellness outside of the box – building a blog that became a successful subscription-based content hub with a dedicated community. Now she is moving the company a step further to incorporate both content and products – while prioritizing honesty and support for herself, her followers, and fellow entrepreneurs. Hosted by author and entrepreneur, Suneel Gupta.
Ryan Tedder, OneRepublic front man and founder of MAD TASTY sparkling water and emu hand sanitizer, has much more than music on his playlist. While still soaring through song, the CPG entrepreneur and investor successfully manages multiple income streams, from real estate to restaurants, to balance the notoriously hit-or-miss music industry. Hosted by author and entrepreneur, Suneel Gupta.
Jessica Simpson, Owner of The Jessica Simpson Lifestyle Collection, singer, actress, and New York Times best-selling author, is taking full leadership of her namesake brand. As Jessica fought the outside noise to chart her own path, she stayed true to her voice and vision, amassing a faithful following of fans and fashion diehards eager to try on whatever she creates next. Hosted by author and entrepreneur, Suneel Gupta.
Kelly Love, Co-founder of Branch Basics, didn’t have a business background, but by fighting perfection, following her intuition, and asking for help, she and two friends built a brand that demonstrates what ‘clean’ products can be. Despite the hurdles along the way, the team took control of their product formula to build a strong, sustainable brand that’s rooted in consumer education and trust. Hosted by author and entrepreneur, Suneel Gupta.
Galyn Bernard and Christina Carbonell, Co-founders of Primary, built a brand with a bold idea: to redefine what kid’s clothing is and how consumers purchase it. That brighter vision includes prioritizing sustainability and transparency and implementing a company-wide four-day workweek, all with the goal of making excellent products that shine for both parents and kids. Hosted by author and entrepreneur, Suneel Gupta.
Aimee Song, Founder and Fashion Designer at Song of Style, evolved her passion for fashion from a blog into a fully bloomed business. After becoming a social media superstar, she finds ways to unwind offline, helping recharge her energy and creativity. Prioritizing balance helps Aimee boost the brand into its next exciting stages, including long term partnerships that enhance her unique vision and collaborative spirit. Hosted by author and entrepreneur, Suneel Gupta.
Amirah Kassem, Founder of FLOUR SHOP and a best-selling author,loves capturing the feeling of fun in her products, even if it means making a mess along the way. On this episode of Business Class: Office Hours, Amirah serves up slices of wisdom, including how her exploding cake went viral and how she uses her bright bursts of creativity to move the business forward.
John Jacobs, Co-founder & Chief Creative Optimist at apparel and accessories company Life is Good®, has a positive mindset that strengthens his brand and inspires people all over the country. On this episode of Business Class: Office Hours, John takes us on his journey from selling shirts on the streets of Boston in the ‘90s to building a $150 million business, fueled by courage, gratitude, simplicity, and openness. By staying firmly grounded in its values, forging a strong sense of community, and giving back to help kids, Life is Good proves that brands can have a real impact beyond their products.
With a sharp eye for detail, award-winning interior designer, entrepreneur and best-selling author, Nate Berkus knows a lot about what it takes to build a successful business. On this episode of Business Class: Office Hours, Nate shares how he continues to build his brand and what drives him as a leader. Discover the inspiration behind Nate’s projects, partnerships, and more – and how he makes sure relationships are at the root of it.
Martha Stewart is a culinary arts and home and garden expert who has informed and inspired millions of fans with her cookbooks and television programs. With perennial curiosity, a passion for discovery, and a desire to educate her fans, Stewart is as much a student of life as she is a teacher. She continues to expand new product lines, including Martha Stewart Kitchen, as well as her social media presence. In this Office Hours episode, Stewart sat down to discuss the early days of her career, having a positive mindset, and how she came to be known as “the original influencer.”
Jay Shetty has led a life of radical pivots: at 18, he left his life as an undergraduate business student in London to become a monk. Through his studies, Shetty learned how to set intentions, be mindful, and overcome self-doubt. Equipped with his newfound tools, he turned to the business sector with the goal of spreading wisdom. Since then, Shetty has found success as a purpose coach, podcaster, and as a New York Times #1 bestselling author of the book, Think Like a Monk. In this Office Hours episode with host Suneel Gupta, Shetty discusses gratitude, silencing fears, and selfless service.
Venus ET Fleur Co-founders, Seema Bansal Chadha and Sunny Chadha, abide by the saying: “If you want a job done right, do it yourself.” After an underwhelming experience with a Valentine’s Day bouquet, the couple decided to take it upon themselves to create a luxury, long-lasting bouquet service that focuses on quality over quantity. Their can-do attitude and passion for quality helped build their brand, Venus ET Fleur, which has taken the floral industry by storm. In this Office Hours episode with host Suneel Gupta, the married duo discusses building a luxury brand that services customers on a global scale.
Pursuing your passion and keeping the momentum going: that’s how Rebecca Minkoff built a world-class fashion brand. She started her own company at 25, designing shirts, handbags, and more, all while navigating the ups and downs of a rapid rise to fame. While encountering no shortage of hurdles along the way, her fearlessness and passion guided her to become the lifestyle fashion icon she is today. In this Office Hours episode with host Suneel Gupta, Minkoff discusses starting her company from scratch, self-reflection, and learning how to unplug.
Richard Moross entered the design field with the goal of disrupting the print industry. After a false start with an initial brand concept, he went back to the drawing board and came back to the table with Moo.com. Today, the digital business card company is a leading example of tech-savvy entrepreneurship in the design and print industries. In this Office Hours episode, Moross discusses with host Suneel Gupta the early years of the company, testing new ideas, and creating meaningful moments with customers.
After 7 years as the New York Times food editor and publishing a best-selling cookbook, Amanda Hesser set her sights on a new entrepreneurial challenge. She co-founded Food52, the award-winning recipe exchange community, to help chefs at any level support each other 52 weeks a year. In this Office Hours episode, Hesser spoke with host Suneel Gupta about her experience as an entrepreneur, taking chances on herself, and startup culture.
Jonathan Adler found himself in an all-too-common predicament after graduating college: "What do I do next?” Above all else, Adler believed in his own creative instincts when it came to his love of pottery. By staying resilient, keeping his eyes on the prize, and doing what he loved, his break finally came when his work was featured in a Barney’s showroom. Today, Adler’s home décor empire is thriving, with store locations worldwide. In this Office Hours episode with host Suneel Gupta, Adler discusses confidence, resilience, and staying open to new possibilities.
While searching for dance classes in New York, Payal Kadakia and her friends struggled to find studios they could attend. Not one to sit idly by, she created her own app, ClassPass, that would allow users to find and experience new forms of fitness. Today, the company is a tech phenomenon operating around the globe connecting users to thousands of fitness classes. In this Office Hours episode, Kadakia discusses the early days of the company, leadership, and overcoming self-doubt.
Since her first day as a culinary graduate student, Stephanie Izard knew that she had found her calling in the food industry. As the owner of five restaurants, including Girl & the Goat, Izard has a wealth of experience not only cooking professionally, but running multiple businesses. In this Office Hours episode, Izard tells the story of the early days of her career, taking risks, and navigating business partnerships.
Issa Rae and Hannah Diop came from different professional backgrounds, but they found common ground in their mutual love of clean ingredients. The duo partnered to provide the cosmetics market with clean, vegan textured hair care products that are good for both your health and the environment. In a recent live Office Hours with host Suneel Gupta, the co-owners of Sienna Naturals to describe their journey in the cosmetics industry, managing their standards and expectations as business owners, and what it is like to go into business with a friend.
Hedley & Bennett founder Ellen Bennett started her company with little more than a dream. Through tenacity, grit, and business savviness, her designer kitchenware and aprons are now world-famous, and used by some of the most prestigious names in the culinary industry. In this Office Hours episode, she sits down with host Suneel Gupta to discuss how she got started, navigating expectations and goals, and lessons learned along the way.
Roni Frank is the Co-founder of and Head of Clinical Services at the leading virtual behavioral healthcare company Talkspace. Frank started Talkspace with her husband in 2012. Frank describes her journey from an unfulfilled software developer to inspired entrepreneur, how Talkspace pivoted to handle explosive growth during the pandemic, her personal hacks to stay productive, and the fundamental element she says a leader must have in place in order to truly be a leader.
MiniLuxe, an ethics-driven nail salon chain, is on a mission to make the business of self-care safer and more equitable for all. We sat down with CEO Zoe Krislock to talk about the on the challenges and rewards of running a purpose-driven commercial organization, the reimagining of their service-based business during COVID and what MiniLuxe is doing to support the Stop Asian Hate movement and other important causes.
Since 2013, actor and activist Rosario Dawson and former luxury fashion brand executive Abrima Erwiah have been building Studio 189, a sought-after clothing line that promotes and curates authentic African designs. In this episode, the founders explain how they’re using fashion itself as an agent for social change and the practical lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Comedian, drag queen, musician and entrepreneur, Trixie Mattel knows a thing or two about making things work. “With drag queens especially,” she says, “we're not used to having every amenity. I mean, at a drag show, you know, it can be a barn light and a milk crate and a broken jukebox.” In this episode, the Founder of Trixie Cosmetics, explains how she went from a wide-eyed country kid to a celebrated entertainer and business owner, plus the mantra and the methods that drive her success.
In 1987, Ben Ford was knocking on restaurant back doors in San Francisco. He was looking for kitchen work, and there was one job to aspire to: head chef. 30-some years later, Ford has transcended that role with multiple restaurants, an artisanal sauce line and an online marketplace for local food purveyors. In a recent Office Hours Q&A, Ford shared lessons learned from a career dedicated to bringing integrity to the food that people every day.
Courtney Adeleye, Founder and CEO of Olbali, says she has one rule: “If you can’t make it better, don’t make it at all.” In this episode, Olbali describes how she grew a $500 investment in a haircare product company out of her home into a multimillion-dollar, multi-brand consumer packaged goods company. She also tells us about her investment in other minority women-owned businesses—plus, why she starts most days by answering the questions of aspiring entrepreneurs.
Dawn Dickson’s company, PopCom, is bringing AI to on-the-go retail. In this conversation, the serial entrepreneur and IT veteran describes how solving her own need for smarter vending machines led to a breakthrough venture, plus what she learned from launching her product during the pandemic. This episode is hosted by Jenny Shum, Vice President of US Small and Medium Customer and Product Marketing at American Express.
Jean Brownhill, Founder and CEO of Sweeten, has created a home renovation platform that matches projects with vetted general contractors. In this episode, the architect-turned-entrepreneur explains how she took Sweeten from fledgling startup to industry innovator. We’ll also hear how she’s thinking about the office now that pandemic has “cracked open our imaginations about work-life balance.
Social entrepreneur, Jasmine Crowe, explains how her platform Goodr reduces food waste and supplies hungry people with meals, and how it’s possible to do well by doing good.
Hassan Osman is a best-selling author of books for busy managers, including “Influencing Virtual Teams.” Listen in and learn how to create a strong culture of teamwork in an increasingly virtual world. This episode is hosted by JJ Ramberg, entrepreneur, author, and former MSNBC anchor.
Bonnie St. John is a Fortune 500 Leadership Expert, President of the Blue Circle Leadership Institute, and bestselling author of “Micro-Resilience.” Hear her coach listeners through her science-backed hacks for renewing focus, energy and drive when you need it most. This episode is hosted by JJ Ramberg, entrepreneur, author, and former MSNBC anchor.
Anthony Tjan is the CEO and Managing Partner of Cue Ball, a venture capital firm. Listen to him explain some of the commonalities he sees across successful businesses relationships. This episode is hosted by JJ Ramberg, entrepreneur, author, and former MSNBC anchor.
Ariane Goldman is the Founder and CEO of HATCH Collection, which helps expecting mothers embrace and celebrate all stages of pregnancies. Listen in as she walks through the first – and subsequent – steps she took to adjust to business challenges. This episode is hosted by Michie Miller, Vice President of Large and Global Client Marketing at American Express.
Tim Chi is the CEO of The Knot Worldwide, a digital platform for all-things wedding related. Listen to him unveil his insights on how The Knot helped customers pivot their wedding plans, as well as what it meant for the business. This episode is hosted by Clayton Ruebensaal, Executive Vice President of Global B2B Marketing at American Express.
Wynton Marsalis is the Managing and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. Learn how he improvised how keep the excitement of live performances alive, even when the physical doors were closed. This episode is hosted by Susan Chapman-Hughes, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Digital Capabilities and Operations at American Express.
Coco and Breezy Dotson are the founders of Coco & Breezy Eyewear, ventures in real estate, music and film production – and DJs. Learn how they made the leap from creative teens to multi-industry moguls. This episode is hosted by David Rabkin, Executive Vice President and General Manager at American Express.
Three-piece electro-pop group Arizona has been making waves since 2016. Band members Zachary Charles and David Labuguen share their perspectives on the role of music in times of crisis as well as the changes to the industry overall. This episode is hosted by Clayton Ruebensaal, Executive Vice President of Global B2B Marketing at American Express.
Shaquille O’Neal, the NBA Hall of Famer and Amex Ambassador, shares how he found success beyond the court. Hear his thoughts on entrepreneurship and how he invests in new businesses as he talks with Clayton Ruebensaal, EVP of Global B2B Marketing at American Express.
Venus Williams, Tennis Champion, Founder & CEO of EleVen by Venus Williams, V Starr and Happy Viking, and Amex Ambassador, shares how her game plan for today’s business challenges. Learn how she transferred her skills from the court to her ventures as she talks with Colleen Taylor, President, U.S. Merchant Services at American Express.
David Chang is the Founder of culinary brand Momofuku and host of the series, “Ugly Delicious.”. Learn how he thinks changing consumer tastes will affect the food industry in the long run. This episode is hosted by Clayton Ruebensaal, EVP of Global B2B Marketing at American Express.
Bill Shufelt is the Founder of Athletic Brewing Company, a non-alcoholic craft beer business. Hear how he plans to brew strong profits well into the future, from reimagining sales tactics to hosting health-focused events. This episode is hosted by Chris Cracchiolo, SVP/GM of Global Membership Rewards & Loyalty Benefits at American Express.
Katie Ann Rosen Kitchens is the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of FabFitFun, a women’s lifestyle brand delivering curated beauty subscription boxes. Learn how she thought outside of the box to meet the demands of today’s changing environment as she talks with Michie Miller, VP of Large & Global Client Marketing at American Express.
Viraj Puri is the Co-Founder and CEO of Gotham Greens, an urban agricultural company. He shares how he has managed to grow his brand and how he envisions a greener future ahead in a conversation with Jess Ling, VP of Marketing Strategy, Content & Experiences at American Express.
Joey Gonzalez is the CEO of global fitness brand Barry’s. Learn how his team overcame a number of obstacles posed by the pandemic by offering complimentary live workouts, launching a new service at record speed and more. This episode is hosted by is Jess Ling, VP of Marketing Strategy, Content & Experiences at American Express.
Dawoon Kang is the Co-Founder of Coffee Meets Bagel, a female-empowering online dating service. Learn how she found new ways to keep the spark alive, from organizing online group dates to sharing virtual dating tips. This episode is hosted by Courtney Kelso, SVP, GM, US Cards at American Express.
Ben Leventhal is the Co-Founder and CEO of Resy, a digital reservation service used by top U.S. restaurants and now part of the American Express family. Learn how he creatively tackled a situation that was hard to swallow, from developing new tools around safely protocols to enabling at-home dining. This episode is hosted by Chris Cracchiolo, SVP/GM of Global Membership Rewards & Loyalty Benefits at American Express.