How do you run a thriving company that cares more about impact than about profit and margins?
Karissa Bodnar is a genius CEO who dedicated herself to building a cause-based company. Thrive Causemetics started out of her one-bedroom apartment and now it’s a massively successful brand that has donated over $139 million of value to those in need.
We sat down to ... Show More
Oct 20
Revisited: The Power of Doing One Thing Exceptionally Well with Gymshark Founder and CEO Ben Francis
Hello from Team Simon! Brand-new episodes of A Bit of Optimism are back next Tuesday, October 27. Before then, we're revisiting one last favorite: the company Simon names whenever someone asks which business actually lives the ideas he writes about. It's Gymshark, and its founder ... Show More
1 h
Oct 13
Revisited: Why Relationships Are the Secret to a Long, Happy Life with Psychotherapist Esther Perel
Hello from Team Simon! We’re taking a few weeks off and will be back with brand-new episodes of A Bit of Optimism on Tuesday, October 27. Until then, we’re revisiting some of our favorite conversations, including this one with a longtime friend of Simon’s: Esther Perel. For most ... Show More
1h 2m
Oct 6
Revisited: Your Instincts Know What You Want with Happiness Expert Arthur Brooks
Team Simon here! A Bit of Optimism is on a short break, and brand-new episodes return October 27. Until then, we're revisiting a few conversations we keep coming back to. This week it's Arthur Brooks, a longtime friend of Simon's and one of his favorite people to talk to. Have yo ... Show More
55m 55s
May 2023
From Dirt Roads to CEO | A Conversation With Karissa Bodnar Of Thrive Causemetics
<p>In this episode of the GaryVee Audio Experience, Gary is joined by Karissa Bodnar, CEO of Thrive Causemetics, a beauty brand that offers high-quality, cruelty-free cosmetics while supporting and empowering women. They discuss the role their upbringings played in shaping their ... Show More
31m 57s
Aug 2023
LG Quickie: Thrive Causemetics
Karissa Bodnar, 33 years old, founded the company after her best friend Kristy died of cancer while they were in college, and she was determined to build a company with products that anyone immune-compromised could use safely. She started out as a make-up artist, shipping product ... Show More
33m 6s
Nov 2025
How Entrepreneurs Win in the Age of TikTok | Thea Green
As founder of Nails Inc., Thea Green built one of the UK’s most successful beauty brands by combining creativity with integrity, and knowing when to pivot.In this episode, Thea shares the defining moment she decided to close the last nail bar and shift fully to retail, the lesson ... Show More
52m 12s
Sep 2022
She Started With $500. Now It'S A Billion Dollar Business | Kendra Scott
<p>Designer, founder, and philanthropist Kendra Scott started her company in 2002 with only $500. Going door-to-door to Austin boutiques armed only with a tea box full of her jewelry, Kendra captivated businesses and customers with her vibrant personality and unique eye for desig ... Show More
1h 22m
Mar 2019
Building Businesses That Change The World
Marissa Mayer is no stranger to sacrifice and hard work. As an early employee at Google, and eventually the CEO of Yahoo!, her journey is a shining example of what can be accomplished if you’re willing to do whatever it takes. Most recently, she co-founded Lumi Labs, an early-sta ... Show More
15m 7s