Bozoma Saint John: How to Stop Sabotaging Your Success | Aspire with Emma Grede

In this electrifying sit-down, marketing powerhouse Bozoma Saint John tells Emma Grede how trusting her gut—and refusing to shrink—propelled her from a junior assistant’s cubicle to the C-suite, and now to founding the hair-care disruptor, Eve by Boz. She unpacks why “excellence is a baseline” was the mantra drilled into her by her Ghanaian parents, shares the exact language she used to claim credit without apology, and explains why ditching a rigid five-year plan unlocked once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Boz dives deep on separating ego from intuition, funding a factory in Ghana to center Black women in a $7-billion industry, and spotting the storytelling through-line that ties every bold career move together. If you’re ready to amplify your voice, own your wins, and make audacious moves, this conversation is your playbook—hit subscribe, and share it with someone who needs a confidence boost today. #aspirewithemmagrede #rhobh #podcast #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #femalefounders #femaleentrepreneur #business #businessadvice #interview #marketing #branding #uber #beyonce #superbowlhalftimeshow #pepsi #businessadvice #startup #parenting _____ SUBSCRIBE    / @emmagrede   _____ ABOUT ASPIRE WITH EMMA GREDE 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, podcast host Jay Shetty, billionaire entrepreneur and Shark Tank star Mark Cuban, and public luminaries like Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and former First Lady Michelle Obama. 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. LISTEN TO ASPIRE WITH EMMA GREDE link.pscrb.fm/f0281/Aspire_YT ABOUT EMMA GREDE 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. #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #aspirewithemmagrede #podcast #businessadvice #business #marketing #branding #netflix #endeavour #womeninbusiness #womenempowerment #femaleentrepreneur #femalefounders #startup 00:00:00 Introduction 00:01:45 Excellence as an expectation 00:07:51 How being "different" helped Bozoma succeed 00:15:17 From temp to editing Spike Lee scripts 00:22:09 Ad Break 00:24:12 Casting Beyonce and taking credit for your work 00:27:58 How to advocate for yourself and know when to leave a job 00:36:10 How to start a career in marketing 00:40:24 What can you learn from "powerhouse" founders? 00:42:50 What is the key to a great marketing campaign? 00:45:48 Ad Break 00:48:31 The tradeoffs Bozoma has made for success 00:51:55 Trusting your gut and accepting mistakes 00:55:50 Chaos at Uber 01:00:06 Honesty and leadership 01:05:01 Ad Break 01:07:11 Loving and believing in yourself 01:14:49 How to market a new brand 01:18:17 Recovering from a marketing blunder 01:19:39 Eve by Boz 01:24:29 Investing versus raising capital 01:27:26 Real Housewives of Beverly Hills 01:35:14 Pregnancy struggles and having more kids 01:37:59 What does the future hold? 01:41:13 Rapid Fire Questions