No Excuses, Just Business with Emma Grede

Emma Grede is here—and she’s not sugarcoating anything. We dig into what it really takes to build a business, lead people, and create a life on your own terms. She gets into her no-BS leadership style—high standards, radical honesty, and owning your mistakes. Emma shares major business missteps (including a failed product expansion), how she dissects failure without ego, and why understanding your own patterns is the key to long-term success. We also cover what she actually looks for when hiring, why being slow to hire but quick to fire matters, her take on unlimited PTO, working with friends, and when investors can do more harm than good. She breaks down why “focus” is one of the most misunderstood concepts in business—and why your customer has to be at the center of everything. This episode is honest, motivating, and packed with real insight on failure, leadership, resilience, and building something that lasts. A word from my sponsors: Shady Rays: Go to https://shadyrays.com and use code HONEST for 40% off 2+ pairs of polarized sunglasses. Momentous: Head to https://livemomentous.com, and use promo code HONEST for up to 35% off your first order Kahlua: Find Kahlúa Dunkin Caramel Swirl at retailers nationwide, including Walmart, Total Wine, Albertsons, Kroger, Ralphs, Safeway, BevMo, Publix, and more. Must be 21 or older to purchase. Please drink responsibly. Ritual: Ritual - Save 25% on your first month at https://Ritual.com/BEHONEST Sam Edelman: Visit us at https://samedelman.com to explore everything you need for spring and get 15% off with code honest15. Opositiv: Take proactive care of your health and head to https://OPositiv.com/HONEST or enter HONEST at checkout for 25% off your first purchase. Good Wipes: Buy any two packs of goodwipes at Walmart or https://Walmart.com, text them your receipt, and get reimbursed almost immediately for one of them. For more details, head to https://goodwipes.com/HONEST. For more Let’s Be Honest, follow along at: Instagram:   / kristincavallari   TikTok:   / kristincavallari   YouTube:    / @letsbehonestwithkc   Produced by Dear Media. Follow Dear Media: Listen: https://dearmedia.com/shows/ Instagram:   / dearmediastudio   TikTok:   / dearmedia   Linkedin:   / dear-media   Shop Dear Media: https://shop.dearmedia.com/ ABOUT DEAR MEDIA Dear Media is the largest podcast network focused on amplifying women’s voices and audiences. Founded in 2018, DM hosts 80+ podcasts fronted by top-tier talent and has a following of more than 60M across social channels. DM is building the podcast incubator of the future through a 360-degree business model, providing unparalleled support from concept to editorial, production, distribution, and commerce extensions. Due to its highly engaged and vast consumer audience, the network attracts global brands and digital savvy partners.