Podcast Summary: Aspire with Emma Grede – "Aspire with Karlie Kloss: How To Turn Principles Into Power Plays"

Release Date: May 20, 2025

In this compelling episode of "Aspire with Emma Grede," host Emma Grede engages in an in-depth conversation with renowned supermodel, entrepreneur, and philanthropist Karlie Kloss. The discussion delves into Karlie's multifaceted life, exploring her journey from the fashion runway to building impactful businesses, her approach to motherhood, and her commitment to empowering women through technology and investments.

1. Balancing Motherhood and a Thriving Career

Karlie Kloss opens up about her anticipation of welcoming her third child while managing multiple entrepreneurial ventures. She shares insights into her personal evolution from a workaholic to a more prioritized and intentional lifestyle.

• Prioritization Over Balance:

  "Having a child... has sort of been a forcing function of prioritization." ([04:33])

Karlie emphasizes that achieving traditional "balance" isn't her goal; instead, she focuses on prioritizing what truly matters, often compensating sacrifice with dedication to her family and businesses.

• Supportive Partnership:

  "Josh... has always been my biggest champion... you cannot lose yourself. You will not be happy. And our children will feel that." ([07:07])

She credits her husband, Josh, for his unwavering support, highlighting the importance of having a partner who encourages her to maintain her identity alongside her roles as a mother and business leader.

2. Transitioning from Modeling to Entrepreneurship

Karlie's early start in modeling at age 15 provided her with unique insights and opportunities. However, her desire for intellectual stimulation and purposeful work led her to pivot towards entrepreneurship.

• Initial Foray into Social Entrepreneurship:

  "We ended up starting that night and going on for a number of years selling Carly's cookies. And we raised enough money through the sales of these cookies to donate millions of school lunches through Feeding America." ([22:19])

Karlie discusses her first entrepreneurial venture—selling homemade cookies during Vogue's Fashion's Night Out—which successfully raised funds for charitable causes, marking her entry into using her platform for social good.

3. Founding Code with Klossie: Empowering Women in Tech

One of Karlie's most significant projects, Code with Klossie, aims to bridge the gender gap in technology by providing young women with coding skills and entrepreneurial training.

• Inception and Growth:

  "From 2015 until now, we have had more than 11,000 young women in our programs around the world." ([48:41])

She outlines the program's evolution from offering 21 scholarships to scaling up to 3,000 scholarships annually, emphasizing the impact on participants' academic and professional trajectories.

• Long-Term Impact:

  "70% of our alumni are now majoring or minoring in computer science, compared to 4% of women in America graduating with computer science degrees." ([49:14])

These statistics underscore the program's success in inspiring and equipping young women to pursue careers in tech, challenging the industry's underrepresentation of women.

4. Strategic Investments and Supporting Female Founders

Beyond education, Karlie actively invests in female-led businesses, focusing on sustainable and impactful ventures.

• Early Angel Investing:

  "The first two women that I wrote a check to was they started this company called Lola, a direct-to-consumer care for the planet." ([55:16])

She shares her experiences and motivations behind investing in startups that align with her values, highlighting the importance of supporting ideas that contribute positively to society and the environment.

• Philosophy on Investments:

  "I care so deeply about access to opportunity. My life has been transformed because of access to opportunity that I had." ([58:46])

Karlie emphasizes her commitment to creating opportunities for others, using her financial resources to empower women and foster innovation.

5. Revitalizing the Publishing Industry

Karlie ventures into the traditionally male-dominated publishing sector by acquiring iconic magazines like ID, Life, and W. Her goal is to preserve their legacy while reimagining their business models for the digital age.

• Strategic Vision:

  "The opportunity is to sort of reimagine the business that can be built around that... preserving and protecting the DNA of what it always was, but reaching young people today where they are." ([66:08])

She discusses the challenges and opportunities in modernizing these brands, focusing on integrating digital platforms and experiential content to engage contemporary audiences.

6. Advocating for Reproductive Freedom

Karlie passionately addresses the importance of reproductive rights, drawing from personal experiences and her family's medical background to advocate for accessible healthcare.

• Personal Commitment:

  "I'm sitting here five months pregnant and there's a lot that I feel very vulnerable to that... I would hope that there is access to life-saving care." ([61:10])

Her advocacy stems from a deep-seated belief in healthcare as a fundamental human right, driving her to use her platform to support and protect women's health services.

7. Overcoming Underestimation and Embracing Authenticity

Karlie reflects on her growth from being perceived primarily as a model to a respected entrepreneur and advocate. She shares her journey towards self-trust and authenticity.

• Evolving Self-Perception:

  "I genuinely don't give a fuck what anybody thinks about me." ([73:25])

This statement underscores her transformation into a confident leader who prioritizes her values and aspirations over external judgments.

• Lessons Learned:

  "I've learned to trust myself, to trust my instinct... I'd rather make a mistake based on my own choice." ([74:46])

Karlie highlights the importance of self-reliance and integrity in her personal and professional life, encouraging others to follow their instincts.

8. Rapid Fire Insights

In a lighter segment, Karlie shares personal habits and aspirations:

• Morning Routine:

  "Check my nanit for my kids... and then coffee." ([75:07])

• End-of-Day Ritual:

  "I make sure to set, like, three alarms because I'm a solid sleeper." ([75:22])

• Current Aspirations:

  "To continue to keep growing as a leader, as a boss, as a manager, as a person." ([75:39])

• Book Recommendation:

  "I always love reading The Alchemist." ([76:45])

Conclusion

The episode concludes with heartfelt mutual admiration between Emma and Karlie, celebrating Karlie's achievements and expressing mutual support. Karlie's journey exemplifies how adhering to personal principles and leveraging one's platform can lead to meaningful impact across various industries.

Karlie Kloss not only embodies success in modeling and business but also serves as a role model for balancing personal life with professional ambition. Her dedication to empowering women through education, investment, and advocacy underscores the transformative power of using one's influence for societal good.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "Having a child... has sort of been a forcing function of prioritization." – Karlie Kloss ([04:33])
• "Josh... has always been my biggest champion... you cannot lose yourself." – Karlie Kloss ([07:07])
• "We raised enough money through the sales of these cookies to donate millions of school lunches." – Karlie Kloss ([22:19])
• "70% of our alumni are now majoring or minoring in computer science." – Karlie Kloss ([49:14])
• "I genuinely don't give a fuck what anybody thinks about me." – Karlie Kloss ([73:25])
• "I've learned to trust myself, to trust my instinct." – Karlie Kloss ([74:46])

This episode serves as an inspiring narrative of Karlie Kloss's evolution from a global supermodel to a formidable entrepreneur and advocate, demonstrating how principles can be transformed into powerful actions that shape industries and empower communities.