Kristin Cavallari on the Business That Set Her Free

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Kristin Cavallari on the Business That Set Her Free"

Aspire with Emma Grede | July 7, 2026 | Host: Emma Grede | Guest: Kristin Cavallari

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Episode Overview

In this compelling episode of Aspire with Emma Grede, Emma sits down with Kristin Cavallari to explore the evolution of her personal and professional life. From her early fame on reality TV to building her own business empire with Uncommon James, Cavallari shares candid insights about authenticity, resilience, motherhood, money, freedom, and what it really takes to chart your own path. The conversation covers the founding story of Uncommon James, the challenges of leading a company as a single mother, her spiritual journey, evolving views on money, and the trade-offs inherent in balancing career and family. Kristen’s story is one of self-discovery, bold pivots, and hard-won wisdom.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power of Authenticity and Resilience

• [04:20] Kristin Cavallari: "The one through line probably [in my life] is authenticity... I've only ever known to be myself ... and that's lasted throughout well into adulthood."

  • Kristin attributes her lasting career to always being herself, whether on TV or in business.
  • Her ability to ignore public opinion has grown as she's matured, particularly as her priorities shifted to family and business.

• [06:57] On Resilience:

  • Kristin’s resilience began in childhood, forged by parental divorce and constantly having to adapt to new environments.
  • "If I wanted something, I was gonna have to do it myself. And so that has carried me through." (Kristin, 06:57)

2. Navigating Public Perception and Identity

• [08:34] Kristin discusses the reality of being thrust into the public eye as a teenager and the disconnect between media narrative and self-identity.

  • "The public perception about me is not fact … it made me take a hard look in the mirror and be like, I definitely know I don't want to be that girl.” (Kristin, 08:34–10:19)

• [11:36] Despite her reputation as a “character” from television, Kristin insists her business and podcast persona is always authentic, not a role.

3. Spiritual Growth as Foundation

• [15:24] Kristin reveals that spirituality has become central in her life, sparked by her brother’s passing a decade ago.
  • She uses hypnotherapy, mantras (“I am whole”), and meditation to stay grounded.
  • "What spirituality does for people - it allows us to trust ourselves and know that we are our own best compass." (Kristin, 15:34)

4. Building Uncommon James: Gritty Beginnings & Vision

• [21:41] Kristin started Uncommon James with $50,000 from a buyout, launched from her home with no big team or business plan.

  • "I had no business plan. I've never really taken a step back to think about anything. I'm someone who just goes off gut instinct and if I have an idea, I just go and I execute it." (Kristin, 24:32)
  • Massive hands-on involvement: handling everything from design and branding to fulfillment in the early days.
  • Her understanding of “her girl” (customer) was honed through early branding experiences.

• [26:49] Lessons as a founder: Initially deferred to “experts” in the C-suite, but realized over time that nobody knows her brand like she does.

5. Staying Self-Funded & Owning Growth Pace

• [27:59] Inspired by jewelry designer Jennifer Fisher, Kristin has stayed 100% self-funded.
  • "If you can fund it yourself, don't take outside money." (Kristin, citing Fisher)
  • Considers outside investment only for major expansion; enjoys complete decision-making autonomy.

6. Motherhood, Trade-Offs, & Managing Multiple Roles

• [29:22] "I have two buckets. I've got my family bucket and my work bucket. And work almost never spills over into family." (Kristin)

  • Describes her weekly structure: dedicated office days, podcasting from home, evenings are for her kids.
  • Balances business leadership, podcasting, cookbook writing, and developing new companies (e.g., Fizzn, Tru Bakes).

• [46:24] Kristin opts to be "the best mom and a good business owner," accepting that she can't be #1 at everything.

  • “I have chosen to be the best mom that I can be and be a good business owner. And that’s the trade-off.” (Kristin)

7. Mindset About Money & Financial Independence

• [33:16] Kristin’s drive for financial independence originates from childhood experiences of scarcity, then abundance, and observing toxic money dynamics.

  • "Money gives you choices, and especially as a woman, I just think it’s so important. I’ve always wanted the option to stay or leave." (Kristin)
  • She’s teaching her kids similar lessons: they must work for what they want, despite family resources.

• [41:21] Uncommon James’s success gave Kristin the confidence to leave her marriage:

  • “That gave me the confidence to be like, I know what I’m doing… If I didn’t have Uncommon James, I could have taken half of his money. But because I had this company, there was a really large asset on our balance sheet. I didn’t get anything, which I’m so happy about now…” (Kristin)

8. Key Business Decisions & Leadership Style

• [51:42] Kristin recently made the bold move to let go of her entire C-suite to trim excess and refocus the company:

  • “I had to take a step back and really evaluate everything. I’m trying to just trim all the fat right now… because, you know, the thing is too, because it is my money, it’s just me, right? And no one is gonna appreciate your money the same way that you do.” (Kristin)
  • She sees the founder as the "heartbeat" of the company, and periodically reassesses staffing, costs, and vision.

• [59:16] On growth pressures:

  • She aims for a $100M company but is realistic about the trade-offs with motherhood; not afraid of outside perceptions or failure.

9. Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

• [61:16] "Go for it and just give it 110%. I didn’t even go to college … I do have passion and drive and an incredible work ethic. And I think if you have those things, you can do anything, truly anything." (Kristin)
  • She emphasizes that not every business needs to be a unicorn; a business that pays you a good salary and fits your life is a major success.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Public Perception:

  • “Her opinion of me has nothing to do with me. It says more about her than it does about me... it's very freeing.” (Kristin, 05:21)

• On Financial Independence:

  • "Money gives you choices, and especially as a woman, I just think it's so important... I've always wanted the option to stay or leave." (Kristin, 34:05)

• On Leaving Her Marriage:

  • “What ultimately gave me the confidence to leave my marriage was the success of Uncommon James.” (Kristin, 41:21)

• On CEO Decisions:

  • “[On letting go of her C-suite] I can’t justify why I’m paying you. If I'm doing your job... I'm trying to just trim all the fat right now.” (Kristin, 52:33)

• On Success:

  • “I am making money every single year. That’s a good thing... Don’t let society tell you you’re not successful.” (Kristin, 62:11-62:39)

• On Aspiration:

  • “I have five more years with my oldest Camden in the house… I am trying to just take it all in, be around as much as possible... If I died today, I could look back and be like, I did it. I really did it.” (Kristin, 63:47)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:20] – Authenticity & Career Longevity
• [08:34] – Navigating Fame, Identity, and Self-Discovery
• [15:24] – Spirituality & Coping Mechanisms
• [21:41] – The Origin Story of Uncommon James
• [26:49] – Challenges Leading a Business & Learning to Trust Self vs. Experts
• [27:59] – Decision to Stay Self-Funded
• [29:22] – Balancing Work and Family
• [33:16] – Money, Independence, and Teaching Kids about Work
• [41:21] – How Uncommon James Enabled Personal Freedom
• [51:42] – Major Leadership Restructuring
• [59:16] – Perspectives on Growth, Pressure, and Success
• [61:16] – Advice for Women Considering Entrepreneurship
• [63:47] – What Kristin is Currently Aspiring To

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Conclusion and Takeaways

Kristin Cavallari’s journey is a masterclass in self-trust, strategic evolution, and the courage to define success on your own terms. Whether reflecting on the cost of public scrutiny, the importance of financial autonomy, or the sometimes-painful business decisions founders must make, she offers listeners a relatable and inspiring template for building a dream that fits your own life—including the things that truly matter off-camera.

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Rapid Fire (Selected Responses)

• Healthy habit: Infrared sauna three times a week, meditating in the sauna [64:52]
• Advice to 17-year-old self: "That I am enough. That I am whole. I was such a mess. I was so insecure." [66:19]
• Book that changed her life: The Four Agreements ("If you can really apply these four things, it really makes a difference in your life.") [67:18]

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For aspiring founders and anyone seeking inspiration, Kristin’s story highlights the importance of grit, clarity, and being "the heartbeat" of your own ambitions—while refusing to let society define your ceiling.

Transcript

[Emma Grede]

My debut book, Start With Yourself, is available now. You may have seen the headlines or the clips on social media, but this book is exactly what I intended it to be, a conversation that will make you think. And it's a blueprint for anyone pursuing success without the toxic positivity. Everywhere I go, women ask me how I got to where I am, but what they're really asking is how can they get there too? Start with yourself is my answer. And it will be your answer too. Today I'm having a conversation with Kristin Cavallari. Most people first met Christine when she was 17 years old on Laguna beach, but since then she's been a reality star, a mother, a divorcee, a podcaster, and someone who has had almost every chapter of her life watched and judged in public. But what I find so interesting about Kristin is not the public narrative around her, it's what she quietly built beneath it. Today she's the founder and CEO of Uncommon James, a business she started with $50,000 without a big team or a perfect plan, but a very clear understanding of her customer. We talk about building that company while raising three young kids, why its success gave her the confidence to leave a marriage that no longer fit, and the mindset that shapes the way she thinks about money, freedom and work. Here's Kristin Cavallari. Here's something to think about. Most people have one or two big reoccurring payments that just leave their account every month and do nothing else for them. Bilt looked at the biggest one, your rent or mortgage, and built something around it. They reward you with points on every housing payment wherever you live. Bilt started by rewarding members on rent, and now, as of this year, members can earn points on mortgage payments too. Those points are real. You can redeem them towards flights with travel partners like United and Hyatt, Lyft rides, Amazon.com purchases, and more. The part I think is most underrated is the neighborhood concierge. It books restaurant reservations and fitness classes and helps members find new spots around their city, all while being rewarded at more than 45,000 merchant partners. It's like having a personal assistant boasting into where you live if you're a renter or you own a home built is worth looking into. Join the membership for where you [e-mail] Emma that's J-O-I N B I L T.com Emma make sure you use our URL so they know we sent you when you're running. Between meetings, calls, events and everything in between the moments between meals can quietly derail your whole day. When your energy dips and your focus goes and your mood just totally goes with it. Whatever you eat in those gaps matters more than people give it credit for. Stars and Honey is one of the smarter protein bars that I've come across in a category that's evolved a lot recently. They're made with whole ingredients with balanced macros and no sugar, alcohols, gluten or seed oils. They're easy to digest, which helps when you're moving through a busy day and you don't want to feel weighted down and the taste actually holds up. That's the part that usually makes or breaks whether a snack becomes a real habit. It's the kind of thing that you can keep in your bag or at your desk and feel good about reaching for Stars and Honey protein bars are now available at Target stores nationwide. Pick up a box during your next Target shopping trip. Kristin Cavallari welcome to Aspire.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Thank you. I'm excited to be here.

[Emma Grede]

I'm so happy to have you here. I honestly, when I think about you and I've been thinking about you nonstop for the last couple of days, like I just said to you, I feel like you've always been on a screen in my life, my entire life, which can't, which can't be true because I'm much older than you, but I feel like you've just lived such a big life. There's like, you know, you as a teenage reality star, you as an adult reality star. There is you as the businesswoman, as the mother, as the divorcee, as the podcaster. You've just done so much. And what I wanna ask you is like almost what is the, what is the through line? What is the one thing that has never changed in your life throughout all the stages that you've been in?

[Kristin Cavallari]

Wow, I love that question. We're just start starting off strong.

[Emma Grede]

Okay.

[Podcast/Ad Announcer]

Wow.

[Kristin Cavallari]

The one through line probably authenticity. And I really credit that to having a lasting career. I think when I, you know, got in the entertainment world on Laguna beach When I was 17, I was authentic then without even realizing it. I think it wasn't a conscious decision. I just have only ever known to be myself, to fully be myself. And that's lasted throughout well into adulthood. And now I'm 39 years old and I can sit here today and still, still tell you I've always been authentic. Everything I've done, it's because I've wanted to. And you know, even launching businesses, brand deals, the podcast, like anything I'VE ever done. It has to be something that I fully encompass and I'm fully on board with and excited about. And I think that the audience can tell through all of that 100%.

[Emma Grede]

I think it really shows. I heard you say recently that this is the first time in your life where you literally don't give a shit what anyone thinks. Which I love that for you. After 20 years of public opinion, what do you think?

[Kristin Cavallari]

I think it's a combination of growing up, maturing. I think when you get into your 30s, and now that I'm almost in my 40s, I think you start to understand what's important in life, and people's perception of you, when you can finally understand, actually has nothing to do with you. I think that's a really beautiful place to be. And, I mean, listen, I've dealt with public opinion since I was 17, and I think at the time, that was really hard. And I used to go into the chat rooms and read what people were saying. And this is before social media, where now people have a direct line of communication, and it's kind of hard to avoid. But I think when your life becomes so much bigger, and I've got kids and I've got the business, and I've got beautiful friendships, who cares what, you know, Jane and Montana thinks of me? I mean, at the end of the day, it doesn't matter. And I really do fully understand now that her opinion of me has nothing to do with me. It says more about her than it does about me. And that goes for everybody. And so I think when you can really start to understand that and embody it, it's very freeing. And it makes you be able to move throughout your life how you want to, rather than what other people's opinions are gonna be.

[Emma Grede]

I completely agree with that. And I think that what I see with you is that you've built a ton of resilience. And people often ask, like, where does that come from? And I always think that resilience comes through going through so much and coming out at the other end. And you have been through a lot, like you've done. And we're going to talk today about all of the successful things that you've done in this beautiful business that you've built, but you've also done a lot of things that haven't worked. And I guess I'm trying to, like, really understand, like, how you just keep everything going. Like, what. What allows you to keep going.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Yeah, I would say I am definitely resilient, and that started in childhood. I mean, and I think you understand that more than anybody. That's not something that all of a sudden, when you're 18 and on TV, you develop that. Like, that started just from parents, divorce, step families, different things that happened in my early life. And I learned at an early age also, if I wanted something, I was gonna have to do it myself. And so that has carried me through. And even when I got on tv, like, I was always a new girl. I moved around a lot, and so I was always forced into these new situations where it was sink or swim, and I knew how to swim. I was always really good at that. And that has carried through, and I think that's really helped me as a business owner. And I think being in the inn world, too, you have to learn how to be resilient. You get told no every single day, pretty much. And you can't let that stop you. You have to brush it off. You have to pick yourself back up and keep going. Yeah.

[Emma Grede]

I mean, and it feels like you've done that so much. I mean, we have literally been watching you since you were 17 years old. And it's so funny, because I feel like there has been this narrative that's followed you around for 20 fucking years.

[Podcast/Ad Announcer]

Yeah.

[Kristin Cavallari]

What would you say that narrative is?

[Emma Grede]

I'm not gonna let you talk about that. But it's so interesting, right? Because even as, like, we fuck around and do tiktoks, it's like there are these things that everybody assumes that they know about you. Yeah. And I just wonder, like, what is the thing that you know about yourself? Like, what is. What have you learned about yourself having gone through all of these years of, like, public scrutiny and people thinking that they know you way more than they actually do?

[Kristin Cavallari]

Well, first of all, I know that the public perception about me is not fact. And I think I had to really wrap my head around that, because it's an interesting thing, getting on TV at 17 years old. Overnight, my life completely changed, and people knew who I was, and all of a sudden, paparazzi is following me everywhere, and I'm on the COVID of every tabloid.

[Emma Grede]

How quickly did that happen to you?

[Kristin Cavallari]

I mean, it happened fast. So I was a junior in high school when we started filming. It aired my senior year. So in a way, I will say that first year, I was still able to sort of be in this bubble in Laguna beach, still going to high school. The only difference was I would literally be in class, and MTV would call me and be like, hey, we need you to get on a plane, and Be on TRL tomorrow. And I'd be like, oh, my God. Like, so. Like, it was so crazy in my life, but. And then I graduated high school, I moved up to la, and I started pursuing this career in entertainment. But, I mean, I never got to have your typical, you know, college experience, or like those eight ages, like 18 to 23. Those formative years I was on TV and people knew who I was, every move was being followed. And so that was interesting. And I think those years, no one really knows who they are. Right? You're still figuring it out. And I think for me, it was. It was weird because the public had this opinion about me, and I remember being like, I really. I don't know who I am, but I don't think I'm that girl. But I think in a lot of ways, what it did do was it made me take a hard look in the mirror and be like, I definitely know I don't want to be that girl. So it really did make me grow up. And I just. I remember one time I met with a producer, and he said, my best advice for you is to meet as many people as possible. Because I was so different than how I was portrayed on the show.

[Emma Grede]

Because he saw that in you and he was like, you need to get around. Yeah.

[Kristin Cavallari]

He's like, you need to get in front of as many people as possible so that people can see that you're not this girl. And so it was just an interesting time of trying to figure out who I was, aside from public perception. But I think trying to almost disassociate from public perception was important for my own mental health and my maturity and just trying to grow into the woman that I ultimately wanted to become.

[Emma Grede]

But you were so young. Did you ever find yourself, like, playing into the character? Was there any part of it to you that was actually quite. Because you were getting so much attention, I can imagine that being quite alluring in some ways.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Well, on camera, absolutely. So I took a break between Laguna beach and the Hills. But when I joined the Hills, I remember saying to them, listen, I know the character you want me to play. I'm all for it. I mean, and it is fun playing the villain. You know, I got to live it up. And I knew at that point, at that moment, it would be easier for me to lean into it than try to fight it. Because ultimately these producers are going to get what they want anyways, so I may as well be on board and have a good time with it.

[Emma Grede]

Totally. Do you think that growing up in front of the cameras actually gave you, like, an advantage. I almost mean, like, when it comes to, like, understanding the dynamics, the part you have to play what the audience or a customer wants. Like, was any of it actually quite informative to you as you've moved into becoming like, more of your own business?

[Kristin Cavallari]

That's a good question. That's interesting. I've actually never thought of that. I would say no, only because that's never been a conscious thought or decision for me. Again, I think it goes back to that authenticity piece of. I've never tried to put on a show, not even a show, but I've never tried to like, be this character or this person. Even as the founder of Uncommon James, or on this, on a podcast, whatever it is. I've always just been myself. And it's just never even occurred to me to carry that over into everyday life.

[Emma Grede]

I'm so glad. No, because I can imagine when you're so young and I've been in situations myself, where something's expected of you and so you kind of play into it. And sometimes it's hard to make that almost like the distinction when you're there and you're playing a character and you're getting so much love for that. And then, wait a minute, you've got to step into this other side of your life. It must have been like a really. Just like a really taxing time, I imagine.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Yeah, I mean, I think. I think because I had a separate life, like, I really think of the Hills when I think of these types of situations. I had a very separate life. So I was dating off the show. I had friends that weren't on the show. So I was able to really look at the Hills as a job.

[Emma Grede]

Almost like you had some separation.

[Kristin Cavallari]

And I think for my own sanity, that was really important because I remember when I first joined the Hills, there was a gray area with a lot of people. They didn't know what was real anymore, what was fake. And that scared the shit out of me, quite honestly. So I just knew I wanted to keep everything separate. And I think that ultimately saved me.

[Emma Grede]

No doubt it saved you, like 100%. I wonder, when you look back at your younger self, are there things that you've had to, like, unlearn to become the person and the woman that you are today?

[Kristin Cavallari]

I would say most of that would be just work, personally, that I've had to do. I think when I look back at like 17 year old me, I was a mess and I was ultimately really insecure. And so, like, my biggest thing that I've had to learn over the last however many years is like a mantra that I used to tell myself is, I am whole. I've had to learn that I am whole. Just like we all are. We all are enough. But I have a narcissistic dad and I think it really affected me. And I always felt like nothing was ever good enough. I was never enough. And that's ultimately been like my healing journey. And that carries over into business, into everything else that I'm doing. I think now where I am sitting in front of you, I can tell you I'm very much comfortable in my skin. I'm at peace, I'm happy.

[Emma Grede]

Do you feel whole?

[Kristin Cavallari]

I do feel whole. And I think the difference too is in my early 20s, we'll say I was working so hard and chasing all of these things that ultimately never fulfilled me. And I found my worth in my resume, where now it's very different. I actually feel like I'm good, like I can almost kick back. But I do have that fire in me still. I'm a Capricorn. Like, I do love working and I, you know, I get so much out of it. But it's a different sort of chase now that I find where now it's more just like I know what I'm capable of. And there's so much more that I want to do with Uncommon James or whatever else it may be. Where before I was like chasing this open ended thing that was never gonna

[Emma Grede]

fulfill me, could never be satisfied. I don't know, maybe I'm just being really narrow minded when I think about you. Even as you say I have a mantra, I never think about you and put you as a super spiritual person. Is that a part of you that I've completely missed? Where did even learn to have a mantra? Who taught you that?

[Kristin Cavallari]

Okay, so it's so funny because I've become so spiritual and I tried to do this whole spiritual thing on my podcast and it did not resonate with my audience. I'm like, you guys, come on, they wanted some dating. Let's go back to talking about dating. You could do it here.

[Emma Grede]

It's fine. I actually am so interested because when you said that, I was like, really? She has a mantra?

[Kristin Cavallari]

And I'm like, oh my gosh, my spirituality. And not to be, you know, cliche or cheesy, but it's really become everything for me, really. So what happened was my brother passed 10 years ago.

[Emma Grede]

I'm so sorry.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Thank. And that was what sort of like jump started my spirituality. And the journey that I've been on. And I think, really, when you lose someone, you start asking a lot of questions, right. And questions about life and what are we all doing here and where do they go when they die. And so it's been this evolution of it. And then I started doing hypnotherapy, and I've just done a lot of work in the spiritual world, and that's given me so much peace. And really, I don't know, I just. I really look to spirituality now for guidance. And ultimately, I think what spirituality does for people, it allows us to trust ourselves and know that we are our own best compass. It's that gut feeling or whatever you want to call it. I just think it's your best guide in life, and I've really leaned on that a lot.

[Emma Grede]

I love that for you. I mean, it's so interesting because I think that we all need something, like, in times like. And again, it can just be a time when things get really difficult in your personal life, in your business life, but you always need something to go back and something to go home to.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Yeah.

[Emma Grede]

So I love that you've found that for yourself, because, you know, you know more than anyone, like, life will throw a pile of shit at you at some point.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Exactly. And being able to say, okay, there's a. Like, I'm that, you know, cliche, where it's like, I think everything has a meaning, and I'm always looking at it like, what's the lesson in this? It's like, okay, this sucks, no doubt, but what's the lesson in this?

[Emma Grede]

Sometimes the lesson doesn't come so immediately, but you're like, I will find a lesson in this.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Exactly. It can be hard, but I really do think, ultimately there is a reason for everything. And that has helped me in every facet of my life, whether it's romantic partners, you know, business friends, kids, being a mom. I think it really. It's helped me a lot.

[Emma Grede]

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[Podcast/Ad Announcer]

Hey y'.

[Emma Grede]

All.

[Podcast/Ad Announcer]

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[Emma Grede]

I'm so interested to talk to you about Uncommon James because I don't know if you remember, I met you for the first time. I don't know if it was like three or four years ago.

[Kristin Cavallari]

We were at New York.

[Emma Grede]

Yeah, we were in New York and we were both on a thing and you looked so gorgeous. You were in like, you know, fit and lovely and toned and in a good outfit. I was like, oh, look, she looks as good as she does on the telly. So nice when someone's not a disappointment. And then you were so like, cute and lovely and I heard you say, and if I'm again, just being super honest because we were on a very serious, like, business type panel situation for a very serious client that we love. And you spoke so eloquently about your business and you spoke so thoughtfully and again, very honestly. And I was really impressed. I was like, oh shit, she's like really doing her thing. And I really want you to talk just a little bit about Uncommon James because my audience is always, you know, they're the most entrepreneurial. They're the people that want to start things. And your start was really interesting because you had all of these opportunities. You were doing a deal here, a deal here, a bit of an endorsement but you actually decided to go out and start on your own. And to this day, you're still 100% self funded. It's your company, you own it 100%. But I'm interested to understand like a. What led you there and how all of the smaller opportunities that led to this, like how, how did that actually inform the business that you've got today?

[Kristin Cavallari]

Well, first of all, thank you. Okay, so I first, my first intro into the branding world was I had a shoe line with Chinese laundry who I loved. You know, I grew up wearing them and I'm really thankful for them to this day. And I had it for, I think, five, five and a half years.

[Emma Grede]

Oh, that's pretty good going.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Yeah, it was substantial.

[Emma Grede]

You were selling some shoes.

[Kristin Cavallari]

I was selling shoes, slinging shoes. And I learned so much with that experience. The biggest takeaway for me was that I know my girl, I know my customer. And the shoes that I felt so strongly about were always my top. But because I was working with a team of people, a well established company, they know what they're doing, they're the experts. I would bend sometimes and I would listen to what they wanted me to do. Those shoes never performed. So I got to see very quickly, I've got a really good handle on who my girl is. And that is invaluable, as you know. And so I, while I had final say, I sort of didn't. Right. I was working with a team of people and I had this fire in me to prove to myself and everybody that I could really do a lot more in the branding world. And so, yeah, I decided to launch Uncommon James. At the time, I was essentially a stay at home mom. I mean, I would pop into LA and do some hosting for E. How

[Emma Grede]

old were your kids at that point?

[Kristin Cavallari]

Well, Saylor, my baby, she was only a year and a half when I launched Uncommon James. She was. I mean, they were all little babies. Babies.

[Emma Grede]

But you had like babies. Yeah, yeah. They were all under five, essentially.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Yeah, exactly.

[Emma Grede]

Three under five. That's a fucking nightmare.

[Kristin Cavallari]

But, you know. Cause I was home all the time and I've always so hard.

[Emma Grede]

Like, that's a crazy time to even have the headspace to think about doing something.

[Kristin Cavallari]

That's just who I am though, is like I always have to be doing stuff. Like I'm not the kind of person that can sit on the couch and watch tv. I'm always like, there's so much more I could be doing. Like, I just, I don't like downtime. I gotta be moving I gotta be going. So I launched Uncommon James. And I launched it in, you know, my house. It was pretty small potatoes at the time, and so I was able to do it. I had a girl who would come over and help me ship out boxes, but that was it. I'd always sort of toyed with going back to reality, but I wanted it to be on my terms, and I wanted it to really serve me. I always knew. I always used to say, I can go back to reality in 20 years if I want. It'll always be there. So when. When I launched Uncommon James, I just thought, this is a really good opportunity to go back to reality. Tv. Show everything that it takes to launch a company. Pull back the curtain, good and bad. And yeah, I pitched it to E, and E was excited about it.

[Emma Grede]

So they were like, let's go. Take me back to the beginning. Right. Because you actually launched a company with $50,000 of your own savings.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Yeah.

[Emma Grede]

You had no team. It was just you. You were like, shipping out of your own house. Talk to me about what that first year actually looked like.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Well, so the $50,000 came because I had a jewelry line with one of my good friends at the time, and she boug out of the company with that $50,000. So I used that $50,000 to launch Uncommon. James, did you feel.

[Emma Grede]

I think that's. It's a really important part to think about, because I'm assuming that you didn't just have lots of $50,000 hanging around and you're, like, loaded at that point.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Is it a risk for you?

[Emma Grede]

Because, again, I think some people find it very difficult to seemingly think about, like, putting a bunch of money into something that's unproven.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Well, right. And how I sort of looked at it was it. It wasn't $50,000 coming out of my pocket. Right. I. Storyline that wasn't doing well. I actually tried to buy her out of it again. Thank God. One of the best things that's ever happened. She was able to get $50,000 to buy me out of it. So, yes. I mean, to me, that was money that would be easy to start the company with, because, again, yes, it wasn't coming out of my pocket with that 50,000. I think 20 went to the photography. I mean, a big chunk.

[Emma Grede]

You in the campaign.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Yeah, I was. And I still use that same photographer to this day for every single campaign. Dennis Leopold. He's the best.

[Emma Grede]

That's so nice.

[Kristin Cavallari]

He's the best. But I knew. I just. I mean, images are everything. Your content, your images. They really are what's conveying the feeling, the message, your whole aesthetic. And so I knew that I wanted to definitely put money behind that obviously, product, which I think I launched with, like, eight or nine SKUs and ordered not. I mean, I probably. I don't remember exactly.

[Emma Grede]

Maybe it was.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Was 500 per each SKU, because I think that was the minimum at the time, which I probably would have done lower if I could have. And then I hired someone to create my website, and that was it. I had no business plan. I've never really taken a step back to think about anything. I'm someone who just goes off of gut instinct, and if I have an idea, I just go and I execute it.

[Emma Grede]

So there was no, like, grand vision. I'm gonna start a lifestyle empire. I'm gonna be in these categories. It's gonna eventually be bricks and mortar

[Kristin Cavallari]

and nothing, literally nothing.

[Emma Grede]

I know my customer. I can sell shit. I'm me. I'm going literally. That's it. Wow. That's just so crazy.

[Kristin Cavallari]

I created our Instagram, and I think the first, you know, nine photos were just the image, the vibe that I wanted to convey. And that was it. That was it.

[Emma Grede]

What was your ambition? Like, do you remember if you go back to when you started, do you remember what you were trying to get to? Like, did you have a number? Did you like, what was there?

[Kristin Cavallari]

No, I had no number. I just knew I could do so much more than I was. I just had this fire in me to prove to everybody that I could make it in the branding world.

[Emma Grede]

Wow.

[Kristin Cavallari]

And I think, again, because with Chinese Laundry, I felt very limited. And then with the jewelry line that I had with my friend, it was called Emerald Dove. At the time, I also felt really limited because she was involved in all of the operations. She was designing, essentially, she was doing everything, and I was just marketing. And I just. I didn't love it the way that I knew I could love it because I wasn't as involved. I'm also a bit of a control freak, so completely.

[Emma Grede]

So you wanted the involvement you wanted to get.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Like, to this day, I've always said I'm the heartbeat of Uncommon James. The same way every founder is the heartbeat of their company. I've seen. Cause I've had Uncommon James for nine years. When I've tried to take a slight step back, it shows. And when I come back in guns a blazing and I'm excited and I'm fired up, it shows. And everyone can feel that energy. And I just. Yeah, because, you know, at the End of the day, no one's gonna care about your company as much as you do. And that's just the truth.

[Emma Grede]

No, but I mean, it really is the truth. I'm interested to understand what you actually learned about yourself as a founder, like when you were just like this one man band, that you couldn't have learned any other way, like what actually happened to inform you and the type of leader and businesswoman that you would eventually become.

[Kristin Cavallari]

The learning lessons for me have actually happened later. And I think for me, one of the biggest things is because during COVID I hired my whole C suite team, you know, and got some of the best people and I used recruiters and did the whole thing. And these are the experts. These are the people that have tons of experience. And I really felt like they know what's best. And they do in a lot of ways. There's a lot that I can still learn. And especially with warehouse functionality and some of these things, I don't really know what I'm doing. Right. I'm gonna lean on the experts for these things. But when it comes to anything that's the heartbeat of the company, the marketing, the product, you know, anything customer facing, I have learned that. Actually, I don't think you need all of these years of experience to be an expert. I wouldn't say I'm an expert, but I would say I do know what's best for my company. And I think a lot of founders could probably attest to that. Just because someone has 30 years experience doesn't always mean that they have the answer.

[Emma Grede]

So I think you heard Jennifer Fisher say, if you can fund it yourself, don't take outside money.

[Kristin Cavallari]

It must have been. I don't know if I was about to launch on Common James or right after I saw an interview that she did and yeah, she said, if you can do it yourself, do it. And that for some reason just stuck with me.

[Emma Grede]

And have you ever even considered raising capital?

[Kristin Cavallari]

Yeah, I have. And I do think there may come a time when, when we do. For me, there is so much more that I still want to do before I bring on an investor. To me, the reason to bring on an investor is to grow it, to sell it. Right. And I think really for us, what that would mean is open 75 stores. You know, stores are expensive and we continue to open stores. We're about to open Austin. But because it's just me putting money back into the company, it's slow and steady. You know, stores are expensive. And so that would be the reason why I just Feel like I'm not quite there yet because there's so much more I want to do still.

[Emma Grede]

Fair. No, listen. And I think it's so interesting to, like, have a business that is actually tracking and doing really well, and for you to be making the decisions and going at your own pace, that's the thing.

[Kristin Cavallari]

It's really not having anyone to answer to is a dream come true for me.

[Emma Grede]

Well, especially also, I think at this point in your life, when you had three young children, like, that's not. That's not all you're doing. Right. It's not just about the business. And so having an element of flexibility, of not being answerable to shareholders, of making the decisions of you deciding if and what and when and how is. You know, that's the thing.

[Kristin Cavallari]

That's the thing. And it's not like I just have the kids and. Uncommon, James. I also. How I look at it is I've got two buckets. I've got my family bucket and my work bucket. And work almost never spills over into family.

[Emma Grede]

But we're gonna talk about that.

[Kristin Cavallari]

We're gonna talk. We'll talk about that. We're gonna talk about that. But work, it's not just uncommon, James. No. I've got the podcast. I'm doing TV things. I've got.

[Emma Grede]

Tell me. So let's actually go through, like, what is your professional life? You have the brand, and there's a whole team, and we're talking 100 people all in. It's bricks and mortar. It's direct to consumer, and that is. And how much of your time are you, like, working on that brand? Every day.

[Kristin Cavallari]

I go into the office every single Tuesday, and I'm there all day, and I'm gonna start going, I think a week.

[Emma Grede]

Got it.

[Kristin Cavallari]

But I was in Cabo last week with my kids, and we were just talking about this, and I was up before them on the phone with general contractors for our Austin store, and on emails and trying to do all the things, you know. So I am. I'm very much involved. And my emails are outrageous. You know, it just sort of is what. It is.

[Emma Grede]

Outrageous.

[Kristin Cavallari]

They stress me out. So, like, that is the one thing. I hate emails so much. If I don't look at my phone, I'll come back, and it's just. It's hundreds.

[Emma Grede]

So what happens on the other three days? So you're two days a week in the office?

[Kristin Cavallari]

Yep.

[Emma Grede]

And the other three days, what does that look like?

[Kristin Cavallari]

A lot of podcast work. So. And with my podcast, I have an Incredible producer. But really I'm the one doing all the prep work. I'm of course, obviously taping the podcast. I do a first pass, listen at it, and then I'm going through and approving all of the clips. I mean, I'm doing a lot of it. People don't realize how much work a podcast is.

[Emma Grede]

No, they don't.

[Kristin Cavallari]

They do not.

[Emma Grede]

I didn't. It's a lot. I definitely didn't.

[Kristin Cavallari]

But I do think if you're.

[Emma Grede]

If you're really hands on with it and you have a partner. Right. You're with Dear Media.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Yes.

[Emma Grede]

So you. But you have a producer and you're hands on and you're like, like in the studio. You're like doing that from home.

[Kristin Cavallari]

So luckily I have a studio in my house, which is incredible. So I can just walk on out there. But yes, a lot of the times I am prepping because what I'll do is I'll come out to LA and I'll bank, you know, four, five, six podcasts. Yeah, it's a lot of prep work and then the past. But so it's. So it's. It's podcast. It's uncommon. James, I just launched a new sparkling juice with protein called Fizzn. I'm working on how much protein is in.

[Emma Grede]

I should have brought you. You definitely should have. It's actually rude not to.

[Kristin Cavallari]

I'm not send you gu.

[Emma Grede]

I'm like a protein freak. Like every day. I'm like, AM I at 125 grams.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Okay, gotcha.

[Emma Grede]

I can't eat another.

[Kristin Cavallari]

You don't need chicken anymore. I got you.

[Emma Grede]

I'm at least here with cottage cheese. Like, I can't cope.

[Kristin Cavallari]

But I'm also working on. I'm launching a company called Tru Bakes and it's because I've got cookbooks. So some of my recipes. Ready to bake, baking mixes that you just add egg and oil or whatever to it.

[Emma Grede]

So you're doing the most.

[Kristin Cavallari]

I'm doing the most.

[Emma Grede]

And why don't you just like, tell me what is it that drives you to doing all of these different things? Is it about the money? Is it about satisfying different parts of your creativity? Like, I really want to understand, like, why are you doing all of those things?

[Kristin Cavallari]

Great. Fair question. I get something different from all of them. My real passion is actually in the health world. I would say I've had four books, but three of them are cookbooks and they're all very healthy. And when people come up to me on the street, this has happened more. When my cookbooks came out, it's been a few years, but people would come up to me and say, I've started cooking how you cook, and I've lost £20. It's like that for me is everything. And because I have three kids and I've always been so conscious about everything I'm putting in my body. And used to be their bodies, now that they're older, I can only control so much. But when I'm at home, you know, I'm cooking very healthy. And so these recipes that I'm doing for Trubakes, they all have a hidden added benefit. So, like my zucchini almond butter blondies, they have zucchini in them. I have green banana muffins with spinach in them, and you can't taste it. But. So I just want all of this to be really accessible for moms, that specifically for moms where it's easy to actually get some. Some nutrition in your kids without it becoming this huge battle.

[Emma Grede]

Are you driven by money at all?

[Kristin Cavallari]

Absolutely. I would be lying if I said it. I always have been, by the way, my whole life. And I think so. So my parents got a divorce in third grade and my dad moved to California. My mom got remarried and we moved to Chicago. And my mom at the time wouldn't give me anything. Anything. I remember one time I wanted a $40 pair of jeans and she wouldn't buy it for me. And I mean, it drove me crazy at the time, but I'm so thankful now because it taught me that if I wanted something, I was gonna have to work for it. I was gonna have to make it happen myself. And then I moved to California my freshman year of high school, and I moved in with my dad. And it was a very different situation. My dad didn't throw money at me, but it was never an issue. If I wanted money, I could have money. And I didn't. For some reason, I didn't like it. I didn't wanna take his money. So I went and got a job when I was 16 because I wanted to, not because I had to. And I remember that was interesting for my dad. My dad kind of brought that up, like, why are you working? I've just never wanted to take money that wasn't mine. And I saw with my stepmom at the time, they had a very toxic dynamic around money. My dad used to have to give me money in an envelope. He would lie to her about it. And I just knew I never wanted to be in a relationship. An unhappy relationship or a toxic relationship because of money. To me, I knew at a young age money was freedom. Money gives you choices, and especially as a woman, I just think it's so important. And so I've always wanted the option to stay or leave.

[Emma Grede]

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[Kristin Cavallari]

Well, my dad, I lent my dad money. I mean, hundreds of thousands of dollars in my early 20s that I'll never see, which, you know, listen, is it fine? I don't know. It is what it is. And I found that fine. I've had to grapple with it, you know, and I've ultimately put it to bed and made peace with it. But I think as a parent now, I can't imagine asking my kids for money, especially that amount of money, and putting that on them. And I think at the time, I didn't know how to say no to my dad. That's also been sort of like a big life lesson for me. And I've ultimately cut my dad out of my life. So I really figured out how to say no to him. But it was really hard for me when I was younger. And so that's probably like the biggest thing that stands out in my mind.

[Emma Grede]

In terms of, like, how you think about teaching your kids about money. Is that even something that you're thinking about? Yes. Because you were raised in a very specific way, very differently between your mother and your father. So now that you. I mean, you're a single mom, like, what are you telling your kids?

[Kristin Cavallari]

Yeah, well, I really value how my mom raised me with money. So my kids don't just get whatever they want. And if they want something, they have to work for it. So. Good example is last summer, both of my boys created their own little businesses. So one of my boys was washing windows, people's windows. And the other one was washing people's garbage cans. Because if they want something, they gotta go work for it and they gotta make it happen. I try to be very hyper aware of that because. Because they are growing up in a very fortunate situation. And I want them to know, this is my money. This is not your money. You know, something as small as they fly coach, I'm flying in first class. That was important to me. When they became old enough that they're

[Emma Grede]

difficult to do that, isn't it?

[Kristin Cavallari]

No, it's not when they're older. Well, bye. Bye, guys. Have fun back there.

[Emma Grede]

See you later.

[Kristin Cavallari]

No, I think when they're younger, you know, like four kids. But you can't, because first of all, I couldn't put my three in the back. And I'd be like, please don't fight. Please don't fight. Like, who knows what's gonna happen back there?

[Emma Grede]

But you'll figure it out.

[Kristin Cavallari]

They'll be fine. Yeah. And it's good for them. And I think it's little things like that as a parent that make ultimately, I think a big difference in the long run.

[Emma Grede]

So tell me about. Like, I understand how you're spending your time in your businesses, but I'm really interested in the way that you look at. You've got three kids, you're single, you've got all of these businesses. How do you even approach financial planning? Like, are you sitting here going like, okay, I expect my podcast to make X, Y, Z, and I need to start this new thing, and I have an expectation over there. I'm just interested, like, what your relationship looks like to money and how you're figuring out, like, where you're spending your time.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Well, I have a financial advisor who I do meet with, of course, and he helps me with all of that. But, yeah, I mean, I know how much my. I know I have a guarantee for my podcast, and then I can, of course, make more. So I know that that is set. I have my salary at Uncommon James. I have these set incomes, which is great. And then anything else I do on top is just icing on the cake. So. And I know what it takes to live my life. Life annually without changing anything. Right. I think that's the beautiful thing of having a financial advisor. I wouldn't be able to do that on my own, but he can sit here and tell me what it takes. And so I know in my head, okay, I've got X amount coming in, and it takes X amount to run my life. So. But I also am thinking about in 10, 15 years, what that looks like. And so, you know, I do need a certain amount of money if I want to maintain my lifestyle. And I do have to keep working. And so that is a driver for me. I have a certain amount in my head that I would like to make that then I could actually kick back and not have to worry about any money for the rest of my life.

[Emma Grede]

You've spoken quite a lot about the need for financial independence. I think it's really interesting because, again, it sounds like that wasn't necessarily something that came from your childhood. That's something that you've decided for yourself.

[Kristin Cavallari]

I think it started with seeing my dad and my stepmom in that dynamic and just knowing how unhappy they were together. But she was staying because I don't think she had another option, which happens

[Emma Grede]

to so many women I know.

[Kristin Cavallari]

And I think about that all the time, and I. I hate that. If I could go out there and help every woman and be like, this is what we have to do. I just. Yeah, I knew I never wanted to be in that Situation, and especially having a daughter. I mean, and you've never found yourself

[Emma Grede]

in that situation because, again, you've had money from such a young age.

[Kristin Cavallari]

I did. I will tell you that what ultimately gave me the confidence to leave my marriage was the success of Uncommon James.

[Emma Grede]

Really?

[Kristin Cavallari]

Yeah. That gave me the confidence to be like, yeah, I don't. I know what I'm doing. And which is interesting because if I didn't have Uncommon James, I could have taken half of his money. Right. But because I had this company, there was a really large asset on our balance sheet. I didn't get anything, which I'm so happy about now, but I don't get any money from my ex husband. I had to give him half the value of Uncommon James in cash and properties and everything. Yeah. Isn't that interesting?

[Emma Grede]

Yeah. Interesting's one word for it.

[Kristin Cavallari]

I was. I was really pissed at the time, and now I'm so thankful because I think for me, I've needed these things in my life to keep going. And I have found that that is an instance where I was like, I'm gonna fight harder. Those little moments push me, and I actually come out the other side stronger.

[Emma Grede]

What advice would you give to other women that end up, like, in a situation where obviously there's like, financial entanglement, like now, having the benefit of hindsight, Would you have done anything differently?

[Kristin Cavallari]

I don't know what you can do differently. I mean, I will say I don't believe that just because you're married to someone, you're entitled to half man or woman on either side of it. Because unless your blood, sweat and tears are in it too, and you can

[Emma Grede]

prove that if you start something together, it's different.

[Kristin Cavallari]

That's very different. But if you. If it's just because you were married, I don't agree with that at all. I think those laws need to change. But other than that, I mean, no. I don't know what else I could have done differently. I mean, I'm still so thankful that I started on Common James to begin with. I'm glad I did it all. You know, it just sort of is what it is.

[Emma Grede]

But it's kind of amazing and freeing to think that you actually started the very thing that ultimately has given you freedom.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Absolutely.

[Emma Grede]

The fact that you were able to create a company that meant that you could leave an unhappy relationship, that meant that actually you could. Could uncouple yourself from that man and still come out on the other end.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Exactly.

[Emma Grede]

With the one who has the asset.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Exactly.

[Emma Grede]

It's pretty Impressive. Thank you. Do you have a relationship with your ex?

[Kristin Cavallari]

Just a co parenting relationship. You know, I'd say that's pretty much it.

[Emma Grede]

Did you have to make a lot of trade offs like during that period, like other trade offs in terms of like your ambition and the things that you wanted to do?

[Kristin Cavallari]

You know, I look at that time period where my life, like right before my divorce, during my divorce, or I guess I should say right before, I felt just so overwhelmed with everything I was hosting. I had launched Uncommon James. I was doing a reality show, I was doing cookbooks, I had three little kids. My marriage was falling apart. Like I felt like I couldn't breathe. And so when we finally split, but I felt like I could breathe again. I had a minute and that felt really nice. And it felt like all of a sudden I had some freedom. And it was during COVID also, which I think was timing was a huge blessing. And so I just felt like I could come up for air again.

[Emma Grede]

What a gift.

[Kristin Cavallari]

I needed that, yeah, really badly. And I felt like I found myself again. I got my spark back. I was a shell of who I was and I didn't even realize it at the time. But then when I started to get my spark back, even my mom and all my friends were like, oh my God, I can't even. You're back. You're back to your old self. And so that time period felt like just freedom and refinding myself, which is like, it's huge. I also, I hired my C suite level in the exact same time in the height of COVID Like I think

[Emma Grede]

because the business was exploding, exploding, exploding.

[Kristin Cavallari]

And so I think the last episode of Very Cavallari aired in March of 2020. I. I filed for or we announced our divorce in April of 2020. My C suite level started in May of 2020. It was just like, boom, boom, boom.

[Emma Grede]

The world is shutting down. 2020.

[Kristin Cavallari]

I don't even know what is happening. And in the same breath then I think because my C suite level came in, it allowed. Not only did I have a little bit more time now because at the time Jay and I did 5050 with the kids. That has since changed, but we did at the time. So I had every other week where

[Emma Grede]

you could pour yourself into it.

[Kristin Cavallari]

What am I doing with all my time? It was amazing and people helping me with the company and so I'm not on emails till 10pm every night. And I just, I just needed it so bad. It was, it was a huge blessing.

[Emma Grede]

I really want to talk to you A bit about you touched on like the way you have the business or your businesses and then you have your family and one doesn't encroach on the other. Let's talk about that.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Let's talk about it.

[Emma Grede]

Let's talk about that. How do you think? I mean, again, because you know, while you've been running this business, you've always had kids, right? Because you started it when they were really, really little. What does it actually running a business that is growing, doing all of these things, what's the reality of how you're able to mother in a way that seemingly like you're making the decisions and you're deciding.

[Kristin Cavallari]

So I think we talked about this when you came on my podcast. You can't be the best at everything that you do. That is true. There's just not enough as much time in the day. I have chosen. This might be a little bit different than most of the people who have sat in this chair. I have chosen to be the best mom that I can be and be a good business owner. And that's the trade off. I would love to sit here and tell you Uncommon James is a $100 million company and it's not, but I am the best mom. And my kids would tell you that also. And that to me was more important than being, you know, the best, the best business owner on the planet.

[Emma Grede]

So what does that look like? Like, as you say that, because you're essentially saying your trade off is actually being your professional career, you've decided that actually you're going to put 110% in to your kids because that's the most like consciously, what does that decision look like? Like you're saying no to opportunities.

[Kristin Cavallari]

I say no to a lot of opportunities. Yeah. And I think because I live in Tennessee, a lot of things are in LA or New York or wherever they are. And I do say no to a lot. And I also think that's a good thing because it puts everything in perspective. It makes you only do the things that you absolutely wanna do. And by the way, I don't know what else I need to be doing. I feel very fulfilled and I feel on the basis business front, I'm doing everything I want to do. So I don't know what else I would even say yes to. So that's actually been really easy for me to turn down opportunities. I think also my kids are in school all day. Right. I have full days where I can do all of the work things. I'm very efficient, I'm very organized. I'M very on top of it. I can be doing 20 things at once and they can be done perfectly.

[Emma Grede]

But you're walking out of that office at 4 o' clock because you go home earlier.

[Kristin Cavallari]

My kids get home at like 3:20 every day and I'm like, Tuesday. Sometimes I will stay a little bit later. Usually. Sometimes I'm home like 3, 4. But no, I mean, I'm like, yeah, I'm pretty adamant about it.

[Emma Grede]

I think there are so many ways to come into being a businesswoman and a mother and there is no one size fits all. And what works for me is very different from what will work for you. But I do think it's really important to be honest about the things that give and honest about what it actually takes, what your infrastructure looks like, like all of the things. Right. Because I'm sure how you were doing things, perhaps even, you know, in the first two, three years of the business, is very different from what you're able to do now. So give me an idea of like, what it actually looked like for you.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Yeah, I mean, and that's the thing is my days are never the same. I mean, I can run you through a Tuesday. Okay, so the day that I go to the office, I wake up and I make breakfast and lunches for my kids, we are out the door at 7:30. I'm home at 8:05, 8:10. I'm not working out there that day. You know, I'm just not. I don't have time for it. I get ready, I'm in the office by like 9:45. I also live 45 minutes away from my office, which is.

[Emma Grede]

I do brutal.

[Kristin Cavallari]

It's brutal. It's brutal. That is not ideal.

[Emma Grede]

I would build a house in the

[Kristin Cavallari]

office if I could. It's really not ideal. It's a lot of time wasted.

[Emma Grede]

It's really not.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Not. But I can do that.

[Emma Grede]

But you could do. I was going to say you can do phone calls and you can listen to yourself on your podcast. You could do that first.

[Podcast/Ad Announcer]

Pass.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Oh, wait, I don't know why I haven't been doing that.

[Emma Grede]

What the fuck? Well, you want to know why?

[Kristin Cavallari]

Because I'm highlighting stuff to take out. Oh, okay, fine.

[Emma Grede]

You need a hand?

[Kristin Cavallari]

You need a.

[Emma Grede]

This is it.

[Kristin Cavallari]

And I also. But I also value that time to listen to music.

[Emma Grede]

Oh, that's so nice.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Right?

[Emma Grede]

Singing in the car.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Yes, I need that checkout. Yeah, I need that too.

[Emma Grede]

What a glorious 45 minutes you have.

[Kristin Cavallari]

But my Tuesdays, I'm in meetings the entire day sometimes I'm shoving food in my mouth in between meetings. Cause that's just how it is. I will leave usually like 3:15 home by 3:45, 4. And then I'm making dinner. We're off. My kids are also so active right now. I mean, we're in summer break, but right before my boys are playing basketball, my daughter's playing volleyball. Like, we are just on the move constantly. And then I'm in bed like 9, 9 15.

[Emma Grede]

Wow, you are.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Sleep is the most important thing to me.

[Emma Grede]

What a mom. What a girl. I'm not doing any of that, but I'll tell.

[Kristin Cavallari]

What time are you. Oh, I think I asked you this too. What time are you going to bed?

[Emma Grede]

I'm going to bed. I'm going to bed around like, I like to be in my bed at 10.

[Kristin Cavallari]

That's right, right.

[Emma Grede]

Like, that's like. But I just am not someone who has ever slept particularly well. Like, I can sleep anywhere. Like, you know, it's like I could sleep here, but I don't like have, you know, I'm not very, very good at sleeping. But also I am not doing that. You're doing like, I'm not up and making the breakfast and cooking the lunches and ferrying them around. It's like that bit I miss. Like, and that is, you know, again, that's like my truth straight up. I sit and I eat breakfast with my kids and I eat dinner every night with my kids. Even if I'm going out for dinner, it's like I'm gonna sit and like be with them at the table, but I don't cook the dinner.

[Kristin Cavallari]

I've thought a million times I should get a private chef, but I do love cooking. That's. Well, that's also.

[Emma Grede]

That's like. But that's your passion. I love it. I really understand. So then on the flip side of that, what have you outsourced to be able. Because your company's not small. But I read that your company was like $50 million.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Yeah, we're just shy of 50.

[Emma Grede]

So you're just shy of $50 million. It's not a small business. There's a hundred staff. What bits of the business are you outsourcing that enables you to be really hands on at home?

[Kristin Cavallari]

Well, first of all, my team is phenomenal. I mean, they really are. But really where I sit within the company is everything product related and marketing. Those are the two areas that I absolutely.

[Emma Grede]

Do you have a CEO, so.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Okay, I. Are you the CEO recently? I am. And I just recently let Go of my entire C suite.

[Emma Grede]

What?

[Kristin Cavallari]

Yeah.

[Emma Grede]

No, you didn't. All of them on the telly, on a show. Did you do this as part of a. You gotta go.

[Kristin Cavallari]

It's gotta go, right? You know what? It really.

[Emma Grede]

Who lets go of all of this C suite at once? Like, I'm like, do you need me to come next? Should I do something?

[Kristin Cavallari]

If you want to. I would be more than happy to have.

[Emma Grede]

Have you come. I'm really panicked for you.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Yeah. It was time and I am not going to rehab. Well. So I let my COO go about a year ago and then hired my merch. My VP of merch, who I am promoting to cmo. She's phenomenal. I just let go of my CFO and my. My cmo, my marketing, and I like, why?

[Emma Grede]

What is the reason? They're all terrible. I don't want you to talk about individuals.

[Kristin Cavallari]

I can't justify why I'm paying you. Yeah, I'd say if I'm doing your job, not finance. But I. I still have three people on the finance team. I think with marketing, I'm so passionate about it. I love it so much that I'm so involved with it. And we have a huge. Most of our team is on the marketing team, and they're incredible. And I just. I realized we don't have a need for that role anymore. I won't be rehiring that. And we had four people on Facebook finance. We're a small company. That's outrageous.

[Emma Grede]

And you were. She's. I'm like, yeah, yeah, right.

[Kristin Cavallari]

I had to take a step back and really evaluate everything. I'm trying to just trim all the fat right now. Right. I'm like reeling everything in because I was a little lax about things for a while. And when I'm sitting here looking at everything, I'm trying to really evalu to evaluate where's all this money going.

[Emma Grede]

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[Kristin Cavallari]

Yeah.

[Emma Grede]

And I do, I do understand that. So you got to a point actually where you were just like, this is not the company that I want to run.

[Kristin Cavallari]

I sort of stepped away for a few years, if I'm being completely honest. And about a year ago I started getting really involved again and I've just Been taking it all in, seeing it all. And yes, now I'm cleaning house and I'm. What was the reason you stepped away time, quite honestly. And you know, because you hire these people, these experts who have all this experience and you think, great, I can lean on them and I can. And I was still designing all the jewelry and I still was doing, you know, all product related things, developing skincare and doing all these things, but I wasn't involved in the day to day like I am now or like I was. And it makes a difference. It makes a difference. And when I started to get more involved again, yeah, it was, it is, it's like you wake up and you're like, hang on a second, how did we get here and why are we spending so much money? And because, you know, the thing is too, because it is my money, it's just me, right? And no one is gonna appreciate your money the same way that you do. And it even like looking at softwares and apps that we're using, I'm like, what is going on? Everyone has all their own apps. I'm like, hey, we gotta, we gotta allocate this guys. Like, this is crazy. And so I just think periodically you have to take an assessment of what's going on and reel everybody in.

[Emma Grede]

Honestly, I think that that's such a great piece of advice because again, I feel like I've done that systematically in almost every company that I've ever been a part of. And there comes a point where you really have to make a decision about what type of business you want to run. And if you're very clear about that and you're in it day to day, like you do know, like you, you build it. What's interesting is like, you have to then be willing to go back in and do it.

[Kristin Cavallari]

So I think that's why I didn't for so long. Cause I knew it was going to make my workload a lot more. And that scared me a little bit. But ultimately this is my baby. You know, I care the most and I am so passionate about it. For me, that's been the trickiest part though, is like allocating all of my time on the business front. And it scared me. But now I'm so fired up about it and it's exactly what I needed. And we also talked about this. The same people who get you from 50 million are not the same that get you to 100 million. And unfortunately in business, sometimes I do think you need fresh blood. You need to kind of shake things up a little bit. And you outgrow people. It's just the nature of the beast. Yeah.

[Emma Grede]

Is there anything in you that struggles with those decisions?

[Kristin Cavallari]

Yes. Because when I personally like someone, it makes it really hard. I had to let someone go recently and it was really hard because I really loved her. But ultimately I have to do what's best for the business. I'd say that's one of the hardest things about owning a business is having to make decisions, sometimes solely based on the business and removing your emotion from it.

[Emma Grede]

How are you thinking about growth differently, I guess, like in this chapter of your life, both in the business but also personally.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Yeah. There's this pressure now, right. For the growth. When you launch, you're like in la la land. Like, this is exciting. Again, I never even thought about it, but now it's like you always just feel it. It's always on your shoulders. And part of selling excites me to let go of that. Just let that go. I do feel this pressure to continue to grow. And I do want to be a hundred million dollar company one day. I just. I don't know because again, it's allocating my time. If I was in the office every day, I think we could easily do it.

[Emma Grede]

Of course.

[Kristin Cavallari]

And that's not just crediting my team whatsoever. Again, I just think as. When you live and breathe this, and I think it's an energy, right. It trickles down to everybody and everyone can feel it. And when you're fired up and excited, everyone is. And I just think, again, I just can't do it right now.

[Emma Grede]

How much pressure do you feel from the outside? Because again, I think when you look at where you started, you're the one who's kind of like the shiny bright star that has this like, fantastic business and a big career still. And I want to. If there's any part of you that's like, I have to like, keep that up, you know?

[Kristin Cavallari]

No. And I can honestly tell you that I would be okay. I mean, this is not gonna happen. But if the world fell apart. Right. An uncommon. James just. I would be okay just being like, I don't know. I couldn't do it anymore. I didn't want to do it anymore because I want to be home and just travel the world and whatever it may be, I would be okay with that. I think because I've experienced enough failure, possibly publicly, that that doesn't scare me. Which, thank God, because I would not want that to be my driver.

[Emma Grede]

No, totally.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Yeah.

[Emma Grede]

What would you say to somebody that is sitting at home and listening to your story and hearing the way that you have slowly built this business that really feels so intrinsically like you. And you've had, like, great moments with it and you've had moments where you've know you've needed to step back in. For someone who's kind of already decided, like, what she's supposed to be doing, what her destiny is, what's your advice?

[Kristin Cavallari]

I would say go for it and just give it 110%. And I think, you know, I didn't even go to college, right? Like, I don't have any degree whatsoever. I do have passion and drive and an incredible work ethic. And I think if you have those things, you can do anything, truly anything. And you can't let some nos stop you. You can't let people get in your head and tell you not to do it. Listen, people always going to tell you no. And you can't let that stop you. And I think, I hope that I can be inspiring and show people that if I can do it, you can do it. Truly, like, if I can create a business and make it work for me, you can do it. I also think you have to. We're living in this society now where unless you're a $250 million business, it's like, you're not successful. I make a salary every year from uncommon. James. It's a really good salary. I am making money every year, single year. That's a good thing.

[Emma Grede]

That's a great thing. It's more than a good thing.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Exactly. Like, to me, that's successful.

[Emma Grede]

I don't think that every business needs to be like a unicorn or it needs to be something so insane that the whole world knows about. You could literally have a business that pays you, that pays a couple of people, that gives you a nice life. And that is not just good, it's enormously successful. Enormously successful.

[Kristin Cavallari]

And so don't let society tell you that you're not successful. Successful.

[Emma Grede]

Looking back, is there anything that. And this is not about regret, is there anything that you would do differently? You've been such an open book. You had the bloody show. You've, you know, again, you've lived your life in this very open way. Are there things that you're like, ah, I would probably not do that.

[Kristin Cavallari]

My career as a whole, I mean, I've essentially grown up in front of the public. I've done and said really stupid things, but I was growing up as a kid or I'm also just figuring it out. I've never been a 39 year old woman before. Like, I'm still figuring it out.

[Emma Grede]

You know what I mean?

[Kristin Cavallari]

Like, we're all figuring it out. And I think learning how to have more grace for everybody in general, I think is really important. I've had to learn that myself, but it's just, it's a wild ride. I will say this, when I look back at my life, while there's been a lot of hard times and things I'm not proud of, it's been a really great life. I've had a lot of fun. I've gotten to do really cool, amazing things, meet incredible people. I've got three of the most amazing kids on the planet. I have creative freedom. Like I'm doing the thing and I'm really proud of that and I'm really thankful every single day.

[Emma Grede]

Oh, what a great place to be. I have one last question for you before I move to rapid fire. What are you still aspiring to now in your life?

[Kristin Cavallari]

10 years ago have been such a different answer. Right now for me, what really fills my cup is my kids. Like truly and I think we were talking before we started rolling. I have five more years with my oldest Camden in the house. That wrecks me when I think about it. I've got eight years total with all of them. And to some people that probably sounds like a lot of time. You know how fast that goes as a mom. And so I am trying to just take it all in, be around as much as possible. And by the way, they also already wanna be with their friends all the time. So like, my time with them is pretty precious. And if I died today, I could look back and be like, I did it. I really did it. I think I wanna travel the world, but I think I'll do that later in life. I would like to get married again. Dating has slipped by. That is one area that's really suffered. But I'm okay with that because it's working kids right now. And I know this is a phase and that won't be forever. And when the right guy is supposed to come into my life, he will. Will.

[Emma Grede]

But yeah, I love that. I have absolutely no doubt. I'm going to take you to some rapid fire. Okay, what is the one healthy habit of routine that you swear by?

[Kristin Cavallari]

I feel like I have a lot, but okay, the, the give me the good ones.

[Emma Grede]

I want to know.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Well, I really think the infrared sauna and meditating in the sauna is meditating in the sauna. In the sauna. So kill two birds with one stone. I only do 20 minutes. So it's quick. But the physical detox, it's also because I'm meditating. It feels like a mental detox as well. That for me is something I can't go without.

[Emma Grede]

How often are you in this sauna?

[Kristin Cavallari]

Only probably three days a week. But it makes a difference. Meditating, really? As much as we all hear it and say it, I can tell a huge difference when it's when I'm active and when I'm not. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Emma Grede]

It's. No. Do you have like a specific meditation that you go to?

[Kristin Cavallari]

So I used to love Headspace. And then because I've done a lot of hypnotherapy, now it's more of a visualization. But hypnotherapy essentially is a deep meditation and it's a visualization. And so I think because I've done a lot of that, I sort of tap into that.

[Emma Grede]

And it's three days a week for you that you're meditating or three days a week in the sauna?

[Kristin Cavallari]

Both.

[Emma Grede]

Yeah.

[Kristin Cavallari]

I wish I could meditate every day. No, no, no, I could. I just.

[Emma Grede]

I never get to it more than three or four times a week. But it's similar to you. I 100% know when I go without, like, I start getting like the edges of me start fraying.

[Kristin Cavallari]

I'm like, exactly, exactly. Huge difference. Yeah.

[Emma Grede]

Way more frazzled. What's something 17 year old? I'm laughing at my own question, actually. This is very sweet and heartfelt. What is something 17 year old you desperately needed to hear?

[Kristin Cavallari]

That I am enough. That I am whole. I was such a mess. I was so insecure and I was overcompensating for that, which is why people thought I was so confident on the show, but I was not at all.

[Emma Grede]

What's something that you spent your life thinking you needed but you realized you actually did not need it at all?

[Kristin Cavallari]

Any sort of outside validation from anybody? Everything that we need comes from within.

[Emma Grede]

This is a fucking question from the fucking team. I'm just blaming you lot right now.

[Kristin Cavallari]

I'm scared.

[Emma Grede]

It's a really good one. I really rate you bitches. I'm going to point to whoever I think did it. I was going to actually change the ending of it. But we're going to do both. I'm going to do both. Lauren, Heidi or Spencer, who would you call first if you needed a favor?

[Kristin Cavallari]

I'll never live any. A favor, A favor, A favor. Well, Heidi, I talk to the most for sure. So I guess I would say Heidi. Cute. Depends on the favor, I guess.

[Emma Grede]

Depends on what you need.

[Podcast/Ad Announcer]

Yeah.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Hang on. What do I need?

[Emma Grede]

What is a book that changed your life?

[Kristin Cavallari]

The Four Agreements? I think it's a book I've read, I don't know, 15 times over the years, but I think if you can really apply these four things, it really makes a difference in your life. It's an easy read. I think everyone can read it. Have you read it?

[Emma Grede]

I've read it so many times. I even have the little mini version in my bag I think is so cute.

[Kristin Cavallari]

Yeah, I just think it's a good book for everybody and I think everything in it, it's so true. When you can apply it, it makes a difference.

[Emma Grede]

It's heaven. Kristin, thank you so much. Thank you. You're a diamond.

[Kristin Cavallari]

So good.

[Emma Grede]

If you're loving this podcast, be sure to click follow on your favorite listening platform.

[Kristin Cavallari]

While you're there, give us a review

[Emma Grede]

and a five star rating and share an episode you loved with a friend. We'll be so grateful. Aspire with Emma Greed is presented by Audacy. I'm your host, Emma Greed. Our executive producers are Ashley McShan, Derrick Brown and me. Executive producers from Audacy are Asha Saludja and Leah Rees Dennis. Producer, KK Sublime. Stephen Key is our senior producer. Sound design and engineering by Bill Schultz. Angela Peluso is our booker. Original music by Charles Black. Video production by Field Sweetek and Carlos Delgado. Social media by Olivia Homan, Katherine Bale Special thanks to Brittany Smith, Sydney Ford. My teams at the lead company and wme. Josephina Francis, Hilary Schuff, Eric Donnelly, Kate Hutchinson, Rose, Tim Meikol, Evan Cox, Kirk Courtney, Andrew Steele, Sean Cherry and Lauren Vieira. If you have questions for me, you can DM me @aspirewithemagreez. Greed is spelled G R E D E. That's Aspire A S P I R E with Emma Greed. Or you can submit a question to me on my website. Emma Greed Me.

[Podcast/Ad Announcer]

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