Aspire with Emma Grede: On Negativity, Ambition, and Building a Serious Business (Tory Burch)
Host: Emma Grede
Guest: Tory Burch
Date: April 28, 2026
Episode Overview
In this candid, dynamic conversation, Emma Grede sits down with American fashion icon and philanthropist Tory Burch. The episode traces Tory's unique journey from her early career in fashion to building a billion-dollar global brand — all while navigating the challenges of being a woman in business, facing public and private adversity, redefining ambition, and founding a powerful platform for women entrepreneurs. Grede and Burch dissect career-defining setbacks, share wisdom on resilience, and get real about the double standards women continue to face in high-stakes business. The tone is raw, insightful, and inspiring — blending strategic advice with personal stories.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Origins & Early Ambition
- Starting Out: Tory left a high-profile job at LVMH/Loewe to raise her three young sons, balancing motherhood and the desire to work.
- “[It] was really choosing being a mom over a career. That was a really hard choice…” (04:14, Burch)
- First Business Attempt: Considered reviving the 60s/70s brand “Jax” (loved by Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O), but was firmly rejected by founder Sally Hansen.
- “30 seconds later, I realized it was a hard no... I had to start over.” (06:01, Burch)
- Pivot to Her Own Vision: Started developing her own brand, initially not intending to use her name or build a global brand.
- “I launched with a terrible name and also a logo... That was the start of me doing my own thing.” (07:06, Burch)
2. Building the Brand: Strategy & Resilience
- Launching Direct-to-Consumer & E-Commerce Early:
- “No one was selling online. So people told me no one would ever buy online… but we realized we were onto something.” (07:47, Burch)
- Opening Day Experience:
- “It was almost as if it was building throughout the day… we basically sold through our inventory.” (08:43, Burch)
- Against the Grain:
- “I wanted to build a global lifestyle brand so I could start a foundation... Everyone told me not to say that.” (09:05, Burch)
3. Ambition, Gender, and Double Standards
- Ambition as a “Dirty Word” for Women:
- “I didn’t realize that it was a negative to be that way until this article in the New York Times was written on me. And I shied away from that word. Jane Rosenthal called me up, and she said, ‘Great article. Don’t you ever shy away from your ambition.’” (14:19, Burch)
- Cultural Pressure on Women:
- “When we talk about a man's ambition... As soon as we say she's ambitious, we're maybe thinking about a little bit of a bitch somehow.” (15:15, Grede)
- “I think it hasn't changed enough.” (15:39, Burch)
4. Personal & Professional Challenges
- Working with Family:
- Tory started the business with her then-husband — and weathered a public divorce plus a lawsuit when he created a copycat brand:
- “It was incredibly rough for a long time... but what he put me through is just hard to believe.” (12:16, Burch)
- Motherhood & Business Balance:
- “Work was a bit of a refuge and a safety... I had this relentless drive.” (13:26, Burch)
- “I never wanted to rely on her husband, a boyfriend, anyone, to be financially secure... I think that is where my drive comes from.” (24:19, Burch)
- Advice for Fundraising:
- “I was terrified about taking people’s money... I just said to them, invest what you can lose.” (11:00, Burch)
- Facing Negativity:
- “One thing I learned from my parents is that negativity is noise. I learned to tune things out.” (17:03, Burch)
5. Defining Leadership & Culture
- Leadership Philosophy:
- “I don’t micromanage people... I let them shine. You get their best work.” (28:35, Burch)
- Advice on Hiring:
- “Take your time and get to know someone and get a lot of references.” (28:00, Burch)
- Company Culture:
- “I want a safe environment for people... I expect great work, but I want a great place to work.” (28:14, Burch)
6. Crisis & Reinvention
- COVID-19:
- “It was brutal... 375 stores shut. We had no visibility... Someone very close to me... died from COVID.” (38:03, Burch)
- “I get better and more focused in a crisis.” (38:53, Burch)
- Stepping Down as CEO:
- “It was missing what I was really passionate about, and that was the design and creativity… I was CEO for 14 years.” (45:52, Burch)
- “It was the easiest decision I’ve ever made… You have to be what’s right for the business at that time.” (50:17, Burch)
- Reflection on Control:
- “A lot of people ask me how I've kept control of the company... We were profitable in our second year... but I needed to buy my ex-husband out, which is why we brought in private equity.” (51:09, Burch)
7. Philanthropy, Impact, and the Tory Burch Foundation
- Purpose from Day One:
- “It was my business plan from day one.” (43:37, Burch)
- Foundation Focus:
- “Since [2009] we have built a community of incredible women across the United States… It's about community, capital and education.” (59:06, Burch)
- “We take 120 entrepreneurs a year. It’s an extensive year of mentorship, of connectivity, of giving them a small grant, of creating a community… When entrepreneurs reach a million dollars in revenue, it’s a sustainable business.” (59:06, Burch)
- “We have committed to reaching $1 billion by 2030, to add to the economy through our entrepreneurs… We're at about $240 million right now, but we can do it.” (60:37, Burch)
8. Personal Reflections and Advice
- On Dealing with Criticism:
- “I got used to it... It’s very freeing to let things go. I’m very good at letting things go, and I don’t hold things.” (45:04, Burch)
- On Resilience & Listening to Others:
- “I'm an information gatherer... I don’t always take [feedback], but I love to get it.” (54:33, Burch)
- Advice for Women Labeled 'Too Ambitious’:
- “Tune it out. That negativity is noise. It’s something that should be celebrated and it shouldn’t be around gender.” (31:52, Burch)
- Entrepreneurial Mindset:
- “Make it entrepreneurial. Maybe you’re not an entrepreneur [at your own business], but you can have that mindset.” (65:48, Burch)
- Long-Term Aspiration:
- “I aspire through [my children]… When my kids are thriving and doing well, I am great. I can deal with anything.” (67:07, Burch)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Ambition:
- “Don’t ever shy away from your ambition.” (14:19, Jane Rosenthal to Tory Burch)
- On Starting Up:
- “Invest what you can lose.” (11:29, Burch)
- On Leadership:
- “I don’t micromanage people. I let them shine.” (28:35, Burch)
- On Cultural Progress for Women:
- “We need all the things... I don’t want to have the conversation with just women, because we’ll get nowhere.” (16:06, Burch)
- On Resilience:
- “Negativity is noise.” (17:03, Burch)
- On Her Legacy:
- “If I can move the needle and help either someone look at something a bit differently, change a dynamic, have women understand that the power is within them… that’s something that I’ve learned.” (58:03, Burch)
- On Work and Motherhood:
- “I would say if anything suffered, it was my social life... But being a mom is the joy of my life.” (33:47, Burch)
- On Letting Go:
- “It’s very freeing to let things go. I’m very good at letting things go.” (45:04, Burch)
- On Building for Longevity:
- “I wanted to build a brand that has longevity. I’ve always wanted to be the best brand, not the biggest brand.” (51:46, Burch)
- Encouragement for Female Founders:
- “Don’t sell yourself short. And believe in yourself and understand you have the power within.” (69:15, Burch)
Important Timestamps
- [04:14] – Tory describes her difficult decision to step away from a career for motherhood
- [07:47] – Launching in 2004 with direct-to-consumer and e-commerce, ahead of the curve
- [11:00] – Discussing the risks of taking friends & family money
- [14:19] – Discussing ambition and gendered criticism from media
- [17:03] – Handling negativity as “noise”
- [22:06] – The “Oprah moment” and the explosion of the brand
- [38:03] – The impact of COVID on the company and personal loss
- [45:52] – Stepping down as CEO and choosing to focus on creativity
- [59:06] – Detailing the structure and mission of the Tory Burch Foundation
- [60:37] – Setting the goal of $1 billion in economic impact by 2030
- [69:15] – Advice: “Don’t sell yourself short. Believe in yourself and understand you have the power within.”
Quick-Fire: Tory’s Daily Routines & Favorites
- First thing in the morning: Walks her dogs and calls her mom (68:12)
- Last thing at night: Same – calls her mom again (68:21)
- Best advice ignored: “Don’t think of business and purpose in the same sentence.” (68:41)
- Packing essentials: Tory sports sweatpants, cashmere sweater (68:52)
- Book that changed her life: 100 Years of Solitude (69:24)
Conclusion / Takeaways
This episode is packed with practical wisdom, deep vulnerability, and a relentless advocacy for women's empowerment, both in business and in life. Pivots, public scrutiny, personal loss, and business breakthroughs are dissected alongside the realities of being a mother, founder, and leader. Tory Burch exemplifies tenacity, authenticity, and purposeful ambition. The conversation closes with powerful reminders that resilience, self-definition, and a willingness to challenge norms are as important to building a brand — and a meaningful life — as any textbook business strategy.
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