Podcast Summary: "Highbrow Hippie: Katie Lee and Micah Harris" on Climbing in Heels with Rachel Zoe

Release Date: March 14, 2025

Introduction

In this captivating episode of Climbing in Heels with Rachel Zoe, Rachel welcomes Katie Lee and Micah Harris, the dynamic duo behind the renowned hair care and wellness brand, Highbrow Hippie. Known for their work with Hollywood's elite and their innovative approach to hair health, Katie and Micah share their inspiring journey from college friends to successful entrepreneurs.

How Katie and Micah Met

Rachel delves into the origins of Katie and Micah's partnership, highlighting their long-standing friendship and shared passion for fashion and beauty.

• Rachel Zoe [05:16]: "How did you even find each other? How does this even happen?"

• Katie Lee [04:12]: "We met almost 30 years ago in college."

Katie and Micah first crossed paths in Atlanta while working at BCBG, both attending Spelman College. Despite pursuing different paths—with Micah heading to Parsons in Paris for her graduate degree—their bond strengthened over the years, leading them to reunite in New York City where their professional journeys continued to intertwine.

The Evolution of Highbrow Hippie

Rachel explores the transformation of Highbrow Hippie from a simple blog to a full-fledged salon and product line.

• Rachel Zoe [07:00]: "It has a bit more of just freedom to it."

Katie recounts how their blog, initiated during the pandemic, served as a foundation for understanding their community’s needs. This insight was pivotal in developing products that genuinely addressed hair health and loss.

• Katie Lee [08:22]: "We wrote every single thing down before we even launched the blog. And a lot of those things today are true."

Their strategic planning and dedication allowed them to foresee and adapt to the evolving market, ensuring that Highbrow Hippie not only survived but thrived through challenging times.

Building a Sustainable and Authentic Brand

Rachel emphasizes the importance of authenticity and excellence in building a sustainable business. She probes into how Katie and Micah maintain their brand’s integrity while expanding.

• Rachel Zoe [10:48]: "How do you balance touching people with keeping other parts of the business strong?"

Katie explains that their commitment to excellence has been the cornerstone of their success.

• Katie Lee [13:26]: "As a black woman in the beauty industry, I did not have a choice but to be excellent."

Micah adds that authenticity drives their brand decisions, ensuring that everything they create aligns with their core values and community needs.

• Micah Harris [17:30]: "We are authentically what we would want for ourselves."

Navigating Challenges and Resilience

The conversation turns to the hurdles they faced, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and how they overcame setbacks.

• Katie Lee [40:09]: "We wasted about seven years trying to get the first iteration of Highbrow Hippie off the ground and had to start over from scratch."

Rachel empathizes, recognizing the emotional toll such challenges take on entrepreneurs.

• Rachel Zoe [41:37]: "In those moments, you just have to trust the universe has some plan that you just may not know about yet."

Katie and Micah share how regaining control of their company allowed them to rebuild with a more sustainable model, reducing overhead and maintaining their mission.

• Katie Lee [42:23]: "We kept our same mission and did it in a different way. It ended up being better."

Product Development and Community Engagement

Rachel highlights their unique approach to product development, driven by direct feedback from their community.

• Katie Lee [19:22]: "We launched with two products, with two more coming out in a few months."

Katie details how they conducted extensive surveys during the pandemic to understand their clients' needs, ensuring their product line was both relevant and effective.

• Katie Lee [20:28]: "By the end of next year, we'll have about eight products in the line."

Addressing Hair Health and Loss

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the prevalence of hair loss among women and how Highbrow Hippie addresses this sensitive issue.

• Micah Harris [37:32]: "Over 75% of women will experience hair loss in their lifetime."

Katie emphasizes their philosophy of prioritizing hair health over trendy styles, ensuring longevity and trust with their clients.

• Katie Lee [36:14]: "I've never been the colorist that wanted to fry anybody's hair. We focus on making the best version of what your hair really wants to do."

Micah connects hair health to overall well-being, pointing out the impact of stress and lifestyle on hair loss.

• Micah Harris [37:32]: "Stress creates inflammation, affects the adrenals, and shows up in our hair and skin."

The Power of Supportive Networks

Rachel praises the importance of supportive relationships in their journey, highlighting key figures who have championed their growth.

• Katie Lee [44:42]: "Cleo Wade brought multiple investors to the table that accounted for a huge part of our raise."

Rachel underscores that their success is fueled by genuine belief and connections within their community.

• Rachel Zoe [44:57]: "Women invest if they're believers; they invest if they connect with it."

Maintaining Personal and Professional Balance

Towards the end, Rachel explores how Katie and Micah manage their personal dynamics while running a business together.

• Katie Lee [28:02]: "We retreat to our corners and just keep it moving because the world is against black women enough."

They emphasize the importance of trust, recognizing each other’s strengths, and maintaining a shared vision despite personal differences.

• Micah Harris [22:43]: "It's okay, because it's different."

Conclusion

Rachel wraps up the episode by expressing admiration for Katie and Micah's resilience, authenticity, and the lasting impact of Highbrow Hippie. She highlights how their journey exemplifies the essence of Climbing in Heels—celebrating the triumphs and tribulations of women entrepreneurs.

• Rachel Zoe [48:06]: "I got very inspired today. I also love keeping it real... Thank you so much for listening to Climbing in Heels."

Katie and Micah’s story serves as a testament to the power of friendship, unwavering commitment, and authentic leadership in building a successful and impactful brand.

Notable Quotes

• Rachel Zoe [05:16]: "How did you even find each other? How does this even happen?"

• Katie Lee [04:12]: "We met almost 30 years ago in college."

• Katie Lee [08:22]: "We wrote every single thing down before we even launched the blog. And a lot of those things today are true."

• Katie Lee [13:26]: "As a black woman in the beauty industry, I did not have a choice but to be excellent."

• Katie Lee [36:14]: "I've never been the colorist that wanted to fry anybody's hair."

• Micah Harris [37:32]: "Over 75% of women will experience hair loss in their lifetime."

• Katie Lee [44:42]: "Cleo Wade brought multiple investors to the table that accounted for a huge part of our raise."

• Micah Harris [22:43]: "It's okay, because it's different."

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a deep dive into the perseverance, strategic vision, and heartfelt authenticity that Katie Lee and Micah Harris embody. Their journey with Highbrow Hippie not only provides valuable insights into building a successful brand but also serves as an inspiring narrative for aspiring female entrepreneurs navigating their own paths in the business world.