Climbing in Heels with Rachel Zoe: ICYMI - The Home Edit

Release Date: April 11, 2025
Host: Rachel Zoe
Guests: Clea Scherer and Joanna Teplin from The Home Edit
Produced by: Cloud10 and iHeartPodcasts

Introduction

In this episode of Climbing in Heels, Rachel Zoe welcomes Clea Scherer and Joanna Teplin, the dynamic duo behind the renowned organizing company, The Home Edit. Rachel delves into their journey, exploring the origins of their partnership, the evolution of their business, and the personal dynamics that have fueled their success.

Origins of The Home Edit

Meeting and Formation

Rachel begins by expressing her admiration for Clea and Joanna, highlighting their humor, passion, and extraordinary organizational skills. She recalls their initial introduction through a mutual friend, Leah, who orchestrated a "blind friendship date" for them.

• Rachel Zoe [02:37]: "I obviously know how you guys came together. ... but who wants to start an organizing company? And so she was like, oh, I have these two friends who both want the same thing."

Immediate Collaboration

The synergy between Clea and Joanna was evident from the start. After a four-hour lunch meeting, they decided to partner up, immediately brainstorming their company name, logo, and even setting up bank accounts within the same week.

• Clea Scherer [21:33]: "We sat down and we got up after four hours of lunch as business partners. And that very same day, that evening, actually, we came up with our name, our logo..."

Personal Backgrounds and Early Influences

Childhood Organizational Tendencies

Rachel inquires about their early inclinations towards organization. Clea shares her lifelong passion for creating order, contrasting it with Joanna’s journey from a neat freak to a "complete slob" during her high school years before rediscovering her love for organization post-college and motherhood.

• Clea Scherer [05:10]: "I was born this way. And I now use my powers for good and not evil. ... I was going to set up my little reading station..."

• Joanna Teplin [10:20]: "I started off really, really organized... went through a period where my closet was a complete disaster."

Family Influences

Clea attributes her entrepreneurial spirit to her family, noting that every member ran their own businesses, which inspired her to follow a similar path.

• Clea Scherer [06:13]: "Every single person in my family is an entrepreneur. No one ended up working for a company. Everyone worked for themselves."

Managing Family and Business

Balancing Organization with Parenting

The conversation shifts to the challenges of parenting children with varying levels of interest in organization. Clea details how her daughter insists on perfection in their environment, while her son is indifferent, and their other daughter has a penchant for clothing chaos.

• Clea Scherer [07:20]: "My daughter has a lot of things where she will be like, this bothers me... why is there laundry on the floor?"

• Rachel Zoe [08:02]: "God help us."

Influence on Children

Clea and Joanna discuss how their organized lifestyles have impacted their children, with Clea expressing both hope and frustration over her children's differing attitudes towards tidiness.

• Clea Scherer [07:57]: "Their things are less chaotic because he's just simple... Stella has to try everything on and then like leaves it everywhere."

Building a Business Together

Trust and Hiring

Rachel probes into how Clea and Joanna have successfully scaled The Home Edit without falling prey to common business pitfalls like "snakes in the grass." They emphasize the importance of hiring talented individuals who possess the same passion and work ethic, even if they don't replicate their organizational skills exactly.

• Clea Scherer [32:05]: "Initially, hiring was the scariest thing we could ever think of... people are really talented and good at what they do, and we can teach them everything other than the passion."

• Joanna Teplin [33:32]: "We would never grow if we didn't trust... you have to trust people."

Overcoming Challenges

Joanna shares her initial reluctance to take on a business partner, fearing that she could only rely on herself. However, partnering with Clea proved to be a game-changer, allowing them to expand and innovate beyond their individual capabilities.

• Joanna Teplin [33:44]: "If you meet the right person, this need 1 billion times better than what I could have ever dreamed of."

Navigating the Copycat Effect

Inspiration vs. Imitation

Rachel raises concerns about the increasing number of businesses emulating The Home Edit's model. Clea and Joanna view this as a testament to their influence, embracing it as a form of flattery rather than a threat.

• Rachel Zoe [28:14]: "I think it's like emulation... why does that not help me here?"

• Clea Scherer [29:13]: "We've given everyone the tools. We can't really be upset that people have taken those tools and use them to create businesses."

Positive Impact

Both Clea and Joanna believe that the rise of similar businesses indicates a broader acceptance and appreciation for professional organizing, especially among female entrepreneurs.

• Joanna Teplin [29:28]: "If we can inspire... to come out, do an organizing business... fabulous."

Expanding and Future Endeavors

Recent Acquisition

Joanna reveals that The Home Edit was acquired by Hello Sunshine, Reese Witherspoon's company, in February. This partnership is set to amplify their brand and support their continued growth.

• Joanna Teplin [35:27]: "We got acquired by Hello Sunshine... allowing us to continue to grow The Home Edit in all the ways that amplify all the things that we were already doing."

Upcoming Projects and Public Engagements

Clea shares that they have several projects revived this year, including books, TV appearances, and podcasts. They are excited to engage with the public again, which had been on hold since 2019.

• Clea Scherer [35:44]: "We're going to be on the road a lot... media things... live again."

Rachel Zoe’s Reflections and Lessons

Value of Authenticity and Professionalism

Rachel emphasizes the importance of being genuine and professional in business dealings. She advises upcoming entrepreneurs to be straightforward, kind, and professional to avoid stumbling blocks in their careers.

• Rachel Zoe [34:15]: "Just be straight. Just be straight. Be professional, be kind. And you will never trip over yourself."

Appreciation and Inspiration

Rachel expresses her deep appreciation for Clea and Joanna, citing their hard work, humor, and positive energy as inspiring examples for women striving to follow their dreams.

• Rachel Zoe [38:35]: "They are just two of the hardest working, beyond hilarious women... such a good example of how to follow your dream and also inspire others."

Key Takeaways

1. Passion Drives Success: Clea and Joanna's genuine passion for organization is the cornerstone of The Home Edit's success.

2. Trust in Team Building: Building a reliable and passionate team is crucial for scaling a business effectively.

3. Embracing Imitation as Flattery: The rise of similar businesses underscores the positive impact and influence of The Home Edit.

4. Authentic Leadership: Maintaining authenticity and professionalism fosters trust and long-term growth.

5. Future Growth: Strategic partnerships and upcoming projects position The Home Edit for continued expansion and influence.

Notable Quotes

• Clea Scherer [05:10]: "I was born this way. And I now use my powers for good and not evil."

• Rachel Zoe [28:32]: "It's never about how you leave. It's never about leaving. It's about how you leave."

• Joanna Teplin [33:54]: "If you meet the right person, this need 1 billion times better than what I could have ever dreamed of."

• Rachel Zoe [34:15]: "Just be straight. Just be straight. Be professional, be kind. And you will never trip over yourself."

Conclusion

Rachel Zoe's conversation with Clea Scherer and Joanna Teplin offers an insightful look into the creation and expansion of The Home Edit. From their serendipitous meeting to their strategic business decisions and personal growth, the episode underscores the importance of passion, trust, and authenticity in building a successful enterprise. Clea and Joanna's stories serve as inspiring blueprints for aspiring female entrepreneurs navigating the complexities of balancing personal life and business ambitions.

For more insights from powerful female entrepreneurs and inspiring stories of success, tune into future episodes of Climbing in Heels with Rachel Zoe.