The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast Episode: Emma Grede On Pt. 2 Work Life Balance Truths, Successful Traits, Finding Your Strengths, & Hustle Culture Release Date: May 12, 2025
In this engaging episode of The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast, hosts Lauryn Bosstick and Michael Bosstick chat extensively with Emma Grede, a British businesswoman, serial entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Emma, recognized by Forbes as one of America's richest self-made women, delves into her experiences balancing entrepreneurship with family life, sharing invaluable insights and actionable advice for listeners striving to achieve their own work-life balance.
Embracing Diverse Perspectives and Continuous Learning
The conversation kicks off with Emma emphasizing the importance of open dialogue and the ability to engage respectfully with differing opinions. Lauren Bosstick shares her philosophy:
Lauren Bosstick [03:25]: "I don't think that we are in a time and a place where you can afford to be ignorant... you might have a different political disposition, but I will hear you out because I need to be wise about everything."
Emma adds to this by highlighting the necessity of allowing others the grace to evolve their viewpoints:
Emma Grede [02:38]: "Just because you said something two years ago that you have to stick by that thing... we have to be able to have conversation around that is important."
Building Confidence and Fostering Resourcefulness in Children
A significant portion of the discussion centers around parenting and instilling confidence in children. Lauren attributes her strong self-assurance to her upbringing by a single mother who instilled the belief that:
Lauren Bosstick [05:05]: "You're not better than anyone, but nor is anyone better than you... As long as I work for it, it's going to work out for me."
She further elaborates on creating an environment where her children feel empowered to pursue their individual passions:
Lauren Bosstick [05:20]: "Just be excellent at something, care about something. I don't really care what it is."
Navigating Work-Life Balance as a Busy Entrepreneur
Emma and Lauren candidly discuss the challenges of maintaining work-life balance while managing multiple businesses and a bustling family life. Lauren shares a personal anecdote about communicating her enthusiasm for work to her children to alleviate their fears about her business trips:
Lauren Bosstick [08:55]: "My daughter said... like assuming that when I leave and I go on a business trip that I have a bad time... I have the best time when I'm away."
Emma adds her perspective on shifting the narrative with her own experiences:
Emma Grede [10:43]: "I've done the opposite on the work... start telling them that I love my work because you do."
Entrepreneurial Insights: Beyond Passion to Purpose and Hard Work
The hosts and Emma delve into the often-idealized concept of "chasing your passion," discussing the reality that entrepreneurship demands hard work and resilience beyond mere passion. Michael Bosstick reflects on his journey:
Michael Bosstick [12:03]: "It's called work for a reason. You're not supposed to love every single component of it."
Lauren echoes this sentiment, advocating for finding enjoyment in the work process itself:
Lauren Bosstick [13:13]: "We can't have fun at work. But any entrepreneur I've known has had a bunch of jobs that they found either hugely unenjoyable or not that valuable to them."
Team Management and Company Culture
A pivotal segment of the episode explores Lauren's approach to building and managing her teams across various businesses. She emphasizes hiring for attitude over experience and fostering a culture of trust and collaboration:
Lauren Bosstick [29:35]: "I hire for attitude over experience... I need people that want it so bad and so badly want to be successful."
She also discusses the necessity of a rigorous work culture for growth-oriented startups:
Lauren Bosstick [18:45]: "We're five days a week, always on people, and it's not for everyone."
Daily Routines and Self-Care Practices
Listeners gain insight into Lauren's disciplined daily routine, which includes early mornings, rigorous workouts, and dedicated time for meditation and family. She shares how her morning routine sets a productive tone for the day:
Lauren Bosstick [32:07]: "I work out. I do a 90-minute workout four or five days a week. It's my meditation time... a burst of energy."
The conversation also touches on the importance of self-care and maintaining personal well-being amidst a hectic schedule:
Lauren Bosstick [42:22]: "Therapy is something that's just been a part of my life since I was really young... I put those things in just as a matter of, like, self-preservation."
Collaboration with Husband: Balancing Personal and Professional Relationships
Towards the end of the episode, Lauren discusses her seamless working relationship with her husband, Michael. She attributes their successful collaboration to defined roles, complementary skill sets, and mutual trust:
Lauren Bosstick [53:12]: "We had a working relationship before we had our relationship as husband and wife... We do not do the same thing. His skills are the total opposite of mine."
She further emphasizes the importance of allowing each other to operate independently within their respective domains, ensuring that neither feels overburdened or underappreciated.
Rapid Fire Round: Personal Preferences and Inspirations
The episode concludes with a fun rapid-fire segment where Lauren shares her favorite beauty tips, empowering habits, and influential books:
- Best Beauty Tip: "Eyebrows. If I'm without a good eyebrow, forget the rest of it."
- Most Empowering Habit Adopted in the Last Five Years: "The ability to tune out opinions of everybody else."
- Favorite Book That Changed Her Business Thinking: "Good to Great by Jim Collins."
Lauren also reveals her admiration for Oprah Winfrey, citing her ability to build a successful brand while remaining true to herself and positively impacting others:
Lauren Bosstick [71:33]: "There are so few people that manage to create a business, create a brand, create a world, have actual real impact, and still remain true to themselves. And I think Oprah is all of those things."
Final Thoughts and Future Endeavors
As the episode wraps up, Lauren teases her upcoming podcast, Aspire with Emma Grede, aimed at scaling mentorship and sharing her entrepreneurial journey to inspire and educate others.
Lauren Bosstick [74:20]: "I want to use this podcast platform... to share the things that I know."
Listeners are encouraged to support Lauren by following her brands and upcoming projects, reflecting her holistic approach to business and personal growth.
Key Takeaways:
- Open Dialogue and Continuous Learning: Embrace diverse perspectives and remain committed to personal and professional growth.
- Confidence and Resourcefulness: Instilling confidence in children through empowerment and responsibility.
- Realistic Work-Life Balance: Acknowledge the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with family life and communicate effectively with loved ones.
- Beyond Passion - Embrace Hard Work: Understand that entrepreneurship requires resilience, adaptability, and a strong work ethic beyond mere passion.
- Effective Team Management: Hire for attitude, foster a collaborative culture, and clearly define roles to ensure seamless operations.
- Disciplined Daily Routines: Establish structured routines that prioritize productivity, self-care, and family time.
- Successful Personal-Professional Collaboration: Maintain defined roles and mutual trust when collaborating with partners or spouses.
Emma Grede's appearance on the show offers a blend of personal anecdotes, professional insights, and practical advice, making it a valuable listen for aspiring entrepreneurs and those seeking to enhance their work-life balance.