Work in Progress: Bozoma Saint John

Work in Progress with Sophia Bush | iHeartPodcasts | Released July 24, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Work in Progress with Sophia Bush, Sophia engages in a deep and inspiring conversation with Bozoma Saint John, a trailblazing marketer and cultural influencer. Bozoma shares her remarkable journey through some of the world's most influential companies and delves into her new venture, Eve by Boz, a hair care line manufactured entirely in Ghana. The discussion highlights themes of leadership, diversity, personal growth, and the importance of centering oneself in both professional and personal life.

Bozoma’s Early Life and Background

Bozoma Saint John opens up about her multicultural upbringing, moving from Kenya to Ghana and eventually settling in Colorado Springs at the age of 12. This diverse background instilled in her a deep curiosity about people and cultures, which later became a cornerstone of her professional success.

“At 10, I was already very curious about the world and people... What do people love? What were they thinking?”
[08:19] – Bozoma Saint John

Navigating Corporate Leadership

Bozoma discusses her experiences breaking into the C-suite of companies traditionally dominated by white men. She emphasizes the importance of bringing her unique perspective to these environments and how her presence alone begins to change the corporate "matter."

“Once you walk in, there's no room to feel like an imposter. Because you do. Why in the hell would you be there?”
[10:45] – Bozoma Saint John

Embracing Diversity and Inclusion

The conversation shifts to the significance of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. Bozoma argues that true leadership arises from a place of curiosity and understanding, rather than mere policy compliance.

“If we led from a place of curiosity, the world would be better because we would want to know about other people.”
[06:30] – Bozoma Saint John

“It's just common sense and the way that we should be as human beings.”
[14:37] – Bozoma Saint John

Personal Loss and Growth

Bozoma shares a profoundly personal story about the loss of her husband to cancer in 2013. This experience taught her the concept of "urgency" — not about speed, but about intention and living purposefully. It reshaped her outlook on life and fueled her drive to make meaningful contributions.

“Urgency is about intention. You're doing it for you and not the expectation of anyone else.”
[32:21] – Bozoma Saint John

Leadership Philosophy and Urgency

Bozoma emphasizes the power of individual actions in driving change. She believes that each person's unique experiences and perspectives are vital in shaping better organizations and communities.

“Show up as your full self... your molecule truly matters.”
[13:24] – Bozoma Saint John

Balancing Career and Motherhood

Sophia and Bozoma discuss the challenges and joys of balancing a high-powered career with motherhood. Bozoma underscores the importance of centering oneself to achieve fulfillment in both roles.

“You are the center of your life... make sure you are urgent about the things that you're doing and make sure that you're doing it for you.”
[35:19] – Bozoma Saint John

New Ventures and Future Projects

Bozoma introduces her latest endeavor, Eve by Boz, a hair care line tailored specifically for black women and women of color. She recounts her journey from discovering gaps in the market to establishing a factory in Ghana to produce products that truly cater to her target audience.

“I built a factory in Ghana where I could then manufacture the product myself with black women and women of color at the center of it.”
[28:09] – Bozoma Saint John

Marketing Insights

Bozoma offers valuable marketing advice, advising business owners to narrow their target audience and focus on making their offerings resonate deeply with a specific group rather than trying to appeal to everyone.

“Make your target small and it needs to be centered on you... get the people to fall in love with that.”
[54:05] – Bozoma Saint John

Closing Thoughts

Bozoma leaves listeners with a powerful message about living a life filled with purpose and intention. She encourages everyone to center themselves, make intentional choices, and embrace their unique contributions to create meaningful change.

“Center yourself in your life because you'll be a much more fulfilled person.”
[35:19] – Bozoma Saint John

“Live as wide as possible... have lived the width of it.”
[32:21] – Bozoma Saint John

Conclusion

This episode of Work in Progress is a testament to Bozoma Saint John's resilience, passion, and unwavering commitment to making a difference. Her insights into leadership, diversity, and personal growth provide invaluable lessons for anyone striving to lead authentically and purposefully.

Notable Quotes:

• “I deeply love people... it's part of why I do the work that I do.”
  Bozoma Saint John [06:00]

• “Urgency isn't necessarily about speed... it's about intention.”
  Bozoma Saint John [32:21]

• “If you have to do list, and there are things on there that have moved so many times... get rid of it.”
  Bozoma Saint John [44:39]

• “I'm passing on this belief system... because I want her to be the most fulfilled person she can be.”
  Bozoma Saint John [41:21]

Tune in to gain deeper insights from one of the most influential voices in marketing and leadership today.