"I didn't go to college. I went to beauty school. Don't doubt the sweat equity you put in and the learnings you've had are worth an education that sometimes you can't get in college.”
In this episode of The Entreprenista Podcast, Laura Geller, founder of Laura Geller Beauty, shares the unfiltered story behind her journey from a single makeup chair in Hell’s Kitchen to a nationally recognized brand featured on QVC, Sephora, and Ulta. Laura opens up about the highs, the hard lessons, and the pivotal moments that forced her to trust her instincts, even when others in the room didn’t.
From selling handmade products door-to-door to navigating investor relationships that nearly cost her everything, Laura reveals how resilience, street smarts, and knowing your customer can outweigh any formal business training. She dives into the challenges of scaling, the realities of managing people, and why learning to ask for help is one of the most important skills an entrepreneur can develop.
What We Talked About:
Building a Brand From Scratch [7:09]
Navigating Challenges/Learning Lessons [13:52]
The Role of Investors and Partnerships [21:02]
Trusting Your Voice [27:55]
Marketing Strategies for Success [35:11]
Connect with Lauren:
@laurageller on Instagram
@lauragellerbeauty on Instagram
Laura Geller on LinkedIn
Join our Entreprenista League community of women founders! You’ll have access to a private community of like-minded Entreprenistas who are making an impact in business every day, special discounts on business products and solutions, exclusive content, private events, the opportunity to have your story featured on our website and social channels, and access to Office Hours with top founders who have been on our show! We can’t wait to welcome you, support you, and be part of your business journey!
Curious about joining the Entreprenista League? Sign up here for a free info session.
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of The Entreprenista Podcast - the most fun business meeting for women founders and leaders. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Spotify | iHeart Radio
Be sure to share your favorite episodes across social media to help us reach more amazing female founders, like you.
Guests
Laura Geller
Hosts
Stephanie Cartin
Co-founder of Socialfly and Entreprenista.
Stephanie Cartin is the co-founder and CEO of Entreprenista, an all-in-one platform – which includes a private community & business membership called The Entreprenista League that's made up of over 2,000 women founders at all stages of business, a weekly newsletter received by 60,000 readers, two podcasts, in-person educational & networking events, and an award program – that women founders at all stages can turn to for everything they need to grow.
Stephanie is also the co-founder of Socialfly (acquired by Truform Media Group in 2024), Markid, and Pearl Influential Capital. She has won countless awards, including the SmartCEO Brava award, which recognizes the top women CEOs in New York, and a Stevie Award for Women-Run Workplace of the Year. She has also appeared in Bloomberg, Forbes, Entrepreneur, Refinery29, and more.
Join 2,000+ supportive, ambitious founders in the
Highlights
The Latest
Heather Lillico Helps Burnt-Out Founders Rewire Their Nervous Systems
The former nutritionist burnt out building her nutrition business, and the tools that brought her back to calm now anchor her coaching for women founders.
Elizabeth Watson Helps Founders Recover Their Lost Energy
Automate Your Site with a 1-Month Free Trial
Kartra