Ep 31: How Jenny Lei Built Handbag Brand Freja into an 8-Figure Business

Ep 31: How Jenny Lei Built Handbag Brand Freja into an 8-Figure Business

What does it take to build a brand that lasts? In this episode, Sophie Blowfield sits down with Jenny Lei, founder of Freja — the cult handbag label that's quietly become one of the most considered names in accessories. Jenny started Freja in 2020 with no design background, no industry connections, and no outside investment. What she had was a genuine problem to solve: she couldn't find a sleek, functional, understated bag for a job interview. Six years and a few earlier ventures later, Freja is an eight-figure brand worn by Hailey Bieber, built on vegan materials, full price transparency, and bags designed from the inside out to move with your life. Jenny opens up about the early years when nothing happened, why she turns inward rather than outward for every brand decision, the real story behind the Hailey Bieber moment, and why "ask yourself why" is the only advice she gives aspiring founders. A masterclass in patience, intentionality, and building something that deserves to exist. I hope you enjoy! Follow The Beauty Sessions on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thebeautysessions/?hl=en] Follow Sophie Blowfield on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/sophieblowfield/?hl=en] Follow Freja New York on⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/frejanyc/?hl=en] Follow Jenny Lei on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jennyyleiii/?hl=en]

Ep 30: Carol Han on Building Fragrance Through Poetry with Nette

What if a fragrance could begin as a poem? In this episode, Sophie Blowfield sits down with Carol Han, founder and CEO of Nette — the New York-based fragrance and candle brand redefining what luxury scent can be. Born in San Francisco, raised in Hawaii, and shaped by years as a fashion editor at Elle, Carol traces Nette back to the candle store her mother ran when she was a little girl, and the carefree childhood she's spent her career trying to bottle. The result is a brand where every scent starts as a poem, each fragrance is built around a fictional character living in Carol's head, and the mood-boosting benefits are backed by neuroscience. This episode is a masterclass in storytelling, intention, and building something people actually want to keep. I hope you enjoy! Follow The Beauty Sessions on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thebeautysessions/?hl=en] Follow Sophie Blowfield on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/sophieblowfield/?hl=en] Follow Nette NYC on⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/nette.nyc/?hl=en]

Ep. 29: Dr Natazia zu Stolberg: Why All the Cool Girls Are Drinking Rest + Digest

Dr. Natazia zu Stolberg is a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, licensed acupuncturist based in Los Angeles, and founder of Dr. Stolberg — the brand behind the iconic Rest + Digest tea. She's also the co-founder of Space 314, a wellness space offering acupuncture, sports recovery, and personal training. In this episode, Dr. Stolberg shares the deeply personal health journey that led her to Chinese medicine — why she was on the path to becoming a Western medical doctor before everything changed, her philosophy that less is more when it comes to health, and why your smoothies and salads might actually be making your bloating worse. She breaks down the science behind Rest + Digest tea, to simple food recipes for people on-the-go and why slowing down is the most underrated health hack — this is the wellness conversation everyone needs to hear. Our listeners can purchase Rest + Digest Tea with 10% OFF a one-time purchase at DOCTORSTOLBERG.COM using code THEBEAUTYSESSIONS. I hope you enjoy! Follow The Beauty Sessions on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thebeautysessions/?hl=en] Follow Sophie Blowfield on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/sophieblowfield/?hl=en] Follow Dr. Natazia zu Stolberg on ⁠Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dr.nataziazustolberg/]

Ep. 28: Frances Shoemack on Challenging the Status Quo with Abel Fragrance

Frances Shoemack is the founder of Abel Fragrance, a brand proving that natural fragrances don't have to compromise on performance or sophistication. A former winemaker from New Zealand, Frances left the wine trade after moving to Amsterdam, fell in love with the world of niche perfumery, and quickly realised that nobody was making luxury fragrance from natural, fossil fuel-free ingredients. So she built it herself. In this episode, Frances shares why Abel's new packaging took over three years to develop and why her philosophy of radical fragrance means never putting something into the world that doesn't have a reason for existing. This is a conversation about craft, courage, and building a brand that walks to its own beat. I hope you enjoy! Follow The Beauty Sessions on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thebeautysessions/?hl=en] Follow Sophie Blowfield on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/sophieblowfield/?hl=en] Follow Frances Shoemack on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/francesshoemack/] Follow Abel Fragrance on ⁠Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/abelfragrance/]

Ep 27: Krystle Wilson on Modeling, Motherhood & Why Organization Is Self-Care

Krystle Wilson is a model signed to Elite Model Management and the founder of Everything Clear, a luxury home organization service based in New York City. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Krystle's career has taken her from studying fashion design in Miami to modelling in Paris — including a go-see with Azzedine Alaïa himself that she booked because of her genuine appreciation for the craft of design. In this episode, Krystle opens up about her early years growing up in Brooklyn, teaching herself to sew at 14, being discovered at a party in Miami and signing with Elite the following week. She shares why organisation is a form of self-care, how her fashion design background makes her approach to spaces completely different, and the products she swears by. This is a conversation about reinvention, intentionality, and finding beauty in every corner of your life. I hope you enjoy! Follow The Beauty Sessions on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/thebeautysessions/?hl=en] Follow Sophie Blowfield on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/sophieblowfield/?hl=en] Follow Krystle Wilson on ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/everythingkrys/]