08/13/2025
What does it really take to rise from public failure, personal heartbreak, and industry doubt… and still build a billion-dollar company in your 50s?
In this raw, unfiltered, and wildly inspiring conversation, Julie Wainwright, founder & former CEO of The RealReal, takes us behind the scenes of her greatest reinvention era.
From the ashes of a failed company & crumbling marriage, to becoming the 23rd woman in history to take a company public, Julie proves it’s never too late to create your boldest chapter yet.
We chat:
- The moment Julie knew she was meant to be a founder not just a CEO
- Lessons from turning public failure into your greatest reinvention
- The emotional link between losing pets.com and losing her marriage, and the surprising life lessons it unlocked
- Balancing love, relationships, and ambition while building something BIG
- The game-changing moves she made building The RealReal in her 50s vs. her 40s
- How to own the room when raising capital, especially as the only woman at the table
- What really happens emotionally after your company goes public
- Why every woman must make her own money and how to own ambition without apology
- The surprising drive that keeps her pushing even after reaching the top
Episode out now! Link in bio