Makeup Geek's Marlena Stell on her $20M business on passion, authenticity — and working with her ex-husband - a podcast by Emma Johnson

I interviewed Marlena Stell for Forbes last year, and we've stayed friends since. This 36-year-old entrepreneur built MakeUp Geek, the once cosmetics blog, now-makeup brand on track for $20 million in sales. Whew!

In this episode, Makeup Geek's Marlena Stell and I discuss:

• How she went from high school music teacher, to cosmetics mogul (named to Inc.'s 'Fastest Growing Women-Led Companies'), thanks to the then-new YouTube, brutal honesty and being herself in a world of gloss and perfection. 

• Whaaatt?! Her ex-husband is her COO? She explains how that works. 

• Why she DOESN'T have a mentor or professional idol.

• What she does with all her money.

• How she found her new husband, and balances her role as the breadwinner with her relationship.

• Biggest mistakes she's made in building Makeup Geek

• Her advice to aspiring cosmetics entrepreneuers 

• Whats' next for this woman

• Why she is always unabashedly honest about the products she reviews (and drugstore brands often beat spendy Sephora labels)

Have a listen ... and check out Makeup Geek's latest products. 

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