Rachel Zoe & Julie Bowen Talk Healthy Fear, Good Money, & Motherhood

In the Climbing in Heels podcast, sponsored by Genesis, Rachel Zoe interviews female powerhouses across different industries. Through her warmth and humor, listeners hear about the challenges and successes of female entrepreneurship, balancing work and family life, and how these boss women navigate the changing landscape of business in a post-pandemic world. Because with Genesis, it’s easy to find your reason, your passion, and your inspiration to Keep Beginning.

“Taking on new ventures is always scary,” says actress Julie Bowen in the latest episode of the Climbing in Heels podcast. Opening up to host Rachel Zoe, the Hollywood star, mom of three, and now entrepreneur shares the realities of starting a new business while juggling everyday life. The two talk about how real — and terrifying — the journey is and how the unknown can actually be the most motivating.

“Fear is what drives me,” Zoe admits, offering advice to the new business owner as an industry veteran. “It has really served me to have a healthy fear about everything I do. Because there’s that fear that paralyzes you where you can’t get out of bed. But then there’s that fear that gives you butterflies in your stomach, that makes you do better, be better, and keep going — to not trip on yourself but also not get ahead of yourself.”

In fact, it was the challenges of raising her three sons that inspired her latest venture: JB Skrub. Started with her friend, longtime publishing executive Jill Biren, the skin-care brand offers gentle but effective products for boys. “Our packaging says ‘pits, nuts, butts,’ in that order,” Bowen laughs. “We want to get kids involved [in self-care] early, before they stink, before they have acne, and learn how to take care [of themselves].” JB Skrub fills a hole in the market, as Zoe says, and Bowen is helping shift perceptions of what a “working mom” should look like.

“The idea now that actual women — even ones in furs and jewels — can be bosses and also have a family is really important to see,” Bowen says. That sentiment is something Zoe relates to deeply: “That’s why [the podcast] is called Climbing in Heels,” she adds. “It’s about relatability, learning, and really being OK with being scared and making mistakes along the way.” And that’s exactly what Bowen plans to do with this new venture — and whatever comes after it.

“Traditionally women haven’t been allowed to make mistakes,” Bowen laughs. “Stepping into your power as someone over the age of 20 can be challenging, and I’m over the age of 50. I have to make it happen!”

Listen to the full episode here.