What does it take to start a business with nothing but a dream - and only $507 in your bank account? That's exactly how Norel Mancuso, CEO and Co-Founder of Social House, began her journey. At 27, she packed up a van, hit the road, and somewhere in a Kentucky bar scribbled two words on a matchbook: Social House. From that bold leap to landing game-changing clients like Playboy, Norel knew her instincts were spot on. In this episode of Brand Insider: BTS, Norel opens up to Lisa Singer about her approach to leadership and life- why she believes in …

What happens when someone sees potential in you before you see it yourself? For Brooke Perry, that moment changed everything. Velvet Taco's VP of Marketing shares how a pivotal mentor shaped her journey, and the bold advice that fueled her career: "If you're 80% sure, just do it." In this episode of Brand Insider: BTS, Brooke talks to Lisa Singer about embracing failure, speaking up-- even when it's uncomfortable-- and creating a culture where being rebellious is all in a day's work. She also shares her personal take on balancing big career goals with even bigger life changes-- like becoming …

What does great leadership really look like? For Jessica Serrano, CMO of Dig Inn, it's not about hierarchy- it's about leading "hip to hip," staying curious, and helping her team do work that truly energizes them. In this episode of Brand Insider: BTS, Jessica shares with Lisa Singer the career lessons that shaped her leadership style- from taking the job no one wants to rejecting advice that prioritizes likability over effectiveness. She opens up about leading with intention, showing the "quiet parts" of herself, and why, at the end of the day, her greatest motivation comes from the life she …

What happens when you stop waiting for permission to lead? Ana Malmqvist learned early on that when you see a gap, fill it- what's the worst thing that can happen? For Melting Pot's Chief Brand Officer, it's not just about stepping up, it's about owning your voice, your value, and your impact. In this episode of Brand Insider: BTS, Ana opens up with MediaPost's Lisa Singer about what it really means to raise your hand, and why leadership is an essential skill, something you shouldn't, especially as a woman, be hesitant about. From her mother's trailblazing journey as a Cuban …

What do attending nine schools in twelve years, glow-in-the-dark basketballs, and raising your hand have in common? For Leigh Anna Trelenberg, they all speak to perseverance and adaptability- the common threads that run through her life and career. As Mattel's Director of U.S. Media, Leigh Anna shares how growing up all over the country and overseas has helped her develop the flexibility and intuition she now brings to the ever-changing world of media. In this episode of Brand Insider: BTS, she joins Lisa Singer to talk about the power of listening before reacting, why some of her biggest career wins …

Ever feel like your career is heading into apocalyptic mode-even when things aren't actually that bad? Jessica McCarthy, CEO & Founder of Brand Energy, gets it. She believes there's often a gap between what we feel and what's really happening, especially in today's hyper-connected, always-on world. In this episode of Brand Insider: BTS, Jessica opens up to Lisa Singer about navigating the unknown. From nearly becoming a brain surgeon to leading bold marketing campaigns for major brands, her path has been anything but conventional-and she credits that unexpected journey for teaching her the value of perspective, grit, and showing up …

What makes someone want to go beyond just marketing a brand to actually building it from the inside out? For Jaime Keller, Brand Director of Bombay Sapphire at Bacardi, it all goes back to her roots as an athlete-she's competitive, driven, but most of all, a total team player. In this episode of Brand Insider: BTS, Jaime shares with Lisa Singer how starting out on the agency side gave her the big-picture perspective she needed, but it was her desire to go deeper-to truly shape a brand from the inside-that led her to where she is today. She also talks …