In this illuminating Icons of Influence episode, we dig deep into the evolution of Blake Lively — from screen icon to entrepreneur building brands with intention, integrity, and ambition.

We examine:

• Preserve: her early lifestyle platform built around craft, curation, and stories—and how she closed it when it drifted from its promise
• Betty Buzz: a non-alcoholic sparkling mixer line she spent three years developing, made with real juice, natural flavor, no artificial sweeteners, designed to exist beautifully in both cocktails and solo form
• Betty Booze: her move into RTD cocktails, combining premium spirits, flavour, and convenience in canned format without compromising standards
• Blake Brown: her haircare brand launched in 2024, which became Target’s largest haircare launch; built from her own hair routines and crafted over years, now expanding into hair & body mists in response to customer demand
• Details on how she balances risk, image, identity, quality control, and consumer trust
• How Blake chooses to build rather than borrow influence — reminding listeners how business is more sustainable when aligned with values

Filled with strategy, obstacles, product stories, and entrepreneurship lessons, this episode is essential listening for anyone curious about turning influence into ownership, or building brands that last — not just brands that sparkle.

Keywords:Blake Lively, Betty Buzz, Betty Booze, Blake Brown, celebrity entrepreneur, actress turned business owner, clean beauty line, non-alcoholic mixers, RTD cocktails, beauty brand launch, celebrity startup, brand integrity, founder lessons, pivot in business, influence beyond fame

Hosted by Hannah Hally, The Business Book Club brings together three empowering podcast series — 5-Minute Book Summaries, Icons of Influence, and Leadership Unpacked — sharing practical lessons, success stories, and leadership insights from the world’s most inspiring thinkers. Explore more episodes and resources at www.thebusinessbookclub.online. Visit thebusinessbookclub.online to explore every episode, join our leadership community, and grow your business mindset.

In this captivating episode of Icons of Influence, we explore Serena Williams in full — not just as one of the greatest athletes to ever grace a tennis court, but as a visionary business leader, investor, and cultural force.

On the court, Serena rewrote history: 23 Grand Slam singles titles (the most by any woman in the Open Era), multiple Olympic gold medals, dominance across surfaces, longevity through injuries and motherhood. Her journey challenged norms about what women, especially Black women, could achieve in sport. But as she retires from competition, her influence didn’t fade — it evolved.

We trace how Serena shifted from tennis legend to serial entrepreneur, crafting businesses that reflect her identity, principles, and ambition. Through Serena Ventures, she has invested in over 85 companies — an impressive number of them founded by women, people of color, and underrepresented innovators. To date, around 14 of those portfolio companies have reached unicorn status. (That means valuations of $1B+)

But she didn't stop at investing. Serena launched WYN Beauty, a makeup brand built for motion and diversity, offering cosmetics women can wear while being active. She built Will Perform, a recovery wellness brand offering gels, topicals, and products aimed at athletic bodies. Her production company, Nine Two Six Productions, enables her to influence media, narratives, representation. She is also stepping into sports ownership: in 2025, she acquired a stake in the Toronto Tempo WNBA franchise — the first WNBA team outside the U.S. — helping design merchandising and jersey concepts, signaling her belief in the investment potential of women’s sports.

We explore the ethos behind her ventures — the ways she aligns business with purpose, builds for inclusion, and supports founders historically excluded from capital. We examine tension she navigates: legacy vs reinvention, brand vs business, public perception vs authenticity.

Expect stories, background, strategy, risk, and legacy — everything from how she selected early investments, how she navigates failure, to the lessons she believes are essential for entrepreneurs and leaders. Whether you follow sport, women’s business, venture capital, or personal growth, there’s much to learn.

If you've been inspired by her career, her bold pivots, her voice — this episode is your deep dive into how she became more than an icon, but an architect of influence.

Keywords: Serena Williams, Serena Ventures, women in business, athlete entrepreneur, WYN Beauty, Will Perform brand, venture capital, unicorn startups, sports ownership, women’s sports investment, representation in startups, investing in diversity, former tennis champions in business, legacy building, influence beyond sport, Black women investors, culture and business, inclusive beauty, business ethos, media production, female founder support, crossover athlete business, investing in underrepresented founders, women's equity in sport.

Explore more episodes and resources at www.thebusinessbookclub.online. Visit thebusinessbookclub.online to explore every episode, join our leadership community, and grow your business mindset.

In this deep dive edition of Icons of Influence, we examine Larry Fink — co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of BlackRock — and how he wields influence through capital, data, ideas, and stewardship. We explore:

• His early career: failures, lessons, and founding BlackRock
• The evolution of BlackRock into a multi-asset, tech-driven powerhouse: Aladdin, licensing, acquisitions
• His push into private markets via major deals (GIP, HPS, Preqin) and how they extend BlackRock’s reach
• The annual “Fink letter,” where he challenges CEOs to balance profit and purpose, raising issues of climate, inequality, and long-term thinking
• Criticism and challenges: regulatory scrutiny, conflicts, leadership transition, activism vs fiduciary demands
• What his legacy might look like: embedding purpose, redefining finance, and influencing global norms

This episode offers insight into how modern influence is built — through capital, tools, narrative, and the courage to ask complex questions. Whether you follow finance, leadership, or culture, you’ll find something to rethink.

Keywords:

Larry Fink, BlackRock, asset management, Aladdin platform, ESG investing, private markets, acquisitions, financial influence, business purpose, capitalism 2025, financial leadership, democratising markets, investor activism

Hosted by Hannah Hally, The Business Book Club brings together three empowering podcast series — 5-Minute Book Summaries, Icons of Influence, and Leadership Unpacked — sharing practical lessons, success stories, and leadership insights from the world’s most inspiring thinkers. Explore more episodes and resources at www.thebusinessbookclub.online. Visit thebusinessbookclub.online to explore every episode, join our leadership community, and grow your business mindset.

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