No Boxes. No Limits. My Time with Kathy Ireland

At every cocktail party, I seem to get a similar response upon my introduction. Them: “It’s so nice to meet you Randi! What do you do?” Long pause. Me: “Do you have an hour?!” It would be nice to have an easy, direct title to give them, but I’ve honestly always loved my lopsided and complicated identity. I don’t want the description of myself to fit inside a small box. But if I were to sum it up succinctly, my mission with my company and my life is to help give opportunities to women, children, and entrepreneurs everywhere. In so doing, and in the same spirit, it is rare that I meet a truer, more kindred spirit than the poised and eloquent Kathy Ireland.

It was a joyous honor to interview her for my SiriusXM show. There is no way to simply define this radiant lady’s journey. Kathy’s supermodel career was launched when she was a teenager and led to a record 13 issues and all-time bestselling cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. When she stumbled upon the market of recyclable socks, she actually began building a worldwide enterprise. kiWW is now a global brand that lives by the philanthropic philosophy “Swipe a card, save a life!”

Kathy candidly said: “Don’t let other people’s opinions of you define or destroy you. Don’t let them put you in a box and limit you. We’re all so much more than that!” I 100% second that.

I’m a radio host, a mom, an investor, an author, a producer, and so many other things. Often times, especially as women, we let others pigeonhole our careers and we end up believing their narrow opinions of who we are and what we do. We stifle all the other unique gifts that can really be an asset to our business. We shut out sides of ourselves thinking we need to focus on one path. It is impossible to say that an entrepreneur does only one thing. They are innovative, creative, business savvy individuals who have courage in board rooms to showcase their complete, talented selves.

For me, if I had not formed an 80s cover band at Facebook, I never would have gotten an offer to be in Rock of Ages on Broadway. Business executives in Silicon Valley told me that if I seized the glorious offer to go sing on Broadway, an ultimate dream of mine, my career would be over. But they were wrong! That opportunity led me to move my family and company to New York City. Now, I am a Tony Award winning Broadway producer and have recently launched Broadway Beta Ventures, a theatrical fund that produces original works. 

I want to use my own, lopsided path as an example to tell other women:

1) Don’t see yourself as ONE thing. We all have multi-dimensional personalities that can beautifully influence our businesses. 

2) Maybe that one skill that you think will limit your career, will instead light a fire in you and steer you in a different direction entirely. 

I want to thank Kathy for reminding me of some other important lessons:

1. Have a passion for what you’re doing! If you do, when things crumble and go off the rails, you can remember and rely on your core love of what you’re accomplishing. 
2. Kathy said, “Don’t sit back on yesterday’s success. Charge forward.” Celebrate and revel in your successes, but know that it’s not over. You have more work to do!
3. Recognize the reward it is to be exposed to needs so much greater than yourself and that you are able to help provide opportunities to people who truly need them. 
4. Figure out what your values are because they will be challenged. Never let your integrity be comprised.

There couldn’t have been a more fitting ending to my chat with Kathy. She imparted a belief that she and I absolutely share and said, “There is a lot of pressure, especially on women, to do it all and have it all. I think we can have it all, just not at once.” Wow. That is my Pick Three mantra! Total work/life balance doesn’t exist. We can give ourselves permission to shift our priorities. It’s important to be intentional in the choices we make on managing our time doing our work, spending time with loved ones, sleeping, and staying healthy. It’s such a dilemma. But just remember…Work, sleep, family, friends, fitness. Pick Three! 

Approaching work with authenticity, passion, morality, and considering the greater good seems impossible. Kathy Ireland makes it look like cake! I am so thankful for the time spent discussing life and business with her. If you missed this chat, click here to hear the full episode.

Tune into Randi Zuckerberg Means Business every Wednesday at 12 ET on SiriusXM Radio, Channel 132.