Bethenny Frankel; Credit: Celeste Sloan
Bethenny Frankel instantly became a household name in 2008, as a breakout star on Season 1 of Real Housewives of NYC. A year later, she launched Skinnygirl, first with a wildly popular pre-packaged margarita, then later expanding into markets from salad dressing to blue jeans. In 2011, she sold the brand for an astonishing $100 million.
But her hustle has only hastened over the last 15 years. She’s put her keys to success into a new book, BUSINESS IS PERSONAL: The Truth About What it Takes to Be Successful While Staying True to Yourself, to encourage the next generation of entrepreneurs. She’s also launched Mingle Mocktails, for those who don’t drink, and her own rosé with nightlife executive Seth Greenberg, for those that do.
Finally, she’s cemented her social media queen status with a number of ventures, most notably her must-watch TikTok beauty series, where she tells fans what drugstore products work as well as their more pricey counterparts. Her YouTube and “Just B with Bethenny Frankel” podcast both feature more raw conversations with a dose of humor—combining Bethenny’s signature wit with her incredible celebrity reach (guests on her podcast have included Andy Cohen, Maria Sharapova and Maria Shriver).
Like many working moms, Bethenny grew her family while growing her business. Daughter Bryn was born in 2010; the now 13-year-old daughter sometimes joins Mom on social media.
In this week’s Meet a Mom, Bethenny shares about parenting a teenager, preparing her daughter for mean girls, and more.
Bethenny with her daughter Bryn and fiancé Paul Bernon, credit: Bethenny Frankel Instagram
Your daughter Bryn is 13—a newly minted teen! What are your tips for parenting a teenager?
Be entirely on the case. Set very clear and strict boundaries. If you give an inch, they will take a mile.
Great advice! You became famous on the biggest reality series in history, with more than its share of girl drama. What do you tell Bryn about mean girls and friendships?
No highs and lows. Try to keep the car at 55 mph: you don’t need to be BFF with anyone now. Have great friends and be nice to everyone. No gossip or drama. Everyone will tell everyone everything you say and stay in the middle.
On that note, it’s hard for women to decipher real from fake on social media, let alone young girls. What’s the conversation like with your daughter about staying authentic?
My daughter is so free and natural. It’s not even in the realm of possibility for her to be fake. It’s like telling a giraffe not to be an elephant.
Love that! You’ve launched several successful businesses and brands. What is your best advice to a mom with a fabulous idea but not sure where to start?
Execute it—[but] it’s ten times harder than you think. Successful woman are absolute gangsters. You have to be a machine.
Your brand reviews on TikTok are genius. What are your absolute favorite saves and splurges?
Maybelline has incredible lip products and L’Oréal skin care is like a department store. Neutrogena has a foundation as good as expensive. I love Pixi glow pads so much for an exfoliating toner. It’s almost as good as Biologique Recherche which is phenomenal.
I love Chanel and Anastasia cream bronzer a lot. I think Clarins has a really nice lip oil and Biologique Recherche P50 lotion is the best product out there.
What’s one thing you do daily to center yourself?
I use a heated herbal neck pillow from a warming cabinet to go to sleep. It centers and relaxes me.
We love to support local businesses. Can you please share your favorite places in your neighborhood/area to:
Go for coffee:
My kitchen or Dunkin’ Donuts
Go for girls’ night:
LOL literally never.
Go for date night:
Harvest restaurant in Greenwich. But honestly our date nights are when we travel.
Go for family dinner:
Tutto il Giorno in Sag Harbor
Mediterranneo in Greenwich
Mr Chow in NY
(All dictated by Bryn’s favorites!)
Workout:
Zero or summer beach walks in July and August
Have fun with Bryn:
Vegetable picking
Ice skating
Roller skating
TJ Maxx
Snowboarding in Aspen (minus my altitude issues)
Shop for Bryn:
Love Shack
Brandi Melville
TJ Maxx
