We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rani Alfers a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Rani , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

The story began with a desire to connect with other women entrepreneurs during the pandemic. With networking events and the world closing, I wanted to create a platform where women could support each other during a challenging time and launched a Facebook Live series where female business owners shared their experiences and insights. From these conversations, the idea of expanding our reach and impact grew, leading to the project of Working Women Mentor Podcast.

The concept behind the podcast is not just about women, but how to better support each other in life and work by sharing a “mentor moment,” a small piece of advice that can change the trajectory of someone’s life and inspire each other. As a solo traveler, I have a passion for meeting people, hearing their stories and learning from them. This is the exciting part for me!

Currently, I personally fund one hundred percent of the production cost and time associated with each episode. It’s that important to me because I believe in the impact it can make. The podcast has grown from 30 downloads for the first episode to 45,000 downloads, which tells me that it’s worthwhile to someone else. The uniqueness of the podcast lies in its ability to give guests the gift of remembering and appreciating the small pieces of advice that have contributed to their lives. The podcast invites both the speaker and listener to be on the same playing field, bridging the gap by providing small moments of mentorship that can be used and paid forward.

Rani , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

(For folks who may not have read about you before, can you please tell our readers about yourself, how you got into your industry / business / discipline / craft etc,)

Absolutely, as a leader, business owner, and mother, I have an incredible curiosity of life and a passion for connecting with people. I strongly believe in cherishing every moment, staying in the present, and striving to make each day the best it can be. For me, life is about living in the moment, embracing new experiences, and nurturing meaningful relationships.

Throughout my career, I have always been motivated by the drive for independence and the desire to push beyond my perceived limitations. My entrepreneurial journey began in college, where I launched my very first business, and has continued to evolve over the years.

Seventeen years ago, I took a significant leap of faith and started an all-lines insurance agency in Texas, which has since grown and thrived under the guidance of a talented team. As my passion for entrepreneurship deepened, I decided to explore new horizons and founded EMR Equity, a development group, with the goal of identifying our first acquisition.

Looking back, I am most proud of the fact that I recognized my talents and took the first steps toward applying them outside of my then current industry. The decision to pursue new opportunities in the luxury skincare market led me to my current role as CEO of EMK Skincare, a company with a rich legacy and enormous potential for growth.

My journey has been shaped by a willingness to take risks and embrace new challenges, and I remain committed to exploring new horizons and pushing beyond my limits. Through hard work, dedication, and a passion for excellence, anything can happen!

(what type of products/services/creative works you provide, what problems you solve for your clients and/or what you think sets you apart from others.)

As a consumer myself, I have high expectations when it comes to the level of service I receive. My son teases me and says they are a bit too high! However, understanding the importance of customer experience and the value of loyalty. My companies, prioritize a personalized approach when working with our clients. We take the time to truly understand their unique needs and preferences, and tailor our solutions accordingly. Our ultimate goal is to deliver results that exceed expectations, every time.

One of the things that sets us apart from others is our deep understanding of the markets we operate in, both as consumers and business professionals. If we don’t know, we will find the right person, learn it and figure it out fast. We have a keen sense of what our clients are looking for and work tirelessly to make it happen.

Let’s talk M&A – we’d love to hear your about your experience with buying businesses.

Yes, I have had the opportunity to buy a business, and it was an exciting experience for me. EMK Skincare is a company that I acquired in 2021. The reason I bought EMK Skincare was because of the rich heritage and potential for growth it possessed. I was impressed with the company’s dedication to using potent, science-backed formulas to create advanced skincare products that could heal and restore the skin.

EMK Skincare’s founder, was a true pioneer in the natural beauty industry. Her passion for healing and restoring skin led her to discover a powerful regenerative treatment that has become the cornerstone of the EMK Skincare line.

The acquisition process was challenging but rewarding. Our team worked closely with the previous owner to ensure a smooth transition, and we were excited to continue building on the company’s legacy. Our mission is to introduce the world to the potent formulas that EMK Skincare has been known for, while continuing to innovate and push beyond skincare norms. We’re committed to using the highest quality, most advanced ingredients to help people achieve their best skin.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I love reading, growing up in libraries alongside my mom it’s now a natural pleasure. As of lately, autobiographies and business books are most read. I have been inspired by the teachings of two remarkable individuals. Darren Hardy’s practical and determined mindset has always resonated with me, his Darren Daily’s, books and high-performance leadership courses are all highly recommended. It’s changed the way I view and spend time. Equally impactful has been the work of Dr. Joseph Michelli, a renowned author and speaker, whose philosophy of “Wow” has opened my eyes to the true meaning of exceeding expectations. I have incorporated his approach into both my professional and personal life and enjoy giving someone a wow experience almost more than when I receive one.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ranialfers.com, www.emkskincare.com
• Instagram: @ranialfers, @emk_skincare_official, @rani.insures.dallas
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralfers
• Other: www.ranialfers.com/applepodcasts