Reflections on My Conversation with Kim Wileman
Ep.75: Building a Brand Without the Playbook
I loved every moment of my conversation with Kim Wileman. I loved recording it. I loved listening back to it. I loved how I kept nodding along, thinking — yep, that’s me too.
Kim is the kind of woman you instantly recognize, even if you’ve never met her. Unconventional. Spirited. Full of heart. She’s carved out her own lane in beauty and business, and somehow managed to bring her full self along for the ride. That’s rare. And it’s powerful.
What struck me most about Kim was her honesty around money — how little we’re taught, how much we figure out the hard way, and how those early lessons shape our instincts later in life. She talked about getting her first credit card and having no clue how to use it responsibly. Me too, girl. She talked about working retail and having no savings — just a growing collection of beautiful things. Again, yes.
But she also talked about becoming a “master walk-away-er.” That one gave me chills. How many of us stay too long in jobs, relationships, or client situations that don’t align? Kim’s courage to walk away — even when money was tight — is something I aspire to and deeply admire. She’s built a life that’s not just successful, but values-led. That takes guts.
Kim’s story reminded me how much we absorb from our families — consciously and unconsciously. Her parents were 18 and 19 when she was born. Her mom, an educator who created a stable home, and her dad, a rock musician chasing big dreams. That mix of structure and dreaming shows up in how Kim moves through the world. It’s a blend I relate to — this tension between risk and responsibility. Between wanting to be free and wanting to be safe. Between Chanel and spreadsheets.
There’s also something sacred in how Kim talks about her belief that things will work out. That if you trust the dream, the path will appear. That level of trust — not in external systems, but in yourself — is revolutionary. It’s what’s carried her through building No Makeup Makeup, consulting billionaires, and mentoring the next generation of founders.
Kim doesn’t just make beauty products — she builds beautiful businesses. And now, she’s building legacy. Not in the performative, “look at my empire” kind of way, but in the “how can I be of service to other women” kind of way. She wants her next chapter to be about investing in others. Supporting young brands. Serving on boards. Leaving the world better than she found it.
By the end of the interview, I was reminded why I started Getting Rich Together in the first place. Not just to talk about money. But to talk about what money represents. Agency. Alignment. Possibility.
Kim’s story is a living reminder that wealth isn’t just what’s in your bank account — it’s how deeply you believe in your own worth. It’s how boldly you walk away when things don’t align. It’s how graciously you share what you’ve learned.
If you haven’t listened to the episode yet, do yourself a favor and queue it up. This one’s rich in all the ways that matter.