Episode 335: From Hollywood to Beauty CEO | Rebecca Rittenhouse | Actress, Producer & Founder of Privet Beauty
Rebecca Rittenhouse is best known for her roles in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, The Mindy Project, and Maggie, but she’s now adding “beauty entrepreneur” to her creative empire. In this episode, Rebecca joins Kara to share the behind-the-scenes of launching Privet Beauty, a brow-focused brand born from her passion for artistry, clean beauty, and independence. They dive into the challenges of starting a company, navigating acting and producing while building a business, managing overwhelm, and why creating your own opportunities is the ultimate power move. If you’re balancing multiple dreams, craving creative control, or looking for the courage to start something new, this conversation will inspire you to say yes, even when it’s uncomfortable.
“I’m not okay with sitting around and waiting for the next thing to come to me. I can make opportunities for myself.”
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Chapters:
00:00 PLP-Rebecca Rittenhouse
00:02 Introduction
02:05 Meet Rebecca Rittenhouse
02:32 Launching Pritt Beauty
03:43 Balancing Multiple Careers
05:15 Why Start a Beauty Brand?
09:38 Taking Control as an Artist
10:57 Building a Business from Scratch
13:11 What Makes Pritt Beauty Unique
15:25 The Hero Product: Clear Brow Gel
16:46 Korean Beauty Innovation
33:55 Early Passion for Beauty
44:18 Excitement for Future Products
45:37 Managing Perfectionism and Mistakes
50:04 Work-Life Balance and Boundaries
51:08 Wrapping up the conversation in Career Pivot Moments
Transcript - Episode 335-Rebecca Rittenhouse
[00:00:00]
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Welcome to The Powerful Ladies Podcast. I'm Kara Duffy, and today's guest is actress, writer, producer, and now beauty entrepreneur, Rebecca Rittenhouse. I've had the pleasure of working with Rebecca on the launch of this business and launching a beauty business is no joke. So we go back to Rebecca, as you know, Hollywood celebrity.
You've seen her in Once Upon a time in Hollywood, the Mindy Project, Maggie and Running Point to name a few, and it's always so interesting to me, and I hope for you as well as listeners, as why do people, celebrities in particular launch these other businesses when they're already so busy and they seem to be just piling on more [00:01:00] things As someone who's also a multi entrepreneur.
I understand the drive and crave to produce more things and create more things if that's how your brain is works. It just kind of keeps happening. But I really wanted Rebecca to share what it's like to launch this business in particular. There's such a phenomenon of celebrities launching things in skincare and beauty. They make it look really easy. And Beauty is one of the hardest businesses to launch. It's super challenging. There's a lot of steps, a lot of things to overcome. And Rebecca's really busy, so I'm really curious about how she does it all. And we also get into really important launch topics, funding teams, time management, the challenges and lessons she's learning along the way, and why she has a pull to create this brand, but also maybe more important, why is being an entrepreneur in addition to her already extensive creative resume, so important to her.
She's lovely. I hope you really [00:02:00] enjoy this episode and also get some great takeaways for whatever you may be thinking about launching in your own world.
Kara: Welcome to the Powerful Ladies Podcast.
Rebecca: Thank you. Happy to be here.
Kara: I am very excited you're here 'cause you have quite the big month that you are in the middle of and about to be launching into. And it is like the start of a, I feel like a 15 other things that are big and significant that are coming
Rebecca: Yeah.
Kara: Before we get into all that, let's tell everyone your name, where you are in the world and what you're up to.
Rebecca: My name is Rebecca Rittenhouse. I live in Los Angeles and I am starting a brow focused beauty company. I am launching it in six days. So yeah, that’s where we are.
Kara: That is not the only thing you do. You have many other things going on.
Rebecca: Right. Yes. I am also an actress and [00:03:00] a producer, and I write as well, and I am getting married in November. So, um, the project management, has been a lot over the last, uh, few months, especially this last month. It's like, you know, everything comes to a head right before you can like, sort of sharpen the ax and then the month of you just have to really, um, execute and I've already learned so much of what not to do, uh, next time around.
Rebecca: So, yeah. It's been a lot. I'm definitely having a lot of like 5:00 AM cortisol, wake up with my to-do list floating through my brain, it's all, all par par for the course.
Kara: Well, especially someone like yourself that has so many careers and interests and new ideas and opportunities that come your way. Even if you were trying to be like, we're not gonna launch anything new, you had a situation where a new opportunity came up that you couldn't [00:04:00] say no to. Didn't want to either. So, you know, in the world of. Acting, writing, producing, there's not a schedule that's very controllable.
Rebecca: No, there definitely isn't. And being on set is always, you know, it kind of requires your full attention. And sometimes you're filming places where you don't have wifi, which is a crazy, crazy thing when like the customs broker needs an answer on something asap, you know? So, it was definitely a very wild couple of weeks, this last two weeks filming this pilot for, um, Hulu, which I'm very excited about and was super fun.
Rebecca: But yeah, it was a lot, it was a lot going on.
Kara: I've been thinking about how you were mentioning that there wasn't wifi. I'm like, did they do that on purpose? Like did they want you guys so focused that you couldn't do other things?
Rebecca: I really don't think so. I think it's just sometimes when you're renting a house, you know, to film in, I think. It's a lot of people trying to [00:05:00] get on a wifi network and or, you know, the homeowners might not want you to use it, et cetera, give away their wifi password. I, I don't know. It's like all of those things kind of combine together.
Kara: Yeah. Well, the main reason that you're here to talk today is to talk about Privet Beauty. You are known for having incredible eyebrows, so it makes sense that you're launching in the eyebrow space first, but what made you feel brave, audacious enough to be like, you know what? Like this product is missing and there needs to be a new beauty brand and I should make it.
Rebecca: I think there are a lot of answers to that question, and I think some of them are personal and some of them are marketplace driven. And if we start with just the business side of it. I think brows are a very personal preference driven [00:06:00] area, and as I thought about it, I felt like they were often getting not totally overlooked, because I think people do love eyebrows, but sometimes when I think about the cosmetics that are available for them, some of them seem to be an afterthought or like a sort of, this is good enough type of thing. And when I think about the variety that's available in terms of mascara, for creating a different look or, for people's specific needs. Like, do you have really short eyelashes? Do you have really straight eyelashes? Do you have super long? Do you have fine, do you have thick, do you have course like it's hair?
So it's so personal. It's different for everybody, and I don't think that's the case. With, brows and I think same in haircare. There's lots of variety and lots of different types of products, which is great. And I haven't seen that as much for brows. And then personally, I wanted something that was a clean formula that was [00:07:00] good for my brows that I was gonna be using every single day, especially knowing how people tend to lose hair as they get older and thought maybe I'll develop something that is.
Not gonna contribute to that problem. Because some of the products that I loved, once I learned that was in them, you know, they performed really well to hold or whatever. But, once I learned what was in them, I was like, oh, maybe this isn't great to be using every day. Sure. You know, once in a while, like, pick your poison. But, um, I, I, I saw that there was a space there. And then on another personal level, being an artist is a very crazy path. And I think, you know, during the strikes it was a really eyeopening experience because we'd been through COVID and then we went through this additional industry shutdown, and I didn't like feeling like I wasn't in charge of my career and I wasn't in charge of my life.
I [00:08:00] really, really, really didn't like that feeling because. I'm the type of person that always needs to be moving, always needs to be working. I'm not really okay with sitting around, um, and waiting for the next thing to come to me. And I got really, really depressed and I had to, to think about the message, the information that I was getting from myself and what I needed to do about that. So, I decided to start this business and. You know, obviously I think if you're gonna start a business, it has to be something that you care about and that you're interested in and that you're passionate about. like I wasn't gonna start a windshield wiper company, you know, I just don't care about that.
So, you know, you have to pick and choose. But then most of it's really just about follow through and consistency and commitment and, um, showing up for yourself and what you're building every day. Even when you don't want to, or you're exhausted, [00:09:00] or you're having a crisis of confidence, which happens a lot. Um, as you know, you've heard many a phone call with me where I'm like, what the heck am I doing? and I think that more than anything is something that I'm really, really grateful for because I, you know, I haven't launched yet, but in a way I think I, I've proved to myself that. I can make things happen that I have, agency over my life and that I, I don't have to wait for other people to, to give me opportunities. I can make them for myself.
Kara: It is such an empowering feeling when you have that authority. 'cause as you mentioned about being an artist, when it feels so out of control, um, you need something that you can have that authority over and make sure that you're driving the life that you wanna have. I'm always surprised that more artists.[00:10:00] Don't have their own businesses in some capacity and don't have other things that can be predictable and reliable in some sense. All businesses right, have their unexpected moments, but there's a big difference in where do you have authority versus where do you not, and I, I think I'm like you where I'm, I'm someone who doesn't want to not be in control of getting to where I know I wanna go.
Rebecca: A hundred percent.
Kara: You know, you've learned so much in this process and you continue to do so. A beauty brand is no joke. There's so many extra steps versus any other kind of tangible product that you could mention. It's like beauty and food are the ones that have the most hoops to jump through. You know, how are you proud of yourself for you know, what you've done and what you've learned and figured out in the past, what, almost two years now?
Rebecca: Two years, I mean, and probably even longer since I [00:11:00] really started thinking about what I was gonna do. 'cause I, I did, I've kind of always known that I was going to start a business. I just didn't know what it was. And I, for a long time I thought maybe it was a production company, and maybe that's still ahead for me.
But, I just kind of always knew that I was gonna do something like that and then the circumstances propelled me forward. But in terms of what I'm proud of, This is a, this is a hard one for me. I actually have to like, stop myself and try to remind myself to be, uh, proud because it really does feel like a constant game of whack-a-mole when you're building a company.
Or just like, okay, what's the next problem I'm dealing with? But I think one thing I would be proud of is just, you know, the stick with itness. That I've, you know, built something from absolutely nothing. And, you know, of course I had, you and I had [00:12:00] some amazing freelance people that have really helped me, but, I don't have a business partner.
I don't have outside money. Like I really did this myself. And so I think figuring everything out. And sticking with it and knowing that everything is figureoutable, has been something that I'm, I'm really, really proud of because I do think I'm like, oh, okay, well I figured that out. I can probably figure out most things.Like, I, I mean, I'm not gonna go, like, build a rocket tomorrow, but, um, like, uh, I, I mean, I probably could figure it out if I wanted to. It might take me. 15 years, but, um, but I, at least I know that, you know, and I'm, I'm, I am proud of that now to, to really feel like, oh, I can, I can do anything that I really set my mind to.
Kara: Mm-hmm. I mean, if Richard Branson can have his own rocket ship, I think you [00:13:00] can too.
Rebecca: Yeah.
Kara: yeah. You spent so much time in developing this product, what makes it unique versus other things that are in the market today?
Rebecca: Well, uh, it's an interesting question because like you said, with beauty, there's a lot of extra steps and food as well. But even within that, I chose a product that has even more steps, which is a, with a product that has a wiper and an applicator. So mascara is a similar situation where, um. It's called the mix. So it's basically the way the wiper wipes formula off of the brush and then how much formula is left on the brush. Uh, so that's its own world of like development where you need to get that right. It's not just like, oh, you can pump out in, in your hand and whatever. It's a doll [00:14:00] up of formula. It's not like that.
One thing about my product is I, I think the mix is really nice. I really like it. It's very, um, buildable, I find with a lot of brow products, you get too much goop on the brush and then you're trying to like Work it through your brow in a disorganized way. And then I just, I don't like that. So I like the mix of my product. Um, we have amazing ingredients in the product and a lot of ingredients. More ingredients than pretty much any similar product I've seen. Like more good ingredients, not filler ingredients. And I think that the texture of it is just lovely. Like it holds really well, but it's super light and you like, if I furrow my brow, I don't feel it sort of crunch.
Kara: Crunch, Uhhuh.
Rebecca: yeah, it gives this, it's just like a very light product that still holds and you can layer it, which is a, an amazing [00:15:00] thing. Like I have. There have been so many days when, it's four o'clock and I'm finally getting to the gym and I pull my sports bra over my head and I mess up my eyebrows and, I just add more and there's no flaking, there's no issue with it. And that for a clean brow product is not easy. All of those things I think make it a, a very special starting point.
Kara: And for people who aren't familiar with it, is this something that, uh, sculpts gives volume, does color, like what are the, how
Rebecca: I am not, so, I'm not a huge fan of colored brow gel, so my hero product is clear. It holds your brows, so it does sculpt them. Creates a feathered effect. You can see I'm wearing it now.
Kara: Lovely.
Rebecca: brow right there. Um, yeah, it's, it's really, it really is a setting serum, so it has, [00:16:00] it's full of B vitamins, uh, peptides, and then has a lot of plant-based ingredients like go-to cola and FO and caffeine and
Kara: Mm-hmm.
Rebecca: EGCG and many others that are good for your brows. And, uh, yeah, it's. It's a special product and I, it's developed in Korea, which is very innovative place for eyebrows, which I already knew. But interestingly, I was speaking with a product development guy out of Germany yesterday for another product I wanted to develop and. He, was like, oh, we don't really, we don't really do that. We're like, not quite there yet, but I know Korea's doing it, and I'm like, it's so funny. Like, I already started in the best place, you know?
Kara: There's so much with the Korean beauty trends across all categories. Um. I, I mean it's, I can only imagine, I'm curious if they're tracking it, like the impact that TikTok has had on Korean [00:17:00] beauty sales, because I feel like that's all that shows up in my feed
Rebecca: Oh yeah. I mean, I get it. It's so funny. I have a friend who lives in Seoul. She's a Korean obviously, and she's like, she's like, yeah, well, we're really vain, so we have the best products. I was like, I love that you just throw that out there.
Kara: Yeah. Well now there's even, I saw a YouTube channel where a, a woman travels to different countries to get like a full day or two days of services that they're known for, and she had two whole days of like this beauty tourism
Rebecca: Yeah.
Kara: It is also now.
Rebecca: Yeah, totally. I mean, their store, that's sort of like their Sephora, but it's a lot of it has makeup, but it's a lot of skincare called Olive Young is the most fun place. On the planet. I was there when I was, you know, developing this product, and I basically brought an entire carry-on suitcase, full of masks and skincare things.
To be [00:18:00] honest, I'm not even sure if I, I knew what I was buying, but I was just like, I, I'll figure it out later. I'll try. I gotta try all this.
Kara: Were you someone who like was always beauty oriented, like if you got a fashion magazine, would you jump to that section?
Rebecca: Well, not necessarily in terms of like magazines, but in middle school and high school and even through adulthood, like I've done a lot of my friend's makeup for events like I, I mean, middle school dances. I was doing my friend's makeup in college. I was doing it like I did. I did one of my friend's makeups for, my friend's wedding like four years ago. Like, I, I just, you know, it's something that I've always, loved and I'm still learning and getting better and better. And, uh, my friend Jenna Christina, who does my makeup for a lot of events, uh, teaches me new things every day. She's really an artist. The way she works is incredible. Um, but I [00:19:00] learn new things from her all the time.
And, um, it's fun 'cause you, you go back and forth with, with makeup artists and you're like, oh, this is what I do with my face. 'cause they, they need to learn your face too. And sometimes people like Jenna really has always just understood my face and makes me photograph really well, which a girl appreciates.
Kara: Yes.
Rebecca: So, yeah, I've, I have, I really, I've always loved it and I've always like, had a ton of makeup at my fingertips in my house, you know, and, um, these days I haven't had as much to play around with it. But I do love
Kara: Mm-hmm.
Rebecca: makeup and making videos. I love, I don't love editing videos and. But I do like making, doing the makeup look and posting them. I wish I had time to do more of that. Hopefully I'll, hopefully, Kara, once I can like hire an ops person, I can get back to more of the creative stuff.
Kara: More [00:20:00] of the Rebecca Brand.
Rebecca: Yeah. Yeah. 'cause right now I'm really in the weeds on things that, uh, probably take me much longer than someone who knows what the heck they're doing.
Kara: It's, it's the hardest, I think, transition part for an entrepreneur when you are trying to maintain a budget and you have to do things that.
Rebecca: What?
Kara: what's that?
Rebecca: Where'd that go?
Kara: But even so, even knowing that you're over budget, like you're still trying to be like, we can't hire someone yet.
Rebecca: ugh. Everyone's like, you need help. I'm like, I'm aware.
Kara: Yes. Yeah. But, but this is the hardest jump, right? Where you're like, I need help. I don't wanna do these things I have to right now. And I think sometimes it's a good thing for an entrepreneur to go through because it's putting you in touch with some of the ops in a better
Rebecca: I am so glad that I know every single part of my business and I, and I will only know [00:21:00] more as we launch and real numbers start coming through and stuff, but I really am so glad that I can. I understand and can speak to every single part of my business. I think that's super important too.
Kara: it just gives you more power into being able to make strategic decisions. Otherwise there's whole things happening that you don't even know are happening, and that can get really dangerous too.
Rebecca: Yeah, for sure.
Kara: What are you most excited about for your launch?
Rebecca: For my launch, um. I was taking a walk with my dog today and I was like, I'm so excited to be able to develop more products. Um, but I think for my launch, I'm, I mean, I'm really excited to be launching with Shop Bop. I've been a fan of Shop Bop since I was like 15 years old before it was an Amazon company.
Rebecca: And like, I remember like begging my dad to like, let me order my prom dress off of shop bop, you know. I just thought it was so cool. So I am, so I'm really [00:22:00] excited about that. I'm just excited for like people to, you know, hopefully like the product and, and like the brand and want to invest in the brand and, um, and you know, to think about eyebrows more thoughtfully.
Kara: Yes. Well, I think they are not thought about enough, like mine right now. Look almost invisible. And I did put product on and you're like, why? What was the, was it worth it? Yeah.
Rebecca: I know there's a, it's a lot of, I do think brows take a lot of like self-learning too, you know? 'cause you're like, what works for me and what works for other people. It's the, the thing about your face for like what works for other people really does not necessarily work for you and you gotta do some.
Some exploring. Um, and so like that's what I, I don't, I don't want it to necessarily be with my product line that it's like, oh, this is the only brow gel. This is the only brow gel in the [00:23:00] world. Like, I don't think that's true, right? Like I am developing an extra stronghold brow gel. That will be a very similar formula to what I've developed now.
But with more polymers and more, um, types of fixatives for people who are like. Like, I have fine hair. Like my problem is that my hair like falls down. Right? And it's like doing this weird thing here that's not cute, but like some people are like, well, they, their hair like, will barely go where they want it to go.
So it's like, you, you know, that needs to be thought about too. It's not like just like, oh, here's the only brow gel you'll ever meet. No, people have different needs. They have different hair,
Kara: Mm-hmm.
Rebecca: so yeah.
Kara: It's so true. Um, so you mentioned you're excited about the launch and then you're also excited about making new products. How quickly do you think new products are gonna come to life?
Rebecca: Oh gosh, Kara. [00:24:00] Um, well…
Kara: asking a trick question.
Rebecca: product development can take a long time. It depends on whether or not I'm happy with what's happening. Um, I do, I will say like I absolutely love my lab in Korea and they're so nice to work with and they just really care about the quality of their products. So I'm optimistic that the stronghold will be, coming soon and now that so much of the heavy lifting of like, how do I do this?
And figuring out packaging and requirements and all of that is like done. I think I can Probably move that along faster, certainly within the next year. But then there's like a pencil that I want to develop that might take more time. So I don't know. I'm hoping I can develop or I can launch one, at least one more product next year, if not two.
Kara: Yeah. Mm-hmm. You know, you [00:25:00] mentioned all the things that you're doing and how it's been really overwhelming lately. How are
Rebecca: That's all I say to you, Kara, is I just text you and I'm like, hi, I am overwhelmed.
Kara: How S-O-S-S-O-S, what is this? No, but I think you've been handling like, it's, it's a lot. It's like you and I looked one time and I think we mapped out like four actual like business pillars that you're managing at one time, and that's a lot. Like I have three and, and I have an ops person and I have other team members.
Rebecca: Yeah.
Kara: I really sympathize with like what you're dealing with. Plus you have other things expected of you for parts of your business of like, if I don't go to the gym, I don't lose, to one of my businesses.
Rebecca: Yeah, I get stressed if I'm not taking care of myself, and then it's not good.
Kara: No one actually cares what I look like. So I kinda like if I, if push comes to shove, I'll be like, screw it. We'll go [00:26:00] tomorrow. Like I don't have to be camera ready most days. Um, so you have extra pressures, I think, on top of what someone just managing for businesses would have. But what are you doing to take care of yourself as best you can?
Rebecca: That's a good question. Uh..no, you know what I really decided actually at the beginning of this year, I, I'm not gonna, I'm not perfect at this, but like. Like I really decided in the spring of this year, like, I'm not going to like, dissolve into tears o on over any of this on a regular basis. Like this is, that's just not helpful.
And I'm, I, I really do think letting the stress get to you is, it is not, it is not totally a choice, but it's, you know, your response is a choice.
I think it's also allowing yourself to be a little bit comfortable with some mistakes or something's not happening perfectly. I think it's, [00:27:00] uh, deciding most nights that you have, you're cutting it off. I try to. Dinner seems to be pushing a little bit later and later, which is not my favorite thing, but, something that really keeps me insane. It keeps me insane. By the way, that's the, my Freudian slip right there. Okay. That keeps me sane, uh, is walking my dog and cooking dinner and having dinner with my fiance That Keeps me sane and I'm happy, you know, if I really need to, to go back to work after dinner. But having that pause where I like go outside, stop looking at my phone, and then do something with my hands. Cook dinner, which obviously there's tons of studies showing that, that doing things with your hands increases your.[00:28:00]
I don't know which hormone it is, if it's dopamine or whatever it is. Um, the thing that gets drained, whatever gets drained in the day by your screens and your little Instagram life. That really helps me. I I do think working late at night is, is really bad. I think it's like you have to give your brain time to shut down.
'cause they do notice it's harder to go to sleep. The, the later that I work, . Having good sleep hygiene, so not working in bed, not looking at screens too much in bed, uh, and then going to bed and waking up at the same time every day. Um, mornings are important to me too. I've been waking up a little bit earlier just so that I can like have my coffee and stare at a wall and not talk to anyone for half an hour if I need to. Yeah, that's been, I used to be like the type of person where I'd be like, okay, I have to leave at this time, so I'll like sleep to the max and have, and leave myself 15 minutes to like, especially if I'm going to set to like,
I'll just roll out, [00:29:00] you know? 'cause you do hair and makeup on set, so it's, you know, you leave looking like trash and then you get professional help, which is great.
But now, even now I'm just like, no, I need to like sit and have my coffee at home, even if it's like dark.
Kara: Mm-hmm. They're all important. You list the good ones for, for me, waking up at the same time every day, no matter what day it is, is. a critical one for me. 'cause I told myself, listen, even if I need to take a nap later, like I need to get my body doing this rhythm by itself. Um, it changes things 'cause it is, it's so easy to slide into, oh, well my day doesn't start here until nine 30.
And you're like, no, no. Your day starts with you first. And it's so easy to sacrifice the things that we know we need before whatever someone else is expecting from
Rebecca: Mm-hmm.
Kara: But I am always amazed, like I, there are many reasons why I don't think I would be a good actor, but one of them is that I could not [00:30:00] do night shoots.
Like, I, it is so hard for me to stay like awake in general. Um, once it gets dark out, let alone to be staying up until 4, 5, 6 shooting all night.
Rebecca: Yeah. Night shoots mess you up for sure. And, and we didn't. Do any on this pilot? Any real night shoots? I think the latest I worked on this was like till 1230 or something. But I will say like set life messes you up in general. And I have to say I, it's my favorite place in the world to be on set is like the I, when I feel the most alive.
But it also messes you up. Like the food is weird. The you're eating at strange hours and then they're just like snacks all the time. There's just so many freaking snacks on set and you're like, oh, well, you know, I have to shoot this scene, so, and it's 7:00 PM and so I [00:31:00] should have a coffee. And then you're like, have a coffee.
Like it's a bad idea. But you just can't help it. Like it's just cra like, I don't, it's like an alternate universe. It's truly like you go into a wormhole when you're working through a wormhole. And, um, yeah, it's, it definitely has been an eye-opening experience for me shooting this pilot while this was going on.
I was like, okay, I'm gonna, I'm gonna be need in need of some systems here that I haven't had in place before.
Kara: You know, I think when you look at your acting career, what is a moment that you kind of credit for being a pivot for you? From it being a dream to like, oh, this is, this is real and I'm working and this is incredible.
Rebecca: As an actor. Um,
Kara: Yeah. Mm-hmm.
Rebecca: that was probably a long time ago now. Uh.
Kara: Yeah.
Rebecca: I mean, probably when I got my first series regular job and I had [00:32:00] to move to Atlanta, because before that I was, when I lived in New York and I was in acting school, I went to the Atlantic, uh, acting school. And then, I started auditioning. I was living in New York. I understudied a play and then. I got this job, but the entire time and through acting school I was tutoring.
So I was tutoring SAT and French and Spanish. And I would like go to school and then I would go tutor kids at their houses after school and then would like go home and learn my lines. And that was probably the last time. But like that was a period in my life where I was also managing different brain buckets. And
Kara: Yeah.
Rebecca: feeling really, uh, just really like, kind of overwhelmed and tired. But I was younger so that made it
Kara: Yeah.
Rebecca: too. but when I got my first series regular job and I had to like not be a tutor anymore and sort of give up that, which was a nice [00:33:00] bit of income, that made me feel safe. To go do this series regular job and like really feel like, okay, I am an actor now. And like, you know, it does happen where you get, you get these series regular jobs and you think, okay, this is what I do full time, and then you might not get another one for years. So it's, it was scary for me to give that up.But I did, and. Moved to Atlanta, and I mean, that only lasted half a season or something. But
Kara: Mm-hmm.
Rebecca: from then on I was like, okay, I am, I'm doing this. We still had a pilot season back in those days, so there were more opportunities and a little more of like a regular schedule, which was nice in some ways. Um, not nice in others. But yeah, that would be the, the big moment I would say.
Kara: Mm-hmm. Well, 'cause even now half of the auditions, you're recording [00:34:00] yourself
Rebecca: Yeah, things have changed so much. You know, everything used to be in person. I would say self-tapes were maybe 15% of my auditions, and now self tapes are a hundred percent of them. So, yeah, although I will say, you know, that does make it easier for people to pursue this, this, uh, career because. You can have a regular job and make a self tape and then, you know, maybe you get the job and you make a decision, or I don't know if you have to give up your position, but like the world is a bit more flexible now, um, which is a good thing.
And you can sort of make your best work possible, put your best foot forward instead of. Because sometimes you, you know, you show up in that room and you're like, if you're having like an off day or something bad just happened and you're just like not there, you're just like not as focused, you know, and you're just like, okay, well that was it.
I screwed up that [00:35:00] audition. But with a self tape you have more control, which is nice.
Kara: Yeah. How else do you think the production writing side of the world is changing, especially in the past five years?
Rebecca: Well, there's been a lot less that's being made. I think we had a content bubble and, um. Maybe there was too much and now maybe there's not enough. I think people are worried about how people consume content and whether or not, you know, young people are gonna really watch TV or, um, if they're just gonna watch short form content like TikTok on their phones, uh, which I think is a valid concern.
But I also think that social media is kind of isolating and movies and television is more. You, you know, people watch shows together. They talk about shows together, and I don't know, there's something about social media that I just think has a different purpose and a different place in our lives. So, [00:36:00] um, you know, I, storytelling is just important, like the hero's journey is important.
So I don't know that that goes away. I, I, I feel more optimistic about that than, than I think some people, especially some people on the business side of the. Business.
Kara: Well, even seeing how many people have been sharing on social media about their watch parties for things like the summer, I turn pretty.
Rebecca: Mm-hmm.
Kara: And like, that's what we used to do to like watch friends or pick another show. And so that makes me feel like good about things. Um, I don't think the, the craving for good real storytelling is going away.
Rebecca: I don't think it can. I think it's like something humans have always done. So I don't think that changes now.
Kara: I don't think so either. I, I think if anything, we need more examples of good
Kara: stories.
Rebecca: yeah, I think, I think it's just a shift, you know, and things, you know, expand and contract and that's a [00:37:00] normal cycle. Um. Yeah. And yeah, I mean, I am, I'm excited about the next 10 years and,
Kara: Yeah.
Rebecca: the people that have sort of stayed in the business, I think we sadly like lost a lot of people in the last 10 years or five years, um, as a result of everything that's happened. But, you know, the people who stayed, I think, have found a way to survive and a lot of them are really great artists and, and I'm really excited for what. People are gonna bring to the table in the next five, 10 years. I think it's gonna be great.
Kara: I, I think the entertainment world is, is feeling similar things that other industry industries are about. The shift happening from more corporate organizations to more. People creating their own things. They're being more small businesses who are making things happen because people want to, people are coming together to produce things. Um, even seeing how [00:38:00] things like Hello Sunshine, right, are expanding. What else they're creating and producing. Now there's there, I feel more of that happening than the traditional model that PE that we're controlling so many things for so
Kara: long,
Rebecca: Yeah.
Kara: but it's happening everywhere. You're seeing the breakdown of. Less big companies, more small, more people getting to do things that may be a more independent level, which might mean smaller budgets for things, and it also adds some more interesting components to it. It's, it's a big thing in apparel and accessories right now, so
Rebecca: Yeah, I think that's happening. I, I think both things are happening simultaneously. Some companies are getting even bigger and, you know, consolidating and just becoming absolute behemoths and then other. People are doing things more independently. I mean, people have access to the internet, they can put anything they want on YouTube.
Rebecca: So you know, you can shoot a movie for nothing and put it on YouTube if you want. And [00:39:00] like that. That is a, gonna be a very real route forward. I mean, YouTube is, is like the number one viewed platform in the world. So
Kara: Mm-hmm.
Rebecca: I, I do see a lot of opportunity going forward. Um, both. From a traditional studio perspective and from this more sort of independent, bootstrapped, indie thing.
Kara: We've been sponsoring Mountain Film Festival for a couple of years now. Like I love documentaries. I love that storytelling approach. And I was in a workshop there where people were trying to figure out how to get picked up for their short films in particular. And I'm hearing them all talk about how much money you get if you, you know, sell it to Netflix or Apple and it's usually around three K. That's like a great deal for a short film. Apparently. I'm hearing that as with my entrepreneur brand going that is. So lame. I'm [00:40:00] like, you can truly put it on YouTube, sell tickets to it per viewer and make 10 times that. But no one, like, it was really interesting to me how these people who are very independent and why they like independent in their, um, subject matter, their topic choice, what they wanted to speak about, weren't looking for the alternative of like who, how to present it to people.
Rebecca: Yeah. You know, I
Kara: I was losing my mind.
Rebecca: it's scary, you know, and you want, you want like a Netflix to say, to get, to give you the validation. That's what it's really, I think about and hopefully I, I do think this new like. Gen Alpha is like way less about that. You know, I think as a millennial I'm like, no, but I need, I need them to approve of me. And I don't, I don't know that the, the younger kids feel that way, which I think is a good thing.
Kara: Yeah. Well, and I think this also is true within the beauty space, right? Like it's, it's [00:41:00] balancing and we've talked a lot about this balancing your direct to consumer approach and then balancing working with the, these retailers that give you access and marketing and credibility that can completely transform a business overnight.
And you've been really lucky in having, you know, a shop up as the launch partner and having your own website and. We've talked a lot about using your network and how most entrepreneurs don't use it enough to kind of get things moving forward. Um, it's how Olivia and I who I've met you through, like how we've been making all of that move and, No, I think I'm very excited to see what happens for you in the, like now through end of year. 'cause you have truly so many major life milestones happening. Like you're gonna be a different person come 2026.
Rebecca: for sure, for sure. I definitely feel like this year was some sort of like cosmic thing that I [00:42:00] needed to go through, but also weirdly, that I needed to prepare for because. You know, 20 22, 20 23, 20 24 were pretty quiet years for me. And you know, I, there's this quote that I love that is something like some years ask questions and others give you the answers, or something like that. And, and I, I definitely feel like there were some question years in there and there were really not easy years to go through. Um, and. Now I, I definitely feel like I've walked through a door, you know, and, and, uh, I'm moving in a different direction, which is really exciting.
Kara: Yeah. Well, as we wrap up today, I have a few rapid fire questions for you. The first we ask everyone, um, where do you place yourself on the Powerful Lady Scale? If zero is average everyday human, and 10 is the most powerful lady you can imagine, where would you rank yourself [00:43:00] today and on an average day?
Rebecca: Um. On an average day. On an average day, I feel like I'm at a six, maybe, uh, on my best day, I maybe feel like an eight. But, you know, I think that that's like, I'm not the type, I don't think I'm the type of person that's gonna be like I'm. I'm a 10 or I'm an 11, like that is just not my per, like I where, where's the room for growth and improvement If you're like, I'm already there.
You know what I mean?
Kara: I mean, it's, this is maybe the most fascinating question from. Like hosting perspective, I need to take all of these answers and like give them to an anthropologist or a psychologist because everyone's answer is so unique
Rebecca: Hmm.
Kara: can tell so much about where they are truly in the world geographically, what they're dealing with, like what they just overcame.
Rebecca: Mm-hmm.
Kara: We had a [00:44:00] episode where I was interviewing women running NGOs around the world, and almost all of them were like, I'm a 12th. Do you know how much stuff I'm dealing with every day that I make happen?
Rebecca: That's amazing. I, I, I love that. I love that confidence.
Kara: Me too. Me too. They yelled at me for like not picking 12. Also, I was like, guys, calm down. Like we don't, I'm not like, we're fine.
Rebecca: Yeah.
Kara: When you hear the words powerful and ladies, how do you define them when they're on their own? And does the definition change when they're next to each other?
Rebecca: Oh my God, Kara, um, well, I mean, powerful.
Kara: For everyone listening that, oh my God, Kara, like, that's what I hear on a regular basis. That's the phrase.
Rebecca: Oh my God. Um, I mean, powerful is, you know, that's a word that can go any direction. Um, it could be a good thing, it could be a bad thing and anywhere in between. Um, but I think when [00:45:00] you pair it with ladies, it's only positive. So that is great. I'm a girl's girl. I went to an all girls school. It made me who I am from fourth to 12th grade.
I'm very grateful for that experience and. I will say that, you know, there have been, there have been lots of lovely men that have helped me through this process, but it's really the women that, you know, who are also founders who have had, or, you know, who do something that are, that is related to like, you know, if it's event planning or if it.
Uh, just, I don't know, graphic design or whatever it is, their expertise, like the women have really shown up for me in a way that has been powerful.
Kara: Yeah. Um, for everybody who wants to support you, follow, you buy from Privet as soon as it goes live. Where are all the places they can do [00:46:00] that?
Rebecca: Okay, so they can buy it on Privet Beauty.com, so that's privetbeauty.com. They'll also be able to buy it through Instagram, which is at Privet Beauty, and they will be able to buy it on Shopbop, which is.
Kara: Mm-hmm.
Rebecca:Shopbop.com.
Kara: And if they wanna follow you, what? What is your handle?
Rebecca: My handle is at Rebecca Rittenhouse.
Kara: Perfect. So our last question for today. This is a powerful, connected and generous community. What is something on your to-do list to manifest? List your wishlist. That you want, that we can help either make happen for you, give you an answer, or hold space for you as you’re making it happen.
Rebecca: Um, I need help.
Kara: Like I need all the help.
Rebecca: I need help. Um, I really like need. You know, people like [00:47:00] I'm manifesting the right people coming into my life to help me manage all of these big things that I want to do, whether it's specifically Privet or, or even bigger than that. That's what I am hoping for.
Kara: We need to manifest an integrator operations manager for you who can help you with all the things and all the ideas that I know are on your after Privet launches list.
Rebecca: Yes, exactly.
Kara: not stopping here. This is gonna be one of many, one of many products, one of many businesses.
Rebecca: Yes. And I think I'm, I'm very excited for the moment where I'm like, oh, this is handleable. This feels easy. I've done, this is not my first rodeo. You know, it's like when everything is like, really your first rodeo, you're like, ah.
Kara: Yeah.
Rebecca: Oh, it's every what? Like, how am I messing up? What am I doing wrong? And it's like, ugh. I, I had breakfast with my friend, uh, Alyssa yesterday. She's the founder of Donny, which is an amazing clothing company. Um, it's D-O-N-N-I. I'm obsessed with everything she makes. [00:48:00] And she was just like, issues. She was like, it, it gets, it gets better. It, it doesn't, it also doesn't, but like, it gets better. Like, you'll, you'll be fine. You know, and it's really nice to hear from other women who, and who, by the way, like she has children as well, so who are just doing everything and still showing up for their friends, um, gives me hope.
Kara: I think it gets a little bit more predictable. I dunno that it gets easier because we're always expanding what we're up to. You know, if you chose, you could have like a co business where you're like, I've got two products forever. We're gonna make a billion dollars. Thank you. Goodbye. That's actually a relatively predictable, smooth sailing option 'cause you're just doing all sales and marketing. But people who are creative entrepreneurs like yourself are gonna be like, what about another product? What about another country? What about a new brand?
Rebecca: I mean, there's, I already have two [00:49:00] other businesses that I wanna start. I literally already have two other completely different businesses, and I'm just like, what's wrong with you, Rebecca? But I can't help it.
Kara: And listen, you're preaching to the choir over here, so, um, I understand. I actually celebrate it. But we do need to get you a CEO slash operations manager so you can keep being your visionary self and moving at lightning speed and they can keep up with you. Mm-hmm. Well, thank you so much for being a Yes to me and powerful ladies, and sharing your wisdom and experience with us today. I really appreciate you.
Rebecca: thank you for thinking highly enough of me to include me in this. I appreciate that.
Kara: Of course, no. Like you're, you're taking on so many things and you are being brave on a regular basis and being uncomfortable
Rebecca: Yeah, I'm definitely uncomfortable. I don't know if I feel brave, Kara, but I definitely feel uncomfortable.
Kara: Well, I, I'm gonna ask you to [00:50:00] put brave in your, giving yourself, um, credit space, but Yeah, and there's also different layers, right? When you are a known person and you have a whole acting career, writing, producing, you have a big, uh, you know, follower base, there's an extra layer of pressure of like making sure it's done right, and you've actually handled that really well because whether you had those things or not, you were already going into this business with integrity, and that makes it. Easy for in my world to support you versus having a fight with people to do things with the integrity. So that never came up in the whole episode.
Rebecca: Kara. I appreciate that. Thank you.
Kara: You're welcome.
Thanks for listening to The Powerful Ladies Podcast. If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe and leave us a review or share it with a friend. Head to the powerful ladies.com where you can find all the links to connect with today's guest show notes, discover like episodes, enjoy bonus content and more.
I'll be back next week with a brand new [00:51:00] episode and and new amazing guest. Make sure you're following us on Instagram or substack at powerful ladies to get the first preview of next week's episode. You can find me and all my socials@karaduffy.com.
This is a Powerful Lady production produced by Jordan Duffy and Amanda Kass.
Until next week, I hope you're taking on being powerful in your life. Go be awesome and up to something you love.
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Episode 174: From Side Hustle To CEO | Casey Hohman | Founder of Scottsdale Bachelorette
Instagram: @rebeccarittenhouse + @privet_beauty
Website: privet-beauty.com
TikTok: @privet_beauty
Email: hello@privet-beauty.com
Other: rebeccarittenhouse.substack.com
Created and hosted by Kara Duffy
Audio Engineering & Editing by Jordan Duffy
Production by Amanda Kass
Graphic design by Anna Olinova
Music by Joakim Karud
