In this episode of Be Anomalous, Cici Stefanova shares her journey from growing up in Scotland to building a brand that landed in Sephora — and how the very insecurities she once tried to hide became her greatest strength.We talk about identity, feeling different, learning in public, and the quiet confidence that comes from building anyway — even when you don’t feel ready.This isn’t a highlight reel.It’s a conversation about turning self-doubt into clarity, curiosity into momentum, and difference into power.If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t quite fit — and wondered if that disqualified you — this episode will challenge that belief.What You’ll Learn • How Cici’s upbringing shaped her perspective and resilience • Why insecurity can sharpen intuition instead of weakening it • What it really takes to go from idea to Sephora • How to build confidence after you start, not before • Why being different is often an advantage🎧 New episodes every Monday and Thursday.Subscribe for honest conversations with founders, creatives, and cultural disruptors building outside the lines.Be bold. Be real. Be anomalous.

In this episode of Be Anomalous, Charlotte Trecartin— founder and CEO of CharCharms — joins me to share the real story of how she built one of the fastest-growing accessory brands in the country without funding, connections, or a roadmap.

Charlotte didn’t wait for permission. At 20 years old, during the height of the pandemic, she followed a tiny spark — a simple frustration with a hair tie and a water bottle — and turned it into an eight-figure brand now sold in Target, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Urban Outfitters, and more.

We talk about what most people don’t see: the two years she hand-made every product by herself, the discipline behind posting cringe-worthy TikToks until something hit, the emotional cost of building publicly, and the mindset it takes to act before you have certainty.

Charlotte breaks down the reality of scaling fast, being first to market in a category that didn’t exist yet, navigating early retail deals, managing money while bootstrapping, and learning how to lead a team while still becoming the person her company needs.

If you’ve ever had an idea you couldn’t shake — or felt underestimated because of your age, background, or lack of credentials — this episode will give you the push you’ve been waiting for.

This is a masterclass in audacity, momentum, and trusting yourself in the moments that matter.

Why I Started Be Anomalous — and 10 Lessons That Changed My Year

In this raw and reflective solo episode, I take you behind the creation of Be Anomalous — why it exists, who it’s for, and how it became a home for people building their lives outside the lines.

I share the real story behind living in the in-between: between cultures, between expectations, between who I was told to be and who I actually am. And how that experience led me to create a space for others who also feel different, ambitious, and deeply human.

I also break down the purpose behind each part of the Be Anomalous ecosystem — Off Script, Under the Hood, Skin Deep, and The Debrief — and how each one is designed to support you as you grow in your identity, your work, and your sense of self.

And since we’re heading into a new year, I’m sharing 10 lessons I learned from guests, books, and my own life that genuinely helped me evolve. They may sound simple, but they work — and they might be exactly what you need to hear right now.

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t fit a mold… if you’ve felt misunderstood, underestimated, or like your path doesn’t look like anyone else’s… this episode is for you.