The Art of Leadership and Reinvention with Meenakshi Lala, CEO of UrbanStems

What does it look like to lead with both creativity and precision—balancing artistry and analytics, heart and strategy?

In this episode, Her Workplace Founder & CEO, Marilynn Joyner, sits down with Meenakshi Lala, CEO of UrbanStems, a modern floral delivery company redefining how people connect and celebrate through design.

Before joining UrbanStems, Meenakshi held leadership roles at fashion brands like Solid & Striped, Alice & Olivia, Elie Tahari, blending strategy with creativity to drive customer connection and brand growth.

In this conversation, Meenakshi opens up about what it means to lead with intention, stay connected to creativity while scaling a brand, and navigate the constant evolution that comes with being both an executive and an artist. She shares lessons on resilience, authenticity, and the value of bringing your whole self to the workplace.

Whether you’re leading a team, managing your own growth, or exploring how to balance passion with purpose, this episode offers a refreshing take on modern leadership—and the courage to lead with grace, curiosity, and confidence.


00:00 - Introduction and Guest Background
01:34 - Mentors, Leadership Philosophy, and Personal Templates
05:04 - Fashion Career Lessons and Resilience
07:11 - Dance Heritage and Its Influence on Leadership
10:15 - Purpose and Vision at Urban Stems
12:23 - Brand Strategy, Agility, and Operational Challenges
16:34 - Guidance for Listeners: Finding Mission and Alignment
20:22 - Women in Leadership and Mentorship
23:56 - Defining Success Through Small Wins
27:06 - Focus on Controllable Factors and Impact
28:58 - Closing Reflections: Grounding Practices, Perfection, and Future Outlook


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Produced by Peoples Media

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