The Messy Parts
New career advice and messy stories, every Monday.
Whether you’re at the top, or striving to get there—you may have noticed the one thing people rarely talk about: how hard it is to achieve success. The Messy Parts is the answer—a podcast where you’ll hear about the twists, turns and pivots that shape extraordinary careers. The real messy parts along the way. Host Maryam Banikarim has been through it, so she gets it. Maryam has been a transformative leader across media, hospitality and tech. Her powerhouse resume features more than 20 years in the C-Suite at companies like Hyatt, NBC, and Nextdoor—and she has a vast, influential network to match. On The Messy Parts, she brings you unparalleled access to that network. Deeply honest, vulnerable conversations with Maryam—who is never afraid to ask the questions on everyone's mind. Join us as we get real, unfiltered, and messy.
The Messy Parts
From Fired to Fashion Powerhouse: Jeweler Marla Aaron
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At what point does a side hustle stop being a hobby? On this episode of The Messy Parts, Marla Aaron tells Maryam the exact moment she realized she could no longer hedge her ambition. What began as a creative outlet eventually became a full-fledged business, but not without years of doubt, rejection, and financial anxiety. In this episode, Marla and Maryam explore the tension between security and risk, why waiting to feel “ready” is a trap, and how fear can coexist with clarity. They also talk about loneliness, creativity, social media as an unexpected unlock, and what it really takes to start over later than planned.
Key Moments
“So Happy. Not Scared at All.” 😮
Marla describes the emotional moment she finally quit her corporate job and why relief outweighed fear.
Becoming Comfortable With Discomfort 🌍
Marla connects her childhood independence and studying abroad at 17 to her lifelong willingness to take risks.
Graduating Into a “Bad Job Market” 📉
Why Marla believes focusing on opportunity matters more than economic doom narratives for young professionals.
“I’m Scared of Everything.” 😬
A candid conversation about fear, impostor syndrome, and doing hard things anyway.
Choosing Money Over Passion (At First) 💼
Marla explains walking away from journalism due to low pay and financial anxiety.
Fired, Divorced, and a Single Mom 💥
The emotional and financial rock bottom that forced Marla to keep moving forward.
The Boring Job That Funded Creativity 🔄
How working a job she didn’t love gave her space to build her dream at night.
A Hobby With a Dream 💭
How Marla quietly built her jewelry business at night while working full-time and raising a child.
“Everyone Told Me I Was Insane.” 🔥
The Cannes turning point: burnout, injury, rage, and the final decision to quit.
“This Is Not a Hobby.” 🚨
The pivotal boardroom moment when a CEO unknowingly pushed Marla to fully commit.
Instagram Unlocks the Business
How learning social media from her kids helped Marla grow a global direct-to-consumer brand.
The Loneliness of Building Something Alone 🧍♀️
Marla opens up about the isolation that comes with entrepreneurship and leadership.
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