Show Notes
In this episode, I sit down with Carla Oates, founder and CEO of The Beauty Chef, the brand that pioneered the inner beauty movement. From fermenting whole foods in her Bondi kitchen to building one of Australia’s most iconic wellness companies, Carla shares the story of trusting her instincts long before gut health was a trend. We dive into the challenges of staying true to your vision, the hardest lessons she’s learned as a founder, and how her definition of success has shifted over time. Beyond business, Carla opens up about the rituals that keep her grounded, what’s been feeding her soul lately, and the truths she wishes more people knew about the wellness industry.
The instinct that led Carla to back gut health before the industry was ready Early doubts, resilience, and the turning point where The Beauty Chef became more than just a product What the very first kitchen formulations looked like and how hands-on she was The hardest “no” she’s had to make as a founder and what it taught her How her definition of success and growth has evolved over time The one Beauty Chef product that holds a special place for her Advice for anyone feeling bloated, burned out, or disconnected and where to start Carla’s go-to rituals and hacks that ground her and make the biggest difference What’s feeding her soul lately outside of the business The truths she wishes more people knew about the wellness industry
Mentioned in this episode
Shop the Beauty Chef range here use code TESS20 for 20% off storewide 😊 Follow the Beauty Chef: @thebeautychef Follow me on Instagram: @tess.shanahan & @tesstalksofficial Follow me on TikTok: @tessshanahan Follow me on YouTube: TessShanahan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from Tess Talks
Tess sits down with qualified dermal therapist, beauty expert and former Adore Beauty insider Joanna Fleming to cut through the skincare noise. With almost eight years at Adore Beauty and a career spent working with skincare brands and clients worldwide, Joanna knows exactly what's backed by science, what's clever marketing and where we're wasting our money.
What if the way we understand antidepressants—and mental health treatment more broadly—is missing part of the story?
Dave Asprey is one of the pioneers of the modern biohacking movement, founder of Bulletproof & Danger Coffee, host of The Human Upgrade, bestselling author and creator of the Biohacking Conference. In this episode of Tess Talks, Tess sits down with Dave to go beyond the usual conversation about supplements and longevity — exploring what it actually means to optimise your health in a world that can often feel designed against it.
Victoria’s Secret model turned content creator, entrepreneur and mother Vita Sidorkina joins Tess for an honest conversation about what really happens behind the glamour — and what it takes to completely reinvent yourself when the career you built your identity around comes to an end. Tess and Vita also talk motherhood, family routines, intuitive wellness, why consistency beats intensity, and the philosophy behind Vita’s new fitness and wellness app, THE CORE.
Logan Hollowell is the Los Angeles-based fine jewellery designer and founder behind her namesake luxury jewellery house, known for creating modern heirlooms rooted in symbolism, spirituality and intention. Her pieces have built a global following, with her designs worn by names including Bella and Gigi Hadid, Rihanna, Jessica Alba and Elsa Hosk.