UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Invent Penn State’s "Dare to Disrupt" podcast celebrated its 50th episode with a live episode recording featuring Penn State alumna, creative entrepreneur, content creator and professional perfumer Asia Grant. The episode is available to watch on YouTube and to listen to on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Recorded in front of a live audience in Struthers Auditorium at the Business Building at University Park, the episode opens with a bonus fireside chat between host Ryan Newman and Corey Phelps, the John and Karen Arnold Dean of the Smeal College of Business.
During the conversation, they reflected on key lessons from the podcast’s first 49 episodes, discussed different approaches to problem-solving, and explore ideas from Phelps’ book, "Cracked It! How to Solve Big Problems and Sell Solutions Like Top Strategy Consultants."
The main interview featured Asia Grant, alumna of the Smeal College of Business and the Schreyer Honors College, and founder of Scent Social Club. Through its Nolita Perfume Tour, the company offers immersive experiences designed to help participants discover their signature scent. An award-winning perfumer, Grant has spent hundreds of hours researching, developing and sourcing fragrances. She is also the founder of Redoux, a New York City–based fragrance and skincare company.
Grant and Newman discussed her pursuit of prestige alongside a deeper mission to become the person she was meant to be. She shared her experience building Redoux from her parents’ basement during the pandemic while working full time, as well as how she strategically built a network within New York City’s beauty industry.
They also explored her media success, supply chain challenges, the inspiration behind Scent Social Club and her approach to social media.
“I had a terrible fear of never becoming the person I was meant to be. I didn’t know who that was, but I was just terrified I would never achieve that. That fear propelled me into doing things that made me feel uncomfortable,” Asia said during the podcast recording.
Watch the full live episode recording.
Listen to Grant’s story on 'Dare to Disrupt.'
The live event was sponsored by the Penn State Smeal College of Business, Happy Valley LaunchBox powered by PNC Bank and OriginLabs.
About "Dare to Disrupt"
"Dare to Disrupt" is a podcast from Invent Penn State about Penn State alumni who are innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders, and the stories behind their success. The podcast is hosted by alumnus Ryan Newman, a graduate of the Smeal College of Business and a Schreyer Scholar alumnus who is now a managing director at Goldman Sachs.
Past episodes include interviews with Garry Gilliam, David Rusenko and Jess Weiner. New episodes are released monthly. Subscribe on YouTube Music, Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Invent Penn State is a commonwealth-wide initiative to spur economic development, job creation and student career success.
The "Dare to Disrupt" podcast is made possible by the support of the Penn State Smeal College of Business.