Welcome to Second Life, a podcast spotlighting successful women who've made major career changes—and fearlessly mastered the pivot. Hosted by Hillary Kerr, co-founder and chief content officer at Who What Wear, each episode gives you a direct line to women who are game changers in their fields. Subscribe to Second Life on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts to stay tuned.
In 2019, a new cookware company, Our Place, began dominating our Instagram feeds. It was an incredibly modern collection that was not only aesthetically pleasing but that was also ethically sourced, sustainably produced, and functional. Our Place's signature Always Pan instantly became a kitchen must-have, selling out over 10 times, proving it is the only pan you need. Trust us—it's definitely worth it. Our Place evoked a feeling of community through thoughtfully designed products and fostered a genuine customer connection. Leading the brand with innovative ideas is co-founder Shiza Shahid. Shahid built the brand with her unique mission to bring people together through the power of home cooking rooted in the modern multiethnic American kitchen.
Since its launch, the company has expanded into a full homeware assortment with new colorway launches and limited Traditionwear collections that celebrate underrepresented holidays like Persian New Year, Nochebuena, Chosen Family Brunch, and Lunar New Year. Most recently, it released its Full of Pride Mugs on July 1, the day after the end of Pride Month, and 20% of proceeds from the collection will go toward the Los Angeles LGBT Center's Pride Pantry to alleviate food insecurity in the LGBTQ+ community. There's no denying that Shahid built a business model like no other through Our Place with her core values at the heart of the brand.
Before Shahid launched the beloved brand, she had quite an impressive career. After graduating from Stanford, she began working at management consulting firm McKinsey & Company in Dubai as a business analyst. Then, she co-founded the Malala Fund alongside childhood friend Malala Yousafzai and eventually started NOW Ventures to support other mission-driven startups. Tune in to the latest episode of Second Life to hear how Shahid's former careers led her to founding a leading e-commerce brand that sells more than just a product—it is a community that shares her values and celebrates diverse cultures through the joy of cooking. Keep scrolling to discover the iconic Always Pan and some of our other Our Place favorites.
