‘Selling Sunset’ Reality Star Emma Hernan Is Busy Building Her Own Empire

You might know her best from her stylish looks and savvy real estate knowledge on the hit Netflix series Selling Sunset, but entrepreneur Emma Hernan has been busy since childhood in building the life & career she has always envisioned for herself.

Born and raised in Massachusetts, Hernan, 32, recalls going to Los Angeles on a family vacation when she was very young and instantly knew she wanted to one day move there and make her mark.

“I came from very humbling beginnings,” Hernan tells me. “My father was a firefighter. My mother was a stay-at-home mom. They were hard workers. I just had this passion to be extremely successful because my parents were the world’s best parents. I was babysitting, modeling – I was saving every penny. I started investing at a really young age.”

Hernan began with investing her time and money into her family’s east coast business, Yankee Trader Seafood. She would soon set her sights on Los Angeles, ultimately making the big move across the country, where she became an angel investor in various companies and start-ups, specifically those that she says are making a real difference in the world today. Today, much of Hernan’s focus goes to her own created food company, Emma Leigh & Co.

“What’s really interesting about my company that people don’t realize is people just see from the [Selling Sunset] show that it’s an empanada company, but I actually bought my own manufacturing facility. I have a state-of-the art facility on the east coast, so anyone that wants to manufacture an item, I co-pack for them, so there’s a whole other aspect of what I do that people don’t even realize. I own 100% of my company, which is really rare today. We’re in the ‘Shark Tank’ era where a lot of people want to play with other people’s money because it’s a lot easier. I’ve put my entire savings and everything into my company. I feel really proud to be where I am today.”

When it comes to angel investing, Hernan says that this type of investing is “a lot more risky than the stock market.” So, what are some of the companies she has angel invested in?

“I’m invested in Nanotech,” Hernan reveals. “It’s a big company out of UCLA. They’re making state-of-the-art batteries that are going to change the world, along with other things. I also invested in Wheels, which was the bike company before the bikes were even presented in front of us. I also invested in a CBD company (Green Gorilla) before anybody knew what CBD was. I think getting in early on different companies and different technologies and stuff like that is the way to go with angel investing.”

Between running her own company and investing in others, I wondered how her recent pivot into luxury California real estate with Selling Sunset has been going for her, since joining the series in season four.

Hernan says, “There’s so much synergy between real estate and being a female entrepreneur. Just meeting people in the industry that I’m in, I’m meeting the top CEOs of the entire food industry and they’re worth billions of dollars. I make a connection with them and they realize I’m a very hard worker. Those tie-in to real estate, so now they’re looking for homes to buy and they’re recommending their friends to me, as well, so it has been a great synergy.”

One of Hernan’s most high-profile listings this year includes music superstar Harry Styles’ former Hollywood Hills home. So, knowing about the special “get” she landed with this popular listing, I asked Hernan if Selling Sunset viewers will get to see the inner-workings of that specific property and its selling process on the upcoming sixth season.

“Yes, so the inside scoop is you will see that listing on Selling Sunset,” Hernan reveals. “The house is just amazing. I think what’s really special about that house and the biggest selling point on that house is it’s so private. You have that Hollywood Hills feel, but you feel like you’re on your own private island up there. It’s a very private, celebrity property.”

With everything on Hernan’s plate today, I wondered how she balances her many projects while still finding time to look out for her own well-being.

“To be honest with you, I love working and it’s what drives me,” says Hernan. “I do think it’s really important to take time for yourself. I think taking time for yourself and being able to balance – going for a hike, going to yoga or even going to the spa just to decompress and disconnect. I think it’s really, really important to disconnect. You get a fresh mindset. No one’s perfect and I’m balancing right now to try to build an empire.”

Coming from a dedicated business background since a very early age, I asked Hernan how does she stay focused on her expanding business goals without allowing the distracting drama that reality television can sometimes bring into one’s life.

Hernan responds, “Ooh, that’s a good question. For me, I think that growing up and having two parents that kept me grounded and I’m still so close to my family. I don’t think that I realized getting into [Selling Sunset] how intense it was going to be. It has been a learning curve for me, but I’m super grateful for everything that I have in life. Some of my closest friends are on the show with me – Chrishell [Stause] is one of my best friends and having that support and keeping good people around you makes a huge difference.”

With season six of Selling Sunset expected to arrive on Netflix in 2023, I wondered if Hernan might be able to share any little hints of what loyal fans can expect in the upcoming season.

“Season six is going to be probably, I would say, the best season thus far,” Hernan says. “I think hands down, it’s going to be the audience’s favorite so far. There’s just so many different things going on, so many different stories. The listings are absolutely insane, so the listings keep getting bigger and better. I’d be lying if I said the drama wasn’t getting bigger, as well (laughs). Of course, the fashion is next level and people tune into the fashion and a lot of fun fashion moments you get to see, as well.”

As I wrapped up my conversation with this life-long entrepreneur, angel investor and reality television star, I left Hernan with one final question – What advice do you have for other entrepreneurs who look to pivot in their business ways today, but do not know how to do so smart and effectively?

“I think the biggest piece of advice that I could give and as I’m saying this, I got goosebumps saying this, is just start. I think that there’s a lot of hesitation these days to a lot of people that procrastinate and I think we’re all guilty of procrastinating a little bit – just start. I think the earlier that you start – start tomorrow, start making a list, make a list of goals. Every single day and every single week, I make a list of my goals. I do think that what you put out into the universe, you can manifest. I think my advice for people is just start. Come up with a game plan. Do something. Take a step in the right direction.”