Everyone knows behind any powerful family is an even stronger matriarch. And when you’re the woman who, not only, keeps up with the Kardashians, but keeps them together (and sane, sometimes), you must be a pretty extraordinary lady. Our favorite TV mom, manager, wife, entrepreneur (whoa, we need a breath), Kris Jenner takes time out of her busy schedule to talk to us about life in the entertainment industry, balancing, and the definition of success.

LW: You’re a mom of six, a grandmother, a wife, and a successful businesswoman. We’re tired just thinking about it! How do you keep up?

KJ: I think the key is balance, which I work on every single day. My goal is to try to keep everyone happy, healthy and still have time to stop and enjoy what is going on around me. My biggest joy at the moment—and what I must enjoy—is my grandson. He’s the one I need to keep up with these days!

LW: If you can give yourself a title, what would it be?

KJ: Other than “Queen of it All” my favorite title is “mom.”

LW: Of your six children, who do you think reminds you the most of yourself?

KJ: Kim is definitely my twin. She and I connect on so many levels: spiritually, emotionally, and even physically, sometimes (we seem to have similar body issues, lol). But we really see eye-to-eye when it comes to business. And we really trust and respect each other immensely—which is what great relationships are all about! The fact that we love each other to pieces… doesn’t hurt.

LW: Being Kim’s manager and mother can’t be easy. How do you distinguish between what is best for your client and what is best for your daughter?

KJ: I will always be her mother first and foremost, and because I am, I believe I always have her best interest at heart. I have known her since she was born so I know exactly what and how she would like to conduct business, and that’s why we have such good chemistry, and what makes us great business partners—plus she trusts me. I morph between mom and manager all day long. It is quite the navigation, but I manage to get through it every day! It’s definitely a dance!

LW: What do you think makes a brand last?

KJ: Distribution is key; it’s what can break or make a company. If people can’t find your product, it doesn’t matter how good it is.

I also think if a brand is associated with the right person, then the sky is the limit. Someone who is passionate about what they are selling can take a brand global. So I definitely believe in celebrity endorsement to get a brand off the ground. I have been associated with brands from exercise equipment and sports drinks to jewelry. I think when a company has a business plan—and of course, the proper funding—combined with enthusiasm and passion about the project, it is certainly off to a great start. The key is to get all of your ducks in a row before you get too ahead of yourself.

Also I believe in teamwork. If you put together a good team of people and experts where everyone has a role they excel in: that can be a successful combination. Never think you can do it all yourself, because most of the time you can’t. And never be afraid to express your thoughts and ideas! You never know when the next one will be life changing. Expect success and it will happen.

LW: What’s the best part of your job?

KJ: Being able to get up every single day and work with my beautiful family and my fabulous friends. I feel so completely blessed. I am the luckiest woman in the world! Being able to go to work and truly enjoy who you are spending your days with can really elevate your happiness to a whole new level.

LW: What’s your favorite social media tool and why?

KJ: Twitter. I find it so much fun to read people responding to different aspects of your life in real time. It’s just amazing. I’ll tweet something about the show or what I am doing on a particular day and instantly people are writing in from Indonesia or Brazil! I remember the day I was having a barbecue and I tweeted, “Who has a great recipe for barbecue?” I must have had about 300 recipes within five minutes! Of course, I had the best barbecue.

LW: What advice would you give to women who aspire to be in the entertainment industry?

KJ: I think that if you are truly passionate about the entertainment business then you have to go for it. Work ethic is key, and in this business no one sleeps! There is always something going on and technology changes on a dime, so keeping up with it and being eager and willing to learn from someone else is important. Find someone who is doing exactly what you want to do and have them be a mentor. Learn from the ground up so you are able to develop skills on every level and then apply yourself. Personal connections are so very important and can change your career. So be sure to get out there: be social and reach out to others who may be able to help. More and more women are finding their way into this business on an executive level. Someone is going to get the job you may desire, so it might as well be you! Dream big, work hard—and do your homework!

LW: What do you think makes a woman beautiful?

KJ: Confidence… being self assured… good self-esteem… having a really good self-image and being happy in your own skin. The way you carry yourself says it all.

Beauty really does start from within, so feeling good and eating right is key. Getting lots of exercise helps, too. But beauty also lives in the soul—it’s in the heart. Some of the most beautiful women I know I barely need to look at, it’s all about how they make me feel and how they feel about themselves that oozes beauty from within. There is such power in owning how beautiful you are inside and out. You would be surprised how projecting that glow in a positive way has such a naturally amazing effect on others and actually helps others feel better about themselves. I really feel if we were kinder people and were not so judgmental everyone would have a better feeling about themselves, and therefore be so much
more successful and happy. And lastly: have a good sense of humor about yourself. LAUGH… it really makes a woman so beautiful when she has a smile on her face—plus, it’s contagious!

LW: If you could collaborate with anyone who would it be?

KJ: Coco Chanel. Wow, I adore her.

LW: What is currently on your iPod?

KJ: Old-school 80’s, Luther Vandross, and Michael Jackson.

LW: What is currently on your Tivo?

KJ: Keeping Up With The Kardashians, lol.

LW: What’s the best business advice anyone has ever told you?

KJ: If someone says no, you are talking to the wrong person!

LW: What is your definition of success?

KJ: Success to me means that my family is happy, healthy, and strong. At the end of the day, when I put my head on my pillow, the feeling of satisfaction I get from knowing I did everything I could to get the best out of myself, and that I did the best job possible at whatever my task was is the best feeling of success. Just do the best you can—and love, laugh, and give of yourself along the way.

What do you think of the interview? sendme a tweet @lorenridinger