Bethenny Frankel, founder of Skinnygirl, author and entrepreneur, discusses her best advice for negotiating.

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Andy Cohen has successfully climbed the media ladder from CBS News intern to host and executive producer of Bravo's late-night show "Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen."

Cohen is also an executive producer of the network's popular and expansive "Real Housewives" empire, hosts and produces pop-culture nostalgia series "Andy Cohen's Then & Now," and is set to host the upcoming revival of "Love Connection."

"I think the thing that's always gotten me to the next level is passion and excitement that's genuine and authentic for whatever I'm doing," Cohen told Business Insider. He says that positivity and passion for a brand or a job can translate into confidence without stinking of arrogance and unseemly self-assuredness.

Following is a transcript of the video.

ANDY COHEN: I think, for me, the thing that's always gotten me to the next level is passion and excitement that's genuine and authentic for whatever I'm doing. And I think that that can be infectious and appealing to people, if you really are excited and confident about your brand or your job or your organization or what you're doing.

And I think that that's — I think that positivity and passion kind of translates sometimes into confidence and having your s--- together, even though you may not. And that's a good thing.

How do you be persistent without being annoying? I don't know if I know the answer to that, because you're dealing also with someone else's mood, and you can't control that.

Because if you keep coming at someone and they want no part of it, then ... but if they see something in you that
they want to help, then they will.

I think there might be some charm that goes in there and some pluck and some luck. Which is why you just also have to keep trying.

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The INSIDER Summary:

• Bravo released a new trailer for the second season of "The Real Housewives of Dallas."
• It returns on Monday, August 14 at 10 p.m.
• Two new housewives join this season: D'Andra Simmons and Kameron Westcott.

"The Real Housewives of Dallas" is set to return this summer for a second season filled with broken glass, hot dog jokes, feuding socialites, and even flesh-eating diseases.

Cary Deuber, Stephanie Hollman, LeeAnne Locken and Brandi Redmond open up their lives for us once again and are joined by two new housewives.

D'Andra Simmons, a wealthy Dallas native who seeks to take control over her family's company. Then there's Kameron Westcott, a Dallas organic dog food developer who uses her blonde bombshell looks as a weapon. Some of the housewives even refer to her as the "real life Elle Woods" from "Legally Blonde." 

As usual, there's no shortage of drama. It's especially fiery between former best friends Brandi Redmond and Stephanie Hollman who haven't talked in months, causing a rift within their group of friends. Leanne Locken is working hard on repairing her reputation in Dallas and facing her anger management issues head on. Meanwhile, Cary Deuber is trying figure out the balance between being a mom to her daughter Zuri and working at the office with her husband Mark. 

"The Real Housewives of Dallas" returns Monday, August 14 at 10:00 p.m. on Bravo. 

Watch the drama unfold in the new season two trailer:

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Lydia McLaughlin says that the time was right for her to return to Bravo's "The Real Housewives of Orange County."

"It was actually really hard to decide to leave," McLaughlin told INSIDER of quitting the show after just one season in 2013. "I think a lot of people thought I was crazy. One of the producers actually said, 'It’s lightning in a bottle and it doesn’t happen twice,' because I told them maybe I’ll just take a break. I just felt like my kids were really young and I wanted to have another kid close in age to them. And so it was the right decision for my family, but it was hard."

Four years later, McLaughlin and her husband, Doug, have added on to her family with a third son and they've created a new high-end men's magazine called "Nobleman." With that, McLaughlin decided to end her break and continue her story on the 12th season of Bravo's longest-running "Real Housewives" show.

"I think that’s a really interesting kind of story to follow, the two of us really going out, and taking a risk, and starting a magazine, working together, just the two of us to fulfill our dreams," the 36-year-old said.

"And then obviously having the new baby being two years old, I felt like he was old enough where he literally isn’t attached to me nursing anymore, so I can be more involved and kind of have something on my own," she continued. "Those six months of taping 'Real Housewives' were great, it was much better even than last time."

After the first time around, McLaughlin said she learned some important lessons about trust that she brought with her to this season.

"Last time, I was really nervous about editing or sharing something, for example, my faith is really important to me and sacred in my life, and I was nervous a lot times when I was filming and talking about that," she said. "I was scared about the way it would be portrayed or how it might be edited. And this time around, I was just more free with it. I think if you do a reality show, you really have to trust the production and trust that your story will get told."

Although she was more prepared for the rigors of production, McLaughlin was somewhat blindsided by the level of feuding between her cast mates. She hasn't caught up on the show after she left – referring to seeing what was happening on the show and with her cast mates without her as "bittersweet," so she didn't have an accurate idea of where the women's relationships stood.

"I hadn’t watched it, so I was assuming that they don’t like each other right now, but they just need to talk and it’ll be fine," the self-titled "Friendship Whisperer" told us.

"And then I quickly realized it’s not something that talking is necessarily going to help, it might make it worse. These ladies have really hurt each other and there’s a lot of pain there, so maybe they’re not ready to move on. You know, a cup of coffee and a lunch date isn’t going to help. So I kind of had to reevaluate my plan and try to figure out what the best thing is for everybody."

"The Real Housewives of Orange County" returns Monday at 9 p.m. on Bravo.

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• TV personality Heather Dubrow has an unbelievable, 500-square-foot closet.
• In a recent episode of "Bonkers Closets," Dubrow took INSIDER into her luxurious space.
• She shared her impressive collection of designer items.
• Highlights include nearly 50 Chanel handbags and over 200 pairs of designer shoes.
• She also has a Champagne doorbell and a floor-to-ceiling selfie mirror.

Heather Dubrow spent five seasons on "The Real Housewives of Orange County," and now she stars in her own YouTube channel, Heather's Closet.

The actress often takes viewers behind the scenes of her impressive space, but she shared exclusive details about her closet and her most prized possessions in a recent episode of INSIDER's "Bonkers Closets."

Dubrow's closet is 500-square-feet of sparkling silk floors.

Walk a few steps into her closet, and you'll see two large chandeliers, black sparkling carpet made from silk, and a luminous, full-length mirror.

INSIDER's senior correspondent Aly Weisman told us that the "custom-made, three panel, floor-to-ceiling mirror with built in selfie lighting" was the most mind-blowing part of her wardrobe. To put it in perspective, Weisman told us that Dubrow said the Kardashians have something similar, but it's not as big as the one in her closet.

But beyond the incredible decor that makes her space look like a high-end lounge, Dubrow has shelves upon shelves of designer bags, shoes, and clothing. 

Dubrow owns just under 50 Chanel purses, some of which are incredibly special. In the video, the television personality notes one of her favorites, a sparkling ombré Chanel bag which, as you can see below, is dripping in crystals.

Dubrow also pulled out one of her first Chanel purchases — a black and gold quilted chain belt with a mini purse attached to the front. She bought the $1,750 accessory after earning her first paycheck for an acting job when she was just 16 years old, she said in the "Bonkers Closets" episode.

Her purses are impressive, but she has an even larger selection of shoes. 

When it comes to footwear, Dubrow has over 200 pairs of designer shoes. This collection includes multiple pairs of fancy Valentino Rockstuds, which range from $995 to $1745 each. But her go-to, everyday shoes are her flat espadrilles. She owns many pairs by Chanel, and they start at $600 each.

What really puts this star's closet over the top is her infamous Champagne doorbell.

In the video, she explains that the concept was inspired by Instagram pictures that said "press for Champagne." When she decided to have the Champagne button made for her closet, she wanted it to actually function. One touch and the button rings down to the kitchen for the sparkling beverage.

But beyond the glamour, Dubrow's most coveted items are really sentimental.

In her collection of Hermès scarves, she treasures one that was passed down to her from her grandmother. She also wanted to highlight a handmade brooch in her collection of designer ones. "It was sweet that Heather said a brooch made by her young daughter was her most prized possession," Weisman said.

When it comes to material possessions, it seems that Dubrow's favorite Coco Chanel quote rings true: "The best things in life are free. The second best are very expensive."

To get the full tour of Dubrow's unbelievable closet, watch the "Bonkers Closets" video below.

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Memorial Day Weekend may be the kickoff to Hamptons season, the time when New Yorkers flee the city and run wild on Long Island's South Fork, but July 4 is when the East End party circuit really starts to grind. 

From an upper-crust art fête to a PR maven's yacht party, here's an inside look at the Hamptons Fourth of July celebrations that made waves this weekend.

The most fashionable party of the long weekend was definitely the Revolve kickoff at this gorgeous house in Sagaponack.

All the cool girls were there, including model/"Gone Girl" star Emily Ratajkowski and girl about town/DJ Leigh Lezark.

British DJ Chelsea Leyland made friends with the camera — and the gigantic chess board.

Revelers at Southampton's Capri Hotel kept House minority leader Nancy Pelosi up until 4 am last Saturday night, according to the New York Post's Page Six.

But what's really interesting is that, earlier in the night, the 75-year-old was denied a table at the hotel's restaurant and lounge, Beautique, which is the Hamptons offshoot of a New York City hot spot of the same name. You might know it from such shows as "The Real Housewives of New York City." 

Here's the scene — complete with "housewives"— at Beautique in midtown Manhattan. 

And here's a photo taken at Beautique in Southampton on the night when Pelosi was rebuffed.  

It's not the sort of place where you'd expect to spot the top Democrat in the House of Representatives.

Page Six reports that "guests like Howard Stern already had tables" when Pelosi was turned away for not having a reservation, but that Beautique did serve her a meal in her room. 

Hotel Capri and Beautique are known to get a little rowdy (loud techno music, people dancing on tables, the usual Hamptons behavior), and they tell hotel guests as much when they book.   

Maybe next time Pelosi's aids should put her up in a quieter spot, like the idyllic Topping Rose House, and actually get her a dinner reservation. Gawker's Gabrielle Bluestone gave some solid suggestions for the latter. 

SEE ALSO: Nancy Pelosi Is Upset She Wasn't On The Cover Of Time Magazine

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Bethenny Frankel is currently balancing starring on "Real Housewives of New York City," running the Skinnygirl empire, writing best-selling books, and being mom to five-year-old daughter, Bryn.

But the 45-year-old has recently started using one word that has changed her life for the better: "no."

"I just said no to a TV show, I said no to a radio show, I said no to a clothing line. I say no all the time, more than yes," Frankel told Business Insider while promoting her latest line of healthy Skinnygirl snacks in New York City. 

Frankel stressed one point specifically,"Yes becomes so much more powerful when you say no."

"I used to be a scrambled mess, running around, not happy," she explained. "You can't do anything great that way, so now I feel like I'm really focusing my attention on what I'm doing."

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Bethenny Frankel says she's found the key to a work-life balance: keeping them separate.  

"As far as professional and motherhood, when I'm working, I'm completely working and I'm focused," Frankel told INSIDER while promoting her new line of Skinnygirl snacks in New York City. "When I'm with my daughter, I'm completely focused on that and I'm not working."  

Frankel stars on "The Real Housewives of New York City," runs the Skinnygirl empire, is a best-selling author, and is mom to 5-year-old daughter, Bryn.  

"I create my entire schedule and life so it's separated," the 45-year-old added. "And it works really well because I am as much a mom as I am a businesswoman. And vice versa. I love having this legacy to leave for her, and I love that she'll see that I work, but I don't miss her drop-offs and pick-ups, and I don't do work instead of being with her, ever."  

Frankel encourages other working moms to "not be so hard on yourself."  

"You have to just know that you're a good person, your child — when they're at school — is where they're supposed to be; when they're playing with their friends, it's what they're supposed to be doing," she explained. "And it's quality time when you're with them. Be present and focused and let them know how much you love them."  

Story by Aly Weisman and editing by Kristen Griffin

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SEE ALSO:  Skinnygirl founder Bethenny Frankel says the word 'no' changed her life

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Bethenny Frankel says she's found the key to a work-life balance: keeping them separate.  

Story by Aly Weisman and editing by Kristen Griffin

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Bethenny Frankel, founder of Skinnygirl, author and entrepreneur, remembers the best piece of advice she received from Ellen DeGeneres.

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Bethenny Frankel, founder of Skinnygirl, author and entrepreneur, discusses her best advice for negotiating.

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If Skinnygirl founder and author Bethenny Frankel could time travel, there's one thing she'd go back and say one thing to her 20-year-old self: It's okay not to have everything figured out.

During a recent interview with Business Insider, the entrepreneur reminisced about taking a bartending course upon graduating from college.

Frankel has never actually worked as a bartender, but she did go on to found a cocktail business that Forbes estimates was sold for $100 million in 2011.

"It doesn't matter if you're bar tending or selling Christmas trees or working at a law firm," Frankel says. "Every single thing you do — if you do it to the best of your ability — will one day be valuable and will eventually be used in some unexpected way."

So there's no need to worry if you don't have a master plan in your twenties. Work hard at whatever you're doing. Once you discover your passion, you'll find a way to leverage your past experience.

SEE ALSO: Millionaire entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel shares the trait she looks for in every job candidate

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NOW WATCH: Skinnygirl founder Bethenny Frankel shares her best advice for negotiating

Skinnygirl founder and author Bethenny Frankel says she makes career mistakes every day.

In a recent interview with Business Insider, she highlighted two of the biggest gaffes she's ever made — both of which occurred early on in her entrepreneurial career.

Frankel opened a pashmina and a cookie business before hitting it big with Skinnygirl. Both of those original companies failed, Frankel says, because first, she spread herself too thin, and second, she did not stick to a concrete business plan.

In the case of the pashmina business, Frankel explains that she became over-confident due to her initial flush of success. She began adding pajamas and ponchos to her lineup.

Then, the bottom dropped out. More and more people began to sell pashminas and the once rare and expensive scarves dropped dramatically in price.

She says that she lost $50,000 from the venture. According to Frankel, sticking with a business plan would have allowed her to budget and spend more thoughtfully during that time.

"I think that in business people don't realize how expensive things are going to be," Frankel says. "It's like going to a mall. You end up buying a lot of little cheap things and you come home and you don't have much as anything, whereas if you said, 'Okay, I'm going to the mall and I have $50 to spend. I want to buy one good thing.' It would be better than buying a lot of little crappy things. I think you have to just be aware of how you're going to spend and what your plan is."

However, Frankel warns aspiring entrepreneurs to not fall into the trap of allowing a business plan to completely paralyze progress.

"People sit in and want to perfect their business plan," Frankel told Business Insider. "That's just a piece of paper and some numbers. Really being able to get out there and execute is the thing."

SEE ALSO: Millionaire entrepreneur Bethenny Frankel shares the trait she looks for in every job candidate

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NOW WATCH: Skinnygirl founder Bethenny Frankel says Ellen DeGeneres gave her the best life advice

Bethenny Frankel, founder of Skinnygirl, author and entrepreneur, discusses whether or not she believes money can buy happiness.

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Bethenny Frankel, founder of Skinnygirl, author and entrepreneur, remembers the best piece of advice she received from Ellen DeGeneres.

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Bethenny Frankel, founder of Skinnygirl, author and entrepreneur, discusses her best advice for negotiating.

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