TORONTO — The audience of more than 250 women was hooked the moment Bethenny Frankel walked on stage.

The New York TV reality show personality, best-selling author, entrepreneur and talk show host known for her Skinnygirl books and products, especially her Skinnygirl cocktails, is worth an estimated net of $25 million. She has been named one of the Top 100 Most Powerful Celebrities by Forbes Magazine.

“Bethenny has become a true inspiration to women around the world,” the evening’s co-chair, Michele Alter said at the UJA Federation of Greater Toronto event Jan. 23 held at the Park Hyatt.

In the lively question-and-answer, including tweets from social media, Frankel offered solid business tips, laughter, a little cursing and juicy stories.

Asked about her success, Frankel said, “Looking back, I was always driven and self-motivated. I remember my parents were away and I wanted to have a party but I couldn’t afford it so I charged people to come to the party and pay for the alcohol. I am in the cocktail business – it was a foreshadowing. 

“I was always a hustler,” she added. “I grew up at the racetrack. I was at the betting windows from really early.”

Shortly after graduating from the Natural Gourmet Culinary Institute, Frankel  started her own company, Bethennybakes. Then, in 2005, she brought her business to television on The Apprentice: Martha Stewart, adding colour with her wit, wisdom and humour. In 2008, she joined the cast of Bravo’s Real Housewives of New York City and with her rising celebrity status, has taken the stage as host of her own talk show, Bethenny. 

At the UJA event moderated by TV personality Liza Fromer, no question was off limits except about Frankel’s personal life.

So, what drives Frankel? “Good enough isn’t good enough with anything.  I am a perfectionist. I have a huge attention to detail and organization. I would rather not do it if I can’t do it well. It is about ideas, great ideas and executing them.”

When asked if her life has been on a fated path, Frankel responded, “Totally.  I love that phrase. You have to be aware of the signs. In the car, you’re on the road, but you don’t know when you are going to see the signs and what’s going to happen, but you must be aware of them, and I am very aware. I’m romantic that way – I like the story. You can see things in front of you and grab them and turn them into opportunities. I like embracing the way life happens.”

Frankel then shared her “secret sauce”: “I work from my gut, from my instinct. Sometimes you have to listen to other people, the experts, but ultimately you have to make your own informed decision. Everyone told me that the ‘cocktail’ was not going to happen, and I just knew it was a good idea. You just have to know and go.”

How does she handle the press, both good and bad? “In waves. The more success you have, the more people want to find something wrong. It’s cliché but they want to tear you down. It rolls off my back at this point.”

Frankel shared the experience of being a mother and how she manages to balance motherhood and business. Her daughter, Bryn, is three years old.

“I love the purity, the innocence and the hope. I love the fact that the only thing that Bryn has to do every day is enjoy her life and be happy. It’s my job to provide that. 

“I’m on a tight schedule, but the minute the set is done, I get in the car and pick up Bryn. We go for pizza, or go ice-skating, or to the playground. I have a playroom at the studio – you just make it work.”

Lisa Draper, 2014 UJA campaign co-chair, announced that the annual campaign has raised more than $52.3 million from 16,000 donors. “This represents an increase of over 5.3 per cent over last year,” she said. “However… we still have more people to reach in our community.”

The evening concluded with two guests winning a draw to Bethenny’s New York City talk show, followed by a dessert reception.