The Mentor Files

Learn how Nona Lim started her restaurant-quality food brand, what she brought from her fencing career, and why a great team needs full transparency. "I've always had a passion for food, even if I'm not professionally trained." - Nona Lim. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/89

Listen in to learn how to create a powerful partnership with your investors, and what Sarah Woelfel wants to see in successful CEOs and her own clients. "We specifically designed CULT Capital to be differentiated in the VC growth equity space, and we're really set on creating a new and different investor paradigm." - Sarah Woelfel. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/88

Listen in to learn how Annie Lawless started her lifelong love of health and wellness, and why she doesn't hesitate when opportunity knocks. "I've always just been so fascinated with nutrition, ingredients, and the correlation between what we consume and how we look and feel." - Annie Lawless. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/87

Learn how David Heath and his team innovated on a clothing staple, the unfair advantages he had as an entrepreneur, and how he built his team at Bombas. "You should never lose the humility that it can all turn around in a moment." - David Heath. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/76

Listen in to learn how Miyoko went from nothing to an in-demand business in less than 6 months, and how she has transformed through her business career. "I don't do all this market research and figure out how to do it right, I just start doing things, and that's how I've done everything in my life." - Miyoko Schinner. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/78

Listen in to learn how Sarah Flint made the transition from wholesale to DTC, how she broke into the luxury shoe industry, and how she developed her team. "There was this huge space in the market for shoes where women wouldn't have to choose between fashion and the functional features that they wanted." - Sarah Flint. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/74

Learn how Gregg Renfrew uniquely combined the philosophies of DTC and retail, how she developed her products, and who has inspired her the most in her life. "I started to draw parallels between things that were detrimental to the Earth and things that were detrimental to our bodies." - Gregg Renfrew. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/86

Listen in to learn how Nicole Gibbons went from medical school to marketing to entrepreneur, and what she wishes she knew before she started her business. "I saw this huge pain point around the homeowner when it comes to choosing color." - Nicole Gibbons. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/85

Listen in to learn what inspired Holly to start Supergoop, why she focused on a slow scaling of her brand, and what she considers when she takes in capital.  "I think the decision making becomes easier when you're always focused on your mission and why you exist as a brand." - Holly Thaggard. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/58

Listen in to learn the beginnings of True Botanicals, where Hillary focused her efforts in the beginning, and the importance of finding the best team. "It was really important to us to be able to deliver results without toxins." - Hillary Peterson. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/65

Learn what makes the perfect pitch when raising capital, how to create your best team, and what Jesse has learned from her work in venture capital. "Sometimes you're betting on a founder with a two or three person team, and sometimes you're betting on a sole founder. It's really about the people, so I try to get to know them however I possibly can." - Jesse Draper. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/62

Listen in as Simon Huck talks about what inspired JUDY, how his previous PR business helped him with his new one, and what it takes to be an entrepreneur. "60% of American families have no emergency plan in place at all." - Simon Huck. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/84

Like many of us, Rachel Drori was trying to fit healthy, nutritious meals into her busy life...but was frustrated by the lack of options. In 2015, Rachel decided to take matters into her own hands: She founded Daily Harvest, a direct-to-consumer brand blending health and innovation to send delicious superfoods straight to your freezer so you can prepare and enjoy them at your convenience. The business is one of the fastest growing nutritional food brands in the U.S. With more than 100,000 subscribers, Daily Harvest delivers breakfast bowls, ice cream sundaes, and soups to freezers around the country. Today on the podcast, Rachel and Monica talk about the importance of having a customer-centric business, how to attract high-profile investors early on, and Rachel's plans to reshape how people think about frozen food.

Listen in as Josh talks about aligning your goals and visions with your team, from your advisory board, to your company, and to your investors. "There was no master vision or strategy ten years ago." - Josh Goldin. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/83

Listen in to learn how Amanda Zuckerman cofounded Dormify with her mom, the unfair advantages this gave her, and what she learned along the way. "Energy and networking is a huge part of my success." - Amanda Zuckerman. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/82

Listen in as Alexa talks about the secret to keeping a good work life balance as an entrepreneur, and how she became the serial entrepreneur she is today. "Inspired Capital helps pay it forward to entrepreneurs who want to build great things in the future." - Alexa Von Tobel. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/81

Listen in to learn how Lauren Bush Lauren started FEED and worked with multiple different partners to help fight against world hunger and poverty. "With all these amazing results from school feeding, how can I build something that will support that?" - Lauren Bush Lauren. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/80

Listen in the learn how Sarah Jones Simmer has created and sustained such an incredible culture both in the Bumble team and in their customer base. "We're showing what is possible for a company that puts women in the driver's seat and puts kindness as a core value." - Sarah Jones Simmer. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/79

Listen in to learn how Miyoko went from nothing to an in-demand business in less than 6 months, and how she has transformed through her business career. "I don't do all this market research and figure out how to do it right, I just start doing things, and that's how I've done everything in my life." - Miyoko Schinner. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/78

Listen in to learn how Jens Grede and his cofounder found success in FRAME through their partnership, and what Erik calls the sixth sense of consumers. "It really went from idea to being in New York selling the line." - Jens Grede. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/77

On today's episode, Shan-Lyn goes through how she started Zola, from the inspiration behind the idea to the implementation and fundraising for the business. "Now we're really focused not just continually improving and innovating in wedding registries, but also in how we can serve couples throughout their entire wedding planning journey." - Shan-Lyn Ma. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/53

In 2015, Jen Rubio was traveling back from a trip to Switzerland when her luggage broke in the middle of a crowded airport, sending her clothes and belongings everywhere. As she looked for a replacement she couldn't find the kind of iconic, high-quality, affordable luggage she was looking for. Jen called up her friend Steph Korey - the two met in 2011 at Warby Parker back when they had only twenty employees - and they got to work. Just a few years later, they launched their direct-to-consumer luggage company, Away, in 2015. It boasts high end features such as two built-in USB ports and a durable, sleek design but is a fraction of the price of competing luggage. The Away team now has more than 100 employees and tens of millions in revenue. They have expanded their product line, which now offers the bag in six sizes and eight colors and have partnered with people like Gray Malin and Karlie Kloss. In their conversation, Jen and Monica talk about how Away launched without a product, the way they handle collaborations, and why the retail and digital arms of the business aren't so different after all. “More than anything we believe in making travel more seamless and more enjoyable.” – Jen Rubio. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.MonicaandAndy.blog/28

Today's guest is one of the most sought after e-commerce investors in the country: Kirsten Green. Kirsten is the founder of Forerunner Ventures, and made early investments in companies like Birchbox, Glossier, Outdoor Voices and Bonobos. Plus, she was the only one to invest in two of the biggest e-commerce sites of the past few years: Jet.com and Dollar Shave Club. This year Kirsten was named as one of Time's 100 Most Influential People in the World, and one of the Most Powerful Women in Tech by Forbes. On this episode, Kirsten talks about the magic of instincts, how she chooses which brands to invest in, and shares invaluable advice on what to do when pitching a potential investor.

As a professional soccer player, Tim Brown was used to receiving and trying out lots of free shoes. Somewhere along the line, he started to notice that all sports shoes were beginning to look the same. So, with that in mind, he set out to make his own. Tim grew up in New Zealand and was familiar with the great qualities of wool - it's not only good for minimizing odor but also for regulating temperature. The benefits had been applied to clothing, but not yet to footwear. Alongside co-founder Joey Zwillinger, he went through hundreds of prototypes before putting the shoe up on Kickstarter, where they reached their $120k goal in just five days. Allbirds now has more than 80 employees, recently landed $17.5M in series E funding and was named "The most comfortable shoe" by Time Magazine. In this episode, Tim talks about his decision to use a no branding strategy -- something that's unheard of the footwear industry, and reveals the core values his team lives by that have been crucial to his team's success.

For the first episode, I'm interviewing one of my favorite humans on earth: My brother Andy Dunn. The offspring of an immigrant mother who bucked tradition to marry our dad (he is not Indian, like our mother), we grew up feeling different from the other kids. This difference was our common bond and it made us that much closer. Andy founded Bonobos in 2007 with the goal of providing men with better fitting pants. In the past ten years, the brand has grown to become a premier destination for men's clothing. Along the way, Andy and his team have revolutionized the modern retail industry by providing a digital-first shopping experience. Not surprisingly, a lot of other brands have taken notice and followed suit (no pun intended). Andy was a true pioneer in digital and his advice and guidance have been instrumental in Monica + Andy's growth. Listen in to this first episode for some great advice from Andy, including what five qualities to look for in employees as you're building your team, and whether there really is such a thing as an expert (and if you should hire them). “The thing that you think the world wants from you is not actually what the world wants from you - what the world wants from you is to do very difficult work of creating something that can exist and thrive and prosper.” - Andy Dunn Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.MonicaandAndy.com/01

Learn how Daniella Yacobovsky carefully selected her team, got more out of her education than most, and why she thinks BaubleBar has become so successful. "A lot of times the challenges that could test a friendship really are different than the challenges you'll face as business partners." - Daniella Yacobovsky. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/69

Learn how David Heath and his team innovated on a clothing staple, the unfair advantages he had as an entrepreneur, and how he built his team at Bombas. "You should never lose the humility that it can all turn around in a moment." - David Heath. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/76

Listen in to learn how Bianca started Birdies, what she has learned from her time as CEO, and how radical candor has changed her business for the better. "I've always been obsessed with finding a comfortable solution for the entertaining space of the home." - Bianca Gates. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/75

When Heidi Zak couldn't find a quality bra that fit her right and looked great, she realized there was a hole in the market and ThirdLove was born. The data-driven bra company now offers 15 styles in 59 different sizes (they're the only company to offer half cup sizes!) and provides a “try before you buy” model that encourages women to try the product on in the comfort of their own homes. On this episode Heidi discusses product market fit, exactly how her company collects and uses data to target sales, how to create demand (and a waiting list!), and how their values inform their hiring process. She also reveals the number one platform ThirdLove relies on to track customer service.

Listen in to learn how Sarah Flint made the transition from wholesale to DTC, how she broke into the luxury shoe industry, and how she developed her team. "There was this huge space in the market for shoes where women wouldn't have to choose between fashion and the functional features that they wanted." - Sarah Flint. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/74

Learn how Vicki Fulop grew Brooklinen into what it is today so quickly, how she and the company have changed, and how she has kept a good work life balance. "We kind of just fell into working together, but thought we like being together, we have complimentary skills, we trust each other, so why not do this together?" - Vicki Fulop. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/73

Listen in to learn why Katie Warner Johnson believes female CEO's are overmentored and undersponsored, and how Carbon38 is helping to change that. "We've in a way formed a sisterhood of traveling spandex." - Katie Warner Johnson. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/72

Learn how Nicole Quinn works with a small amount of companies per year to really thrive in their market, and what separates the good from the great. "I realized that what I was really passionate about was angel investing. I found myself running out of the office as soon as the market closed to go do angel investing." - Nicole Quinn. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/71

Listen in to learn how Afton Vechery serves her customers, how she decided on her funding strategy, and what she sees for the future of Modern Fertility. "We really started the company as a fertility information company. We felt that the conversation around fertility was very reactive as opposed to proactive." - Afton Vechery. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/70

Learn how Daniella Yacobovsky carefully selected her team, got more out of her education than most, and why she thinks BaubleBar has become so successful. "A lot of times the challenges that could test a friendship really are different than the challenges you'll face as business partners." - Daniella Yacobovsky. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/69

Listen in to today's episode to learn how authenticity drives all of Gray Malin's decisions, the value he sees in collaboration, and the evolution of him and his business. "I have traveled the world to bring my wildest visions to life." - Gray Malin. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/68

Listen in to learn how Alberto Perlman has kept Zumba relevant, one thing every entrepreneur should do, and the clash of innovation and operation. "So I see the class, and I saw something that I didn't know existed. I saw fitness without sacrifice." - Alberto Perlman. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/67

Listen in to learn how important it is for Gretchen Hansen to keep innovating, how to use data to make better decisions, and the best way to view competition. "Understand who your customer is, understand what their needs are, and what those unmet needs are." - Gretchen Hansen. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/66

Listen in to learn the beginnings of True Botanicals, where Hillary focused her efforts in the beginning, and the importance of finding the best team. "It was really important to us to be able to deliver results without toxins." - Hillary Peterson. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/65

Listen in to learn how retail is being reinvented, how to maximize your retail experience, and what Dan looks for in a startup. "Retail is truly going to be omnichannel, and that's because the consumer has become omnichannel." - Dan Wenhold. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/64

Listen in to learn what he believes makes a great CEO, the most common mistakes that are made in a pitch, and the importance of having an incredible team. "The global economy never stops; you could work 24 hours a day and 7 days a week and still not be done." - Phil Schwarz. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/63

Learn what makes the perfect pitch when raising capital, how to create your best team, and what Jesse has learned from her work in venture capital. "Sometimes you're betting on a founder with a two or three person team, and sometimes you're betting on a sole founder. It's really about the people, so I try to get to know them however I possibly can." - Jesse Draper. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/62

Listen in to learn why Dana Gordon believes that laughter is so important in your business, and the importance of recognizing your own successes. "It's very important to make sure your kids understand what you do every day, whether they go into that line of work or not." - Dana Gordon. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/61

Listen in to today's episode and learn how Mia started Oars & Alps, how she built her team, and what she believes was the key to their success. "I'm a firm believer that you can't have a side hustle. It's a distraction, not only to the business you're about to build, but also to what you're currently doing." - Mia Duchnowski. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/60

While we are on our winter break, enjoy this rerun of one of our favorite episodes! In 2015, Jen Rubio was traveling back from a trip to Switzerland when her luggage broke in the middle of a crowded airport, sending her clothes and belongings everywhere. As she looked for a replacement she couldn't find the kind of iconic, high-quality, affordable luggage she was looking for. Jen called up her friend Steph Korey - the two met in 2011 at Warby Parker back when they had only twenty employees - and they got to work. Just a few years later, they launched their direct-to-consumer luggage company, Away, in 2015. It boasts high end features such as two built-in USB ports and a durable, sleek design but is a fraction of the price of competing luggage. The Away team now has more than 100 employees and tens of millions in revenue. They have expanded their product line, which now offers the bag in six sizes and eight colors and have partnered with people like Gray Malin and Karlie Kloss. In their conversation, Jen and Monica talk about how Away launched without a product, the way they handle collaborations, and why the retail and digital arms of the business aren't so different after all. “More than anything we believe in making travel more seamless and more enjoyable.” – Jen Rubio. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.MonicaandAndy.blog/28

Listen in to learn what drew Umaimah into becoming an entrepreneur, the real value of your network, and why she became comfortable being an outsider. "[Growing up], I had this little germ of creativity. I loved to design and I wanted to be a fashion designer when I grew up." - Umaimah Mendhro. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/59

Listen in to learn what inspired Holly to start Supergoop, why she focused on a slow scaling of her brand, and what she considers when she takes in capital.  "I think the decision making becomes easier when you're always focused on your mission and why you exist as a brand." - Holly Thaggard. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/58

Listen in to learn what inspired Rachelle to start both of her two successful companies, and how she has found inspiration in her life's challenges. "There was no grand plan, I just kept doing what felt right." - Rachelle Hruska. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/57

Listen in to learn what sparked Erik to start Chess.com, how he has maintained such constant growth, and why he loves having a fully remote team. "After school, I said I would spend one year [with Chess.com] at most and then I'm going to go take those job offers from the big tech companies. But that just never happened, it just kept growing and growing." - Erik Allebest. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/56

Listen in to learn how Brett went from PR of Gucci to becoming a mom and starting Edie Parker, and what lessons she has learned over the last seven years. "When you work for yourself, there's never a Sunday. There's never a day where I'm not thinking about the business. It's a totally different animal." - Brett Heyman. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/55

Listen in to learn more about Minibar's path to launch, how they pitched and raised funds for their idea, and the major hurdles that came up along the way. "Off-premise alcohol sales is 100 billion dollars [per year] in the US. It's a massive industry that just hadn't been brought online, unlike every other industry." - Lindsey Andrews. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/54