Podcasts about founders story

Your continued success is predicated on your continued relevance and becoming “the advisor of choice.”  Sometimes, that's easier said than done. However, one of the most effective ways to accomplish this and build lasting client relationships is through storytelling for financial advisors.  Our guest calls this the Founders Story. As artificial intelligence (AI) and the … Continue reading Episode #64 Storytelling for Financial Advisors: How to Stand Out and Win More Ideal Clients with Jason Jenkins →

FREE Downloads: "The Wyseway" and "The Founders Story" by Julie Perkins.https://www.enterpriseexcellenceacademy.com/downloadsIntroductionWelcome to episode 178 of the Enterprise Excellence Podcast. It is a pleasure to have Julie Perkins on the show today. Julie is the founder of Wyseminds, an organisation focused on supporting women entrepreneurs in developing stronger businesses that are growing and delivering joy their way. Previously, Julie was a country director for Specsavers, leading the company from the early days to its dramatic growth that we know today. Julie is on the show with us today to discuss the power of a well-defined purpose, its impact on your KPIs, and her work through Wyseminds with female entrepreneurs. We are proudly sponsored by S A Partners, a world-leading business transformation consultancy.FREE DownloadsLinks: https://www.enterpriseexcellenceacademy.com/downloadsTo learn more about what we do, visit www.enterpriseexcellenceacademy.com.Thanks for your time, and thanks for helping to create a better future.

In this transformative episode of Founders Story, we dive into the extraordinary life of Jeff Webb, not just as the founder of Varsity Spirit but as a luminary who modernized cheerleading and elevated it to an international sport. Webb, an acclaimed entrepreneur and the President of the International Cheer Union, shares his journey from igniting a global cheerleading movement to redefining the sport's very foundation and creating a billion dollar company along the way. Jeff Webb's story is a masterclass in innovation, leadership, and global influence. Subscribe to our newsletter so you don't miss out on exclusive interviews and special content: https://foundersstory.beehiiv.com/subscribe For more info on guests and future episodes visit pix11.com/impact and https://fox5sandiego.com/fox-5-partners/impactful/

Female Founders Story - Lygeia Ricciardi Founder of AdaRose Making an Impact Balancing Tech and Human Connection for Improved Well-being Host: Megan Antonelli & Janae Sharp Guest: Lygeia Ricciardi Join them for an insightful interview with Lygeia Ricciardi, a trailblazer with over 20 years of experience in digital health. From her roles at the FCC to ONC and Carium, Lygeia has shaped the landscape of holistic well-being and co-founded AdaRose. In this discussion, we delve into her diverse career, AdaRose's response to the changing dynamics of remote work, the concept of holistic wellbeing, challenges in corporate wellness programs, emerging trends, the balance between technology and human connection, addressing mental health, and the future of corporate wellness. Gain valuable insights and advice from a leading voice in healthcare and wellness on making a positive impact in this transformative space. Find all of our network podcasts on your favorite podcast platforms and be sure to subscribe and like us. Learn more at www.healthcarenowradio.com/listen/

See what is happening now at www.healthimpactlive.comOriginally Published: Feb 22YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZWV4Fs37-o Join us for an insightful interview with Lygeia Ricciardi, a trailblazer with over 20 years of experience in digital health. From her roles at the FCC to ONC and Carium, Lygeia has shaped the landscape of holistic well-being and co-founded AdaRose. In this discussion, we delve into her diverse career, AdaRose's response to the changing dynamics of remote work, the concept of holistic wellbeing, challenges in corporate wellness programs, emerging trends, the balance between technology and human connection, addressing mental health, and the future of corporate wellness. Gain valuable insights and advice from a leading voice in healthcare and wellness on making a positive impact in this transformative space Pioneering holistic well-being, offering actionable strategies for individuals seeking a comprehensive approach to their health Gain practical takeaways to enhance your own remote or hybrid work experience Gain actionable tips to transform workplace wellness initiatives for increased employee engagement and satisfaction Valuable insights into the future, empowering you to proactively embrace emerging trends and stay ahead in the ever-evolving field Gain practical strategies on leveraging technology without compromising the essential human touch in corporate wellness programs   Ms. Lygeia Ricciardi ,Founder & CEO, AdaRose Megan Antonelli, Chief Executive Officer, HealthIMPACT Janae Sharp, Founder, The Sharp Index

On today's episode of Founders Story, serial tech entrepreneur and innovator Adrian Aoun discusses the rise of AI in various industries, but underscores how slow the healthcare industry has been in catching up with and leveraging thes Speaking to host Daniel Robbins, Adrian points out the wide reach of technology that today reaches the most remote areas of the world, but surprisingly, basic healthcare remains a dream to underserved communities globally. With a team of former executives and engineering leaders from Google and Uber, Forward, led by Adrian Aoun, is positioned to fix this problem and deliver healthcare across the globe.  Forward's latest product, CarePod™, combines advanced diagnostics, personalized health plans, and a premium in-person experience putting you in the driver's seat of your health. Subscribe to our newsletter so you don't miss out on exclusive interviews and special content: https://foundersstory.beehiiv.com/subscribe For more info on guests and future episodes visit pix11.com/impact and https://fox5sandiego.com/fox-5-partners/impactful/

Tune into this weeks episode as our founder, Joseph Valente talks about his story. From his early days on the tools to multiple award winner entrepreneur, get ready to be inspired, motivated, and empowered to pursue your own dreams and ambitions. Trade Mastermind teaches you the blueprint to business growth and how to scale up your trade business to multiple million figures! Book a FREE training day to learn how! https://bit.ly/bookafreetraining

Chai Guys is the brainchild of Abhilash Jobanputra and Gabriel Unger, two entrepreneurs driven by their love for authentic Indian chai. Their journey began in September 2018 with a transformative trip to India, where they immersed themselves in the vibrant world of chai culture. Returning to London with a  suitcase filled with tea and a vision, they spent nine months perfecting their recipes, brewing techniques, and spice blends. In May 2019, their iconic Masala Chai made its debut at Brick Lane Market, marking the birth of Chai Guys. Today, Chai Guys stands as a pioneer, introducing countless individuals to the enchanting world of chai.Chai Guys' locations at Old Spitalfields Market and Seven Dials Market evoke chai's origins, creating an enchanting ambience for all. Together, Abhilash and Gabriel have woven their unique stories and passions into Chai Guys, delivering not only chai but an unforgettable journey of flavour and authenticity.The arrival of Chai Guys Bakehouse marks a significant expansion for Chai Guys as a new chapter unfolds. Find out more about Abhilash Jobanputra via: LinkedIn.Find out more about Gabriel Unger via: LinkedIn.Find out more about Chai Guys via: their website, Instagram , TikTok and Facebook.A new episode EVERY WEEK, showcasing the journeys of inspirational entrepreneurs, side hustlers and their mentors. We discuss their successes, challenges and how they overcame setbacks. Focusing mainly on what they wish they had known when starting out. The podcast aims to give aspiring entrepreneurs the confidence to START UP and START NOW by showcasing real and relatable entrepreneurs. After all, seeing is believing! Join the conversation using #startupstartnow and tagging us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Don't forget to leave a review as it really helps us reach those who need it and allows us to get the best guests for you! Connect with START UP. START NOW. and to nominate a guest please visit: www.startupstartnow.co.uk.  To connect with Sharena Shiv please visit: www.sharena.co.uk.

In this episode we spoke with Dr Marcus Köhnlein, a serial entrepreneur who has built multiple successful customer-centric businesses. Marcus shared his secrets behind starting and growing a customer love business in the right way, and why this will give you a real competitive advantage.  Marcus also reflected on the different approaches and challenges when founding a company built on customer centricity vs developing a customer centric culture in an existing business for the first time. 

Description:Sharing his extraordinary story today is Olympic-level rowing coach turned entrepreneur, Bruce Smith. Bruce has been self-sufficient since his teens and in this episode, we discover his journey to becoming the Founder and CEO of Hydrow; the rowing machine company connecting the indoor rowing experience to the magic of rowing on water. From breaking into hotels and churches in order to practice piano, he transferred his passion wholly into rowing. Tune in to discover what he finds so engaging about the sport and hear all about his inspiring personal journey and entrepreneurial story.Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:•     AWESOME CX by Transcom provides high touch, personalized customer experience services to consumer brands of any size! Email Lee at lee@stairwaytoceo.com to learn more about their award-winning services and Awesome Coffee Chats.In This Episode You'll Hear About:• [01:02] Introducing Bruce Smith, the Founder and CEO of Hydrow.• [03:37] Bruce's early days: Growing up in Canada with a schizophrenic mother, leaving home early, and supporting himself financially while pursuing music.• [11:16] How he supported himself in college; how he became a hustler by necessity!• [14:24] His journey from academia to entrepreneurship, real estate, and coaching.• [20:08] Bruce's passion for rowing and his transition from rower to rowing coach.• [22:49] The mind-body connection associated with rowing and the addictiveness of synchronization.• [25:18] Bruce shares success stories from his career as a rowing coach.• [27:42] The genesis story of Hydrow; the rowing machine company connecting the indoor rowing experience to the magic of rowing on water.• [33:49] Hydrow's impressive fundraising journey in the face of countless rejections.• [47:09] The company's team structure, Bruce's leadership approach, and Hydrow's future goals!To Find Out More:Bruce Smith on LinkedInHydrowCommunity Rowing, Inc.Lee Greene on LinkedInStairway to CEOStairway to CEO on InstagramQuotes:“[Entrepreneurship] is really hard but it's really satisfying. Honestly, I think it's the most fun thing you can do. It's like creating art that's worth the trouble.” [0:03:21]“I got my driver's license the day that I turned 16 and I got in the car and I drove away and I basically never went back.” [0:07:40]“I really do believe poverty is an amazing motivator.” [0:13:12]“The power of the man is real and you've got to adapt and bend a little bit if you're going to be successful.” [0:17:28]“In the United States, especially in Chicago, it is a meritocracy. If you have good ideas, people embrace you with open arms.” [0:19:46]“That moment of synchronicity – is wildly addictive.” [0:23:59]“We wanted to take that smoothness and that analog feeling [of rowing on water] and translate it to a machine. So we had to reimagine how people think of our machines from the ground up.” [0:32:28]“You want to be sure that the people who invest in your company will be able to continue to invest in your company.” [0:38:54]“I like bankers. They're the most socially capable people I've ever met.” [0:40:35]“Overall, I've become an even stronger believer in investing in culture and – who you are.” [0:47:52]

Description:Sharing their Stairway to CEO story today is Allie Egan, a passionate brand-builder and the Founder and CEO of Veracity. Offering personalized solutions based on its at-home hormone testing kit, Veracity's uniquely data-driven approach and clean skincare products help you take your health into your own hands. In this insightful episode, Allie sheds some light on her journey from her first job as a waitress in a retirement home outside of Philadelphia to earning her MBA from Harvard Business School and becoming a two-time CEO. In her first stint as CEO at Cynthia Rowley, Allie began experiencing issues with her skin, which led her to learn more about hormonal health imbalances and sparked the idea for Veracity. Join us as we discuss micro-journaling, her partnership with Meridian Street Capital, and why she believes you should talk about your ideas early and often!Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:AWESOME CX by Transcom provides high touch, personalized customer experience services to consumer brands of any size! Email Lee at lee@stairwaytoceo.com to learn more about their award-winning services and Awesome Coffee Chats. In This Episode, You'll Hear About:[03:21] Allie's upbringing in suburban Philadelphia and her early pursuits of independence.[08:58] What a childhood health scare taught her about the fear that clouds optimal health.[12:33] Insight into her formative roles in investment banking. [17:37] How Allie came to realize that she wanted to “build something” as a founder.[29:41] Personal struggles with her health that gave her the idea for Veracity.[32:13] Some of the holistic wellness products and services that Veracity offers.[39:10] The highs and lows of launching a business and raising capital![45:09] Exciting innovations that you can expect from Veracity in the future.To Find Out More:VeracityAllie Egan on LinkedInAllie Egan on InstagramLee Greene on LinkedInStairway to CEOStairway to CEO on InstagramAWESOME CX by TranscomQuotes:“I wanted to work. I wanted to make my own money. I wanted to have that independence [from very early on].” — Allie Egan [0:07:03]“That [childhood health scare] experience has taught me how so many people think about their health. Instead of being proactive and [thinking] ‘What could be going on in my body? How can I make it better?', how they think about optimal health is clouded in fear.” — Allie Egan [0:11:20]“I feel fortunate that I ended up getting interviews at [L Catterton], which is 100% exclusively focused on consumer retail. I didn't know if I'd love [investment banking], but what I ended up loving was the consumer retail world.” — Allie Egan [0:15:09]“Like a lot of folks, I had been on this path of ‘This is the paved path. Keep going that way.' [I liked what I was doing], but I really started to soul search and think about: what could I be uniquely good at? What could I bring to the table?” — Allie Egan [0:17:53]“Part of what you're doing in building a company is being the conductor of all these things, whether it's ideas, expertise, products, or people.” — Allie Egan [0:18:30]“If you knew everything you were going to learn [as an entrepreneur], you'd probably make different decisions!” — Allie Egan [0:21:59]“Here I was, someone that worked in skincare, was seeking a doctor, and not only did I not have the tools to solve my aesthetic issue, but I also didn't have this important information about my underlying health.” — Allie Egan [0:31:07]“One piece of advice I always like to give to [entrepreneurs] is to try to talk about your ideas early and often, even when they're not perfectly formed.” — Allie Egan [0:39:36]“Raising capital is always hard. It is such a slog. I listened to the founder of Coinbase, [who said]: a successful fundraise is 9 out of 10 people telling you no. And that's in really good times!” — Allie Egan [0:42:03]“Being an entrepreneur is like, every day, either getting an acceptance or a rejection letter from your favorite college, but getting both accepted and rejected multiple times a day, every single day. Dealing with that elation down to the dumps is something that has become the norm.” — Allie Egan [0:43:03]

Description:Joining the show today is Loren Castle, Founder and CEO of Sweet Loren's, the accessible, good for you, and delicious cookie brand. Loren talks about her passion for putting healthy, real food made from natural ingredients into her body turned into a serious baking hobby which subsequently led to founding Sweet Loren's. She shares about the unconventional household she grew up in, her approach to ensuring that the growth of her business is sustainable, and her key pieces of advice for turning entrepreneurial dreams into reality!Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Give the gift of the world's most beautiful spice rack and get 15% off by using the promo code STAIRWAY15 at www.evermill.comGet 20% off luxury fitness equipment that you won't want to hide in your closet by using the promo code STAIRWAY20 at www.equiptmovement.comIn This Episode You'll Hear About:[02:49] Loren shares what her upbringing was like as a middle child in an unconventional household in New York City.[08:20] A story from Loren's childhood that highlights her innate leadership and organizational skills.[15:49] The life-changing diagnosis that Loren received at the age of 22, and how it became her motivation for the founding of Sweet Loren's. [24:29] When Loren realized that her casual baking endeavors had the potential to become a successful business and positively impact people's lives. [33:31] The catalytic meeting and the journey that followed of turning Sweet Loren's into what it is today. [42:28] Loren explains the reasoning behind her decision to not raise a second round of capital.[45:22] Why Loren recommends doubling down on what you are good at until you have perfected your niche, rather than broadening into multiple categories. [49:52] Some of the biggest challenges that Loren has experienced on her journey of founding and running Sweet Loren's, and the exciting future that lies ahead.[54:22] Advice from Loren for successfully turning your entrepreneurial dreams into reality! To Find Out More:Sweet Loren'sSweet Loren's on InstagramLoren Castle on LinkedInLee Greene on LinkedInQuotes: “I just wanted to have as many adventures and experiences as possible.” —[0:12:24]“Even though working in a bakery sounds sweet, it was one of the hardest jobs I ever had.” — [0:14:55]“I remember [my therapist] saying to me, ‘Don't you think this could actually become the biggest positive in your life? Don't you think you could become so much stronger because of it?' A light switched on in my brain when I heard that.” — [0:20:23]“I became my own nutritionist and fell in love with real food.” —[0:22:30]“The only reason that most people don't eat healthy is because it's too hard, or doesn't taste as good.” —[0:22:56]“Baking helped cure me in a way. It's very therapeutic, it makes you feel really happy, it creates a stillness. There's something magical about it.” — [0:25:21]“Food should be delicious and accessible and clean. It should be that for everyone and it's not when you rely on packaged food.” — [0:27:01]“I'm really proud that we're building a business that's sustainable.” — [0:44:20]“I'm a really big believer in becoming the number one at what you do before you move into other items.” —[0:45:22]“Sweet Loren's is the number one natural cookie dough brand in the US now, but when I started, I knew peanuts and no one cared or appreciated this category.” —[0:50:11]“I truly think there is nothing better than making your dream a reality and if you're an entrepreneur, just owning that and loving that and building your own future.”“Make sure you have a business plan, sometimes entrepreneurs want to create a product and want it to grow, but find people that help you put numbers behind it…what is the overall goal? If you could dream huge what would it be, figure out what makes you happy in that because then you can drive the company and the ship forward.” —[0:54:39]

Description:Joining the show today is Hans Schrei, a passionate entrepreneur who is using his business to create safe spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community, one cookie at a time. Hans is the Founder and CEO of Wunderkeks, a company that not only sells unbelievably delicious cookies but sees every sweet treat as a pathway to the rituals that allow us to connect with one another. In our conversation, Hans reflects on his upbringing in Guatemala and the challenges of being queer in a conservative Catholic society before recounting his journey as an entrepreneur and the story of how Wunderkeks went from being sold at farmer's markets to gaining massive online orders, practically overnight. Hans also shares some of the key lessons he's learned from fundraising and leaves listeners with the one piece of advice he believes is imperative for founders to persevere and thrive.Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Give the gift of the world's most beautiful spice rack and get 15% off by using the promo code STAIRWAY15 at www.evermill.comGet 20% off luxury fitness equipment that you won't want to hide in your closet by using the promo code STAIRWAY20 at www.equiptmovement.comIn This Episode You'll Hear About: [02:46] Hans's experiences of growing up in Guatemala, the challenges of being queer in a conservative Catholic society, and why he moved to Austin, Texas.[12:57] Why Hans was drawn to entrepreneurship from a young age and the satisfaction and difficulties of owning your own business.[17:14] Misconceptions that people have about entrepreneurship and the immense dedication, grit, and care it takes to persevere and succeed.[26:18] The founding story of Wunderkeks and the tweet that earned them 700 orders overnight (and 25,000 by the end of the month!)[29:55] How an Apple iOS privacy update helped Hans and his partner uncover their ‘why'.[32:17] Hans and his partner's decision to be a proudly queer company, the homophobic backlash that followed, and the messages of encouragement they received.[36:02] How Wunderkeks embraced the idea of becoming a safe space for consumers and the privilege of always being in a space where you can be yourself.[41:35] Hans's experience with fundraising, the importance of viewing your company from the investors' perspective, and how they found a clear and successful strategy.[48:15] Separating yourself from the business and the importance of becoming more comfortable with other people getting involved in your company.[51:47] What's next for Wunderkeks and Hans's advice for young entrepreneurs today.To Find Out More:WunderkeksHans Schrei on LinkedInLee Greene on LinkedInQuotes: “[In a strict Catholic country] you spend a lot of time code switching which is so exhausting — you're asking yourself, ‘Am I passing?' all the time.” — [0:04:12]“I have a complicated relationship with my home country.” — [0:05:23]“One thing that I really appreciate about my parents is that they never tried to make me into something that I was not.” — [0:06:44]“[With being an entrepreneur] I'm still asking myself every so often, ‘Why the hell do I do this to myself?' But for the most part, it is good. It's exciting.” — [0:15:53]“Some people really fall in love with the idea of being an entrepreneur, and they ‘think I'm gonna be my own boss', [but that is] the furthest [thing] from the truth.” — [0:17:23]“Particularly in the food space, you can tell when someone is winging it. It's not gonna work. They're not gonna make it. You have to really be willing to walk through fire for what you're doing.” — [0:17:32]“In my space, in our space, in the retail space, it's very easy to forget that what you're selling is a luxury product.” — [0:37:22]“How the hell did this company crash? They raised $100 million. And it's because they didn't have a plan.” — [0:44:16]“You need to learn to put yourself in the investors' shoes and say, ‘That is what they're looking at.'” — [0:46:45]“Get a therapist if you're a founder, because it's super rough and the level of self-doubt is so big.” — [0:53:00]

On today's episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner is talking to Hyliion CEO Thomas Healy about the latest on their road to zero emissions trucking. We'll find out how the quarter treated them, what's ahead, and will answer your questions in a free-for-all Q and A. Continuing the discussion on zero-emissions, FreightWaves Tyler Cole talks about what's hot and what's not in that space. BlueCargo is using DrayTech to connect drayage trucking companies, logistics providers and shippers. BlueCargo founders Laura Theveniau, and Alexandra Griffon share their story behind building the startup. How do shippers see this market and are they really out for revenge? Lippert Components' shipping manager Tony Darnell gives us his take from the other side of the desk.Plus, snow strikes Tahoe; truck horns for first pumps and bulldozers vs a container ship. Visit our sponsorWatch on YouTubeSubscribe to the WTT newsletterApple PodcastsSpotifyMore FreightWaves Podcasts

On today's episode of WHAT THE TRUCK?!? Dooner is talking to Hyliion CEO Thomas Healy about the latest on their road to zero emissions trucking. We'll find out how the quarter treated them, what's ahead, and will answer your questions in a free-for-all Q and A. Continuing the discussion on zero-emissions, FreightWaves Tyler Cole talks about what's hot and what's not in that space. BlueCargo is using DrayTech to connect drayage trucking companies, logistics providers and shippers. BlueCargo founders Laura Theveniau, and Alexandra Griffon share their story behind building the startup. How do shippers see this market and are they really out for revenge? Lippert Components' shipping manager Tony Darnell gives us his take from the other side of the desk.Plus, snow strikes Tahoe; truck horns for first pumps and bulldozers vs a container ship. Visit our sponsorWatch on YouTubeSubscribe to the WTT newsletterApple PodcastsSpotifyMore FreightWaves Podcasts

Jimmy Soni is an award-winning author. His latest book, THE FOUNDERS: The Story of PayPal and the Entrepreneurs Who Shaped Silicon Valley, was a debut best-seller and has earned praise from the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Economist, among many others. Described as “an intensely magnetic chronicle” (The New York Times) and “engrossing” (Business Insider), Soni conducted hundreds of interviews, including exclusive sit-downs with Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Reid Hoffman, and many others. The book explores PayPal's turbulent early days and the shaping of a generation of technological talent. “Deeply reported and bracingly written, this book is an indispensable guide to modern innovation and entrepreneurship,” noted Walter Isaacson, New York Times bestselling author of The Code Breaker. Soni's previous book, A MIND AT PLAY How Claude Shannon Invented the Information Age, won the 2017 Neumann Prize, awarded by the British Society for the History of Mathematics for the best book on the history of mathematics for a general audience, and the Middleton Prize by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). The book explored the life and times of Dr. Claude Shannon, founder of the field of information theory and one of the 20th century's forgotten geniuses. Fortune magazine called the book a “charming account of one of the twentieth century's most distinguished scientists…Readers will enjoy this portrait of a modern-day Da Vinci.” A prior work, ROME'S LAST CITIZEN: the Life and Legacy of Cato, shared the story of the ancient Roman Senator Cato the Younger, archrival of Julius Caesar. Soni is also a co-author of Jane's Carousel, completed with the late Jane Walentas, which captured one woman's remarkable twenty-five-year journey to restore a beloved carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Soni started his career at McKinsey & Company, and he lives in Brooklyn, New York, with his daughter, Venice. To View This Episode- https://youtu.be/o2VX5315YQ4 #paypal #whoknewinthemoment #podcast #author

Description:Scout Brisson, the CEO of De Soi, sits down with Lee today to talk about her current leadership role and the unique journey she has had up to this point in her career. With some impactful lessons learned in corporate America, and a desire to head up something important, Scout made the leap into the world of startups, and soon after found herself working with De Soi's amazing co-founders, none other than Morgan McLachlan and Katy Perry! De Soi is now poised to become a market leader in non-alcoholic and sparkling drinks, and after hearing from Scout about their philosophy and brand identity, it's not hard to see why.Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Give the gift of the world's most beautiful spice rack and get 15% off by using the promo code STAIRWAY15 at www.evermill.comGet 20% off luxury fitness equipment that you won't want to hide in your closet by using the promo code STAIRWAY20 at www.equiptmovement.comIn This Episode You'll Hear About:[02:58] Scout's current home in LA and her early years on the East Coast.[08:08] Taking to leadership from a young age and Scout's path to discovering her entrepreneurial spirit.[15:37] Unpacking the pressure that Scout felt during her college years and the decision that she made to stop pursuing medicine.[20:34] Scout's excitement about working at M13 after McKinsey.[23:17] Advice from Scout about building a founding team at a startup![25:55] Her biggest strengths and weaknesses; problem-solving, organization, and more.[29:05] Scout's next career steps after M13.[31:58] Tracing the birth of De Soi and how Scout connected with the founders.[35:17] Stepping into the role of CEO at De Soi and the conversations around this time.[41:10] Working with Katy Perry; Scout talks about the star's amazing energy and the values she brings to the table.[43:17] The future of De Soi and plans for the next year.[45:05] Scout explains exactly what apéritif means, and talks about some of their flavors and ingredients. [49:02] Fundraising and investor conversations; Scout's experiences recently.[51:58] Scout's final advice for aspiring CEOs about self-belief.To Find Out More:De SoiScout BrissonLee GreeneQuotes:“I wanted to be a dog breeder; that should be my fun fact.” — Scout Brisson [0:11:58]“I really liked science, I loved my classes that I took in high school; biology, and chemistry. I wasn't exactly sure how that would come together for me.” — Scout Brisson [0:12:26]“You've got to drop the perfectionism, and the over-precision.” — Scout Brisson [0:18:15]“I am an extroverted problem-solver.” — Scout Brisson [0:26:00]“It was all just a whirlwind of learning something new for the first time, every day.” — Scout Brisson [0:30:59]“We were able to get scrappy solutions in place and launch the business, and we were off to the races after that.” — Scout Brisson [0:34:30]“That's the beauty and challenge of startups, you look back two weeks and you think how much has changed in that period of time.” — Scout Brisson [0:35:35]“It's me and the board, and we are figuring out the strategy alongside the management team, and working with the team every day to execute on that.” — Scout Brisson [0:38:39]“We are all working really hard, so how do we make sure people aren't getting burnt out?” — Scout Brisson [0:39:14]“I had managed people before, but not a team at this size.” — Scout Brisson [0:39:35]

Founders Chelsae Zirna & Jessica Marshall share their 3 year journey in creating their dream company, Chrysalis. Listen as they share the creative process from gestation to birth and everything in between. They also reveal hidden gems from their discoveries in consciousness and share the 7 Stages of Transformation.   For information about our free Emergence festival head over to:  https://chrysalisspace.com/emergence/   For information about the 7 Stages of Transformation head over to: https://chrysalisspace.com/metamorphosis/   Ashtehe!

Description: Today, Lee is joined by Blake Sorensen, the Founder and CEO of Blake's Seed Based. Blake talked about what it was like growing up in Minneapolis, how we got rejected from the NFL, why he originally launched his company as Blake's Nut Free, and the three-month process he took to launch a successful Kickstarter campaign. He shares how he reformulated and rebranded the business, how launching a crispy treat saved the company, and so much more!Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Give the gift of the world's most beautiful spice rack and get 15% off by using the promo code STAIRWAY15 at www.evermill.comGet 20% off luxury fitness equipment that you won't want to hide in your closet by using the promo code STAIRWAY20 at www.equiptmovement.comIn This Episode You'll Hear About:[1:31] More about Blake's Seed Based, created due to a deathly nut allergy, and realizing the need for safe snack options. Blake created Blake's seed-based as a way to provide gluten-free and allergy-friendly snacks that everyone can enjoy.[3:10] What it was like growing up in Minneapolis as the youngest of four brothers with dreams of being a pro athlete in the NFL[7:40] How he learned to recover from the small identity crisis of no longer being able to reach his dream of being in the NFL, and focusing on new dreams[10:15] How he learned what entrepreneurship was by working at a startup, and it encouraged him to go to business school[12:20] The moment he knew he needed to start Blake's Seed Based and how it all started due to a social entrepreneurship class he was taking[17:20] How he went about launching a Kickstarter campaign, raising $20,000 on the first day, and the three-month process it took to get there[31:00] What some of the most challenging moments have been, and how creating new products saved the company[34:00] What he's learned in being a leader and how to manage a team[37:00] What's next for the company, with new products and more expansion into retail, and the final advice he has for other entrepreneursTo Find Out More:https://www.blakesseedbased.com/Quotes:“Setting goals and being very regimented was a blessing in disguise.”“My biggest takeaway was if I don't really have passion for that space I'm not gonna do as best a job as I could.”“It was a light bulb moment for me.”“The next three months were essentially putting together every different concoction, having classmates try it out, bringing bins to people, and just trying to put together something that tasted good, was free of nuts and the other major allergens and, and that it was something people liked.”“I didn't start the company to make a buck, it was really solving my own need and realizing that other people also had this problem.”“We aim to solve your snack need for every occasion.”“A lot of the great ideas for me happen when I'm not in the workday, it's when I'd be on a walk or doing something totally different where things would kind of pop in my head.”“The biggest unlock ast a leader is bringing on the right people and giving them leeway and letting them do their thing.”“You have to have the passion for the product.”“If you have that idea just take that next step. I was shocked by how many people are willing to help you out. Reach out on LinkedIn, reaching out to friends, getting feedback, and just sharing ideas with people in your network have been super powerful for our story.”

Ali shares her founder's story of how she went from an idea, to a stapled together  template for the first Modern Picnic lunch bag, to a fast growing brand that is sold in luxury stores like Saks Fifth Avenue.This episode educates, inspires and gives you an edge to win in your business and in your life.About Ali KaminetskyForbes Next 1000 List-Maker, Ali Kaminetsky of Modern Picnic, disrupted the cooler industry in 2018 when she created a lunch box created for the cosmopolitan working woman. The chic, functional, sustainable, vegan leather lunch box has been celebrated by over 200 media outlets, including Forbes, Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Oprah, The Today Show and more. Since its launch, Modern Picnic has grown into a multi-million dollar business with roots in charity, women's empowerment, and their commitment to creating innovative, multifunctional products.Ali began the entrepreneurship journey right after graduating from college, working in the retail industry. She would bring her lunch to work everyday because of how much faster, cheaper and healthier it was. However, she quickly realized she did not have a chic or functional way to do so. When she googled “lunchbox” she saw options for little kids and men, but nothing for women who wanted to look good or do good. It was clear the outdated lunchbox needed a makeover, and from there, Modern Picnic was born.CONNECT WITH USClaim Your Weekly EDGE. It's FREE!A once a week email written by Brandon with insights and updates giving you an edge to get the most out of your time, talent and ideas.Over 17,200 listeners and counting!--> https://edge.ck.page/bea5b3fda6EPISODE LINKS:Shop Modern Picnic--> https://modernpicnic.comEDGE PODCAST INFO:EDGE Websitehttps://MyEDGEPodcast.comWatch the EDGE Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCabV9Rcw4MohWvTGr3OTzFwA top podcast for entrepreneurs! Other Great Podcasts From the Best Podcasts NetworkOn Business Podcast On Business Podcast is an unscripted, brutally honest, candid, sometimes ugly, conversation about running businesses & successful companies, for aspiring entrepreneurs, current startups, or experienced business owners looking to elevate their business. https://OnBusinessPodcast.comMARKETING PodcastThe MARKETING podcast brings you marketing science, case studies that reveal successful marketing techniques and teach strategic marketing analysis where we model the data and turn it into financial forecasts so you have predictable revenue.Brandon can't promise you instant marketing success after each episode. But...he guarantees that you will find each MARKETING episode always reliable, always actionable, and always useful for your marketing efforts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marketing/id1653276478

Zach and Delisa Harper created Funky Mello, a line of plant-based marshmallow creams. Join me as Zach and I discuss their founding story, building a company with your spouse, and launching in Sprouts.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Description: Sharing their story today is Steven Eisen, the Founder and CEO, of both the functional beverage brand Elements and the charity bracelet brand Lokai. Steven and Lee talked about how he sold wooden pens in high school, and how his grandfather's diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease inspired him to create Lokai when he was just 19 years old. He shares why the top of Mount Everest might not be as beautiful as we all think, and what it's like running two businesses at once. Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Give the gift of the world's most beautiful spice rack and get 15% off by using the promo code STAIRWAY15 at www.evermill.comGet 20% off luxury fitness equipment that you won't want to hide in your closet by using the promo code STAIRWAY20 at www.equiptmovement.comIn This Episode You'll Hear About:(2:36) What it was like growing up in the Boston area being a super competitive person and having the entrepreneurial spirit from an early age(4:30) How seeing his dad be an entrepreneur made him have the same drive and desire to make money of his own(6:30) How he came up with the idea for Lokai when he was in college, after his grandfather's diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease(15:00) The highs and lows he's experienced in building Lokai, and what it's taught him about business(24:00) How and when he decided to start Elements, and how he continues to run both companies at the same time(27:00) How he feels about raising capital, and why he believes if you don't have to, you shouldn't(32:35) How he navigates running both companies at the same time, and his advice for other entrepreneurs who want to do the same(37:30) What being a CEO means to him and what it entails(41:00) What's next for Elements and Lokai, and how they plan to navigate different skews for Lokai(43:20) The final advice he has for other inspiring entrepreneurs looking to build their own brandTo Find Out More:lokai.com and elementsdrinks.comPodcast15 will grant listeners 15% off any orders on lokai.com or elementsdrinks.comQuotes:“Anything that I could do to make money as a kid, I would try to do”“I view the game of business and making money as a score.”“I think a key to being a successful entrepreneur is a very high level of self-confidence.”“If you just keep going, you're that much closer to the next yes.”“I believe you really learn to become a leader as you experience and learn more.”“The cornerstone of any company is the product.”“You gotta lead with your mission and what you're doing and have a long-term approach to why you're doing it.”“I've always valued building a strong foundational business that makes a profit.”“It takes hard work to master something.”“You go through it and you realize that in every business there are highs and lows. It's about staying level-headed and continuing to push to the next.”“If you don't fully believe in yourself, don't start, because it's going to be an absolute grind. If you don't have that self-confidence and aren't obsessed with what you're doing and why you're doing it, you'll stop too quickly before you see success.”“Make sure you're starting your company for the right reason, not the wrong.”

Description: Joining the show today is Sahand Dilmaghani, the Founder and CEO of Terra Kaffe. Sahand shares how moving to Berlin to work for a startup changed his life, how he came up with the idea to build a new coffee machine, and why luck comes to those who are prepared to receive it.Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Give the gift of the world's most beautiful spice rack and get 15% off by using the promo code STAIRWAY15 at www.evermill.comGet 20% off luxury fitness equipment that you won't want to hide in your closet by using the promo code STAIRWAY20 at www.equiptmovement.comIn This Episode You'll Hear About:(1:10) More about Terra Kaffe, a direct-to-consumer luxury coffee machine brand, founded in 2018 on a mission to transform the in-home coffee experience. (2:20) What it was like growing up in Virginia, but also hopping around to China, and how he was an energetic kid, and always on a mission to beat his older brother at things(4:20) One of the first businesses he started at just the age of 16, a frisbee club for all of Northern Virginia(8:00) Why he wanted to start at Wind Farm when he was younger, due to his love for environmental science but ended up learning more than winning(11:15) Why he chose to move to Berlin for a corporate development role to work for a startup(26:21) Where the idea for Terra Kaffe came from (36:55) How he demoed the product in the early days, by going door to door to businesses and asking to set up shop(41:16) One of the biggest challenges he's faced in building the brand, in that he almost had to close down in a matter of a week(47:00) The reminder that even in the losses, you have to remember to celebrate the wins(51:00) His advice for early-stage founders, and what's next for Terra KaffeTo Find Out More:https://www.terrakaffe.com/Quotes:“I aligned with the notion that one should really be competitive with themselves and constantly progress forward.”“I knew I was gonna wanna do something myself at some point, and I thought what better experience than going to work at a startup.”“I was always thinking through different ideas that I thought would be clever businesses that were unique opportunities.”“It really can be a death by a thousand cuts but it's also resilience by a thousand bandaids.”“I kept looking back at the home experience and realized there's nobody doing anything different here. This is just the same rinse, repeat, same brand, releasing different skews that do the same thing.”“It's okay to acknowledge those feelings. It's almost more important to actually acknowledge that they exist instead of burying them.”“There are no promises that anything works out.”“Even when you're still sprinting, you gotta remember to pause and appreciate the win.”“​​It can feel like a barrage at times, as you're just focusing on putting one foot in front of the other. But doing that in a clear, calm, collected headspace is incredibly valuable. It also speaks volumes to third parties that look at you and how you operate as a business.”“Build a space for your team to be able to say things they need to say and to be able to take a minute to pause.”

Description: Liz Whitman joins the show today to talk about her journey to becoming the Founder and CEO of Exponent Beauty. Liz spoke about what it was like growing up in New York City as an only child, to building an apparel business with a friend before earning her MBA, working for American Express and Beauty Bar, to building her second startup Manicube, which The Red Door by Elizabeth Arden acquired, to having an aha moment that inspired her to reimagine what truly effective skincare could look like.Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Give the gift of the world's most beautiful spice rack and get 15% off by using the promo code STAIRWAY15 at www.evermill.comGet 20% off luxury fitness equipment that you won't want to hide in your closet by using the promo code STAIRWAY20 at www.equiptmovement.comIn This Episode You'll Hear About:(1:54) More about Exponent Beauty, the first skincare system that fully preserves active ingredients for peak effectiveness.(3:14) What it was like growing up in New York City as a kid, and how she grew up wanting to go into environmental chemistry(6:15) Why she chose to go to Harvard for school because it provided a lot of different academic opportunities, and the first few jobs she had that led to an entrepreneurial journey(10:30) How she and a friend started a fashion line together in college and ran it for two years, which began to ignite her entrepreneurial spirit(16:24) Her career journey from working at American Express to Co-Founding Manicube, with her Co-Founder Katina, who we had on Episode 102.(22:30) Where the inspiration came from for Exponent(30:00) The first steps she took begin building the brand, from uncovering the problem to solving it(37:12) Liz walks Lee through assembling the product, and how to use it(52:30) Some of the most challenging things she's had to overcome in building Exponent(57:00) How she built herself a community of founders, and what keeps her going through the tough times(1:01:00) What specific skill sets she thinks makes a great Founder(1:05:00) Her advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and what's next for ExponentTo Find Out More:https://exponentbeauty.com/Quotes:“The intertwining of how your business affects your actual life is just something that's part of the process.”“Learning by doing is exactly what entrepreneurship is.”“I have this fascination with what people and culture can actually do in terms of driving impact in a business”“Being an entrepreneur is a very specific personality type who sees these open doors and these opportunities as they come.”“We traded convenience and scalable distribution with efficacy.”“I'm somebody who thrives on getting a product out there and having consumers and seeing how they're interacting with it.”“You can get sucked up in these reactive tactical needs, and so carving out time in your schedule for the important but not urgent keeps you focused.”“Be clear with yourself on why you're doing this.”“Investors get excited about huge growing categories that can be very profitable and that have logical exits. If you can do something truly differentiated in that space, that's exciting.”“Being true to why you're doing it. That has to be your north star when times are tough and they will be tough. This is not glamorous at all. There're ups and downs all around”“Our whole entire premise is taking fantastic ingredients and innovating on form factors. So we're delivering the best clinical results to you.”

Description: Sharing their story today is Hailey Schwartz, the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Actual Veggies. Hailey chatted about her childhood growing up in California, running cross country and biking in the mountains, to working on the advertising team for her school newspaper at the University of Michigan, to working at a startup where she realized that work can actually be fun. She talks about how she met her Co-Founder in 2020, why they decided to launch Actual Veggies on QVC of all places, and how she fundraised a $4M seed round during Covid over Zoom.Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Give the gift of the world's most beautiful spice rack and get 15% off by using the promo code STAIRWAY15 at www.evermill.comGet 20% off luxury fitness equipment that you won't want to hide in your closet by using the promo code STAIRWAY20 at www.equiptmovement.comIn This Episode You'll Hear About:(1:30) More about Actual Veggies, the new food brand reinventing veggie burgers to make them healthy and delicious with naturally colorful patties that taste just like their primary vegetables and have no oils, fillers, or preservatives. Now available in over 2,000 retail stores nationwide.(4:00) What it was like growing up in Agoura Hills, California, and spending a lot of time being active with cross country, biking, or going to the beach(6:45) Why she believes she never thought she was entrepreneurial but was always working and planned to go the corporate route(7:50) Some of her first jobs after graduating from the University of Michigan, like working at AOL to her first startup, and what she learned (12:00) Why she thought it was impossible for work to be fun until she got the entrepreneur itch(15:10) How she got the entrepreneurial itch, knowing that she wanted to be her own boss, and meeting her Co-Founder who had the idea for Actual Veggies(17:30) How they validated that they'd be good Co-Founders together, and how to find the complementary skill sets(25:00) What makes their veggie burgers different from the others, and how they got to market and validated the idea(28:20) How they launched on QVC, and why it ended up being a great option for them(33:00) The events that food brands should be invested in going to for opportunities(38:50) The grand vision for the brand, and the best pieces of advice she has for aspiring entrepreneursTo Find Out More:https://actualveggies.com/Quotes:“I saw that everyone was having a lot of fun and it really opened my eyes to this idea that work could be fun.”“I think I was necessarily not in the right role for me and I didn't know how to get to that right role.”“I knew that I wanted to be my own boss.”“I liked hearing people who got to do so many different things all day long because I loved wearing multiple hats.”“They all taste like their primary ingredients. So what we're doing is making a clean, really good-tasting veggie burger.”“Our retail strategy is mostly our focus.”“Make friends with other founders and expand your network.”“Don't ask a million people, have one or two advisors and trust yourself.”“You're never going to get everything right, you just have to execute the plan you put in place.”“Trying something new and just doing something is really important. I see people get scared of how they start and I think just actually putting one foot forward really helps.”

Nison shares he and his wife's (Amie) story of how they've been able to build Emma Justine Color & Extension Lounge and earned a spot on Inc Magazine's Best Places to Work in America.From selling their house and moving into their parents, to niching down their business, offering not common benefits in the salon business to other not so common things they've done that has separated them from their competition.About Emma Justine Color & Extension LoungeOver the years, with the help of their beautiful and loyal guests, the Emma Justine Tribe took great pride in upholding the salon's mission statement by “Creating a one-of-a-kind salon experience that is led by a team with exceptional talent to ensure every guest feels Bold, Beautiful, & Confident!" Emma Justine Salon continues to set the bar for what it means to be experts in the field. Focusing on complete transformations and complex coloring services can only be achieved through proper training, special attention to detail, and an individual guest approach that is not bound to a time-limited appointment. With this type of sincere focus, the Emma Justine Tribe has built a strong reputation, bringing about a heavy responsibility that is passionately executed. In the first year of opening, the salon received the Nationally Distinguished Salon of the Year Award, a recognition that they attribute to the trust their guests have put in them. They have also been featured in several magazine articles that showcased their work and talented team. In 2022, Emma Justine Salon received another award and was named to Inc. Magazine's Annual Best Workplaces List. This list is the result of a comprehensive measurement of American companies that have excelled in creating exceptional workplaces and company culture. We humbly realize that none of this would be possible without our loyal guests. In addition, with the help of their loyal guests, the salon makes monthly contributions towards disaster relief work, as well as other charitable contributions.CONNECT WITH USSign up for our NewsletterOver 17,200 listeners and countinghttps://edge.ck.page/bea5b3fda6EPISODE LINKS:Emma Justine Color & Extension Loungehttps://EmmaJustineSalon.comEDGE PODCAST INFO:Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/edge/id1522407349Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/7a3WcnSn9PlvwwF5hn4p4SYouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCabV9Rcw4MohWvTGr3OTzFw Other Great Podcasts From the Best Podcasts NetworkOn Business Podcast On Business Podcast is an unscripted, brutally honest, candid, sometimes ugly, conversation about running businesses & successful companies, for aspiring entrepreneurs, current startups, or experienced business owners looking to elevate their business. https://OnBusinessPodcast.comMARKETING PodcastThe MARKETING podcast brings you marketing science, case studies that reveal successful marketing techniques and teach strategic marketing analysis where we model the data and turn it into financial forecasts so you have predictable revenue.Brandon can't promise you instant marketing success after each episode. But...he guarantees that you will find each MARKETING episode always reliable, always actionable, and always useful for your marketing efforts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marketing/id1653276478

Description: Today, Lee sits down with Eunice Byun, Co-Founder and CEO of Material. Eunice talked about how she grew up in San Diego with parents who owned a Chinese restaurant, how she started out working for the school newspaper at Northwestern University, why she invested heavily in PR from day one after launching Material, what she did early on to build the brand, and why it's important to align on what success looks like with investors in order to filter for the right ones.Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Give the gift of the world's most beautiful spice rack and get 15% off by using the promo code STAIRWAY15 at www.evermill.comGet 20% off luxury fitness equipment that you won't want to hide in your closet by using the promo code STAIRWAY20 at www.equiptmovement.comIn This Episode You'll Hear About:(1:30) More about Material, a modern kitchen brand. If you're looking to upgrade your knives, cutting boards, cookware tools, or really anything you need to prepare a delicious meal, Material designs and manufacturers kitchenware for the modern home.(3:40) What it was like growing up in San Diego, surrounded by food and spending time in the kitchen due to her parents opening different restaurants(8:00) Why she believes entrepreneurship comes in all shapes, sizes, and forms, and that for her it looked really different compared to others(9:40) Not knowing what she wanted to do throughout college, some of her early jobs working at her parent's restaurants, and how she ended up at Goldman Sachs(20:00) How she processed working in a startup and transitioning to corporate America, and knowing that one day she would have her own business(21:50) How she met her Co-Founder, David, and how they came up with the idea for Material(30:00) The steps they took to get Material off the ground, and how they began to validate the idea(33:00) Why they chose to start by selling to friends and family first and pushing the brand forward with PR(39:00) Why building early relationships is important to help build influencer marketing(40:20) Why she believes building capital ebbs and flows, and how to filter for the right investors(54:17) The advice she has for aspiring entrepreneurs and what's next for MaterialTo Find Out More:https://materialkitchen.com/Quotes:“I truly had no idea what I wanted to do or be when I was older.”“It was also almost an insatiable thirst for being able to learn stuff.”“I love being able to figure out what people need and how they can't articulate it, and figure out how can I unearth that within them and then help them.”“What's hard in the early days is knowing how everything is intertwined and working together.”“We realized that there's this real empty space for well-made, high-quality things for the kitchen and for this more modern home cook.”“We really wanted to make a brand that made sure our product over delivered.”“We didn't know how to talk about the things that really make us who we are as a company”“We realized this is a relationships business. It's not just about sowing your seeds and spreading them far and wide. It's about going deep.”“Be mindful about the deployment of capital, rather than sitting on it.”“The speed of growth can really undermine the quality of growth.”“Be okay with changing your mind”“Tomorrow's another day. Dust yourself off, and pick yourself back up. When you love what you do and you love the people you're doing it with, you're able to roll through it.”“Be in community with other people that are doing this.”

Description: Today, Lee sits down with Vimla Black-Gupta, the Co-Founder and CEO of Ourself, the first-ever sub-topical skincare system. In this episode, Vimla talks about her childhood growing up in Washington, DC, to realizing her passion for business at a young age. She shares her impressive career journey, from working at Proctor and Gamble to Bobby Brown Cosmetics to becoming the global CMO of Equinox and then starting Ourself.Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Give the gift of the world's most beautiful spice rack and get 15% off by using the promo code STAIRWAY15 at www.evermill.comGet 20% off luxury fitness equipment that you won't want to hide in your closet by using the promo code STAIRWAY20 at www.equiptmovement.comIn This Episode You'll Hear About:(1:34) More about Ourself,  the first ever sub-topical skincare system defining a new beauty category. By bridging the gap between traditional skincare products and clinical procedures, Ourself formulations leverage biotechnology to provide an at-home alternative to needles and lasers, delivering clinical-level results without the clinic.(3:25) She talks about her childhood growing up in Washington, DC where one of her first jobs was selling ice cream from a cart at a local mall where she grew to become a manager and realized her interest in business. (14:00) Her impressive career journey, from working at Proctor and Gamble, Estee Lauder, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, and Equinox.(16:40) The biggest takeaways from her experience at Proctor and Gamble and how she uses it today as a Co-Founder and CEO(28:30) Why she had the sudden change from the beauty industry to the fitness & health industry(33:50) How she got the idea for Ourself, based on a desire to do something different(40:00) Lee's experience trying the products, and Vimla walking Lee through how to use the lip filler gloss(51:00) What it's been like to become a Co-Founder and now CEO(53:00) The limiting beliefs and fears she has, but how she uses it to propel the business (55:00) The final advice she has for aspiring entrepreneurs, and how to overcome some of the biggest strugglesTo Find Out More:https://www.ourself.com/Quotes:“Talk to your consumers, test with your consumers, really get the feedback from them.”“All customer feedback is a gift.”“Whether you're working on a new brand or existing brand, you like don't wanna break it.”“The idea of the fusion of wellness and beauty was becoming this new thing.”“Keep the old cause the old is still really prescient when it was created but also meaningful today, but just make sure that you're keeping it fresh and making it resonate with where your consumer is at.”“Ourself is a call to action to be yourself, but just a better version.”“We're a company that is developing true science that is going to deliver the results.”“It is the fear that makes me wanna leap out of bed. But it's the conviction around what we're able to do and resolute on wanting to serve the consumer.”“My advice to everyone is you should follow your dreams. You should follow that hunch. You've just gotta figure out how and what's the best way to follow it that fits with your risk profile.”“You have to do something for you every day. You have to just to give your space the time to think. Cause otherwise, you will be lonely, you will just be in your thoughts. So find out whatever that is.”

Myles created a line of homestyle Mac & Cheese that mirrored the food he ate around the dinner table and bring those flavors to the larger community. Listen to his story from Civil Engineer to Food founder as we discuss the challenges and success along the journey.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Description: Yanni Hufnagel joins the show today to chat about his journey to becoming the Founder and CEO of Lemon Perfect, a great tasting flavored lemon water. Yanni shares his story from being a college basketball coach, to launching his first startup Lemon Perfect. We talk about how the name Lemon Perfect came to him, why he almost hired a CEO, and how he keeps the energy in his organization higher than ever and his team either sprinting or resting, but nothing in between.Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Give the gift of the world's most beautiful spice rack and get 15% off by using the promo code STAIRWAY15 at www.evermill.comGet 20% off luxury fitness equipment that you won't want to hide in your closet by using the promo code STAIRWAY20 at www.equiptmovement.comIn This Episode You'll Hear About:(1:30) More about Lemon Perfect, lemon-flavored water with zero sugar and no artificial flavors or sweeteners powered by organic lemons, containing electrolytes from potassium, and packed with Vitamin C, making healthy hydration more refreshing than ever. (4:00) Why he believes entrepreneurship is a lot like coaching a team, and why you have to constantly be looking at the scoreboard why he almost hired a CEO, but then decided against it in the last moments before signing the contract (7:50) What his life was like growing up, how he always had the inclination of being a coach(12:40) How he ended up being a student manager of the basketball team at Cornell, and how that kick-started his career in coaching college basketball(19:10) The a-ha moment for Lemon Perfect, how the name came to him, and why it was important to him to buy the domain name(25:30) The launch strategy for launching Lemon Perfect, knowing that flavor was the most important, and how to make it great flavor and good for you (30:51) The story of how they got Beyonce as a celebrity investor(36:00) What fundraising has been like, what the process has been, and the advice he has for other aspiring entrepreneurs (45:00) How to persevere through the everyday rollercoasters (50:00) What he's taken from being a coach that makes a great CEO(54:00) How he maintains the excitement across the company, and having the leadership team invest time in their people(57:00) Why he decided to pull back in hiring a CEO, and build Lemon Perfect himself based on gut instinct(1:06:00) The final advice he has for entrepreneurs tuning inTo Find Out More:https://lemonperfect.com/Quotes:“We tried to create packaging that was a fashion show on the shelf, in a cooler, or on display.”“There is no scoreboard when you're first starting.”“It was really this intersection of flavor that's also good for you, and how do we get there, and the idea just stuck with me.”“We have to create a product that's delicious and refreshing that hits on relevant consumer treads.”“We are delivering real innovation to a stale, enhanced water category.”“Have the perseverance to keep going.”“I don't have a choice but to be the last team standing.”“I have the burden of delivering something to the market  that can truly make America and eventually the world a healthier place.”“Entrepreneurship is a high-stakes game.”“We don't allow people to walk or run here. We only sprint or rest.”“I've always been about compressing our gross margin story today to build a big share story for tomorrow.”“Run the race until you have nothing left.”“Focus on product. I've talked a lot about recruiting and retention, but you do have to focus on product, because product market fit is ultimately really the most important.”

Description: Joining the show today is Alexandra Clark, the Founder and CEO of Bon Bon Bon, a chocolate company, reinventing bon bons. Alex talked about how a raspberry truffle during a visit in Europe changed her life and inspired her to use chocolate as an art medium, why she created her own manufacturing, starting with a 650 square-foot space in the back room of a diner, and why she advises entrepreneurs to prepare for best case scenarios. Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Give the gift of the world's most beautiful spice rack and get 15% off by using the promo code STAIRWAY15 at www.evermill.comGet 20% off luxury fitness equipment that you won't want to hide in your closet by using the promo code STAIRWAY20 at www.equiptmovement.comIn This Episode You'll Hear About:(5:40) More about BonBonBon, a chocolate company reinventing bon bons, their packaging, and the experience of eating and enjoying chocolate. (10:00) What it was like growing up outside of Detroit, growing up being adventurous, with a natural internal commitment to things(15:30) Her first job working at an ice cream shop, and how she fell in love with food and customer service and ending up at Michigan State for a dairy science program(24:00) How traveling throughout Europe led her to fall in love with chocolate and eventually inspire her to create Bon Bon Bon(32:00) How she ended up buying her own factory to create the best chocolate and the best level for the tasting experience(37:00) Her advice for preparing for best-case scenarios, and thinking through what you're going to do if it does work out, not just thinking through worst-case scenarios(38:50) How they came up with the packaging experience, how having single-serve packaging was ideal for them, and using honeycomb material(48:50) The times when she got knocked down in business, and how she built herself back up, and the limiting beliefs she's had to overcome(56:00) Some of the best advice she's been given, and the grand vision for BonBonBonTo Find Out More:https://bonbonbon.com/Quotes:“Everything I was worried about didn't happen.”“It started to hit me that there's so much uncertainty in the chocolate industry of what is being sold and then what is actually happening, and I wanted to fix that.”“Just because you started something doesn't mean you need to do it for the rest of your life.”“Something really cool and universal about chocolate that I appreciate so much is you can buy the best piece of chocolate in any city and it's generally going to be less than $5.”“A lot of what we're doing is imparting fresher more real flavors into the chocolate that we make in order to make a more accurate experience.”“We don't do a lot of planning around the idea of what if it all works out and goes well, and we all should be doing that.”“It felt like we were stuck between a rock and a hard place of, we didn't know how to stop and we didn't know how to not stop and everything was broken.”“When you're absolutely exhausted and you're thinking about quitting, cause everybody does when it gets hard, don't think about quitting while you're still walking. Keep moving forward. You don't have to be sprinting all the time, but at least if you're contemplating stopping all together, don't sit down and contemplate it. Keep moving in the direction you already decided.”“Walk through being overwhelmed.”

This episode is the founders story of Heaven in Business. Andy Mason is interviewed by Ken Fish and Grant Pemberton of God is Not a Theory. They ask insightful questions to unpack the raw and real journey of partnering with God and launching a business that is now serving businesses and leaders all over the world. Here's some of the questions: How & why did you go from New Zealand to USA? What is Heaven in Business How did Heaven in Business launch?  What were the barriers and challenges you needed to overcome? What was it like working with senior leaders at Bethel Church, Redding? How did you need up in New Hope, Pennsylvania? What is happening next? Make sure you check out Ken Fish on OrbisMinistries.org and their podcast God Is Not a Theory

Description: Will Nitze joins Lee on the show today to chat about his journey to becoming the Founder and CEO of IQBAR, a brain-body nutrition startup based in Boston. In this episode, Will shares his journey from growing up in New Jersey playing competitive soccer, to studying neuroscience and psychology at Harvard, to learning about the impacts of food on our brains, which inspired him to start IQBAR. He talks about CPG hyper-growth and valuations, how he hacked his way into launching a successful Kickstarter campaign, and the lifestyle implications of being an entrepreneur.Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Give the gift of the world's most beautiful spice rack and get 15% off by using the promo code STAIRWAY15 at www.evermill.comGet 20% off luxury fitness equipment that you won't want to hide in your closet by using the promo code STAIRWAY20 at www.equiptmovement.comIn This Episode You'll Hear About:(2:03) More about IQBAR, a brain-body nutrition startup known for their keto, vegan, plant protein bars that come packed with 12 grams of protein and six brain nutrients(2:45) What it was like growing up in New Jersey, with a competitive spirit and wanting to be the best at everything(13:11) What life was like after college, not knowing what he wanted to do, but taking a job in software(17:50) How he got really interested in nutrition and how what you put in your body affects your brain(28:00) How he came up with the idea for IQBAR, based on how he was just looking to be inspired(30:00) Why he thinks everyone is inherently passionate about something, but entrepreneurs pursue it more intensely (33:55) Why he chose to go with bars first, and the first things he did to prepare to launch his business(35:30) His experience in fundraising, and the challenges he's faced, from focusing on sales through a Kickstarter campaign(42:00) How he continued to grow the company and his advice on CPG hyper-growth and valuations(49:00) The challenges of being a younger entrepreneur and hiring people older than him, learning what the right fit is, and the hardships of firing(53:00) How to show compassion in tough times, while also being objective (57:40) The lifestyle implications that come with being a Founder, and being prepared for them, and the final advice he has for aspiring entrepreneursTo Find Out More:https://www.eatiqbar.com/Quotes:“Part of being who you are is momentum” “I was always into the startup world, just because I thought it was cool so I was always thinking about what I could do.”“I loved the grittiness and the grind and the adventure of creating something from nothing.”“I was just looking to be inspired.”“It is fairly universal that people like being passionate about whatever it is. Passion is a fairly universally sought-after thing. But people seek, seek it out in different intensities.”“Bars are just a form factor of what's the point? The point being brain and body nutrition.”“Be obsessive about equity and ownership and fight tooth and nail every point of equity.”“Almost never does someone regret firing someone.”“Let's say you wanna be an entrepreneur, don't just go start the company, go get a job, do the travel thing, be a professional, get a job, have a boss, learn that it kind of sucks having a boss go into an office. Understand how the world works in that way, and how you interact with coworkers, what a meeting is like, how you lead a meeting, learn all of that.”“One key piece of advice is just to understand the lifestyle implications. Like I said earlier, it's an objectively on paper, terrible lifestyle. I chose it and would choose it again, but you gotta understand the second, third, fourth order consequences of this path.”

Description: Richard Lee joins the show today to chat about his journey to becoming the Co-Founder and CEO of July. This popular Australian DTC luggage brand is reimagining the travel experience for a new generation. Richard talks with Lee about being born in China, what it was like growing up on a cargo ship for five-six years of his childhood, how he started a furniture business, and why he decided to leave to start July.Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Get 30 days FREE with Okendo by clicking HERE!In This Episode You'll Hear About:(2:40) More about July, a next-generation, digital native travel brand. What started off with one perfect carry-on and luggage, now has a full range of travel accessories and goods that aim to elevate people's travel experience.(10:00) The difference between being a solo founder and having a business partner(11:10) What his childhood was like, from being born in China, to growing up on a cargo ship for the first six years of his life(16:00) What he wanted to be growing up, that he never thought he'd be an entrepreneur (19:00) How he started his first business by selling products on eBay, to making the move and working with Groupon(21:00) How he realized it was time to start his own business platform, and launched his first company, Brosa Furniture(27:00) How the idea for July came around, for the desire to build something in a different category(29:00) How he approached wanting to leave his furniture business to create something new(36:00) How they successfully did a pre-launch, and gave the first customers a Founder Luggage Tag(38:00) His advice to get people to buy into your business and your products, and how he began to market the business in the early days(41:00) The hard lessons he's learned along the way, and how to feel out if everyone working on your business with you have the same vision as you(47:50) Where the name July came from, stemming from it being the best travel month(49:17) His three pieces of advice for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to take the next steps in launching their own businessTo Find Out More:https://july.com/us/Quotes:“Whenever you come up with a product you need to be willing to pay for it and be willing to use it first before it hits the market.”“Use everyone around you for beta testing.”“Most startups fail not because they don't have money, but because they have too much money.”“My heart was telling me that I needed to build something else in a completely different category.”“It's important that whoever you're working with, just be very transparent.”“You can never rely on one supplier on a completely new project.”“Make sure that you are working with the right investors and make sure that they share the same vision as you.”“Try to find a Co-Founder that can complement each other with your skillset because building a business is a very tough journey. You want someone who can share the load with you.”“There is no perfect timing in launching a business, the perfect time is now.”

Description: Joining the show today is Greg Vetter, the Co-Founder and CEO of Tessemae's. Available in retail stores nationwide, including Whole Foods, Tessemae's offers a variety of all-natural salad dressings, sauces, marinades, dips, and condiments that are gluten-free, vegan, and sugar-free. Greg and Lee talked about his childhood growing up in Annapolis, what it was like playing professional lacrosse for three years, to realizing a friend stole his mother's lemon garlic salad dressing out of their own house, and how it sparked the idea to launch Tessemae's.Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Get 30 days FREE with Okendo by clicking HERE! In This Episode You'll Hear About:(1:40) More about Tessemae's, the country's number one organic salad dressing and condiment company. (5:20) What his childhood growing up as the oldest of three boys in Annapolis was like, with lots of activities, and how he always had an entrepreneurial spirit wanting to invent things(9:20) What it was like going to college at Washington College, playing professional lacrosse, and figuring out what he wanted to do after college(11:30) How when working in sales jobs post-college, he was writing business plans while looking at the infrastructure to see how they were successful, and how he could do that on his own (14:16) The story of how a friend stole his mom's salad dressing, and it sparked the idea for Tessemae's(16:50) The first things he did to get the business off the ground, from going to all the local grocery stores and seeing if it was on the shelves (20:25) The story of how the brand is named after his mom's nickname, Tesse Mae(24:50) The good and bad that came with fundraising, the advice he has for others in the fundraising journey, and how to build a relationship with investors(31:17) How he keeps going even when times are tough on the ups and downs of the rollercoaster(37:00) How he's grown professionally and personally as a leader since becoming an entrepreneur(43:00) Some of the challenges he's had to face, and how new ones come up every day (49:25) The limiting beliefs he's had to overcome, especially doubt, but how he realized everyone has itTo Find Out More:https://www.tessemaes.com/Quotes:“So I would go home at lunch and stand on my head in the dark and try to figure out what I wanted to do with my life.” “The first thing I wanted to do is figure out whether or not it existed, cause I didn't want to just create something that may have already been sitting on the shelf.”“I called everybody and I said, listen, I don't know shit about shit and my life is on the line and I have an opportunity May 1st, and you are going to help me do this.”“Each step you kind of level up into a different level of complexity and sophistication and so all of them were critical points in our journey.”“If you want money, ask for advice, and if you want advice, ask for money.”“You have to become resilient because the number of no's that you get, it's unbelievable.”“If you approach each day with this foundational understanding of you know who you are, and what is important in the world. Then you can overcome these obstacles that come your way every single day.” “I want to be the next great consumer packaging good brand that stands for something true.”“I think everything that you do in the morning will then kind of dictate what you're prepared to handle for the rest of the day.”“If you're not curating success, you're probably curating failure.”“Trust your gut, you know in your gut whether or not it's right or it's wrong. Every time I have ignored my gut, it has been the worst situation of my life. Every time I have trusted my gut, it has saved me. So trust your gut.”

Brent and Karen Looby were happily successful a military man and senior research associate and teacher until Brent retired and wanted to do something fun and meaningful.In this episode of MVP Business we discuss their journey of opening a liquor business steeped in Texas history and how that transitioned into starting a non-profit organization that restores Texas lands.After a lot of research and education, they opened Desert Door Distillery in Driftwood, Texas, where they craft and distill Sotol. Their brand and company pillars are Originality, Authenticity & Connection and the best and most authentic way Karen found to embody that was to start a 501c3 that restores Texas lands. Starting with local partnerships with businesses like Spoke Hollow, they quickly soared and landed a partnership with Texan By Nature, a non-profit founded by Laura Bush.Did you know that Sotol has been around for almost 300 years, making it one of the worlds first consumed spirits, according to documentation?In this episode discuss:Doing Your Research before Starting A BusinessCreating a Truly Unique Experience and BrandFollowing Your Heart in BusinessTaking Care of and Giving Back to the Environment "We didn't want to be the generation that sits idly by and let things go by without positive change."Find Will and Ceremony Botanical at:Desert DoorWild Spirit Wild PlacesConnect with Steph Silver and the MVP podcast on:WebsiteInstagramLinkedinFacebook

Description: Today, Lee sits down with Steven Borrelli, the Founder and CEO of CUTS Clothing. On a mission to find the perfect t-shirt, Steven started CUTS in 2016 and has since grown the business to a hundred-million-dollar company and created a new category, which he calls work leisure. Steven talks about his childhood growing up in Washington state, to working at an advertising agency and moving back home to start CUTS. We talk about how he got his first 1000 customers, how he leans on OKRs, and why he believes in blind faith.Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Get 30 days FREE with Okendo by clicking HERE!In This Episode You'll Hear About:(2:34) More about what CUTS Clothing is, a work leisure clothing brand, geared towards the athlete in the boardroom(4:30) What it was like growing up in Washington state, with a love for sports, and how he ended up at San Diego State for college(16:00) His first work experience after college, working at an advertising agency, and how what he's learned there helps him in his branding decisions with CUTS(18:00) How the idea for CUTS came to him after he got kicked out of a meeting for wearing athleisure wear and not looking professional(20:40) When he got let go from his branding agency job and took that as motivation to move back home and start building CUTS(27:00) How he worked at staying committed to his idea, even in the hardest of times (30:00) What the process of creating CUTS was like, from having his “incubator” at his parent's home to vlogging, and raising on Kickstarter (33:00) Some of his pivotal moments that have happened, such as Patrick Mahomes wearing one of the CUTS shirts(41:00) What he's learned about being a leader, and why he values OKR's (53:00) His thought's on the current conditions of the market and what brands should be preparing for (57:00) The advice he has for fellow entrepreneurs and what's next for CUTSTo Find Out More:https://www.cutsclothing.com/Quotes:“I realized there was a gap in the market of needing a shirt that looked professional but felt comfortable.”“When you're creating an idea, oftentimes you can see it and you can visualize it. But when you tell people about it, they don't have the same visualization.”“Every year and every month I became more and more committed to it.”“I felt like that's when the moment I went from, we had a bunch of guys in a room working on an idea to a company.”“If you're not intentional, you can easily waste a whole team”“When you can overcome belief, treat it as such a gift because it's gonna give you the courage and the confidence to keep dreaming where not everyone has.”“Have an open mind to most ideas”“Over the last three years, founders are just racing to raise money I think that it doesn't need to be that way for most ideas”“It's super important to just be really focused on where you're going.”“I know a lot of people always try to focus on doing what you love, and I hate that saying. it's finding something that you can love the process of doing it, rather than that actual outcome. I think is what's super important.”

Description: Today, Lee sat down with Erin Moennich, CEO of Draper James, a classic American lifestyle brand founded by Reese Witherspoon inspired by her roots in the south. Erin shares about her journey to becoming CEO, what it was like growing up in the midwest, the different jobs she held before landing at Draper James, and why they believe failure should be named something else! Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Get 30 days FREE with Okendo by clicking HERE!In This Episode You'll Hear About:(2:05) Draper James, a women's lifestyle brand founded by Reese Witherspoon, named after her grandparents. Founded on the idea of making women feel great (4:50) What it was like growing up in the midwest with her family, and her passion for being in business when she was older(7:09) What it was like attending Michigan State and moving to NYC after college, and working at Peter Solomon company to product development at Target, and how she ended up landing a job at Sachs, and then Bloomingdales, learning that working your way up is key(15:20) How she got connected to LMVH, and why she took the role to experience a different way of selling and doing business(20:00) What she learned from working at Giggle, in her first CEO role(24:05) What she believes are the key things that have helped her in her journey to CEO (29:27) The difference between a failure and something that didn't meet expectations, and why she chooses not to look at things as failures but as learning experiences (31:48) How she was given the opportunity to be the CEO of Draper James and how one of her overall goals was to drive growth and diversify sales(39:00) What she thinks makes a great CEO, being a team player and being willing to get your hands dirty(40:00) How she's grown personally as a leader and has learned to be calm and a person of reason for the team(42:15) The advice she has for aspiring entrepreneurs and what's next for Draper JamesTo Find Out More:https://draperjames.com/Quotes:“You often pursue the things you're good at and can be successful at”“The interesting thing about retail is that you really do have to start at the bottom”“I don't wanna be afraid and I don't want my team to be afraid to try different things.”“Each experience has prepared me in a different way. At various times in my career, I decided to try something totally different.”“I'm always selling Draper James, whether it be to the end consumer, or my ideas to th by e investors, I'm always selling.”“Being in retail there are always these huge ups and downs and you try a lot of different things.”“Don't be afraid to try different things in a measured way.”“In a measured way, I wanna keep trying new things because I think that's the only way you get to the next step and the next stage.”“It's important to maintain your network. Retail is a really small world and you run into a lot of people that you may have worked with at some stage. So you have to be kind to everyone.”“I would never want to ask people on my team to do something that I wouldn't do. So you absolutely have to be willing to get your hands dirty.”“Take each role a little slower, and that's something I say to the young people on my team is, enjoy it. I was always wanting to get to the next step, the next buying role at Bloomingdale's the next step at LVMH. And knowing that we all get where we're supposed to be in the end and we can all find these really exciting roles that make us wanna get outta bed every day. We all get there, and so, take it slow.” “Don't be afraid to try different things. As a CEO you do have to look after so many different aspects of the business. Getting those varied experiences earlier in your career is only gonna serve you very well if this is where you wanna end up. And so seeking out those opportunities and those experiences is super important.”

Description: Shane Heath, the Co-Founder and CEO of MUDWTR joins the show to chat about his journey to founding the coffee alternative company on a mission to heal the mind through their daytime and evening beverages. In this episode, Shane shares with us his journey from experiencing a psychedelic trip as a 14-year-old, to starting his first company ishBowl, to moving to Silicon Valley, to taking a leave of absence to Bombay, where he was able to reconnect with his creativity and began questioning his caffeine addiction to coffee. He talks about the difference between lantern versus spotlight consciousness, how the business grew in revenue since 2018, and why he allows microdosing at work. Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Get 30 days FREE with Okendo by clicking HERE!In This Episode You'll Hear About:(1:07) More about MUDWTR, a coffee alternative company on a mission to heal the mind through their daytime and evening beverages designed to provide natural energy and relaxation(2:30) The experience of his first founder conference, how it made a good example of how taking swings is sometimes a good learning experience(6:38) What it was like growing up in Santa Cruz, California, with an entrepreneurial spirit and eventually ending up at San Deigo State(12:30) His experience starting his first company right out of college and what it taught him about the startup world, and how the feelings of it all help him in his role today(22:52) His experience with a psychedelic trip as a 14-year-old and how the deep philosophical questions scared him(26:30) How listening to a Joe Rogan podcast in a time of a lot of stress made him realize he should take a leave of absence(30:00) How he came up with the idea for MUDWTR because he was really interested in rituals, and how he begins and ends the day(45:00) How the idea for MUDWTR came to be, from making his own drinks to fall asleep and having the idea for others to experience the same thing(49:00) How he brought on his Co-Founder, and how they continued to grow from 2018 to now(54:00) His experience in fundraising and the advice he has for others looking to bring in more revenue(1:01) Why he allows microdosing at work, in a safe and effective way(1:04) What we can expect to see next from MUDWTR including expansions to Amazon and a flagship store in Santa Monica, as well as new product launchesTo Find Out More:https://mudwtr.com/Quotes:“Seeing drawings turn into physical environments that I was living in was very transformative for me at a very young age.”“To get a company off the ground, you have to go all in for it to even have a chance.”“Entrepreneurship is a huge investment of time and energy.”“I was just removed from all the cultural prescriptions, and it empowered me to think differently about how I was going to pursue life when I came home.”“I started looking at my mug as maybe I can make something that is more than just a vessel for caffeine.”“It was interesting because I thought this was my problem that I couldn't handle caffeine. So I solved this problem for myself and I felt great. And the real aha moment didn't come until other people started to ask me what I was drinking.”“Our company is built on the hypothesis that for a lot of people too much caffeine, just like too much of any drug can make something that is potentially helpful, all of a sudden harmful.”“When I started MUDWTR I started to notice that people were very interested in evolving the relationship to how they found energy.”“I'm not mad at coffee. I'm just disappointed. So I made something better.”“I do a lot of work to provide our investors a lot of information. I've been sending out monthly updates since I've been putting them together before I even had investors. I don't view them as information for investors, I view them as a journal entry for our company.” 

Description: In this episode, Sophie Kahn shares her journey to becoming the Co-Founder and CEO of Aurate, a premier direct-to-consumer jewelry brand. Sophie shares with us her journey from growing up in Amsterdam, to working at Boston Consulting, to Marc Jacobs, and how having lunch with a friend led to the idea for Aurate. We talk about why she believes you can learn anything with the right framework, the differences between lab-grown and natural jewelry, and how she validated the concept for Aurate with a pop-up store.Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Get 30 days FREE with Okendo by clicking HERE!In This Episode You'll Hear About:(1:03) More about Aurate, founded in 2015 the company seeks to democratize the fine jewelry industry through its online-driven model, accessible price points, and social impact strategy.(2:25) What it was like growing up in Amsterdam but always dreaming of moving to New York City (14:04) Her experience working at Boston Consulting, to working at the luxury fashion house, Marc Jacobs(20:19) How having brunch with a friend led to the idea for Aurate, based on a ring she had been wearing turning her finger green(23:00) The metrics of success that let Sophie and her partner know it was time to take things to the next level with Aurate, and how she validated the concept for Aurate with a pop-up store(26:40) What makes Aurate unique, is being very customer driven and focusing on what the women want from jewelry (33:00) The challenges in the beginning phase struggling to fundraise for a  women's jewelry brand to male investors and convincing them that an online platform is beneficial(37:50) What she's learned from hiring a team and how to keep them motivated (41:00) How to deal with conflict with employees and how to handle situations (48:00) Final advice she has for aspiring entrepreneurs and what shocked her the most about becoming an entrepreneurTo Find Out More:https://auratenewyork.com/Quotes:“I had to build confidence by proving myself in a way and getting some external validation that I could do it.”“I really liked the creative part, but I also liked the analytical part.”“At the end of the day it was still corporate and it was going too slow for my liking.”“There were all these different types of women that for different reasons gravitated towards Aurate.” “Get your team excited to fight with you because it's not easy to be a startup.”“Adapt your management style to your employees, not everyone is the same.”“Feedback has to go both ways.”“You can't just go off on a whim, you have to be more strategic when you're a leader.”“Make sure that you're ready to essentially give up everything else for a while because once you're in it, it just is all-consuming.”“Build some type of team or network that you can rely on that can help you because it is intense. You need to have people to talk to who can't necessarily be your team. Have your kind of group of people that you can bounce ideas off, talk about the bad things, the good things, the secret things, whatever. You need somebody because otherwise, it's really lonely.”

Description: Denise Woodard joins the show today to chat about her journey to becoming the Founder and CEO of Partake Foods, a food company that specializes in selling delicious cookies that are gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO, and free of the top 14 allergens. In this episode, Denise shares her journey from growing up in North Carolina, to working at Coca-Cola, to experiencing an allergy scare with her daughter, which motivated her to create an allergy-friendly food brand.We talk about the three stages of the CEO role, how important a supportive founder network is, and the mental shifts she's had to make as an entrepreneur. Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Get 30 days FREE with Okendo by clicking HERE!In This Episode You'll Hear About:(1:06) Partake Foods, launched in 2016 and backed by celebrities, including Rihanna and Jay-Z, Partake is a food company that specializes in selling delicious cookies that are gluten-free, vegan, non-GMO, and free of the top 14 allergens.(2:45) What it was like growing up in North Carolina as an only child with an African American dad and a Korean mom, and learning about entrepreneurship from her father(4:52) Some of her first jobs through high school and college, from serving, working in retail, and why she chose to go to school to be an orthodontist (7:30) Why she decided to change her major in college and wound up getting a job at Phillip Morris and eventually moved over to FedEx and Coca-Cola, learning about the importance of process(9:51) How having an allergy scare with her daughter during her first birthday gave her the idea for Partake(11:40) How she got started with Partake by entering a pitch competition and winning(18:40) The beginning stages of fundraising, and making their way into retailers like Whole Foods and Wegmans(22:00) Some of the challenges faced in fundraising, and the advice she has for learning how to comprehend the investor lingo(30:20) What she does on the really hard days, and (33:14) The three stages of the CEO role that change as the business grows, and what she's learned from it (42:20) Some of the mental shifts she's had to make in being an entrepreneur(46:00) Some of the really unique partnerships they have with Sesame Street, American Airlines, and more to come(49:08) The final advice she has for aspiring entrepreneurs, To Find Out More:https://partakefoods.com/Quotes:“The idea for Partake was born out of my frustration and disappointment as I shopped for products that she could safely eat, that tasted good, that had ingredients that I felt good about.“I wanted to create a brand that was cool enough that people without food allergies would want to eat.”“I started thinking about if I'm gonna leave a career I love I need to make sure I have manufacturing, product development,  a place to make this, and that I know how to make this at mass scale so that I feel comfortable leaving my career.”“Initially we were a self-funded self,-distributed cookie company, which meant I was selling products out of my car to natural food stores in the New York market, and I was bootstrapping it with my own personal savings.”“It was really important for me to have an understanding of the penny by penny finances of the business.”“Build a founder community. It's hard for anyone unless they've been on this journey, to understand what it's like and the good things and the bad things that come along with it.”“Growth is great, but with it comes challenges”“People want to feel valued and respected and they want leaders who tell them the truth and who are vulnerable.”“You're so in the weeds and in the business that you know it better than anyone else does. I think you start to feel when you need to make those shifts.”“Sometimes the best leaders are servant leaders.”“Remember that your journey is your own and it's okay to start small.”“I would also suggest that people don't wish away the journey, which I'm very guilty of. When I was selling cookies out of my car, I couldn't wait to get into Whole Foods, and then I couldn't wait till we get into Target, and I didn't savor those moments. When they're gone, they're gone. You get to experience that national launch once, you get to experience the first launch once. So savor those moments because that's the whole journey is the destination.”

Description: Kailey Donewald joins the show today to share her journey to becoming the Founder and CEO of Sacred Serve, a vegan, gluten-free, plant-powered line of gelato. In this episode, Kailey shares with us her journey from growing up playing sports and the oboe, to working as a real estate consultant for Deloitte, to taking a sabbatical to India and Bali. We talk about the omnipresent pressure she feels as an entrepreneur, how she started the company with a broken soft serve machine, and the mental challenges she's had to overcome as a solo female founder.Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Get 2 months FREE with Gorgias by clicking HERE and mentioning the podcastHead over to Okendo to get 30 days FREE!In This Episode You'll Hear About:(1:17) Sacred Serve is bringing function into the frozen aisle by using a base of organic young coconut meat, combined with superfoods, adaptogens, and medicinal mushrooms.(3:10) What it was like growing up in Chicago playing sports and different instruments(8:20) How she graduated college and worked at Deloitte, then took a sabbatical to India which led to her passion for holistic nutrition and inspired her to create Sacred Serve. (13:40) How changing her diet while in India made her realize a change in her asthma and allergies(22:20) How she discovered young coconut meat which is the hero ingredient for Sacred Serve(30:30) Her go-to-market strategy, and the challenges faced in getting into Whole Foods(32:00) Her experience getting to be part of the Good Food Accelerator program(42:00) What's next for Sacred Serve from new flavors, new products, and a packaging change To Find Out More:https://www.sacredserve.com/Quotes:“One of the biggest roadblocks to changing careers in becoming an entrepreneur was actually the perception that I felt other people had of me.”“I think it comes down to the microbiome in the gut.”“The juice fast break just mentally and physically was such a recharge for me.”“I'm always just the most interested in how we feel as humans how our food is making us feel, and really listening and tuning into our bodies to understand”“With this high price point, we needed to make sure that every touchpoint was elevated.”“I became extremely comfortable with the story, storytelling is the biggest thing in talking about the traction of the brand.”“When you're dealing with these category buyers, it's important to get someone on your team that has those relationships.”“It is incredibly challenging and the early days take all of you.”“One of the biggest things I've learned through this journey is that if you're not careful you can really get lost in working a ton and giving up a ton.”“When you're dedicating a lot to this, it can't just be for money, it can't just be for clout, you really have to be dedicated and want something big to happen and make a difference from this.”“In starting a company, it's gonna take three to four years before you're gonna actually be doing the things you wanna be doing.”

This week on the podcast, I'm joined by Lowell Ricklefs, the founder and managing partner of Traction Advising, a premier boutique M&A firm focusing on B2B SAAS companies between $5M and $20M ARR. Lowell has orchestrated acquisitions of over 30 technology companies, and specializes in helping founders find the right acquirer while negotiating the best deal.Connect with Lowell:Website:https://www.tractionadvising.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lowellricklefs/+++++Subscribe to the Podcast!▶︎ PODCAST  |  https://bit.ly/3bU6D3lPlease Follow & Connect with me! Link's Below▶︎ WEBSITE  |  https://tyzerevans.com▶︎ YOUTUBE  |  https://youtube.com/c/tyzerevans▶︎ INSTAGRAM  |  https://instagram.com/tyzerevans▶︎ FACEBOOK  |  https://facebook.com/grindsellelevate▶︎ LINKEDIN  |  https://linkedin.com/in/tyzerevans▶︎ TWITTER  |  https://twitter.com/tyzerevans▶︎ TIKTOK  |  https://tiktok.com/tyzerevans▶︎ PATREON  |  https://patreon.com/tyzerevansCheck out my Clothing Brand: https://odinsrune.com, clothing for those who want to burn the boats to live a purpose-driven lifeAre you a YouTuber? Then you need to have TubeBuddy to help with optimizing your search results, it is free, all you need to do it hit the link below, add to your chrome extension and you will start improving your search results on YouTube: https://www.tubebuddy.com/grindsellelevateCheck out Tyzer's other podcast "The Book Legion" at https://thebooklegion.com

Description: Joining the show today is the CEO of Highkey, Joe Ens. On a mission to drive sugar out of snacks and remove over 10 million pounds of sugar from the American diet by 2025, Highkey is the fastest-growing better-for-you cookie brand in the US. In this episode, Joe shares his journey from growing up in Toronto, to working at General Mills for over 20 years,  to meeting the founders of Highkey. He talks about his experiences leading a Fortune 200 company, how to build trust with your team, why he uses the big plus one hiring strategy, and the difference between a growth versus a fixed mindset.Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Get 2 months FREE with Gorgias by clicking HERE and mentioning the podcastHead over to Okendo to get 30 days FREE!In This Episode You'll Hear About:(2:50) What it was like growing up in the suburbs of Toronto, never wondering why his parents divorced, but feeling like he was living the best of both worlds(4:50) How he was given the opportunity to join General Mills right out of college and worked there for over 20 years in several different roles and cities(5:30) Why he wanted to leave General Mills to see how small of a company he could be part of and eventually start a wildfire(12:00) Why he believes in the difference between a growth versus a fixed mindset(15:11) The big plus one strategy and why he started to use it in his hiring methods and what the pricing hierarchy is(18:00) How he met the founders of Highkey and became CEO just nine months after launch(21:00) The different personalities Joe believes make the startup gusto mindset, versus the operators get it done methods(26:00) The key traits he believes are beneficial for successful CEOs(31:00) How they got to partner up with Ryan Reynolds, and how he became one of the primary investors(45:00) How writing in a word doc everything he's learned and inspirational quotes that stood out to him throughout his career has helped him in his position with Highkey(49:00) Why he believes being an entrepreneur is being like JayZ and not Justin TimberlakeTo Find Out More:​​https://highkey.com/Quotes:“I always say I got the best of each of them. I have my mom's heart and my dad's head.”“I realized that the skill set to progress to the most senior ranks in a Fortune 200 business becomes less about running and building the business and more around managing and building.”“I wanted to test myself. I wanted to bet on myself a little bit and see, could I build something from close to scratch.”“I wanted to see if I had the leadership muscle to take a spark and turn it into a wildfire.”“Failure really is progress.”“The founder can sometimes be a squirrel hunter because they're just constantly trying to ignite sparks. The operator is a little bit more hunting with a scope.”“It's a movement, but for us, it's not political.”“In the startup world, there's no hiding both as the leader, but also, in your ability to make individuals better because there aren't that many to raise the whole boat.”“Being deliberate in making a connection with people, both their head and their heart is key.”“You have to be comfortable that you're not gonna get it right every day. In fact, you're gonna get it wrong a lot. One of our core values is make mistakes, learn, move on. And the ability to move on, I think is key.”“Bet on yourself. And if it makes you really uncomfortable, cover the downside, but still place the bet. And then, you know, your risk tolerance will determine,  what cover the downside looks like.”

Description: Today, Lee is joined by Sofia Laurell, the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Tiny Organics, an early childhood nutrition and wellness company that introduces babies and toddlers to their first 100 flavors through organic plant-based fresh, frozen meals. In this episode, Sofia shares her journey from growing up in Finland, to working at Deutsche Bank in New York and pursuing her master's degree at NYU, to becoming an entrepreneur in residence at Human Ventures Startup Studio. They talk about how they validated the concept for Tiny Organics, Sofia's nontraditional path to becoming an entrepreneur, and the challenges she faced in scaling the business.Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Get 2 months FREE with Gorgias by clicking HERE and mentioning the podcastHead over to Okendo to get 30 days FREE!In This Episode You'll Hear About:(4:12) What it was like growing up in Finland as the youngest of three siblings(7:50) Her career journey before becoming an entrepreneur from working at a retail store to a coffee shop and why she's always valued hard work(14:00) Her first entrepreneurial idea of starting a travel app geared to New York visitors(20:00) How she and her Co-Founder came together for the idea of Tiny Organics(22:00) Her experience working with Human Ventures and why she valued working with them for their diverse stances(26:00) How they did a food journal with 15 moms and asked them to text what they were feeding their babies(28:00) How they validated the concept for Tiny Organics by testing meal flavors with 100 families in Brooklyn(34:00) The idea behind baby-led weaning and their choice to take a different option than what you see on the market(40:00) The challenges faced in scaling the business, and the obstacles in raising funds(50:50) Her final advice for fellow entrepreneurs, and the next steps for growing and scaling Tiny OrganicsTo Find Out More:https://www.tinyorganics.com/Quotes:“It's a myth that baby food can't be interesting flavors.”“Some of the best things happen at rooftop parties.”“We knew that we wanted to build something for parents, families, and babies, and really bring the important discussion to the forefront around family's health.”“We came together and realized we could have the biggest impact on childhood development through food.”“Document as much as you can, because you forget.”“I'm a big believer in incentivizing your early supporters and early believers.”“It's made fresh, and shipped frozen so the shelf life is much longer and there's no prep required.”“We really wanna just be a trusted friend and a  trusted advocate.”“Ultimately what we want to do is make parent's lives easier, make children's lives healthier, and be accessible.”“Have people around you, you don't have to do it all yourself.”“Talk about your idea, wear crazy costumes, believe in yourself, build your networks. A lot of people have openness to new ideas, and this kind of mindset of encouraging different people on their journeys.”

Description: Laura Xiao is joining Lee on the show today to chat about her journey to becoming the Founder and CEO of Henné Organics, a luxury beauty brand that combines highly effective, clean, organic formulas with nordic design so you can experience healthy radiant skin without sacrificing aesthetics or high-quality standards. Laura shares her story from growing up in Kansas City, with dreams of becoming a reporter, to teaching herself web design and branding, and eventually launching Henné in 2015. She talks about what she does to overcome feelings of defeat and rejection, how she found success by launching in hundreds of independent retailers, and how to deal with family and friends who might have good intentions but sometimes let their own fears get in the way. Exclusive Deal from Our Sponsor:Get 2 months FREE with Gorgias by clicking HERE and mentioning the podcastIn This Episode You'll Hear About:(4:30) What it was like growing up in Kansas City, playing competitive table tennis, and later attending the University of Missouri (7:40) What it was like missing out on experiences growing up due to playing a competitive sport(14:00) How after college she moved to Sweden to be with her boyfriend (now husband) and they both decided they wanted a change and moved to (21:10) Why she chose the beauty industry and the idea behind Henné(29:45) The biggest challenges she had to face in starting Henné, and how the fear of friends and family can be hard to overcome(48:00) The thought process behind independent retailers, and how she launched in hundreds of different retailers (51:00) The advice she has for those who feel defeated at times, and the key things she does for herself(57:00) The advice she has for those wanting to start something, that planning is great but executing and making progress is the most importantTo Find Out More:https://henneorganics.com/Quotes:“Getting rejected from jobs made me realize that I needed to acquire some new skills in order to be able to make a living.”“I was noticing in other countries, that even at pharmacies, they were having more natural products. Not fantastic, but at that time way ahead of the States.”“I bought some organic lip balms and they worked fine, but they didn't work great. And the design lacked, it wasn't aesthetically pleasing at all.”“Every path you take has its different barriers, difficulties, or challenges.”“Sometimes family members, friends, loved ones…sometimes they're wrong.”“You can always play the victim card, but it's not going to get you very far in life.”“What you focus on only expands.”“I wasn't emailing every store that exists. I started researching what I thought would fit, and started looking through the data and what would fit with Henné.”“No does not mean never, it just means not yet.”“Sometimes it's almost easier to solve an issue or tackle it when you've not been thinking about it for a while.”“Sometimes it's good to start just taking action because maybe you have an idea in your head and you don't know which one to start with. Start testing them out. Take it day by day, try out a few ideas, do some research, make some phone calls, send some emails, and you'll be surprised how quickly you'll figure out which ones to cancel out.”

In This Episode You'll Hear About:(3:00) What it was like growing up in San Antonio, Texas, having a curious mind, and aspirations to become a vet(6:20) How he got super into stocks at a young age and learned how to take risks(9:30) How he got into competitive horse riding and even switched schooling methods, ended up becoming Valedictorian of his class, chose MIT for college, and chose to be an engineer(17:30) How the idea for his first tech company, Tech Trader came to be at the age of 25(19:00) The challenges faced in leading his first company, which failed and led him to start his next venture Yellow Jacket(26:00) How he took the step and faced the challenges head-on with this second company, to then later launch his film financing company(33:00) How he met his Co-Founder, Zooey Deschanel, and what prompted the idea for organic foods(37:00) When the idea for Lettuce Grow finally came to be, and the realization of the lack of fresh produce(48:00) What he's learned about building a brand, the advice he has for others, and what he's learned in being a leader(58:00) What's next for Lettuce Grow, including helping consumers within this lifestyle journey, and continuing to make it more environmentally friendlyExclusive Deal from Our Sponsor:Get 2 months FREE with Gorgias by clicking HERE and mentioning the podcastTo Find Out More:https://www.lettucegrow.com/Quotes:“I had the innocence which allowed me to do the crazy trading and to start the company because I had this optimism and I was naive.”“As an entrepreneur, it's hard to be as successful when you're not  totally gung ho.”“I didn't see them as stealing our ideas, or as like potential competitors, I really saw them as a way to build relationships.”“I started to look at things a lot differently as a, you know, as a future dad and looking at the food that she was eating, the food that we were eating and just saw chemicals and everything.“I thought about how organic farming is really inaccessible to most people, and why it cost so much,  so I got so focused on that.”“Our problems in this country don't have to do with the growing of the food they have to do with getting the food from the farm to the people.”“I realized if we could take that waste out of the equation, then we could cut the price of fresh food in half.”“I knew this thing has to be beautiful, it has to be super easy to use, people need to be proud of having it in their living room or on their patio.”“Never think things are over, there's always a way.”“If you wanna go fast, go alone. But if you wanna go far go together.”“Follow the bread crumbs of your passion.”“You've gotta find that passion and that conviction, it's almost like in another universe this already exists and you can see through that universe and this belief and just go all-in.”

In This Episode You'll Hear About:(2:30) What it was like growing up in Portland, Oregon with two younger siblings and having family in aviation(8:30) How she followed the dream of being a matchmaker to cold calling for internships, and the go-to questions she asks to match someone(14:30) How she landed her dream job and became a matchmaker at Three Day Rule and later became Chief Dating Expert at Match.com (25:00) How she learned of IBS after diagnosis and approached doctors for an honest answer, that more and more of the population is suffering from gut issues(26:30) How a survey to 500 people unlocked the realization that the majority of people she surveyed suffer from IBS in silence(28:00) How her husband spent five months trying to perfect the perfect chocolate chip cookie that followed the Low FODMAP diet(30:50) The three goals they set for BelliWelli to get out of their home kitchen turned business(44:45) Why she's strangely obsessed with customer feedback and experience, and why she views it as building a company along with thousands of new friends(49:30) What inspired her to get a billboard with their slogan, “Hot Girls Have IBS” and how the trademark slogan began to blow up(1:00) What's next for BelliWelli and the advice she has for aspiring entrepreneursExclusive Deals from Our Sponsor:Get 2 months FREE with Gorgias by clicking HERE and mentioning the podcastTo Find Out More:https://belliwelli.com/Quotes:“There's something humbling about going from startup back to corporate”“I was a yes person, right? I was the person who said, let me go to LA for a summer and intern for a professional matchmaker, and here I was saying no to opportunities due to stomach issues”“I was scared that everything I was going to do or eat was going to hurt my stomach.”‘I was shocked by the number of celebrities or wellness gurus who could relate to stomach issues”“I logged in to Facebook and joined a couple of groups, and like a week later, these groups had four times as many members.”“One thing was sure there was no magic pill, and the really sad thing about gut issues is there's really no fix.”“We launched a really scrappy site, called it IB Simple and we woke up to hundreds of orders, and so three months in, we were doing $10,000 in sales from our home kitchen.”“I kept thinking it's not possible to do what I want to do at the same time. I think every woman thinks that at some point.”“I didn't understand the complexity of getting a product into consumers' hands.”“Our mission was to be low-FODMAP gluten-free and vegan, and that we've got to stay laser-focused there.”“​​I kind of view this as building a company alongside thousands of new friends.”“We want it to be a community that is in it with you, I'm in this with you, I speak your language. Let's all stick together in this.”“We have every intention and plan of meeting every person at seven or eight points in their day at some point. So this will expand beyond bars.”“It's more important to build a smart business than to just have an epic, awesome story.”“The barrier to entry is less than you think.”“I'm a huge believer in if you want to do it, you definitely can do it. It doesn't mean everyone should sign up to go be an entrepreneur or a founder, because I think the struggle is real, but you can get started if you want to get started.”

In This Episode You'll Hear About:(3:40) Her life growing up in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and what it was like working at the Hershey Chocolate Factory (11:30) How connecting the dots from things she's interested in, to things she has to do but lacks interest in has helped her in her CEO journey(12:20) What her time working at J.Crew was like, and what she learned directly from the CEO(19:54) How she got connected to the Founder of Bonobos and got to pitch him her idea for AYR(28:52) What she learned in launching a brand, and the advice she has for others (38:47) Why she chose to take AYR into retail, knowing that it would be a great place for customers to connect with the brand (40:10) Some of the biggest challenges she faced in running out of cash, and how she had to adjust her mindset from employee to business owner.(57:42) The advice she has for those aspiring to become entrepreneurs, that you should talk yourself out of it until you no longer canExclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Get 2 months FREE with Gorgias by clicking HERE and mentioning the podcastTo Find Out More:https://www.ayr.com/Quotes:“You learn things as you have to learn them.”“You can always connect the dots backward, but you can never get them forward.”“You want to interact with customers directly with the product as often as you can.”“Adjusting from the mindset of being an employee to being a business owner took time, and getting comfortable with conflict and confrontation and making changes that weren't going to make everybody happy took some time.”“Don't do things the way that you think they should be done, or the way that you're told they should be done. You have to do what's right for you. And you have to figure out how to be yourself in the world.”“When you're a CEO and you're responsible for the health and the performance of the company and the people in it, you can change everything. It is all in your control.”“Everything that we make has to be really comfortable, it has to be really versatile, and we will go anywhere in the world that we can source the best version of a product.”“You can do anything, but you have to do it.”“You have to hire people that you trust and respect so that you can manage them with trust and respect.”“There are so many different ways to be involved in the excitement, learning, growth, and the journey of a startup without being the founder or the CEO. So I would try to talk yourself out of it, talk to friends who you trust and respect, and get them to try to talk you out of it. And if at the end of the day, if you can't be talked out of it, good luck, you gotta do it.”

In This Episode You'll Hear About:What it was like growing up in Northern Virginia, choosing to be a vegetarian at eight years old, and having the urge to move away as soon as she graduated How she always had a passion for making the world a better placeHow her time backpacking for a year has taught her a lot and how she uses that information for Bite How she was traveling for work all the time and realized the amount of plastic from the toothpaste tubes and it sparked a need for change How this need to make a different kind of toothpaste led her to take chemistry classes, research, and question dentists about the chemicals in toothpaste to eventually make toothpaste tabletsThe reasoning for the expansion of Bite, to mouthwash, whitening gel, deodorant, and body balm, that it all stems from products Linday sees a need forHow one of their videos went viral on social media and really helped launch Bite, eventually leading to an offer to go on Shark Tank, and turning both offers downHow despite being a completely bootstrap business, Bite has become one of the fastest-growing brands in America, snagging the number six spot on Inc. Magazines, Regional Fastest-Growing Companies List for 2022.Why she set's aside time every Friday to talk with customers and gain feedback and understand what her consumers are thinking and sayingHow she faced the challenges during crazy growth when all of it was happening at once and the most important thing was to sustain the growth and keep pushing throughWhat's next for Bite, including continuing to expand into body care, and continuing to help change people's daily routines into something more sustainableExclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Use the promo code STAIRWAY200 for $200 off Outer furniture by shopping HEREGet 2 months FREE with Gorgias by clicking HERE and mentioning the podcastTo Find Out More:https://bitetoothpastebits.com/Quotes:“I used to think that businesses weren't there to actually help people, they were there to make money. And I really didn't like that.”“I wanted to really know how to do storytelling and how to puta tv show together.” “You can read all the stats all day, but they won't actually impact you on a visceral level unless you can actually see them in your head.”“It's not eco friendly,  it's plastic ending up in our waste stream, and then gunk ending up in my body. So that was kind of the beginning of me wanting to make something different.”“If we started from scratch, how would we make it? And so that's how we ended up with dry toothpaste tablets.”“Our toothpaste tablets, you get the glass jar once, then you keep refilling it with our compostable refill pouches, and same with our deodorant.”“I block out an hour every Friday and I talk to our customers, I set up calls and I get on the phone with them.”“The most important superpower you can have, especially as a small brand, is talking to and understanding your customers.”“Sometimes the right move is to see it play out and be patient.”“You have to constantly be trying to get better”“It's not about going from point A to point B, it's about just moving forward. So if point A to point B has a thousand steps in between, it takes you longer, but you're still on the right path. So I would say, in the beginning, especially just not getting discouraged and figuring out what you can do to keep you motivated.”“There's never been a better time and there are so many resources at your disposal, whether it's podcasts like this, talking to people, getting on Facebook groups and your network. There's never been a more important time for real solutions, there are so many things that we can be innovating on.”