Podcasts about Product design

Nima Jalali built SALT & STONE out of his apartment into a $100M+ brand, without ever pitching a single retailer. After an ACL injury redirected his path, he created something he desperately wanted but didn't exist, a high quality, clean deodorant, that actually performs. SALT & STONE has now become one of the fastest growing brands in the space to-date by doing things differently. Even right now, every 60 seconds a SALT & STONE deodorant is bought.  In this candid conversation Nima opens up about transitioning from a pro surfboarder into the Founder role, what it takes to build a killer team, and what keeps him going. He reveals the counter-intuitive strategy that got Sephora to come to him, and how he iterated his deodorant formula through 5 generations before calling it perfect. You'll Learn: Why going through 5+ product iterations beats launching "good enough"The digital excellence strategy that makes retailers chase you (not the other way around)How to build legacy brand positioning even as a one-person startupWhy getting a "no" from retailers too early can kill your momentumThe mindset shift from solo athlete to team builderThe key to building a digital identity that inspires & attracts customersCHAPTERS: 00:00 Introducing Nima Jalali, Founder & CEO of SALT & STONE3:00 Transitioning from Pro Snowboarder to Business Owner 4:55 The 5 Generations of Product Perfection6:45 How to Think Like Nike When You're a One-Man Show8:13 What Nima Did to Build a Brand Sephora NEEDS to Have10:09 Steps to Achieve Digital Excellence 12:39 SALT & STONE'S Philosophy on: Ingredient Sourcing, Product Development & Testing 19:06 How to Set Your Business Up to Grow Into a Legacy Brand From Day 1  22:07 The Retail Strategy That Never Fails 28:35 Tackling Global Expansion & Managing Expectations as a Founder   29:55 Single Most Impactful Thing NIma Did in The First 6 Months That Made SALT & STONE Successful  Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

HSBC Innovations is the global bank's financing arm for American and European startups, especially in the healthcare and life sciences industries. The bank's semi-annual Venture Healthcare Reports document trends in the investment market.Key Tech's Andy Rogers welcomes the report's author, HSBC Innovation Managing Director Jon Norris in Episode 43 of the MedTech Speed to Data podcast.Need to know·       Four core market segments — HSBC Innovation's Venture Healthcare Reports cover investments and exits in Biopharma, Dx/Tools, Med Device, and Healthtech.·       Sourcing investment data — Norris enriches Pitchbook data with additional structure and analyses, making the report more relevant to these market segments.·       Sourcing exit data — Norris supplements media and industry publications with market research and conversations with industry leaders.·       An investment data tapestry — The reports provide “an honest picture of what's going on in the market” so investors and innovators alike “can make targeted smart decisions.”The nitty-grittyAndy and Norris discuss the investment market's recent history before exploring drivers of today's investment headwinds.“2021 was a record-setting year,” Norris recalls. “Every record that could be set for deals and dollars was set across all the sectors.” Things changed in 2022 as new BioTech IPOs struggled, prompting investment reprioritizations.“VCs had done all these… frothy valuations,” Norris says. “They had to go back and look at their own portfolios and say, does this company have enough capital? How do you want to put money to work?”Investments rebounded in 2024, but not the number of deals. Investors poured money into their existing portfolios to boost their exit chances, resulting in today's nine-figure megadeals.“Basically, they're smooshing two rounds together and extending the investors coming in to support that round,” Norris says.Headwinds stiffened in 2025 as tariffs, a more litigious competitive space, and other factors amplified business uncertainty.Norris attributes this progression to the psychology of venture capital. “When you think about what makes these folks tick,” Norris explains, “they want to continue to raise new venture funds because they get paid management fees. But in order to raise their new venture funds, they have to show their investors that they've actually gotten returns.”That means reaching an acquisition or IPO. “They're very focused on getting to exit right now. That's why they're so focused on their existing portfolio. And because of that, they haven't been doing as many new investments.”New investments still happen, of course, but the criteria have changed. “While the dollars are actually up in some of these sectors, especially Med Device,” Norris says, “you're seeing that being put to work on later-stage deals because they'd rather get a shorter time to exit.”Data that made the difference:Norris' insights from the HSBC Venture Healthcare Report let him advise startups fighting today's investment headwinds.Adopt a megaround mentality. “Series B has been extremely difficult,” Norris says. “[Raising] sub two million, that's one thing. But if you're looking to raise five million, it's almost better to raise twelve.”Find investors outside the mainstream. “Traditional venture investors don't want to write small checks.” Norris sees angel groups, innovation centers, and other small investors funding these early rounds.Explore acquisition exits, but be careful. “On the device side, most of the corporates have been pretty darn active,” Norris says. However, some litigate to block emerging competition, especially in the Dx/Tools sector. Norris' recommends researching potential acquirers before taking meetings.Download the HSBC Venture Healthcare Report for Norris' complete analysis, and watch the video below for insights into the Medical Device and Dx/Tools sectors, AI's role in MedTech, and more.

What if your creativity, your curiosity, and your multidimensional identity aren't distractions…but your superpower?In this episode, Jessica shares her 2025 year-end reflection and the five Big Ideas at the heart of The Ampersand Manifesto. After more than 50 interviews with multipassionate leaders, creators, and innovators, she explores what it really means to live and lead as an Ampersand. Ampersand is more than just a podcast – it's a movement.Whether you're a creative professional, a hybrid leader, a scientist-musician, a founder-artist, or simply someone who refuses to fit into one box, this episode will speak to you.Jessica dives into how…Creativity is essential, not optional, and why it matters in every fieldValue isn't only financial – and how to reconnect with what actually gives meaningEveryone has Ampersand potential Amateurs deserve a rebrand, grounded in the original meaning: “one who loves”The Ampersand life is a future-of-work advantage, especially in a rapidly changing worldResources:Creative Machines: Art, AI & Us by Dr. Maya AckermanThe Portfolio Life by Christina Wallace“Why the future of leadership is multifaceted” Fast Company article by Jessica Wan & Tony MartignettiWe want to hear from you! Which Big Idea resonated most with you?Leave us a voicemail at theampersandmanifesto.com/voicemail or email j@jessicawan.com.If you want a place to explore these ideas with other Ampersands, come join The Cohort, an online community for multipassionate humans. You can find out more at https://www.kristinalibby.com/the-cohort.We'll be back in 2026 for Season 5 with more Ampersand interviews, more insights, and more inspiration!~Are you a high achiever, a leader, or an Ampersand looking for a sounding board? Jessica helps executives, leaders, and founders like you gain clarity and lead bravely. As your trusted advisor and growth partner, she works with you to make the invisible visible and develop an action plan to fulfill your goals. For nearly two decades, Jessica led marketing teams, launched products, and grew businesses at places like Apple, the San Francisco Opera, Smule, and Magoosh – while also building a performing career as a singer. As an Ampersand in many facets, she knows personally what it's like to hold many roles simultaneously, to sit on the executive team, and to find fulfillment. With a BA in Music and a BS in Product Design from Stanford, coupled with an MBA from UC Berkeley and coach training from the Center for Executive Coaching, her unique mix of analytical & creative allows her to bring both depth and breadth of perspective into the coaching process.As a coach, Jessica works to champion you – the full, multifaceted you – so you can thrive.Visit ⁠jessicawan.com⁠ or BOOK AN INTRO CALL: ⁠https://calendly.com/jessicawancoaching/intro-call-coaching⁠CreditsProduced and Hosted by ⁠Jessica Wan⁠Co-produced, edited, sound design, and original music by ⁠Carlos SchmittWant to support this show in a small way? Rate and review it at theampersandmanifesto.com, or buy me a coffee: ⁠coff.ee/jessicawan⁠

Matt Davey is Chief Experience Officer at 1Password, where he's been for over 13 years, starting as a part-time contractor and growing alongside the company through multiple chapters of change. On today's show we chat about staying at one company for such a long time and what that means, the importance of self-awareness in recognising when your role has changed, why a healthy tension in a product team is important, how to make 'Good Trouble,' and how AI is reshaping Design.Timestamps:02:14 – Matt's journey at 1Password and growing with the company04:42 – Recognising chapter changes at work08:30 – The loneliness of design leadership and talking to peers11:22 – Doing what you want to be doing and giving away responsibilities17:48 – Storytelling and getting buy-in from execs29:36 – Building products without much data38:06 – Good trouble and healthy tension54:06 – How AI is changing Design01:07:32 – End of show questionsConnect with MattWebsiteSelected links from the episodeMaking Good TroubleWhat you can expect to work on as a 1Password intern1Password Careers

What's on your mind? Let CX Passport know...Jon Deragon brings a global lens to AI product design as the Head of Design at FPT, the sponsor for today's episode. Thank you FPT for collaborating with CX Passport.Jon guides a 140+ person design org building everything from mobile apps to automotive interfaces while navigating the rapid shift into AI and multimodal experiences. This conversation gets into what modern design teams truly need to succeed and how respect transforms the design and development partnership.Here are five insights you'll hear in this episode: • How multimodal input changes the entire UX landscape • Why design literacy helps… but “everyone is a designer” does not • The real fix for design and development friction • Why centralizing design creates more meaningful output • How AI learning happens in layers and why that mattersCHAPTERS00:00 Welcome00:16 Jon's global path and design focus01:52 Designing for AI03:38 Multimodal input05:17 Keeping pace with AI11:12 Should everyone be a designer14:44 First Class Lounge21:01 Structuring a large design org24:15 Making design and development collaboration healthy28:03 Respect as a design principle29:04 Where to learn more about Jon and FPTGUEST LINKSFPT: https://fpt.com/ Jon's website: https://jonderagon.com/THREE WAYS TO KEEP EXPLORING CX PASSPORTListen: https://www.cxpassport.com Watch: https://www.youtube.com/@cxpassport Newsletter: https://cxpassport.kit.com/signupI'm Rick Denton and I believe the best meals are served outside and require a passport.Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and should not be taken as legal, financial, or professional advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney, financial advisor, or other professional regarding your specific situation. The opinions expressed by guests are solely theirs and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of the host(s).

Dans cet épisode de Head of Design, Paul Menant reçoit Jean-Baptiste Kaloya, Head of Product Design & Research chez BPI France. Ensemble, ils reviennent sur la transformation design d'une institution publique au service des entrepreneurs, et les leviers concrets pour passer d'un design exécutant à un design stratégique.

Bending Spoons is the acquisition machine of the tech world. They have acquired the likes of Evernote, Vimeo, Eventbrite, Streamyard and more. However, they never open their gates to the secrets behind Evernote's product machine. Today that changes with Federico Simionato joining 20Product. Fede has been a Product Lead at Bending Spoons for 8 years where he has led product teams at Evernote, WeTransfer and more.   AGENDA: 03:02 From Dentist Games to $11BN Bending Spoons 04:54 Advice for Aspiring Product Managers 05:38 Building a Coveted Brand at Bending Spoons 07:43 Evaluating and Testing New Product Ideas 13:35 How Evernote has Mastered User Retention 25:24 The Impact of AI on Product Design and Prototyping 31:19 How Bending Spoons Does Product Launches and Lessons Learned 33:27 How Every Product Team Should Do Monthly Updates to Users 36:38 Recording and Transparency in Updates 38:06 Lessons from Failed Product Launches 45:14 Structuring Teams and Acquisitions 47:12 Monetization Strategies and Push Notifications 57:21 Quick Fire Round: Insights and Reflections  

Ryan Young and Kayla Ferris are Certified OOUX Strategists and UX leaders at P3+Uplift, an IT consulting firm based in Des Moines, Iowa. Ryan serves as Senior Director of Product and Design, while Kayla is a UX and Product Designer and mentor for the OOUX Certification Program. In this episode of the UX Level-Up Podcast, Sophia talks with Ryan and Kayla about how OOUX became P3's “test-driven design” process, why it helps them ramp up on complex projects at lightning speed, and how mapping objects with clients—even those with PhDs in microbiology—turns confusion into clarity. They also share real stories of saving weeks of rework and being told they knew more about their clients' businesses than ten-year veterans.LINKS: A List Apart: Object-Oriented UX — https://alistapart.com/article/object-oriented-ux/Learn more about OOUX Certification — https://ooux.com/certificationContinue the conversation on the OOUX Forum!

 IA : de l'expérimentation au delivery.C'est le chemin que Florent Champigny, Director Digital de Center Parcs, est venu raconter au micro de La Pause Produit.Quand on parle d'IA en 2025, beaucoup d'organisations en sont encore à tester des choses.Florent, avec son équipe, est passé à l'étape d'après : acculturer, structurer, livrer.Dans cet épisode, il nous partage :comment une équipe IA interne est devenue une vraie squad structurée,comment sa roadmap sur les sujets IA s'est construite avec des critères de priorisation clairs, des metrics et des mesures de succes.et surtout, comment l'IA a été intégrée dans des use cases concrets.Bonne écoute,Pour aller plus loinArticles

Jennifer Darmour is VP of Design at Oracle Health, where she's reimagining the healthcare experience. Jennifer has developed a distinct point of view on design through three pillars: beauty, meaning, and wellness. On today's show we chat about building culture that sustains craft, why good debates lead to better design, how AI is reshaping creativity, and what designers should double down on.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro02:40 – Jennifer's journey from journalism to design08:26 – The three pillars: beauty, meaning, and wellness14:22 – Building culture that sustains craft28:16 – Why good debates and healthy conflict matter in design42:34 – Leading design in complex healthcare systems56:18 – AI's role in creativity and what it will never be good at01:04:12 – Presenting work and getting meaningful feedback01:06:44 – End of show questionsConnect with JenniferLinkedInWebsiteSelected links from the episodeHow to argue using the RISA framework

While the bike helmet industry screamed "you need this for safety!", Gloria Hwang did the opposite. She made helmets so beautiful that 25% of Thousand customers are wearing helmets for the first time ever. Thousand now offers helmet and bike accessories in 20+ countries with financial backing from REI and the Clif Bar Family Office. Gloria talks all things customer loyalty, business branding, and nailing your product roadmap for maximum impact. She intimately shares how a personal tragedy inspired a mission to save 1,000 lives, and how that number grew to 1,300+ through their lifetime crash replacement guarantee. You'll learn the counterintuitive strategy that made safety cool, and why Thousand wins with culture instead of competing on tech features. You'll learn: Why fear-based marketing fails and what works insteadThe psychology insight that built a $10M+ brand across 20+ countriesHow 25% of customers are first-time helmet wearersTransitioning from maker to manager over 10 yearsTaking back the product roadmap to return to core differentiationWhy solving customer problems beats chasing growth at all costsChapters:00:00 Introducing Gloria Hwang, Founder & CEO of Thousand1:30 How to Change Customer Behaviors 4:11 The Personal Tragedy That Started Thousand & The Design Philosophy That Wins Every Time5:15 Why 25% of Customers Are First-Time Helmet Wearers7:30 Steps to Get Further Differentiated & Beat Out The Competition 9:55 Strategies for Collecting High-Quality Customer Insights 16:00 Expanding to 20+ Countries & Quality Standards19:50 The BEST Advice Gloria Has Ever Gotten 24:30 The Hardest Transition Gloria Went Through & How to Tackle People Problems 29:20 What to Ask for When Pitching Investors (Surprise, it's NOT Money)  32:48 How Motherhood Changed Her Approach to Business Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Quel est le secret derrière un design qui captive et résonne avec les utilisateurs ? Dans cet épisode de Head Of Design, Paul Menant s'entretient avec Sophie Delrot, VP Global Design chez Locala, qui nous dévoile son parcours fascinant et inspirant dans le monde du design. Dès ses années de lycée, Sophie a découvert sa passion pour le design grâce à une professeure d'art plastique qui a éveillé en elle une curiosité insatiable. Son cheminement académique, qui l'a conduite à l'ESAT et à un BTS en design produit, a été le tremplin vers un univers où le digital et l'expérience utilisateur s'entremêlent.Dans cet épisode, Sophie nous fait découvrir l'importance cruciale de l'intelligence artificielle dans le design moderne. Elle partage son expérience chez Locala, une entreprise qui a su évoluer avec son temps, et nous explique comment elle a contribué à façonner cette transformation. À travers son rôle, elle met en lumière le pouvoir du storytelling dans la conception, soulignant que chaque designer doit impérativement comprendre les besoins profonds des utilisateurs pour créer des produits qui laissent une empreinte durable.Mais le design ne se limite pas à l'esthétique ; il s'agit aussi de gérer des équipes multiculturelles dans un environnement international. Sophie aborde les défis liés à cette diversité et les méthodes innovantes qu'elle utilise pour favoriser la collaboration au sein de son équipe. Comment créer une synergie entre des esprits créatifs venus de différents horizons ? Les réponses de Sophie sont à la fois éclairantes et motivantes.Enfin, elle nous offre une sélection de livres incontournables sur le design, des ressources précieuses pour quiconque souhaite approfondir ses connaissances dans ce domaine en constante évolution. Sophie nous rappelle également que l'émotion joue un rôle clé dans la création de produits qui touchent véritablement les utilisateurs. Dans un monde où l'innovation est reine, il est essentiel de ne jamais perdre de vue l'impact émotionnel que nos créations peuvent avoir.Rejoignez-nous pour cet épisode captivant de Head Of Design, où le design rencontre la technologie, la culture et l'émotion. Préparez-vous à être inspiré par le parcours de Sophie et à découvrir les clés d'un design réussi qui parle aux cœurs et aux esprits.Vous avez laissé votre manteau au vestiaire… Bienvenue dans le club !

At this year's Portland Retro Gaming Expo, VGHF director Frank Cifaldi had the pleasure of hosting a panel celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Nintendo Entertainment System launch. Frank moderated 3 guests who were at Nintendo of America during this time: Gail Tilden, Marketing; Bruce Lowery, Sales; and Lance Barr, Product Design. This event was particularly special as two of these three guests had never before attended a retro convention. The panel discussion includes many visual elements, including many never shown publicly before, and some pre-recorded messages from additional people of note. If you're able, you may instead prefer to watch the video on the PRGE YouTube channel, which we highly encourage: We Launched the NES 40 Years Ago Today - Gail Tilden, Lance Barr, Bruce Lowry - PRGE 2025 Portland. Either way, please enjoy this momentous event in our collective gaming history.You can listen to the Video Game History Hour every other Wednesday on Patreon (one day early at the $5 tier and above), on Spotify, or on our website.Video Game History Foundation:Email: podcast@gamehistory.orgWebsite: gamehistory.orgSupport us on Patreon: /gamehistoryorg

How founder Catherine Lockhart built Shelter Skin through deliberate growth, in-house manufacturing, and radical transparency.For more on Shelter Skin and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

In this episode of Product by Design, Kyle Evans interviews RJ Kedziora, co-founder of Estenda, a company specializing in custom software and data analysis for healthcare. We discuss RJ's journey in technology and entrepreneurship, the importance of energy management over time management, and the role of AI in healthcare. RJ shares insights into the challenges and future of AI applications, the need for ethical considerations, and the potential for personalized healthcare solutions. He also offers advice to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make a difference in the industry.Links from the Show:Website: EstendaBook: Productive Harmony, The Power of When LinkedIn: RJ KedzioraMore by Kyle:Follow Prodity on TikTokFollow Kyle on TikTokSign up for the Prodity Newsletter for more updates.Kyle's writing on MediumProdity on MediumLike our podcast, consider Buying Us a Coffee or supporting us on Patreon

Rachel Been is Expedia's SVP of Design. Previously, she was one of the designers who laid the foundations for Google's Material Design, and has worked across products at Airbnb, Google Home, and Nest. Starting her career as a photojournalist, Rachel brings a unique perspective to product design, grounded in curiosity and craft. On today's show we chat about designing for infinite expressiveness, the tension between craft and efficiency, the power of curiosity over specialisation, and what AI should and shouldn't be able to do.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro02:22 – Rachel's journey from photojournalism to design05:42 – The power of curiosity and being a generalist09:16 – Designing for infinity and infinite expressiveness18:34 – The tension between craft and efficiency in design28:22 – Material Design's impact and evolution35:48 – AI-powered search and building AI products at Expedia42:16 – The future of search and conversational interfaces48:24 – End of show questionsConnect with RachelLinkedInSelected links from the episodeExpedia in ChatGPTCarly Ayres' essay on the great design reset.

Dans ce nouvel épisode de Head of Design, j'ai reçu Romain Landsberg — aujourd'hui Head of Design chez Minalea et professeur à l'ECV — pour revenir sur un parcours qui casse les codes :découverte tardive du design, âge d'or du mobile chez Bakelite, entrepreneuriat, hypercroissance chez UX-Republic… puis un choix fort : revenir au craft, à la création, à ce qui fait sens.On parle beaucoup de progression, rarement de décroissance volontaire. Et pourtant… c'est parfois la décision la plus courageuse d'une carrière.

California native Sue Firestone reflects on five decades of creativity, resilience, and reinvention—from Malibu's fires to Montecito's rebirth, from model homes to hospitality design, and from Disney resorts to her namesake product lines.  SFA Design founder Sue Firestone to explore how her lifelong relationship with nature, her passion for authenticity, and her intuitive approach to design continue to shape California's aesthetic identity. From building one of the largest model home merchandising firms in the country to collaborating with Disney and launching her own collections, Firestone shares how creative intuition, empathy, and mentorship have guided her through the shifting tides of design and business. Designer Resources Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home. Where excellence meets expertise. Design Hardware - A stunning and vast collection of jewelry for the home! TimberTech - Real wood beauty without the upkeep The Convo By Design Icon Registry is presented by Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home, a Best Buy company. Pacific Sales is comprised of long time professionals who love design and architecture as much as you do. Which is why it is so fitting that they present this recognition of some of the worlds greatest design talent every month here on Convo By Design. You are going to hear all about hit, right after this. Show Topics: Origins of a Designer: Growing up in Malibu, studying pottery, and finding her way into interior design. California's Resilient Spirit: Reflections on natural disasters, community recovery, and the role of design in rebuilding. Design as a Learned Craft: Why intuition helps, but practice, empathy, and listening are key to mastering the art. From Model Homes to Hospitality: Building a design empire through flexibility, storytelling, and collaboration. Inside the Disney Experience: Working under Michael Eisner, defining narrative-driven environments, and lessons in leadership. Letting Go of Control: How to scale creativity—mentoring, trusting teams, and avoiding micromanagement. The California Look: Organic, sustainable, and casual-luxury living as an enduring influence. Product Design & Legacy: Transitioning from client work to her own branded lines with Kravet and A. Rudin. Business of Design: How retail and social media shifted client behavior—and why great design still requires professionals. The Next Generation: Why designers must remain storytellers, environmentalists, and lifelong learners. This wraps up another episode of the Convo By Design Icon Registry. A celebration and recognition of a true master in the art of design and the mastery of all that encompasses in the pursuit of making better the lives of those they serve. And, giving back along the way. Thank you, Sue.. Thanks for listening to Convo By Design. Thank you to my partner sponsors, Pacific Sales Kitchen and Home for presenting the Convo By Design Icon Registry and Convo By Design partner sponsors, TimberTech and Design Hardware. And thank you for taking the time to listen. I couldn't do this without you, wouldn't want to. I hope this show helps you stay motivated, inspired and focused so you can rise above the chaos. -CXD

Jehad Affoneh is Chief Design Officer at Toast, where he leads design across product, platform, and culture. Previously, he held design leadership roles at VMware and other complex B2B companies. Starting his career as an engineer, Jehad brings a unique perspective to design, viewing it fundamentally as problem solving. On today's show we chat about the transition from engineering to design, the value of being multilingual across disciplines, organisational design, and how AI is transforming the way teams build products.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro02:08 – Jehad's journey from engineering to design leadership05:32 – Being multilingual across disciplines and bridging gaps09:48 – Organisational design and how teams should be structured20:16 – The role of design systems and platforms at scale31:44 – Leading design in complex B2B environments42:22 – How AI is changing product building and design tools52:18 – The future of AI agents and conversational interfaces58:02 – End of show questionsConnect with JehadLinkedIn

Set Active founder, Lindsey Carter has nailed a well-timed, high in demand, product drop. Now the team sells out millions worth of products in the matter of hours. In just seven years, she's built a celebrity-loved athletic wear brand that generates $1 million in under an hour and is on track to hit $30 million in annual revenue this year. Lindsey has yet to take on a dollar from investors and has no plans of slowing down any time soon. Lindsey shares the strategies behind building a brand that Hailey Bieber, Kendall Jenner, and thousands of loyal customers can't get enough of. She candidly opens up about building a community with 8,200+ super fans on Instagram, and leveraging AI tools that save her and her team hours every day. We'll dive into the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, from placing risky second orders to keep momentum going, to learning hard lessons about hiring. In this episode you'll learn: The exact strategy behind Set Active's $1M resort drop (and why location matters)How to build real community that drives sales (spoiler: you can't fake it)AI tools that turned 5-hour tasks into 5-minute winsWhy momentum is everything and how to maintain it across dropsSocial media secrets and why you should treat each platform like a different family memberSmart hiring practices and what makes employees buy into founder visionThe power of asking for help when you need it mostHow transparency and vulnerability create customer loyaltyWhat's next for Set Active…Four Seasons collabs, gorpcore, and 90s-inspired collectionsChapters:(Tips: use vague and general language that identifies what the next few minutes will talk about) 00:00 Introducing Lindsey Carter & Set Active2:20 The Lightning Strike Moment: How Lindsey Discovered Her Entrepreneurial Passion5:07 The Investor Advice Every Entrepreneur Needs to Hear 7:00 How to Build Momentum Early In Business (+ How to Keep it Going) 10:21 Core Challenges 7 Years into Set Active & How to Overcome Them14:45 Hitting Rock Bottom In Life/Business–How to Bounce Back from A Down Year 19:47 The $1M Resort Drop Strategy23:26 New Trends Coming Up: Gorpcore, a Four Seasons collab & more25:10 Why You Can't Fake Community & Winning Social Media Strategies 27:09 AI Tools That Set Active Swears By35:29 The Secret to Consistent Wins: How Set Keeps Momentum Going  Guest: Lindsey CarterTitle: Founder & CEO Company: SET ACTIVE Industry: Fashion Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Carl Rivera is the Chief Design Officer at Shopify, where he previously led both Merchant Services and the Shop App as VP of Product. Before joining Shopify through its acquisition of Tictail, Carl was the co-founder and CEO of Tictail, the "Tumblr for e-commerce," where he built one of the most beloved design-forward commerce platforms of its era. AGENDA: 05:05 Biggest Lessons from Selling My Company to Shopify 09:55 Where Does Shopify Suck at Product: Lessons from that? 17:37 What makes Truly Great product Design: The Five Pillars 31:02 The Future of Design in an AI-Driven World 36:00 Do We Skip the Design Phase in AI: Figma's Evolving Role in Design 40:09 Remote Work vs. In-Person Collaboration: Where Remote Loses? 42:43 What Happens to the Vibe Coding Market 47:06 Product Management and Team Dynamics 59:48 Does AI Favour Incumbents or Startups  

From indie rock band to HVAC software startup—how's that for a pivot?In today's episode of Bricks and Bytes, we had Davis Muxlow and Andrew Krippner from HVAKR and we got to learn about building construction tech from the ground up, the innovator's dilemma killing legacy software companies, and why making products faster might actually hurt your revenue... and many more!Tune in to find out about:✅ How a church worship team "audition" turned into a college band and eventually a software company✅ Why legacy HVAC programs are making engineers slower despite new updates✅ The double-edged sword of efficiency: one engineer now doing the work of three✅ How AI is forcing SaaS companies to rethink their entire pricing modelThese guys went from mechanical engineering students with a Slack channel full of startup ideas to building a product that's actually making their customers more productive.The kicker? Their product works so well that customers need fewer seats. That's the kind of problem you want to have.Our Sponsor: Archdesk - “The #1 Construction Management Software for Growing Companies - Manage your projects from Tender to Handover” check archdesk.comBuildVision - streamlining the construction supply chain with a unified platform - www.buildvision.ioAphex is the multiplayer planning platform where construction teams plan together, stay aligned, and deliver projects faster – check out aphex.coChapters00:00 Intro03:19 The Musical Beginnings 05:20 From Bandmates to Entrepreneurs 09:13 The Path to HVACR 15:07 Building the Foundation of HVACR 19:02 The Accelerator Journey 25:10 The Product Unveiled 31:15 The Importance of Design in HVACR 35:18 Streamlining HVAC Design Processes 40:43 Design as a Differentiator 41:38 Innovative Pricing Models 44:35 Streamlining Sales Processes 48:12 Effective Trial Management 54:40 Customer-Centric Product Development 57:10 Building a Personal Brand 1:03:02 The Value of Transparency 1:04:13 Avoiding Common Mistakes in Product Design 1:09:25 Metrics of Success in Software Usage

When you finally reach the goal you've been working so hard for…what's next?In this episode, we tackle how to think about this tricky question.If you're a performer, creative leader, event organizer, athlete, writer, speaker, or goal-getter of any kind, this episode will resonate with you. Jessica reflects on the days and weeks after hosting The Ampersand Summit, and how to use the time after a peak experience to your advantage.We talk about how…Achievement is not the endpointTo embrace the “in-between” timeTo move from reflection to actionRegeneration (not just recuperation) might be what you needWhy Ampersands have a unique advantageWe want to hear from you! Leave us a voicemail at theampersandmanifesto.com/voicemail or email us at j@jessicawan.com.~Are you a high achiever, a leader, or an Ampersand looking for a sounding board? Jessica helps executives, leaders, and founders like you gain clarity and lead bravely. As your trusted advisor and growth partner, she works with you to make the invisible visible and develop an action plan to fulfill your goals. For nearly two decades, Jessica led marketing teams, launched products, and grew businesses at places like Apple, the San Francisco Opera, Smule, and Magoosh – while also building a performing career as a singer. As an Ampersand in many facets, she knows personally what it's like to hold many roles simultaneously, to sit on the executive team, and to find fulfillment. With a BA in Music and a BS in Product Design from Stanford, coupled with an MBA from UC Berkeley and coach training from the Center for Executive Coaching, her unique mix of analytical & creative allows her to bring both depth and breadth of perspective into the coaching process.As a coach, Jessica works to champion you – the full, multifaceted you – so you can thrive.Visit ⁠jessicawan.com⁠ or BOOK AN INTRO CALL: ⁠https://calendly.com/jessicawancoaching/intro-call-coaching⁠CreditsProduced and Hosted by ⁠Jessica Wan⁠Co-produced, edited, sound design, and original music by ⁠Carlos SchmittWant to support this show in a small way? Rate and review it at theampersandmanifesto.com, or buy me a coffee: ⁠coff.ee/jessicawan⁠

Vuokko Aro is Chief Design Officer at Monzo, where she has led the design function for nearly a decade through hypergrowth from startup to one of the UK's most loved fintech brands. She oversees a team of over 100 people across product design, brand design, and user research. On today's show we chat about scaling design teams, building trust through transparency, the value of constraints, and how to focus on strengths rather than weaknesses as you grow in your career.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro02:26 – Vuokko's journey into design and joining Monzo06:16 – Building in the open and transparency as a core value11:42 – Scaling design whilst maintaining craft and quality23:12 – Building design culture and protecting craft at scale37:44 – Managing stakeholders and navigating disagreement48:36 – Transitioning from IC to leadership and learning to let go55:48 – Career development and focusing on strengths01:03:22 – End of show questionsConnect with VuokkoLinkedInSelected links from the episodeThe Monzo Book of Money

Peak Design has raised over $60 million on Kickstarter across multiple campaigns, making them one of the most successful crowdfunding brands in history. Their most recent campaign alone generated $13.5 million. Founder Peter Dering shares the exact strategies, lessons, and controversial decisions behind building a $100M+ business entirely without venture capital.In this episode, Peter reveals:The Kickstarter Strategy: Peak Design uses crowdfunding as a fundamental building block of their brand, not just a sales channel.The "Omnichannel Sandwich" Approach: For their $13.5M campaign, Peak Design launched in retail stores at full price before fulfilling all Kickstarter orders, despite the backlash, they'd do it again.Building Without Investors: Kickstarter's upfront payment model solved cashflow challenges and allowed Peak Design to stay completely investor-free while reaching $100M in revenue.The Origin Story: A four-month motorcycle trip through Southeast Asia sparked the idea for a camera clip. That idea would evolve into an entire ecosystem of gear for photographers and adventurers.Company Culture & Transparency: The stated purpose of Peak Design is for employees to live happy and meaningful lives, and Peter shares all financial figures with his team.The Climate Change Project: Peter co-founded the Change Climate Project, creating the most robust climate certification now used by over 300 companies including REI, with Peak Design spending $350,000 annually on carbon mitigation.Chapters:00:00 Introducing Peter Dering, Founder of Peak Design 3:13 How Peter Pivoted from Construction Engineering to Being His Own Boss 4:00 Where to Find Life & Business Inspiration 5:27 Peter's First Invention: How to Bring a Product to Life 6:55 Breaking Down One of the Most Successful Kickstarter Campaigns Ever 8:28 The Steps for Scaling Sales From $700,000-$100M 10:22 The Best (Timeless) Kickstarter Tips  13:40 How Peak Design Hit Their Best Crowdfunding Campaign To Date: $13M17:00 Peter's POV On VC Dollars  19:10 Company Culture: The Key to Team Building & Being a Successful, Meaningful Leader 24:20 The Impact of Climate Change & The Creation of The Change Climate Project 28:10 Peak Design's Lifetime Warranty & How They Maintain High Customer Lifetime Value 30:00 Immersive Community Tactics That Create Value  Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

When you build a software business as a founder, you have a dream. Building. Features. APIs. UIs.But how much of that is JUST a dream, and what REALLY leads to paying customers?This episode of The Bootstraped Founder is sponsored by Paddle.comYou'll find the Black Friday Guide here: https://www.paddle.com/learn/grow-beyond-black-fridayThe blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/the-things-your-customers-dont-care-about/The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/422-the-things-your-customers-dont-care-aboutCheck out Podscan, the Podcast database that transcribes every podcast episode out there minutes after it gets released: https://podscan.fmSend me a voicemail on Podline: https://podline.fm/arvidYou'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.comPodcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcastNewsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletterMy book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.comHere are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw

How Haley Pavone turned a college injury into an eight-figure convertible footwear brand built on curiosity, grit, and smart, sustainable growth.For more on Pashion Footwear and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Andrea Mangini is a design and creative leader whose career spans some of the most design-driven companies in the world — from Adobe and Autodesk to Netflix and Shopify. She's led teams that built the tools and experiences shaping how people create, design, and build. Andrea's work focuses on design craft, leadership, and helping teams find courage in the uncomfortable parts of growth. She believes great design comes from curiosity, collaboration, and a willingness to keep learning, even when the path isn't clear.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro and Andrea's career arc06:45 – Taking risks and embracing discomfort13:20 – Reframing imposter syndrome18:40 – Balancing stability and growth24:50 – The importance of collaboration, improvisation, and jamming with others31:10 – Designing at the speed of conversation38:20 – Learning to let go: not every problem needs to be solved46:40 – Balancing collaboration with impact48:10 – Leading craft at scale54:00 – Reflections on growth, curiosity, and keeping design human72:38 – End of show questionsConnect with AndreaLinkedInSelected links from the episodeMidjourney11LabsKREA

Rachel Hochhauser and Jena Wolfe didn't quit their jobs to build Piecework Puzzles—and that's exactly why it worked. The cofounders share how they turned a stormy weekend experiment into a multi-million dollar lifestyle brand, all while maintaining full-time careers. As VP of Marketing for Goop Kitchen, and renowned Author and creative agency owner, the duo are mastering the art of balancing everything, in real time. From starting with just four puzzle designs shot in Rachel's grandmother's garage, to spawning an entire aesthetic movement in the industry, Rachel and Jena have made their mark. They aren't afraid to do things differently, constantly learning and iterating from production nightmares and successful campaign launches. Discover their unconventional approach to entrepreneurship, product development, and world building in this candid interview. They both reveal why bootstrapping gave them the creative freedom they craved, how they navigate being business partners and best friends, and the unexpected pivot that led to their viral cocktail napkin line.In This Episode You'll Learn: Why NOT taking investor money gave them complete creative controlThe “advice tour” strategy that helped them solve business problemsHow they went from puzzles to viral tomato napkins (and why that shouldn't have worked)What happened when their manufacturer dropped them during the pandemicWhy working with your best friend can actually be brilliantTheir approach to brand partnerships with everyone from Goop to Better Homes & Gardens Chapters:00:00 Introducing Piecework Puzzles and The Stormy Weekend That Started It All 3:30 How to Find Your Gap In the Market & Stand Out6:00 Design Philosophy 101: How to Create Products That People Connect With8:40 The Importance of Creative Freedom & How to Obtain It!10:45 How to Run a Successful Business with Your BFF13:50 Starting Cultural Moments: The Origins of The Tomato Craze16:20 The Product Expansion That Shouldn't Have Worked (But Did)20:15 Advice for Overcoming Manufacturing Nightmares23:00 The “Advice Tour” Strategy That Has Saved Piecework Puzzles26:49 Brand Partnerships: From Goop to Broccoli Magazine29:15 Addressing Dupe Culture… 32:45 Leadership Tips For Building a Lean & Productive Team Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

How can complex products be turned into delightful user experiences? In this episode of the CPO Rising Series hosted by Products That Count Resident CPO Renee Niemi, ADT Chief Product Officer Naveen Chhangani will be speaking on product innovation and user experience. Discover how AI, trust, and customer-centric design are transforming the way we think about safety and technology in our homes.

Award-winning sculptor and artist Najla El Zein is most recently known for her work on a public commission by Qatar Museums for Doha's cultural district — a work titled "Us, her, him". She joins us to talk about her creative process, the evolution of her work, and the profound impact of personal experiences on her art. Based between Beirut and Amsterdam, Najla's work explores the relationship between space, object, and the human body, often challenging conventional perceptions of sculpture. She delves into the emotional depth behind her most significant projects, including her iconic spoons sculpture, the "Distortion" series, as well as her monumental public commission in Qatar, reflecting on themes of motherhood, female identity, and collective creation amidst challenging times. 0:00 Introduction1:21 The Artist's Studio and Creative Process2:46 From Childhood Curiosity to Sculptural Expression5:36 Embracing the Unromantic Side of Sculpture7:45 The Spoons Sculptures: A Defining Project8:42 Moving to Beirut and Accessing Craftsmanship10:18 Process and Meaning Behind the Spoons Sculture11:39 Capturing Movement and Life in Static Forms12:57 The Significance of Process and Durability14:10 "Distortion" Series: Motherhood and Identity18:50 "Fragmented Pillar": Fragility and Strength21:28 "Seduction" Series: The Journey of Connection23:17 A Deepening Relationship With Stone25:06 "Group of Five": Dynamics and Discovery27:49 The Qatar Museums Project: A Public Commission Amidst Crisis30:58 The Vision for Qatar's Cultural District34:12 Craftsmanship and the Human Element in Public Art37:16 The Collaborative Process: From Lebanon to Qatar40:34 Influences: Saloua Raouda Choucair, Noguchi, and Hockney Najla El Zein's work embodies an intuitive approach to art and design, where narrative, craft, and materiality are central to her creative process. Each piece offers a personal yet universal language that evokes curiosity and emotion. Born in Beirut in 1983, she is a Lebanese-French artist and designer based in Amsterdam. She graduated from the École Camondo in Paris with a degree in Product Design and Interior Architecture, Spatial Design. In 2024, she received the Dia Al-Azzawi Prize for Public Art for her monumental installation "Us, Her, Him" in Doha, Qatar. In 2025, she was honored as one of the AD100 most important influential figures in art and design. Her works are part of prestigious collections, including Dallas Museum of Art, Saint Louis Art Museum, Qatar Museums, and the Victoria & Albert Museum.Connect with Najla El Zein

In-utero procedures can yield better long-term outcomes for the baby. However, fetal surgery relies on instruments developed for other disciplines. An early-stage startup in Maryland is developing in-utero instruments to improve outcomes for both fetus and mother.Fetal Therapy Technologies CEO Selena Shirkin joins Key Tech's Andy Rogers for Episode 42 of the MedTech Speed to Data podcast to discuss startup innovation in fetal surgery.Need to knowFetal surgeries carry risks — In addition to uterine damage complicating future pregnancies, 40% of surgeries have a risk of preterm birth.Few specialized tools are used — In the field's forty-year history, the FDA has only approved the Karl Storz Fetoscope for use in fetal surgeries.Off-label device use is widespread — Equipment borrowed from adjacent fields like laparoscopy and neurosurgery weren't indicated for use in the uterus.The nitty-grittyShirkin and Chief Technology Officer Eric McAlexander founded Fetal Therapy Technologies as students in Johns Hopkins University's biomedical engineering graduate program. While shadowing surgeons, they saw how off-label instruments complicated procedures.“I watched a surgeon using a grasper and suture,” Shirkin recalled. “The suture was falling out of the grasper because they didn't fit. It took time in the surgery to make sure that didn't occur.”Observations like these led the team to wonder why the field lacked optimized tools. “As biomedical engineers,” Shirkin says, “we asked ourselves what if we created those purpose-built instruments that actually make these procedures safer?”They quickly ran into the commercial limits of a market as small as fetal surgery. With only one device FDA-approved for in-uterine procedures, surgeons have no choice but to use devices off-label. So Fetal Therapy Technologies is flipping the script by leveraging the broader applications of an instrument designed for fetal surgeries.“In a way, our company solves two problems at once,” Shirkin says. “A company that creates a fetal innovation [that] also raises a much broader market of general microsurgery.”Their first product is a uterine port. “Similar to laparoscopic surgeries,” Shirkin explains, “that involves inserting a port through the abdomen into the uterus. [The new] port is designed to leverage the elastic properties of the uterine environment to make entry safer than the current clinical standard.”For broader commercialization, they aim to demonstrate equivalence to predicate devices and qualify as a 510(k) Class II device following benchtop and animal studies. Approval for fetal surgeries is a longer journey, but the company can build on its data before entering human trials.Data that made the difference:Shirkin offered insights for other students considering an entrepreneurial future in MedTech.Leverage university resources. “We work incredibly closely with the Johns Hopkins Center for Fetal Therapy,” Shirkin says. We've also gotten opportunities from Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures.”Build a network of advisors. “We are supported by a very broad variety of clinical, technical, and business mentors across the Johns Hopkins ecosystem and beyond.”Tap into local funding sources. “There's a lot of collegiate business plan competitions that we've been very successful [raising] non-dilutive funds that way. There are also state-level grants. We just received a Baltimore Innovation Initiative grant.”

Josh is a super designer who believes the best ideas come from collaboration and play. Over his career, he's worked across agencies and tech companies such as Google, ZOE, and Booking.com, helping teams find energy and originality in their process rather than following rigid methods. His approach to design blends experimentation, curiosity, and a love for building things together. Today, he sets the foundations for AI in Healthcare at Microsoft.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro and about Josh05:10 – How early experiences shaped his approach to creativity and experimentation10:25 – Breaking away from process16:30 – Jamming and working together23:00 – Iteration, failure, and confidence through experimentation29:40 – Designing for emotion and joy36:00 – Building psychological safety and low-ego collaboration42:20 – How design culture shapes product outcomes48:00 – Creativity outside of work and where inspiration comes from50:00 – AI as a design partner and what human context still mattersConnect with JoshLinkedInInstagram

Bold Bean Co grew 250% by redefining beans as a premium, building community through storytelling, and scaling with purpose.For more on Bold Bean Co and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Avi Ashkenazi is a design leader who's spent his career moving between hardware, software, and strategy—always focused on how teams turn ideas into real products. He's led design at global companies and helped build teams that work across both physical and digital experiences. Today, Avi leads design at Deel, where he's shaping how millions of people get hired, paid, and supported around the world. His work is about creating simple, human experiences in complex systems and helping designers stay curious while scaling their impact.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro05:10 – Lessons from working across hardware, software, and physical spaces09:20 – How curiosity and iteration shaped his approach to design leadership13:40 – Building design teams that collaborate across disciplines17:55 – The role of storytelling and empathy in influencing business outcomes22:30 – Designing for trust and simplicity27:45 – How Deel approaches product design33:10 – Balancing craft with speed38:20 – What good design leadership looks like in distributed teams43:00 – Reflections on curiosity, growth, and keeping design human55:34 – End of show questionsConnect with AviLinkedInSelected links from the episodeShape Up, by Ryan SingerMultipliers, by Liz WisemanTools Avi mentionedNotebookLMGenway AIBagel AIWhisk AIWeavy AIMobbin

saas.unbound is a podcast for and about founders who are working on scaling inspiring products that people love, brought to you by https://saas.group/, a serial acquirer of B2B SaaS companies.In episode #44 of season 5, Anna Nadeina talks with Adam, founder of UXpilot, Building New Era of Product Design.--------------Episode's Chapters----------------0:00—Introduction & Welcome1:08—Adam's Background in Product Design1:54—Origins of UX Pilot4:00—Early Development Challenges5:20—Current Features & Product Focus8:37—AI's Impact on Design Jobs12:01—Competition & Market Differentiation14:58—Marketing Strategy & Brand Awareness19:49—Team Structure & Growth23:16—Working with AI Technology26:50—Biggest Wins & Lessons LearnedAdam - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamfard/Subscribe to our channel to be the first to see the interviews that we publish - https://www.youtube.com/@saas-groupStay up to date:Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaaS_groupLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/14790796

If you don't invest in your weaknesses now, they will haunt you down the road.This conversation originally aired on Episode 13 of Long Run Labs, my new podcast on the business of the outdoor industry.Alex is the Founder and CEO of Eternal. Before founding Eternal, Alex was the founder and CEO of The Athletic, a subscription sports media company founded in 2016. The Athletic reached 1M paid subscribers faster than any publishing company in history and sold to The New York Times in 2022 for $550M. Prior to The Athletic, Alex ran Product & Design for Strava, helping the platform go from 800 users to 10s of millions. Originally from Philadelphia, Alex lives in Presidio Heights with his wife, two kids, and golden retriever. Jon chats with Alex about:​Alex's Journey as a Runner and Endurance Athlete​Building Strava's Growth and Community​The Athletic's Creation and Success Story​Founding Eternal and Its Mission​Leadership Philosophy and Team BuildingStay connected:Follow Alex:https://x.com/amatherhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/alexemather/This episode is supported by:​Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Get 20% off when you use this link!​Janji: Use code “FTLR” at checkout when shopping at janji.com for 10% off your order and see why Janji is the go-to for runners who want performance gear made to explore. All apparel is backed by a 5 year guarantee, so you know it's meant to last!​Eternal: Eternal is a performance health company for runners, endurance athletes, and anyone serious about their training. Eternal just added PCP capabilities for those in NY and CA to answer the question of, “so, does this mean you're my doctor?”​PUMA: Get your pair at your local Fleet Feet or your favorite local running shop!​AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at amazfit.com and use code “FTLR” for 10% off.

This week, we share reflections on community and the 5 essential types of people you need for a flourishing Ampersand life.These 5 types aren't mutually exclusive – you probably have a few individuals in your life who fit several categories:The people who love you for youThe people who love your workThe teachersThe mentorsThe ones on a mutual journeyPlus, listen for 6 and 7 - a couple of bonus categories to think about.We want to hear from you! Leave us a voicemail at theampersandmanifesto.com/voicemail or email us at j@jessicawan.com.~Join us for The Ampersand Summit live event in San Francisco on Sunday, October 19th, 2025 from 3-6:30pm at the SF Community Music Center: Register here This in-person event will bring together people who straddle multiple worlds to meet each other, share what we're working on, and talk openly about what it's like to lead a multi-passionate life.~Are you a high achiever, a leader, or an Ampersand looking for a sounding board? Jessica helps executives, leaders, and founders like you gain clarity and lead bravely. As your trusted advisor and growth partner, she works with you to make the invisible visible and develop an action plan to fulfill your goals. For nearly two decades, Jessica led marketing teams, launched products, and grew businesses at places like Apple, the San Francisco Opera, Smule, and Magoosh – while also building a performing career as a singer. As an Ampersand in many facets, she knows personally what it's like to hold many roles simultaneously, to sit on the executive team, and to find fulfillment. With a BA in Music and a BS in Product Design from Stanford, coupled with an MBA from UC Berkeley and coach training from the Center for Executive Coaching, her unique mix of analytical & creative allows her to bring both depth and breadth of perspective into the coaching process.As a coach, Jessica works to champion you – the full, multifaceted you – so you can thrive.Visit ⁠jessicawan.com⁠ or BOOK AN INTRO CALL: ⁠https://calendly.com/jessicawancoaching/intro-call-coaching⁠CreditsProduced and Hosted by ⁠Jessica Wan⁠Co-produced, edited, sound design, and original music by ⁠Carlos SchmittWant to support this show in a small way? Rate and review it at theampersandmanifesto.com, or buy me a coffee: ⁠coff.ee/jessicawan⁠

J.B. Chaykowsky is a design and product leader with over two decades of experience spanning architecture, technology, and fintech. He spent more than 10 years at Intuit, where he led global design teams across the UK and France, shaping products for accountants and small businesses. Today, as Director of Creative & Design at Redpin, he's focused on building a global real-estate payment platform that connects people across borders. Beyond his leadership roles, J.B. writes about creativity, design leadership, and the intersection of AI and craft—helping designers think more deeply, work with greater intent, and build products that reflect the people they serve.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro06:45 – Early lessons: creativity, writing, and how wayfinding shaped his design thinking10:00 – The rise of AI in design: adoption phase, experimentation, and the gap between good and great17:15 – What AI means for designers' roles and careers22:00 – How AI could empower design founders27:00 – Deep thinking & using AI as a creative partner40:20 – The future of design systems47:30 – Craft, taste, and creating products with soul in an AI-driven world55:00 – Building “real teams”66:17 – End of show questionsConnect with J.B.LinkedIn, WebsiteSelected links from the episodeAI-Generated “Workslop” Is Destroying ProductivityReal Teams, J.B.'s post

With all the fragmentation in the media landscape, how can brands cut through the digital noise and create meaningful connections with their customers... without resorting to yet another intrusive pop-up ad?Agility requires not only adapting to changing consumer behaviors but also proactively anticipating them. It demands a willingness to experiment with new channels and tactics, even those that might be considered “traditional"Today, we're going to talk about the surprising resurgence of physical marketing in the digital age and how it can be a powerful tool for building brand loyalty and driving business growth. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome Corin Mills, Brand Marketing & E-commerce Director at Moo. About Corin Mills Corin Mills is the Brand Marketing & E-Commerce Director at MOO, specializing in data-driven marketing strategies that revitalize brand experiences and foster meaningful organizational change. With over 15 years of extensive brand management experience driving business transformation across multiple sectors and international markets, his passion for impactful branding drives MOO's success in bridging the gap between quality design and human connection. As former Head of Brand and Comms at Currys, his transformative approach centers on genuine collaboration and inclusive leadership at all levels of business. With previous success at major brands including EE, Tesco, Currys, Google, Orange, and AXA, Corin brings unique cross-industry perspective to discussions about e-commerce strategy and optimization. Corin holds a BSc in Product Design from Brunel University of London.  Corin Mills on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corin-mills-a2678211/ Resources Moo: https://www.moo.com The Agile Brand podcast is brought to you by TEKsystems. Learn more here: https://www.teksystems.com/versionnextnow Register now for Sitecore Symposium, November 3-5 in Orlando Florida. Use code SYM25-2Media10 to receive 10% off. Go here for more: https://symposium.sitecore.com/Don't Miss MAICON 2025, October 14-16 in Cleveland - the event bringing together the brights minds and leading voices in AI. Use Code AGILE150 for $150 off registration. Go here to register: https://bit.ly/agile150 Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Solgaard founder Adrian Solgaard shares how crowdfunding, design, and sustainability shaped his global travel brand.For more on Solgaard and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

After turning a simple idea into a cultural phenomenon, Nell Diamond has built Hill House Home into a $150M+ fashion and lifestyle brand beloved for its viral Nap Dress™ and fiercely loyal community.In this conversation, Nell shares how a slow-burning idea became her company, how she scaled from a direct-to-consumer bedding startup to a multi-category brand, and the intentional choices that shaped Hill House's signature blend of comfort and elegance. She opens up about early fundraising rejections, building community without trying to “manufacture” it, and why she treats influencers like artists, not metrics.From the behind-the-scenes reality of launching a hit product to navigating wholesale, collaborations, and retail expansion, Nell reveals the creative and business principles that keep Hill House distinctly itself. She also gets candid about motherhood, leadership, and the art of blocking out the noise so you can build the brand only you can create.Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [05:59] The idea that led to Hill House Home [09:43] Building community and treating influencers like artists [12:41] Lessons learned from early fundraising challenges [16:33] How collaborations stay authentic to the brand [19:58] Expanding into wholesale and physical retail [27:09] Balancing personal presence on social media with boundaries [30:04] Hiring for different stages of company growth [33:51] Navigating motherhood while running a company [37:02] Advice on blocking out noise and staying focused on your visionResources Mentioned:Soto Method Workout | WebsiteLearn more about Nell's creation on the Hill House Home Website, and follow her on Instagram and LinkedIn.Follow Nancy Twine:Instagram: @nancytwinewww.nancytwine.comFollow Makers Mindset:Instagram: @makersmindsetspaceTikTok: @themakersmindsetwww.makersmindset.com

John S. Couch is a visionary multi-hyphenate who straddles the intersection of writing, art, design and technology. His book, The Art of Creative Rebellion, encapsulates his professional and life philosophy—to unleash the creative potential of all people, as the world needs curiosity and courage more than ever. John is the head of Galvanize Studios, which most recently engaged with Amazon Prime Video, helping the product design team to envision the future of the experience. Prior to this, Galvanize Studios worked with Verses.ai on their product vision video and strategy. John was formerly Chief Experience Officer of Blockchain Creative Labs, a Fox company, and Former VP of Product Design at Hulu. Click here to purchase The Art of Creative Rebellion.

Can an AI‑native general ledger really automate the monthly close without losing control? Blake talks with Digits CEO Jeff Seibert about an “autonomous GL” built on a vector graph model, AI agents that research unknown transactions and auto‑reconcile to pixel‑matched statements, and human‑in‑the‑loop safeguards. Learn where Digits fits best today, how to pilot it with clients, price AI‑powered CAS, and keep trust with audit trails, object‑level permissions, and deterministic reporting.Chapters(01:20) - Understanding Autonomous General Ledgers (02:13) - Technical Architecture of Digits (05:29) - Real-World Application of Digits (10:10) - Advanced Features and Accuracy (16:09) - Automated Reconciliation (19:11) - Innovative Reporting Capabilities (24:19) - AI Agents in Accounting (28:40) - Automating Collections and Approvals (29:59) - Customizing Agent Instructions (30:46) - Balancing Simplicity and Complexity in Product Design (46:42) - Impact of AI on Accounting Roles (48:26) - Learning and Adapting to AI in Accounting (52:45) - Conclusion and Next Steps Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comhttps://earmark.app/Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appConnect with Our Guest, Jeff SeibertWebsite: https://jeffseibert.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jseibert/Learn more about DigitsWebsite: https://digits.com/Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/

Meenakshi Lala is the CEO of UrbanStems, an online floral gifting company that designs, sources, and delivers high-quality, curated bouquets and gifts across the U.S. She brings over two decades of operational experience from leading brands in fashion and retail such as Alice + Olivia, Juicy Couture, and Elie Tahari. Her expertise in scaling complex businesses and building operational excellence now fuels UrbanStems' growth as a leader in the industry.In this episode of DTC Pod, Blaine and Meenakshi explore the complex world of DTC flower delivery: from sourcing stems globally, managing cold chain logistics, forecasting inventory, and reducing spoilage, to ensuring the end customer receives a high-quality bouquet every time. Meenakshi candidly discusses the challenges of seasonality, tariffs, international shipping, and why a robust brand and customer-centric approach are keys to thriving in today's fast-moving e-commerce landscape.Episode brought to you by StordInteract with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. The complexities of the floral industry and perishability2. The evolution of e-commerce in the flower business3. Building a robust and agile international supply chain4. Cold chain logistics and fulfillment center operations5. Planning, forecasting, and reducing spoilage in inventory6. Unique challenges: tariffs, customs, and unpredictable events7. Customer experience: packaging, instructions, and communications8. Curation, personalization, and expanding gifting moments9. Driving growth through brand, loyalty, and education10. Lessons learned in leadership and staying agileTimestamps00:00 Meenakshi's career journey and joining UrbanStems04:49 Key learnings from legacy brands and focus on brand ethos07:21 Operational challenges unique to the floral industry11:00 The evolution of flowers in e-commerce and UrbanStems' role14:28 How Urban Stems' supply chain is structured for freshness16:37 International sourcing, design, and bouquet assembly process18:27 Managing supply chain risks: tariffs and customs21:45 Inventory planning, spoilage, and matching supply to demand24:45 Supply chain as a business moat and high-precision operation25:36 Customer fulfillment: hydration, packaging, and experience28:34 Packaging complexities and spec sheets per SKU30:08 Lessons from moving from COO to CEO32:19 How operational expertise shapes strategic leadership34:17 Customer feedback and new initiatives at UrbanStems38:02 Growth channels: brand loyalty, curation, and gifting moments41:58 Biggest CEO learnings and future outlook43:51 Where to find Meenakshi and UrbanStems onlineShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokMeenakshi Lala - CEO at UrbanStemsBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

From streamlining complex onboarding flows to surfacing the right information at the right time, design thinking encourages product design teams to bring empathy and intentionality into every layer of product development, creating experiences that are intuitive, responsive, and centered around real human needs. Temenos is leading the charge to bring that mindset back to banking innovation, with Erik Johnson, Head of Product Design, at the helm. For Johnson, creativity and collaboration go hand in hand with functionality. On this episode of the Tearsheet podcast, Johnson talks about structuring his design team in a “centralized, hybrid” model, solving design challenges with data and empathy, and how Temenos' Innovation Hub in Orlando is structured to be a “we space” for exploring and co-creating new banking products.

Transform how you communicate with tools that make your message stick.Clear communication isn't just about sharing information — it's about making ideas stick. That's why Yuhki Yamashita, Chief Product Officer at Figma, believes the key to effective collaboration lies in turning complex concepts into simple, memorable visuals.For years, Figma has been reshaping the way teams brainstorm, design, and build together — making it easier than ever to bring ideas to life in real time. In this episode of the Think Fast, Talk Smart Tech Tools miniseries, host Matt Abrahams talks with Yamashita about how visuals facilitate shared understanding, why frameworks enhance team communication, and how to craft insights that people naturally remember and reuse.In addition to insight-packed discussions, this miniseries explores innovative tools that enhance the way we communicate and connect. Whether you want to make your presentations more memorable, craft stories that stick, or connect with your audience on a deeper level, these episodes will help you communicate with greater clarity, confidence, and impact.Episode Reference Links:Yuhki Yamashita Ep.227 Tech Tools: Move Your Audience By Moving Through Your Presentation Connect:Premium Signup >>>> Think Fast Talk Smart PremiumEmail Questions & Feedback >>> hello@fastersmarter.ioEpisode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart WebsiteNewsletter Signup + English Language Learning >>> FasterSmarter.ioThink Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTubeMatt Abrahams >>> LinkedInChapters:(00:00) - Introduction (01:16) - Figma Elevator Structure (02:07) - Joining Figma (03:17) - The Power of Visual Storytelling (04:36) - Creating Shared Meaning with Visuals (05:37) - Favorite Communicator (08:59) - Communication Hack or Tool (10:36) - Conclusion *******Thank you to our sponsors.  These partnerships support the ongoing production of the podcast, allowing us to bring it to you at no cost.Try Prezi today and get 25% off exclusively at prezi.com/thinkfast.

Fill out this short listener survey to help us improve the show: https://forms.gle/bbcRiPTRwKoG2tJx8This week on Unsupervised Learning, Jacob sits down with Nicole Brichtova and Oliver Wang, the Google researchers behind "Nano Banana" - the breakthrough AI image model that achieved unprecedented character consistency and took over social media.The conversation covers how their model fits into creative workflows, why we're still in the early innings of image AI development despite impressive current capabilities, and how image and video generation are converging toward unified models. They also share honest perspectives on current limitations, safety approaches, and why the expectation of going from prompt to production-ready content is fundamentally overhyped.(0:00) Intro(1:42) Early Nano Banana Use Cases and Character Consistency(3:05) Popular Features and User Requests(3:54) Future Frontiers in Image Models(5:26) Personalization and Aesthetic Models(7:39) Model Success and User Engagement(10:59) Product Design for Different Users(19:30) Advanced Use Cases and Future Workflows(23:14) Editing Workflows and Chatbots(25:14) Google's Image Model Applications(27:12) Milestones in Image Generation(29:30) MidJourney's Success(30:54) Future of Image Models(33:55) Image Models vs. Video Models(36:35) Quickfire With your co-hosts: @jacobeffron - Partner at Redpoint, Former PM Flatiron Health @patrickachase - Partner at Redpoint, Former ML Engineer LinkedIn @ericabrescia - Former COO Github, Founder Bitnami (acq'd by VMWare) @jordan_segall - Partner at Redpoint

Julie Zhuo is the former VP of Product Design at Facebook, where she rose from intern to executive as the company scaled into a global powerhouse. Renowned for her human-centered approach to leadership, Julie is the co-founder of Sundial, a startup that leverages data and AI to help companies make better decisions. She's also the bestselling author of "The Making of a Manager," an essential guide for new managers navigating the changing landscape of leadership. Julie is passionate about building thoughtful cultures, empowering people, and tackling big, meaningful problems with teams she loves. Takeaways: Managers (and Leaders) Aren't Born, They're Made: Julie stresses that effective management is a skill that can be learned and developed—what matters most is a desire for growth, self-awareness, and the willingness to focus on team outcomes rather than just individual output. The Power of Culture and Removing Toxins: Julie highlights the importance of a healthy team culture and the danger of tolerating toxic behaviors—even from high performers—because doing so stifles the potential of the whole group. AI Is Redefining Leadership: As AI and automation increasingly handle outputs, the value of managers will be in guiding teams through change, reinforcing core human values, and focusing on outcomes that matter most. Sound Bites: “The most important thing is to put people first, because nobody can do anything amazing on their own.” “Feedback is a gift—being direct, open, and supportive is what drives growth in a team.” “The one thing you should never tolerate on your team is the asshole; their presence will always limit your culture and your people.” Connect & Discover Julie: Website: https://www.juliezhuo.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joulee/?hl=en X: https://x.com/joulee?lang=en Substack: https://substack.com/@joulee?utm_source=global-search Book: The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks at You

On this episode of Skin Anarchy, host Dr. Ekta sits down with Kat Burki to explore biochemistry as a smarter approach to skincare formulation. With a background spanning epidemiology and healthcare, Kat brings a unique lens to beauty: treating the skin as a living organ with its own complex needs.What makes her philosophy stand out is the insistence on synergy. Rather than chasing “hero ingredients,” Kat focuses on how ingredients interact—pairing vitamins, peptides, and cofactors in ways that mirror how the body naturally processes them. She emphasizes that delivery systems and supportive bases are just as important as what's in the formula. For Kat, skincare is about networks of ingredients working together, not isolated actives.Listeners will also hear her perspective on the skin's own microbiome, and why protecting its balance is critical to resilience and long-term health.From her cult-favorite Vitamin C Intensive Face Cream to her innovative focus on scalp health, Kat shares how biochemistry can transform not just product design but the way we think about skin itself. She leaves us with practical advice: read labels wisely, look for biome support, and always ask whether a formula makes biological sense. Tune in to discover how skincare can move beyond hype to real healing with Kat Burki.To learn more about Kat Burki, visit her website and social media. CHAPTERS:(0:00) Introduction & Guest Welcome(0:51) Kat's Background & Path to Skincare(1:48) Gut Health, Nutrition & Skin Connection(4:13) Nutritional Biochemistry & Skincare Synergy(7:22) Misconceptions in Nutrition & Topical Delivery(9:02) Formulation Philosophy & Product Design(12:04) Biome-Focused Products & Healing Approach(14:03) Vitamins, Co-Factors & Biotech Trends(16:25) Peptides, Hype & Real Science(22:03) Brand Philosophy, Labs & First Hero ProductPlease fill out this survey to give us feedback on the show!Don't forget to subscribe to Skin Anarchy on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred platform.Reach out to us through email with any questions.Sign up for our newsletter!Shop all our episodes and products mentioned through our ShopMy Shelf! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.