Kara Goldin is on a mission to keep the world healthy and hydrated. She created Hint, Inc., a successful line of water flavored with natural fruit oils and essences. During our conversation, we discussed how Kara defied conventional wisdom in the beverage industry by launching her first product line without many ingredients that are considered industry standards. Kara also talked about the importance of engagement through storytelling as a way to help others understand her brand's relevance.
Since dressing up as an artist for her kindergarten career day, Kristen Ley has known what her future profession was meant to be. Even at that early age, she knew what creating art and beautiful things meant. Both her grandmothers were avid seamstresses and craft gurus, so they are a huge part of who she is today and she continues to honor them in her work. After completing AP art classes, Kristen went on to Mississippi State University and did not hesitate on choosing art as her major, with an emphasis in graphic design and minor in marketing. After graduation in 2007, she opened up a successful art and design business called Cultigraphic Creative® with fellow MSU classmate Catherine Yerger. In 2011, curiosity got the best of Kristen and she purchased a 1925 10 x 15 Chandler + Price from Lexington, KY and hauled it all the way back to Mississippi. With the press acquired, she decided to open up Thimblepress®. The name was derived from her childhood, now continued on to adulthood, collection of thimbles from her travels. Every time she traveled to a new state, she got a thimble to mark her visit. She still keeps her collection in old letterpress type drawers in her dining room. Kristen hopes to make Thimblepress a reflection of her life, love of her family, and her favorite places in the world; one of them being Mississippi.
Chrissa McFarlane is passionate about creating cutting-edge products that lead to global transformation of healthcare delivery. She launched Patientory, an online platform that connects patients with their doctors, caregivers and a community of individuals with similar health concerns. Chrissa saw the need in the marketplace for more personalized care and she decided to act. Our conversation was very informative.
Umaimah Mendhro started her company with a strong belief that fashion could be responsible and accessible. She is the founder and CEO of VIDA, a global platform that brings together creatives and manufacturers from around the world to create unique, original, art inspired apparel and accessories. Umaimah grew up with a deep passion for fashion and design and a drive to make a difference in the world. Today, she uses her global platform to launch products that are made responsibly and that help break the chain of poverty in the world of fashion.
Shunta Grant is a lawyer turned entrepreneur. She created Because of Zoe Designs out of her own need to give her daughter unique hair bows and headbands. Sold both online and in retail stores across the country, Because of Zoe Designs is known for its modern, colorful and well made handmade hair bows for girls. In addition to running a thriving products based business, Shunta is also a business educator, teaching creatives how to joyfully build businesses through her online teaching and her new show, the Business Life & Joy podcast. Needless to say, we had a great conversation.
Loree Sandler was fed up with the utilitarian look of the average birthday candle. So, she decided to do something about it. She launched Let Them Eat Candles, a line of edible chocolate candles. As Loree describes them, candles are wish delivery systems and should compliment birthday cakes. Using on her creativity, enthusiasm and tenacity she was able to move beyond roadblocks so that she could successfully launch her product line.
Melissa Bamberg spent years researching and developing The Nodpod, a weighted eye pillow designed to promote relaxation through deep pressure touch therapy. To me, the most interesting part of Melissa's journey is that she took time to figure out how to differentiate her product. She also came up with a novel solution based in science and , as a result, received a patent for her invention.
Annie Haven, a southern California rancher, brings her family legacy out of her pastures to specialty growers and home gardeners around the world. Harvested from Haven raised livestock, she processes and eco hand packages her 100% natural soil nutrient teas for the environmentally minded grower and home gardener. As a rancher, author and speaker, Annie has learned the importance of grit During our conversation, we discussed relentlessness and passion as key drivers for success. Show Notes: http://thebeehivepodcast.com/2017/05/60-annie-haven/
Karla the Losen reinvented keepsake storage by launching Savor. Karla and her cofounder, Jennifer McAllister-Nevins, spent over two years researching, prototyping, designing and redesigning their product. During our conversation, we discussed about the importance of talking to the right people in order to develop the best product. For Savor, Karla and Jennifer consulted professional archivists to understand the challenges that exist with maintaining the integrity of items such as papers and photographs. Based on talking to the right people, unique product benefits incorporated into the design of the Savor products. Show Notes: http://thebeehivepodcast.com/2017/05/59-karen-the-losen/
Vanessa Victoria comes from a rich history of educators, scientists, craftsmen, artists and entrepreneurs. She worked with her sister to launch Nuvula, a new and exciting concept in fashion. The company started as an avant-garde experiment aimed at joining all of the arts with positive social and environmental messages coded in poetry. Their mantra: art, responsible manufacturing and true sustainability. Several years ago, I was out shopping during the Christmas holidays and I stumbled upon a line of clothing that literally stopped me in my tracks because it was so unique. I was compelled to write a note to myself that this was a brand I wanted to watch. The overall design of colors, textures and structures really spoke to me. A few months ago, I found my note and decided to reach out to Vanessa because I really wanted to know the backstory and the inspiration behind the product line. During our conversation, Vanessa and I discussed the importance of having a holistic vision and mission which permeate every step in the design and manufacturing. We also talked about how critical it is to bring your own voice to the table through product design. Show Notes: http://thebeehivepodcast.com/2017/04/58-vanessa-victoria/
Denise Stern is a serial entrepreneur who saw a need for quality newborn care after the birth of her twins. She leads an elite team of Baby Nurses (RN’s & LPN’s), Newborn Care Providers and Multiple’s Specialists that provides evidence based education to new parents and they provide nurturing care to newborns. Let Mommy Sleep is built on the idea that families can thrive when parents are able to sleep at night. Denise has a become both a standard bearer and a change maker in her industry. By allowing parents sleep at night, families can thrive during their day. We discussed the keys to becoming an empowered woman. With regard to creating a new product or service, a key takeaway for this episode is that inspiration can be drawn from investigating those transitional points in life that create new or surprising needs. Once you have this outlined, start brainstorming on unique ways to meet those needs. Her Philosophy Starting a company is like eating glass and staring into the abyss.' You have to do lots of things you don't like. ~Elon Musk The first one through the door gets the bloodiest. Her Advice to Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs Lead by example. Hire an awesome staff and highlight them as excellent role models when you can. Do the boring stuff first. Links www.letmommysleep.com Join us on Facebook
Leslie Pierson is passionate about solving life's challenges through product design. She created and launched The Good Hangups Reusable Magnetic Hanging System. During our conversation, we discussed manufacturing challenges as well as lessons learned about crowdfunding through Kickstarter.
Molly Gordon is a Master Certified Coach known for her creativity, humor, and commitment to helping clients get off the merry-go-round of serial self-improvement and into the slipstream of infinite possibility. Her current focus is helping men and women who are working on large scale world problems ranging from climate change to hunger to terrorism, helping them to tap into the creativity, resilience, courage, and wisdom they need to keep up the good work without burnout. During our conversation, we discussed Molly’s journey to becoming a coach. We also talked about getting into the right mindset so that we can achieve our objectives. Her Philosophy Out beyond right and wrong there is a field and I will meet you there. ~Rumi Her Advice to Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs Just try it. Links http://shaboominc.com/ Join us on Facebook
Katie Everds is passionate about the outdoors and created the product she always needed but could never find. She developed and launched The Tillow, a large beach towel combined with a pillow and waterproof storage, to simplify the lives of beach and pool goers. During our conversation, we discussed strategies for working with manufacturers. We also talked about how to create a successful Kickstarter campaign.
Jenny Mae Miller and Kristine Carlton started their business as pioneering spirits, right out of technical design school. Through their company, Sewn Product Services, they operate as product developers and production managers servicing the apparel, soft goods, and wearable technologies industries. Our conversation focuses on service development and highlights the idea of thinking beyond the immediate needs of your customer. The key question is, "What adjacent services can you create that will minimize your client's overall hassles?"
Maryon Attwood is a studio artist who co-founded Cook On Clay ceramics. She creates specially formulated oven to table platters that withstand thermal shock and can be used safely in the oven, as well as for serving and presentation. During our conversation Maryon emphasized the importance of quality and introduced the idea that excellence cannot be separated from consumer expectations. Her Philosophy Returning people to the table... as part of the farm to table movement. Her Advice to Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs If you just do what you know and you believe in what you're doing, things will be okay at the end of the day. In the first years, it can be very challenging. You have to be courageous. You have to be willing to take risks. You have to be smart. You have to be thrifty when it counts. Determination is very important. Go for it! It's great to be your own boss. Do it while you're young! Links http://www.cookonclay.com Join us on Facebook
Sherrill Mosee set out to create an organizational fashion bag for busy women. As a result, she designed and invented MinkeeBlue totes. Like many women, she often carried two or three bags to work. Sherrill came up with a novel design that facilitates consolidation of everything into one bag. As a result, she has been awarded a patent for her invention. The idea of creating and launching a product can be very intimidating at first. There are many challenges that must be overcome. During our conversation, we discussed the obstacles that Sherrill faced throughout her journey and she provides some great insight on creating solutions through networking.
Michelle Moy is the Co-Founder and CEO of Up Dog Toys. She and her team make functional, cool, modern dog toys for the design savvy pup and owner. Michelle works full time alongside her husband and Co-Founder/CMO, Billy Shih. Her favorite co-worker though is her corgi, Odin, who was the main inspiration for starting Up Dog Toys. Michelle and team started out as a successfully funded Kickstarter in Fall of 2014 and have been growing as a small independent company since. They are continuing to produce more colors of their first toy, The Odin, and will be expanding their line soon. In our conversation, we discuss the many fears that can arise and how important it is to get past those fears when starting a new venture.
Vanessa Chan is an entrepreneur, consultant and angel investor. She is also co-founder of re.design, a company that brings consumer product innovations to market. Vanessa's first product is, tangle-free & stylish headphones, called Loopit. The launch included a very successful Kickstarter campaign. Loopit has been featured in such places as The Today Show’s Next Big Thing and QVC. Vanessa has a B.S.E. from Penn (class of 1994) and a Ph.D. from MIT, both in Materials Science & Engineering. Vanessa's product idea fills a great need, is innovative and yet was inspired by the combination of two ordinary items. What other needs can be filled by combining two unrelated things? This is a good question to consider for those who are trying to create new products or services.
Cyndi Prince is the founder of LooHoo, LLC, a Maine-based company. She created LooHoo Wool Dryer Balls, which are reusable, energy-saving alternatives to dryer sheets. The product was designed specifically for those who are concerned about protecting both their family’s health and the environment. Cyndi has been awarded a SPANX by Sara Blakely "Leg Up" Promotion, was selected as the SBA Business Award and was a recipient of the Eileen Fisher Woman-Owned Business Grant. Cyndi's journey is really interesting. She created her product based on a need that she discovered during a transitional time in her life. There's a really important lesson to be learned here. New product or service ideas can be discovered by asking two simple questions: 1) What needs arise as a result of transition in life; and 2) are there compelling and innovative ways to solve those needs through a product or service? Her Philosophy Build an incredible team. Surround yourself with amazing people. Her Advice to Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs Just start. Keep going for it no matter how many road blocks you hit. Ask questions. People are out there to help. You just have to ask the right questions. Keep asking and keep knocking on doors. Focus on sales and get a lot of practice selling things. This is crucial , especially with product based businesses.