The Stanza

Dr. Jonathan Leary is the founder of Remedy Place, the social wellness club reimagining how we gather, recover, and connect. Trained in medicine and drawn to a more human, preventative approach, Jonathan spent years building a concierge sports-medicine practice while refining a 150-page business plan for a new kind of health club - one that could make self-care social and compelling. He opened the first Remedy Place in Los Angeles and has since expanded to New York and Boston, with a growing movement around contrast therapy, IV lounges, and community-driven rituals that help people feel better together.In this conversation, Jonathan shares his founder story: from the pivot that gave him five years of real-world data, to why he personally guaranteed his first lease. We unpack the idea of “social self-care” and why drink dates blunt connection, the business model behind Remedy Place, and what he’s learned scaling from two to four clubs in just months.Thank you to Peoplevine for sponsoring the 2025 season of The Stanza. Peoplevine is the trusted CRM software for the best brands in hospitality. Book a free demo to see why at peoplevine.com.Interview Highlights:Being early to a global trendHow rejection led to building a data-backed businessDefining “social wellness”Health as a tool for success in other aspects of your lifeWhy Remedy Place didn’t include a gymJonathan’s views on copycatsThe role of brand design, accessibility, and perceived exclusivityConvincing skeptical investorsPersonally guaranteeing his first lease and Jonathan’s attitude towards riskWhat stabilization looks like for new wellness clubsBeing comfortable being misunderstoodJonathan’s advice for wellness entrepreneursFollow Jonathan on⁠ Instagram⁠Follow Remedy Place on Instagram and learn more hereFollow The Stanza on ⁠Instagram⁠Subscribe to The Stanza on ⁠Substack

Today's guest is Eugene Remm, who co-founded Catch Hospitality Group in 2011. Eugene has opened Catch locations in 7 different markets throughout the U.S. and most recently, The Corner Store in New York, which has been a big success. Eugene started his hospitality career in the New York nightlife business in the 2000's, launching hit concepts such as Tenjune and SL, before pivoting to large format restaurants post 2008. Following this defining moment in his career, Eugene doubled down on the Catch concept and took a bold step forward by launching the LA location. In 2017, upon the success of Catch LA, Tilman Fertitta became a partner in Catch Hospitality Group. In this interview, we chatted about Eugene's background as a Russian immigrant and his attitude towards entrepreneurship, and building longevity in hospitality through the humility to learn from mistakes and relentlessly evolving the guest experience.Thank you Peoplevine for making this podcast possible. Peoplevine is trusted by the best brands in the members club business. Book a free demo to see why at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠peoplevine.com.⁠ ⁠⁠Interview Highlights:The American Dream and entrepreneurshipOpening hit nightclubs in NYC in the 2000'sPivoting to large format restaurants post 2008How Eugene convinced Tilman Fertitta to join Catch as a partnerLongevity in hospitalityEconomics of a small format NYC restaurantFollow Eugene on InstagramLearn more about Catch Hospitality GroupFollow The Stanza on ⁠Instagram⁠Subscribe to The Stanza on ⁠Substack

Jeff Klein started his hospitality career in 1993 as a bellman at The Franklin Hotel, where he learned the ropes of running a hotel in various operational roles. His first hotel project was the successful repositioning of a midtown office building into The City Club hotel. After The City Club, Jeff raised capital to acquire the dilapidated Argyle Hotel on Sunset Boulevard, and repositioned it to The Sunset Tower Hotel, an iconic LA destination.  The Tower Bar at that hotel was his first restaurant, and remains an elegant destination for celebrities, Hollywood elite, and cultural tastemakers. In 2013, Jeff acquired the San Vicente Inn, which was a run-down seedy motel in the heart of West Hollywood, and transformed it into the San Vicente Bungalows, an exclusive private members club known for attracting high profile industry executives. Most recently, due to the demand for the privacy and discretion that the club distinctly offers, Jeff has expanded San Vicente Bungalows to Santa Monica on Ocean Boulevard and at the Jane Hotel in New York's West Village. Jeff is one of the rare hospitality entrepreneurs that has an intuitive understanding of how to buy good real estate and how to curate a timeless experience that fosters longevity and loyalty. In this interview, Jeff shares the stories behind the deals that made his career, and the valuable lessons learned along the way. Thank you Peoplevine for making this podcast possible. Peoplevine is trusted by the best brands in the members club business. Book a free demo to see why at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠peoplevine.com.⁠ ⁠Interview Highlights:How Jeff got his start in hospitalityCreating the Sunset Tower HotelJeff's various investors in Sunset TowerWhat makes a great capital partner?Opening the Monkey Bar with Graydon CarterThe subconscious elements have big impactThe acquisition story behind San Vicente BungalowsFundraising challenges with SVBBuilding properties loved by HollywoodHospitality is the business of emotionsLessons about human nature Advice for emerging hoteliersLearn more about JK Hotel Group here.Follow The Stanza on InstagramSubscribe to The Stanza on Substack

Dasha Zhukova Niarchos is the founder of Ray, a residential lifestyle brand and real estate development company that builds art-forward residences. Ray's inaugural building in Philly's Fishtown neighborhood comprises 110 residential units and several amenities geared towards creatives and art & design lovers, such as artist studios, co-working space, a gym, a community kitchen, a green roof deck, a lobby living room and an independent art bookstore. One of the best perks of living at Ray is the cultural programming for residents, which includes art classes, gallery openings, and other social activities. The launch of the Philly building was a success, completing lease up in 8 months and proving the thesis that renters want to live in beautifully designed spaces that enhance their everyday experience. Ray's next building in Harlem is designed by Frida Escobedo and includes a new home for the National Black Theatre. The building comprises 222 mixed-income units, a similar suite of amenities, and stunning views of New York from its rooftop terrace.Prior to founding Ray, Dasha founded the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art in Moscow in 2008. The Museum was designed by Rem Koolhaas and is Russia's first and only contemporary art archive. In 2011, she founded Garage Magazine, which she sold and bought back from Vice Magazine. Dasha is also a co-founder of Artsy, a digital art marketplace and discovery platform. She also serves on the board of several organizations and companies, such as the LA County Museum of Art, Soho House, The Met, and more.In this interview, we dove into the business of combining art, design, and real estate development into a cohesive lifestyle brand. I'm excited about Ray because I believe that branded real estate will be a big consumer trend, and I also like the way that Dasha is executing her vision with thoughtfulness and attention to detail.Thank you Peoplevine for sponsoring this episode. Peoplevine is trusted by the best brands in the members club business. Book a free demo to see why at ⁠⁠⁠⁠peoplevine.com.⁠ Thank you to the team at NeueHouse for supporting The Stanza. NeueHouse is the premier work space in NYC and LA for those in the creative industries. Use code ⁠⁠THESTANZA⁠ ⁠for a special offer when applying for your membership.Interview Highlights:How can good design foster community and address the loneliness epidemic?Ray’s approach to structuring partnerships with real estate developersPlacemaking in emerging neighborhoodsParameters for choosing the right architectInsights from Dasha’s experience in the art world that she brings to RayThe impact of art on mental healthThoughts on the future of the built environment in urban citiesConnect with Dasha ⁠here⁠.Follow Ray here.Follow The Stanza ⁠here⁠.Subscribe to the newsletter ⁠here⁠.

Today's guest is hospitality veteran Noah Tepperberg, co-founder of Tao Group Hospitality. Over the course of his 30+ year career in hospitality, Noah and his team have launched several iconic venues, under brands including Marquee, Lavo, Tao, Hakkasan, and many others. Tao Group currently has over 80 branded outlets globally in the broader portfolio. In 2017, Noah and his co-founder’s including his long time business partner and Co-CEO Jason Strauss sold a majority stake in Tao Group to the Madison Square Garden Company, and in 2021 the company acquired 100% of Hakkasan Group creating one of the world's largest premium hospitality platforms with outlets in over 20 cities. In 2023, the company was acquired by Mohari Hospitality. This conversation highlights Noah's laser focused and disciplined approach to building a highly successful hospitality business that stands the test of time.Thank you Peoplevine for sponsoring this episode. Peoplevine is trusted by the best brands in the members club business. Book a free demo to see why at ⁠⁠⁠peoplevine.com.⁠ Interview Highlights:The key component to a successful venuePartnering with institutional groupsHospitality is a people businessNoah's approach to real estatePatterns of venues that have done well vs those that haven'tExpanding abroadAdvice for hospitality entrepreneurs ⁠This episode was recorded at NeueHouse Madison Square. NeueHouse is the premier work space in NYC and LA for those in the creative industries. Use code ⁠THESTANZA⁠ for a special offer when applying for your membership.Connect with Noah here.Follow The Stanza here.Subscribe to the newsletter here.

Today's guest is Gaetano Guarducci of Sant Ambroeus Hospitality Group. Gaetano grew up in the restaurant business that his father, Gherardo Guarducci, co-founded in 2003, and has been working for the family business since graduating from university. The New York-based group comprises 29 restaurants across 3 brands - Sant Ambroeus, Felice, and Casa Lever - and is opening 3 to 4 restaurants per year with the backing of Italian British private equity fund Three Hills Capital. Sant Ambroeus, in particular, is unique in the way they combine Milanese tradition while embracing fashion & culture trends. They've done creative collaborations with brands such as Saint Laurent, The Attico, Alaia, Le Labo, and several others. It's part of their approach to maintaining longevity and desire throughout several market cycles, along with prioritizing consistency in the customer experience and the food.Thank you Peoplevine for sponsoring this episode. Peoplevine is trusted by the best brands in the members club business. Book a free demo to see why at ⁠peoplevine.com.⁠ This episode was recorded at NeueHouse Madison Square. NeueHouse is the premier work space in NYC and LA for those in the creative industries. Use code THESTANZA for a special offer when applying for your membership.Learn more about Sant Ambroeus Hospitality Group hereFollow Sant Ambroeus on InstagramConnect with ⁠The Stanza on Instagram⁠⁠Subscribe to the newsletter⁠ for the full experienceInterview Highlights:Longevity in the restaurant sectorGrowing up in the hospitality businessInsights from the pandemic eraWhy does Sant Ambroeus have a creative director?Collaborating with fashion brandsThe origin story of Sant Ambroeus as a Milanese pastry shop"Selling pasta to Italians" & doing business in Europe as an American companyKey details considered in restaurant design & operationsOperating seasonal locations in Aspen & East HamptonRaising capital from private equityBalancing brand preservation and private equity expectationsWhy haven't they expanded into members clubs?Gaetano's vision for SAHG as the next gen leadership

Thank you Peoplevine for sponsoring this episode. Peoplevine is trusted by the best brands in the members club business. Book a free demo to see why at peoplevine.com.Today's guests are David Rodolitz and Gary Vaynerchuk, co-founders of VCR Group, a hospitality company operating concepts such as Flyfish Club, Ito, and Little Maven in New York and Las Vegas. Flyfish Club, which opened in September 2024, is the world's first blockchain-based members club focused on fine dining. In this conversation, we dove into the details of what it's like to build a hospitality group in one of the most competitive markets in the world (NYC). What I enjoyed most about this conversation is their forward-thinking perspectives when it comes to hospitality, especially in the fine dining space. We also talked in depth about the private members club landscape in New York and entering the space as a young hospitality group.Gary Vaynerchuk, AKA Gary Vee, is a serial entrepreneur and leads VaynerMedia, VaynerX, and VCR Group. In 2014, Gary co-founded Resy and sold it to American Express in 2019 and is also an early investor in notable companies such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Uber, Coinbase, Slack, and more. David Rodolitz is a NYC hospitality veteran and a co-founder of VCR Group. Prior to founding VCR Group, David was a founding partner of Empellon, a group of restaurants in NYC.To learn more about VCR Group's restaurants, click hereConnect with Gary and David on InstagramConnect with The Stanza on InstagramSubscribe to the newsletter for the full experience.Interview Highlights:The business of a fine dining members club in NYCRestaurants as part of placemakingContrarian thinking in hospitalityThe reality of running restaurantsCompeting in the NYC restaurant & private club market as a young companyThe future of private clubs in NYC & taking cues from London club cultureLongevity in the restaurant businessHow to handle negative reviewsHow would you invest in hospitality?Advice for aspiring hospitality entrepreneurs

**This interview was made publicly available thanks to the support of Peoplevine, the CRM software trusted by the best hospitality brands. Book your free demo here.Today's guest is Jamie Caring, founder of Sevengage Consultancy, through which he advises hospitality entrepreneurs and real estate owners on brand creation and community building. Prior to his consulting career, Jamie was the CMO of Soho House, the Commercial Director at Caprice Holdings, the holding company behind restaurant brands such as The Ivy, Le Caprice, and Sexy Fish, and the Commercial Director at The Birley Clubs, which owns club brands such as Annabel's and Mark's. Prior to hospitality, Jamie had a 15-year career in music and entertainment at MTV and VH1. Jamie started at Soho House in 2008 when there wasn't a marketing team, and during his tenure, helped shape it into the global category-defining lifestyle brand that it is today. This was my longest interview to date, and I definitely could have continued the interview. We went in-depth on Jamie's knowledge and insights coming from both of his lives in entertainment and hospitality, and especially focused on strategy for launching and scaling hospitality businesses, as well as the psychology of members clubs. He truly understands how to build an enduring hospitality brand that is a reference for other emerging brands, and I know anyone listening to this episode will learn a lot from Jamie's experience.Connect with Jamie here.Interview Highlights: Applying insights from entertainment to hospitality Meeting Nick Jones and starting at Soho House Marketing-led vs transaction-led hospitality Jamie's philosophy on member programming & events Can people buy into "community"? What is a true community in the context of a business? Lessons from Soho House's banker purge in 2010 Top drivers for both membership renewals and cancellations Expanding from members clubs into a lifestyle brand The art & science of advertising exclusivity Thoughts on Soho House's recent negative press and its IPO Balancing creative vision and needs of investors Jamie's experience at Annabel's & how legacy clubs can stay relevant Thoughts on the proliferation of members clubs Trends in the club industry Advice for hospitality entrepreneurs Audience Q&AIf you enjoyed this episode, please share with a friend or colleague :)

Subscribe to ⁠The Stanza⁠, a newsletter at the intersection of investing, hospitality, & fashion.Today's guest is Annabel Schwartz, founder of hospitality consultancy House of Talana.Annabel was the former west coast memberships manager at Soho House and most recently the director of member relations & culture at San Vicente Bungalows. We did a deep dive on all the fun topics within hospitality - curating and designing a members club, the consumer psychology of exclusivity, the meaning of great hospitality, and trend predictions on the future of the industry. Annabel has so much unique experience and insight into the business from a behind the scenes angle and I know you're all going to love this episode. On another note - this interview is the final guest episode of the season. The podcast will come back later this year, but for now definitely be sure to subscribe to the newsletter and follow along on Instagram and TikTok (@thestanzamedia). Thanks for tuning in and enjoy the show.  Episode Highlights Annabel's background at Soho House and SVB Structuring of an effective membership program Why exclusivity is an essential component Paying for access vs earning access Privacy in LA vs spontaneity in NYC 3 trend predictions for hospitality Advice for members clubs operators Thank you to Peoplevine for sponsoring this episode. Peoplevine is the CRM loved by the best members clubs in the industry. Check out which clubs use Peoplevine and book your free demo here.

Subscribe to The Stanza, a newsletter at the intersection of investing, hospitality, & fashion.Today's guest is Jordan Gilman, founder of Peoplevine. This episode is for all the hospitality operators who subscribe to The Stanza. Peoplevine is the hospitality CRM used by San Vicente Bungalows, Zero Bond, ZZ's, Casa Cipriani, Faena, and many more brands you already know and love. I've partnered with Peoplevine over the last 3 months and I wanted to have Jordan on the podcast to chat about his experience pitching to luxury hospitality brands, why their CRM is loved by the best operators, and how a great CRM is needed to deliver a consistently great guest experience. Thank you to the team at Peoplevine for being early supporters of The Stanza newsletter and podcast.Episode highlights: Pitching to high end hospitality clients Building a network of luxury hospitality operators Expanding into the UK market How Peoplevine designed its CRM based on their personal guest experience Executing an effective loyalty program Views on private dining clubs such as ZZ's Jordan's thoughts on the future of members clubsRead about how your favorite clubs use Peoplevine: https://www.peoplevine.com/clientsFollow The Stanza on IG / TikTok: @thestanzamedia

Subscribe to ⁠The Stanza⁠, a newsletter at the intersection of investing, hospitality, & fashion.Today's guest is Bianca Rangecroft, founder of Whering. Whering is a digital wardrobe and styling app that allows you to catalogue your clothes, create outfits, and get styling suggestions. As of today, the app has 1.5M users. Think of it as the modern app version of Cher's wardrobe from Clueless. Prior to Whering, Bianca worked at Goldman Sachs in asset management. We chatted about fundraising as a first time founder, how she financially supported her transition from Goldman to entrepreneurship, and her view on the future of sustainable fashion. I appreciated Bianca's honesty throughout the conversationand I know any early stage entrepreneur will benefit from this interview.Episode highlights: How Bianca's experience at GS prepared her for Whering Funding start up and living costs in the early days Bianca's key fundraising insights Growing Whering's user base How she built a tech company as a non technical founder Vision for Whering and the future of circular fashion *Apologies in advance for the slight background noise!Download Whering: https://whering.co.uk/ Connect with Bianca on IG: @biancarangecroft or LinkedInFollow The Stanza on IG / TikTok: @thestanzamedia

Subscribe to The Stanza, a newsletter at the intersection of investing, hospitality, & fashion. Today's guest is Alek Koenig, founder and CEO of Settle. Settle is a cash flow management platform for CPG start ups. Brands you love, like Ghia, Soft Services, Ceremonia, Lalo, Italic, and Starface, are users of Settle, and it's easy to see why. From streamlining your AP, managing bills and vendor payments, to getting working capital loans with transparent terms, Settle provides solutions to problems specific to CPG brands, all within a modern and simple interface.   Settle is also backed by institutional venture investors such as Kleiner Perkins and Ribbit Capital. And even if this episode isn't a typical consumer brand founder story, I asked Alek to come on as a guest to share insights from transitioning from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, fundraising advice, and managing a company in uncertain times.   I've also partnered with Settle to give you guys $250 in transaction fee credits if you use the code (THESTANZA) to sign up for free - that means transaction-fee payments for you. Click here Settle's Working Capital calculator so you can see how much financing power your business is eligible for. Episode highlights The consumerization of business software Transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship Preparing financially for that transition Managing a company in times of economic uncertainty Fundraising from institutional investors How to understand your customers' pain points Advice for networking with investors as an introvert *Thank you Settle for partnering with The Stanza*

Subscribe to The Stanza, a newsletter at the intersection of investing, hospitality & fashion. This episode is sponsored by Peoplevine - the best hospitality CRM software. Check out why Peoplevine is used and loved by the best private members clubs and book your free demo here."Everything he touches turns to gold" - this is what a brutally honest friend said to me about today's guest, Raphael Farasat. Raphael is the founder of award-winning Truffl Agency and co-founder of Last Crumb Cookies, the viral luxury cookie brand. He's worked with the likes of Tesla, LinkedIn, and Heineken, and as the creative director behind really cool upcoming consumer brands such as Better Bagel, Barcode Drinks, Boba Ice Cream, Jean Dousset, and more. We chatted about the power of metaphor when it comes to building a world for a brand, his creative process, and taking a contrarian approach when it comes to marketing and storytelling. Every founder building a consumer facing business - whether that's a cpg brand, hospitality group, or marketplace - can benefit from this interview. Episode highlights Raphael's creative process A networking strategy that brings aligned opportunities Applying the scarcity model from streetwear to cookies How to create a contrarian brand that people love Metaphors and consumer psychology How to create a membership program that fosters customer loyaltyConnect with Raphael on IG: @raph_More on Truffl Agency: https://truffl.com/Try Last Crumb cookies: https://lastcrumb.com/

Subscribe to The Stanza, a newsletter for investors & entrepreneurs in hospitality & fashion sent every Friday Welcome to The Stanza (thestanzamedia.com) Today's guest is Layla-Joy Williams, founder of IYLIA wines. Layla-Joy is an American entrepreneur living in Spain, where she produces IYLIA to distribute in the US. Prior to IYLIA, Layla-Joy was a womens shoe designer for Stuart Weitzman and Michael Kors in NYC, and has a background in technical product design. We chatted about her experience working in NYC fashion for over two decades, entrepreneurship as an American living in Europe, and how her design career prepped her for the wine business.   A personal side note from me: I've mentioned IYLIA's moscatel wine on the gift guide this year because it's such a beautiful and crisp wine. I also wanted to compliment Layla-Joy on her rose wine. It's probably the best rose I've ever tried (and I'm not exaggerating). It smells fruity and it just goes down very easily. It's the perfect aperitivo wine and I just think it's so cool to hear Layla-Joy's story especially as another American living in Europe. Enjoy the episode. Episode Highlights: Layla-Joy's experience working as a fashion designer in NYC Why Layla-Joy decided to focus on womens shoe design Pivoting from shoes to wine during the pandemic Starting a business as an American in Spain How Layla-Joy's technical experience as a shoe designer prepared her the wine business Perspective as a female entrepreneur Sales tips for early stage founders Advice for brand builders Check out Iylia Wine: https://iylia.com Connect with Layla-Joy on IG: @laylajoy Follow The Stanza on IG/TikTok: @thestanzamedia

Subscribe to The Stanza, a newsletter for investors & entrepreneurs in the creative industries: Welcome to The Stanza (thestanzamedia.com) Thank you to Peoplevine for sponsoring this episode. Peoplevine is the best CRM for hospitality businesses. All the best private members clubs use Peoplevine - click to see why and book your free demo: The Guest & Member Experience CRM for Hospitality Brands (peoplevine.com) Today's guest is Brandon Snower, founder of Le Alfre, a menswear brand based in NYC. You may recognize his brand story from his viral TikTok, in which he shares how he went from investment banking to starting a brand during the pandemic. We chatted about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, how he managed having $3,000 in his bank account at one point, how he's positioning Le Alfre in a sea of new fashion brands, and getting great press for Le Alfre. He's made incredible progress in the 2 and a half years he's been working on Le Alfre, not only from a sales perspective, but he's also secured investment from the former head of Richemont Group N. America. Well done!   This interview really highlights an attitude I think is essential for all entrepreneurs, and that is resourcefulness. Some people may even call it "scrappiness". My view is that it's the willingness to find solutions instead of feeling defeated when you come across obstacles. We touch on that in the episode, but I wanted to mention that it's a trait I've noticed in all successful people.   Episode highlights Transitioning from investment banking to entrepreneurship How to network effectively Le Alfre's branding philosophy Creating a members club for Le Alfré customers Having your founder story go viral on TikTok Strategies for securing great press Taking the right risks Advice for entrepreneurs Connect with Brandon on IG: @Brandon.Snower Le Alfre on IG: @le.alfre Follow The Stanza on IG/TikTok: @thestanzamedia

Subscribe to The Stanza, a weekly journal for investors & entrepreneurs in the creative industries: https://www.thestanzamedia.comToday's guest is Julia Baldet, an investor at BC Partners, a large cap European private equity fund. Prior to BC Partners, Julia was an investor at Manzanita Capital, where she was the sole associate working on the $1B sale of Byredo to Puig in 2022. While at Manzanita Capital, Julia also managed some of their other investments, such as Diptyque, Space NK, and Susanne Kaufmann. In addition to investing at the institutional level, Julia is an angel investor in Konvi, The Edit LDN, and Kimai.We chatted about how she created the career she desired, her insights from investing in consumer brands, and her advice for those wanting to break into consumer PE.*Huge thanks to BC Partners' compliance team for giving us the green light to do this interview!Episode Highlights: How Julia carved her career path into luxury consumer investing Byredo: deal process & dyamics Why Puig was the right buyer of Byredo Julia's insider perspective of the luxury beauty business What makes a $billion beauty brand prime for acquisition? What type of capital partner beauty & fashion entrepreneurs should seek How Julia sources angel investment opportunities Julia's investment criteria (company & founding team) Advice for aspiring luxury consumer investorsConnect with Julia on LinkedInCheck out her essay for the blog Data Driven InvestorFollow The Stanza on IG/TikTok: @thestanzamedia

Subscribe to The Stanza, a weekly journal for investors & entrepreneurs in the creative industries https://www.thestanzamedia.com *Check out which of your favorite hospitality brands use Peoplevine, the best CRM tool for the best private members clubs, luxury hotels, and restaurants. You can also book a free demo for your hospitality business: https://www.peoplevine.com Today's guest is Lexy Copithorne, who is a creative director and brand strategist with experience across luxury real estate, hospitality, and fashion. I've never met anyone like Lexy - she has a unique intellectual approach to her creative work and in this episode we talk all about her process when creating physical and digital environments for brands. Some of her experience includes: branding for luxury real estate developer JDS in New York, the Beverly Estate, also known as the Godfather House, Casalena, the LA Mediterranean restaurant, and is also a co-founder of Pruzan, a technical athletic wear company based between LA and London. Also for some history here - before the lockdown Lexy and I were planning to launch a tequila brand but unfortunately the pandemic happened and our plans didn’t work out. But I got to witness how her creative mind works, and when I started this podcast, I just knew I had to have her on as a guest. If you're obsessed with brand as it pertains to the digital and physical world, you're going to love this episode. Episode Highlights How to create a strong customer journey from physical to online How to create a physical/digital ecosystem with strong brand identity Marketing physical spaces (luxury real estate & hospitality) Visual storytelling principles & process Building a luxury athleisure brand How Pruzan's run club creates community and fosters brand loyalty Brand building for hospitality Connect with Lexy: Copithorne & Company - Copithorne & Company (lexycopithorne.com) Check out Pruzan: Pruzan Official Website (pruzanrunning.com) The Copper Building (Developed by JDS): Home - The Copper The Beverly Estate: The Beverly Estate *This episode is sponsored by Peoplevine

Subscribe to The Stanza, a newsletter for investors & entrepreneurs in the creative industries: https://www.thestanzamedia.comToday's guests are Jade Beguelin and Sabrina Sade, the co-founders of 4AM skin, a NYC based skincare brand. Sabrina left med school and Jade quit her wall street career to pursue building 4AM skin and they've been absolutely crushing it as a young brand. Something I really admire about Jade and Sabrina is their willingness to roll up their sleeves, be resourceful, and get things done. We chatted about being public founders on social media, having products go viral and selling out on Tiktok, and thoughts about building a brand and community that cares about what you're selling. If you're building in the DTC space, you're going to learn a lot from this episode. Enjoy! The Stanza listeners get 15% off 4AM Skin with code STANZA15 on https://4amskin.com Episode Highlights: Approach to building an audience online Brand /founder alignment on social media Going viral on TikTok & selling out on TikTok shop Lessons learned from selling vs branding How to create a community that cares about you & your brand Thoughts on raising money from VC investors How to be resourceful as a bootstrapped founder Starting a business with a friend  Connect with Jade: @jadebeguelin on TikTok/IGConnect with Sabrina: @sabsade on TikTok/IG@4AMskin on TikTok/IG Follow The Stanza on TikTok/IG: @thestanzamedia

Subscribe to The Stanza, a newsletter for investors & entrepreneurs in the creative industries. Sent every Friday: https://thestanza.beehiiv.com/subscribe Use Gamma AI to create your next presentation, document, or website. https://try.gamma.app/thestanzapodcast Hayley Mack founded Cent LDN while being furloughed during the pandemic, and since then has done partnerships with Elton John and Selfridges, StockX, Nando's, Adidas, Lush Beauty, and so forth. She's been featured in Hypebae, High Snobiety, Forbes, etc - all within three short years. Hayley shares insights into positioning her candle brand for success as well as advice for those building unique brands. Episode Highlights: Early success through brand positioning and high profile partnerships How to use your network to get the right visibility Advice for positioning your brand for great PR Creating an audience-driven brand vs founder-led brand Crossing over into other industries Advice for brand builders Cent LDN: https://centldn.com or @cent.ldn Connect with Hayley: @hayleymackkk Cent LDN in Vogue: https://www.voguebusiness.com/companies/are-candles-the-new-luxury-collectibles Cent LDN in Hypebae: https://hypebae.com/2023/3/cent-ldn-hayley-mack-candles-international-womens-day-interview Follow The Stanza on IG / TikTok: @thestanzamedia

Subscribe to The Stanza, a weekly journal for investors & entrepreneurs in the creative industries https://www.thestanzamedia.com *Check out which of your favorite hospitality brands use Peoplevine, the best CRM tool for the best private members clubs, luxury hotels, and restaurants. You can also book a free demo for your hospitality business: https://www.peoplevine.com Today's guest is Anna DeGuzman, who is truly one of a kind. She's a magician who's performed on America's Got Talent recently, in front of celebrity judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, and Sofia Vergara, but also in front of millions of people watching around the world. Even though she's an accomplished magician at such a young age, she's genuinely a warm person and I loved learning about how she's built a non traditional career on her own terms and how she manages to perform in front of such a large audience. If you're a performer of any kind, or aspiring to be, you're going to love this episode. Episode Highlights: How Anna became a magician Being a public person Handling online criticism Pursuing the non-traditional route Dealing with career uncertainty and inconsistent traction Mindset when performing for celebrities & on big stages Connect with Anna on IG (@annadeguzman) or TikTok (@annadeguz) Follow The Stanza on IG or TikTok (@thestanzamedia) *This episode is sponsored by Peoplevine