The Crest (Ethan Song)
Explore every episode of The Crest
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 03 May 2023 | E1 Pop Up Report: Building the Frank and Oak Community into a Multi-Million Dollar Brand | 00:34:43 | |
Ethan Song, CEO of RareCircles and host of The Pop Up Report discusses his experience building Frank and Oak into a multi-million dollar brand by harnessing the power of digital communities. In the early 2010s, as the online shopping landscape evolved, DTC businesses emerged as a new, high growth strategy. Ethan shares his insights and experiences riding the the early DTC wave, and contrasts that experience with what he would do if he were starting a brand today. This episode also explores how to build your own community, drive retention and bolster organic growth. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed RareCircle’s Community Membership Platform - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 4:10 - Launching a brand 5:45 - Brand memberships 6:50 - Word of mouth marketing 8:00 - Community led growth 12:50 - Loyalty and retention 16:55 Measuring retention 18:50 Paid customer acquisition 23:15 Brand differentiation 26:55 - Profitability and community 28:15 - Measuring engagement - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Stephen Kuhl (Burrow), Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Alan Wood (Rally Beer Company). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Aubrie Pagano (AlpacaVC), J.P. Robert (Quartz Co., Want les Essentiels) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: Turning Mid-Day Squares Customers into a Community of 450K+ Die-Hard Fans Scaling Blume to $10m through Omnichannel and Community Building How Burrow Turned Customer Obsession into a Competitive Advantage - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 23 May 2023 | E2 Pop Up Report: How Burrow Turned Customer Obsession into a Competitive Advantage | 00:52:08 | |
Tune in as Stephen and Ethan discuss the crucial role of customer feedback and engagement in shaping the direction of a brand. They delve into the art of truly understanding customer needs and desires, and how this knowledge has allowed Burrow to create exceptional products and experiences that resonate deeply with their audience. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 14 Jun 2023 | E3 Pop Up CPG: How Rally Beer went from Passion to Exit in 24 Months | 00:47:36 | |
Ethan Song and Alan Wood, co-founder of the Rally Beer Company, discuss the critical role of passion in entrepreneurship. With increased competition, entrepreneurs are looking to differentiate their brands by focusing on niche communities. Gain insights from Alan's entrepreneurial journey as he explains how his passion for craft beer and adventure sport led to an innovative brand targeting a highly engaged, niche community. This episode also delves into additional topics related to wholesale channels, alcohol regulations and the non-alcoholic beverage movement. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed RareCircle’s Community Membership Platform - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 4:15 - From passion to product 9:25 - The non-alcoholic movement 12:15 - Starting a beer brand 16:00 - Category design 21:00 - Building a community 24:20 - Niche marketing 30:10 - Marketing events 33:33 - Collaborations 36:20 - Wholesale accounts 39:00 - Post acquisition - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Stephen Kuhl (Burrow), Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Alan Wood (Rally Beer Company). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Karen Danudjaja (Blume), J.P. Robert (Quartz Co., Want les Essentiels) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: Why You Shouldn’t Take VC Money, Even When You Can (Bonus) Scaling Blume to $10m through Omnichannel and Community Building How Burrow Turned Customer Obsession into a Competitive Advantage - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 27 Jun 2023 | E4 Pop Up CPG: Turning Mid-Day Squares Customers into a Community of 450K+ Die-Hard Fans | 00:38:41 | |
Ethan Song and Jake Karls of Mid-Day Squares (MDS) discuss the power of authentic content and storytelling in driving engagement and cultivating brand evangelists. Discover how innovative founders are transforming their personal and professional journeys into compelling brand narratives that foster community. Gain insights from Jake as he shares how this distinctive approach has propelled MDS's geographic expansion and boosted organic traffic. This episode also delves into the significance of personal branding, strategies for building high-performing content marketing teams, and forging deep connections with your audience. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed The Fortune Cookie Principle by Bernadette Jiwa RareCircle’s Community Membership Platform - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 6:15 - Disrupting the CPG market 8:45 - Building a fanbase 14:05 - Quantifying engagement 16:35 - Personalize engagement 18:10 - Everyone is a brand 20:15 - The Elon Musk brand 25:40 - Scaling content production 27:15 - Creating TikTok content 30:35 - The Hershey Story 33:30 - Brand authenticity - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Stephen Kuhl (Burrow), Karen Danudjaja (Blume), Alan Wood (Rally Beer Company). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Ada Juristovski Jemc (Nala Care), J.P. Robert (Quartz Co., Want les Essentiels) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: Rally Beer Company: Tapping into Passion Scaling Blume to $10m through Omnichannel and Community Building How Burrow Turned Customer Obsession into a Competitive Advantage - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 13 Jul 2023 | E5 Pop Up Deep Dive: Why You Shouldn’t Take VC Money, Even When You Can | 00:48:51 | |
Ethan Song and Nick D’Urbano discuss the downside of venture capital for CPG and DTC businesses. There’s a shift taking place within CPG and e-commerce. Brands are optimizing for profitability and shunning expensive venture dollars—and for good reason! DTC businesses as a category have not performed well since Warby Parker pioneered the concept over a decade ago. Hear from Ethan’s experience raising over $40m in capital with Frank & Oak and better understand the risks and challenges of taking capital for early CPG and DTC businesses. This episode also explores how to grow profitably, different types of financing options and important traps to be aware of as you find product market fit and start to scale. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed Don’t Take the Money (Even When You Can) by Ethan Song DTC Analysis by Ben Cogan 1,000 True Fans by Kevin Kelly - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 3:45 Profitability and growth 7:35 Amazon v. DTC brands 13:25 Venture capital in CPG 21:30 The risks of VC dollars 29:30 Brand growth checklist 32:30 Product market fit 34:30 Marketing and growth 38:00 Non-dilutive capital 42:27 Funding inventory 44:00 - Crowdfunding - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Stephen Kuhl (Burrow), Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Alan Wood (Rally Beer Company). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Karen Danudjaja (Blume), J.P. Robert (Quartz Co., Want les Essentiels) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: Rally Beer Company: Tapping into Passion Mid-Day Squares: Building the Next Great CPG Brand through Authentic Content Burrow: Customer Obsession as a Competitive Advantage - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 18 Jul 2023 | E6 Pop Up CPG: Scaling Blume to $10m through Omnichannel and Community Building | 00:52:03 | |
Ethan Song and Karen Danudjaja of Blume discuss the critical role of omnichannel sales and marketing for CPG and DTC businesses. Brands are going omnichannel earlier, optimizing for exposure and accessibility by tapping into different sales channels. In the face of increased competition and lower barriers to entry, leading DTC brands are increasingly looking at offline channels like retail to reach their customers. Hear from Karen’s experience growing Blume beyond ecommerce, through innovative collaborations with independent coffee shops, to leading marketplaces and retailers like Amazon, Target and more. This episode also explores how community initiatives can impact your bottom line, the role of different channels in gathering and incorporating customer feedback and important challenges to be aware of as you develop your omnichannel strategy. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed RareCircle’s Community Membership Platform - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 3:39 Identifying a problem 11:30 Brand positioning 19:30 Brand communities 25:00 LinkedIn as a marketing channel 32:00 Empowering female leaders 36:15 Omnichannel marketing 41:30 The challenges of omnichannel 46:00 Expanding geographically - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Stephen Kuhl (Burrow), Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Alan Wood (Rally Beer Company). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Joe Parenteau (Fable), J.P. Robert (Quartz Co., Want les Essentiels) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: Rally Beer Company: Tapping into Passion Why You Shouldn’t Take VC Money, Even When You Can (Bonus) Burrow: Customer Obsession as a Competitive Advantage - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 28 Jul 2023 | E7 Pop Up Report: Acquiring and Growing Multi-Million Dollar Consumer Brands | 00:48:57 | |
Ethan Song and J.P. Robert of Quartz Co. and Want Les Essentiels discuss the business of buying and scaling brands. Though many entrepreneurs choose to start their own brands from scratch, an alternate path (buying an existing brand) presents its own unique set of risks and rewards. From printing t-shirts in the garment district of Montreal to completing leveraged buyouts of undervalued brands, J.P. walks Ethan through his journey of building value from pre-existing businesses. Additional topics include the importance of self-awareness in entrepreneurship, debt financing and the market dynamics of the apparel industry. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 5:40 Flash sale business model 8:30 Margins and growth 13:00 The luxury outerwear market 17:30 Buying a brand 24:15 Manufacturing in-house 33:00 Acquisition strategy 37:10 Financing acquisitions 41:20 Post-acquisition integration 45:25 Capital markets - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Stephen Kuhl (Burrow), Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Karen Danudjaja (Blume). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Joe Parenteau (Fable), Ada Juristovski Jemc (Nala Care) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: Scaling Blume to $10m through Omnichannel and Community Building Why You Shouldn’t Take VC Money, Even When You Can (Bonus) How Burrow Turned Customer Obsession into a Competitive Advantage - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 08 Aug 2023 | E8 Pop Up Report: From 0 to 100K in Less than 30 Days | 00:36:19 | |
Ethan Song and Joe Parenteau of Fable discuss building a direct-to-consumer brand during the COVID pandemic. Learn how Fable continues to disrupt a crowded space by leaning into a unique brand narrative. Gain valuable lessons from Joe's experiences and learn how he transformed a vision into a thriving business during one of the most challenging times in recent history. This episode also delves into supply chain, experiential marketing, and paid acquisition. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 10:50 - Influencer marketing 13:10 - Paid acquisition 17:30 - Sponsorships and collaborations 18:30 - Repeat purchases 21:30 - Post-COVID dip 23:20 - Retail stores 25:00 - Sustainability and social impact 27:15 - Sourcing and production 29:30 - B-Corp 32:00 - Brand differentiation - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Stephen Kuhl (Burrow), Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Alan Wood (Rally Beer Company). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Ada Juristovski Jemc (Nala Care), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: Rally Beer Company: Tapping into Passion Mid-Day Squares: Building the Next Great CPG Brand through Authentic Content Burrow: Customer Obsession as a Competitive Advantage - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 17 Aug 2023 | E9 Pop Up Beauty: How Nala Care Increased Sales by 600% through Word of Mouth | 00:47:17 | |
Ethan Song and Ada Juristovski Jemc of Nala Care discuss building a brand through organic growth and authenticity. Discover how Ada's holistic approach to growth prioritizes the journey as much as the outcome. Gain valuable insights as Ada shares her sustainability-focused journey in building Nala Care. This episode also delves into influencer marketing, content and work-life balance as an entrepreneur. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 3:30 - Turning grief into productivity 7:00 - Personalized body care 9:50 - Content strategy 13:20 - In house production 18:00 - Post purchase feedback 20:20 - The soft launch 21:50 - Influencer marketing 25:30 - Organic growth channels 29:15 - Founder led brands 39:45 - Sustainable growth - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Stephen Kuhl (Burrow), Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Karen Danudjaja (Blume). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin), Genvieve Brousseau (Dose Juice) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: From 0 to 100K in Less than 30 Days Acquiring and Growing Multi-Million Dollar Consumer Brands Quartz Co. and Want les Essentiels Why You Shouldn’t Take VC Money, Even When You Can (Bonus) - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 23 Aug 2023 | E10 Pop Up Active: How Lanny Smith Went From Career Ending Injury to $30M Brand | 00:54:40 | |
Ethan Song and Lanny Smith of Actively Black delve into the power of business and entrepreneurship as catalysts for social change. Discover the advantages of crafting brands from the ground up– starting first with a movement and community before launching a single product. Gain insights from Lanny as he shares his experience tapping into niche communities and mission driven movements to foster relationships that drive sales and brand equity. This episode also delves into the business of sports, professional basketball and racism in business. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 6:50 - Career ending injury 10:30 - Athlete entrepreneurs 15:10 - Racism in business 20:30 - Building audience 24:50 - Community first approach 29:00 - Brand ambassadors 31:05 - Giving back as a brand 34:30 - Brand collaborations 42:00 - Building relationships 47:00 - Niche audience - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Joe Parenteau (Fable), Karen Danudjaja (Blume). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Rami Helali (KOTN), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin), Genvieve Brousseau (Dose Juice) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: Rally Beer Company: Tapping into Passion Mid-Day Squares: Building the Next Great CPG Brand through Authentic Content Burrow: Customer Obsession as a Competitive Advantage - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 30 Aug 2023 | E11 Pop Up Beauty: How Jolie Skin Scaled to $10M per Employee in Less than Two Years | 00:50:59 | |
Ethan Song and Ryan Babenzien of Jolie Skin discuss the importance of profitability in business. Hear how DTC has evolved over the last decade from a business model to a distribution channel. Gain insights from Ryan as he shares his experience scaling brands without sacrificing profitability. This episode also delves into supply chain, venture capital and remote work. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 9:13 Sales channels 14:33 Identifying a market opportunity 17:03 Launching Jolie 19:53 The advantages of experience 26:23 Lean overhead 30:03 The importance of saying no 34:18 Content strategy 38:33 Retention 41:33 Getting profitable quickly 46:48 True disruption - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Stephen Kuhl (Burrow), Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Alan Wood (Rally Beer Company). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Rami Helali (Kotn), Genevieve Brousseau Provencher (Dose Juice), Tricia Stevens (Plantd Skincare) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: E5 - Why You Shouldn’t Take VC Money, Even When You Can (Bonus) E6 - Scaling Blume to $10m through Omnichannel and Community Building E10 - How Lanny Smith Went From Career Ending Injury to $30M Brand - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 06 Sep 2023 | E12 Pop Up Deep Dive: How Customer Loyalty Helps Build Cult Like Brands | 00:38:00 | |
Ethan Song and RareCircles Co-Founder Nick D’Urbano discuss the shifting dynamics of loyalty and retention in business. Explore the nuanced facets of customer loyalty, different examples, metrics and strategies to build loyalty. Gain insights from Nick and Ethan as they share learnings from personal experience and research at RareCircles. This episode also delves into ecommerce, customer feedback and profitability. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 3:13 Defining loyalty 7:53 The problem with loyalty 10:23 Loyalty points 13:43 Subscriptions and loyalty 19:13 Some examples of loyalty 25:03 The role of retail in loyalty 27:58 Building loyalty 30:33 Wholesale 32:13 Customer data 34:13 Loyalty framework - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Karen Danudjaja (Blume), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Tricia Stevens (Plantd Skincare), Rami Helali (Kotn), Genevieve Brousseau Provencher (Dose Juice), and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: E5 - Why You Shouldn’t Take VC Money, Even When You Can (Bonus) E6 - Scaling Blume to $10m through Omnichannel and Community Building E10 - How Lanny Smith Went From Career Ending Injury to $30M Brand - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 13 Sep 2023 | E13 Pop Up Report: The Ultimate Guide to Brand Discovery | 00:44:35 | |
Ethan Song and Aubrie Pagano of Alpaca VC discuss the role of brand discovery in business. Discover the toolkit and strategies that marketers use to acquire customers and uncover the hurdles posed by rapid technological shifts. Gain insights from Aubrie as she lends her expertise to a comprehensive exploration of Alpaca’s latest Brand Discovery Report. This episode also delves into AI and venture capital. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. DISCLAIMER: Please note that Alpaca Ventures is an investor in RareCircles Inc. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed Brand Discovery Report by Alpaca VC - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 6:22 Personalized products 9:27 Venture capital 14:37 Brand discovery 17:07 Privacy and tracking 18:37 Starting a brand 24:22 Omni-channel distribution 26:57 Ecommerce by industry 28:52 AI for brands 32:52 Affiliate marketing 38:27 The new playbook - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Stephen Kuhl (Burrow), Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Alan Wood (Rally Beer Company). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Rami Helali (Kotn), Genevieve Brousseau Provencher (Dose Juice), Tricia Stevens (Plantd Skincare) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: E5 - Why You Shouldn’t Take VC Money, Even When You Can (Bonus) E6 - Scaling Blume to $10m through Omnichannel and Community Building E10 - How Lanny Smith Went From Career Ending Injury to $30M Brand - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 20 Sep 2023 | E14 Pop Up CPG: How Dose Juice Founders Balance Growing Business and Family | 00:53:01 | |
Ethan Song and Genevieve Brousseau Provencher of Dose Juice discuss work life balance and diversity in the workplace. Explore the benefits and challenges of starting a business with your life partner. Gain valuable insights from Gen on how to effectively balance a growing business with a growing family. This episode also delves into product marketing, and omni-channel distribution. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed: - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 8:15 Building community 9:30 Sampling products 15:00 Channel specific customers 19:15 Going into retail 24:00 Product marketing 31:00 Staying focused 35:25 Women in business 40:30 Balancing family 44:00 Building with a romantic partner - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Karen Danudjaja (Blume), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Lisa Mattam (Sahajan), Drew Green (Indochinio), Rami Helali (KOTN) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: How Nala Care Increased Sales by 600% through Word of Mouth How Lanny Smith Went From Career Ending Injury to $30M Brand How Jolie Skin Scaled to $10M per Employee in Less than Two Years - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 03 Oct 2023 | E15 Pop Up Report: Finding Inspiration in Heritage as an Immigrant Founder | 00:54:58 | |
Ethan Song and Rami Helali of KOTN discuss the experience of starting a business as an immigrant in North America. Hear how multiculturalism and authenticity has both fuelled and inspired Rami’s entrepreneurial journey. Gain insights on how to effectively integrate sustainability and social values into your business. This episode also delves into supply chain and retail distribution. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. Links Discussed Show Notes: 3:40 The immigrant experience 6:35 The benefits of a naive perspective 10:00 Finding inspiration in heritage 17:30 Marketing sustainability 23:00 Investing in communities 28:50 Building a strong team 37:00 The fashion industry 40:00 The business of brands 43:30 Going retail 47:40 Business values Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Karen Danudjaja (Blume), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Lisa Mattam (Sahajan), Drew Green (Indochinio), Matt Johnston (Collective Arts) and many more. Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: How Nala Care Increased Sales by 600% through Word of Mouth How Lanny Smith Went From Career Ending Injury to $30M Brand How Dose Juice Founders Balance Growing Business and Family The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 06 Oct 2023 | E16 Pop Up Beauty: Walking Away from Big Pharma to Build an Authentic Beauty Brand | 00:49:34 | |
Ethan Song and Lisa Mattam of Sahajan discuss merging science and heritage in the world of wellness. Lisa shares her journey of making the bold transition from a thriving career in pharmaceuticals to entrepreneurship, offering valuable insights into this transformative decision. Discover how to build and market a brand steeped in ancient traditions through a contemporary lens backed by science. This episode also delves into work life balance. Links Discussed Show Notes: 5:00 Walking away from big pharma 8:40 Starting Sahajan 12:00 Ayurveda and wellness 18:00 The illusion of metrics 22:25 PR for beauty brands 27:00 The risks of outside capital 32:35 Product development 36:15 Balancing work and life 41:35 Immigrant background 44:45 The role of community Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Karen Danudjaja (Blume), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Matt Johnston (Collective Arts Brewing), Drew Green (Indochino), Tricia Stevens (Plantd Skincare) and many more. Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: How Customer Loyalty Helps Build Cult Like Brands (Bonus) How Nala Care Increased Sales by 600% through Word of Mouth Burrow: Customer Obsession as a Competitive Advantage The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 10 Oct 2023 | E17 Pop Up CPG: How Passion Helped Collective Arts Stand Out in the Craft Brewery Space | 00:34:45 | |
Ethan Song and Matt Johnston of Collective Arts discuss the role of creativity and community in brand marketing. Hear how Matt has turned an engaging creative challenge known as the “Call for Art” into a growth engine that is still going strong over ten years later. Gain insights from Matt and Ethan as they share insights about the importance of community and authenticity in business. This episode also delves into grassroots marketing. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 8:50 The importance of industry experience 9:45 Grassroots marketing 11:00 Call for arts 12:30 Brand events in the beverage industry 15:00 Localized sales strategy 17:00 Identifying metrics 19:45 The Costa Rica test 24:45 Reaching your target audience 27:30 Building a roadmap - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Karen Danudjaja (Blume) and Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co.). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Tricia Stevens (Plantd Skincare), Drew Green (Indochino) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: Walking Away from Big Pharma to Build an Authentic Beauty Brand Mid-Day Squares: Building the Next Great CPG Brand through Authentic Content Burrow: Customer Obsession as a Competitive Advantage - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 12 Oct 2023 | E18 Pop Up Beauty: How to Drive Positive Impact with Tricia Stevens from Plantd Skincare and Lush | 00:42:01 | |
Ethan Song and Tricia Stevens of Plantd Skincare discuss the role of social impact in business. Hear how Tricia’s experience scaling social impact initiatives at Lush helped raise over 58 million dollars and turn the brand’s Charity Pot product into a bestseller. Gain insights from Tricia and Ethan as they share insights and strategies to maximize the impact of your brands social values and avoid virtue-signaling. This episode also delves into supply chain, retail distribution and the beauty industry. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 4:00 Social impact in business 10:50 Retail customer experience 14:30 Brand community events 20:00 Avoid virtue-signaling in marketing 23:30 The shift from retail to ecommerce 26:30 Content marketing strategies 29:15 A new brand and mission 32:30 Customer feedback 34:45 The importance of relationships - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Karen Danudjaja (Blume) and Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co.). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Drew Green (Indochino), Nadia Nadak (Marlowe), Kaylee Astle (Blanka) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: How Nala Care Increased Sales by 600% through Word of Mouth Finding Inspiration in Heritage as an Immigrant Founder How Passion Helped the Founder of Collective Arts Stand Out in the Craft Brewery Space - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 17 Oct 2023 | E19 Pop Up Report: How Personalization Helped Indochino Grow to $1B+ in Cumulative Revenue | 00:42:17 | |
Ethan Song and Drew Green of Indochino discuss the role of personalization in the apparel industry. Hear more about the challenges and opportunities in the made to measure space as Drew recounts his experience growing the menswear brand over 1000% since joining as CEO in 2015. Learn more about Drew’s experience streamlining Indochino’s supply chain and doubling down on retail experiences. This episode also delves into fundraising and brand marketing. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 11:00 Supply chain 13:00 Personalization 15:00 Turnaround 18:00 Retail experience 22:00 Differentiation 27:30 The Showroom effect 31:40 Partnerships and collaboration 34:00 Focus and discipline - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Karen Danudjaja (Blume) and Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co.). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Nadia Nadak (Marlowe), Kaylee Astle (Blanka) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: The Ultimate Guide to Brand Discovery How Jolie Skin Scaled to $10M per Employee in Less than Two Years From 0 to 100K in Less than 30 Days - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 20 Oct 2023 | E20 Pop Up Deep Dive: Ethan’s Omnichannel Framework to Scale Profitably | 00:36:06 | |
Ethan Song and RareCircles Co-Founder Nick D’Urbano discuss the most important sales channels in an omnichannel strategy. Explore the role, risks and opportunities associated with the different channels as Ethan shares lessons learned scaling Frank and Oak through retail stores and wholesale relationships. Learn from Ethan and Nick as they share their frameworks and strategies to identify and succeed in the channels that are right for your business. This episode also discusses digital marketing. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed How Jolie Skin Scaled to $10M per Employee in Less than Two Years - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 3:45 The role of retail 4:35 Digital marketplaces 5:25 Identifying your channels 7:00 Channel breakdown 11:11 Going retail 14:45 B2B sales 18:00 Margins 22:15 Attribution 25:00 Building community 28:30 The risks of omnichannel 31:00 The future of retail 32:45 Omnichannel roadmap - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Karen Danudjaja (Blume) and Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co.). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Nadia Nadak (Marlowe), Kaylee Astle (Blanka) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: How Personalization Helped Indochino Grow to $1B+ in Cumulative Revenue The Ultimate Guide to Brand Discovery Why You Shouldn’t Take VC Money, Even When You Can (Bonus) - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 25 Oct 2023 | E21 Pop Up Beauty: How to Launch Your Own Beauty Brand with Blanka | 00:34:12 | |
Ethan Song and Blanka Brand co-founder Kaylee Astle discuss the future of the beauty and cosmetics industry. Discover the challenges and opportunities emerging from advancements in technology and shifts in consumer behaviors. Gain insights from Kaylee as she shares learnings leveraging technology to optimize and democratize brand building. This episode also delves into celebrity backed brands and supply chain. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed Walking Away from Big Pharma to Build an Authentic Beauty Brand - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 2:45 Pain points of starting a beauty brand 6:20 Blanka elevator pitch 9:30 Four customer types 12:00 Three elements of a successful brand 14:50 Bootstrapping 17:00 Private labeling 22:15 Sourcing local 25:45 Innovation in beauty 27:25 Celebrity and community brands - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Karen Danudjaja (Blume) and Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co.). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Nadia Nadak (Marlowe), Oren Epstein (Bio Raw) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: How to Drive Positive Impact with Tricia Stevens from Plantd Skincare and Lush How Jolie Skin Scaled to $10M per Employee in Less than Two Years How Nala Care Increased Sales by 600% through Word of Mouth - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 01 Nov 2023 | E22 Pop Up Report: How Marlow Tapped TikTok to Acquire Its First Customers | 00:31:00 | |
Ethan Song and Nadia Ladak of Marlow discuss the role of digital media in brand marketing. Hear how Marlow leveraged TikTok and other social media channels to build a brand community before ever launching a single product. Gain insights from Nadia as she shares her frameworks and strategies to acquire customers organically. This episode also delves into omnichannel distribution and company culture. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed Popup at Stacked Market in Toronto - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 3:00 Innovation in period care 8:00 Finding customers 10:45 Pre-orders 14:30 Engaging community 16:15 In person events 18:25 Omnichannel 21:55 Gen Z consumers 25:00 Finding mentors - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Karen Danudjaja (Blume) and Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co.). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Dario Phillips (SlowTide), Oren Epstein (Bio Raw) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: Finding Inspiration in Heritage as an Immigrant Founder The Ultimate Guide to Brand Discovery How Nala Care Increased Sales by 600% through Word of Mouth - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 08 Nov 2023 | E23 Pop Up Report: How to Win in the Organic and Plant-Based Food Market | 00:37:21 | |
Ethan Song and Oren Epstein of Bio Raw discuss the pivotal role of integrity in business. Explore how Oren's social mission influences decisions from product marketing to brand partnerships. Gain insights into building a values-driven community and navigating the competitive Better-For-You CPG category. This episode also covers supply chain, natural ingredients, and influencer marketing. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 4:30 Better for you brand marketing 8:00 The organic opportunity 10:00 Wholesale merchandising 12:00 Certifications in CPG 14:00 The importance of pillars 16:00 Filling knowledge gaps 20:00 Community and differentiation 24:00 Objection handling 27:30 Partnerships - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Karen Danudjaja (Blume) and Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co.). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Dario Phillips (SlowTide), Ariana Silverstro (Scent Lab) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: Turning Mid-Day Squares Customers into a Community of 450K+ Die-Hard Fans Scaling Blume to $10m through Omnichannel and Community Building How Dose Juice Founders Balance Growing Business and Family - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 22 Nov 2023 | E24 Pop Up Deep Dive: How Active Brands Like Lululemon, On Running and AG1 10X Outperform the Market | 00:33:22 | |
Ethan Song and RareCircles co-founder Nick D’Urbano take a deep dive into the world of sports and active brands. Learn why sports and activewear brands generally outperform fashion and lifestyle brands over the years. Explore global trends towards more casual health-focused lifestyles. See how brands like Lululemon and Nike capitalize on this trend and the opportunities for new brands to succeed by niching down, innovating, and building stronger relationships with their customers. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 05:05 Most influencers are athletes 12:45 Lululemon’s influencer strategy before social media 17:45 Sell more with less 23:00 Under Armour’s rise and fall 25:00 Why Lululemon will outgrow Adidas - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Karen Danudjaja (Blume) and Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co.). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Dario Phillips (SlowTide), Ariana Silvestro (Scent Lab), Sabeena Ladha (DEUX) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: Pop Up Deep Dive: Ethan’s Omnichannel Framework to Scale Profitably Pop Up Report: How Personalization Helped Indochino Grow to $1B+ in Cumulative Revenue Pop Up Active: How Lanny Smith Went From Career Ending Injury to $30M Brand - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 29 Nov 2023 | E25 Pop Up CPG: How Deux Harnessed TikTok to Challenge Incumbents like Pillsbury, Nestle and Hostess | 00:43:23 | |
Ethan Song and Deux Founder Sabeena Ladha discuss the role of content marketing for omnichannel brands. Hear how Deux’s authentic content helps drive revenue across both retail and digital channels by leaning into humor and storytelling. Plus, how the Snack Break newsletter scaled to over 40,000 subscribers. This conversation also touches upon wholesale distribution and merchandising. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 1:25 Immigrant entrepreneurs and values 6:23 Consulting and venture 9:06 Opportunities in grocery store aisles 12:58 Building a better for you brand 14:39 Staying relevant in the face of competition 17:06 Building out in the open 22:10 How to succeed on Tiktok 24:56 How to build a newsletter 27:42 Investing in content and measuring success 30:28 The importance of an omnichannel strategy 34:14 The role of retail in growth 39:09 The Future of Deux 40:43 Rapid fire - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Karen Danudjaja (Blume) and Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co.). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Dario Phillips (SlowTide), Ariana Silverstro (Scent Lab) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: How Marlow Tapped TikTok to Acquire Its First Customers How Nala Care Increased Sales by 600% through Word of Mouth Scaling Blume to $10m through Omnichannel and Community Building - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 06 Dec 2023 | E26 Pop Up CPG: RIND Snacks Journey to 12,000 Doors in Less than 5 Years | 00:44:06 | |
Ethan Song and RIND Snacks Founder Matt Weiss discuss the importance of passion and authenticity in brand marketing. Matt shares the driving forces behind the inception of RIND like combating food waste, promoting healthy snacking, and his own family legacy. Discover how Matt harnesses these values to craft a brand narrative that has RIND scale from a regional to national brand available in over 12,000 doors across the United States. This episode also delves into social media marketing and work life balance. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed: - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 4:45 From spectator to participant 9:30 The importance of experience 15:20 Persimmon chips and food waste 20:00 Paying it forward 30:00 Retail metrics and performance 36:00 Naturally new york and community involvement - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Karen Danudjaja (Blume) and Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co.). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Dario Phillips (SlowTide), Ariana Silverstro (Scent Lab) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes you Might Enjoy: How Deux Harnessed TikTok to Challenge Incumbents like Pillsbury, Nestle and Hostess Scaling Blume to $10m through Omnichannel and Community Building Turning Mid-Day Squares Customers into a Community of 450K+ Die-Hard Fans - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 13 Dec 2023 | E27 Pop Up Beauty: How Product Seeding Helped Scent Lab Garner Millions in Earned Media | 00:35:37 | |
Ethan Song and Scent Lab founder Ariana Silvestro discuss the importance of product seeding in brand marketing. Ariana shares her journey from retail beauty to health tech startups that eventually led her to found a personalized wellness brand. Discover how Ariana leverages seeding to drive organic growth and personalization to drive retention. This episode also delves into healthcare and retail marketing. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed: Best of Beauty 2023: Fragrance - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 04:21 Full Commitment to Scent Lab 08:42 Commitment, hustle and growth 14:12 The role of personalization in beauty 17:25 Innovative In-Store Experiences 19:54 Product seeding, press and earned media 23:37 Driving retention through personalization 27:01 Building a team 30:35 Rapid fire questions - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Jake Karls (Mid-Day Squares), Karen Danudjaja (Blume) and Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co.). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Dario Phillips (SlowTide), Fred Campbell (Hooké) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: How Deux Harnessed TikTok to Challenge Incumbents like Pillsbury, Nestle and Hostess How Marlow Tapped TikTok to Acquire Its First Customers How to Launch Your Own Beauty Brand with Blanka - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 20 Dec 2023 | E28 Pop Up Active: How Slowtide Turned Towels Cool and Built a Multi-Million Dollar Business in the Process | 00:36:56 | |
Ethan Song and Dario Phillips of Slowtide discuss building a brand through collaborations. Dario shares how his experience in action sports marketing helped propel his niche towel brand into a category leader. Gain insights from Dario as he shares the opportunities and challenges of marketing a niche business. This episode also delves into wholesale distribution and retail marketing. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 2:15 Intro to the action sports industry 6:35 Product seeding in action sports 12:00 Leveraging experience 15:00 Marketing collaborations 19:00 Pitching collaborations 23:30 Working with wholesalers 25:45 Playing with the big retailers 28:10 Balancing DTC and wholesale - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Drew Green (Indochino), Alan Wood (Rally Beer Company). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Fred Campbell (Hooké), Nick West (Bandit Running), Randy Hetrick (TRX) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: How Active Brands Like Lululemon, On Running and AG1 10X Outperform the Market How Personalization Helped Indochino Grow to $1B+ in Cumulative Revenue Burrow: Customer Obsession as a Competitive Advantage - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 04 Jan 2024 | E29 - Pop Up CPG: How Nuts for Cheese went from Farmers Markets to Market Leader | 00:32:29 | |
Ethan Song and Margaret Coons of Nuts for Cheese discuss building a brand as a first time founder. Margaret shares her experience bootstrapping Nuts for Cheese from a local farmers market vendor to a disruptive CPG brand available in thousands of stores across North America. This episode also delves into manufacturing and wholesale distribution. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 07:42 Getting started with distribution 10:35 Tackling vertical integration 12:00 When to raise capital 13:00 Bootstrap with grants 15:25 In house manufacturing 18:25 Building brand awareness 23:00 Competing with incumbents 25:37 Building a great team - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Drew Green (Indochino), Alan Wood (Rally Beer Company). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Fred Campbell (Hooké), Nick West (Bandit Running), Randy Hetrick (TRX) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: How Active Brands Like Lululemon, On Running and AG1 10X Outperform the Market How Personalization Helped Indochino Grow to $1B+ in Cumulative Revenue Burrow: Customer Obsession as a Competitive Advantage - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 10 Jan 2024 | E30 - Pop Up CPG: Community as a Competitive Advantage with TIG Brands | 00:39:34 | |
Ethan Song and Elliot Begoun of TIG Brands discuss the role of community in brand building. Elliot shares his experience establishing a community of entrepreneurs through the TIG Brands ecosystem. Learn how community can be leveraged as a competitive advantage – from tighter feedback loops with customers to lower acquisition costs through word of mouth marketing. This episode also delves into retail marketing and fundraising. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 01:45 The problem with CPG incubators 5:17 The importance of advisors and diversity 7:41 Why the tech VC model doesn’t work for CPG 10:33 The most important rule in running a business 12:03 The role of community in brand building 13:15 The three types of communities 16:43 No, there is no one playbook to success 20:00 The role of passion and value 21:51 How to identify the right strategy for you 27:00 Why product feedback matters 30:53 Founder friendly fundraising models - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Margaret Coons (Nuts for Cheese), Sabeena Ladha (Deux), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co.). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Fred Campbell (Hooké), Tim and Nick West (Bandit Running), Randy Hetrick (TRX) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: RIND Snacks Journey to 12,000 Doors in Less than 5 Years How Deux Harnessed TikTok to Challenge Incumbents like Pillsbury, Nestle and Hostess Scaling Blume to $10m through Omnichannel and Community Building - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 17 Jan 2024 | E31 - Pop Up Report: Manica Blain on Successful Fundraising | 00:45:56 | |
Ethan Song and Manica Blain of Top Knot Ventures discuss the fundraising process and the investor founder relationship. Manica shares lessons learned advising entrepreneurs over the past two decades in investment banking, private equity and venture capital. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 07:23 Top reasons to raise money 11:05 Sources of capital 13:25 The fundraising process 17:02 Valuing your business 22:55 Founder traits investors look for 27:02 Investor traits founders should look for 35:56 Debt financing 40:36 Bootstrapping 42:46 Post-fundraising - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Drew Green (Indochino), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Jaime Schmidt (Schmidt’s Naturals), Griffin Spolansky (Mezcla) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: How Personalization Helped Indochino Grow to $1B+ in Cumulative Revenue Acquiring and Growing Multi-Million Dollar Consumer Brands Why You Shouldn’t Take VC Money, Even When You Can - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 24 Jan 2024 | E32 Pop Up Report: How to Name and Protect your Brand | 00:42:15 | |
Ethan Song is joined by Caitlin Barrett (Wild Geese Studios) and Julie MacDonell (Haloo) to discuss the importance of brand names and the role of trademark protection. Caitlin and Julie share insights gleaned from decades in brand naming and trademark law respectively. Learn how to identify the perfect name and the risks and rewards of proper trademark protection. This episode also delves into machine learning and generative AI as creative tools. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed:Haloo - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 04:55 What makes a good brand name 07:46 The role of trademarks 10:44 The naming process 15:00 New products and trademark extensions 18:30 Responding to a cease and desist 21:30 What URL should brands use 26:00 Protecting your brand globally 31:30 The impact of AI on branding - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Drew Green (Indochino), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Jaime Schmidt (Schmidt’s Naturals), Griffin Spolansky (Mezcla) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: How Slowtide Turned Towels Cool and Built a Multi-Million Dollar Business in the Process How Deux Harnessed TikTok to Challenge Incumbents like Pillsbury, Nestle and Hostess How to Launch Your Own Beauty Brand with Blanka - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 31 Jan 2024 | E33 Pop Up Report: How to Compete in a Crowded Market with Endy Mattress and Kilne Founder Mike Gettis | 00:38:42 | |
Ethan Song is joined by serial entrepreneur Mike Gettis of Kilne and Endy Mattress to discuss the importance of profitability in a crowded market. Mike shares insights from his journey building and selling Endy Mattress amidst the backdrop of competition from larger players with venture backing. Learn how to stand out from the pack through an unrelenting focus on profitability and product market fit. This episode also delves into digital marketing and mergers and acquisitions. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links DiscussedEndy Clayton Christensen (The Innovator's Dilemma) - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 03:45 The rise of multichannel 06:30 Disruption through pricing 13:00 Profitable customer acquisition 17:30 How to bootstrap 21:50 How to sell a business 26:55 Winning in a competitive market 33:30 Shifting marketing economics - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Drew Green (Indochino), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Jaime Schmidt (Schmidt’s Naturals), Griffin Spolansky (Mezcla) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: How Slowtide Turned Towels Cool and Built a Multi-Million Dollar Business in the Process How Deux Harnessed TikTok to Challenge Incumbents like Pillsbury, Nestle and Hostess How to Launch Your Own Beauty Brand with Blanka - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 07 Feb 2024 | E34 Pop Up Report: How to Build a Great Shopify Storefront with Phil Tabah from Field Office | 00:31:33 | |
Ethan Song is joined by e-commerce agency founder Phil Tabah of Field Office to discuss all things Shopify. Hear from Phil’s experience building and scaling more than 40 Shopify stores for world class brands like Atari and Togethxr. Learn more about the Shopify ecosystem, the role of creative partners and different metrics to consider when setting up your store. This episode also delves into content marketing. Subscribe to our Substack and YouTube for more engaging content and thoughtful analysis. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links DiscussedField Office - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 05:14 Start with the brand 09:40 Custom themes vs prebuilt themes 13:09 Understanding Shopify Plus 18:00 Avoid these Shopify mistakes 20:00 The importance of product pages 22:22 Key Shopify metrics 28:00 The costs of running a Shopify store - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Drew Green (Indochino), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Jaime Schmidt (Schmidt’s Naturals), Griffin Spolansky (Mezcla) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: How Slowtide Turned Towels Cool and Built a Multi-Million Dollar Business in the Process How Deux Harnessed TikTok to Challenge Incumbents like Pillsbury, Nestle and Hostess How to Launch Your Own Beauty Brand with Blanka - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 21 Feb 2024 | E35 Pop Up Report: Mastering the Brand Narrative with Marketing Leader Mikey Scott | 00:31:52 | |
In this episode of The Pop Up Report, guest Mikey Scott, a seasoned marketing leader for iconic brands like Herschel Supply and Kipling at VF Corp, discusses the importance of shaping your customer journey and creating an authentic brand narrative. Mikey reflects on his career trajectory from his roots in action sports to navigating the fashion and lifestyle sectors. The conversation highlights strategies for successful marketing, including the balance between production and distribution, the role of influencers and community engagement, and the significance of storytelling. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed Herschel Supply VF Brands Norda HOKA Salomon Ralph Lauren Aime Leon Dore Stüssy Palace https://www.palaceskateboards.com/ Rapha Cycling SSENSE - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 00:41 Mikey Scott's Journey in Brand Marketing02:28 The State of Marketing04:18 The Evolution of Content in Marketing05:54 Building a Narrative Around your Brand08:12 The Balance Between Production and Distribution24:28 The Art of Storytelling in Large Scale Brands30:22 Final Thoughts and Advice for Marketers - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Drew Green (Indochino), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Jaime Schmidt (Schmidt’s Naturals), Griffin Spolansky (Mezcla) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: How Slowtide Turned Towels Cool and Built a Multi-Million Dollar Business in the Process How Deux Harnessed TikTok to Challenge Incumbents like Pillsbury, Nestle and Hostess How to Launch Your Own Beauty Brand with Blanka - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 28 Feb 2024 | E36 Pop Up Beauty: Inside the Scent-Free Revolution with Anie Rouleau, founder and CEO of the Unscented Company | 00:42:14 | |
In this detailed interview, the founder of The Unscented Company, Anie Rouleau, shares her entrepreneurial journey. She shares her early experiences in her family's business, her travels around the world that inspired the concept of her company, the challenges she faced, and the wins she achieved. Anie discusses the environmental mission that is central to her brand’s DNS and her goal of making the Unscented Company a leading home and body care brand. She also reflects on the culture she is building within her company and the importance of aligning business goals with personal values. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed Unscented Company Whole Foods https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/ Goop Urban Outfitters https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-ca/ - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 00:28 Early Life and Entrepreneurial Journey04:17 Challenges and Triumphs in Business06:41 The Birth of the Unscented Company09:03 Overcoming Market Challenges11:43 The Importance of Unscented Products14:04 The Journey to Wholesale and B2B20:40 An Early Turning Point: Recognition from Goop22:40 Bootstrapping the Business27:02 The Importance of B Corp29:46 The Challenge of Differentiation in a Growing Market31:18 Building a Strong Company Culture - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Drew Green (Indochino), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Jaime Schmidt (Schmidt’s Naturals), Griffin Spolansky (Mezcla) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: How Product Seeding Helped Scent Lab Garner Millions in Earned Media How to Launch Your Own Beauty Brand with Blanka How Deux Harnessed TikTok to Challenge Incumbents like Pillsbury, Nestle and Hostess - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 06 Mar 2024 | E37 Pop Up CPG: Revolutionizing Go-to-market — The Launch Pop Story with Eva Chan | 00:40:01 | |
Launch Pop co-founder Eva Chan shares her journey in the consumer world over the last 10 years, starting with her experience as a designer at Luxe Box, to co-founding a digital media platform and eventually creating Launch Pop. She emphasizes the crucial role of community building, storytelling, customer engagement, and data in shaping a brand's launch strategy. She also shares her predictions on the future of the consumer space and discusses the unique business model of Launch Pop. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed Launchpop Luxe Box Exact Media Indiegogo Shopify - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 00:28 Early Life and Entrepreneurial Journey04:17 Challenges and Triumphs in Business06:41 The Birth of the Unscented Company09:03 Overcoming Market Challenges11:43 The Importance of Unscented Products14:04 The Journey to Wholesale and B2B20:40 An Early Turning Point: Recognition from Goop22:40 Bootstrapping the Business27:02 The Importance of B Corp29:46 The Challenge of Differentiation in a Growing Market31:18 Building a Strong Company Culture - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Drew Green (Indochino), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Jaime Schmidt (Schmidt’s Naturals), Griffin Spolansky (Mezcla) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: How Product Seeding Helped Scent Lab Garner Millions in Earned Media How to Launch Your Own Beauty Brand with Blanka How Deux Harnessed TikTok to Challenge Incumbents like Pillsbury, Nestle and Hostess - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 13 Mar 2024 | E38 Pop Up CPG: The Journey of Jaime Schmidt in Entrepreneurship | 00:38:25 | |
Jamie Schmidt, the founder of Schmidt's Naturals, shares her entrepreneurial journey from her upbringing to building one of the major players in the natural deodorant industry. She discusses her initial inspiration to create personal care products and shares her experience with selling the company to Unilever. She also provides insights into the nuances of customer retention, the trend of community building and engagement, and the growing opportunity in the Web3 space. The conversation closes with Jamie sharing her thoughts on consumer brands and her passion for the fast-growing sport of pickleball. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed Schmidt's Naturals - https://schmidts.com/ Unilever - https://www.unilever.com/ BFF - https://www.mybff.com/ Athletic Greens - https://drinkag1.com/ Procter and Gamble - https://us.pg.com/ Club CPG - https://www.clubcpg.com/ - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 00:18 Jamie's Early Life and Entrepreneurial Journey02:48 Taking the Leap: From Farmer's Market to Business11:42 The Decision to Sell and Post-Acquisition Reflections15:26 Life After Acquisition: New Ventures and Projects19:55 The Art of Pattern Matching in Investments21:36 The Challenges of Raising Funds for Consumer Brands28:07 The Power of Community Engagement in Branding32:43 The Lessons Learned from Building a Successful Brand36:07 The Future of Crypto in Consumer Brands - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: Inside the Scent-Free Revolution with Anie Rouleau, founder and CEO of the Unscented Company How Product Seeding Helped Scent Lab Garner Millions in Earned Media How to Launch Your Own Beauty Brand with Blanka Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Drew Green (Indochino), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co). - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 03 Apr 2024 | E39 Pop Up Report: Diving into the World of Online Marketplaces | 00:28:40 | |
Camille Benmergui, Director of Marketplace at Reitman’s Canada Limited, unravels the dynamic world of e-commerce marketplaces. Drawing from her journey leading both fashion brands and third-party marketplaces, Camille offers rich insights on third-party marketplaces, their business models, and advantages they bring to brands. This conversation expands on the concept of online marketplaces, uncovering strategies for success and exploring the potential of niche marketplaces, alongside industry giants. - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed Reitman's Canada Limited https://www.reitmans.com/en/marketplace Altitude Sports https://www.altitude-sports.com/ Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Marketplace/s?k=Marketplace Walmart https://marketplace.walmart.com/ Best Buy https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/about/what-is-marketplace/blt0abb2e20522802f2 The Bay https://www.thebay.com/content/marketplace Farfetch Etsy eBay Wayfair - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 01:14 Understanding Third-Party Marketplaces04:04 Different Types of Online Marketplaces and Their Dynamics05:59 The Benefits of Selling on Marketplaces08:44 Setting Up for Success in Marketplaces19:09 Key Success Factors for Brands in Marketplaces23:35 Choosing the Right Marketplace for Your Brand26:13 Predictions for the Future of Marketplaces - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Drew Green (Indochino), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co). Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Jaime Schmidt (Schmidt’s Naturals), Griffin Spolansky (Mezcla) and many more. - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: How Slowtide Turned Towels Cool and Built a Multi-Million Dollar Business in the Process How Deux Harnessed TikTok to Challenge Incumbents like Pillsbury, Nestle and Hostess How to Launch Your Own Beauty Brand with Blanka - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. Thanks for reading The Pop Up Report by Ethan Song! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 10 Apr 2024 | E40 Pop Up CPG: From Lawyer to Popcorn Mogul: The Bad Monkey Popcorn Story | 00:31:55 | |
Fabio Zeppilli, co-founder of Bad Monkey Popcorn, discusses his inspiring shift from academia and legal briefs to creating a buzz in the snack market. He reveals the recipe to the launch of Bad Monkey Popcorn: a blend of passion and innovative marketing tactics. This discussion further delves into Fabio’s initial challenges, significant milestones, and insights on the critical role of cultivating a strong brand and community support. Throughout, Fabio emphasizes the importance of happiness, wellbeing, teamwork, and adaptability in entrepreneurship. - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 00:10 The Unconventional Journey from Law to Popcorn03:20 The Birth of Bad Monkey Popcorn10:04 Achieving Milestones and Embracing the Journey12:16 Retail Success and Marketing Strategies16:06 The Art of Retail Relationships17:06 Leveraging Consumer Demand to Influence Retailers17:34 Building a Passionate Fan Base21:14 Innovating in a Saturated Market: The Popcorn Revolution23:41 The Entrepreneurial Journey: Health, Team Building, and Growth - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed Bad Monkey Popcorn Dragons Den Walmart Starbucks Red Bull Disney Cirque du Soleil https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/ - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: The Journey of Jaime Schmidt in Entrepreneurship Inside the Scent-Free Revolution with Anie Rouleau, founder and CEO of the Unscented Company How Product Seeding Helped Scent Lab Garner Millions in Earned Media - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Drew Green (Indochino), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co). - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 17 Apr 2024 | E41 Pop Up Report: Disrupting Eyewear with BonLook | 00:45:03 | |
Sophie Boulanger, co-founder of BonLook, dives into how the company shook up Canada's eyewear scene. Sophie talks about her entrepreneurial path, inspired by her family and shaped by her experiences at L’Oreal Canada and Luxottica. They delve into BonLook’s inception and strategic decisions, including cutting out middlemen, expanding store presence, and picking prime locations, along with insights on hiring for retail. Finally, Sophie discusses why she sold BonLook, her future aspirations, and her intention to remain active in tech and entrepreneurship. - - - - - - - - - - - - BonLook website https://www.bonlook.ca/ BonLook Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bonlook/ Sophie Boulanger https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-boulanger-19b2b71/ - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 02:44 From corporate to eyewear entrepreneur 04:57 Disrupting the eyewear industry 10:51 Challenges and innovations in online retail 13:09 The strategic shift to brick-and-mortar stores 21:19 Building a successful retail team 25:43 The financial anatomy of a retail store 29:05 Optimizing sales per square footage 30:22 Navigating challenges of underperforming stores 32:06 The importance of real estate and lease negotiations 35:10 Reflecting on a successful exit strategy - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed L'Oreal https://www.loreal.com/ Luxottica https://www.essilorluxottica.com/ Oakley https://www.oakley.com/ Ray Ban https://www.ray-ban.com/ Vogue Eyewear https://www.vogue-eyewear.com/ LensCrafters https://www.lenscrafters.ca/ SunglassesHut https://www.sunglasshut.com/ Warby Parker https://warbyparker.com/ - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: How Slowtide Turned Towels Cool and Built a Multi-Million Dollar Business in the Process How Product Seeding Helped Scent Lab Garner Millions in Earned Media How Deux Harnessed TikTok to Challenge Incumbents like Pillsbury, Nestle and Hostess - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Drew Green (Indochino), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co). - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 01 May 2024 | E42 Pop Up Report: Navigating the New Wave of DTC Brands with nolk | 00:48:12 | |
Alexandre Renaud, co-founder of nolk, introduces his latest venture dedicated to acquiring and nurturing e-commerce brands with a strong sustainability ethos. Previously, Alex was the co-founder of PremiumBeat, a music licensing service that successfully sold to Shutterstock. Alex gives his insights on the challenges and opportunities in the consumer brand landscape, including technological shifts, and the strategic focus on building a portfolio of brands promoting responsible consumer habits and environmental responsibility. - - - - - - - - - - - - nolk website https://www.nolk.com/ nolk LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/nolkco/ - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 01:21 The Story of PremiumBeat 05:21 The Challenges of Entrepreneurship 10:52 Learning from Early Mistakes 14:32 The Vision for Nolk 25:20 The Power of Portfolio Strategy in Brand Performance 28:46 Influence of Private Equity and Brand Builders 30:40 The Importance of Brand Purpose and Mission 35:57 Challenges and Opportunities for Direct-to-Consumer Brands - - - - - - - - - - - - Links Discussed PremiumBeat Shutterstock RareCircles GymShark Theios Heydays Open Store - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: Inside the Scent-Free Revolution with Anie Rouleau, founder and CEO of the Unscented Company How Product Seeding Helped Scent Lab Garner Millions in Earned Media How to Launch Your Own Beauty Brand with Blanka - - - - - - - - - - - - Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Drew Green (Indochino), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co). - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 05 Jun 2024 | E43 Pop Up Report: Modernizing global manufacturing with Calico | 00:35:35 | |
Kathleen Chan, founder of Calico, shares her background, starting in tech at Microsoft, before creating and scaling two different brands. She emphasizes that efficient product sourcing and maintaining quality is crucial for scaling businesses. Calico serves as a sourcing and production co-pilot for brands, specializing in apparel, footwear and accessories. Calico offers a vetted roster of ethical and innovative factories and provides comprehensive tools to streamline the entire production process from design to payments. - - - - - - - - - - - - Calico website https://www.joincalico.com/ Calico LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/calicoai/ - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 01:16 Revolutionizing Product Sourcing 05:29 Navigating the Complex World of Manufacturing and Sourcing 10:05 Global Sourcing vs. Local Manufacturing 13:35 Ensuring Quality and Ethical Practices in Manufacturing 19:57 Navigating Supplier Relationships and Inventory Risks 23:57 The Importance of Trust and Quality in Supplier Partnerships 26:32 The Role of Product Knowledge and Industry Experience 29:04 Leveraging Community and Industry Connections - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: How Slowtide Turned Towels Cool and Built a Multi-Million Dollar Business in the Process How Product Seeding Helped Scent Lab Garner Millions in Earned Media How Deux Harnessed TikTok to Challenge Incumbents like Pillsbury, Nestle and Hostess - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 12 Jun 2024 | E44 Pop Up Report: Building a better breakfast with Spoonful | 00:34:14 | |
Bradley Gifford, the founder of Spoonful, discusses his career trajectory—from early roles in PR and communications to founding Spoonful, a health food business specializing in high-quality overnight oats. He shares how health challenges motivated him to address industry pain points, transition into the health and wellness sector, and navigate business growth through food services and local New York partnerships. Ultimately, Bradley gives insights into scaling, community building, and the evolving food industry. - - - - - - - - - - - - Spoonful website https://www.spoonful.life/ Spoonful Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/grabspoonful/ Spoonful Instagram https://www.instagram.com/grabspoonful - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 02:03 Personal Health Journey 03:44 Entrepreneurial Journey Begins 04:53 Founding Spoonful 06:22 Product Differentiation and Challenges 08:16 Marketing and Distribution Strategy 24:03 Scaling and Logistics 28:32 Future Plans and Vision - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: How Slowtide Turned Towels Cool and Built a Multi-Million Dollar Business in the Process How Product Seeding Helped Scent Lab Garner Millions in Earned Media How Deux Harnessed TikTok to Challenge Incumbents like Pillsbury, Nestle and Hostess - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 19 Jun 2024 | E45 Pop Up Report: Revolutionizing Menswear with Mack Weldon | 00:38:24 | |
Brian Berger, founder of Mack Weldon, traces his journey from internet media companies to launching a successful direct-to-consumer men’s wear brand. He recounts his early experiences with the internet, motivations behind Mack Weldon, and the challenges in establishing a brand in the basics category. Brian emphasizes the pivotal role of innovation, product quality, and customer connections to grow a brand. Furthermore, he explores the strategic significance of omni-channel distribution, the art of naming a business, and the evolving consumer market. Finally, he shares advice on leadership, longevity, and his vision for Mack Weldon's future. - - - - - - - - - - - - Mack Weldon website https://mackweldon.com/ Mack Weldon Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mackweldon/ Mack Weldon LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/mack-weldon/ - - - - - - - - - - - - Show Notes: 01:34 Brian's Early Career and Internet Exposure 03:17 The Genesis of Mack Weldon 05:08 Launching Mack Weldon: Strategy and Challenges 08:52 Product Development and Innovation 12:07 Naming the Brand: The Story Behind Mack Weldon 16:49 Marketing and Distribution Strategies 22:07 Reflections and Lessons Learned - - - - - - - - - - - - Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: How Slowtide Turned Towels Cool and Built a Multi-Million Dollar Business in the Process How Product Seeding Helped Scent Lab Garner Millions in Earned Media How Deux Harnessed TikTok to Challenge Incumbents like Pillsbury, Nestle and Hostess - - - - - - - - - - - - The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty. Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 14 Aug 2024 | (Previously The Pop Up Report) E46 The Crest: A product first approach with Left on Friday founders Laura Low Ah Kee and Shannon Savage | 00:35:50 | |
Exciting News: The Pop-Up Report is Now The Crest After an incredible year on air, we are thrilled to announce that The Pop-Up Report is becoming The Crest Podcast. So, what’s changing? We’re sharpening our focus from general founder stories to a deep dive into the complex journey of achieving product-market fit. This is one of the toughest challenges in business, often requiring a blend of intuition, timing, and unwavering determination. At The Crest, we’ll dig into the specific insights and strategies of today’s top entrepreneurs and leaders to help you navigate this critical phase. Expect to hear from a wider range of guests, including product designers, entrepreneurs, investors, and CEOs. What’s staying the same? Ethan Song will continue to host, maintaining our commitment to quality and transparency. Our mission remains to deliver actionable insights that you can apply directly to your business. With that, we invite you to enjoy The Crest with Ethan Song. We’d love to hear your thoughts! E46 The Crest: A product first approach with Left on Friday founders Laura Low Ah Kee and Shannon Savage Laura Low Ah Kee and Shannon Savage, co-founders of Left on Friday, recount their inspiring journey from being Lululemon employees to pioneers of a premium swimwear brand. Recognizing the influence of leadership and empowerment, Laura and Shannon explain their brand’s vision, expanding on how an active lifestyle led them to recognize a market gap for high-quality swimwear. This inspired them to prioritize fabric innovation and fit. The conversation tackles their product development process, marketing strategies, and brand positioning in a competitive market, emphasizing product quality and customer experience as their guiding principles. Shannon and Laura reflect on their challenges and rewards, offering insights into building brands, maintaining vision, and creating products that empower. Left on Friday website https://leftonfriday.com/ Left on Friday Instagram https://www.instagram.com/leftonfriday Left on Friday Facebook https://www.facebook.com/leftonfriday/ Show Notes: 05:42 The Lululemon Journey: From Start-Up to Success 10:17 Birth of Left on Friday 13:55 The Making of LOF Swimwear 16:59 Spreading the Word about LOF 21:30 Athlete Partnerships and Expanding the Brand Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy: How Slowtide Turned Towels Cool and Built a Multi-Million Dollar Business in the Process How Product Seeding Helped Scent Lab Garner Millions in Earned Media How Deux Harnessed TikTok to Challenge Incumbents like Pillsbury, Nestle and Hostess The Crest is a podcast that dives into the art and science of finding product market fit. Through in-depth conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and investors, we uncover actionable insights to help you go from 0 to 1. Subscribe to The Crest on Substack, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 21 Aug 2024 | E47 The Crest: Resilience above all with Randy Hetrick (founder of TRX & Outfit) | 00:50:23 | |
Randy Hetrick, the founder of TRX, dives into the company's origins, mission, and future direction. He recounts his personal life as a Navy Seal and how it inspired the creation of TRX, initially born from the necessity of staying fit during deployment. Randy shares insights into TRX's evolution from a simple concept to a comprehensive fitness solution, along with the challenges and triumphs along the way. He also dives into his new venture Outfit Fitness. TRX Training https://www.trxtraining.com/ TRX Training Instagram https://www.instagram.com/trxtraining/ Outfit Training https://outfittraining.com/ Outfit Training Instagram https://www.instagram.com/OutFitTraining_HQ/ Show Notes: 01:32 A SEAL's Journey: Challenges and Opportunities 04:36 Transitioning from Military to Entrepreneurship 13:35 Building TRX: Strategies and Challenges 18:50 Creating an Iconic Fitness Brand 21:57 Combating Counterfeits and Staying Competitive 25:21 Introducing Outfit Fitness: A New Venture 33:48 Outfit Fitness: Strategy and Future Vision Links discussed TRX Outfit Fitness Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage https://www.amazon.ca/Endurance-Shackletons-Incredible-Alfred-Lansing/dp/0465062881 Extreme Ownership https://echelonfront.com/books/extreme-ownership/ Peloton Mindbody Online https://www.mindbodyonline.com/ The Crest is a podcast that dives into the art and science of finding product market fit. Through in-depth conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and investors, we uncover actionable insights to help you go from 0 to 1. Subscribe to The Crest on Substack, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 28 Aug 2024 | Ep 48 The Crest: The cutting edge of textile with Katherine Homuth (founder of SRTX and Sheertex) | 00:37:08 | |
Katherine Homuth shares her journey from her early days through launching her first business, Shoplocket, to her current ventures SRTX and Sheertex. She reveals the challenges and triumphs of developing unbreakable tights with Sheertex, her textile innovation company. Katherine also provides a behind-the-scenes look at product development, discusses the emotional rollercoaster of exiting a business, and unravels the complexities of raising capital in today's market. This conversation is packed with invaluable insights on product, investor relations, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. SRTX website https://www.srtxlabs.com/ Sheertex website https://sheertex.com/ Sheertex Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sheertex/ Show Notes: 01:55 Katherine's Early Entrepreneurial Journey03:18 Founding Shoplocket05:03 Transitioning to SRTX and Sheertex13:51 The Challenge of Manufacturing24:00 Fundraising and Financial Strategies32:57 Work-Life Balance and Personal Insights The Crest is a podcast that dives into the art and science of finding product market fit. Through in-depth conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and investors, we uncover actionable insights to help you go from 0 to 1. Subscribe to The Crest on Substack, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 04 Sep 2024 | E49 The Crest: The power of community with Tim and Nick West (co-founders of Bandit) | 00:50:48 | |
Tim and Nick West, the co-founders of Bandit, discuss the company's journey, mission, and vision. They share their personal relationship with running, how the brand started with socks, and has grown into an exciting lineup of running apparel. The co-founders also delve into their focus on building a community-centric brand, the development of a new marathon training app, and the influence of the New York running scene on the brand's ethos and aesthetic. Bandit website https://banditrunning.com/ Bandit instagram https://www.instagram.com/banditrunning/ Show Notes: 06:00 The Birth of Bandit and the Running Community 08:25 The Evolution of Bandit as a Brand 11:35 The Role of New York in Shaping Bandit's Identity 14:46 The Creative Process and Aesthetic of Bandit 12:18 The Unique Marketing and Sales Strategy of Bandit 27:14 The Business Side of Things and Future Goals 27:54 The Importance of Community in the Brand 28:49 Creating Special Experiences through Events 33:54 The Role of Membership in Enhancing Customer Experience 36:19 Introducing the Program: A New App for Runners 41:26 Observations on the Current State of Running The Crest is a podcast that dives into the art and science of finding product market fit. Through in-depth conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and investors, we uncover actionable insights to help you go from 0 to 1. Subscribe to The Crest on Substack, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 11 Sep 2024 | Ep 50 The Crest: Crafting a new travel experience with the founder of Onda, Bill Graf | 00:55:55 | |
Bill Graf, founder of Onda, shares his remarkable journey from investment banking to establishing a hospitality brand in Costa Rica. In this conversation, Bill discusses how his transformative travels and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the creation of Onda. He highlights the brand’s innovative, tech-enabled approach that caters to digital nomads and slow travelers, while emphasizing its strong focus on community. Gain insight into the challenges, successes, and future ambitions for Onda as it continues to expand on a global scale. Onda website https://stayonda.com/ Onda Instagram https://www.instagram.com/findyouronda/ Onda LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/findyouronda/ Show Notes: 01:29 Bill's Personal Journey 06:44 The Birth of Onda 14:46 Concept and Vision of Onda 25:01 Challenges and Competition 28:25 Building the First Property 30:33 Initial Fundraising and First Property Acquisition 31:21 Renovation Challenges and Opening Day Crisis 46:51 Exploring Whole Hotel Buyouts 49:26 Corporate Retreats and Custom Experiences The Crest is a podcast that dives into the art and science of finding product market fit. Through in-depth conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and investors, we uncover actionable insights to help you go from 0 to 1. Subscribe to The Crest on Substack, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 18 Sep 2024 | Ep 51 The Crest: Connecting the Dots with Andrea Morris (founder of b, halfmoon) | 00:42:08 | |
Andrea Morris shares her journey of founding wellness brand B Yoga, now called b, halfmoon. After discovering yoga in Australia, she was inspired a few years later to create high-quality yoga mats that have become the standard in yoga communities worldwide. Andrea discusses setting clear company values and growing her brand over the past 10 years. She also shares her personal wellness routine and views on the future of the wellness industry. b, halfmoon website https://ca.bhalfmoon.com/ b, halfmoon Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bhalfmoon_official/ Show Notes: 00:30 Andrea's Personal Journey and Discovery of Yoga 03:45 The Birth of B Yoga 11:02 The Evolution of B Yoga and its Impact on the Yoga Community 17:03 The Importance of Brand Values and Community in B Yoga's Success 22:43 The Acquisition of Halfmoon 28:34 The Evolution of Yoga and Wellness Industry 35:19 Personal Wellness Routine and Goal Setting The Crest is a podcast that dives into the art and science of finding product market fit. Through in-depth conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and investors, we uncover actionable insights to help you go from 0 to 1. Subscribe to The Crest on Substack, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 25 Sep 2024 | Ep 52 The Crest: The power of storytelling with Fred Campbell (founder of Hooké) | 00:51:55 | |
Fred Campbell, founder of Hooké, discusses his remarkable journey from skateboarding and snowboarding videos to founding the outdoor brand, Hooké. He explains how a pivotal car accident redirected him towards creating an eco-conscious outdoor brand focused on fishing, hunting, and nature preservation. Fred provides insights on business challenges and milestones, his passion, and future vision, touching on recent projects like a book release and collaboration with Grower’s Co, highlighting his commitment to storytelling, conservation, and sustainable living. Fred's narrative intertwines passion, business sustainability, and appreciation for Quebec's natural landscapes. Hooké website https://hooke.ca/ Hooké Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hooke.ca/ Hooké YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf-DYuFqCbhsEctE6Ie4hSA Show Notes: 04:39 Building a Business from Passion 08:41 Transition to Outdoor Adventures 12:35 Founding Hooke and Brand Vision 17:18 Content Creation Philosophy 21:05 Revolutionizing the Fishing and Hunting Industry 27:23 Promoting Respect for Nature 30:22 Overcoming Challenges and Milestones 39:45 Releasing a Book: Sharing Stories and Recipes The Crest is a podcast that dives into the art and science of finding product market fit. Through in-depth conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and investors, we uncover actionable insights to help you go from 0 to 1. Subscribe to The Crest on Substack, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 03 Oct 2024 | Ep 53 The Crest: Going from 0 to a $10M Series A with Rohit Bhadange (co-founder and CEO of Zamp) | 00:46:09 | |
Rohit Bhadange, co-founder and CEO of ZAMP, discusses the challenges of sales tax compliance for small and medium-sized businesses and shares what led him to enter the tax space. He highlights ZAMP's recent $10 million funding round and how their automated solution helps e-commerce and SaaS companies manage sales tax effortlessly. Rohit provides insights into growing a SaaS business, effective inbound marketing, and building customer trust in compliance solutions. Zamp website https://zamp.com/ Zamp LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/zamptax/ Show Notes: 02:08 Journey into the Tax Space03:57 Challenges in Sales Tax Compliance10:35 Unique Selling Points of ZAMP17:00 Early Customer Acquisition19:06 Evolving Product and Customer Experience23:56 Growth and Go-to-Market Strategies24:52 Building Trust Through Partnerships30:52 Growth Channels for SaaS Businesses38:01 Customer Acquisition and Retention The Crest is a podcast that dives into the art and science of finding product market fit. Through in-depth conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and investors, we uncover actionable insights to help you go from 0 to 1. Subscribe to The Crest on Substack, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 09 Oct 2024 | Ep 54 The Crest: Elevating the non-alcoholic beer movement to an $800M valuation with Bill Shufelt (co-founder of Athletic Brewing) | 00:48:07 | |
Bill Shufelt, co-founder of Athletic Brewing Company, shares his transition from working in finance to creating a leading non-alcoholic craft beer brand. Recognizing the market gap for non-alcoholic beverages, he founded Athletic Brewing Company while embracing a healthier lifestyle. Bill expands on his journey by discussing the company’s challenges, successes, and their focus on community, authentic experiences, and positive impact. He also shares personal insights on fitness, work-life balance, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Athletic Brewing website https://athleticbrewing.com/ Athletic Brewing Instagram https://www.instagram.com/athleticbrewing/ Athletic Brewing LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/athletic-brewing-company-llc/ Show Notes: 07:39 The Birth of Athletic Brewing 10:21 Developing a Unique Product 13:03 Building a Community and Marketing Strategy 20:40 Personal Journey with Running and Fitness 23:44 Inspiring the Next Generation 26:01 Spartan Partnership and Athletic Brewing 28:13 Positive Impact and Community Initiatives 30:55 Early Challenges and Fundraising 35:04 Key Breakthroughs and Team Building 39:52 Navigating the Non-Alcoholic Beer Market The Crest is a podcast that dives into the art and science of finding product market fit. Through in-depth conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and investors, we uncover actionable insights to help you go from 0 to 1. Subscribe to The Crest on Substack, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 16 Oct 2024 | Ep 55 The Crest: From a $60M exit to becoming a venture investor with Étienne Mérineau (co-founder of HeyDay AI and General Partner at Telegraph) | 00:54:33 | |
Étienne Mérineau, co-founder of Heyday, shares his journey from the creative industry to launching the conversational commerce platform in 2016. He highlights how hyper-focus and strategic branding drove product-market fit and how a Quebec furniture company embraced conversational commerce during COVID-19. Étienne offers insights on market dynamics, personal finance, pre-seed investing, and B2B SaaS pricing, as well as the importance of investors and founder-market fit. He also touches on leveraging AI and building resilient company cultures in the evolving tech landscape. HeyDay website (acquired by HootSuite 2021) https://www.hootsuite.com/platform/engagement Show Notes: 03:07 Founding Heyday: The Early Days 05:10 Navigating the Chatbot Revolution 13:16 Pandemic Pivot: Surviving and Thriving 19:21 Acquisition Talks and Strategic Decisions 28:02 Personal Finance Strategies 30:46 Investment Tips and Best Practices 33:18 Post-Acquisition Journey 35:07 Transition to Venture Capital 39:41 AI and B2B SaaS Insights 51:48 Founder vs. Market: What's More Important? The Crest is a podcast that dives into the art and science of finding product market fit. Through in-depth conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and investors, we uncover actionable insights to help you go from 0 to 1. Subscribe to The Crest on Substack, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 23 Oct 2024 | Ep 56 The Crest: From crisis to comeback: How to turn a black swan event into success with Andrew Lockhead (co-founder and CEO of Stay22) | 00:40:24 | |
Andrew Lockhead shares his journey from his family’s business to founding Stay22, focusing on solving pain points, building partnerships, and understanding customer needs. He discusses overcoming challenges like complex sales cycles and economic hardships. Andrew also discusses how Stay22 pivoted during the early days of the Covid 19 pandemic, innovated by listening to customer feedback, and implemented a lean strategy to emerge stronger. Andrew Lockhead LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewlockhead/ Stay22 website https://www.stay22.com/ Stay22 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/stay22/ Stay22 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/get.stay22/ Show Notes: 03:40 First Venture: Student Sphere 05:36 Founding Stay22 07:35 Challenges and Growth 15:09 Pandemic Impact and Pivot 20:57 Exploring New Opportunities in a Growing Market 22:04 Innovating for Content Creators 30:08 Navigating Financial Challenges 31:21 Achieving Traction and Profitability 34:48 Maintaining a Frugal and Efficient Culture 37:22 Scaling the Team and Expanding Partnerships The Crest is a podcast that dives into the art and science of finding product market fit. Through in-depth conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and investors, we uncover actionable insights to help you go from 0 to 1. Subscribe to The Crest on Substack, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||
| 30 Oct 2024 | Ep 57 The Crest: Building an Outerwear Juggernaut with Noah Stern and Ayal Twik (Moose Knuckles) | 00:54:42 | |
Noah Stern and Ayal Twik, co-founders of Moose Knuckles, share their journey from family fashion roots and degrees in law and business to transforming the premium outerwear market. They discuss their strategic approach to licensing, production, and carving a niche with edgy, fashion-forward designs. The episode highlights their unique marketing tactics, wholesale partnerships, and success in the Asian market. Reflecting on building a “non-luxury luxury” brand, Noah and Ayal offer personal stories, key challenges, and insights for aspiring entrepreneurs, showcasing how Moose Knuckles became a fashion icon. Noah Stern https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-stern-9439a44/?originalSubdomain=ca Ayal Twik https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayaltwik/?originalSubdomain=ca Moose Knuckles website https://www.mooseknucklescanada.com/ Moose Knuckles Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mooseknucklescanada/ Show Notes: 05:40 First Venture: Student Sphere07:36 Founding Stay2209:35 Challenges and Growth17:09 Pandemic Impact and Pivot22:57 Exploring New Opportunities in a Growing Market24:04 Innovating for Content Creators32:08 Navigating Financial Challenges33:21 Achieving Traction and Profitability36:48 Maintaining a Frugal and Efficient Culture39:22 Scaling the Team and Expanding Partnerships The Crest is a podcast that dives into the art and science of finding product market fit. Through in-depth conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and investors, we uncover actionable insights to help you go from 0 to 1. Subscribe to The Crest on Substack, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thecrestpodcast.substack.com | |||