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 Great Pursuit 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.

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 Great Pursuit 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.

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

https://www.trxtraining.com/

Outfit Fitness

https://outfittraining.com/

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

https://www.onepeloton.ca/

Mindbody Online

https://www.mindbodyonline.com/

The Great Pursuit 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.

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

The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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Mack Weldon website https://mackweldon.com/

Mack Weldon Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mackweldon/

Mack Weldon LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/mack-weldon/

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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

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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Spoonful website https://www.spoonful.life/

Spoonful Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/grabspoonful/

Spoonful Instagram https://www.instagram.com/grabspoonful

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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

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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Calico website https://www.joincalico.com/

Calico LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/calicoai/

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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

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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nolk website https://www.nolk.com/

nolk LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/nolkco/

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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

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Links Discussed

PremiumBeat

https://www.premiumbeat.com/

Shutterstock

https://www.shutterstock.com/

RareCircles

https://www.rarecircles.com/

GymShark

https://gymshark.com/

Theios

https://www.thrasio.com/

Heydays

https://www.heyday.co/

Open Store

https://open.store/

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Past guests include Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Drew Green (Indochino), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co). 

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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BonLook website https://www.bonlook.ca/

BonLook Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bonlook/

Sophie Boulanger https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-boulanger-19b2b71/

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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

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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/

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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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

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Links Discussed

Bad Monkey Popcorn

https://badmonkeypopcorn.com/

Dragons Den

Walmart

https://www.walmart.com/

Starbucks

https://www.starbucks.com/

Red Bull

https://www.redbull.com/

Disney

https://www.disney.com/

Cirque du Soleil

https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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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

https://www.farfetch.com/

Etsy

https://www.etsy.com/

eBay

https://www.ebay.com/

Wayfair

https://sell.wayfair.com/

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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

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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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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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/

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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

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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 Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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Links Discussed

Launchpop

https://www.launchpop.com/

Luxe Box

https://myluxebox.ca/

Exact Media

https://exactconnections.com/

Indiegogo

https://www.indiegogo.com/

Shopify

https://www.shopify.com/ca

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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

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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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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Links Discussed

Unscented Company

https://unscentedco.com/

Whole Foods

https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/

Goop

https://goop.com/

Urban Outfitters

https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/en-ca/

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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

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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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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Links Discussed

Herschel Supply  

https://herschel.ca/

VF Brands  

https://www.vfc.com/brands

Norda  

https://nordarun.com/

HOKA  

https://www.hoka.com/

Salomon  

https://www.salomon.com/

Ralph Lauren  

https://www.ralphlauren.ca/

Aime Leon Dore  

https://www.aimeleondore.com/

Stüssy  

https://www.stussy.com/

Palace  

https://www.palaceskateboards.com/

Rapha Cycling  

https://www.rapha.cc/

SSENSE

https://www.ssense.com/

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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

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Past guests 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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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Links DiscussedField Office

Shopify

Pangaia

Outdoor Voices

Patagonia

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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

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Past guests 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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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Links DiscussedEndy

Clayton Christensen (The Innovator's Dilemma)

Peter Thiel (Zero to One)

Kilne

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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

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Past guests 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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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Links Discussed:Haloo

Wild Geese Studios

Naming for Everyone

Amazon IP Accelerator

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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

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Past guests 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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

- - - - - - - - - - - - 

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 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.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

- - - - - - - - - - - - 

Links Discussed

TIG Brands

Stanford D-School

Women on Boards Project

Jedi Collaborative

Jono Bacon

Hirschberg Institute

Regenerative Business

- - - - - - - - - - - - 

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

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Past guests 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.

- - - - - - - - - - - - 

The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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Links Discussed

Veg Fest

Burt’s Bees

Farm Boy

Spins Data

- - - - - - - - - - - - 

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

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Past guests 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.

- - - - - - - - - - - - 

The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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Links Discussed

Quicksilver

Huf

Stance

Herschel

Takashi Murakami

Stussy Collab

New Balance Collab

- - - - - - - - - - - - 

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

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Past guests 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.

- - - - - - - - - - - - 

The Great Pursuit 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.

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 Great Pursuit 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.

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:

CityMD

Scent Labs

Best of Beauty 2023: Fragrance

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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 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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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:

RIND Snacks

Naturally New York

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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

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Past guests 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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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Links Discussed

McKinsey

M13

Deux

Snack Break

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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

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Past guests 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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

- - - - - - - - - - - - 

Links Discussed

Nike

Lululemon

Bandit

Rapha

Tracksmith

GymShark

Under Armour

- - - - - - - - - - - - 

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

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Past guests 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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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Links Discussed

Organic Oren

Apeel

Nutbar

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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

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Past guests 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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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Links Discussed

Marlow TikTok

Mindful Menstruation

Popup at Stacked Market in Toronto

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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

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Past guests 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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

- - - - - - - - - - - - 

Links Discussed

Shopify

Cosmoprof

Walking Away from Big Pharma to Build an Authentic Beauty Brand

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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

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Past guests 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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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Links Discussed

Altitude Sports

Amazon

Walmart

Etsy

How Jolie Skin Scaled to $10M per Employee in Less than Two Years

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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

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Past guests 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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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Links Discussed

Indochino

Jordan

Lululemon

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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

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Past guests 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.

- - - - - - - - - - - - 

The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

- - - - - - - - - - - - 

Links Discussed

Lush Cosmetics

The Charity Pot

Plantd Skincare

- - - - - - - - - - - - 

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

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Past guests 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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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 Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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Links Discussed

Moosehead

Collective Arts

Collective Arts Costa Rica

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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

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Past guests 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.

- - - - - - - - - - - - 

The Great Pursuit 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.

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

Frank and Oak

Sahajan

Well.ca

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 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.

The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

Links Discussed

KOTN

B Corporation

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 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.

The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

Links Discussed:

Frank and Oak

Dose Juice

- - - - - - - - - - - -

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 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.

- - - - - - - - - - - -

The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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Links Discussed

Frank and Oak

Bow and Drape Acquisition

X Factor

Brand Discovery Report by Alpaca VC

Amazon

Buffalo Market

- - - - - - - - - - - - 

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 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.

- - - - - - - - - - - - 

The Great Pursuit 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.

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

Rapha Cycling Club

Birkin

LVMH

Starbucks Rewards

Starbucks Odyssey

Hodinkee

Apple Store Experience

- - - - - - - - - - - - 

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

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Past guests 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.

- - - - - - - - - - - - 

The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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Links Discussed

Jolie Skin

Greats

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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

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Past guests 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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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Links Discussed

NBA

Active Faith Sports

Black Panther

Actively Black

Shoe Dog

GymShark

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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

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Past guests 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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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.

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Links Discussed

Nala Care

Nala Journal

Nala Maternity Article

Wordpress

Woo Commerce

Aisle Period Underwear

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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

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Past guests 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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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. 

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Links Discussed

Fable

Mejuri

Indigo

Fable Product Impact Report

Ten Tree

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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

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Past guests 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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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 Great Pursuit 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.

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. 

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Links Discussed

Polytechnique Montréal

Quartz Co.

Want Les Essentiels

Shoe Dog

Back to Beer…and hockey

Gucci: The Making Of

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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

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Past guests 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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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. 

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Links Discussed

Blume Superfood Lattes

Karen Danudjaja’s LinkedIn

RareCircle’s Community Membership Platform

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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

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Past guests 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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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. 

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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

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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

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Past guests 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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.

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. 

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Links Discussed

The Fortune Cookie Principle by Bernadette Jiwa

Elon Musk Brand (Twitter)

Mid-Day Squares

RareCircle’s Community Membership Platform

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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

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Past guests 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.

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The Great Pursuit 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.