In 2014, Erin Deering gifted Triangl swimwear to relatively unknown legacy celebrities Hailey Bieber (Baldwin) and Bella Hadid. Their friend, Kendall Jenner, loved the products and reached out to Erin directly to get Triangl samples. Then Jenner posted on Instagram and tagged Triangl–that’s when everything went mad. But the success of Triangl didn’t come from just celebrity endorsements. It came from developing a product that looked and felt like nothing else before. In 2018, Erin exited the business, but that’s when she stepped back and learned more about who she is as an entrepreneur and person outside of the multi-million dollar brand she built.

Listen to Nathan and Erin discuss:

How Triangl started on a second date at the beach

When their manufacturer stole their idea

Why businesses undervalue word of mouth

Their “one bikini sale a day” mindset

Connecting with Hailey Bieber, Bella Hadid, and the Kardashians

Dealing with copycats and competitors

How they stayed lean amongst extreme growth

Her mental health challenges in coping with success

Coaching and mentoring women in business

And much more business and personal growth advice…

Click here to start your business for $1. You’ll get all-access foundr+, where you’ll find more in-depth, proven strategies from founders like our guest today and support and advice from our global community of 30,000 founders.

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We're diving back into another episode from the Foundr Archives to revisit my interview with Mitch Harper, founder of BigCommerce - as well as a long-time mentor and coach of mine who has been driving force behind Foundr’s success. 

In this episode, Mitch Harper takes us behind the scenes of his incredible entrepreneurial journey. From building software at the age of 12 to co-founding one of the world’s largest e-commerce platforms, Mitch shares the strategies and lessons that helped him scale BigCommerce from a bootstrapped startup to a billion-dollar company. He discusses the importance of mitigating risk in business, why he avoided venture capital for as long as possible, and how he cultivated a leadership style that allowed his team to thrive. Listeners will learn actionable insights into scaling a SaaS business, mastering e-commerce, and building a strong company culture.

In this interview you will learn:

- The journey of bootstrapping BigCommerce and raising $250 million

- The importance of mitigating risk as an entrepreneur

- Cultivating leadership skills and building a strong team

- Navigating the challenges of scaling a SaaS business

- The power of customer feedback in product development

- Strategies for raising venture capital and working with investors

Click here to start your business for $1. You’ll get all-access foundr+, where you’ll find more in-depth, proven strategies from founders like our guest today and support and advice from our global community of 30,000 founders.

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Kendra Scott started her self-titled billion-dollar jewelry business out of failure. Her first business failed after 5 years, and she started selling handmade jewelry door-to-door as a side hustle. Now, Kendra Scott Jewelry is a billion-dollar business with 100 retail locations across the US. But success didn't come quickly. Through personal struggles, recessions, and rejections, Scott built a fashion business driven by an unforgettable customer experience.

Listen to Nathan and Kendra discuss:

- What she learned from her failed business

- Fundraising and dealing with rejection

- The best piece of business advice she still follows

- Shifting her business model from wholesale to retail

- The nightclub atmosphere of Kendra Scott stores

- How philanthropy creates customer loyalty

- How to weather the storm as a founder

- Her new entrepreneurial memoir Born to Shine

And much more founder advice…

Click here to start your business for $1. You’ll get all-access foundr+, where you’ll find more in-depth, proven strategies from founders like our guest today and support and advice from our global community of 30,000 founders.

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In 2024, we had our most raw, insightful and relevant conversations with founders to date. To cap off the year, we've compiled their most impactful lessons, stories, and business advice into a final episode for 2024.

In this exclusive episode, you'll gain valuable insights from:

Eric pulls back the curtain on his wild partnership with Kanye West, from creative genius to unpredictable challenges at Adidas.

Allison bets big on a last-minute Super Bowl ad for Poppy, skyrocketing brand recognition with a bold move that paid off​.

Noah breaks down how taking action and validating ideas early separates successful entrepreneurs from those stuck in limbo​.

Shay brings her brand to life through bold, immersive pop-up experiences, blurring the lines between retail and entertainment​.

Alicia turns a trademark lawsuit into a blessing, rebranding her company as Range Beauty and making inclusivity her secret weapon​.

Guy recounts a high-stakes encounter with Steve Jobs, revealing how brutal honesty and tough leadership shaped his career.

Raquel and Adam uncover a shocking deception by a supplier, leading them to find the true mastermind behind their fragrance success.

Ezra reveals the hard truth about entrepreneurship: failure is inevitable, but resilience and consistency are the keys to long-term success​.

Will shares a lightbulb moment of serving hot dogs in a Michelin-star restaurant, redefining customer service with "unreasonable hospitality.

And much more...

Click here to start your business for $1. You’ll get all-access foundr+, where you’ll find more in-depth, proven strategies from founders like our guest today and support and advice from our global community of 30,000 founders.

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In this episode, Codie Sanchez, founder of Contrarian Thinking, reveals how she built a media company that inspires millions to think differently about wealth. Codie shares her journey from journalist to investment executive and now entrepreneur, owning over 25 cash-flowing businesses. She dives into the strategies behind her acquisitions, the importance of owning "boring businesses," and how she turned Contrarian Thinking into a thriving community. Entrepreneurs will learn actionable insights about identifying opportunities, scaling unconventional business ideas, and creating wealth through innovative approaches.

Listen to Nathan and Codie discuss:

- Codie’s transition from corporate finance to entrepreneurship

- The strategy of buying "boring businesses" and turning them into cash cows

- How Contrarian Thinking became a platform for alternative financial education

- Tips on identifying undervalued businesses and scaling them for profitability

- The role of mindset and resilience in building financial freedom

And much more business advice…

Click here to start your business for $1. You’ll get all-access foundr+, where you’ll find more in-depth, proven strategies from founders like our guest today and support and advice from our global community of 30,000 founders.

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By now, the story is legend.

When Drew Houston boarded a bus from Boston to New York and discovered that he had—yet again—forgotten to bring his thumb drive, he was frustrated. So frustrated that he sat down and began writing the first lines of code of what would eventually become Dropbox.

After over a decade of changing the way files are stored, synced, and shared, Houston is changing the way people work, once again. This time, to solve a problem that likely plagues every single knowledge worker today: our fragmented, overcomplicated workspaces.

In this episode, you’ll learn more about Houston’s journey—from ideation to launch—with Dropbox Spaces, as well as the most important lessons he’s collected while building a multibillion-dollar company.

Listen to Nathan and Drew discuss:

The relatable experience that inspired Houston to come up with the idea for Dropbox

Why Houston doesn’t believe there’s any “magic” involved in building a multibillion-dollar company

The importance of decision making and learning continuously on the job

How a conversation with a SpaceX engineer sparked the vision behind Dropbox Spaces

Houston’s advice on “harvesting” versus “planting” when it comes to your business

Why Houston is such a huge believer in intentionally designing your environment—at work and with your personal relationships

Click here to start your business for $1. You’ll get all-access foundr+, where you’ll find more in-depth, proven strategies from founders like our guest today and support and advice from our global community of 30,000 founders.

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Join us as we dive into the world of craft gin with Matt Jones, co-founder of Four Pillars Gin. Matt shares the origins of the brand, born from a passion for storytelling and a commitment to craft. Discover how Four Pillars has grown from a small distillery in the Yarra Valley to a globally recognized name in spirits. Learn about the early challenges, the decision to focus solely on gin, and the strategic moves that set the company apart, including their innovative crowdfunding approach and partnerships. Entrepreneurs will gain insights into building a brand with purpose, scaling without losing authenticity, and leveraging community to drive success.

Listen to Nathan and Matt discuss:

- The decision to focus exclusively on gin and its impact on branding

- Leveraging crowdfunding to build a passionate community of early adopters

- Strategies for maintaining authenticity while scaling a craft brand

- Insights into brand storytelling and creating emotional connections with customers

- The role of partnerships in scaling and navigating growth challenges

Click here to start your business for $1. You’ll get all-access foundr+, where you’ll find more in-depth, proven strategies from founders like our guest today and support and advice from our global community of 30,000 founders.

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In just nine years, Nik Mirkovic and Alex Tomic built their smile care brand into a category disruptor on track to earn over a billion in annual revenue by next year. Mirkovic and Tomic don’t want shortcuts, so they’ve remained bootstrapped since they started Hismile at ages 19 and 20. Hismile’s teeth-whitening kit has become an internet sensation, making the brand a favorite among influencers and celebrities. But the co-founders aren’t resting on success. They want to make Hismile a category champion and take on businesses with an extra century of experience.

Listen to Nathan, Nik, and Alex discuss:

Why living on the Gold Coast keeps them focused

Growing up together and having a passion for competition

Narrowing in on teeth whitening as a problem to solve

Formulating their first product and its overnight success

Bringing R&D in-house and shifting their business model

Why character matters more than experience

Taking on category giants like Colgate and Crest

Why they have no plans to sell

And much more product development advice...

Click here to start your business for $1. You’ll get all-access foundr+, where you’ll find more in-depth, proven strategies from founders like our guest today and support and advice from our global community of 30,000 founders.

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In this episode, Alicia Scott, founder of Range Beauty, shares her journey from fashion professional to beauty entrepreneur. Alicia reveals how her own skin struggles led to the creation of a brand focused on inclusivity and clean beauty. Discover how Alicia bootstrapped her business with just $150, overcame challenges like a cease-and-desist, and navigated pivotal moments such as appearing on Shark Tank and landing a deal with Emma Grede.

Listen to Nathan and Alicia discuss:

- Starting Range Beauty with minimal capital and scaling to a multi million-dollar brand

- Alicia’s strategy for developing inclusive and clean beauty products

- Navigating setbacks like trademark issues and rebranding

- The impact of social media and influencer marketing in driving early sales

- Insights into retail partnerships with Target and Sephora and the importance of accelerators

And much more beauty brand advice…

Click here to start your business for $1. You’ll get all-access foundr+, where you’ll find more in-depth, proven strategies from founders like our guest today and support and advice from our global community of 30,000 founders.

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In this episode, Carl Daikeler, founder of Bodi, shares his journey from creating fitness infomercials to building a brand synonymous with home workouts. Carl reveals his path to success, from collaborating with fitness experts like Tony Horton to launching iconic programs like P90X and Insanity. He discusses the power of understanding consumer psychology, evolving with the digital age, and fostering a community of fitness enthusiasts. Entrepreneurs will gain insights into Carl’s approach to creating and marketing products that truly resonate, and the importance of resilience and adapting business models for long-term growth..

Listen to Nathan & Carl discuss:

- How Carl’s initial struggles with fitness shaped his understanding of customer needs

- The story behind the creation of P90X and its groundbreaking “muscle confusion” technique

- Navigating challenges in a crowded fitness market and making bold business decisions

- Insights on shifting from traditional media to digital platforms and subscription models

- Carl’s take on the role of community in building long-term brand loyalty

Click here to start your business for $1. You’ll get all-access foundr+, where you’ll find more in-depth, proven strategies from founders like our guest today and support and advice from our global community of 30,000 founders.

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In this episode, Will Ahmed, founder and CEO of WHOOP, takes us through his journey from a collegiate athlete struggling with overtraining to building one of the most advanced wearable brands in the world. Will shares how he identified gaps in health monitoring, developed early prototypes of WHOOP, and secured partnerships with sports icons like LeBron James and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Listen to Nathan & Will discuss:

- Will’s journey from athlete to entrepreneur and the origins of WHOOP

- How WHOOP evolved from a research project to a leading wearable brand

- The role of data and physiological metrics in enhancing health and performance

- Insights into raising capital and securing partnerships with top athletes

- Lessons on resilience, stress management, and maintaining founder well-being

And much more entreprenurial advice...

Click here to start your business for $1. You’ll get all-access foundr+, where you’ll find more in-depth, proven strategies from founders like our guest today and support and advice from our global community of 30,000 founders.

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