The Mentor Files: Recent Episodes
Monica Royer
Welcome to The Mentor Files. Join host Monica Royer, Founder and CEO of Monica + Andy as she chats with leaders across the fields of entrepreneurship, parenthood, health, lifestyle, and more. This season, we're digging deeper than ever before to learn the story behind their stories.
Think of this show as one part audible MBA, one part certification to be the confident CEO of your own life. Here we go!
In this inspiring episode of The Mentor Files, host Monica Royer sits down with Audra Lawlor, the founder of Girl Meets Dirt, a renowned jam company based on Orcas Island. Audra shares her remarkable journey from the fast-paced world of banking in New York City to the serene, community-driven life on Orcas Island. She discusses the pivotal moments that led to her decision to leave her high-powered career, the challenges and rewards of starting a business in a close-knit community, and the deep personal connections she found through her work with heritage orchards. This episode is a must-listen for anyone dreaming of making a bold life change and finding fulfillment in unexpected places:
- [01:00] Welcome to Orcas Island: Audra describes the beauty and unique location of Orcas Island, and Monica shares her personal experiences visiting the island.
- [02:00] The Big Move: Audra recounts her life in New York City and her career in banking and the decision-making process behind moving to Orcas Island with her husband.
- [04:00] Settling on the Island: Early days on Orcas Island: adjusting to a slower pace of life, plus Audra's initial steps in gardening and preserving food.
- [07:00] Finding Inspiration in the Soil: The story behind the name "Girl Meets Dirt", and Audra’s first experiences with jam-making from her own fruit trees.
- [:10:00] Discovering the Island’s Orchard Legacy: Audra learns about the rich history of orchards on Orcas Island, and the pivotal moment that inspired her to start Girl Meets Dirt.
- [13:00] Building a Business with Community Support: Learn about the role of community in Audra’s entrepreneurial journey, and all the early challenges and successes in establishing Girl Meets Dirt.
- [16:00] The Unique Climate of Orcas Island: Monica and Audra discuss the island’s rain shadow effect and its impact on agriculture - including the benefits for growing fruit.
- [19:00] Embracing Island Life: Learn about the vibrant food community on Orcas Island and its influence and importance of the support of the community on Audra's business.
- [25:00] Overcoming Challenges and Looking Ahead: Learn about the personal and professional challenges Audra faced in her journey, plus future aspirations for Girl Meets Dirt and continuing to honor the island’s heritage.
Resources:
- Girl Meets Dirt: https://www.girlmeetsdirt.com
- Orcas Island Chamber of Commerce: https://orcasislandchamber.com
- Monica + Andy: https://monicaandandy.com
Join host Monica Royer as she dives into the unique dynamics of entrepreneurship within a marriage with Rob Royer, her husband and fellow entrepreneur, to discuss the rollercoaster ride of building businesses, supporting each other through peaks and valleys, and the lessons learned along the way. The two discuss:
- Rob's Entrepreneurial Journey: Rob shares his experience of founding and running a direct-to-consumer furniture business and the lessons he learned from its eventual sale. He talks about his current venture and how his past experiences are shaping his approach.
- The Entrepreneurial Family: Monica and Rob explore the benefits and challenges of both spouses being entrepreneurs. They discuss the importance of having a support system and how their individual experiences have influenced their relationship and understanding of each other's professional lives.
- Overcoming Setbacks: Rob opens up about being pushed out of his role at Interior Define and how he navigated the difficult transition period. He emphasizes the value of resilience and the opportunity to rebuild and apply past learnings to new endeavors.
- Work-Life Balance: The couple touches on their contrasting work styles and how they've managed to find balance while co-officing during COVID-19. They also reflect on the sacrifices made, such as time with friends, to prioritize their businesses and family.
- Future Aspirations: Rob expresses his desire to pursue more design-oriented and artistic projects under the umbrella of his current company, emphasizing the importance of creative voices in business decisions.
- Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Rob offers insights for those considering starting their own business, highlighting the importance of aligning with the right people and staying true to one's values.
Resources:
- Monica + Andy: https://monicaandandy.com/
- Follow Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robroyer/
Stay tuned for more episodes of The Mentor Files, where we uncover the story behind the story with some of the most insightful leaders in various industries. Subscribe, rate, and review to help us share these conversations with the world.
In this inspiring episode of The Mentor Files, host Monica Royer sits down with Jesse Draper, founding partner of Halogen Ventures, to dive deep into the world of venture capital and the unique challenges and successes of investing in female-founded companies. Jesse shares her journey from actress to venture capitalist, her approach to reshaping the future of family through strategic investments, and the importance of changing the narrative for the next generation of female entrepreneurs. Join us as we explore the landscape of funding, the progress being made for women in business, and the personal stories of managing a thriving career alongside motherhood.
Episode highlights:
- [00:00] Introduction to Jesse Draper, Halogen Ventures, and Jesse's background as a fourth-generation venture capitalist
- [03:00] Jesse's transition from Hollywood to investing
- [06:00] Jesse explains her initiative to interview women in tech and how it led to investing on female-founded companies.
- [09:00] The Venture Capital landscape and the inequality in access to capital for women.
- [12:00] The importance of the early stage investment
- [15:00] Instilling confidence in the next generation
- [18:00] Motherhood, family life and entrepreneurship
- [21:00] Jesse reveals a life-changing tip for managing family and work communications and the significance of planning and structure in a busy household
- [24:00] The importance of supportive partners and family in entrepreneurship
If you're inspired by Jesse's story and want to learn more about investing in women-led startups, visit halogenvc.com. Don't forget to subscribe to The Mentor Files for more insightful conversations and follow us on our social media channels to stay updated on upcoming episodes. Share this episode with anyone who believes in the power of female entrepreneurship and wants to be part of the change. Join us next time for another episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer!
In this episode of The Mentor Files, Monica Royer sits down with Kara Goldin, the founder of Hint Inc., the company known for its delicious fruit-infused water. Kara shares her remarkable journey from cutting soda out of her diet to creating a multi-million dollar business while balancing the roles of CEO and mother of four.
Episode highlights:
- [03:00] The Birth of Hint Water: Kara discusses her early influences, including her father's work in the health food industry and her own career in tech, which led her to seek out brands with a purpose.
- [06:00] From Idea to Product: Kara's transition from tech to the beverage industry was driven by her desire to create a product that she herself needed, and the challenges of entering a new industry and the process of getting Hint Water onto Whole Foods shelves.
- [09:00] Overcoming Industry Hurdles: Kara explains how she navigated the beverage industry with no prior experience and how she managed to convince Whole Foods to stock Hint Water.
- [12:00] The Launch of Hint: The story of how Kara managed to get Hint Water on the shelves the day before giving birth to her fourth child, plus the unexpected success of Hint Water's initial sales and the challenges of meeting this demand
- [15:00] Scaling the Business: Kara shares the struggles of scaling production and the importance of perseverance in the face of industry skepticism.
- [18:00] Financing and Growth: Discussion on the early financial decisions, including whether to bootstrap or seek funding, and how Kara financed the growing demand for Hint Water.
- [21:00] Entrepreneurship and Motherhood: Kara reflects on how motherhood influenced her efficiency and drive as an entrepreneur.
- [24:00] The Future of Hint and Lessons Learned: Kara shares her vision for the future of Hint and the key takeaways from her entrepreneurial journey.
Resources
- Hint Water: https://www.drinkhint.com/
- "Undaunted" by Kara Goldin: https://karagoldin.com/undaunted
If you're inspired by Kara's story and want to learn more about how to turn your own ideas into reality, don't forget to subscribe to The Mentor Files for more episodes like this. Share your favorite takeaways from today's episode on social media and tag us to join the conversation. And check out Kara's book, "Undaunted," for an in-depth look at her entrepreneurial journey.
In this powerful episode of The Mentor Files, Monica Royer sits down with Winnie Park, the CEO of Forever 21, to discuss her remarkable journey in the world of fashion and retail, and the personal trials that have shaped her into the leader she is today. Winnie shares insights into her approach to innovation, the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset, and leading with authenticity. She also opens up about her background, the influence of her family, and the challenges of balancing motherhood with a demanding career. From overcoming language barriers to dealing with family mental health issues, Winnie's story is one of true resilience and determination.
Episode highlights:
- [03:00] Winnie Park's Background - Winnie shares her personal story of immigration, family influence, and her path to becoming a single working mom and a leader in fashion and consumer retail.
- [06:00] The Influence of Family - Discussion on the impact of Winnie's maternal grandmother and parents on her work ethic and passion for fashion.
- [09:00] Overcoming Language Barriers - Winnie recounts her early challenges with English after moving to the United States at two and a half years old.
- [12:00] Cultural Identity and Connection - Winnie and Monica discuss how they maintain their cultural identities and pass them on to their daughters.
- [19:00] Back to Cultural Discussion - The conversation resumes, focusing on the pride of the next generation in their diverse cultural backgrounds.
- [22:00] Imposter Syndrome and Authenticity - Winnie and Monica explore the concept of imposter syndrome and the importance of being true to oneself.
- [25:00] Parent-Child Relationships Through Time - Reflecting on the evolution of their relationships with their mothers and their own experiences as parents.
- [28:00] Family Struggles and Resilience - Winnie and Monica share personal family stories, discussing the impact of mental health issues on their lives and the strength it has brought them.
- [31:00] Mental Health Awareness and Family Dynamics - The conversation delves deeper into the complexities of mental health within families and the journey to understanding and acceptance.
- [34:00] The Role of the Strong Sibling - Monica reflects on her role in managing her brother's mental health struggles and how it has shaped her resilience.
- [37:00] Moving Forward and Building Strength - The episode wraps up with thoughts on how personal challenges can lead to unexpected growth and strength.
Resources & Links:
- Forever 21: https://www.forever21.com
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): https://www.nami.org
- Monica + Andy: https://www.monicaandandy.com
If you found inspiration in Winnie's story and want to learn more about her leadership at Forever 21, visit their website. Also, for those dealing with mental health issues, don't hesitate to reach out to resources like NAMI for support. Remember to subscribe to The Mentor Files for more stories like Winnie's, and if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Join us next time for more insights and mentorship on The Mentor Files with Monica Royer.
In this episode of The Mentor Files, host Monica Royer sits down with Michelle Shetty and Suzie Carroll, co-founders of The Fitz, a medical aesthetic and wellness practice based in Chicago. They discuss the journey from nursing in a clinical setting to entrepreneurship, the importance of aligning values, and the challenges and rewards of starting and growing a successful business. They also touch on the emotional aspects of entrepreneurship, work-life balance, and the significance of self-care in their personal and professional lives.
Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] - Introduction to The Mentor Files and today's guests, Michelle Shetty and Suzie Carroll.
[00:03:00] - Michelle and Suzie discuss their transition from nursing to entrepreneurship.
[00:06:00] - How their friendship and partnership began and their approach to business.
[00:09:00] - The emotional connection to patients and how it translates to their current work.
[00:12:00] - The dynamics of being co-founders and friends.
[00:15:00] - The importance of having difficult conversations and growing together.
[00:18:00] - Trusting your gut in business and personal relationships.
[00:21:00] - The unexpected emotional challenges of running a business.
[00:24:00] - The pressure of success and the high stakes of entrepreneurship.
[00:27:00] - The impact of business stress on family and personal life.
[00:29:00] - The co-founders' personal wellness journeys and self-care practices.
Resources:
- The Fitz website: https://www.thefitzmed.com/
- Monica Andy's website: https://www.monicaandandy.com/
If you're inspired by Michelle and Suzie's journey from healthcare professionals to successful entrepreneurs, be sure to visit The Fitz to experience their approach to wellness and aesthetics. Don't forget to subscribe to The Mentor Files for more insightful conversations with industry leaders. Share this episode with friends and colleagues who are considering a leap into entrepreneurship or are interested in the intersection of healthcare and business.
Thank you for tuning into this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer. If you enjoyed our conversation with Michelle and Suzie, please rate and review the podcast on your favorite platform. Your feedback helps us grow and bring you more content like this. Join us next time for another deep dive into the stories behind successful leaders.
In this episode of The Mentor Files, host Monica Royer sits down with Danielle Brown, the plant-based living advocate and creator behind Healthy Girl Kitchen. They delve into Danielle's personal journey from a culinary enthusiast to a wellness entrepreneur, her transition to a plant-based diet during college, and how she turned her passion for healthy, easy-to-make food into a thriving social media presence and a successful business.
Key Points Discussed:
- Danielle's early love for cooking and how watching cooking shows inspired her.
- The unhealthy eating habits Danielle developed in college and the health issues that prompted her to explore a plant-based diet.
- The transformative effects Danielle experienced after switching to a plant-based diet, including improved energy levels, clearer skin, and better digestion.
- The motivation behind starting Healthy Girl Kitchen and Danielle's mission to make healthy eating accessible, affordable, and enjoyable.
- Insights into how Danielle grew her social media following by sharing valuable content and staying true to her unique perspective.
- The evolution of content creation from pictures to short-form video content and how it has changed the way people engage with recipes.
- The process of creating her cookbook, "Healthy Little Kitchen," and the importance of making it user-friendly, with easy recipes and pictures for every dish.
- Tips for grocery shopping, meal prepping, and minimizing food waste.
Resources:
- Healthy Girl Kitchen website: https://healthygirlkitchen.com/
- Danielle Brown's cookbook: "Healthy Girl Kitchen": https://sites.prh.com/healthygirlkitchen
- Monica + Andy: https://www.monicaandandy.com
Welcome to another episode of The Mentor Files. Today, we are thrilled to have a conversation with an exceptional human and guiding light for many, Irene Ortiz-Glass.
In this episode:
Discovering Coaching:
Irene shares her journey into life coaching, beginning with her early career and moving into an eventual senior partner role.
The Impact of Early Experiences:
Irene opens up about her personal life, discussing the profound impact of her childhood experiences on her path to becoming a coach. She talks about dealing with abandonment and abuse and how these experiences fueled her drive to help others.
The Essence of Executive Coaching:
We delve into what executive coaching entails, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, motivation, and willingness to do the work. Irene explains how coaching helps leaders navigate their personal and professional lives by understanding their behavioral patterns and mindsets.
Chemistry in Coaching Relationships:
The importance of chemistry between a coach and their client is highlighted, and Irene discusses how she assesses potential clients for coaching compatibility.
Understanding Yourself and Others:
Monica shares insights gained from coaching, such as the importance of recognizing one's natural tendencies, like flexibility or structure, and how this understanding can improve relationships both at work and at home.
Higher Purpose and Second Half of Life:
Irene talks about the concept of higher purpose and its significance as leaders transition into the second half of their lives. She reflects on her own purpose, which involves helping others grow and learn about themselves, and how this has become her focus in recent years.
Healing and Wellness for Women:
Addressing the often-taboo subject of menopause, Irene discusses her recent work in helping women navigate hormone issues and overall wellness. She emphasizes the need for healing and the importance of addressing these topics openly.
Resources:
"The Body Whispers Before It Screams" by Irene Ortiz-Glass on Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Body-Whispers-Before-Screams-Emotionally/dp/195682202X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2BI1A6UM5BKML&keywords=the+body+whispers+before+it+screams&qid=1707778057&sprefix=the+body+whisper%2Caps%2C261&sr=8-1
Connect with Irene: www.menocoaching.com
If you enjoyed this episode and found value in our conversation with Irene Ortiz-Glass, please subscribe to The Mentor Files and leave us a review. Your feedback helps us bring more inspiring stories and valuable lessons to listeners like you.
In this episode of The Mentor Files, host Monica Royer sits down with Dr. Sonya Bhole, a breast imaging radiologist at Northwestern Medicine. They dive into a candid conversation about finding one's purpose, the importance of embracing every step of the journey, and how inspiration can strike from the most unexpected places.
Key Takeaways:
- Inspiration can come from the most unexpected places, including outside of your professional field.
- It's important to embrace the journey and not just focus on reaching the destination.
- Early career experiences, even those at the bottom of the ladder, are valuable learning opportunities.
- Finding a balance between cultural values, personal experiences, and parenting is a continuous process.
- Surrounding yourself with a diverse community can help prevent burnout and add richness to your life.
Join host Monica Royer, founder and CEO of Monica + Andy, every week as she engages with leaders across entrepreneurship, parenthood, health, and lifestyle.
In this episode, we dive deep into the challenges and triumphs of feeding a family. Catherine McCord, the brain behind Weelicious and the author of four game-changing cookbooks, shares her journey from culinary school to becoming a mom, and the creation of Weelicious, a platform designed to empower parents in the kitchen. Catherine emphasizes the importance of making mealtime fun, approachable, and nutritious, especially when dealing with picky eaters or managing a busy schedule.
In this episode, Catherine and Monica discuss:
• The inspiration behind Weelicious and how it evolved with Catherine's growing family.
• Strategies for dealing with picky eaters and making mealtime less stressful.
• The significance of bento box-style lunches and how they can make school lunches more engaging and enjoyable for kids.
• Catherine's personal routine for meal prepping and how it helps maintain a healthy, balanced diet throughout the week.
• The transformative power of a daily smoothie and how it can positively impact your family's health.
• Essential kitchen appliances that make meal prep a breeze.
• The balance between the business and creative aspects of running a food-focused brand.
Catherine's insights are not only valuable for parents looking to streamline their mealtime routines, but also for anyone interested in the intersection of entrepreneurship and lifestyle. Whether you're a seasoned home chef or just starting to navigate the world of family mealtime, this episode is packed with practical tips and heartfelt advice. Don't forget to check out Catherine's cookbooks for more delicious recipes and inspiration!
Resources mentioned:
- Weelicious
- Cookbooks: "The Smoothie Project", "Meal Prep Magic", "Weelicious Lunches" & "Weelicious: One Family, One Meal"
- Monica + Andy
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and share it with other parents and entrepreneurs who might benefit from Catherine's wisdom. Stay tuned for the next episode of The Mentor Files for more insights from leaders in entrepreneurship and lifestyle.
Remember, you can always be the confident CEO of your own life. Until next time!
In this inspiring episode of The Mentor Files, host Monica Royer sits down with entrepreneur Manuela Zoninsein, founder and CEO of Kadeya. Manuela delves into the challenges and rewards of motherhood, her experiences living abroad, the importance of building a supportive network as a parent and business owner and her vision to visionary entrepreneur determined to eliminate single-use beverage containers with her innovative company, Kadeya.
The sisters-in-law discuss:
• Manuela discusses the mission behind her company Kadeya, which aims to revolutionize the way we hydrate by eliminating single-use beverage containers with a low-waste vending machine system.
• Manuela shares the path that led her to become the entrepreneur she is today and the lessons learned along the way.
• Manuela and Monica discuss the complexities of being a parent and a CEO, the importance of self-forgiveness, and how to celebrate small wins in both domains.
• Manuela emphasizes the importance of trust and autonomy in her team, and how a culture that respects personal time and responsibilities can lead to a more productive and satisfied workforce.
• Manuela offers insights into the entrepreneurial mindset, including the need to be good rather than perfect and the power of compounding small, consistent efforts.
Join Monica and Manuela in this heartfelt and enlightening conversation about entrepreneurship, environmental innovation, and the balancing act of motherhood on this episode of The Mentor Files.
Resources:
- Follow Manuela on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuelasweb/
- Kadeya: A sustainable hydration solution aiming to eliminate single-use waste. https://www.kadeya.com/
- Monica + Andy: https://monicaandandy.com/
And be sure to subscribe and follow our YouTube channel.
In this deeply impactful episode of The Mentor Files, host Monica Royer sits down with Navyn Salem, the founder of Edesia Nutrition, a non-profit organization on a mission to end malnutrition globally. Navyn shares her journey from being a mom of four to spearheading a global initiative that produces life-saving food products for malnourished children. Tune in to hear Navyn's story of resilience, innovation, and her vision of a world where every child has access to the nutrition they need to thrive.
In this episode:
- Navyn Salem shares her inspiration for starting Edesia Nutrition along with the challenges of juggling motherhood, the origins of Edesia and the initial steps she took to address malnutrition on a global scale.
- Navyn shares the profound impact of malnutrition and her perspective on problem-solving in global health.
- Monica recalls her first encounter with Navyn and the powerful story that stopped her in her tracks.
- Navyn explains the difference between hunger and malnutrition and the critical importance of addressing both.
- Navyn explains the development and significance of Plumpy'Nut -- its life-saving capabilities in the way how malnourished children are fed, as well as the challenges and logistics of scaling up production to meet the increasing global need.
- Navyn shares complexities of delivering these essential nutrition packets to children in crisis zones and the strategies and determination required to overcome logistical challenges.
- Navyn shares personal insights into her life as a mother and entrepreneur, and the sacrifices made to balance both worlds, and reflects on the emotional weight of her work and the responsibility to deliver without excuses.
- Monica and Navyn discuss the emotional challenges of parenting while addressing a global crisis, and Navyn delivers a message of hope and the continuous effort to find solutions for malnutrition.
Resources:
Edesia Nutrition: https://www.edesianutrition.org/
World Food Programme: https://www.wfp.org/
UNICEF: https://www.unicefusa.org/
Monica + Andy: https://monicaandandy.com/
If you're inspired by Navyn's story and want to learn more about Edesia Nutrition or support their cause, visit their website and consider making a donation. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of children around the world.
Join host Monica Royer as she sits down with Brian Bloom, her co-founder of Monica + Andy, to discuss the evolution of their business partnership, the behind-the-scenes of building a brand, and the personal growth they've experienced along the way. From starting as a bachelor with no ties to baby clothes to becoming a father and an integral part of a thriving company, Brian shares his unique perspective on entrepreneurship, parenthood, and the value of a strong business partnership.
The business partners discuss:
- The Genesis of Monica + Andy: Brian reflects on his initial decision to join Monica in building a baby brand, despite being a bachelor at the time. The serendipitous meeting with Monica's cousin, Sabina, led to the partnership that would become Monica + Andy.
- The Evolution of a Business Partnership: Monica and Brian delve into how their relationship has grown from co-founders to becoming like family. They emphasize the importance of shared values in a business partnership, akin to a marriage, and how it has helped them navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.
- Parenthood and Business: Brian talks about how becoming a father has changed his connection to the brand, making him an end-user of the products and giving him a deeper understanding of the company's community and mission.
- The Reality of Entrepreneurship: Monica and Brian candidly discuss the constant presence of work in their lives, the necessity to manage stress, and the importance of supporting each other through personal and professional challenges.
- Job Evolution: Brian shares how his role at Monica + Andy has changed over the years, from being hands-on with every aspect of the business to learning to delegate and trust in the growing team of specialized talent.
- The Importance of Honest Feedback: Both Monica and Brian stress the value of having advisors and investors who are willing to offer hard truths. They discuss how this has helped them grow personally and professionally, and how it's crucial for propelling the business forward.
Recommended Resources:
- Monica + Andy
Andy Dunn co-founded Bonobos, a revolutionary menswear e-commerce brand. But, behind the scenes, he was struggling with bipolar disorder. “Here’s the real story of what was going on, which I think was a heckuva lot more interesting than selling pants on the internet,” he tells host Monica Royer—who also happens to be his sister. In this episode of The Mentor Files, Monica Royer sits down with her brother, Andy Dunn, to discuss how his journey with mental health influenced his entrepreneurial experience.
The siblings discuss:
- Andy discusses his experience with bipolar disorder and how it both helped and hindered his entrepreneurial journey. He shares the statistics of mental health conditions among entrepreneurs and highlights the importance of being open about mental health struggles.
- Monica and Andy reflect on their childhood and how their shared family history shaped their relationship. They discuss the challenges they faced as a biracial family and how they navigated through these experiences together.
- Andy shares the story behind his decision to turn down multiple financial job offers after graduating from business school to start selling men's pants online, which eventually led to the creation of Bonobos.
- The siblings discuss the importance of therapy and mental health professionals in managing mental health conditions. Andy emphasizes the need for an external support system, especially during a crisis.
- Monica talks about the difficulty of accepting Andy's diagnosis and the denial they experienced as a family. They discuss the importance of accepting mental health conditions and understanding that there can be a positive side to it.
- Andy shares the concept of the Stockdale Paradox and how it applies to dealing with mental health conditions. He emphasizes the importance of facing reality while maintaining hope.
- They discuss the potential of turning Andy's book, Burn Rate, into a TV show and the importance of treating mental health issues with levity.
- Andy shares his experience with writing the book and the support he received from his family. He encourages others to share their mental health struggles and assures them that there is nothing to be ashamed of.
Listen to the full episode to hear more about Andy's journey with bipolar disorder and how it has shaped his life and career.
Resources:
- Dunn’s memoir, Burn Rate: Launching a Startup and Losing My Mind, is out now. Find it on Amazon.com, or a bookstore near you.
- Monica + Andy
I'm thrilled to announce that The Mentor Files is back for a new season and we're digging deeper than ever before into the story behind the story. As the founder of Monica and Andy, I'm always eager to connect our community with sources of all kinds of inspiration. Join me this season as we hear from entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and experts who are all changing the game.
Join Monica as she interviews her brother, and founder of Bonobos, Andy Dunn in episode 1. The Mentor Files returns November 7th, 2023.
Learn how Nona Lim started her restaurant-quality food brand, what she brought from her fencing career, and why a great team needs full transparency.
"I've always had a passion for food, even if I'm not professionally trained." - Nona Lim.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/89
Listen in to learn how to create a powerful partnership with your investors, and what Sarah Woelfel wants to see in successful CEOs and her own clients.
"We specifically designed CULT Capital to be differentiated in the VC growth equity space, and we're really set on creating a new and different investor paradigm." - Sarah Woelfel.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/88
Listen in to learn how Annie Lawless started her lifelong love of health and wellness, and why she doesn't hesitate when opportunity knocks.
"I've always just been so fascinated with nutrition, ingredients, and the correlation between what we consume and how we look and feel." - Annie Lawless.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/87
Learn how David Heath and his team innovated on a clothing staple, the unfair advantages he had as an entrepreneur, and how he built his team at Bombas.
"You should never lose the humility that it can all turn around in a moment." - David Heath.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/76
Listen in to learn how Miyoko went from nothing to an in-demand business in less than 6 months, and how she has transformed through her business career.
"I don't do all this market research and figure out how to do it right, I just start doing things, and that's how I've done everything in my life." - Miyoko Schinner.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/78
Listen in to learn how Sarah Flint made the transition from wholesale to DTC, how she broke into the luxury shoe industry, and how she developed her team.
"There was this huge space in the market for shoes where women wouldn't have to choose between fashion and the functional features that they wanted." - Sarah Flint.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/74
Learn how Gregg Renfrew uniquely combined the philosophies of DTC and retail, how she developed her products, and who has inspired her the most in her life.
"I started to draw parallels between things that were detrimental to the Earth and things that were detrimental to our bodies." - Gregg Renfrew.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/86
Listen in to learn how Nicole Gibbons went from medical school to marketing to entrepreneur, and what she wishes she knew before she started her business.
"I saw this huge pain point around the homeowner when it comes to choosing color." - Nicole Gibbons.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/85
Listen in to learn what inspired Holly to start Supergoop, why she focused on a slow scaling of her brand, and what she considers when she takes in capital.
"I think the decision making becomes easier when you're always focused on your mission and why you exist as a brand." - Holly Thaggard.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/58
Listen in to learn the beginnings of True Botanicals, where Hillary focused her efforts in the beginning, and the importance of finding the best team.
"It was really important to us to be able to deliver results without toxins." - Hillary Peterson.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/65
Learn what makes the perfect pitch when raising capital, how to create your best team, and what Jesse has learned from her work in venture capital.
"Sometimes you're betting on a founder with a two or three person team, and sometimes you're betting on a sole founder. It's really about the people, so I try to get to know them however I possibly can." - Jesse Draper.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/62
Listen in as Simon Huck talks about what inspired JUDY, how his previous PR business helped him with his new one, and what it takes to be an entrepreneur.
"60% of American families have no emergency plan in place at all." - Simon Huck.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/84
Like many of us, Rachel Drori was trying to fit healthy, nutritious meals into her busy life...but was frustrated by the lack of options. In 2015, Rachel decided to take matters into her own hands: She founded Daily Harvest, a direct-to-consumer brand blending health and innovation to send delicious superfoods straight to your freezer so you can prepare and enjoy them at your convenience.
The business is one of the fastest growing nutritional food brands in the U.S. With more than 100,000 subscribers, Daily Harvest delivers breakfast bowls, ice cream sundaes, and soups to freezers around the country.
Today on the podcast, Rachel and Monica talk about the importance of having a customer-centric business, how to attract high-profile investors early on, and Rachel's plans to reshape how people think about frozen food.
Listen in as Josh talks about aligning your goals and visions with your team, from your advisory board, to your company, and to your investors.
"There was no master vision or strategy ten years ago." - Josh Goldin.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/83
Listen in to learn how Amanda Zuckerman cofounded Dormify with her mom, the unfair advantages this gave her, and what she learned along the way.
"Energy and networking is a huge part of my success." - Amanda Zuckerman.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/82
Listen in as Alexa talks about the secret to keeping a good work life balance as an entrepreneur, and how she became the serial entrepreneur she is today.
"Inspired Capital helps pay it forward to entrepreneurs who want to build great things in the future." - Alexa Von Tobel.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/81
Listen in to learn how Lauren Bush Lauren started FEED and worked with multiple different partners to help fight against world hunger and poverty.
"With all these amazing results from school feeding, how can I build something that will support that?" - Lauren Bush Lauren.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/80
Listen in the learn how Sarah Jones Simmer has created and sustained such an incredible culture both in the Bumble team and in their customer base.
"We're showing what is possible for a company that puts women in the driver's seat and puts kindness as a core value." - Sarah Jones Simmer.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/79
Listen in to learn how Miyoko went from nothing to an in-demand business in less than 6 months, and how she has transformed through her business career.
"I don't do all this market research and figure out how to do it right, I just start doing things, and that's how I've done everything in my life." - Miyoko Schinner.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/78
Listen in to learn how Jens Grede and his cofounder found success in FRAME through their partnership, and what Erik calls the sixth sense of consumers.
"It really went from idea to being in New York selling the line." - Jens Grede.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/77
On today's episode, Shan-Lyn goes through how she started Zola, from the inspiration behind the idea to the implementation and fundraising for the business.
"Now we're really focused not just continually improving and innovating in wedding registries, but also in how we can serve couples throughout their entire wedding planning journey." - Shan-Lyn Ma.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/53
In 2015, Jen Rubio was traveling back from a trip to Switzerland when her luggage broke in the middle of a crowded airport, sending her clothes and belongings everywhere. As she looked for a replacement she couldn't find the kind of iconic, high-quality, affordable luggage she was looking for.
Jen called up her friend Steph Korey - the two met in 2011 at Warby Parker back when they had only twenty employees - and they got to work. Just a few years later, they launched their direct-to-consumer luggage company, Away, in 2015. It boasts high end features such as two built-in USB ports and a durable, sleek design but is a fraction of the price of competing luggage.
The Away team now has more than 100 employees and tens of millions in revenue. They have expanded their product line, which now offers the bag in six sizes and eight colors and have partnered with people like Gray Malin and Karlie Kloss. In their conversation, Jen and Monica talk about how Away launched without a product, the way they handle collaborations, and why the retail and digital arms of the business aren't so different after all.
“More than anything we believe in making travel more seamless and more enjoyable.” – Jen Rubio.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.MonicaandAndy.blog/28
Today's guest is one of the most sought after e-commerce investors in the country: Kirsten Green. Kirsten is the founder of Forerunner Ventures, and made early investments in companies like Birchbox, Glossier, Outdoor Voices and Bonobos. Plus, she was the only one to invest in two of the biggest e-commerce sites of the past few years: Jet.com and Dollar Shave Club.
This year Kirsten was named as one of Time's 100 Most Influential People in the World, and one of the Most Powerful Women in Tech by Forbes. On this episode, Kirsten talks about the magic of instincts, how she chooses which brands to invest in, and shares invaluable advice on what to do when pitching a potential investor.
As a professional soccer player, Tim Brown was used to receiving and trying out lots of free shoes. Somewhere along the line, he started to notice that all sports shoes were beginning to look the same. So, with that in mind, he set out to make his own.
Tim grew up in New Zealand and was familiar with the great qualities of wool - it's not only good for minimizing odor but also for regulating temperature. The benefits had been applied to clothing, but not yet to footwear. Alongside co-founder Joey Zwillinger, he went through hundreds of prototypes before putting the shoe up on Kickstarter, where they reached their $120k goal in just five days.
Allbirds now has more than 80 employees, recently landed $17.5M in series E funding and was named "The most comfortable shoe" by Time Magazine. In this episode, Tim talks about his decision to use a no branding strategy -- something that's unheard of the footwear industry, and reveals the core values his team lives by that have been crucial to his team's success.
For the first episode, I’m interviewing one of my favorite humans on earth: My brother Andy Dunn. The offspring of an immigrant mother who bucked tradition to marry our dad (he is not Indian, like our mother), we grew up feeling different from the other kids. This difference was our common bond and it made us that much closer.
Andy founded Bonobos in 2007 with the goal of providing men with better fitting pants. In the past ten years, the brand has grown to become a premier destination for men’s clothing. Along the way, Andy and his team have revolutionized the modern retail industry by providing a digital-first shopping experience. Not surprisingly, a lot of other brands have taken notice and followed suit (no pun intended).
Andy was a true pioneer in digital and his advice and guidance have been instrumental in Monica + Andy's growth. Listen in to this first episode for some great advice from Andy, including what five qualities to look for in employees as you’re building your team, and whether there really is such a thing as an expert (and if you should hire them).
“The thing that you think the world wants from you is not actually what the world wants from you - what the world wants from you is to do very difficult work of creating something that can exist and thrive and prosper.” - Andy Dunn
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.MonicaandAndy.com/01
Learn how Daniella Yacobovsky carefully selected her team, got more out of her education than most, and why she thinks BaubleBar has become so successful.
"A lot of times the challenges that could test a friendship really are different than the challenges you'll face as business partners." - Daniella Yacobovsky.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/69
Learn how David Heath and his team innovated on a clothing staple, the unfair advantages he had as an entrepreneur, and how he built his team at Bombas.
"You should never lose the humility that it can all turn around in a moment." - David Heath.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/76
Listen in to learn how Bianca started Birdies, what she has learned from her time as CEO, and how radical candor has changed her business for the better.
"I've always been obsessed with finding a comfortable solution for the entertaining space of the home." - Bianca Gates.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/75
When Heidi Zak couldn’t find a quality bra that fit her right and looked great, she realized there was a hole in the market and ThirdLove was born. The data-driven bra company now offers 15 styles in 59 different sizes (they’re the only company to offer half cup sizes!) and provides a “try before you buy” model that encourages women to try the product on in the comfort of their own homes.
On this episode Heidi discusses product market fit, exactly how her company collects and uses data to target sales, how to create demand (and a waiting list!), and how their values inform their hiring process. She also reveals the number one platform ThirdLove relies on to track customer service.
Listen in to learn how Sarah Flint made the transition from wholesale to DTC, how she broke into the luxury shoe industry, and how she developed her team.
"There was this huge space in the market for shoes where women wouldn't have to choose between fashion and the functional features that they wanted." - Sarah Flint.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/74
Learn how Vicki Fulop grew Brooklinen into what it is today so quickly, how she and the company have changed, and how she has kept a good work life balance.
"We kind of just fell into working together, but thought we like being together, we have complimentary skills, we trust each other, so why not do this together?" - Vicki Fulop.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/73
Listen in to learn why Katie Warner Johnson believes female CEO's are overmentored and undersponsored, and how Carbon38 is helping to change that.
"We've in a way formed a sisterhood of traveling spandex." - Katie Warner Johnson.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/72
Learn how Nicole Quinn works with a small amount of companies per year to really thrive in their market, and what separates the good from the great.
"I realized that what I was really passionate about was angel investing. I found myself running out of the office as soon as the market closed to go do angel investing." - Nicole Quinn.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/71
Listen in to learn how Afton Vechery serves her customers, how she decided on her funding strategy, and what she sees for the future of Modern Fertility.
"We really started the company as a fertility information company. We felt that the conversation around fertility was very reactive as opposed to proactive." - Afton Vechery.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/70
Learn how Daniella Yacobovsky carefully selected her team, got more out of her education than most, and why she thinks BaubleBar has become so successful.
"A lot of times the challenges that could test a friendship really are different than the challenges you'll face as business partners." - Daniella Yacobovsky.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/69
Listen in to today's episode to learn how authenticity drives all of Gray Malin's decisions, the value he sees in collaboration, and the evolution of him and his business.
"I have traveled the world to bring my wildest visions to life." - Gray Malin.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/68
Listen in to learn how Alberto Perlman has kept Zumba relevant, one thing every entrepreneur should do, and the clash of innovation and operation.
"So I see the class, and I saw something that I didn't know existed. I saw fitness without sacrifice." - Alberto Perlman.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/67
Listen in to learn how important it is for Gretchen Hansen to keep innovating, how to use data to make better decisions, and the best way to view competition.
"Understand who your customer is, understand what their needs are, and what those unmet needs are." - Gretchen Hansen.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/66
Listen in to learn the beginnings of True Botanicals, where Hillary focused her efforts in the beginning, and the importance of finding the best team.
"It was really important to us to be able to deliver results without toxins." - Hillary Peterson.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/65
Listen in to learn how retail is being reinvented, how to maximize your retail experience, and what Dan looks for in a startup.
"Retail is truly going to be omnichannel, and that's because the consumer has become omnichannel." - Dan Wenhold.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/64
Listen in to learn what he believes makes a great CEO, the most common mistakes that are made in a pitch, and the importance of having an incredible team.
"The global economy never stops; you could work 24 hours a day and 7 days a week and still not be done." - Phil Schwarz.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/63
Learn what makes the perfect pitch when raising capital, how to create your best team, and what Jesse has learned from her work in venture capital.
"Sometimes you're betting on a founder with a two or three person team, and sometimes you're betting on a sole founder. It's really about the people, so I try to get to know them however I possibly can." - Jesse Draper.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/62
Listen in to learn why Dana Gordon believes that laughter is so important in your business, and the importance of recognizing your own successes.
"It's very important to make sure your kids understand what you do every day, whether they go into that line of work or not." - Dana Gordon.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/61
Listen in to today's episode and learn how Mia started Oars & Alps, how she built her team, and what she believes was the key to their success.
"I'm a firm believer that you can't have a side hustle. It's a distraction, not only to the business you're about to build, but also to what you're currently doing." - Mia Duchnowski.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/60
While we are on our winter break, enjoy this rerun of one of our favorite episodes!
In 2015, Jen Rubio was traveling back from a trip to Switzerland when her luggage broke in the middle of a crowded airport, sending her clothes and belongings everywhere. As she looked for a replacement she couldn't find the kind of iconic, high-quality, affordable luggage she was looking for.
Jen called up her friend Steph Korey - the two met in 2011 at Warby Parker back when they had only twenty employees - and they got to work. Just a few years later, they launched their direct-to-consumer luggage company, Away, in 2015. It boasts high end features such as two built-in USB ports and a durable, sleek design but is a fraction of the price of competing luggage.
The Away team now has more than 100 employees and tens of millions in revenue. They have expanded their product line, which now offers the bag in six sizes and eight colors and have partnered with people like Gray Malin and Karlie Kloss. In their conversation, Jen and Monica talk about how Away launched without a product, the way they handle collaborations, and why the retail and digital arms of the business aren't so different after all.
“More than anything we believe in making travel more seamless and more enjoyable.” – Jen Rubio.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.MonicaandAndy.blog/28
Listen in to learn what drew Umaimah into becoming an entrepreneur, the real value of your network, and why she became comfortable being an outsider.
"[Growing up], I had this little germ of creativity. I loved to design and I wanted to be a fashion designer when I grew up." - Umaimah Mendhro.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/59
Listen in to learn what inspired Holly to start Supergoop, why she focused on a slow scaling of her brand, and what she considers when she takes in capital.
"I think the decision making becomes easier when you're always focused on your mission and why you exist as a brand." - Holly Thaggard.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/58
Listen in to learn what inspired Rachelle to start both of her two successful companies, and how she has found inspiration in her life's challenges.
"There was no grand plan, I just kept doing what felt right." - Rachelle Hruska.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/57
Listen in to learn what sparked Erik to start Chess.com, how he has maintained such constant growth, and why he loves having a fully remote team.
"After school, I said I would spend one year [with Chess.com] at most and then I'm going to go take those job offers from the big tech companies. But that just never happened, it just kept growing and growing." - Erik Allebest.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/56
Listen in to learn how Brett went from PR of Gucci to becoming a mom and starting Edie Parker, and what lessons she has learned over the last seven years.
"When you work for yourself, there's never a Sunday. There's never a day where I'm not thinking about the business. It's a totally different animal." - Brett Heyman.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/55
Listen in to learn more about Minibar's path to launch, how they pitched and raised funds for their idea, and the major hurdles that came up along the way.
"Off-premise alcohol sales is 100 billion dollars [per year] in the US. It's a massive industry that just hadn't been brought online, unlike every other industry." - Lindsey Andrews.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/54
On today's episode, Shan-Lyn goes through how she started Zola, from the inspiration behind the idea to the implementation and fundraising for the business.
"Now we're really focused not just continually improving and innovating in wedding registries, but also in how we can serve couples throughout their entire wedding planning journey." - Shan-Lyn Ma.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/53
Listen in to learn how Micky is guiding Bonobos into a new age of digital brands, and how she maintains a strong culture in all their retail environments.
"The journey began from that very first interaction and interview [with Andy], and I moved my family from the other side of the country to come work for Andy and the opportunity to build this brand." - Micky Onvural.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/52
Listen in to learn how Mariah joined the team at Eloquii, what it was like joining an established company in the role of CEO, and her advice for all CEO's.
"I just thought, 'Wow, I've been in fashion my whole career, and how on Earth have we not been talking about this customer?'." - Mariah Chase.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/51
Listen in as Leah talks about her career moving from entrepreneur to becoming a general partner in venture capital, and her advice for young companies.
"TaskRabbit was able to help shape the future of work at a time when people really needed it." - Leah Busque.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/50
While we are on our winter break, enjoy this rerun of one of our favorite episodes!
In 2015, Jen Rubio was traveling back from a trip to Switzerland when her luggage broke in the middle of a crowded airport, sending her clothes and belongings everywhere. As she looked for a replacement she couldn't find the kind of iconic, high-quality, affordable luggage she was looking for.
Jen called up her friend Steph Korey - the two met in 2011 at Warby Parker back when they had only twenty employees - and they got to work. Just a few years later, they launched their direct-to-consumer luggage company, Away, in 2015. It boasts high end features such as two built-in USB ports and a durable, sleek design but is a fraction of the price of competing luggage.
The Away team now has more than 100 employees and tens of millions in revenue. They have expanded their product line, which now offers the bag in six sizes and eight colors and have partnered with people like Gray Malin and Karlie Kloss. In their conversation, Jen and Monica talk about how Away launched without a product, the way they handle collaborations, and why the retail and digital arms of the business aren't so different after all.
“More than anything we believe in making travel more seamless and more enjoyable.” – Jen Rubio.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.MonicaandAndy.blog/28
While we are on our winter break, enjoy this rerun of one of our favorite episodes!
When Payal Kadakia went online one day in 2011 to book a ballet workout class, she was “miserably frustrated” with how difficult it was to find and attend the right type of class. After realizing her friends had similar frustrations, she created ClassPass — a monthly membership fitness-class booking company — as a way for people to reconnect with their passions and fitness.
Listen in to learn more about how Payal’s passion for dancing led her to create a nearly $400 million company and being named on Forbes 40 under 40 List. Payal and Monica also discuss the importance of product market fit, how a CEO’s role (and the roles of those on your team) evolve as the company grows, how to create the right type of culture and why it’s so crucial so solidify your company’s vision and mission.
“The only thing that mattered was getting people to class.” - Payal Kadakia
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.MonicaandAndy.blog/05
While we are on our winter break, enjoy this rerun of one of our favorite episodes!
Christine Hunsicker, CEO and Founder of Gwynnie Bee — an online subscription rental clothing service for women sizes 10-32 — launched her business from her Manhattan apartment in 2013. Fast forward to today, the company has more than 400 employees across the world, offers over 3,000 styles from 120 brands and to date have shipped over 4 million boxes.
In today’s episode, Monica and Christine discuss growth, the biggest challenges of being CEO, building an open and honest culture and why it has been so critical to the company’s success.
“Ownership [of clothing] is the sole means of access today, and that is hugely limiting for both the consumer and the supplier.” - Christine Hunsicker.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.MonicaandAndy.blog/12
Listen in to learn how Craig raised his chance of success for his startup through clever market research and using what he learned from the Bonobos team.
"[Care/Of] came out of an experience of shopping for vitamins and supplements and finding it to be overwhelming, confusing, and at times manipulative. I really just wanted to make it easier for customers to figure out what's right for them." - Craig Elbert.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/49
Listen in to learn what inspired Eunice Byun to start Material Kitchen, and how her journey shaped her into the CEO and leader that she is today.
"[Material Kitchen] really stems from growing up in a family that loved to eat and celebrated life through food and how that brought all of us together." - Eunice Byun.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/48
Listen in to today's episode to learn the benefits of running your own retail space, and the advantages a physical location has over online-only brands.
"Whenever you read the same thing everywhere, it's almost always wrong. And when everybody is rushing for the exits, it's usually the best time to rush in." - Brendan Wallace.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/47
In today's episode, Lee goes over what shaped her into who she is today, the difficulties of fundraising as a startup, and the art of team building.
"It was one of those moments where I'm like, 'I'm willing to spend thousands of dollars right now if someone can tell me what to do'. Then I realized that enough people are similar to me, and that's how [Havenly] came to be." - Lee Mayer.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/46
Listen in to learn Ariane's strategy in building her team, how she stays motivated, and how balances her career as a founder alongside her role as a mom.
"I'm starting to have a love affair with my mistakes, because I don't know where I would be without them." - Ariane Goldman.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/45
Listen in to learn what brands need to do to cut through the noise of today’s marketplace, and how founders should approach the process of raising funds.
“What you really need to think about is how do you stand out in the hearts and minds of end consumers? That's what we think about every day at Maveron.” - Jason Stoffer.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/44
Listen in as Laurel Berman talks about the story behind the iconic Jackie O dress, her creative process, and how she is empowering women through her brand.
“I think that if you can figure out where your passion is at and you follow your heart, the success will follow. Now, that doesn't mean it's not going to be really difficult, but I feel like the only way you can overcome those challenges is wanting it more.” - Laurel Berman.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/43
Listen in to learn how Jordana created her feminine care product subscription service, and how she is empowering women to live their healthiest lives.
“A lifelong reproductive health brand for your body should exist. Why are we reinventing the wheel every single time?” - Jordana Kier.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/41
Listen in to learn more about why Rosie chose to make a retail store so early in Sugarfina's career, and the difficulties inherent in scaling your business.
“At the end of the day, your product should sell itself. It shouldn't need an ad to sell itself. Make sure you have something that people get excited about and that they want to share it and buy it.” - Rosie O'Neill.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/40
Listen in to learn more about Jessica Rolph's journey through motherhood, venture capital, fundraising, stating two businesses, and growing alongside her startups.
“These businesses do become your babies, they're like another being in your life.” - Jessica Rolph.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/39
Listen in for Michael's thoughts on working with a family member, how entrepreneurs can find balance in their personal lives, and why good content has been so instrumental to FabFitFun's success.
"I think you have to look for ways to be different in some fundamental way so you can stand out. In the consumer world, you want to be able to not only stand out, but then make that into some sort of sustainable competitive differentiation over time." - Michael Broukhim.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/38
Sarah LaFleur was working in private equity when she came to a realization that’ll ring familiar to most professional women. “I had a really hard time shopping for work...I’d spend [time] stressing out about what to wear in the morning,” she admitted.
But that dilemma sparked inspiration: Sarah had witnessed companies like Bonobos, Warby Parker and Cuyana successfully launch direct-to-consumer concepts, and she decided to create something similar geared towards working women — and that’s how her company, MM LaFleur, got off the ground.
Success didn’t come right away. In fact, about a year after she launched, Sarah feared she may have to fold her business. But one seemingly small decision allowed her to triple her revenue overnight...and proved pivotal in her company’s success story.
Listen in to hear about Sarah’s incredible journey, her thoughts on the biggest mistake hopeful entrepreneurs make, and how Sex and the City’s leading ladies informed her approach to her business.
In this episode, Renata reveals the top qualities she has seen in the most successful entrepreneurs, and also the red flags she’s seen in people along the way.
“Think a lot about how you can make the most of what you got, and be deliberate about that.” - Renata Quintini.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/35
While we are on summer break, enjoy this rerun of our first (and one of our favorite) episodes!
For the first episode, I’m interviewing one of my favorite humans on earth: My brother Andy Dunn. The offspring of an immigrant mother who bucked tradition to marry our dad (he is not Indian, like our mother), we grew up feeling different from the other kids. This difference was our common bond and it made us that much closer.
Andy founded Bonobos in 2007 with the goal of providing men with better fitting pants. In the past ten years, the brand has grown to become a premier destination for men’s clothing. Along the way, Andy and his team have revolutionized the modern retail industry by providing a digital-first shopping experience. Not surprisingly, a lot of other brands have taken notice and followed suit (no pun intended).
Andy was a true pioneer in digital and his advice and guidance have been instrumental in Monica + Andy's growth. Listen in to this first episode for some great advice from Andy, including what five qualities to look for in employees as you’re building your team, and whether there really is such a thing as an expert (and if you should hire them).
“The thing that you think the world wants from you is not actually what the world wants from you - what the world wants from you is to do very difficult work of creating something that can exist and thrive and prosper.” - Andy Dunn
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.MonicaandAndy.com/01
Like many of us, Rachel Drori was trying to fit healthy, nutritious meals into her busy life...but was frustrated by the lack of options. In 2015, Rachel decided to take matters into her own hands: She founded Daily Harvest, a direct-to-consumer brand blending health and innovation to send delicious superfoods straight to your freezer so you can prepare and enjoy them at your convenience.
The business is one of the fastest growing nutritional food brands in the U.S. With more than 100,000 subscribers, Daily Harvest delivers breakfast bowls, ice cream sundaes, and soups to freezers around the country.
Today on the podcast, Rachel and Monica talk about the importance of having a customer-centric business, how to attract high-profile investors early on, and Rachel's plans to reshape how people think about frozen food.
In 2012, Denise Lee was training for her first marathon and went out in search of activewear. She wanted to find modern and sleek styles that were similar to the contemporary designers she wore in her everyday wardrobe — but she quickly realized what she wanted wasn't available.
Noticing this void in the marketplace led her to create her own brand, Alala, inspired by the Greek goddess of the same name. Alala is a luxury workout brand that is now carried in over 100 major retailers including Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus and Shopbop. The brand offers bold, sophisticated designs that are not just limited to activewear, but can also be worn outside the gym and transitioned from day to night.
In her conversation with Monica, Denise discuses what it's like to launch a digital brand, the role of retail in the business plan, whether founders should take funding or bootstrap, and what both Monica and Denise wish they knew when starting their businesses.
Brad Kopitz knows the power of a photo album. As the CEO of Artifact Uprising, a digitally native company that provides printed photo goods, he understands the value of high quality, good design, and thoughtfully sourced materials. And, it has paid off. When the company launched in 2012 more than 7,000 people visited their site in the first day. Within the first 18 months, Artifact Uprising was a multi-million dollar company.
Brad first joined the brand as an early investor, but shortly after he became chief revenue office, followed by chief operating officer, and ultimately is now CEO.
In his conversation with Monica today, Brad chats about his moves within in the company, why print is definitely not dead, and the operational side of a modern company making beautiful products.
Today's guest is Katya Libin, one of the powerhouse women behind Heymama, a membership only network to support modern working and entrepreneurial mothers. The group boasts more than 700 CEOs, founders, creatives, and leaders in countless industries. After spending years in sales in the tech industry, Katya wanted to find a better way to support women and help moms connect - that's how Heymama was born.
What exactly is Heymama? It's an amazing source of community inspiration, and career intel and support for mamas, with a combination of daily inspirational editorial content, high profile partnerships, national events, and community meet ups.
In this episode, Monica sat down to chat with Katya about they company's journey: what steps she took early on to help herself and the company, how they attracted such an amazing community of women, the value of a good ambassador program, and the highs and lows of starting a membership-based business.
Early in her career, Sonia Nagar founded a mobile shopping app called Pickie. After much success, the app was acquired by Retail Me Not, where she became the vice president of product and head of mobile apps for the coupon shopping site — and earned a Webby Award for Best Shopping App!
Upon relocating to Chicago with her husband, Sonia was preemptively meeting with VCs about future potential investments when one thing led to another and she was offered a position that was too good to refuse. Today, Sonia is the Vice President at Pritzker Group Venture Capital and is responsible for sourcing the firm's investments in consumer enterprise and emerging technology.
If you're thinking of pitching an idea to investors or toying with the idea of starting an app for your brand, you're going to want to listen in. Sonia and Monica discuss the best way to capture the attention of a venture capitalist and what qualities Pritzker Group looks for in a founder and their company.
Azeeza Khan left her corporate job for the chance to pursue her dream of launching a women's wear brand, which she did with just a $3,000 budget. Since launching, her store has been listed by Forbes as a top shopping destination in Chicago and Azeeza herself was named by Women’s Wear Daily as the city’s “it designer”.
Azeeza's brand is a perfect combination of accessibility and luxury, so it's no surprise that it’s a favorite among celebrities including Sarah Jessica Parker, stylists, and fashion-forward women. The line is now carried exclusively at Barney’s where it continues to sell out each season.
She runs her business like a tight ship with a lean team, all the while balancing being a mom of a toddler. In today's podcast, she talks with Monica about her decision to quit her corporate job and take a chance on her own business, how her brand has evolved, and the importance of utilizing your network.
In 2015, Jen Rubio was traveling back from a trip to Switzerland when her luggage broke in the middle of a crowded airport, sending her clothes and belongings everywhere. As she looked for a replacement she couldn't find the kind of iconic, high-quality, affordable luggage she was looking for.
Jen called up her friend Steph Korey - the two met in 2011 at Warby Parker back when they had only twenty employees - and they got to work. Just a few years later, they launched their direct-to-consumer luggage company, Away, in 2015. It boasts high end features such as two built-in USB ports and a durable, sleek design but is a fraction of the price of competing luggage.
The Away team now has more than 100 employees and tens of millions in revenue. They have expanded their product line, which now offers the bag in six sizes and eight colors and have partnered with people like Gray Malin and Karlie Kloss. In their conversation, Jen and Monica talk about how Away launched without a product, the way they handle collaborations, and why the retail and digital arms of the business aren't so different after all.
Today's episode might just make you want to go home and do laundry.
After graduating from Cornell University’s Fiber Science and Apparel Design Program, Lindsey Boyd and Co-founder Gwen Whiting found themselves in New York City, working at some of the largest fashion houses in the world (hello, Chanel and Ralph Lauren!) where an unspoken dress code led them to build their wardrobes with “investment” pieces with “dry clean only” tags. Tired of the pricey bills and damaged, chemical-ridden clothing from the dry cleaners, the duo set out to revolutionize the laundry industry with eco-friendly, fabric-specific home and fabric care products.
Now, fourteen years later, with successful collaborations with John Mayer and J.Crew, a flagship store in NYC and shelf space in more than 1,500 retail stories including Barney’s, Net-A-Porter and Bloomingdales in over 38 countries, The Laundress has completely changed how people do laundry.
Today, Lindsey and Monica discuss the evolution of The Laundress, their wholesale strategy, and the secrets to their long-term success.
Lindsay Pinchuk did something most expectant mothers would never do. At eight weeks pregnant, she started a business. After realizing that moms and moms-to-be needed a place to meet and connect with one another, she decided to create the community herself.
Eight years later, The Bump Club and Beyond has sold out more than 700 events in over thirty cities and has a community of more than 300,000 parents and parents-to-be across the country.
Today, Lindsay and Monica discuss how to best launch an event and work with national partners, how she uses data to drive her business decisions and how she utilized her own network in the early days to get her business off the ground.
With a tagline of “Fewer, Better Things,” Cuyana might be one of the only fashion brands that encourages their customers to actually purchase less. The cutting edge brand offers high quality leather products at an accessible price point by sourcing different materials from around the world.
Along with her co-founder Shilpa Shah, Karla Gallardo spent two years building their companies supply chain before launching Cuyana in 2013. At the time, consumers had not yet grasped the idea of affordable luxury with a direct-to-consumer model.
Listen in as Karla and Monica discuss how a crucial part of growing the business was educating customers and investors about the new model. They also discuss the “Fewer, Better Things” motto and how it drives everything they do at the company. Karla also reveals the process she used to find the best suppliers, the role of influencers in customer acquisition and the steps they take to hire the right team.
Mr. & Mrs. Smith co-founders, Tamara and James Lohan first came up with the idea for a carefully curated collection of hotels after their first international trip as a couple turned out to be quite disastrous. The experience led them to write down every single thing they would want from a hotel. Those notes quickly became their business plan. What originally started as a guide book has now become Mr. & Mrs. Smith, a carefully curated collection of 1,000+ boutique and luxury hotels across the globe.
Mr & Mrs Smith quickly gained a cult following. The global travel club now caters to more than 1 million like-minded members in 100+ countries and counts tastemakers like Stella McCartney, Olivia Von Holle and Dita Von Teese as fans. The company now offers Smith24, a 24-hour customer service and booking support line and launched a “Family Hub” to highlight child-friendly hotels.
Listen in as Tamara and Monica discuss the trajectory of Mr & Mrs Smith, how she manages a team located around the globe, how to best tap into influencer marketing and why you have to balance the human and digital aspects of customer service.
As the founder and managing partner of venture capital firm Cota Capital and as founder of Signatures Capital, Bobby Yazdani has invested in more than 130 early stage tech start-ups in 15 years. Companies in his portfolio include everything from Birchbox and Bonobos to Google, Dropbox and Uber. In 2014, he was named by CB Insights as the #1 angel investor, out of a list of 2000, for most successful follow-on funding and is also currently an investor and board member for Monica + Andy.
In this rare interview, Bobby discusses his early days as an immigrant from Iran and how that shaped him into the entrepreneur and investor he is today. He also reveals the crucial steps any entrepreneur needs to take before approaching a potential investor, the two qualities of any successful entrepreneur, and the invaluable advice he shares with CEOs in his portfolio.
One weekend while studying abroad in Italy, Ariel Kaye checked into a boutique hotel on the Amalfi Coast and got into bed after a long day of travel. She felt sheets that were softer and more luxurious than anything she had ever experienced. The experience stuck with her.
Ariel went on to graduate from NYU before spending ten years at an agency in brand development and advertising. In 2012, she was shopping for bedding and was faced with overpriced monotonous products. So in 2014, with those Amalfi Coast boutique hotel sheets in mind, she launched Parachute, a direct to consumer home essentials brand that offers quality, non-toxic bedding, bath, and table linens. In addition to their e-commerce site,the brand also now has their own hospitality line and in 2016 opened The Parachute Hotel.
In this episode, Monica chats with Ariel about how she got started, how she best utilizes the advice and expertise of her investors, the importance of evolving with your customer and the number one thing you need to know about building a team.
When Morgan Hutchinson had her first child, she realized no one in the online retail market was catering to that fashionable mom who wanted to wear her favorite brands through every stage of motherhood. She wanted on trend machine washable clothing with easy access for nursing and more forgiving silhouettes. When she couldn't find it herself, she decided to curate it on her own and become the go-to style resource for pregnant women and new moms. Buru, a multi-brand ecommerce site dedicated to elevated style for moms was born.
Today, BURU carries high-end designers like Ulla Johnson, Rebecca Minkoff and Rachel Comey along with Morgan's own line, BURU White Label.
In this episode, Morgan reveals her top networking tips, the importance of having an authentic brand and what she does to differentiate Buru from other women's e-commerce sites.
If you're a mom or dad, you probably have one of today's guest's products in your home (and if you don't, you might wish you did)! Chelsea Hirschhorn is the president and CEO of Fridababy, a solutions based brand committed to making parents' lives easier by offering revolutionary products to safely and easily tackle common baby issues at home.
Fridababy products are sold in 30,000 stores across the country and last year alone sold more than 2 million of their signature product The NoseFrida.
In this episode. Chelsea shares the story behind the creation of the company and her unique perspective on marketing tactics (Hint: focusing on Instagram and influencers isn’t one of them!). Chelsea also reveals how she grew the business so quickly and the inspiration behind her wildly successful products.
Jacq Tatelman and her husband Scott are the Brooklyn-based duo behind State Bags, a one for one company that is making a difference in America. For every bag sold, they donate a backpack to a child in need.
Their mission was inspired by an organization Jacq and her husband started in 2009 that sent underprivileged New York City kids to summer camp. They saw time and time again kids showing up with their belongings in plastic bags, and sought to start a company that could help change the lives of kids. Thanks to their amazing mission combined with their timeless designs, State Bags has gotten attention from celebrities and fashion bloggers, and has even collaborated with Beyoncé, Barack Obama, and Chance the Rapper.
Today Jacq gives us a peek into the company: the culture, what it's like working with her husband, and how they've built brand awareness.
Since launching her line in 2011, Rebecca Minkoff has become a globally recognized brand with stores around the world and a cult-like following.
She’s a pioneer in the fashion industry, merging tech with fashion and constantly evolving her product line. She offers products like “connected” smart bags that provide consumers access to exclusive content and was the first brand to feature interactive mirrors in the dressing rooms. Always thinking about her core customer, she decided to break the mold and offer her customers a front row seat at fashion shows via virtual reality.
Minkoff, who says she doesn’t believe there really is such a thing as work-life balance, is expecting her third child and speaks candidly with Monica about what life will realistically look like being a CEO with a newborn.
Minkoff also reveals the secret to evolving with your customer and how she uses technology to ease their pain points. She also shares how she connects her digital and retail experiences for customers and what she does internally to treat employees and build a strong company culture.
As a professional soccer player, Tim Brown was used to receiving and trying out lots of free shoes. Somewhere along the line, he started to notice that all sports shoes were beginning to look the same. So, with that in mind, he set out to make his own.
Tim grew up in New Zealand and was familiar with the great qualities of wool - it's not only good for minimizing odor but also for regulating temperature. The benefits had been applied to clothing, but not yet to footwear. Alongside co-founder Joey Zwillinger, he went through hundreds of prototypes before putting the shoe up on Kickstarter, where they reached their $120k goal in just five days.
Allbirds now has more than 80 employees, recently landed $17.5M in series E funding and was named "The most comfortable shoe" by Time Magazine. In this episode, Tim talks about his decision to use a no branding strategy -- something that's unheard of the footwear industry, and reveals the core values his team lives by that have been crucial to his team's success.
We’re getting personal on the podcast today!
Monica sits down with the CEO and Founder of Interior Define, Rob Royer, who just happens to also be her husband. After struggling to find high quality and well designed furniture at an affordable price, Rob decided to make it himself.
Interior Define was launched in 2014 and offers a new concept in custom furniture: edited, thoughtfully designed and well-crafted pieces that are fairly priced and complete customization as each piece is made-to-order.
In this episode, Rob talks about launching the brand and why the right type of marketing is such a critical component to starting any business. He also discusses why it’s so important to let your product offering evolve over time and gives us a candid glimpse into what life is like raising a daughter when both parents are entrepreneurs.
Maggie Winters and her co-founders set out to create a line of clothing that they thought was missing in the marketplace: high quality, affordable, seasonless fashion basics. The brand, called All Year Round (AYR), it has a cult-like following, and it's clear why.
The digitally native brand has found success with pop-up shops in New York, and is constantly pushing the envelope when it comes to non-traditional retail.
I chatted with Maggie about her future in retail and plans for additional stores, as well as the amazing culture at AYR, and the important things to keep in mind when hiring.
In just three years, Alyce Tran has turned The Daily Edited, an affordable luxury accessories line, into a global company with stores in the U.S., Singapore and Australia.
On today's show, Alyce talks about the expansion of the company — including the recent sale of a 30% stake in her company for $4.5 million - and the growing pains that come with that kind of growth. Monica and Alyce also discuss how to maintain company culture across an international company, the personal cost of running a business and TDE’s social media strategy.
Today's guest is one of the most sought after e-commerce investors in the country: Kirsten Green. Kirsten is the founder of Forerunner Ventures, and made early investments in companies like Birchbox, Glossier, Outdoor Voices and Bonobos. Plus, she was the only one to invest in two of the biggest e-commerce sites of the past few years: Jet.com and Dollar Shave Club.
This year Kirsten was named as one of Time's 100 Most Influential People in the World, and one of the Most Powerful Women in Tech by Forbes. On this episode, Kirsten talks about the magic of instincts, how she chooses which brands to invest in, and shares invaluable advice on what to do when pitching a potential investor.
Christine Hunsicker, CEO and Founder of Gwynnie Bee — an online subscription rental clothing service for women sizes 10-32 — launched her business from her Manhattan apartment in 2013. Fast forward to today, the company has more than 400 employees across the world, offers over 3,000 styles from 120 brands and to date have shipped over 4 million boxes.
In today’s episode, Monica and Christine discuss growth, the biggest challenges of being CEO, building an open and honest culture and why it has been so critical to the company’s success.
“Ownership [of clothing] is the sole means of access today, and that is hugely limiting for both the consumer and the supplier.” - Christine Hunsicker
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.MonicaandAndy.blog/12
As an advisor, investor, and entrepreneur, Sari Azout wears many hats. Early on in her career she worked as an investment banker in the consumer and retail division of Lehman Brothers. From there, she took the leap to start her own company Bib + Tuck — a peer-to-peer apparel marketplace — which was acquired by Crossroad Trading in 2015.
Now, as a Partner at Level Ventures and Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Rokk3r Labs, Sari advises dozens of early stage companies. In this episode, Sari talks about what she looks for when choosing companies to invest in, the importance of language market fit and why storytelling is imperative to any company’s success. She also reveals the best resources to help any brand begin to craft their message.
“Let’s not look at the demographics of the people that are buying from you, let’s get into their psyche.” - Sari Azout
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.MonicaandAndy.blog/11
If there is a female millennial entrepreneur that is shaking up their industry, chances are Vivienne Decker has covered them for Forbes.com. She has interviewed some of the country’s most successful female entrepreneurs and has some fascinating insight into the similarities between these powerhouse women.
On today’s episode, Vivienne gives valuable and candid insider advice on how to get press coverage from the top business outlets (hint: the right subject lines matter BIG TIME!).
When Heidi Zak couldn’t find a quality bra that fit her right and looked great, she realized there was a hole in the market and ThirdLove was born. The data-driven bra company now offers 15 styles in 59 different sizes (they’re the only company to offer half cup sizes!) and provides a “try before you buy” model that encourages women to try the product on in the comfort of their own homes.
On this episode Heidi discusses product market fit, exactly how her company collects and uses data to target sales, how to create demand (and a waiting list!), and how their values inform their hiring process. She also reveals the number one platform ThirdLove relies on to track customer service.
In 2011, bloggers Danielle Moss and Alaina Kaczmarski teamed up to launch a website with a budget of less than $8k. Since then, The Everygirl has become a household name and the ultimate online resource for creative, career-driven women with more than 1 million unique visitors each month and 660k+ Instagram followers. Just a few months after launching, The Everygirl was named by Forbes as one of the “Top 10 websites for Millennial Women” and as one of the “Top 100 Websites for Women.”
In this episode, Danielle explains how she got started and the steps she took to launch The Everygirl. She also shares her number one tip for taking great Instagram photos (bonus: you don’t need to be a professional photographer!) and her go-to apps, filters and editing tricks to make photos look their best. Danielle and Monica also discuss how to delegate as you grow and why sometimes you just need to throw ideas to the wall and see what sticks.
“Sometimes you have to let go of a few things to focus on what’s really important.” - Danielle Moss
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.MonicaandAndy.blog/08
Jessica Herrin was on a mission when she set out to create the direct sales accessory company, Stella & Dot. For her, it wasn’t as much about the product she wanted to create, but rather a movement. At the time, Herrin had already launched a wedding gift registry site which sold to The Knot for $78 million. She balanced being a mom of two daughters as she worked tirelessly to build her second company. From there, it was clear to her that she wanted to create a company that would empower and provide entrepreneurship opportunities for the modern woman.
Fourteen years after launching, Stella & Dot has paid more than $300 million in commissions to more than 50,000 stylists and Herrin has been named by Forbes as one of America’s Richest Self Made Women.
In this episode, Herrin fills us in on why she stopped trying to do it all and why women need to make a change and stop feeling guilty about their choices(“mom guilt” anyone?). She also discusses the importance of being soulfully connected to your work, how to get started building a business when you don’t have the right mentors and the importance of acting as your own venture capitalist. Herrin also shares what she calls “The 6 P’s of the Entrepreneurial Spirit” to achieve success in business and lives a happy life. More on that can be found in her latest book, Finding the Extraordinary (which we highly recommend!).
“Often times when you have the biggest struggles, it’s your greatest opportunity.” - Jessica Herrin
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.MonicaandAndy.blog/07
Daphne Oz is a healthy lifestyle expert, entrepreneur, New York Times Bestselling cookbook author, chef, Emmy award-winning TV host and mother of two (with another one on the way!). If anyone has effectively mastered the art of multi-tasking with style, it’s Daphne Oz.
In this episode, Daphne discusses the importance of investing in yourself and reveals one thing everyone can do each day to feel more confident. Monica and Daphne also discuss “being real” on social media, why you shouldn’t compare yourself to others and how you can use the “picture perfect but totally staged"”images from your favorite bloggers as inspiration.
She also fills us in on how she manages to make healthy meals for the kids while working full-time. Her third cookbook, The Happy Cook, is all about balancing healthy foods with all the comforting meals you and your family actually want to eat. Read on for two of our favorite (and kid approved) recipes from the book (and do yourself a favor and get a copy!).
“Everyone has this moment in their life where the thing that they thought was holding them back, is actually a huge asset.” - Daphne Oz
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.MonicaandAndy.blog/06
When Payal Kadakia went online one day in 2011 to book a ballet workout class, she was “miserably frustrated” with how difficult it was to find and attend the right type of class. After realizing her friends had similar frustrations, she created ClassPass — a monthly membership fitness-class booking company — as a way for people to reconnect with their passions and fitness.
Listen in to learn more about how Payal’s passion for dancing led her to create a nearly $400 million company and being named on Forbes 40 under 40 List. Payal and Monica also discuss the importance of product market fit, how a CEO’s role (and the roles of those on your team) evolve as the company grows, how to create the right type of culture and why it’s so crucial so solidify your company’s vision and mission.
“The only thing that mattered was getting people to class.” - Payal Kadakia
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.MonicaandAndy.blog/05
Sam Yagan holds quite the entrepreneurial resume. During his college years, he co-founded SparkNotes, which sold for $30 million to Barnes & Noble just one year later. He then co-founded a little dating site called OKCupid and from there went on to run Match.com. He’s currently the CEO of ShopRunner, a members only online shopping site with more than 4 million members, and runs the venture capital firm, Corazon Capital.
As a regular advisor to Monica, Sam is never short on game-changing advice. Listen in today as he reveals insider tips on how to pick the right investor and the number one thing you should do after you raise your first round of capital.
He also reveals the number one book he swears by that completely changed the way he looks at hiring employees (and what to do when a hire doesn’t go well) and gives invaluable insight into how to maintain culture as you scale.
“Understanding what mountain you have to climb to sustain your business and raise more capital is critically important.” - Sam Yagan
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.MonicaandAndy.blog/04
Famed designer Cynthia Rowley is perhaps most well known for her namesake clothing brand. However, since she launched her label in 1983, she has expanded from clothing into everything from home furnishings and tech accessories to surfing apparel. A true artist at heart, Cynthia is constantly innovating, networking, and paving the way in the fashion world. Did you know she was one of the first designers to do a collaboration with Target?
Listen in as Monica and Cynthia talk about choosing the right partners to collaborate, starting a network from scratch, how to stay relevant with your brand in an ever-evolving industry, supporting other female entrepreneurs and how to motivate employees. They also discuss what they've given up along the way to achieve success and how to balance being a parent and entrepreneur.
“For anyone who wants to start a company, it’s never been easier: you don’t need a store, you don’t even need an office space.” - Cynthia Rowley.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.MonicaandAndy.blog/03
In 2010, Katia Beauchamp started Birchbox and revolutionized the way we shop for beauty products. The subscription-based company now has over 1 million global subscribers and has managed to stay relevant in the ever-growing market for subscription services and in the digital retail world.
Listen in as Katia explains why she thinks one of the biggest opportunities in the consumer space is to tap into what she calls "passive consumption." She also chats with Monica about word of mouth marketing, raising capital as a female entrepreneur and explains how cold emailing can help you get ahead regardless of your business or industry.
“Our vision is to be powerfully relevant through deep respect.” - Katia Beauchamp.
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.MonicaandAndy.blog/02
For the first episode, I’m interviewing one of my favorite humans on earth: My brother Andy Dunn. The offspring of an immigrant mother who bucked tradition to marry our dad (he is not Indian, like our mother), we grew up feeling different from the other kids. This difference was our common bond and it made us that much closer.
Andy founded Bonobos in 2007 with the goal of providing men with better fitting pants. In the past ten years, the brand has grown to become a premier destination for men’s clothing. Along the way, Andy and his team have revolutionized the modern retail industry by providing a digital-first shopping experience. Not surprisingly, a lot of other brands have taken notice and followed suit (no pun intended).
Andy was a true pioneer in digital and his advice and guidance have been instrumental in Monica + Andy's growth. Listen in to this first episode for some great advice from Andy, including what five qualities to look for in employees as you’re building your team, and whether there really is such a thing as an expert (and if you should hire them).
“The thing that you think the world wants from you is not actually what the world wants from you - what the world wants from you is to do very difficult work of creating something that can exist and thrive and prosper.” - Andy Dunn
Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.MonicaandAndy.com/01