“Everyone has a use case for Hulken, and I think that’s what makes it so relatable. The product basically markets itself,” says Alex Schinasi, the co-founder and president of Hulken, as she shares how her simple yet functional rolling tote became a viral sensation.

Joining Lindsay Pinchuk in this episode, Alex reflects on her start as an entrepreneur in Israel, where she first learned the importance of responding to customer needs. From launching a side project during the pandemic to growing Hulken into a profitable business, Alex’s journey challenges many common assumptions about what it takes to start a successful company. Is a large team really necessary? Or can resourcefulness and focus on a single standout product bring growth?

Alex’s story inspires entrepreneurs to start small, keep things straightforward, and rethink the need for external funding. Her approach is refreshingly practical, proving that anyone can build something meaningful with determination, adaptability, and a willingness to listen to the market.

Quotes

• “Everyone has a use case for Hulken, and I think that’s what makes it so relatable… the product basically markets itself.” (14:22 | Alex Schinasi)
• “You don’t need the big fancy teams. You don’t need the six-figure hires. You can hire freelance people for projects. And I say this all the time: figure out what you don’t want to do and what you can’t do, and find someone who can do it for you, and you will be paying them less than it would cost you to ‘pay yourself.’ That’s how you grow a big business. That’s how you bootstrap a business… Hulken, it’s only now, and we’re almost at 20 million in revenue, that we’re investing in our website. Not a dime was invested in that website until literally right now.” (18:18 | Lindsay Pinchuk & Alex Schinasi)
• “It’s funny, there’s that misconception that you need capital to start a company, but it’s actually never been easier to start a company with nothing... You observed your customers and you made the pivot. In all of these situations, which is so important, you can just get started. The tools are there.” (20:27 | Alex Schinasi & Lindsay Pinchuk)
• “You somehow find the strength, right? I think that happens a lot as a founder—that things just seem impossible, and you just find it in you somehow and get through it.” (36:11 | Alex Schinasi)
• “If you overthink, you’re never going to start. Nothing’s ever going to be perfect, and you just have to be okay with that idea.” (38:35 | Alex Schinasi)

Connect with Alex Schinasi:

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alexschinasi

Get on Lindsay's LIST here: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/foundherforum

There are still a few tickets left for Dear FoundHer... on Tour with Sunny and Jenn on December 2 in Wilmette, IL: https://dearfoundher.ticketspice.com/dear-foundheron-tour-presents-sunny-jenn

Don't forget to follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Always come back to your North Star. Stay true to your mission, and when you find yourself veering off the path, remind yourself of who you are, what you do, why you do it, and how, and circle back to that original mission of your brand. It is always there to guide you.” This is one of Lindsay Pinchuk’s top takeaways in this episode, pointing out the need for alignment and focus in building a brand that lasts.

Lindsay is joined by Lauren Dudley Stephens and Katherine “Kaki” Dudley McGrath, the sister duo behind the direct-to-consumer brand Dudley Stephens. What’s the secret to their success? A mix of family values, sustainable practices, and an unwavering commitment to staying true to their mission—even as their business grows! They share how starting small, fostering genuine connections with their community, and building a grassroots approach to marketing allowed them to expand thoughtfully while staying grounded.

Tune in to hear how Dudley Stephens became a brand that’s as beloved for its values as it is for its products, and why sometimes, smaller really is better.

Quotes

• “Marketing is everything, and you need to have a good core product. But how you get your story out there is just as important.” (10:53 | Lauren Dudley Stephens)
• “If it goes against our North Star, we say no. It kind of goes back to being true to ourselves and staying small and manageable as well. We want to be able to stay the course, and that North Star helps us do that.” (33:14 | Katherine “Kaki” Dudley McGrath)
• “Bigger is not better, and the grass is not always greener... you have to appreciate what you’ve built, grow steadily, be profitable, and have a nice family business.” (34:31 | Lauren Dudley Stephens)
• “Learn from the people who know it better than you… It’s a roller coaster and there are going to be downs, but take those—the negatives—and turn them into positives.” (39:55 | Katherine “Kaki” Dudley McGrath)

Connect with Lauren Dudley Stephens and Kaki Dudley McGrath:

https://www.instagram.com/laurendudleystephens/

dudleystephens.com

Get on Lindsay's LIST here: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/foundherforum

There are still a few tickets left for Dear FoundHer... on Tour with Sunny and Jenn on December 2 in Wilmette, IL: https://dearfoundher.ticketspice.com/dear-foundheron-tour-presents-sunny-jenn

Don't forget to follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Parents want the best for their children—of course, they do. That was the big ‘aha’ moment for us, where we realized we were onto something. They want to connect, they want slower time with their children, and they want the right tools to make it happen,” shares Jessica Rolph, the co-founder and CEO of Lovevery.

In this episode, Jessica joins Lindsay Pinchuk to talk about how deeply listening to parents has shaped Lovevery’s approach, from building a direct-to-consumer brand to launching thoughtful, stage-based products like their Play Gym and a new skill-based reading program. What does it take to build a brand that truly serves its customers? For Jessica, it’s all about understanding what parents need at every step of their child’s development.

Jessica also opens up about Lovevery’s strategic partnership with Target and how they’ve managed to balance retail presence with their D2C model. How can brands grow while staying connected to their core mission? This episode shows the importance of staying close to your customers while navigating both the online and retail landscapes. It’s a must-listen for anyone interested in building a brand that resonates deeply with their consumers.

Quotes

• “Parents want the best for their children—of course, they do. That was the big ‘aha’ moment and unlock for us, where we realized we were really onto something. They want to connect, they want slower time with their children, and they want the right tools to make it happen.” (20:06 | Jessica Rolph)
• “If there’s one thing I want anyone listening to know about Lovevery, it’s that this is a very human brand, and we really care.” (21:58 | Jessica Rolph)
• “One of the things we think about is: is there something we can offer that’s truly of service and differentiated? Is there something that no one else is doing that is needed? Those are two really important questions. Is it needed, and is it important? And if nobody else is doing it and we feel we can step in and help, we want to do that.” (28:38 | Jessica Rolph)
• “If you make something great, you can count on word of mouth, but you can’t count on word of mouth to take you all the way there.” (31:59 | Jessica Rolph)
• “We are direct-to-consumer because we want to have a direct relationship with parents. So, when somebody buys our product from Amazon, it’s fine...but at our core, we want to be in conversation with families. We want to have that direct relationship, and we want to be there as your child grows.” (32:50 | Jessica Rolph)

Connect with Jessica Rolph:

http://www.instagram.com/JessicaRolph

http://www.instagram.com/lovevery

Get on Lindsay's LIST here: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/foundherforum

Get tickets for Dear FoundHer... on Tour with Sunny + Jenn:

https://dearfoundher.ticketspice.com/dear-foundheron-tour-presents-sunny-jenn

Don't forget to follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.