“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.

“I believe that the way we eat is one of the things that affects our overall health and quality of life more than anything else,” shares Julie Nguyen, the co-founder and CEO of Methodology, a luxury meal delivery service that’s all about clean eating and sustainability. Julie shares how her own struggles with health led her to realize the power of food as medicine, sparking the idea for Methodology—a business that blends wellness with convenience.

What makes Methodology stand out in the crowded meal prep world? It’s the Michelin-Star quality meals that are designed to be both nutritious and genuinely enjoyable. Julie talks about how they’ve nailed this balance, from the top-tier ingredients they use to the beautifully designed, reusable packaging that reflects their commitment to sustainability.

But how do you grow a business like this without sacrificing what matters most? Julie credits mentorship and community support as the key to scaling her business while staying true to her values. Her story is a reminder that when you build something with passion and purpose, you can create not just a successful business, but one that makes a real difference in people’s lives.

Quotes

• “We still rely primarily on social media and influencers to grow and the reason why it really works for us is because our product truly is differentiated. There are hundreds of meal prep services in America, but they are all playing in that $15 price range. And we are $10 to $15 more expensive than that. The reason why only we are doing it and the others aren’t is because if you are going to charge that price, you need to deliver that level of value, which is very hard to do.” (16:44 | Julie Nguyen)
• “I named the business ‘Methodology’ because I believe that the way we eat is one of the things that affects our overall health and quality of life more than anything else.” (19:49 | Julie Nguyen)
• “Give yourself way more time than you think you’ll need to achieve your goals. When we don’t give ourselves enough time, we approach our problems with a desperation that leads to making decisions that deliver short-term results rather than long-term results.” (42:32 | Julie Nguyen)
• “We know how to do every job at our business extremely well. We are so in the weeds, like anyone who directly reports to us, I could take over their job and do it at least as well as they could.” (43:35 | Julie Nguyen)

Connect with Julie Nguyen:

http://www.instagram.com/joolieshmoolie

https://www.gomethodology.com/

Waitlist for Dear FoundHer... Community: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/foundherfridays

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.

ICYMI, Dear FoundHer... is taking our most popular guests, Sunny and Jenn on TOUR, and we're kicking off with a one-of-a-kind event just outside of Chicago! Tickets went on sale this week, so we thought there is no better time than now to rerun this incredible conversation with Peloton's Jenn Sherman about how she and her best friend Pam Sunshine became a sensation on TikTok as SunnyandJenn. This episode kicks off a two-part series exploring how these 50-something influencers turned a chance encounter into a thriving lifestyle brand. Host Lindsay Pinchuk recounts her friendship with Jenn, a well-known Peloton instructor, and their journey into the world of TikTok.

Pam and Jenn discuss their rapid rise to TikTok fame, highlighting the power of authenticity and genuine friendship. They share insights on balancing their new venture with their primary careers—Jenn as a Peloton instructor and Pam as a personal assistant—and the importance of choosing brand partnerships that align with their values.

Join Pam and Jenn in this episode of Dear FoundHer… as they share their journey to TikTok stardom and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Discover how authenticity, seizing opportunities, and starting without a perfect plan can lead to unexpected success, and gain valuable insights into balancing new ventures with existing careers.

Connect with Pam Sunshine and Jenn Sherman:

http://www.instagram.com/sunnyandjenn

http://www.tiktok.com/@sunnyandjenn

JOIN US ON DECEMBER 2ND OUTSIDE OF CHICAGO YOU CAN GET TICKETS HERE: https://dearfoundher.ticketspice.com/dear-foundheron-tour-presents-sunny-jenn

NOT IN CHICAGO? Get on our list so that you will be the first to know when we come to a city near you!

If you like what you're hearing, please leave a rating or review at: https://ratethispodcast.com/dearfoundher

If you know a FoundHer... we should meet, please tell her to share her story with us here.

Don't forget to follow along @dearfoundher and @lindsaypinchuk.

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

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

ICYMI, Dear FoundHer... is taking our most popular guests, Sunny and Jenn on TOUR, and we're kicking off with a one-of-a-kind event just outside of Chicago! Tickets went on sale this week, so we thought there is no better time than now to rrerun this incredible conversation with Peloton's Jenn Sherman about how she and her best friend Pam Sunshine became a sensation on TikTok as SunnyandJenn. This episode kicks off a two-part series exploring how these 50-something influencers turned a chance encounter into a thriving lifestyle brand. Host Lindsay Pinchuk recounts her friendship with Jenn, a well-known Peloton instructor, and their journey into the world of TikTok.

Pam and Jenn discuss their rapid rise to TikTok fame, highlighting the power of authenticity and genuine friendship. They share insights on balancing their new venture with their primary careers—Jenn as a Peloton instructor and Pam as a personal assistant—and the importance of choosing brand partnerships that align with their values.

Join Pam and Jenn in this episode of Dear FoundHer… as they share their journey to TikTok stardom and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Discover how authenticity, seizing opportunities, and starting without a perfect plan can lead to unexpected success, and gain valuable insights into balancing new ventures with existing careers.

Connect with Pam Sunshine and Jenn Sherman:

http://www.instagram.com/sunnyandjenn

http://www.tiktok.com/@sunnyandjenn

JOIN US ON DECEMBER 2ND OUTSIDE OF CHICAGO YOU CAN GET TICKETS HERE: https://dearfoundher.ticketspice.com/dear-foundheron-tour-presents-sunny-jenn

NOT IN CHICAGO? Get on our list so that you will be the first to know when we come to a city near you!

If you like what you're hearing, please leave a rating or review at: https://ratethispodcast.com/dearfoundher

If you know a FoundHer... we should meet, please tell her to share her story with us here.

Don't forget to follow along @dearfoundher and @lindsaypinchuk.

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

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

“It’s cute to come in and bring a new brand, and that’s great—finding newness and all. But the reality is you’re competing with billion-dollar corporations, out of your parents’ garage, you know?” Katie Sturino recalls as she reflects on the early days of launching Megababe. As a body-positive influencer and CEO, Katie’s passion to solve everyday body concerns like chafing and sweat led her to make products that have truly resonated with a wide audience.

In this episode, Katie opens up about the transition from working in public relations to becoming an entrepreneur, taking Megababe from her parents’ garage to major retailers like Walmart. She talks about the importance of authenticity, community, and staying true to her mission of body positivity and empowering people of all shapes and sizes. Katie also shares insights into her strategic marketing efforts and how her viral series, #SupersizeTheLook, has strengthened her influence in the body acceptance movement.

As Katie shares practical advice for founders, she also stresses the value of hiring the right team and testing your ideas before going all in. What does it really take to push through when things don’t happen overnight? Katie’s story reminds us that persistence and finding the right audience are key.

Quotes

• “I knew this was something people needed. I knew this product was going to do well, but no one else really did. I had to stick to my guns and follow my gut, even when people, including family members, were saying, ‘I don’t really see this as something people need.’” (11:17 | Katie Sturino)
• “It’s cute to come in and bring a new brand, and that’s great—finding newness and all. But the reality is you’re competing with billion-dollar corporations, out of your parents’ garage, you know?” (15:28 | Katie Sturino)
• “Our brand loyalists understand that we truly care, that we’re real people behind the brand, and that we listen to customer feedback.” (21:14 | Katie Sturino)
• “It’s hard to engage in some of those really straightforward ways of marketing because I’m not going to win against a big brand like that. So we have to get creative.” (27:25 | Katie Sturino)
• “Don’t quit your day job until you have proof of concept. I think oftentimes people think they’ve got to blow up their life, sit at their computer alone, and be like, ‘Logo: step one.’ Launching without a really differentiated point of view in today’s market is undoable.” (40:30 | Katie Sturino)

Connect with Katie Sturino:

https://www.tiktok.com/@katiesturino?lang=en

http://www.instagram.com/katiesturino

http://www.instagram.com/megababe

https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/foundherfridays

Subscribe to the Dear FoundHer... newsletter: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/foundherfridays

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.

“I really wanted to give people a story and a journey they could understand, and simplify hair care, because throughout my career I’ve found it can be confusing for a lot of people,” shares Sarah Potempa, founder and CEO of The Beachwaver Co. Sarah joins Lindsay Pinchuk this week to share her path from celebrity hairstylist—working with clients like Rachel Zoe—to creating the Beachwaver, a rotating curling iron designed to make hairstyling at home easier. One turning point came at QVC, where, with just a prototype in hand, she pitched her product and secured a major order that propelled her brand forward.

Sarah opens up about the valuable lessons she’s learned on flexibility, authenticity, and building a strong community—particularly during the pandemic when she pivoted to direct-to-consumer sales and used TikTok to connect with her audience. How do you scale a business to meet growing demand while keeping that personal touch? Sarah tackled this by focusing on customer relationships and maintaining top-notch quality in her products. Her story is a powerful reminder of the importance of perseverance, creativity, and staying true to your vision as an entrepreneur.

Quotes

• “I really wanted to give people a story and a journey that they could understand and simplify hair care, because what I’ve found throughout my career is that it can be a little confusing to a lot of people.” (23:48 | Sarah Potempa)
• “I would do the website live and the TikTok live at the same time until I realized these are different audiences, and they need different experiences.” (34:05 | Sarah Potempa)
• “You also have to educate yourself and learn… It took me a really, really long time to get to where we are on TikTok because I wanted to be perfect, and I wanted to feel like we were this big, huge brand when we weren’t… I just learned that, ‘You know what, I have to deal with it.’ I have to learn every element of this business. I have to know who’s replying and how to the customers.” (47:26 | Sarah Potempa)
• “While you’re live streaming, show the real you. And that’s okay because that’s something I struggled with. Don’t be afraid to be yourself and show that.” (53:59 | Sarah Potempa)
• “Enjoy the moment and appreciate the struggles, the hard times.” (56:19 | Sarah Potempa)

Connect with Sarah Potempa:

https://www.instagram.com/sarahpotempa/

https://www.tiktok.com/@thebeachwaver

Register for Marketing Made Simple for Small Business: https://www.lindsaypinchuk.com/mmsfall2024

Subscribe to the Dear FoundHer... newsletter: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/foundherfridays

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.