Episode Summary

In this podcast episode, Kyle interviews Sarah, the Founder of Mys Tyler, an innovative fashion platform. Transitioning from the telecommunications industry to fashion, Sarah discusses her journey from running sales and marketing for a telecommunications company to becoming an entrepreneur.

She speaks about her first business, Doodad, a telecommunications venture that morphed from a $50,000 pilot project into a million-dollar venture, but eventually had to shut down. She shares her experience of dealing with the closure of Doodad and how it led to the birth of Mys Tyler. Sarah was inspired to start Mys Tyler after struggling with personal fashion choices and wanting to balance comfort with style.

The platform matches users with creators of similar body types, offering personalized style inspiration. She discusses the innovative strategies used to overcome the cold start problem, like using celebrity data and creating engaging quizzes. Sarah shares her experiences with the unpredictable and challenging process of fundraising, the emotional experience of notifying customers and suppliers about Doodad's closure with just 48 hours' notice, and the unexpected positive feedback received despite the abrupt closure.

Sarah then delves into the journey of launching Mys Tyler, leveraging affiliate marketing and influencer trends. She discusses the creation of a unique business model that resulted in the successful launch of Mys Tyler.Throughout the interview, Sarah emphasizes the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and a solid network for entrepreneurs. She also highlights the need for self-care amidst the excitement and challenges of startup life.

Highlights

(00:38) From Zero to One (137 Seconds)
(05:55) Doodad (61 Seconds)
(12:03) Discovering Entrepreneurial Ideas (108 Seconds)
(22:56) Navigating the Startup Numbers Game (47 Seconds)
(26:40) Discovery of Entrepreneurial Passion (63 Seconds)
(30:10) Celebrity Body Double Algorithm App (132 Seconds)
(35:20) Evolution of Celebrity-Free Social App (70 Seconds)
(38:16) Navigating Fundraising Challenges as a Founder (109 Seconds)
(44:12) Mark Zuckerberg's Inspirational Startup Journey (88 Seconds)
(49:24) Startup Support and Community Growth (81 Seconds)

Quotes

Chapters

(00:00) - Entrepreneurship Journey
(13:51) - Fashion Innovation for Women's Social Media
(16:45) - Navigating the Entrepreneurial Fundraising Journey
(27:43) - Entrepreneurial Validation and Platform Development
(38:26) - Founder's Struggle With Fundraising Mindset
(45:48) - Entrepreneurial Journey Reflection and Growth

Meet Dani Grant - Co-founder & CEO of Jam (jam.dev)

• Jam - https://jam.dev
  • 1 click to capture a perfect bug report. Trusted by 32 of the Fortune 100, and 150K happy users. 🍓
• Jam on X - @jamdotdev
• Jam on Instagram - @jamdotdev
• Dani - LinkedIn

Summary

In this conversation, Kyle Hudson and Dani Grant discuss the journey of building their respective companies, focusing on the importance of community, authenticity, and transparency in tech. They share insights on the early challenges faced while developing their products, the significance of fundraising, and the evolving nature of user engagement. The discussion highlights the value of storytelling and personal connections in the startup ecosystem. In this conversation, Kyle Hudson and Dani Grant discuss the journey of building a startup, emphasizing the importance of networking, patient capital, and the challenges of achieving product-market fit. They explore the dynamics of team building, the value of contracting before hiring, and the significance of maintaining a positive company culture in a remote work environment. The discussion highlights the need for resilience and adaptability in the face of uncertainty, as well as the goal of creating a human-centric company that fosters genuine connections and joy in the workplace.

Takeaways

• There's an energy in what you are building.
• Building in public creates a sense of community.
• Transparency in tech fosters trust and authenticity.
• Early fundraising can be crucial for startup success.
• Iterating on product ideas is essential for finding market fit.
• User engagement is key to sustaining a product's success.
• Listening to user feedback can guide product development.
• Storytelling is a powerful tool for founders.
• Building a strong company culture is vital.
• Networking and personal connections can open doors for fundraising. Networking is about connecting with like-minded individuals.
• Patient capital can make a significant difference in a startup's journey.
• Achieving product-market fit often takes longer than expected.
• Embracing uncertainty is crucial for startups.
• Building a drama-free team enhances productivity and morale.
• Contracting can help identify the right team members before hiring.
• The future of Jam includes expanding its product offerings.
• Company culture is reinforced through positive interactions and shared experiences.
• Creating a human-centric company fosters genuine connections.
• Joyful moments in the workplace enhance team dynamics.