135 - From Side Hustles to Fintech: Molly on Building a Clothing Business & Working at Bilt

Host Ainsley interviews Molly, a STEM Entrepreneurship major at FSU’s Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, about her experience running a custom clothing and bedazzling business while working at fintech startup Bilt. Molly explains how her sewing and alterations work grew from early dance and figure-skating experiences into a passion project that gained traction through existing clientele. She outlines Bilt’s mission of letting renters earn points on rent payments without transaction fees, its loyalty-first approach, partnerships like American Campus Communities, and challenges marketing a credit card near college campuses. Molly describes her past growth and business development internship, auditing thousands of properties, and her upcoming strategic finance role analyzing spending, profitability, and user behavior. She also discusses pursuing a Master’s in Finance at the University of Liverpool and emphasizes time management, mentorship, and focusing on one priority at a time. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 00:35 Molly’s Entrepreneurship Origin 01:24 Accidental Side Hustles 02:14 What Is Bilt 04:12 Bilt’s Growth Story 05:47 Marketing to Students 08:29 Rent Fees and Points 10:31 New Finance Internship Role 12:57 Master’s in Liverpool 14:43 Custom Clothing Reality Check 17:57 Entrepreneur Mindset Lessons 21:07 Advice and Wrap Up