How Mike Holcombe Went From Bartender to The #1 Store on Etsy | Caitlyn Minimalist

Our website: https://tidemarkrealestate.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tidemarkrealestate/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tidemarkrealestateLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18063320/admin/dashboard/Mike Holcombe, co-founder of Caitlyn Minimalist, joins Tidemark Talks to share how he and his wife Kate turned a sentimental gift into the #1 jewelry brand on Etsy. From humble beginnings in their living room to viral growth and now opening their first retail store, this episode is full of powerful lessons for entrepreneurs. Mike opens up about branding, scaling, work-life balance, and what it’s really like building a business with your spouse.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro to Mike Holcombe & Caitlyn Minimalist02:35 – How they started the business in their living room03:37 – Leaving their jobs and going all-in on Etsy04:43 – The dangers of relying on algorithms06:06 – The bracelet that sparked the brand12:27 – Going viral: the moment everything changed14:00 – Why they’ve stayed independent without investors16:58 – Opening their first physical store in Irvine23:49 – Email flows, Instagram pixels, and social media strategy25:19 – Dealing with copycats and brand impersonators32:50 – Hiring out of their home & building real culture42:43 – Why Kate’s passion is the brand’s biggest superpower45:42 – Running a business with your spouse – challenges & rewards