Brand F*ups

In this episode of Brand F Ups, host Robyn Young sits down with Michelle Razavi, co-founder of Elavi, a pioneering food company specializing in healthy indulgence products. Michelle talks about her journey from corporate life to becoming an entrepreneur, her passion for health and wellness, and the challenges and triumphs she and her co-founder Nikki Elliott faced. From navigating the food industry during a global pandemic to achieving bestseller status on Amazon, Michelle shares valuable lessons on product development, pivoting strategies, consumer engagement, and maintaining a brand's North Star. Listen in for insights on Michelle's decision to bootstrap the business, the importance of market feedback, and the rebranding process that led to Elavi's current success.00:00 Introduction to Michelle Rosavi of Elevee01:02 Michelle's Entrepreneurial Journey Begins02:45 Challenges and Realizations in the Food Industry03:55 The Decision to Bootstrap and the Impact of COVID-1904:30 Early Success and the Real World MBA07:18 Pivoting Product Lines and Learning from the Market11:44 Understanding the True Target Consumer14:37 Rebranding and the Costco Breakthrough18:58 Consumer-Centric Approach and Future Innovations20:18 Understanding Your Customer's Needs20:45 Using Sampling Events for Market Insights22:24 Identifying Your Core Customer Base24:53 The Journey to Rebranding Success28:27 Balancing Customer Feedback and Intuition32:23 Maintaining Brand Integrity35:25 Learning from Mistakes37:48 Advice for Founders38:54 The Role of AI in Business41:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Failing Up with Justin Fenchel: Beatbox's Brand JourneyIn this episode of Brand F*Ups, host Robyn Young speaks with Justin Fenchel, co-founder of Beatbox Beverages, about the challenges and successes of building a brand in the ready-to-drink alcoholic beverage industry. Beatbox is known for its party punch that embraces music and community vibes, often seen at major music festivals. Justin shares his journey starting as an economic major and transitioning to entrepreneurship inspired by his father. He discusses the evolution of Beatbox from initial failures, including the legal challenges with their first name 'Winergy', to the successful rebranding to Beatbox and achieving product market fit. The discussion includes insights on the importance of passion, adaptability, and building strong co-founder relationships. Justin also reveals the strategy behind their packaging evolution, their Shark Tank experience, and how Beatbox navigated distribution challenges. The conversation highlights the organic, slow growth strategy, the significance of community building, and the obstacles overcome in Beatbox's journey to becoming a leader in the beverage industry.00:00 Introduction to Brand F Ups Podcast00:29 Meet Justin Fenchel of Beatbox Beverages01:50 The Journey to Beatbox Beverages02:38 Early Entrepreneurial Ventures04:25 The Birth of Beatbox06:43 Challenges and Pivots06:55 The Importance of Passion in Entrepreneurship08:29 Navigating Co-Founder Relationships11:09 The Beatbox Brand and Naming Journey17:06 Testing and Validating the Product19:00 Discovering the Perfect Wine Base19:40 Innovative Market Research Strategies20:48 Packaging Challenges and Iterations22:13 The Big Shift to Single Serve25:05 Navigating Distribution Networks26:37 Standing Out in a Crowded Market35:28 Future Plans and Global Ambitions38:36 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Falling Up with Cindy Gallop: Challenging Social Norms & Innovating Sex EdIn this episode of Brand F Ups, host Robyn Young interviews Cindy Gallop, the pioneering founder and CEO of MakeLoveNotPorn. Cindy shares her journey as a serial entrepreneur and activist, revealing the inspiration behind creating a social sex video sharing platform that promotes real-world intimacy. From her viral TED talk to challenges faced in the tech industry, Cindy discusses her fight to normalize conversations about sex, her struggles with business infrastructure, and her innovative plans for the MakeLoveNotPorn Academy. Cindy's insights on diversity, inclusion, and the importance of radical authenticity in business offer valuable lessons for any entrepreneur.Watch Cindy's original Ted Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/cindy_gallop_make_love_not_porn?subtitle=enMake Love Not Porn on WeFunder: https://wefunder.com/makelovenotporn00:00 Introduction to Brand F Ups Podcast00:15 Meet Cindy Gallop: Entrepreneur and Activist01:23 The Birth of MakeLoveNotPorn07:07 Challenges and Triumphs in the Sex Tech Industry10:40 Navigating Cultural and Business Barriers12:09 Building a Sex Education Ecosystem22:11 Empowering Diversity and Inclusion30:25 Cindy's Bold Moves and Personal Stories38:02 Lessons from the Trenches: Fail Up Moments43:01 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

The Power of Failure and Reinvention: Robyn Young's JourneyRobyn Young returns to Brand F*Ups after a two-year hiatus to share the story of her biggest failure and the lessons learned. Joined by fellow agency owner and personal branding coach Terrence Lomax, Robyn delves into the ups and downs of a failed venture, the importance of discussing setbacks openly, and the ultimate road to reviving Young & Co with renewed clarity and purpose. This episode is a candid exploration of vulnerability, resilience, and the pursuit of authentic success in the entrepreneurial world.00:00 Introduction to Brand F*Ups00:58 Reviving the Podcast: Why Now?03:46 Robyn's Biggest Failure: Lessons Learned08:28 Seeking Validation and Bigger Challenges18:47 Reflecting on Career Choices20:19 The Value of Authentic Branding22:44 Switching The Plan28:55 Authentic Business Partnerships

The brilliant Farah Kabir, Co-founder of Hanx, joins us from across the pond on this week’s episode of Brand F* Ups. On a mission to revolutionize the sexual wellness industry after an uncomfortable experience buying condoms, Farah is a courageous disrupter in her category. With a smart idea and a healthy dose of intelligent naivete, Farah shares her journey from financial banker to champion for women’s sexual wellness. This is an extra saucy episode you don’t want to miss!https://www.hanxofficial.com/Need help establishing your brand difference? Reach out to Robyn and her team at ⁠Young & Co⁠.

On this week's episode we chat with Katya Libin, Co-founder of HeyMama.For Katya, a hard work ethic has always been her driving force. From immigrating to the United States with her family at 3 years old to leaving her cushy tech job to pursue her own business - all while being a full time Mom. Tune in to marvel at Katya's work ethic, and how she knew it was ultimately the right time to walk away. Need help establishing your brand difference? Reach out to Robyn and her team at ⁠Young & Co⁠.

On this week’s episode of Brand F* Ups, Co-founder and President of Tiny Organics, Carolyn O'Hare talks about the early days of entrepreneurship, relying on your vision, the importance of educating customers through brand messaging (yes!), launching a company nationwide just weeks before the global pandemic and preparing for the worst while planning for the best. https://www.tinyorganics.com/Need help establishing your brand difference? Reach out to Robyn and her team at ⁠Young & Co⁠.

This week we sit down with our first ever “Chief Tea Magician”, Sashee Chandran.Of course, Sashee is the CEO and Founder of the brilliantly creative company, Tea Drops. A true entrepreneur through and through, Sashee was manning her mom’s swap meet booth at age eight, selling beaded bracelets at an 80% profit margin by grade school, and running multiple side hustles by the time she landed her day job at Ebay. All of which ultimately led to her revolutionary invention: bagless, dissolvable tea drops. Listen in as her and Robyn chat about borrowing from outside your industry, packaging fiascos, and the metaverse. (Yes, you read that right)!https://www.myteadrop.com/Need help establishing your brand difference? Reach out to Robyn and her team at ⁠Young & Co⁠.

This week we’re joined by not one, but two mindful founders - Danielle Lumetta and Natasha Wong of Before Noon. Their self-care company was a unique response to the common traumas we all experience - workaholism, addiction, heartache, and so much more. The pair transparently walks us through the biggest brand challenge they faced (and cleverly pivoted from): aligning their brand visions as a multi-founder company. This meant they each individually had to embrace the unknown in one way or another and trust in their larger brand mission - creating a service that allows you to be the best version of yourself. Need help establishing your brand difference? Reach out to Robyn and her team at ⁠Young & Co⁠.

This week Robyn Young catches up with an old friend, Laurel Mintz, CEO and Founder of Elevate My Brand. In this refreshingly honest interview, Laurel recounts the series of events that ultimately led to her success, including an unexpected turn of events that led to her first gig as a CEO, tuning out familial expectations, and how facing hard truths allowed her to take her company to the next level. The familiarity between these two creates a comfortable environment where barriers come down and insightful reflections are had.https://www.elevatemybrand.com/Need help establishing your brand difference? Reach out to Robyn and her team at ⁠Young & Co⁠.

 "To be an entrepreneur, you have to be resilient.” This week we’re joined by founder and CEO of House of Puff, Kristina Lopez. Kristina speaks to the necessity of resilience as a successful entrepreneur - something she inherited from her mother and her proud Puerto Rican heritage. House of Puff was Kristina’s resilient reaction to her struggle with anxiety. An inspiring conversation from start to finish, listen as Kristina and Robyn chat about destigmatizing female cannabis use and the power of taking risks.https://houseofpuff.com/Need help establishing your brand difference? Reach out to Robyn and her team at ⁠Young & Co⁠.

In this week’s episode, Robyn Young sits down with Melissa Bamberg, Founder and CEO of Nodpod. Surrounded by the entrepreneurial lifestyle from an early age, Melissa talks about her experience growing up in a family business, her first solo business venture, and a brief stint living in a van - all of which ultimately led to the creation of her revolutionary product. An inspiring entrepreneurial evolution full of ups, downs, and of course, lessons learned. https://nodpod.com/Need help establishing your brand difference? Reach out to Robyn and her team at ⁠Young & Co⁠.

Deeannah Seymour, founder of PhD Feminine Health, joins Robyn Young to talk about how she became an 'accidental entrepreneur'.  Spending her entire career at one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world helped her to create a product that became an instant Amazon bestseller, despite the Fail Ups along the way! Hear all about her journey in this episode.https://www.phdfemininehealth.com/Need help establishing your brand difference? Reach out to Robyn and her team at ⁠Young & Co⁠.

In this episode, Natalie Kathleen of footwear brand Jibs is in the hot seat! Listen in for her inspiring entrepreneurial journey, from starting her first bootstrapped handbag company at 21 in New York City, to closing up shop after 8 years.  Plus, how a chance meeting at home in Vancouver (and her foot size) inspired the idea for Jibs.  Join us for more startup insight, inspiring business advice and lessons for managing your brand identity.https://wearejibs.com/Need help establishing your brand difference? Reach out to Robyn and her team at ⁠Young & Co⁠.

Michelle Chu, founder of Konos Kitchen joins Robyn on this week's episode.Michelle talks about her professional experience working internationally, dealing with celebrity clients, becoming director of a company she joined at the bottom rung, and her biggest business F Up moment.Michelle's experience in the pet food space isn't limited to the industry, there's a lot of insight into growing a business from scratch and figuring it out along the way.https://www.shopkonos.com/Need help establishing your brand difference? Reach out to Robyn and her team at ⁠Young & Co⁠.

Robyn is joined by Addie Gundry, CEO of Pluie - the world's first and only self-sanitizing diaper changing table. In this episode, Addie talks about raising nearly $1m in funding while pregnant, breaking through glass ceilings, and receiving a 'World-Changing Idea' title this year by Fast Company. Addie and Robyn break down the F Ups and lessons learned being a female entrepreneur in a (still) male-dominated industry.https://hellopluie.com/Need help establishing your brand difference? Reach out to Robyn and her team at ⁠Young & Co⁠.

In this episode, Robyn Young is joined by Lisa-Marie Posso of Gyfting.Powerhouse CEO Lisa-Marie talks about falling into a job working for Skrillex, accidentally meeting a billionaire investor at Burning Man and her one essential daily tip to stay sane. Plenty of valuable business and life advice for experienced founders and early-stage entrepreneurs alike in this episode.Need help establishing your brand difference? Reach out to Robyn and her team at ⁠Young & Co⁠.

Fashion powerhouse Rebecca Minkoff joins Robyn in this week's episode.Rebecca talks about turning a narrowly missed opportunity into a cornerstone product, her company Female Founder Collective and 10th House co-created by Ali Wyatt, creating a better environment for the next generation of female entrepreneurs, and, of course, her biggest F Up moment.Plenty of hilarious stories, business insight, and sage life advice from Rebecca's 20-year career in one of the toughest industries in the world.https://www.rebeccaminkoff.com/Need help establishing your brand difference? Reach out to Robyn and her team at ⁠Young & Co⁠.

Ezzine Iroanya-Adeoye of SkinMuse chats with Robyn on this episode. Ezzine talks through her experience of her first time in America all the way through to becoming the CEO of a luxury skincare brand beloved by big celebs such as Beyonce. She also dives into her biggest F Up moment that changed the direction of her career.https://sknmuse.com/Need help establishing your brand difference? Reach out to Robyn and her team at ⁠Young & Co⁠.

On this episode, Michelle Mitchell, co-founder of Humm Kombucha, shares how a hobby became her business, a huge sponsorship deal that didn't quite turn out how she expected, and an F Up in her recipe that became an unexpected hit!Plenty of Fail Up moments to learn from in this insightful episode.https://hummkombucha.com/Need help establishing your brand difference? Reach out to Robyn and her team at ⁠Young & Co⁠.

Post-sales veteran Marcel Barrera joins Robyn on this week's episode. They talk about the human side of sales, how to build relationships rather than revenue, and of course, how to deal with big fail-ups in the post-sales space.https://www.servicemob.com/Need help establishing your brand difference? Reach out to Robyn and her team at ⁠Young & Co⁠.

In this episode, Robyn is joined by Jaimie Liberman of Hashtag Legal, lawyers who specialize in the digital realm. They talk about choosing a partner vs an employee, splitting a company you created, and how to handle 'business divorces'.

On Today's episode, Taryn Rothstein of Pasadena Charm and Social Charm joins Robyn to talk about delegation, growing a small brand and what social media success means. From a small instagram page to becoming a social media expert and influencer, Taryn shares the ups and 'F Ups' of her route to success.Need help establishing your brand difference? Reach out to Robyn and her team at ⁠Young & Co⁠.

Amy Nobile of Love Amy joins Robyn Young on today's episode to talk about the business of dating, getting featured on Oprah, landing a book deal on her first try and when's the best time to walk away from a business.The highs and lows of love and business are throughout this episode of Brand F Ups.https://loveamy.co/Need help establishing your brand difference? Reach out to Robyn and her team at ⁠Young & Co⁠.

In this week's episode, Jen Yu and Alex Penfold join Robyn Young in talking about their brand F ups, the mistakes they made in starting award-winning skincare brand Jaxon Lane. From the genesis of the 'Bro Mask', through the serious side of skincare, Jen and Alex prove that the entrepreneur's journey is never devoid of challenges. https://jaxonlane.com/

Robyn is joined by Shark Tank veterans Hanna and Mark Lim of the kids brand Lollaland, who discuss how to navigate marriage mixed with business, rejecting perfection, and when it is the correct time to let someone else run your business. Plenty of F Ups to learn from in this episode!https://www.lollaland.com/Need help establishing your brand difference? Reach out to Robyn and her team at ⁠Young & Co⁠.

Robyn talks with Kevin Cape of Cape Coaching about the authenticity in discomfort, hard truths dreamers often face, and finding true happiness vs. 'having it all'. Some real talk in this episode as Robyn digs into how she turned her early F Ups into failing forward in her entrepreneurial journey. Young & Co. is a creative branding partner  for startups and scaleups creating the next generation of legacy brands. Need help establishing your brand difference? Reach out to Robyn and her team at ⁠Young & Co⁠.

Ray Phillips of SOAPSOX joins Robyn Young in this week's episode. Ray shares his experiences growing his company, from losing four hundred thousand dollars in unsellable stock, to unscrupulous sharks trying to scam their way into taking over the company. Nothing is off the table as Robyn digs into how brands turn big F Ups into failing up. Soapsox: https://soapsoxkids.com/Need help establishing your brand? Reach out to Robyn and her team at http://thisisyoung.co