Hot Takes Big Stakes Business

Sarah, founder of Y7 Studio, shares the real story behind building one of the most recognizable boutique yoga brands in the country. From starting as a scrappy pop-up in Brooklyn to scaling to 15 locations, raising private equity, and surviving 18 months with zero revenue during Covid, this episode dives into the highs, lows, and hard decisions behind the scenes. She opens up about leadership, criticism, layoffs, leases, and what it really takes to grow a wellness brand. Plus, what’s next after being acquired and preparing for franchising.http://Hirodiapers.com/natalieMore Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Sarahhttps://www.instagram.com/sarah_ayako/https://www.y7-studio.comMore on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

MERIT Beauty grew from launch to over $200 million in sales in just five years, without a hero product, heavy discounting, or chasing marketing trends. In this episode, the CMO shares how they built a minimalist beauty brand for millennials and Gen X by rejecting industry playbooks and focusing on trust, pricing psychology, and diversified marketing. From launching during COVID to engineering risk across platforms, this is a masterclass in modern brand building. If you are building a business or leading a team, this conversation is packed with hard-earned lessons.This Hot takes big stakes episode is sponsored by: dtcmvp, shopify's modern expert network. Qualified brand leaders can discover vetted tools, get compensated for their time, and give feedback to founders and avoid the traditional sales pitch. For vendors, it's a great way to meet brands where they are, get feedback on what youre building, and improve your company. From intro to insights, dtcmvp handles everything. Together - brands and saas startups can improve the industry faster.https://dtcmvp.com/ http://Hirodiapers.com/natalieMore Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Aila Morinhttps://www.instagram.com/ailamorin/https://www.linkedin.com/in/ailamorinMore on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

Raising money is not just about a pitch deck, it is about psychology, momentum, and strategy. In this episode, we break down what really happens during a fundraising round, from shifting your mindset to building FOMO and closing with urgency. We share tactical advice on structuring your 90-day raise, managing investor energy, and positioning yourself as the opportunity, not the beggar. If you are preparing to raise capital, this is the honest playbook founders rarely talk about.This Hot takes big stakes episode is sponsored by: dtcmvp, shopify's modern expert network. Qualified brand leaders can discover vetted tools, get compensated for their time, and give feedback to founders and avoid the traditional sales pitch. For vendors, it's a great way to meet brands where they are, get feedback on what youre building, and improve your company. From intro to insights, dtcmvp handles everything. Together - brands and saas startups can improve the industry faster.https://dtcmvp.com/ http://Hirodiapers.com/natalieMore Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

Oli Walsh shares his journey from launching a fashion agency at 23 to scaling Aritzia from $250 million to $1 billion in revenue. He breaks down the real mechanics of brand turnarounds, including how Gap rebuilt cultural relevance through a full 360 transformation. This conversation dives into growth strategy, collaboration, leadership, and why most brands focus on the wrong things. If you want to understand modern brand building at scale, this episode is a masterclass.This Hot takes big stakes episode is sponsored by: dtcmvp, shopify's modern expert network. Qualified brand leaders can discover vetted tools, get compensated for their time, and give feedback to founders and avoid the traditional sales pitch. For vendors, it's a great way to meet brands where they are, get feedback on what youre building, and improve your company. From intro to insights, dtcmvp handles everything. Together - brands and saas startups can improve the industry faster.https://dtcmvp.com/ http://Hirodiapers.com/natalieMore Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Oli Walshhttps://www.instagram.com/oliwalsh/https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliverwalshMore on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

What does a life coach actually do, and how is it different from therapy or business coaching? In this episode, we break down the real-life impact of working with a life coach, from overcoming overwhelm to creating better systems at home and work. We share practical tools like time and energy audits, mantras, mindset shifts, and learning how to say no. If you are a founder, parent, or anyone feeling stretched too thin, this conversation is packed with actionable takeaways.This Hot takes big stakes episode is sponsored by: dtcmvp, shopify's modern expert network. Qualified brand leaders can discover vetted tools, get compensated for their time, and give feedback to founders and avoid the traditional sales pitch. For vendors, it's a great way to meet brands where they are, get feedback on what youre building, and improve your company. From intro to insights, dtcmvp handles everything. Together - brands and saas startups can improve the industry faster.https://dtcmvp.com/ http://Hirodiapers.com/natalieMore Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Alex Taylorhttps://www.instagram.com/perelelhealth/https://perelelhealth.comMore on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

Alex Taylor shares the raw, unfiltered journey of building a women’s health company from scratch. From burnout and an autoimmune diagnosis to bootstrapping through a pandemic while pregnant, she reveals what it really takes to launch in a crowded category and raise $27 million. This episode dives into fundraising realities, subscription strategy, retail positioning, and the mindset required to win when the odds are stacked against you. A masterclass in grit, branding, and playing the long game.This Hot takes big stakes episode is sponsored by: dtcmvp, shopify's modern expert network. Qualified brand leaders can discover vetted tools, get compensated for their time, and give feedback to founders and avoid the traditional sales pitch. For vendors, it's a great way to meet brands where they are, get feedback on what youre building, and improve your company. From intro to insights, dtcmvp handles everything. Together - brands and saas startups can improve the industry faster.https://dtcmvp.com http://Hirodiapers.com/natalieMore Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Alex Taylorhttps://www.instagram.com/perelelhealth/https://perelelhealth.comMore on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

Founder compensation is one of the most asked and least discussed topics in startups. In this solo episode, I break down real 2025 salary data, what bootstrapped and VC backed founders actually pay themselves, and the formula I used at every stage of growth. I also share the uncomfortabletruth about the first three years and how to diversify your income without hurting your company. If you are building a startup and wondering what you should earn, this episode gives you clear benchmarks and actionable guidance.More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

Michelle Wahler built Beyond Yoga from the ground up with no outside funding and a mission rooted in body positivity and inclusivity. What started as a wholesale activewear brand grew steadily and profitably for 16 years before Levi’s acquired it for over $400 million. In this episode, she shares the full story, from early design days and financial setbacks to negotiating the deal and navigating life after exit. If you are building a brand, thinking about selling, or dreaming of bootstrapping something meaningful, this conversation is packed with hard-earned lessons.Get your copy of Bootstrap Empire at http://bootstrap-empire.com This Hot takes big stakes episode is sponsored by: dtcmvp, shopify's modern expert network. Qualified brand leaders can discover vetted tools, get compensated for their time, and give feedback to founders and avoid the traditional sales pitch. For vendors, it's a great way to meet brands where they are, get feedback on what youre building, and improve your company. From intro to insights, dtcmvp handles everything. Together - brands and saas startups can improve the industry faster. https://dtcmvp.com/More on Michellehttps://www.instagram.com/michelle.wahler/https://www.instagram.com/beyondyoga/https://beyondyoga.comMore Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

There are thousands of tools out there promising to grow your business, but most of them will drain your budget and lock you into contracts you regret. In this episode, we break down the tools we actually use across finance, ecommerce, social media, and wholesale. We share lessons from overspending, signing long contracts, and cleaning up a bloated tech stack. If you are starting or scaling a business, this will save you time and money.More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

Allison McNamara, founder and CEO of Mara Beauty, shares how she transitioned from entertainment host to building an award-winning clean skincare brand powered by algae. She breaks down landing Sephora, scaling without traditional VC funding, influencer marketing strategies that actually convert, and what sustainability really means in beauty. This episode is packed with tactical advice for founders navigating retail, profitability, and growth. If you are building a brand or thinking about starting one, this conversation is a masterclass.More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on AllisonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/themarabeauty/Website: https://themarabeauty.comMore on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

What are the real lessons you will never learn in business school? In this episode, we break down the unfiltered truths about building a brand, from mastering distribution and prioritizing repeat customers to embracing speed over perfection. We talk about how a founder’s role constantly evolves, why longevity beats hype, and what it really takes to survive the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. If you are building a company or thinking about it, this is the advice we wish we had on day one.More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

Vanessa Lee, founder of The Things We Do, shares what really works in modern aesthetics, and what needs to stop. From facial balancing and bio stimulators to Korean skincare innovation and private equity lessons, this conversation dives deep into beauty, business, and self confidence. Vanessa also opens up about her own surgeries, GLP-1 weight loss, and why natural enhancement always wins over trends. If you care about aging well, building a brand, or understanding the future of skincare, this episode is a must watch.Get your copy of Bootstrap Empire at http://bootstrap-empire.comThis Hot takes big stakes episode is sponsored by: dtcmvp, shopify's modern expert network. Qualified brand leaders can discover vetted tools, get compensated for their time, and give feedback to founders and avoid the traditional sales pitch. For vendors, it's a great way to meet brands where they are, get feedback on what youre building, and improve your company. From intro to insights, dtcmvp handles everything. Together - brands and saas startups can improve the industry faster. https://dtcmvp.com/Explore more about The Things We Do at https://thethingswedo.co and follow them on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thethingswedo.co/ for insider beauty tips and updates.More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

What does it actually take to write and publish a business book? In this episode, Natalie breaks down the full journey from idea to pitch to landing a publisher and preparing for launch. She shares how she structured the book, navigated the publishing process, handled preorders and marketing, and balanced writing with running a company and being a mom. If writing a book has ever felt overwhelming or out of reach, this conversation makes the process clear and actionable.Get your copy of Bootstrap Empire at http://bootstrap-empire.com This Hot takes big stakes episode is sponsored by: dtcmvp, shopify's modern expert network. Qualified brand leaders can discover vetted tools, get compensated for their time, and give feedback to founders and avoid the traditional sales pitch. For vendors, it's a great way to meet brands where they are, get feedback on what youre building, and improve your company. From intro to insights, dtcmvp handles everything. Together - brands and saas startups can improve the industry faster. https://dtcmvp.com/Get 25% off Valentines Day Flowers https://urbanstems.comMore Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

The Beautyblender is one of the most recognizable makeup tools in the world, but its origin story is rarely told. In this episode, founder Rianne Silva shares how she created the iconic pink sponge out of necessity while working on early HD television sets as a single mother. She breaks down the struggles, mistakes, knockoffs, and mindset that helped her build a category-defining brand while keeping full ownership. This is a raw look at what it truly takes to build something from nothing.More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on BeautyblenderInstagram: http://www.instagram.com/beautyblenderWebsite: https://beautyblender.comMore on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

Raising money without investors sounds impossible, but this episode breaks down exactly how it was done. From having only a few thousand dollars left to needing $40,000 for production, this is a real behind the scenes look at choosing Kickstarter over traditional funding. We talk through fear, strategy, and the practical decisions that made the launch work. If you are thinking about crowdfunding, this episode is a must watch.More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

Julian Reis shares how he went from investment banking to building Skin Laundry into a global laser facial brand with 68 locations. He breaks down the early mistakes, pricing lessons, and why scaling too fast almost killed the business. Julian also reveals how Super Ordinary predicted the rise of social commerce years before TikTok Shop took off. This episode is packed with real founder lessons on brand building, fundraising, and the future of commerce.More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakesMore on Julian ReisInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/superordinaryco/https://www.instagram.com/skinlaundryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianreisWebsite: https://superordinary.cohttps://www.skinlaundry.comMore on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

What actually separates successful founders from everyone else? In this episode, we break down 10 real habits that consistently show up in people who build lasting, high growth companies. From trusting your gut and validating early to learning when to say no and playing the long game, these lessons are practical, honest, and hard earned. If you are building a business or thinking about starting one, this episode is for you.More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

Amy Liu, founder and CEO of Tower 28, shares the raw, behind-the-scenes story of building a bestselling beauty brand from scratch. From raising money fast and breaking into Sephora to formulating sensitive-skin-safe products that actually work, Amy breaks down what it really takes to win in a crowded market. This episode dives into failure, brand, leadership, and balancing motherhood while scaling a fast-growing company.More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on AmyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyliu_t28/Website: https://www.tower28beauty.comMore on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

GLP-1 is everywhere, but most people do not actually understand what it is or how it works. In this episode, we break down the science behind GLP-1, how it affects appetite, metabolism, inflammation, and more, and why it is not just about weight loss. Becca, founder of Evolv, shares how she built a prescription-free oral GLP-1 alternative, the stigma around weight loss solutions, and what the future of metabolic health could look like. This conversation blends science, entrepreneurship, and real-world application in a way that finally makes sense.More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Evolv Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolvlife/Website: https://evolvlife.com/ More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

Co-founders Max and Natalie Holloway share the real story behind Bala, from a napkin idea to a design- driven fitness brand with celebrity fans. They unpack their Shark Tank moment, the pandemicsurge from $2M to $16M, the inventory whiplash that followed, and the brutal reset from 30employees to just three. You will hear how they manage lenders, keep their marriage strong, andsplit product and marketing to move faster. Candid lessons on optionality, sustainable growth,and why smaller daily goals beat big vanity targets.More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

Founder Cyndi Ramirez breaks down how she turned Chillhouse from a small New York “third space” into a fast-growing nail brand now carried at Target and Walmart. She shares the early PR and partnership strategy, why franchising didn’t fit, and how press-on nail art became the breakout product during lockdown. Cyndi opens up about a costly Paris expansion, what it taught her about focus, and how she’s mapping a three-year plan to become a legacy nail brand. If you care about brand, margins, and distribution strategy, this is your masterclass. More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on ChillHouseInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chillhouse/More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

Nat & Lana compare battle scars from growing to eight and nine figure revenue, then surviving the fallout. They break down fundraising runways, hiring too fast, firing too slow, founder FOMO, short term debt, and why focus wins. You will hear practical frameworks for repeat business, unit economics, delegation timing, IP protection, and geographic expansion. If you are building now, this is the unfiltered playbook of what not to do. More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

Allison Evans and Kelly Love share the origin story of Branch Basics, the non-toxic cleaning brand built on education first. From a personal health crisis and a mentor’s hard-won wisdom, to shutting down a seven-figure business to reformulate transparently, they explain what “clean” should really mean. You will learn how everyday products can add to your body burden, what ingredients to avoid, and practical first steps to detox your home. This is a candid playbook on wellness, product integrity, and scaling a mission-driven brand.More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Branch BasicsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchbasicsWebsite: https://branchbasics.comMore on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

Natalie and Lana swap their most woo-woo wellness practices and what actually helped. We cover the exact “detox bath” they use when they feel a cold coming on, a vision-board story that led to a real Walmart buyer call, and why co-sleeping won out after years of bedtime battles. We also get into supplements, sound baths, raw-milk debates, and managing anxiety with boundaries and mantras. If you want practical takeaways from crystals to ClassPass, this one is packed.More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/00:00 Cold open, why we love “woo” in LA 00:43 The detox bath we use when we feel sick 01:51 Tapping, not getting sick, and potato bracelets 04:08 Vision boards that led to real results 05:13 Walmart buyer call after daily journaling 07:26 Where we’re woo in life vs business 08:25 Breastfeeding stance and early newborn choices 09:59 Homeopathy and the kid-vitamin routine 11:07 Sound baths, gongs, and crystals for kids 12:27 Mornings without the phone, sanity restored 15:43 Flight-or-fight, anxiety, and boundaries 17:05 Supplement philosophy, fragrance-free home 19:43 Beef organs, creatine, and feeling toned 21:12 Raw milk hot take and why 22:34 Moderation with kids and real life 23:01 Why we chose co-sleeping and how it works 26:02 Tarot, psychics, and a near-acquisition call 28:51 Starter kit: bath, journaling, sound baths 29:57 Water, filters, and glass debate 31:09 Cotton over synthetics, especially for kids and workouts 34:15 Mantras for time and calm, final hot takes

Founder Loren Castle shares how a health scare pushed her to reinvent the classic chocolate chip cookie with clean ingredients, then turn that recipe into Sweet Loren’s, a national brand. She breaks down the gritty early years, from farmers markets and a toaster oven in Whole Foods demos to scaling factories, packaging, and distribution. We dig into the allergen free pivot, whytaste still wins, pricing and margins, and the leadership moves that unlocked profitable growth. If you are building in CPG, this is a masterclass on product market fit, retail, and team.More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Loren Castle Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorenbcastleLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loren-brill-castle/Website: https://sweetlorens.com/More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/00:00 Intro, why this story matters00:40 The diagnosis, mindset shift to health and food03:18 Learning nutrition, cooking, fixing the cookie05:07 Iterating hundreds of batches, real feedback07:50 Quitting the job, contests and early validation09:26 Farmers market tests, writing the business plan10:19 Bakery vs CPG, choosing scale and freedom11:34 Whole Foods buyer meeting, picking cookie dough14:01 The seven month sprint to launch15:17 Toaster oven demos, winning customers in store19:09 Trade shows and factory upgrades to scale20:37 Publix and Kroger wins, going nationwide21:23 Customer messages point to allergens22:24 Allergen free launch, instant top seller23:43 Packaging, taste first, callouts second25:03 Selling into different retailers, moms as gatekeepers27:43 Less sugar line, listening to data and demand31:27 Pricing, margins, and competing on quality32:57 From solo grind to profitable, lean team35:27 Remote systems, hiring only rock stars36:28 Covid bump, brand awareness and new packaging38:24 Hiring a president, unlocking founder leverage40:17 Staying in vision and growth, avoiding burnout45:00 Final playbook, how to build a lasting food brand

Before you build, pressure-test your idea the smart way. In this episode, we cover validating the problem, sizing the market, unit economics, stress-testing your time and finances, running a minimum-effort MVP, and checking competitors. You will hear practical tactics like using Reddit to find real pain, building a waitlist and pre-selling with Stripe, and plotting a quick competitor map. We wrap with two hot takes, be naive enough to start, and plan enough to execute. More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/00:00 Intro, why this matters for new founders 
00:32 Tip 1, Validate the problem, not the idea 
01:16 Signals that the problem is real, emotion and willingness to pay 
02:48 Tip 2, Size the market, top-down vs bottoms-up 
04:26 Unit economics sense check and payback logic 
05:26 Tip 3, Stress-test your time and finances 
07:18 Support systems, partners, housing, and tradeoffs 
08:22 Tip 4, Run a minimum-effort test, landing page and list 
09:23 Pre-selling with Stripe, early prototypes, and social proof 
11:18 Start socials early and build with your audience 
12:15 Tip 5, Pressure-check the competition and find your moat 
14:44 Hot takes, be naive enough to start vs plan enough to execute 
15:36 Closing thoughts and next steps

"15% off GetRael.comCode: HOTTAKES15Active starting 10/13 - 11/13"A former Disney strategist walks through her unexpected leap into entrepreneurship and the Amazon-first strategy that made her brand a bestseller. She breaks down how brokers, packaging, and buyer feedback helped land Target, why retail demands different marketing from digital, and how pimple patches became a bridge into skincare. We also cover raising $17.5M Series A and $35M Series B, building a US-Korea product engine, and the mindset shift to scale past $100M.More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Yanghee PaikInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/get_rael/Website: https://www.getrael.comMore on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

Everyone says passion matters, but is it required to launch a successful business? In this episode we debate passion versus action, share a simple system to spot ideas in your everyday life, and walk through a no-nonsense validation checklist. You will learn how to mine “boring” categories, read Amazon reviews for insights, stress-test market size, and draw the line between stealing and genuine differentiation. We wrap with real idea starters you can take and run with today.More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/00:00 Intro and the passion myth00:36 The debate begins: passion vs. action01:37 “If you are waiting for passion, you will never start”03:28 Want to work for yourself, but no idea yet04:51 Mine daily frustrations for ideas05:53 The CVS walk and Amazon review audit07:44 Where to look for under-innovated categories10:59 Why working at a startup accelerates you12:01 Copying, inspiration, and brand differentiation15:16 How to validate: sit with it, talk to honest friends16:27 Market size math and right-sized ambitions20:18 Action over waiting, getting out of your own way22:34 Rapid-fire idea starters31:36 Wrap and call to action

Dr. Jason shares how a devastating injury led him to hack together the first Theragun, then spend eight relentless years turning it into Therabody. He explains the science he discovered along the way, why 40Hz matters, and how early believers from the New England Patriots to Justin Timberlake helped the idea spread. We also get candid lessons from painful business missteps, a pandemic pivot, and a rebrand that brought recovery tools home. If you’re building, healing, or both, this story is loaded with takeaways.More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Dr. Jason WestlandInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjasonwerslandLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jason-wersland-0116846a/Website: https://www.therabody.comMore on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

Lana the founder of Floom, a premium flower marketplace featured in Vogue, Forbes, and The New York Times, breaks down how she sold her company to a strategic buyer without a banker. We cover spotting the right time to sell, building a data room, running a buyer process, and handling LOI exclusivity risk. She shares the emotional side too, identity after the exit and why deals can fall through. If you are considering selling, this conversation is a practical roadmap and a reality check.More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/00:00 Intro, who is Lana and what is Floom01:09 Deciding it was time to sell, reading the signals04:30 Burnout vs. timing, why she aimed for profitability first07:00 What M&A advisors do, why she went solo08:56 Building the data room, financials, legal, and IP proof12:15 Finding buyers, using LinkedIn and a short strategic list14:54 When deals fall through, managing the emotional crash16:11 Should you sell before you hate it, practical advice18:33 Identity after an exit, grief, journaling, and reset22:00 Life design, profitability, and alternatives to venture scale24:27 LOI exclusivity risks, spotting unserious buyers26:59 Deal structures 101, lessons she wishes she knew earlier28:07 When to sell, hot vs. right-for-you timing29:57 After the handoff, how closely to watch the brand30:47 Hot take, does a company need to be your identity31:26 Time off between companies, sprint or sabbatical33:08 Does selling give you clout, second-time founder advantages34:28 Wrap up, subscribe and comment

Founder Diana Cohen shares how Crown Affair went from a viral haircare Google Doc to a nationwide Sephora brand. She walks through lessons from early roles at Away, Outdoor Voices and Harry’s, the Japanese rituals that shaped her formulas, and the Laura Mercier powder hack that inspired Crown Affair’s dry shampoo. Diana breaks down scalp versus strand health, why brushing matters, and her “raise as you go” approach that led to sustained, profitable growth. If you care about brand, product and calm, durable company building, this one is packed with takeaways.Hot Takes Big Stakes listerner get to enjoy 15% off their purchase at https://www.crownaffair.com using code HTBS15.More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on DiannaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/diannacohenLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannacohenWebsite: https://www.crownaffair.comMore on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

This episode is the honest look at building a business while breastfeeding, corralling toddlers, and cleaning up midnight messes, the kind of chaos that never makes the highlight reel. We talk about the Shark Tank bump, finding out we were pregnant, and how priorities shifted as the family grew.You will hear the rules that keep us sane, one night out per week and a no-meetings policy that protects deep work and bedtime.We cover real help, from full-time family support to outsourcing errands, flexible schedules for working parents, founder maternity leave during nap windows, and giving yourself permission to let a few things slip.More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/00:00 Cold open, what real chaos looks like00:48 Mom first, company second02:00 Shark Tank growth and a surprise pregnancy02:50 Rules and tools that keep motherhood first04:45 The night from hell, still doable06:10 Why help matters, full-time family support and outsourcing08:00 Designing flexible schedules for working parents10:10 Time-saving rules, one night out per week11:20 The no-meetings policy that protects deep work12:50 When meetings are necessary, compress to 30 minutes14:20 Identity shifts and the rise of mom anxiety17:30 How we handled maternity leave as founders20:15 Give yourself grace, some things will slip24:20 Postpartum must-haves and hydration habits26:14 Wrap up and call to action

Danny Alexander, co-founder and Chief Product and Purpose Officer of Who Gives A Crap, shares how a cheeky name, clever packaging, and an audacious mission turned a humble household product into a $100M brand. The team bootstrapped for nine years, then cracked growth by treating every touchpoint as marketing and by learning to land initiatives, not just launch them. Highlights include the infamous 51-hour toilet livestream that powered their IndieGoGo debut, and why donating 50% of profits builds real retention and trust. Danny also breaks down the pivot from a multilingual EU push to a focused Canada relaunch and how DTC plus selective retail keeps the brand experience tight.   More Hot Takes Big Stakes Instagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/ TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/ More on Danny Alexander LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalexdalex “Who Gives A Crap” Website: https://us.whogivesacrap.org    More on Natalie Holloway: Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/ “Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/ “Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/ Substack, “Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.com Book a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHolloway More on Lana Elie-Meyers: Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/      00:00 Intro 00:49 Danny’s background in industrial design and social impact 05:12 The name “Who Gives A Crap,” testing and why it stuck 08:20 Packaging as marketing, paper wrap insight 10:00 The stripe concept and present-style unboxing 11:35 Mission talk, 50% of profits to impact 15:56 Bootstrapping for nine years, why investors said no 16:53 IndieGoGo strategy and the $50K threshold 17:48 The 51-hour toilet livestream 24:58 Early UK retail moment and momentum check 26:18 “Everything is marketing,” touchpoints that spread 27:51 One big thing per year, the focus thesis 31:06 Second brand experiment and hard tradeoffs 34:53 Launch vs land, scaling lessons 36:10 Europe attempt, translation reality check 36:44 Pivot to Canada, partnerships and pre-launch plan 37:25 DTC first, selective retail like Whole Foods 52:31 Wrap up and call to action

You never forget your First Million. On Hot Takes, Big Stakes, host Natalie Holloway, founder of Bala, and co-host Lana Elie, founder of Floom, are here to help you turn your time into real value. In today’s episode, Natalie directly interviews Lana about the process of making the first million dollars with her company, “Floom.” For both Natalie and Lana, their companies reached this milestone in only their second year of operation. Times are changing quickly, and with the advent of Artificial Intelligence, the barrier to entry for many software companies is lower than ever. In this conversation, Lana shares her advice on building a company from the idea stage to its first 100 customers, then 1,000 customers, one million dollars, and beyond. Each episode of Hot Takes, Big Stakes brings you real conversations with high profile business leaders. No jargon. No sugarcoating. Just the honest truth about what it takes to build a company from the ground up. 00:39 Introduction & Today’s Topic: Floom’s First Million 02:25 Doing Your First Million in One Year 04:00 Executing an Idea in the Tech Space Without Experience 06:35 Pitfalls to Avoid 09:26 Finding Your First 100 Customers 17:55 Finding Your First 1000 Customers 18:26 Managing Your Mindset 22:00 Biggest Mistakes When Striving for Your First Million 27:23 Hot Takes   More on Natalie Holloway: Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/ “Bala” Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bala/  “Balacize” Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balacize/  Substack, “Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.com  Book a 1-on-1 Call: https://intro.co/NatalieHolloway  More on Lana Elie-Meyers: Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanaelie/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/   

Let’s Talk About the Elephant in the Room… Shark Tank. On Hot Takes, Big Stakes, host Natalie Holloway, founder of Bala, and co-host Lana Elie, founder of Flume, are here to help you turn your time into real value. In today’s episode, Lana interviews Natalie about one of the most pivotal moments in her career with Bala: her appearance on Season 11 of Shark Tank. The pitch led to a major turning point for the brand when Natalie received an offer from Mark Cuban and Maria Sharapova for $900,000 in exchange for 30 percent of the company. Understanding your brand, defining your valuation, and crafting a razor-sharp pitch are some of the most valuable skills you can develop as a business founder. Whether or not you ever end up on Shark Tank, the insights Natalie shares in this conversation will be key to your ability to attract investors and grow with confidence. Each episode of Hot Takes, Big Stakes brings you real conversations with high profile business leaders. No jargon. No sugarcoating. Just the honest truth about what it takes to build a company from the ground up. Key Takeaways: Just try. If you get a call, you can discuss timing. But go for it. Your pitch is everything. Closing the deal itself is a process. Respond quickly to emails, it shows you value your employees. More on Natalie Holloway: Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/ “Bala” Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bala/  “Balacize” Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balacize/  Substack, “Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.com  Book a 1-on-1 Call: https://intro.co/NatalieHolloway  More on Lana Elie-Meyers: Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanaelie/ 

Lucas Lappe, co-founder of Canopy and Doris Dev, joins Hot Takes, Big Stakes to share how he built a successful wellness brand from the ground up without raising venture capital. From launching his first absurd product (a hot glue gun for string cheese) to designing mold-resistant humidifiers now sold at Sephora, Lucas explains what it really takes to launch and scale a physical product. This episode covers how Canopy focused on solving real user problems, stayed profitable from day one, and turned a bootstrapped product into a trusted beauty and wellness brand. Whether you're building in DTC, design, or consumer goods, there's something in here for you.   Key Takeaways:   Bootstrapping forced every dollar to count, which shaped the company’s focus on ROI Canopy reimagined the humidifier as a beauty and wellness product Sephora helped position the brand as more than an appliance The team avoided flashy packaging to cut costs and reduce waste Doris Dev was created as a learning platform and support system for launching Canopy Having a founding team with clear strengths in product, ops, and brand was key Spending time with manufacturers was critical for building better products   More Hot Takes Big Stakes Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/     More on Lucas Lappe     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucaslappe/  “Canopy” Website: https://getcanopy.co/  X Profile: https://x.com/lucas_lappe   More on Natalie Holloway:   Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/ “Bala” Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bala/ “Balacize” Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balacize/ Substack, “Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.com Book a 1-on-1 Call: https://intro.co/NatalieHolloway   More on Lana Elie-Meyers:   Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanaelie/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/     Chapters   00:00 - Intro 01:15 - Lucas’s Engineering Roots & Startup Beginnings 03:40 - Quirky, Goby & Lessons from Failing Fast 07:10 - Launching Doris Dev to Solve Real Problems 09:45 - How Canopy Was Born from an Idea & a Bad Humidifier 13:00 - The Beauty Consumer Deserves Better 14:45 - Getting Into Sephora Without Funding 17:30 - The Real Benefits of a Humidifier 19:15 - Their Strategy Across Sephora, Amazon, & Baby Retailers 21:00 - Expanding into Shower Heads & Bathroom Wellness 23:30 - Why Canopy Doesn’t Do Fancy Packaging 26:00 - Scaling a Business with a 20-Person Team 29:00 - Why ROI Dictates Every Business Decision 33:00 - Advice for Product-Based Startup Founders 36:30 - Hot Takes: Reinventing the Pet Industry? 38:15 - The Product That Shouldn’t Exist

Starting a business? Expect uncertainty and scrappy decisions. In this Hot Takes, Big Stakes deep dive, co-founders and hosts Natalie Holloway and Lana Elie break down the real behind-the-scenes of launching a brand. From bad product ideas and co-founder debates to raising capital, faking it with factories, and why launching to crickets still taught them everything. No fluff, just the stuff we wish someone told us. Real talk. Real tactics. No playbook required.   Chapters: 00:00:01 – Is your idea worth it? How to test your concept even if no one gets it yet. 00:04:02 – Solo founder vs. co-founder What no one tells you about emotional labor, investor bias, and breakups. 00:09:38 – Setting up your company LLC or C-Corp? LegalZoom, lawyers, or Stripe Atlas? 00:11:14 – Bootstrapping vs. raising capital Natalie and Lana take sides. 00:15:15 – Making your first physical product 00:19:07 – What makes a brand stick? 00:24:00 – Naming your company 00:26:22 – How to get your first customers 00:27:58 – Go niche or go broke. The strategy behind showing up in all the right places. 00:30:13 – SEO: underrated, essential   More on Natalie Holloway: Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/ “Bala” Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bala/  “Balacize” Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balacize/  Substack, “Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.com  Book a 1-on-1 Call: https://intro.co/NatalieHolloway    More on Lana Elie-Meyers: Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanaelie/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/

How do you build a period care brand that’s unapologetically bold, digitally native, and actually different? On this week’s episode of Hot Takes, Big Stakes, Lana Elie sits down with Nadya Okamoto—activist, author, and co-founder of August—to unpack exactly how she turned a mission into a movement (and a movement into a business). With over 6 million followers and major shelf space in Target and Whole Foods, Nadya’s story is anything but ordinary. From launching a nonprofit at 16 to raising a $2M pre-seed and turning period stigma into cultural currency, this is an inside look at what it really takes to build a brand that breaks taboos—and the internet. Chapters: 00:00:05 Intro to Nadya Okamoto 00:06:05 How Being Bold Helped Grow Nadya and August’s Social 00:10:35 Balancing Being an Operating Founder and Creating Content 00:16:45 Getting Into Retail and Partnering with Big Names in Retail 00:19:45 The Difference In Shopping Experience Between Direct To Consumer and Retail 00:24:00 5 Years Into The Business and The Next Steps 00:27:55 Mental Health, Taking Care of Yourself, and The Value of Sleep 00:35:50 Hot Takes 00:44:20 Conclusion Whether you’re building a brand, scaling a mission, or just learning to say “period” out loud, this one is unmissable.   More on Nadya Okamoto: Instagram: @nadyaokamotoAugust: itsaugust.co   More on Natalie Holloway: Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/ “Bala” Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bala/  “Balacize” Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balacize/  Substack, “Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.com  Book a 1-on-1 Call: https://intro.co/NatalieHolloway  More on Lana Elie-Meyers: Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanaelie/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/  

What are you investing in? Time is your most valuable resource. On Hot Takes, Big Stakes, host Natalie Holloway, founder of Bala, and co-host Lana Elie, founder of Floom, are here to help you turn that time into real value. After speaking with founders across a wide range of industries, one thing became clear: we’re all getting asked the same questions. So we decided to create a space where we could actually answer them. In our first ‘Deep Dive’ episode, you're getting exactly what you came for. Natalie and Lana get into the nitty gritty on the most pressing questions about raising money for your business.  Lana has taken little more than bold ideas and turned them into millions of dollars worth of funding. She's mastered the art of investment strategy, and her perspective on pitch decks, shareholder agreements, and attracting the right investors is clear, actionable, and seriously valuable. Each episode of Hot Takes, Big Stakes features real conversations with founders like Natalie and Lana. No jargon, no sugarcoating. Just the truth about what it takes to build something from scratch.   Key Takeaways: Selling the “dream” is easier than selling the data. Do your research. You can find investors for almost any company online. Raising money is a numbers game… don’t be afraid to send a cold email. Focus on your momentum to keep excitement. There are so many great resources for crafting a Pitchdeck.  Know your shareholder’s agreement front to back. Handle rejection by using it as motivation. More on Natalie Holloway: Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/ “Bala” Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bala/  “Balacize” Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balacize/  Substack, “Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.com  Book a 1-on-1 Call: https://intro.co/NatalieHolloway  More on Lana Elie-Meyers: Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanaelie/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/  

Who are you investing in? On Hot Takes, Big Stakes, host Natalie Holloway, founder of Bala, and co-host Lana Elie, founder of Floom, are here to help you turn your time into real value. In today’s episode, Natalie and Lana sit down with Zach Rosner, co-founder of Our Place, a nine figure business with a team of over 100 and more than 90 million dollars raised to date. Before building Our Place, Zach led hiring at brands like MeUndies and Everlane. Zach is an incredible guest because he’s an open book. In this conversation, he walks us through the highs and lows of co-founding Our Place. From years of struggle in development and fundraising to a breakout moment during COVID, when the company saw over 5 million dollars in sales in a single day, Zach shares it all. Now, having stepped away from Our Place, Zach is embracing whatever comes next. His story is a powerful reminder that everything in business has an expiration date, and sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come after letting go. Each episode of Hot Takes, Big Stakes brings you real conversations with founders like Zach. No jargon. No sugarcoating. Just the honest truth about what it takes to build something from the ground up.   Key Takeaways: Protect your passions. They are your center of gravity Talk about your idea early and often When launching a product, something should be happening every day Everything has an expiration date Push for more ownership Don’t talk yourself out of it More on Zach Rosner LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/zachrosner “OurPlace” Website: https://fromourplace.com/    More on Natalie Holloway: Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/ “Bala” Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bala/  Substack, “Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.com  Book a 1-on-1 Call: https://intro.co/NatalieHolloway  More on Lana Elie-Meyers: Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanaelie/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/  

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