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#47 - Antonia Saint Dunbar (THINX)
Antonia helped build one of the most iconic period brands in the world. In this episode, she takes us inside the real, messy, deeply human journey of launching Thinx: from her pink pajama shame moment at 13 to raising millions, writing her own patent, and co-founding a brand that changed the way we talk about periods.
But that’s only the first half of the story.
She opens up about what it actually felt like to raise money, negotiate with strategic partners, and sit in rooms where you slowly lose control of the brand you built. What happens when you and your co-founders don’t want the same future? What do you do when the investors are offering the deal of a lifetime?
4:02 The Idea Behind Stain-Resistant Underwear
6:48 The Girl Effect: Education and Empowerment
9:02 Commitment and Teamwork in the Early Days
10:37 Launching Their Kickstarter Campaign
16:23 Landing a Partnership With a Major Company
18:01 Creative Marketing Strategies That Built the Brand
20:02 Why Clear, Consistent Communication Shapes a Brand
22:45 Protecting Brand Ethos While Partnering Big
25:26 The Struggle of Stylish but Painful Shoes
27:21 Their Breakout Kickstarter Campaign for Shoes
29:02 Why Co-Founder Communication Matters Most
33:55 The Critical Importance of Getting Everything in Writing
39:02 The Bittersweet Emotions Behind the Exit
41:40 Reflecting on Whether the Journey Was Worth It
43:14 Why Sharing Women’s Stories Matters
46:03 How Intuition Often Guides Entrepreneurial Paths
49:54 The Magical Encounter That Sparked a New Partnership
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By Carrie Kerpen
5
3636 ratings
Antonia helped build one of the most iconic period brands in the world. In this episode, she takes us inside the real, messy, deeply human journey of launching Thinx: from her pink pajama shame moment at 13 to raising millions, writing her own patent, and co-founding a brand that changed the way we talk about periods.
But that’s only the first half of the story.
She opens up about what it actually felt like to raise money, negotiate with strategic partners, and sit in rooms where you slowly lose control of the brand you built. What happens when you and your co-founders don’t want the same future? What do you do when the investors are offering the deal of a lifetime?
4:02 The Idea Behind Stain-Resistant Underwear
6:48 The Girl Effect: Education and Empowerment
9:02 Commitment and Teamwork in the Early Days
10:37 Launching Their Kickstarter Campaign
16:23 Landing a Partnership With a Major Company
18:01 Creative Marketing Strategies That Built the Brand
20:02 Why Clear, Consistent Communication Shapes a Brand
22:45 Protecting Brand Ethos While Partnering Big
25:26 The Struggle of Stylish but Painful Shoes
27:21 Their Breakout Kickstarter Campaign for Shoes
29:02 Why Co-Founder Communication Matters Most
33:55 The Critical Importance of Getting Everything in Writing
39:02 The Bittersweet Emotions Behind the Exit
41:40 Reflecting on Whether the Journey Was Worth It
43:14 Why Sharing Women’s Stories Matters
46:03 How Intuition Often Guides Entrepreneurial Paths
49:54 The Magical Encounter That Sparked a New Partnership
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