What if your best idea started in a college dorm room? That’s exactly what happened to Abby Michaelsen, the founder of Statement Home and creator of the viral tray that launched the fast-growing product brand. Abby shares how she took a single prototype and turned it into a full business, with no co-founder, no paid ads, and no formal product design experience.

They talk about building confidence, learning on the job, and staying scrappy.

Chapters:

00:00 The tray that started it all

01:15 From dorm room prototype to product brand

03:20 Testing ideas without a product background

05:10 What it takes to go viral on TikTok

07:30 Growing without ads or a team

09:00 Navigating manufacturing and fulfillment

11:00 Learning to believe in your own vision

13:15 The myth of needing everything figured out

15:00 Staying grounded through rapid growth

17:30 Creating products that solve real-life problems

19:00 Lessons from launching a business during college

21:15 Personal growth through entrepreneurship

23:00 Advice for first-time founders

25:15 What powerful really means

The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms.

Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think.

Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com.

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