From the notes app to sold-out launches, this is how Elena turned a simple frustration into a viral, waitlisted product.

In this episode of Defining Next, I sit down with Elena diStefano, founder of Cozy Clip—the world’s first flexible claw clip. What started as a personal annoyance with traditional clips turned into a three-year journey of prototyping, pitching, and building something entirely new from the ground up.

Elena shares how she took her idea from a note in her phone to a first-place win at a university pitch competition, securing $45K in funding, teaching herself 3D design, and launching a brand that’s redefining comfort and innovation in beauty. We talk about building a product-based business with purpose, designing for real people, growing through social media virality, and navigating the emotional and mental load of being a solo founder.

This episode is full of honest insights, thoughtful pivots, and real inspiration for anyone building something meaningful—especially if you're figuring it out as you go.

In this episode, we cover:

• The moment that sparked Cozy Clip

• Prototyping, pitch competitions, and scrappy product development

• Building a brand while managing a full-time job

• What to know before launching your first product

• Mental health, mentorship, and moving forward after going viral

🎧 Tune in to hear how Elena is defining what’s next—not just for her business, but for the future of beauty products.

Find Cozy Clip online at @cozyclip on instagram and tiktok or thecozyclip.com!