Have you ever wondered how the most successful entrepreneurs took an idea and made it into reality?

On the episode, we learn the story of two college roommates who when studying together abroad in Italty were both gifted needlepoint belts by their girlfriends. What neither of them could have imagined in the moment was they really had been gifted a business idea. When they began having friends ask their girlfriends to make more belts, it got them asking the question - what would it look like to start a company around needlepoint belts? Thus was born the company Smathers and Branson.

Ahead on this episode, company founders Peter Smathers and Austin Branson will share:

About the idea development phases. From idea, to sample to production, to launch and taking the product to market and their eventual growth over 22 years.

About the value of knowing when to develop an idea and also when to pivot from that same idea.

How to communicate your vision to others to help it become a reality. Peter and Austin share about their path to finding a manufacturer. Even once they found a possible partner, they still had cross a pivotal bridge to make the product reach the marketplace. They will share what that bridge is.

About the ability they feel has helped them succeed and it's not one that can be developed in a classroom or read in a book.

Business partnerships are tricky and delicate and they often fail. Peter and Austin share about the warnings they received before going into business together and why they feel they have lasted together as long as they have.

To learn more about Smathers and Branson and to search their entire catalog of products, please visit their website: Click here.

You can follow Smathers and Branson on Instagram @smathersandbranson.

To connect more with Chandler:

Send him a DM on Instagram @theinwardninepodcast or on LinkedIn.

Or, send him an email: [email protected]

To shop Chandler's full line of hand drawn artwork, please visit the Archive 22 website.