In this episode of "Find Your Sauce," host Manny delves into the inspiring journey of Sara Feildstein, the founder and CEO of Barumba Play, a direct-to-consumer (DTC) kids' play-couch brand. Emerging amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Sarah shares her transition from a destined career in accounting within her family's firm to embracing entrepreneurship driven by a desire for family time and a novel idea.

Key Takeaways:

• Origin Story: The idea for Barumba Play's flagship 11-piece play couch sprouted from the limitations imposed by the pandemic, combined with Sarah's observation of her children's interaction with foam blocks. This realization, coupled with a growing trend in play couches she noticed abroad, propelled her to innovate within this niche.
• Market Validation: Sarah's grassroots approach to validating her product idea involved running Facebook lead ads based on a digital drawing and physically testing the product with local families. This hands-on feedback and digital interest confirmed the market demand for her concept.
• Transition Skills: Leveraging her extensive background in accounting and exposure to diverse industries, Sarah applied her analytical skills and knowledge to navigate the e-commerce space, emphasizing the importance of understanding the numbers behind the business.
• Marketing Strategy: The discussion highlights Sarah's strategic use of social media for brand awareness, particularly focusing on the role each platform plays in funneling potential customers towards making a purchase.
• Business Model: Sarah is determined to maintain Barumba Play as a lifestyle business, prioritizing work-life balance over rapid expansion. This approach has allowed her to structure the business around her life, ensuring she doesn't miss out on family time as she did in her previous career.
• Future Vision: Looking forward, Sarah aims to continue growing Barumba Play at a pace that aligns with her lifestyle aspirations, focusing on simplicity in product offerings to maintain operational and supply chain efficiency.

Connect with Sara:

https://barumbaplay.com/

https://www.instagram.com/barumbaplay/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarafeldstein/

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Denise, the visionary founder behind the luxury candle brand Grace The Collection. Denise shares her transformative journey from experiencing a corporate layoff to embracing entrepreneurship and building a brand that embodies elegance, resilience, and authenticity. Discover the challenges she faced, the strategies that propelled her brand into the spotlight, and her invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Whether you're navigating your own entrepreneurial journey or looking to infuse your brand with authenticity, this episode is packed with insights on resilience, marketing, and the power of a well-told story.

Highlights of this episode include:

• Denise's unexpected transition from a corporate leader to an entrepreneurial path.
• The inception of Grace The Collection during COVID-19.
• Strategies for authentic brand building and effective marketing in the digital age.
• Overcoming entrepreneurial challenges with resilience and the importance of building a strong support system.
• Tips for aspiring entrepreneurs on leveraging personal stories and experiences in brand narrative.

Connect with Denise:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-reese/
• https://www.instagram.com/gracethecollection/
• https://gracethecollection.com

Welcome to a captivating journey into the world of luxury handbag design with our special guest, Chau Saenz, a visionary entrepreneur and the founder of the luxury handbag brand, Chau Saenz. In this episode, Chau shares her unique insights and experiences, providing a deep dive into the intricacies of creating a luxury brand that resonates with personal stories and positivity.

What You'll Discover in This Episode:

• Chau's Design Philosophy: Delve into Chau's intentional approach to luxury handbag design. Learn how every element, from color to material choice, tells a personal story and emanates positivity. Explore how her designs go beyond aesthetics to embody functionality and elegance.
• Journey from Hermes Training to Personal Triumphs: Hear Chau's inspiring story of training under a Hermes artisan and her subsequent personal and professional growth. Understand how her experiences shaped her brand and the power of self-belief and positivity in her journey.
• Mastering Luxury Brand Marketing: Gain valuable insights into Chau's strategies for effectively marketing a luxury brand. Discover how understanding and engaging with a high-end audience can lead to profound impacts in the world of luxury marketing.

Additional Episode Highlights:

• Chau's Background: From a marketing professional to a luxury handbag entrepreneur, Chau's transition is a story of passion, dedication, and creativity.
• The Concept of Legacy: A personal anecdote about the influence of Chau's mother and her experiences as a mother, signifying the importance of self-care and identity.
• Challenges and Mindset: Overcoming imposter syndrome, balancing roles, and the emotional journey of running a luxury brand.
• Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Tips and strategies for budding entrepreneurs, especially mothers, on building a successful brand.

Connect with Chau:

• https://chausaenz.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/chausaenz_official/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/chausaenz/

In this enlightening episode, we sit down with Danny Matthews, a visionary in the realms of branding and business strategy. As the founder of Short Story Ventures, Danny brings a fresh perspective on the essence of branding, the power of analog methodologies, and the evolution of consumer psychology. Key highlights include:

1. Going Analog First: Danny urges startups to embrace an analog-first approach, emphasizing the value of foundational work.
2. Deeper Insights into Branding: Moving beyond logos and design, Danny explores how branding deeply influences consumer behavior and decisions.
3. Evolution of Branding: Danny shares his insights on the transformation of branding from a superficial element to a core strategic business powerhouse.
4. Practical Tips for Entrepreneurs: Danny provides actionable advice for startups and entrepreneurs, focusing on efficiency and impactful storytelling.

Join us as we delve into these critical topics with Danny, gaining valuable insights for entrepreneurs and brand strategists alike.

In this enlightening episode of our podcast, we sit down with Randy Wells, the visionary behind Rock Ridge Clothing. Randy shares his unique insights into the evolving world of retail and apparel design, emphasizing the need for physical retail spaces in an increasingly digital world. This is perfect timing as Randy recently opened up his first retail location in San Francisco since starting the brand 8 years ago. He dives into the strategic importance of retail stores for brand storytelling, his goal for the retail space to become a hub for entrepreneurs, and the critical aspect of building a team aligned with your brand's vision. This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone interested in the intersection of retail strategy, entrepreneurship, and innovative brand building.