Founders 15

Tom Patterson is the founder of Tommy John, an underwear and undershirt company that started by addressing the chronic problem of men’s undershirts coming untucked. It has evolved into one that sells underwear and more for men and women. Tom used his skills as a cold calling salesman to get his early product into Neiman Marcus, which really helped cement the trajectory and future of the company. I really loved hearing about Tommy John’s core values, which include “It’s not me, it’s we” and “GSD 2.0” (or get sh*t done 2.0) as an evolution reflecting their company’s growth from the original GSD attitude. We discussed the wave of entrepreneurship and how founders need to be able to be a quarterback at one point, an ice skater another time, and then learn how to be both left and right handed - founders really have to do it all. In case you’re curious, Tom doesn’t want Tommy John to be the next Ralph Lauren or Nike - he wants them to be the first Tommy John.

Tom Patterson is the founder of Tommy John, an underwear and undershirt company that started by addressing the chronic problem of men’s undershirts coming untucked. It has evolved into one that sells underwear and more for men and women. Tom used his skills as a cold calling salesman to get his early product into Neiman Marcus, which really helped cement the trajectory and future of the company. I really loved hearing about Tommy John’s core values, which include “It’s not me, it’s we” and “GSD 2.0” (or get sh*t done 2.0) as an evolution reflecting their company’s growth from the original GSD attitude. We discussed the wave of entrepreneurship and how founders need to be able to be a quarterback at one point, an ice skater another time, and then learn how to be both left and right handed - founders really have to do it all. In case you’re curious, Tom doesn’t want Tommy John to be the next Ralph Lauren or Nike - he wants them to be the first Tommy John.

Cristina Lynch is the founder of Mi Golondrina, a fashion company here in Dallas that works with artisans in Mexico to hand make beautiful dresses with intricate embroidery and detailing that can take in some cases as long as several months! Having studied theater and business, she is a unique woman who has embraced her mother’s love of Mexico and she has built a company with products in extremely high demand (they are EVERYWHERE in Texas and growing) that has such a positive impact on hundreds of women across Mexico.

Cristina Lynch is the founder of Mi Golondrina, a fashion company here in Dallas that works with artisans in Mexico to hand make beautiful dresses with intricate embroidery and detailing that can take in some cases as long as several months! Having studied theater and business, she is a unique woman who has embraced her mother’s love of Mexico and she has built a company with products in extremely high demand (they are EVERYWHERE in Texas and growing) that has such a positive impact on hundreds of women across Mexico.

Dorothy Shain is a mixed media artist who in a short period of time has already made a real career out of her truly beautiful and unique art. As a “left brain” person, it’s taken a lot to cultivate and enhance my creativity, so I had a lot of questions for Dorothy about her creative process and learned quite a lot through this conversation. The menswear market is crowded, and I knew that going in, but I have so much respect for artists who go all in on their talent to build a career in potentially the most crowded market there is! Anyone can call themselves an artist - few can make something really valued out of a career in it. I loved hearing how Dorothy internalized the lessons from Danny Meyer’s “Setting The Table” about really owning the touchpoints and relationships in her world to create a memorable experience and story for her customers and art. She also has a unique approach to the morning - 10 minutes of meditation, 10 minutes of reading, and writing down 10 things she’s grateful for - that have helped keep her sane on a very tough journey of building a career out of her art. This was a really different conversation in many ways while being so very similar to convesrations with more traditional business founders. I was fortunate to have it and hope you find value in listening to it. You can support the amazing work she’s doing for cancer survivors via her Instagram. I just bought one of the commemorative scarves after hearing the story behind the initiative.

Dorothy Shain is a mixed media artist who in a short period of time has already made a real career out of her truly beautiful and unique art. As a “left brain” person, it’s taken a lot to cultivate and enhance my creativity, so I had a lot of questions for Dorothy about her creative process and learned quite a lot through this conversation. The menswear market is crowded, and I knew that going in, but I have so much respect for artists who go all in on their talent to build a career in potentially the most crowded market there is! Anyone can call themselves an artist - few can make something really valued out of a career in it. I loved hearing how Dorothy internalized the lessons from Danny Meyer’s “Setting The Table” about really owning the touchpoints and relationships in her world to create a memorable experience and story for her customers and art. She also has a unique approach to the morning - 10 minutes of meditation, 10 minutes of reading, and writing down 10 things she’s grateful for - that have helped keep her sane on a very tough journey of building a career out of her art. This was a really different conversation in many ways while being so very similar to convesrations with more traditional business founders. I was fortunate to have it and hope you find value in listening to it. You can support the amazing work she’s doing for cancer survivors via her Instagram. I just bought one of the commemorative scarves after hearing the story behind the initiative.

Nate Checketts founded Rhone, a premium active men’s apparel company that makes honestly the best workout gear in the world. I say that not as Nate’s friend - I say that as a repeat customer. What makes this episode special is some of the vulnerability that Nate shares about the challenges of his journey, including a literal life changing moment where he almost died due to his type 1 diabetes and how he prioritizes family. I also loved hearing how his leadership team kicks off their weekly meeting talking about their company principles on a rotating basis. I know you will enjoy this conversation, as it is a really unique view on two founders on parallel roller coasters.

Nate Checketts founded Rhone, a premium active men’s apparel company that makes honestly the best workout gear in the world. I say that not as Nate’s friend - I say that as a repeat customer. What makes this episode special is some of the vulnerability that Nate shares about the challenges of his journey, including a literal life changing moment where he almost died due to his type 1 diabetes and how he prioritizes family. I also loved hearing how his leadership team kicks off their weekly meeting talking about their company principles on a rotating basis. I know you will enjoy this conversation, as it is a really unique view on two founders on parallel roller coasters.

Heidi Zak and her husband started ThirdLove, a company changing the way women think of what’s possible mixing form, function, and fashion when it comes to undergarments. In six years, they’ve grown their team to over 250 employees and 10 million women have used their custom fit finder on their site.

Heidi Zak and her husband started ThirdLove, a company changing the way women think of what’s possible mixing form, function, and fashion when it comes to undergarments. In six years, they’ve grown their team to over 250 employees and 10 million women have used their custom fit finder on their site.