Freedom to Fail

This week's Year One episode is a continuation of my interview from Episode 070 with Isaac Parkinson of SkinGrip. He has worked hard to build a business around a tight-knit community, and it continues to grow and get stronger every day. With years of experience now, Isaac pulls back the curtain and offers you his playback of everything you should do when you are launching a product to ensure its lasting success.Some of the key takeaways from this episode are:How to position yourself in a way ...

This week's Year One episode is a continuation of my interview from Episode 071 with Scott Brown of PaddleSmash. He built and sold one business in the toy & game industry, and has created another successful product with PaddleSmash. If you've ever had an idea for a toy or a game to create, then you especially need to listen to this episode.Some of the key takeaways from this episode are:How to get honest product feedback from family and friends, instead of them telling you what you want t...

Have you ever looked at the games on the shelves at the store and asked yourself, "Who in the world came up with that?" You wouldn't be the only one. The toy and game industry is extremely large and lucrative, and today's episode is with a man who has succeeded in it multiple times, without actually inventing a toy or game (that I know of).Scott Brown is an experienced and successful entrepreneur who got his start being paid to sit around and think of potential business ideas (sounds like a d...

Isaac Parkinson has been a really good friend of mine for over 10 years now. AND he was the original (and better, I might add) host of Freedom to Fail with me when I started on this journey a few years ago. Unfortunately for all of us who tune into this podcast, the company he started with a friend called SkinGrip started doing really well, and he needed to focus all of his time there, so he could no longer be my co-host.That was 4 years ago, and now SkinGrip has thousands of reviews on Amazo...

This week's Year One episode is a continuation of my interview from Episode 068 last week, with the founder of Stay, Shane Ball. He has built an apparel brand that has been around for 9 years, which is a crazy long time in such a competitive industry! If you've ever been interested in standing out and building a sustainable business, then you need to listen to this episode.Some of the key takeaways from this episode are:How to get feedback on your brand from your target market BEFORE you even...

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of mental health disorders and suicidal thoughts. Please use self-awareness in deciding to listen or not. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please contact the Suicide Crisis Hotline at 988. Most people usually try to dress nicely, including me (although you wouldn't know it at times). Fashion has always been a part of humanity since the beginning of time, and when you look good you feel good. Shane Ball has always wanted to have a...

This week's Year One episode is a continuation of my interview from Episode 066 last week, with the CEO of Kizik, Monte Deere. He comes from a very unique background as a corporate lawyer, and his perspective is very savvy! If you've ever wondered how you can protect your idea or product, this episode is for you.Some of the key takeaways from this episode are:How to protect your IP and ideas when you're collecting feedback from othersWhat your most valuable asset is for bringing existing cust...

I just flew home from across the country today. While I was going through security I actually saw an advertisement posted right before the security entrance advertising the company from today's episode. It's Kizik, and they make hands-free shoes! It was brilliant marketing and specific targeting of people who may think about buying their product for the future (taking off your shoes for airport security is a hassle). This was just the perfect example of having your marketing dollars work smar...

This week I'm bringing you all the Year One episode with Hayden & Jake Wadsworth, the creators of HydroJug. They have grown their business to 8 figures, have close to 500k Instagram followers, and are super amazing. Side note - if you haven't listened to my Freedom to Fail episode with them to learn more about their story, go check it out on episode 056!In this episode they break down exactly what they would do in their first year if they were to restart HydroJug all over again. Some of t...

This week's episode is my Year One episode with Amy Lund! She's seen massive growth and constantly had lines wrapped around the corner for her incredible sweet rolls from The Dough Lady. She knows a thing or two because she's seen a thing or two. And with all that experience, she was kind enough to talk to us about what she did when she launched and everything she would do in the first year if she were to restart today.Some of the important action items for growth she discusses are:How to cre...