Mimir

The fashion industry has historically faced challenges like: overproduction, waste, and surface-level sustainability, that have thus far been somewhat impossible to fix. These issues are baked into the system—and new brands often unknowingly repeat the same harmful patterns.

But with the emergence of AI and a founder who’s creatively rethinking the entire model, solving these issues might just be possible.

In this episode, I sit down with Sajna Massey, founder of Couth. Instead of chasing trends or overstocking inventory, Couth puts design decisions in the hands of the community. They only produce what people actually want—keeping waste low, quality high, and the process intentional from start to finish.

In our chat, I pick her brain about what it really takes to build an innovative fashion brand as a first-time founder. I’m asking her all the burning questions that I know you guys also have, including:

• How Sajna validated demand before producing a single garment
• The lessons (and missteps) from navigating international manufacturing
• What it’s like to build a brand while working full-time—and how to stay motivated when the initial excitement fades
• What’s now core to her growth strategy
• And how changing the way we make clothes might also change the way we consume them

This is a conversation about fashion, yes—but also about thoughtful entrepreneurship, the power of community, and what’s possible when you choose to build with intention.

Connect with Sajna:

https://shopcouthstudios.com/

https://www.instagram.com/couthstudios/

This one’s for the builders who care about more than product-market fit—who want their work to make people feel understood.

Nina is the founder and CEO of Generation Sport—a performance apparel brand designed specifically for women athletes. She’s also a former Olympic equestrian, a product designer by trade, and an alum of companies like Headspace. So when she decided to enter the chaotic world of retail and fashion, she brought something entirely new with her: a startup mindset.

In this conversation, we dive into what it means to build a physical product like a digital one, how to design with real user insight (not just assumptions), and why the traditional model for launching a clothing brand is totally broken.

But more than anything, this episode is about designing better experiences—for customers, for partners, and for yourself as a founder.

We cover:

• The myth of one-size-fits-all apparel – Why “inclusivity” in fashion can actually be exclusive
• How to apply product sprints to retail – And what it looks like to beta test shorts
• What early pitching really looks like – And how Nina refined her vision by saying the wrong thing first
• Why most founders misunderstand customer validation – And how Nina structured her first sprint to learn fast
• The logistics no one talks about – From manufacturing partnerships to supply chain surprises
• What makes a problem worth solving – And how to know if you’re the one to solve it

Nina is thoughtful, clear-eyed, and refreshingly honest. I walked away from this conversation with so many insights—and a deep appreciation for how much intention she brings to building something that matters. I hope you guys enjoyed this conversation as much as I did.

Connect with Nina:

www.generationsport.co
https://www.instagram.com/generation.sportco/
https://www.tiktok.com/@generationsport

Nina’s LinkedIn

How do you build a company that runs like a well oiled machine—without falling into the common startup traps of bad hiring, unnecessary tech, and chasing VC money that derails your vision?

Karen Betancourt has seen it all. She’s led billion-dollar logistics operations at Amazon, Walmart, and Cardinal Health. She built supply chain technology from scratch, scaled massive teams, and now serves as CEO of a medical logistics company in Latin America. On top of that, she’s an advisor to startups, helping founders avoid the biggest mistakes when it comes to funding, leadership, and company culture.

In this episode, we dive into what separates strong leaders from struggling ones—and how to avoid the pitfalls.

I first met Karen when she was speaking on a panel at Manifest. She was so engaging, insightful, and downright funny that I knew I had to have her on the podcast. And let me tell you—this conversation does not disappoint.

We cover:

• The myth of “product-market fit” – Why most startups misunderstand what customers actually need and how to test your idea the right way
• The biggest mistake founders make with VC funding – And how to say no to investors who push you in the wrong direction
• Scaling without losing control – How to manage growing teams, avoid bad hires, and ensure your company still works at 200+ employees
• The power of hard conversations – Why avoiding conflict kills culture, and how to build a team where real feedback drives real progress
• Lessons from running billion-dollar operations – The surprising leadership tactics Karen learned from Amazon, Walmart, and medical supply chains

Whether you’re building a startup, leading a team, or wanting to improve your communication habits, this episode is packed with sharp insights and real talk about how to set yourself up early for leadership success. Karen keeps it fun, brutally honest, and packed with wisdom that every entrepreneur needs to hear.

Connect with Karen Betancourt:

LinkedIn

Startup she's working with: WaveInnova

Today we’re going to be talking about the biggest reason many businesses fail… and it isn’t funding, competition, or even the product—it’s their founder not believing they deserve to succeed.

And don’t just take it from me—the numbers back this up. 78% of business owners report experiencing imposter syndrome—up from just 24% in 2018. That means nearly 4 out of 5 entrepreneurs are battling self-doubt. And if you’re listening to this, there’s a good chance you’re one of them.

And here’s the kicker—it doesn’t go away with success. 71% of U.S. CEOs admit to feeling like frauds, even at the top of their game. But here’s why this matters: Imposter syndrome keeps you small. It makes you underprice your work, second-guess your rates, avoid pitching yourself, and stay stuck in hesitation instead of action. And that’s a business killer.

🚨 But this episode is different. 🚨

This isn’t just a conversation about imposter syndrome—I wanted to create something to help you actually break through it.

• We’ll break down what imposter syndrome actually is from a psychological perspective—so you understand why your brain does this.
• Then, we’ll work through a framework to recognize, challenge, and rewrite the beliefs holding you back.
• And finally, we’re going to take bold action.

To make this super practical, I’ve created a workbook (it’s free) to help you work through this in real time—because this is an episode you work through, not just listen to.

Managing money as an entrepreneur isn’t just about making sales—it’s about ensuring you can actually keep the money you earn. This struggle is REAL for early founders which is why I’m sitting down with Phil McGilvray. He’s on a mission to help business owners get their finances in order, using principles that are simple and effective.

From his early days learning to budget with physical cash jars from his grandma to becoming a financial advisor for high-net-worth individuals, Phil has seen firsthand why so many entrepreneurs struggle with financial sustainability. In this episode, he shares a straightforward five-number framework to track your business health, how to get out of the feast-or-famine cycle, and why paying yourself from day one is a non-negotiable for long-term success.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The only five key numbers every entrepreneur should track each month
• Why most business owners never pay themselves—and how to fix that
• How to price your products or services to actually make a profit (not just cover costs)
• The biggest money mistakes entrepreneurs make (and how to avoid them)
• The power of a cash cascade—and how to build financial stability into your business

Midway through, we dive into one of the hardest parts of entrepreneurship: charging what you’re worth. It sounds simple, but when you’re the one setting the price, self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and fear of rejection creep in. I get real about my own struggles—how I’ve second-guessed my value, worried about turning people away, and had to reframe my mindset around pricing. If you’ve ever felt uncomfortable naming your price or wondered if you’re charging too much (or too little), this part of the conversation is for you.

This episode made me sit back and personally reevaluate a lot about how I was running the business. You’re going to hear me get incredibly honest and vulnerable. So, if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your business finances or put off tracking your numbers (because, honestly, it’s easier not to look), this conversation will change how you think about your money—and your business. It will help you see the simplicity of it and I hope provide you with the inspiration to keep going.

Resources & Links

🔗 Phil’s Free Profit Snapshot Training & Spreadsheet

🔗 Connect with Phil - Website

📩 Join the Mimir Community – Get an inside look into resources and tips other founders are using to build their business smarter, not harder. Sign up here →

I’m taking you behind the scenes of my first-ever conference experience! Manifest is a major supply chain and logistics event focused on innovation, and I attended not just to learn but to grow Mimir, make valuable connections, and test the power of in-person events for early-stage founders.

I’m breaking down everything from how I prepped, what worked (and what didn’t), and my biggest takeaways—including the networking strategies that landed me high-profile meetings, what I wish I had known before stepping into the expo hall, and the unexpected meeting that left me with butterflies for the future.

If you’re considering attending your first conference—or just want to hear what really happens at these events—this is the episode for you! I made sure it was jam packed with the realities and tips to make the most of your work conference.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How I strategically pre-planned meetings to maximize my time
• Top tips for conference attendees
• The biggest wins and surprises from my time at Manifest
• Why LinkedIn is a must-use tool for networking (and how I should’ve started earlier)
• The unexpected realities of after-hours networking (and what to watch out for)
• The follow-up process that turns conference connections into real opportunities

Join the Conversation!

Have you attended a conference before? What worked for you? What do you wish you had done differently? Let’s talk about it!

💬 Comment below or leave a review.

📩 Connect with me: mimir.ink

📸 Follow me on Instagram: @himaddiekelley

🎙️ Join the Mimir community on my website for more insights and discussions.

When Eric Malka co-founded The Art of Shaving, he wasn’t just launching a brand—he was reshaping an entire industry. With a relentless drive and a deep belief in natural skincare, he built one of the most recognizable luxury grooming brands, ultimately selling it to Procter & Gamble. But after achieving his dream and reaching the pinnacle of success, Eric made a surprising decision: he walked away.

Despite building a billion-dollar company, he found himself anxious, unfulfilled, and questioning everything. He realized that success alone didn’t guarantee happiness—and that real fulfillment required something deeper.

Before the interview I had the chance to read his new book,On The Razor’s Edge: The Story of The Art of Shaving. ****Eric shares how he transformed from a young entrepreneur with something to prove into a seasoned investor helping the next generation of founders.

This is very unlike every other big brand name interview. So many of his responses surprised me and some of my favorite moments include:

• How a chip on his shoulder fueled his success (and why self-doubt can be a powerful motivator)
• Why visionary founders struggle with execution—and how to find the right balance
• The truth about entrepreneurial luck—and how to increase your odds of finding it
• How to overcome overthinking
• What most investors get wrong about backing early-stage entrepreneurs
• How he helps founders today—not as a consultant, but as a partner

Eric doesn’t just talk about success; he talks about what comesafter—the anxieties, the realizations, and the hard choices that most entrepreneurs don’t see coming. This is a must-listen for anyone building a business, navigating ambition, or questioning what success really means.

Connect with Eric:

Website

Book

Socials:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-malka-9071529/

https://www.instagram.com/malkaeric/

https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Eric Malka

https://www.tiktok.com/@malkaeric?_t=ZT-8sAGjrp5GU2&_r=1

When the pandemic shut down the travel industry overnight, most travel bloggers scrambled to pivot—but few did it as successfully as Gary Arndt. With over a decade of experience as a travel photographer and blogger, Gary had already built a massive social media following. But when he launched his history-focused podcast, Everything Everywhere Daily, he quickly realized that social media wasn’t the key to podcast growth.

Instead, he took a different approach—one that went against the grain of influencer-driven podcasting. Now, with over 1.5 million downloads per month, Everything Everywhere Daily has become a powerhouse in the industry.

In this episode, Gary shares:

If you’re a podcaster (or thinking about launching one), this episode is a must-listen. Gary’s no-nonsense approach to podcasting cuts through the noise and offers real, actionable insights on what it takes to succeed. I personally learned so much from him during this episode, and I hope you all find it just as valuable.

Listen to the podcast: https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/

Today, we’re diving into a topic that has completely transformed how I work and how I manage my time as an entrepreneur: creating systems for success.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to juggle it all—emails, content creation, client work, finances, or just keeping track of your never-ending to-do list—you’re not alone.

Here’s the thing: success isn’t about working harder; it’s about working smarter. And that starts with building systems that let you save time, reduce stress, and focus on what matters most.

By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with practical strategies and tools to create systems tailored to your business and lifestyle.

Here are the key takeaways from the episode:

The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress. Even small changes can make a big difference over time.

I’d love to hear from you: what’s one system you’re excited to implement? DM me on Instagram @himaddiekelley or comment in the reviews—I can’t wait to see what you create!

And if you found this episode helpful, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow solopreneur who could use a little more structure in their life.

Links I mentioned:

COVID-19 changed everything for everyone, but no industry was as dramatically impacted as the supply chain. The pandemic brought supply chain issues to the forefront, helping people understand not just what the industry is, but also how stagnant it had become. Now we're in an exciting time where innovation is booming in this space, and investors are jumping at the opportunity to get in on the ground floor.

The supply chain has never been sexier and it's a fantastic time to be a founder in this industry—and wherever there's innovation and budding startups, I'll be there. As part of that effort, I'm heading to Manifest conference in February, the innovation hub for all things logistics & supply chain.

I have the honor of interviewing Katie Date, their SVP of Industry Relations & Strategic Initiatives. She has an impressive resume, starting at MIT's Center for Transportation & Logistics, where she spent a decade researching. She then went on to found the Women in Supply Chain initiative.

I was thrilled to pick her brain on all these changes and innovations in the industry. This episode is perfect for anyone who's considered starting a company in supply chain—it's a great download into what's happening in the industry right now and how to succeed in it.

Katie is also sharing practical tips for those in D2C. Since logistics makes up a huge portion of these businesses, we're providing actionable tips to help you reduce costs and improve efficiency.

I was especially excited to discuss how and why Katie founded the Women in Supply Chain initiative. Her advice on climbing the ladder and finding success in male-dominated industries is fascinating. She walks you through how she founded this initiative—so if you've been thinking about doing something similar for your industry, you won't want to miss this.

Katie is an academic, but she's also a doer. She's incredibly inspirational and wonderful to chat with. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I did.

Here are the key takeaways from the episode:

Mimir listeners save an additional $200 off the current registration price (that's $600 off the current price!) but only if you register before prices increase this Friday, January 24th!

Register now & save: ManifestVegas.com/Mimir