The Beehive Product Launch Show

Kara Goldin is on a mission to keep the world healthy and hydrated. She created Hint, Inc., a successful line of water flavored with natural fruit oils and essences. During our conversation, we discussed how Kara defied conventional wisdom in the beverage industry by launching her first product line without many ingredients that are considered industry standards. Kara also talked about the importance of engagement through storytelling as a way to help others understand her brand's relevance.

Since dressing up as an artist for her kindergarten career day, Kristen Ley has known what her future profession was meant to be. Even at that early age, she knew what creating art and beautiful things meant. Both her grandmothers were avid seamstresses and craft gurus, so they are a huge part of who she is today and she continues to honor them in her work.

After completing AP art classes, Kristen went on to Mississippi State University and did not hesitate on choosing art as her major, with an emphasis in graphic design and minor in marketing. After graduation in 2007, she opened up a successful art and design business called Cultigraphic Creative® with fellow MSU classmate Catherine Yerger.

In 2011, curiosity got the best of Kristen and she purchased a 1925 10 x 15 Chandler + Price from Lexington, KY and hauled it all the way back to Mississippi. With the press acquired, she decided to open up Thimblepress®. The name was derived from her childhood, now continued on to adulthood, collection of thimbles from her travels. Every time she traveled to a new state, she got a thimble to mark her visit. She still keeps her collection in old letterpress type drawers in her dining room. Kristen hopes to make Thimblepress a reflection of her life, love of her family, and her favorite places in the world; one of them being Mississippi.

Chrissa McFarlane is passionate about creating cutting-edge products that lead to global transformation of healthcare delivery. She launched Patientory, an online platform that connects patients with their doctors, caregivers and a community of individuals with similar health concerns. Chrissa saw the need in the marketplace for more personalized care and she decided to act. Our conversation was very informative.

Umaimah Mendhro started her company with a strong belief that fashion could be responsible and accessible. She is the founder and CEO of VIDA, a global platform that brings together creatives and manufacturers from around the world to create unique, original, art inspired apparel and accessories. Umaimah grew up with a deep passion for fashion and design and a drive to make a difference in the world. Today, she uses her global platform to launch products that are made responsibly and that help break the chain of poverty in the world of fashion.

Shunta Grant is a lawyer turned entrepreneur. She created Because of Zoe Designs out of her own need to give her daughter unique hair bows and headbands. Sold both online and in retail stores across the country, Because of Zoe Designs is known for its modern, colorful and well made handmade hair bows for girls. In addition to running a thriving products based business, Shunta is also a business educator, teaching creatives how to joyfully build businesses through her online teaching and her new show, the Business Life & Joy podcast. Needless to say, we had a great conversation.

Loree Sandler was fed up with the utilitarian look of the average birthday candle. So, she decided to do something about it. She launched Let Them Eat Candles, a line of edible chocolate candles. As Loree describes them, candles are wish delivery systems and should compliment birthday cakes. Using on her creativity, enthusiasm and tenacity she was able to move beyond roadblocks so that she could successfully launch her product line.

Melissa Bamberg spent years researching and developing The Nodpod, a weighted eye pillow designed to promote relaxation through deep pressure touch therapy. To me, the most interesting part of Melissa's journey is that she took time to figure out how to differentiate her product.  She also came up with a novel solution based in science and , as a result, received a patent for her invention.

Annie Haven, a southern California rancher, brings her family legacy out of her pastures to specialty growers and home gardeners around the world. Harvested from Haven raised livestock, she processes and eco hand packages her 100% natural soil nutrient teas for the environmentally minded grower and home gardener. As a rancher, author and speaker, Annie has learned the importance of grit

During our conversation, we discussed relentlessness and passion as key drivers for success.

Show Notes: http://thebeehivepodcast.com/2017/05/60-annie-haven/ ‎

Karla the Losen reinvented keepsake storage by launching Savor. Karla and her cofounder, Jennifer McAllister-Nevins, spent over two years researching, prototyping, designing and redesigning their product.

During our conversation, we discussed about the importance of talking to the right people in order to develop the best product. For Savor, Karla and Jennifer consulted professional archivists to understand the challenges that exist with maintaining the integrity of items such as papers and photographs. Based on talking to the right people, unique product benefits incorporated into the design of the Savor products. Show Notes: http://thebeehivepodcast.com/2017/05/59-karen-the-losen/

Vanessa Victoria comes from a rich history of educators, scientists, craftsmen, artists and entrepreneurs. She worked with her sister to launch Nuvula, a new and exciting concept in fashion. The company started as an avant-garde experiment aimed at joining all of the arts with positive social and environmental messages coded in poetry. Their mantra: art, responsible manufacturing and true sustainability. Several years ago, I was out shopping during the Christmas holidays and I stumbled upon a line of clothing that literally stopped me in my tracks because it was so unique. I was compelled to write a note to myself that this was a brand I wanted to watch. The overall design of colors, textures and structures really spoke to me. A few months ago, I found my note and decided to reach out to Vanessa because I really wanted to know the backstory and the inspiration behind the product line. During our conversation, Vanessa and I discussed the importance of having a holistic vision and mission which permeate every step in the design and manufacturing. We also talked about how critical it is to bring your own voice to the table through product design. Show Notes: http://thebeehivepodcast.com/2017/04/58-vanessa-victoria/