The Mentor Files

While we are on our winter break, enjoy this rerun of one of our favorite episodes!

In 2015, Jen Rubio was traveling back from a trip to Switzerland when her luggage broke in the middle of a crowded airport, sending her clothes and belongings everywhere. As she looked for a replacement she couldn't find the kind of iconic, high-quality, affordable luggage she was looking for.

Jen called up her friend Steph Korey - the two met in 2011 at Warby Parker back when they had only twenty employees - and they got to work. Just a few years later, they launched their direct-to-consumer luggage company, Away, in 2015. It boasts high end features such as two built-in USB ports and a durable, sleek design but is a fraction of the price of competing luggage.

The Away team now has more than 100 employees and tens of millions in revenue. They have expanded their product line, which now offers the bag in six sizes and eight colors and have partnered with people like Gray Malin and Karlie Kloss. In their conversation, Jen and Monica talk about how Away launched without a product, the way they handle collaborations, and why the retail and digital arms of the business aren't so different after all.

“More than anything we believe in making travel more seamless and more enjoyable.” – Jen Rubio.

Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.MonicaandAndy.blog/28

While we are on our winter break, enjoy this rerun of one of our favorite episodes!

When Payal Kadakia went online one day in 2011 to book a ballet workout class, she was “miserably frustrated” with how difficult it was to find and attend the right type of class. After realizing her friends had similar frustrations, she created ClassPass — a monthly membership fitness-class booking company — as a way for people to reconnect with their passions and fitness.

Listen in to learn more about how Payal’s passion for dancing led her to create a nearly $400 million company and being named on Forbes 40 under 40 List. Payal and Monica also discuss the importance of product market fit, how a CEO’s role (and the roles of those on your team) evolve as the company grows, how to create the right type of culture and why it’s so crucial so solidify your company’s vision and mission.

“The only thing that mattered was getting people to class.” - Payal Kadakia

Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.MonicaandAndy.blog/05

While we are on our winter break, enjoy this rerun of one of our favorite episodes!

Christine Hunsicker, CEO and Founder of Gwynnie Bee — an online subscription rental clothing service for women sizes 10-32 — launched her business from her Manhattan apartment in 2013. Fast forward to today, the company has more than 400 employees across the world, offers over 3,000 styles from 120 brands and to date have shipped over 4 million boxes.

In today’s episode, Monica and Christine discuss growth, the biggest challenges of being CEO, building an open and honest culture and why it has been so critical to the company’s success.

“Ownership [of clothing] is the sole means of access today, and that is hugely limiting for both the consumer and the supplier.” - Christine Hunsicker.

Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.MonicaandAndy.blog/12

Listen in to learn how Craig raised his chance of success for his startup through clever market research and using what he learned from the Bonobos team.

"[Care/Of] came out of an experience of shopping for vitamins and supplements and finding it to be overwhelming, confusing, and at times manipulative. I really just wanted to make it easier for customers to figure out what's right for them." - Craig Elbert.

Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/49

Listen in to learn what inspired Eunice Byun to start Material Kitchen, and how her journey shaped her into the CEO and leader that she is today.

"[Material Kitchen] really stems from growing up in a family that loved to eat and celebrated life through food and how that brought all of us together." - Eunice Byun.

Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/48

Listen in to today's episode to learn the benefits of running your own retail space, and the advantages a physical location has over online-only brands.

"Whenever you read the same thing everywhere, it's almost always wrong. And when everybody is rushing for the exits, it's usually the best time to rush in." - Brendan Wallace.

Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/47

In today's episode, Lee goes over what shaped her into who she is today, the difficulties of fundraising as a startup, and the art of team building.

"It was one of those moments where I'm like, 'I'm willing to spend thousands of dollars right now if someone can tell me what to do'. Then I realized that enough people are similar to me, and that's how [Havenly] came to be." - Lee Mayer.

Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/46

Listen in to learn Ariane's strategy in building her team, how she stays motivated, and how balances her career as a founder alongside her role as a mom.

"I'm starting to have a love affair with my mistakes, because I don't know where I would be without them." - Ariane Goldman.

Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/45

Listen in to learn what brands need to do to cut through the noise of today’s marketplace, and how founders should approach the process of raising funds.

“What you really need to think about is how do you stand out in the hearts and minds of end consumers? That's what we think about every day at Maveron.” - Jason Stoffer.

Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/44

Listen in as Laurel Berman talks about the story behind the iconic Jackie O dress, her creative process, and how she is empowering women through her brand.

“I think that if you can figure out where your passion is at and you follow your heart, the success will follow. Now, that doesn't mean it's not going to be really difficult, but I feel like the only way you can overcome those challenges is wanting it more.” - Laurel Berman.

Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/43