The Story of a Brand Show

Along with co-founder Mark Zheng, Ray Li is out to “mainstream custom clothing” with their brand Sene. 

 

Sene stems from Ray’s passion for eliminating the misguided notion of the “ideal body” and creating clothes that fit anybody. 

 

It produces an accessible alternative for those who strive to get custom-fitted suits or jeans at a reasonable price. 

 

As Ray mentions in the episode, “our mission is to empower people of all shapes and sizes to feel their best.” 

 

Although the idea seems full proof, increasing its growth was a challenge, as Ray recalls. 

 

Listen to today's episode of The  Story of a Brand as Ramon Vela interviews Ray, and they discuss overcoming those challenges, especially as a new company, to break old traditions. 

 

In part 1, Ray discusses the following: Ray’s mentor experience, Sene and what it is; Expressing the brand mission; Creating accessible custom clothing; Breaking boundaries in mainstream fashion; The first attempt in creating Sene; Adapting the brand to COVID complications; and much more.

 

For more on Sene, visit:  https://senestudio.com/

 

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This episode and our entire podcast are brought to you by ATTN Agency. 

 

ATTN Agency is a full-funnel growth and performance digital marketing agency with proven strategies to scale and optimize direct to consumer brands through tactical media buying, data-driven analysis, and unrivaled creative services.

 

If you are looking back on this year wondering what went wrong or what could have gone better, or if you're starting to put together your game plan for 2021, I have one piece of advice: you need to talk to ATTN Agency.

 

I’ve interviewed several of their clients, and I can say that they are the best in the business. ATTN represents some of the fastest-growing direct to consumer brands, delivering month over month results.

 

Go to https://www.attnagency.com/storyofabrand/ for a comprehensive, no-obligation, 14 point audit of your social, search, shopping, email, and SMS channels.

 

*

 

This episode is also brought to you by Forum Brands.

 

Have you built an online brand that consumers love? Do you sell in consumer categories that are essential to everyday life? Do the majority of your sales go through Amazon FBA? 

 

If this sounds like you, you should get to know Forum Brands. 

 

Forum is a team of expert investors, operators, and many ex-Amazonians, who provide entrepreneurs and owners with the most efficient and lucrative way to sell their e-commerce businesses.

 

If you’re interested in exploring a sale and cashing out years of your profits in one day, visit us at https://www.forumbrands.com/ to schedule a 30-minute call.

In part 2 of this Feature, we sit back down with co-founders Jared Ray Johnson and Adam Klein to discuss their journey in creating Season Three.

 

Season Three was created to produce the modern boot, The Ansel.

 

On top of redesigning the boot, the two have created a shoe to encourage exploration and purpose. Like Adam states, “I think pushing yourself and pushing … youth culture, really anything, to explore, to figure out what they are really talented at is the only way to kind of live.”

 

No matter if you’re a Steve Jobs type of genius or completely art-driven, anything is possible with that right kind of push and talent. That’s what we here at The Story of a Brand are about.

 

We hope to celebrate all brands of all backgrounds to share their stories and inspire others to start their journey. Thanks to all of you, thanks to Season Three's founders, especially those listening for the first time.

 

In part 2, Jared and Adam discuss Finding your strengths and weaknesses; Working towards your passion; Creating the concept for The Ansel; Dealing with Imposter syndrome; Delving into the materials and design; Adapting from prototypes; The Benjamin Edgar collaboration; The future of the brand; and much more.

 

Join us while Ramon Vela interviews Jared and Adam for The Story of a Brand, and listen to them share the inside story.

 

For more on Season Three, visit: https://seasonthree.com/

 

*

 

This episode and our entire podcast are brought to you by ATTN Agency. 

 

ATTN Agency is a full-funnel growth and performance digital marketing agency with proven strategies to scale and optimize direct to consumer brands through tactical media buying, data-driven analysis, and unrivaled creative services.

 

If you are looking back on this year wondering what went wrong or what could have gone better, or if you're starting to put together your game plan for 2021, I have one piece of advice: you need to talk to ATTN Agency.

 

I’ve interviewed several of their clients, and I can say that they are the best in the business. ATTN represents some of the fastest-growing direct to consumer brands, delivering month over month results.

 

Go to https://www.attnagency.com/storyofabrand/ for a comprehensive, no-obligation, 14 point audit of your social, search, shopping, email, and SMS channels.

 

*

 

This episode is brought to you by TryNow.

Do your shoppers love your products once they've had a chance to try them?

Is it hard for you to convey the quality of your product digitally?

Well, there is a secret strategy that many of the fastest-growing Shopify brands use to get their products in more shoppers' homes.

They use TryNow to automate a Try At Home program.

With TryNow, 1) shoppers can check out with a zero dollar cart, 2) get items shipped right to their home, and 3) only pay for what they keep.

DTC brands like Hammit, Myles Apparel, Solid + Striped, Tamara Mellon, Universal Standard, and Girlfriend Collective... use TryNow to increase conversion rates and average order values.

If you want to say to your shoppers, don't trust us, trust our products, then go to https://www.trynow.io/ to learn if a TryNow program is right for you.

 

“Boots have always been rooted in heritage,” as Jared mentions. There are hiking boots, construction boots, steel toe, etc. 

 

Although Jared and Adam noticed, there isn’t a modern boot for those merely walking around the city. 

 

In today’s episode, we’re sitting down with Co-Founders Jared Ray Johnson and Adam Klein to talk about what it takes to create a modern boot with their brand Season Three. 

 

The two MIT students took everything they hated about the average boot to create everything they love about their boot, The Ansel. The Ansel, any person, could have effective, durable footwear that is sleek enough to be worn from the streets to “the museum.” 

 

Listen in as we talk about renovating the purpose of our boots. 

 

In part 2, Jared and Adam discuss Their mentor experience; The hundred-foot overview of Season Three; Building an “outdoor lifestyle brand”; Jared and Ray’s journey at MIT; Choosing “the boot” category as a jump into the shoe market; Creating the modern boot for the everyday wear; and much more.

 

Join us while Ramon Vela interviews Jared and Adam for The Story of a Brand, and listen to them share the inside story.

 

For more on Season Three, visit: https://seasonthree.com/

 

*

 

This episode and our entire podcast are brought to you by ATTN Agency. 

 

ATTN Agency is a full-funnel growth and performance digital marketing agency with proven strategies to scale and optimize direct to consumer brands through tactical media buying, data-driven analysis, and unrivaled creative services.

 

If you are looking back on this year wondering what went wrong or what could have gone better, or if you're starting to put together your game plan for 2021, I have one piece of advice: you need to talk to ATTN Agency.

 

I’ve interviewed several of their clients, and I can say that they are the best in the business. ATTN represents some of the fastest-growing direct to consumer brands, delivering month over month results.

 

Go to https://www.attnagency.com/storyofabrand/ for a comprehensive, no-obligation, 14 point audit of your social, search, shopping, email, and SMS channels.

 

*

 

This episode is brought to you by TryNow.

Do your shoppers love your products once they've had a chance to try them? Is it hard for you to convey the quality of your product digitally?

Well, there is a secret strategy that many of the fastest-growing Shopify brands use to get their products in more shoppers' homes.

They use TryNow to automate a Try At Home program.

With TryNow, 1) shoppers can check out with a zero dollar cart, 2) get items shipped right to their home, and 3) only pay for what they keep.

DTC brands like Hammit, Myles Apparel, Solid + Striped, Tamara Mellon, Universal Standard, and Girlfriend Collective... use TryNow to increase conversion rates and average order values.

If you want to say to your shoppers, don't trust us, trust our products, then go to https://www.trynow.io/ to learn if a TryNow program is right for you.

On today’s episode, we sit back down with Ashley Nickelson, Founder and Chief Snack Officer of BTR Bars.

 

BTR Bars, as in Bold, Tenacious, Resilient, is a company meant to break the habits of mindless snacking and inspire other women.

 

Ashley’s made it her goal and the company's goal to support, connect, and build up other women. Starting a company isn’t the easiest, especially if you’re trying to start an entrepreneurial journey while keeping a work/life balance.

 

Although as Ashley mentions, it’s that “passion” that keeps you from getting “burnt out.” For all women who do 110% in both work and life, you’re truly celebrated at BTR Bars for following your passions.  Staying true to her mission, listen in as Ashley talks about her own passions as well as an in-depth look into the making of BTR.

 

In part 2, Ashley discusses Her journey with branding and building the company; Creating a community; COVID Impacts; Starting your entrepreneurial endeavor; Following your passions; Trying BTR Bars; The different uses of each flavor; The Future of BTR Bars; and much more.

 

Join us while Ramon Vela interviews Ashley for The Story of a Brand, and listen to her share the inside story.

 

For more on B.T.R. Bar, visit: https://www.eatbtrbar.com/

 

*

 

This episode and our entire podcast are brought to you by ATTN Agency. 

 

ATTN Agency is a full-funnel growth and performance digital marketing agency with proven strategies to scale and optimize direct to consumer brands through tactical media buying, data-driven analysis, and unrivaled creative services.

 

If you are looking back on this year wondering what went wrong or what could have gone better, or if you're starting to put together your game plan for 2021, I have one piece of advice: you need to talk to ATTN Agency.

 

I’ve interviewed several of their clients, and I can say that they are the best in the business. ATTN represents some of the fastest-growing direct to consumer brands, delivering month over month results.

 

Go to https://www.attnagency.com/storyofabrand/ for a comprehensive, no-obligation, 14 point audit of your social, search, shopping, email, and SMS channels.

 

*

 

This episode is brought to you by FlavorCloud. 

 

Who wants to deal with international shipping, customs, duties, and taxes.

 

FlavorCloud makes it easy for fast-growing DTC brands and 3PL partners to ship globally in just a few simple steps. 

 

Let FlavorCloud manage it all. For more details, visit www.flavorcloud.com

 

*

 

This episode is also brought to you by CartText.

 

Are you interested in improving your Abandoned Cart Recovery rates?

 

Cart Text is Powered by real people, not bots, not AI, real people. Cart Text will contact & engage with your customers in real-time to make the sales you missed.

 

One by one, CartText will convert your abandoned carts, churned subscriptions, and billing-related issues using live agents + SMS. Real people, getting the job done. 

 

To learn more, visit https://carttext.com/

Ashley says it best when she says, “BTR Bars are the first bars with a purpose.” In today’s episode, we talk about that purpose with Ashley Nickelsen, the Founder and Chief Snack Officer of B.T.R. Bars.

 

Ashley started her entrepreneurial journey experiencing a time in her life where snacking was almost pivotal to her diet. Instead of sticking to the classics, Ashley created BTR Bars to help put an end to “mindless snacking.”

 

Compared to most snacks with 20-30 grams of sugar, BTR Bars have “zero grams of sugar” while also adding other nutrients to help energize or relax you. Unlike most diets, BTR Bars don’t discourage anyone from snacking but instead offer you nutritious alternatives with ease.

In part 2, Ashley discusses Her Mentor experience, BTR and what it is; Ending mindless snacking; Getting into the ingredients; Spreading educational awareness about the ingredients in a BTR Bar; Building the customer experience at the point of purchase; and much more.

Join us while Ramon Vela interviews Ashley for The Story of a Brand, and listen to her share the inside story.

 

For more on B.T.R. Bar, visit: https://www.eatbtrbar.com/

 

 

*

 

 

This episode and our entire podcast are brought to you by ATTN Agency. 

 

ATTN Agency is a full-funnel growth and performance digital marketing agency with proven strategies to scale and optimize direct to consumer brands through tactical media buying, data-driven analysis, and unrivaled creative services.

 

If you are looking back on this year wondering what went wrong or what could have gone better, or if you're starting to put together your game plan for 2021, I have one piece of advice: you need to talk to ATTN Agency.

 

I’ve interviewed several of their clients, and I can say that they are the best in the business. ATTN represents some of the fastest-growing direct to consumer brands, delivering month over month results.

 

Go to https://www.attnagency.com/storyofabrand/ for a comprehensive, no-obligation, 14 point audit of your social, search, shopping, email, and SMS channels.

 

 

*

 

 

This episode is brought to you by FlavorCloud. 

 

Who wants to deal with international shipping, customs, duties, and taxes.

 

FlavorCloud makes it easy for fast-growing DTC brands and 3PL partners to ship globally in just a few simple steps. 

 

Let FlavorCloud manage it all. For more details, visit https://flavorcloud.com/

 

 

*

 

 

This episode is also brought to you by CartText.

 

Are you interested in improving your Abandoned Cart Recovery rates?

 

Cart Text is Powered by real people, not bots, not AI, real people. Cart Text will contact & engage with your customers in real-time to make the sales you missed.

 

One by one, CartText will convert your abandoned carts, churned subscriptions, and billing-related issues using live agents + SMS. Real people, getting the job done. 

 

To learn more, visit https://carttext.com/

 

In the second half of this Feature, we sit back down with Richa Gupta, creator of Good Food for Good, to discuss the importance of eating Good. 

 

As a young mom and marketing executive, Richa wanted to create a solution to making healthy food that tastes good. 

 

With her first line of cooking sauces to “table sauces,” Richa offers alternatives to condiments that usually contain a lot of sugar, such as ketchup, in the commercial processed versions. 

 

Through Good Food for Good, she has taken everyday sauces that we’ve grown to love and has created vegan, no-sugar-added versions that are not only healthy but help make food taste better. 

 

Good Food for Good is a great way to inspire yourself to start or continue cooking at home and for anyone looking for a break from fast food and mobile delivery orders. 

 

In part 2, Richa discusses Finding your purpose and working towards it always; Talking about being a B Corp company; How to stay true to being a B Corp; The importance of taste in a healthy diet; You won’t believe how much sugar is in BBQ Sauce and Ketchup; Believing in the slow food movement; Talking about giving back during the holidays; and much more.

 

Join us while Ramon Vela interviews Richa for The Story of a Brand, and listen to her share the inside story.

 

For more on Good Food For Good, visit: https://goodfoodforgood.ca/

 

 

*

 

 

This episode and our entire podcast are brought to you by ATTN Agency. ATTN Agency is a full-funnel growth and performance digital marketing agency with proven strategies to scale and optimize direct to consumer brands through tactical media buying, data-driven analysis, and unrivaled creative services.

 

If you are looking back on this year wondering what went wrong or what could have gone better, or if you're starting to put together your game plan for 2021, I have one piece of advice: you need to talk to ATTN Agency.

 

I’ve interviewed several of their clients, and I can say that they are the best in the business. ATTN represents some of the fastest-growing direct to consumer brands, delivering month over month results.

 

Go to https://www.attnagency.com/storyofabrand/ for a comprehensive, no-obligation, 14 point audit of your social, search, shopping, email, and SMS channels.

 

 

*

 

 

This episode is brought to you by Repeat, the easiest way for your customers to reorder products they love.

 

Most vendors in the Shopify ecosystem would have you believe that subscription-focused commerce is the key to customer retention for CPG brands. 

 

But with monthly churn rates pushing 10% across the industry, Repeat has a better way.

 

Repeat will automate a frictionless reordering experience for the largest part of a CPG brand’s customer base: The non-subscriber.

 

Repeat uses machine learning to analyze one-time shopper behavior, automates reorder notifications, and delivers personalized replenishment carts that aid in up-sell and cross-sell efforts. 

 

The result? Higher LTV, better margins, and more insights on your best customers.

 

To learn more, visit https://signup.getrepeat.io/

In today’s The Story of a Brand Feature, Richa Gupta, Founder & President of Good Food For Good, talks about how her business helps her truly make a difference.

 

Starting in the fashion industry, Richa followed the path of “moving up the corporate ladder” until she found her true calling in the food industry. 

 

Understanding how harmful processed food could truly be for the body, Richa created Good Food for Good, a line of sauces for both cooking and topping to encourage everyone to keep cooking.

 

Not only does it inspire others to keep cooking, but Good Food for Good also stays true to their Buy One, Feed One model. 

 

For every product bought, their company will donate a meal to fight world hunger. It is her passion, and it’s healthy; it’s truly Good Food for Good. 

 

In part 1, Richa discusses Starting Good Food for Good; Richa’s journey into discovering her calling; Understanding what processed food does to us; The first year of building the company; Molding your company to reach your goal; Using your support system; and much more.

 

Join us while Ramon Vela interviews Richa for The Story of a Brand, and listen to her share the inside story.

 

For more on Good Food For Good, visit: https://goodfoodforgood.ca/

 

 

*

 

 

This episode and our entire podcast are brought to you by ATTN Agency.

ATTN Agency is a full-funnel growth and performance digital marketing agency with proven strategies to scale and optimize direct to consumer brands through tactical media buying, data-driven analysis, and unrivaled creative services.

 

If you are looking back on this year wondering what went wrong or what could have gone better, or if you're starting to put together your game plan for 2021, I have one piece of advice: you need to talk to ATTN Agency.

 

I’ve interviewed several of their clients, and I can say that they are the best in the business. ATTN represents some of the fastest-growing direct to consumer brands, delivering month over month results.

 

Go to https://www.attnagency.com/storyofabrand/ for a comprehensive, no-obligation, 14 point audit of your social, search, shopping, email, and SMS channels.

 

 

*

 

 

This episode is brought to you by Repeat.

Repeat is the easiest way for your customers to reorder products they love.

 

Most vendors in the Shopify ecosystem would have you believe that subscription-focused commerce is the key to customer retention for CPG brands. 

 

But with monthly churn rates pushing 10% across the industry, Repeat has a better way.

 

Repeat will automate a frictionless reordering experience for the largest part of a CPG brand’s customer base: The non-subscriber.

 

Repeat uses machine learning to analyze one-time shopper behavior, automates reorder notifications, and delivers personalized replenishment carts that aid in up-sell and cross-sell efforts. 

 

The result? Higher LTV, better margins, and more insights on your best customers.

 

To learn more, visit https://signup.getrepeat.io/

In this second part of this Feature, we interview Nik Hall, Co-Founder of vitafive. At vitafive, Nik is creating easy to take vitamins in gummy form. 

 

These vitamins are not easy to take, but they’re also fun to take with colorful, eco-friendly packaging. They’re also good for any parent looking for a fun solution for their kids to take their vitamins. 

 

Whether you're looking for a gummy to enhance your overall health or for detox, vitafive offers different varieties that are all gluten-free and vegetarian friendly. Listen in as Nik talks to us about the inner workings of vitafive.

 

In Part 2, Nik discusses Being grateful for your support system; Keeping to your vision; Marketing the product itself; Creating an eco-friendly product; The impact of taking a vitamin a day, and much more.

 

Join us while Ramon Vela interviews Nik for The Story of a Brand, and listen to her share the inside story.

 

For more on vitafive, visit: https://vitafive.com/

 

 

*

 

This episode and our entire podcast are brought to you by ATTN Agency.

 

ATTN Agency is a full-funnel growth and performance digital marketing agency with proven strategies to scale and optimize direct to consumer brands through tactical media buying, data-driven analysis, and unrivaled creative services.

 

If you are looking back on this year wondering what went wrong or what could have gone better, or if you're starting to put together your game plan for 2021, I have one piece of advice: you need to talk to ATTN Agency.

 

I’ve interviewed several of their clients, and I can say that they are the best in the business. ATTN represents some of the fastest-growing direct to consumer brands, delivering month over month results.

 

Go to https://www.attnagency.com/storyofabrand/ for a comprehensive, no-obligation, 14 point audit of your social, search, shopping, email, and SMS channels.

 

 

*

 

This episode is also brought to you by Forum Brands. 

 

Have you built an online brand that consumers love? Do you sell in consumer categories that are essential to everyday life? Do the majority of your sales go through Amazon FBA?

 

If this sounds like you, you should get to know Forum Brands.

 

Forum is a team of expert investors, operators, and many ex-Amazonians, who provide entrepreneurs and owners with the most efficient and lucrative way to sell their e-commerce businesses.

 

If you’re interested in exploring a sale and cashing out years of your profits in one day, visit us at https://www.forumbrands.com/ to schedule a call.

In this first part of this Feature, we interview Nik Hall, Co-Founder of vitafive. Vitafive provides high-quality gummy vitamins in eco-friendly packs that are good for health.

 

Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or a business major in your third year of college, we talk about the importance of working through failure.  Failure helps to shape the future of your company while building the foundation for you as an entrepreneur to grow. 

 

As Nik references it, failure and success are two very different feelings that are crucial to building a business similar to flying on a plane. 

 

The first year of a start-up brings a lot of turbulence and paranoia of how far you’re going to fall. Although the moment you land on the ground, your “reaction is completely different.” Listen in as we go step by step about how we work through failure. 

 

In Part 1, Nik discusses Nik’s own experience with his college mentor; Creating idea after idea after idea; Working through obstacles; The trial and error of finding a good marketing routine; Nik’s business advice; The ease of Shopify; and much more.

 

Join us while Ramon Vela interviews Nik for The Story of a Brand, and listen to her share the inside story.

 

For more on vitafive, visit: https://vitafive.com/

 

 

*

 

This episode and our entire podcast are brought to you by ATTN Agency. ATTN Agency is a full-funnel growth and performance digital marketing agency with proven strategies to scale and optimize direct to consumer brands through tactical media buying, data-driven analysis, and unrivaled creative services.

 

If you are looking back on this year wondering what went wrong or what could have gone better, or if you're starting to put together your game plan for 2021, I have one piece of advice: you need to talk to ATTN Agency.

 

I’ve interviewed several of their clients, and I can say that they are the best in the business. ATTN represents some of the fastest-growing direct to consumer brands, delivering month over month results.

 

Go to https://www.attnagency.com/storyofabrand/ for a comprehensive, no-obligation, 14 point audit of your social, search, shopping, email, and SMS channels.

 

 

*

 

This episode is also brought to you by Forum Brands. 

 

Have you built an online brand that consumers love? Do you sell in consumer categories that are essential to everyday life? Do the majority of your sales go through Amazon FBA?

 

If this sounds like you, you should get to know Forum Brands.

 

Forum is a team of expert investors, operators, and many ex-Amazonians, who provide entrepreneurs and owners with the most efficient and lucrative way to sell their e-commerce businesses

 

If you’re interested in exploring a sale and cashing out years of your profits in one day, visit us at https://www.forumbrands.com/ to schedule a call.

In this second part of this Feature, we sit back down with Craig Winer, Co-Owner & Senior VP of Garrett Wade, to hear the stories about what makes Garrett Wade a trusted name. 

  Craig and his team at Garrett Wade truly love the work that they do, from finding vintage kitchen knives in France to foraging through Sweden. The passion for providing unique and quality tools is only one of the keys that have made the brand a success.   As the pandemic has evolved throughout the past year, hobbies have once again caught on as ways to learn, distract from news, and or distress. Not only does Garrett Wade create tools for experienced craft workers, but also first-time learners that are eager to find their own passion.    As Craig mentions, it’s about “breaking those barriers” that keep us from continuing our craft. Whether it's a challenging hobby or simply a lack of time, Garrett Wade is about finding a craft you truly love and working through those obstacles. In Part 2, Craig discusses Celebrating the craftsmen that contribute to Garrett Wade’s success; Picking for products and sourcing; Kitchen knives in France; Sharing stories and marketing the brand; The future of Garrett Wade; Being passionate about your craft; COVID Impacts on home life; and much more. Join us while Ramon Vela interviews Craig for The Story of a Brand, and listen to her share the inside story. For more on Garrett Wade, visit: https://www.garrettwade.com/ * This episode and our entire podcast are brought to you by ATTN Agency. ATTN Agency is a full-funnel growth and performance digital marketing agency with proven strategies to scale and optimize direct to consumer brands through tactical media buying, data-driven analysis, and unrivaled creative services. If you are looking back on this year wondering what went wrong or what could have gone better, or if you're starting to put together your game plan for 2021, I have one piece of advice: you need to talk to ATTN Agency. I’ve interviewed several of their clients, and I can say that they are the best in the business. ATTN represents some of the fastest-growing direct to consumer brands, delivering month over month results. Go to https://www.attnagency.com/storyofabrand/ for a comprehensive, no-obligation, 14 point audit of your social, search, shopping, email, and SMS channels.     *     This episode is also brought to you by Forum Brands.    Have you built an online brand that consumers love? Do you sell in consumer categories that are essential to everyday life? Do the majority of your sales go through Amazon FBA? If this sounds like you, you should get to know Forum Brands. Forum is a team of expert investors, operators, and many ex-Amazonians, who provide entrepreneurs and owners with the most efficient and lucrative way to sell their e-commerce businesses. If you’re interested in exploring a sale and cashing out years of your profits in one day, visit us at https://www.forumbrands.com/ to schedule a call.