Loose Threads — Inside the new consumer economy

Offense vs Defense: How GREATS is doubling down on high-touch digital

June 25, 2020 19:15 - 27 minutes - 25.7 MB

#154. In our latest episode of Offense vs Defense we talk with Ryan Babenzien, CEO of GREATS, which makes timeless sneakers for men and women. We discussed how the brand is doubling down on digital at the expense of wholesale and retail and where it goes from here in this new world.

Offense vs Defense: How Minibar helped power online alcohol sales during COVID

May 28, 2020 19:03 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MB

#153. In our latest episode of Offense vs Defense we talk with Lindsey Andrews, co-founder of Minibar, a marketplace for wine, liquor and beer. We discussed the rapid growth of at-home beverage consumption over the last three months and how the company shifted into customer service mode to manage the crisis so far.

Offense vs Defense: How The Sill doubled down on its strengths to survive COVID

May 21, 2020 19:05 - 22 minutes - 21 MB

#152. In our latest episode of Offense vs Defense we talk with Eliza Blank, the founder of The Sill, a modern plant company. We discussed how the brand is approaching advertising, customer communication, and what changes will remain once life is back to normal.

Offense vs Defense: How Jenni Kayne rebuilt momentum in a time of crisis

May 14, 2020 19:05 - 26 minutes - 24.5 MB

#151. In our third episode of Offense vs Defense we talk with Julia Hunter, the CEO of the lifestyle brand Jenni Kayne. We discussed her views on a rebalanced retail strategy and how the crisis has pushed her to realize how much of a business’s trajectory is outside of human control.

Offense vs Defense: How Outlier has leaned into transparency during COVID-19

May 07, 2020 19:02 - 22 minutes - 21.3 MB

#150. In our second episode of Offense vs Defense we talk with Abe Burmeister, the co-founder of Outlier, a menswear brand pushing the limits of materials and performance. We discussed how the brand has handled supply chain woes, invested more in social media and struck a balance between customer communication about when to spend money on clothing and when to save it.

Offense vs Defense: How Blueland is taking the coronavirus crisis in stride

April 30, 2020 20:33 - 24 minutes - 22.6 MB

#149. In our first episode of Offense vs Defense we talk with Sarah Paiji Yoo, the co-founder of Blueland, a brand reimagining cleaning products to eliminate single-use plastic packaging. Blueland has seen a huge spike in demand in the last two months but it comes with all of the challenges every brand is facing deciding when to cut back and when to invest.

Will Loop’s complex and costly recycling model replace single-use packaging?

March 11, 2020 21:00 - 13 minutes - 12.4 MB

#148. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss Loop, a reusable packaging consortium’s decision to move into retail and whether or not the complex model will appeal to the masses.

Why is Elite Model Management launching its own fashion brand?

March 04, 2020 22:00 - 15 minutes - 14.3 MB

#147. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss Elite Model Management’s decision to launch its own apparel brand and whether or not the modeling agency can run a fashion label.

Will KIND's new product launches expand or confuse its customer base?

February 26, 2020 22:00 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MB

#146. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss KIND Snacks’ expansion into four new product categories and if the brand can be more than just a snack bar company.

Will Atari's hotels bring the gaming company into the modern era?

February 19, 2020 22:00 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MB

#145. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss Atari’s decision to open a handful of hotels across the U.S. and whether or not this move into experiences makes sense for the OG gaming company.

Is Simon and Brookfield’s $81 million acquisition of Forever 21 worth it?

February 12, 2020 22:00 - 15 minutes - 14 MB

#144. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss Simon and Brookfield’s decision to buy Forever 21 out of bankruptcy and whether or not the brand is worth reviving.

Will Shake Shack’s four-day workweek impact its employee retention?

February 05, 2020 22:01 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MB

#143. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss Shake Shack and Taco Bell’s approach to employee retention and whether or not these new initiatives will make a difference.

Are used cosmetics holding the second hand beauty market back?

January 29, 2020 22:00 - 19 minutes - 17.6 MB

#142. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss the rise of second hand beauty platforms and the host of complications that could keep this market from taking off.

Will Goop's expansion into Sephora help or hurt the brand’s long-term success?

January 22, 2020 22:00 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MB

#141. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss Goop’s expansion into Sephora and whether or not the brand’s products will stand out beyond the Goop universe.

Espresso: Will Walmart’s influence boost SmileDirectClub’s revenue and reach?

January 15, 2020 22:00 - 13 minutes - 12.3 MB

#140. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss SmileDirectClub's retail and product extension into Walmart and how both moves push the company further into oral care.

Espresso: Inside Drybar's wacky $255 million sale to Helen of Troy.

January 08, 2020 22:30 - 16 minutes - 14.9 MB

#139. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy. This week we discuss Helen of Troy’s recent acquisition of Drybar’s product business and what drove the brand towards a sale.

How Jenni Kayne went back to basics to fuel its growth

December 18, 2019 22:00 - 42 minutes - 38.5 MB

#138. Jenni Kayne is a well-known California lifestyle brand. We talk with CEO Julia Hunter about her journey plotting the brand’s next chapter after a decade of existence and how her back to basics strategy fueled the company’s growth. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

Espresso: Macy’s and Nordstrom’s flawed holiday partnerships with hotels; Airbnb’s new Cooking Experiences are making food-related hospitality more accessible.

December 11, 2019 22:00 - 25 minutes - 23.4 MB

#137. Espresso is a new talk show from Loose Threads where we dissect two different business strategies from the past two weeks, putting them under the microscope to see if they hold up or fall apart. In our third episode, we discuss legacy department store’s holiday pop-up shops in New York City hotels and Airbnb’s new program, Cooking Experiences.

Inside Richer Poorer’s journey to buy back its brand

December 04, 2019 22:00 - 48 minutes - 44.3 MB

#136. Richer Poorer is a men’s and women’s elevated basics brand. We talk with co-founder Iva Pawling about her journey selling her company, buying it back and taking control of the brand’s future. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

Espresso: Birchbox’s 500 Walgreens pop ups and the implications for subscription boxes; Ferrari’s pull back from licensing and leap into luxury goods.

November 20, 2019 22:00 - 18 minutes - 16.9 MB

#135. Espresso is a new talk show from Loose Threads where we analyze important developments in the consumer economy. In our second episode, we discuss Birchbox’s 500 store partnership with Walgreens and Ferrari’s quest to pull back on licensing and shore up its luxury brand.

How STATE Bags is balancing growth and giving back

November 13, 2019 22:00 - 47 minutes - 43.9 MB

#134. STATE Bags is a mission-driven accessories brand for men, women and children. We talk with co-founders Scot and Jacq Tatelman about how they balance building a thriving business while still giving everything they can to others. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

Espresso: Rebag’s new appraisal tool and fractional ownership; Brooklinen’s twisted take on wholesale.

November 06, 2019 22:00 - 18 minutes - 17.6 MB

#133. Espresso is a new talk show from Loose Threads where we analyze important developments in the consumer economy. In our first episode we discuss how Rebag’s new pricing index tool relates to what fractional ownership means today and Brooklinen’s new multi-brand platform that presents an updated but twisted take on modern wholesale.

How Clare is reinventing the painting experience from top to bottom

October 23, 2019 21:00 - 47 minutes - 44 MB

#132. Clare is a direct-to-consumer brand reimagining the experience around painting one’s home. We talk with founder Nicole Gibbons about how she relied on her background in interior design and customer feedback to simplify the painting process. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

How Health-Ade kombucha grew from one farmers' market to 25,000 doors

October 16, 2019 21:00 - 46 minutes - 43.2 MB

#131. Health-Ade is one of the fastest-growing and earliest small-batch kombucha brands. We talk with co-founder Vanessa Dew about how she grew the brand from one farmers’ market to over 25,000 doors nationwide. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

How Cha Cha Matcha is expanding outside of retail

October 09, 2019 21:00 - 41 minutes - 38.6 MB

#130. Cha Cha Matcha is a beverage brand with five retail locations and a recently-released line of canned drinks. We talk with founders Matthew Morton and Conrad Sandelman about how they played a role in popularizing matcha. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

How Michel et Augustin is importing French dessert staples to the U.S.

October 02, 2019 21:00 - 46 minutes - 43.1 MB

#129. Michel et Augustin is a French confectionary brand that entered the U.S. market in 2016. We talk with Evan Holod, the CEO of U.S. operations, about the challenges of making a popular French cookie resonate with Americans. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

Inside Recess’ approach to standing out in the CBD category

September 25, 2019 21:00 - 34 minutes - 31.6 MB

#128. Recess is a CBD-infused beverage company. We talk with founder and CEO Ben Witte about how he set out to dominate the CBD category through a superior product offering and distinct marketing approach. The Megaphone Podcast features marketers, analysts and advertising professionals navigating the roller coaster ride of building a 21st-century brand.

Zeus is reimagining semi-permanent housing and hospitality

September 18, 2019 21:00 - 48 minutes - 44.5 MB

#127. Zeus is a platform reimagining the corporate housing market. We talk with the founder and CEO Kulveer Taggar about how Zeus fills the gap between Airbnb and legacy players within the space. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

02 wants to speed up your post-workout recovery

September 11, 2019 21:00 - 48 minutes - 44.6 MB

#126. O2 is an oxygenated recovery drink for athletes. We talk with founder and CEO Dave Colina about being the first to scale and commercialize an oxygenated recovery beverage. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

New Stand wants to enhance your daily routine

September 04, 2019 21:00 - 47 minutes - 43.7 MB

#125. New Stand merges your favorite blog and favorite bodega in a convenience store pop-up. We talk with co-founder and CEO Andrew Deitchman about the challenges and triumphs of merging physical products and space with digital content and experiences. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

Made In wants to simplify your kitchen toolkit

August 28, 2019 21:00 - 37 minutes - 34.8 MB

#124. Made In is a direct-to-consumer cookware brand. We talk with co-founder and CEO Chip Malt about how he set out to create a curated and intentional set of products that satisfied everyday kitchen needs while chipping away at entrenched brands like All-Clad.

Derris defined direct-to-consumer communication strategy

August 21, 2019 21:25 - 52 minutes - 48.4 MB

#123. Derris is a communications and brand consultancy that has been at the forefront of the direct-to-consumer revolution. We talk with founder and CEO Jesse Derris about how the fashion and tech press has changed the ways in which people discover and shop brands across the consumer landscape. Pressed Juice, a podcast by Loose Threads, talks with the journalists and PR leaders navigating this fast-changing industry about what warrants coverage today, how the media goes about covering it, and...

Rhone is creating the performance lifestyle toolkit for men

August 14, 2019 21:00 - 53 minutes - 49.9 MB

#122. Rhone engineers performance lifestyle products for men. We talk with co-founder and CEO Nate Checketts about Rhone balanced its ecommerce and wholesale channels early on how it has evolved the business from activewear to broader performance products for men. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

Pressed Juice: How Glossy found its lens on fashion and business

August 07, 2019 21:00 - 28 minutes - 26.4 MB

#121. Glossy tracks and analyzes the intersection of fashion, beauty, digital and tech. We talk with editor-in-chief Jill Manoff about Glossy’s evolution and the changing tides of the press more broadly. Pressed Juice, a podcast by Loose Threads, talks with the journalists and PR leaders navigating this fast-changing industry about what warrants coverage today, how the media goes about covering it, and how both journalists and PR professionals define their relationship with brands throughout ...

Dame seeks to close the pleasure gap for women

July 31, 2019 21:00 - 44 minutes - 41.3 MB

#120. Dame’s products aim to close the pleasure gap for women. We talk with co-founder Alexandra Fine about how Dame is overcoming the challenges of marketing its products and how big the opportunity is ahead. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

How west~bourne puts neighborhood hospitality at the center of everything

July 24, 2019 21:00 - 49 minutes - 45.4 MB

#119. west~borune is a restaurant group focused on neighborhood hospitality. We talk with founder Camilla Marcus about the process of building a restaurant group from scratch and how she built a workforce where everyone can do every job. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

Rally Road is building the stock market for cars and other luxury goods

July 17, 2019 21:00 - 48 minutes - 44.9 MB

#118. Rally Road democratizes investments in collector cars, turning them into stocks that anyone can purchase through an app. We talk with co-founder Rob Petrozzo about how he’s merging the worlds of finance, consumer goods and pop culture to create returns for a new generation of investors. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

How DRY Soda preempted the alcohol-free beverage boom

July 10, 2019 21:00 - 44 minutes - 40.8 MB

#117. DRY Soda makes alcohol-free sparkling beverages. We talk with founder Sharelle Klaus about her path climbing the ladder of national food and beverage distribution and how she survived the 2008 recession's impact on her business and the landscape more broadly. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

How Huckberry has evolved from a third-party retailer to a brand builder

July 03, 2019 21:00 - 34 minutes - 32 MB

#116. Huckberry is an outdoor apparel brand made for men in the city who love spending time in nature. We talk with co-founder Richard Greiner about evolving from a digital retailer stocking once-unknown brands to one selling a growing roster of its own creations. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

Dada Daily is elevating snacks for the couch and dinner table

June 26, 2019 21:00 - 45 minutes - 42.1 MB

#115. Dada Daily adds surrealism and fun to healthy snacking. We talk with founder Claire Olshan about merging high-end design, forward-thinking recipes and accessible pricing to make a snack brand that breaks common perception. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

Pressed Juice: Inside the world of media training with Dan Broden

June 19, 2019 21:00 - 46 minutes - 43.1 MB

#114. Broden Communications coaches figures ranging from C-suite executives and athletes to celebrities and job applicants on persuasive communication and media skills. We talk with founder Dan Broden about his work training executives on how to best navigate the press. Pressed Juice, a podcast by Loose Threads, talks with the journalists and PR leaders navigating this fast-changing industry about what warrants coverage today, how the media goes about covering it, and how both journalists and...

Retail is Alive: How Pressed Juicery scaled to 100+ stores

June 12, 2019 21:00 - 43 minutes - 39.9 MB

#113. Pressed Juicery is a California-based juice brand. We talk with founder Hayden Slater about how the company attacked offline retail from day one, when Pressed Juicery’s store consisted of a single refrigerator, and how the company grew to the more than 100 stores its operates today. Retail is Alive talks with the founders, executives, designers and builders illuminating the spaces and experiences defining modern retail.

Full Exposure — with Holly Thaggard of Supergoop

June 05, 2019 21:00 - 51 minutes - 47.2 MB

#112. Supergoop is an SPF-first skincare brand. We talk with founder Holly Thaggard about how she decided to raise awareness in a highly misunderstood category while innovating products that put health and sun protection at the forefront. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

Drop the Base — with Andreas Palm and Christian Larson of CDLP

May 29, 2019 21:00 - 46 minutes - 42.7 MB

#111. CDLP keeps it brief with minimalist men’s underwear. We talk with co-founders Andreas Palm and Christian Larson about how their background and passions in film, music and live experiences, as well as heritage and direct-to-consumer brands, combined to build a company of their own. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

The Megaphone Podcast: How Reddit and Instagram Live are driving Outlier’s growth

May 22, 2019 21:00 - 51 minutes - 47.7 MB

#110. Outlier is a men's techwear brand. We talk with co-founder Abe Burmeister about how the company is using Reddit, Instagram Live and Depop to drive conversation and sales. The Megaphone Podcast features marketers, analysts and advertising professionals navigating the roller coaster ride of building a 21st-century brand.

Sizing Up — with Michelle Grant of Lively

May 15, 2019 21:00 - 53 minutes - 49.2 MB

#109. Lively makes lingerie, swim and activewear for those who wear them—not their significant other. We talk with founder Michelle Cordeiro Grant about how her vast retail experience at Federated, VF Corp, Victoria’s Secret and Thrillist Media Group informed her digitally-native brand. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

Retail is Alive: Matthew Scanlan of Naadam

May 08, 2019 21:00 - 49 minutes - 45.5 MB

#108. Naadam democratizes Mongolia-sourced cashmere. We talk with co-founder Matthew Scanlan about how the digitally-native brand began moving offline in 2016 after seeking the legitimacy that comes with going offline, which led it to open its first permanent store in 2018. Retail is Alive, a podcast by Loose Threads, talks with the founders, executives, designers and builders illuminating the spaces and experiences defining modern retail.

Baggage (Re)claim — with Charles Gorra of Rebag

May 01, 2019 21:00 - 55 minutes - 51.6 MB

#107. Rebag wants to resell your baggage—just not the emotional kind. We talk with co-founder Charles Gorra about establishing a marketplace for secondhand, designer handbags, entering offline retail and launching a new type of loyalty subscription. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

Natural Selection — with Hillary Peterson of True Botanicals

April 24, 2019 21:00 - 45 minutes - 42.5 MB

#106. True Botanicals is a direct-to-consumer, all-natural skincare brand that puts clinical trials at the forefront of its marketing. We talk with Hillary Peterson, who founded the company to create the cleanest skincare products possible after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

The Megaphone Podcast: Luke Droulez of Parachute

April 17, 2019 21:00 - 53 minutes - 49.8 MB

#105. Inside the marketing journey of Parachute, which makes goods for the home. We talk with CMO Luke Droulez who joined the company as its first hire to discuss scaling with constraints and experimenting with a variety of channels and markets. The Megaphone Podcast features marketers, analysts and advertising professionals navigating the roller coaster ride of building a 21st-century brand.

Loose Threads — Inside the new consumer economy

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