Stay ConnectedFounders15 is a unique new discussion experience. The conversations are founder to founder featuring the same questions each podcast, helping bring a continuity to these discussions. Perhaps most distinctively, the show is focused primarily on founders building building right now, and not the billion dollar unicorns. These are real people building real businesses today.
Hosted by Kevin Lavelle, CEO and founder of Mizzen+Main. Learn more at www.founders15.com.
Tom Patterson is the founder of Tommy John, an underwear and undershirt company that started by addressing the chronic problem of men’s undershirts coming untucked. It has evolved into one that sells underwear and more for men and women. Tom used his skills as a cold calling salesman to get his early product into Neiman Marcus, which really helped cement the trajectory and future of the company. I really loved hearing about Tommy John’s core values, which include “It’s not me, it’s we” and “GSD 2.0” (or get sh*t done 2.0) as an evolution reflecting their company’s growth from the original GSD attitude. We discussed the wave of entrepreneurship and how founders need to be able to be a quarterback at one point, an ice skater another time, and then learn how to be both left and right handed - founders really have to do it all. In case you’re curious, Tom doesn’t want Tommy John to be the next Ralph Lauren or Nike - he wants them to be the first Tommy John.
Cristina Lynch is the founder of Mi Golondrina, a fashion company here in Dallas that works with artisans in Mexico to hand make beautiful dresses with intricate embroidery and detailing that can take in some cases as long as several months! Having studied theater and business, she is a unique woman who has embraced her mother’s love of Mexico and she has built a company with products in extremely high demand (they are EVERYWHERE in Texas and growing) that has such a positive impact on hundreds of women across Mexico.
Dorothy Shain is a mixed media artist who in a short period of time has already made a real career out of her truly beautiful and unique art. As a “left brain” person, it’s taken a lot to cultivate and enhance my creativity, so I had a lot of questions for Dorothy about her creative process and learned quite a lot through this conversation. The menswear market is crowded, and I knew that going in, but I have so much respect for artists who go all in on their talent to build a career in potentially the most crowded market there is! Anyone can call themselves an artist - few can make something really valued out of a career in it. I loved hearing how Dorothy internalized the lessons from Danny Meyer’s “Setting The Table” about really owning the touchpoints and relationships in her world to create a memorable experience and story for her customers and art. She also has a unique approach to the morning - 10 minutes of meditation, 10 minutes of reading, and writing down 10 things she’s grateful for - that have helped keep her sane on a very tough journey of building a career out of her art. This was a really different conversation in many ways while being so very similar to convesrations with more traditional business founders. I was fortunate to have it and hope you find value in listening to it. You can support the amazing work she’s doing for cancer survivors via her Instagram. I just bought one of the commemorative scarves after hearing the story behind the initiative.
Nate Checketts founded Rhone, a premium active men’s apparel company that makes honestly the best workout gear in the world. I say that not as Nate’s friend - I say that as a repeat customer. What makes this episode special is some of the vulnerability that Nate shares about the challenges of his journey, including a literal life changing moment where he almost died due to his type 1 diabetes and how he prioritizes family. I also loved hearing how his leadership team kicks off their weekly meeting talking about their company principles on a rotating basis. I know you will enjoy this conversation, as it is a really unique view on two founders on parallel roller coasters.
Heidi Zak and her husband started ThirdLove, a company changing the way women think of what’s possible mixing form, function, and fashion when it comes to undergarments. In six years, they’ve grown their team to over 250 employees and 10 million women have used their custom fit finder on their site. More importantly than the growth of the business and some of the key ways she was able to do so, I took away from this the impact that a leader like Heidi truly can have from a team and culture perspective. “Don’t dwell on the past” is one of her core company values and is part of how she’s able to stay not only sane but truly joyous in juggling being a CEO and mom to two little ones while trying to make sure to enjoy all life has to offer! Recording this conversation reinforced why I think this podcast is worth doing - it was educational and sheds light on the unique journey founders take.
For the first episode of Founder’s 15, we have a guest who is not only a great business leader but a friend. I’ve been fortunate to spend a fair bit of time with Simon, including most recently a week around Asia. I love every minute of time I get to spend with Simon, and after listening this podcast, I think you’ll know why. He is the embodiment of a humble leader and as the co founder of Sweaty Betty with his wife and creative visionary, Tamara, he’s changed how the UK looks at not only active apparel but fitness itself. After seeing a very unique market opportunity 20 years ago, the same time lululemon launched, they started selling active apparel. After many years, they realized they needed to launch their own brand, and Sweaty Betty as we know it today was born. From his Friday breakfasts with the boss to how they continue to evolve as a 20 year old business, I think you’ll have several genuine takeaways and be inspired to be a better leader, spouse, and parent. I know I was. For full show notes visit founders15.com
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