Loose Threads — Inside the new consumer economy

Latest Episodes:

Specs and Specialization — with David Barton of David Kind Nov 08, 2017

Show notes

#45. David Kind focuses on high-quality specs at an honest price. We talk with founder David Barton about narrowing in on a hole in the market for high-end, but still affordable direct-to-consumer glasses, and the limitations of an online-only brand. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

Spiders and Sustainability — with Dan Widmaier of Bolt Threads Oct 31, 2017

Show notes

#44. Bolt Threads engineers spider silk and other fully-sustainable materials. We talk with co-founder Dan Widmaier about building a biotech company and its potential impact on the apparel industry. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

Decent Debt — with Max Levchin of Affirm Oct 24, 2017

Show notes

#43. Affirm redefines consumer lending. We talk with co-founder Max Levchin about bringing much-needed transparency to a space that is usually riddled with predatory lenders. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

Short Shorts and Long Attention Spans — with Kyle Hency of Chubbies Oct 18, 2017

Show notes

#42. Chubbies brought back short shorts and is now trying to own the weekend. We talk with co-founder Kyle Hency about spiraling a well-known brand from a single product to a newsletter and ever-expanding product assortment built for guys who want to have fun. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

Waking Up the Home — with Andres Modak of Snowe Oct 11, 2017

Show notes

#41. Snowe reinvents home essentials at a more affordable price. We talk with co-founder Andres Modak about bringing more simplicity to setting up a home from scratch. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

Democratizing the Swimsuit — with Moshe Laniado of Swimsuits For All Oct 04, 2017

Show notes

#40. Swimsuits for All is the first company to focus on swimwear for women of all different sizes. We talk with founder Moshe Laniado about entering a market most companies have ignored, how the internet has affected seasonal businesses and what it’s like to go through an acquisition. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.

Angularity and Optionality — with Jeff Johnson of The Arrivals Sep 28, 2017

Show notes

On the 39th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce, I talk with Jeff Johnson, a co-founder of The Arrivals, an outerwear-focused brand inspired by the form and function of architecture. Jeff founded the brand along with Kal Vepuri, who was an early investor in a range of direct to consumer brands. The Arrivals aesthetic takes strong cues from Jeff’s architecture background, which comes to fruition in the brand’s product, overall aesthetic, and most recently, its retail footprint. We had a great talk about the brand’s founding story, it’s deliberate approach, and where it’s headed as it tackles the offline world. I really enjoyed talking with Jeff about what it’s like building a brand with a specific point of view while balancing accessibility and versatility. People often talk about the power of being specific, but it can also cause harm if it goes too far. The Arrivals’ aesthetic is recognizable—you know their leather jackets when you see them—but also open-ended enough to morph with the company as it grows. — Show Notes — The Arrivals http://thearrivals.com/ Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadscom The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, the founder of Loose Threads, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest about their founding story and how it fits into the current state of the industry. Guests come from all different backgrounds, spanning the consumer goods, fashion, retail and technology industries. The unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on LooseThreads.com.

For Your Eyes Only — with Eric Varady of Topology Eyewear Sep 21, 2017

Show notes

On the 38th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce, I talk with Eric Varady, the founder of Topology Eyewear. Eric founded the company after struggling to find a pair of glasses that worked for him, realizing that stock eyewear no longer cut it. He set out to reinvent the entire manufacturing process in order to make entirely custom eyewear a reality. I was lucky enough to visit their office and factory when I was out in San Francisco and the sophistication and end product was really exciting to see. I find supply chains and manufacturing processes really fascinating, especially when it comes to custom, which has often been little more than a dream for most categories. But Eric and the Topology team meticulously rebuilt the entire experience, which makes custom eyewear a reality. They have a great app where you can try on sizes and colors and shapes, and then order them in two weeks. I would definitely check it out. — Show Notes — Topology Eyewear https://www.topologyeyewear.com/ Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadscom The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, the founder of Loose Threads, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest about their founding story and how it fits into the current state of the industry. Guests come from all different backgrounds, spanning the consumer goods, fashion, retail and technology industries. The unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on LooseThreads.com.

The Evolution of Influence — with Melissa Duren Conner of JBC Sep 14, 2017

Show notes

On the 37th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce, I talk with Melissa Duren Conner, a partner at JBC, a PR and communications firm helping modern brands tell their stories. Melissa started the firm along with Jennifer Bett, after realizing that a new generation of brands needed a new type of communications approach. JBC works with a diverse slate of companies, some of which have been on the podcast previously, as they figure out how to cultivate influence in a rapidly shifting landscape. It was fun talking with Melissa about the shifting PR landscape and how brands need to navigate it in a time of maximum competition. Standing out is increasingly challenging, but those can that do it have more staying power relative to the old days. This is definitely something to keep an eye on. — Show Notes — JBC http://www.jenniferbett.com/ Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadscom The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, the founder of Loose Threads, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest about their founding story and how it fits into the current state of the industry. Guests come from all different backgrounds, spanning the consumer goods, fashion, retail and technology industries. The unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on LooseThreads.com.

Feet First — with Alexa Buckley of Margaux Sep 07, 2017

Show notes

On the 36th episode of the Loose Threads Podcast, a show about the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce, I talk with Alexa Buckley, a co-founder of Margaux, a brand making modern shoes for modern women. Margaux is home to a really interesting made to measure business, as Alexa and her team found that many people were wearing the wrong size shoe. But with made to measure, Margaux is helping women find their right size and then ensuring they can stick with it across all of their styles. Alexa and I had a great talk about the brand’s founding story, how it balances a domestic and international supply chain, and how moving into pop ups has created a whole new channel to the brand to reach customers. I really enjoyed talking with Alexa about Margaux’s approach, which takes the digital DNA of the brand and applies it both online and offline. The move towards specific sizing and customization is also interesting, as this has always been a dream for the industry that is increasingly accessible. — Show Notes — Margaux https://margauxny.com/ Edited by George Drake Jr. — About Loose Threads — http://LooseThreads.com Join the newsletter: http://eepurl.com/buLQY9 Twitter: http://twitter.com/loosethreadscom The Loose Threads Podcast explores the intersection of consumer, retail and commerce. Hosted by Richie Siegel, the founder of Loose Threads, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest about their founding story and how it fits into the current state of the industry. Guests come from all different backgrounds, spanning the consumer goods, fashion, retail and technology industries. The unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice, in addition to on LooseThreads.com.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Loose Threads — Inside the new consumer economy

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected