Written by: Kaylee Franklin
Is it just me or is this year already off to a fast pace? I can’t believe we’re already entering the fourth month of the year. With another month coming and one gone, you know it’s time for a monthly recap! Let’s dive in to see what March 2023 had to offer.
To begin the month, we had Hans Schrei, Founder and CEO of Wunderkeks!
Hans is the Founder and CEO of Wunderkeks, a company that not only sells unbelievably delicious cookies but sees every sweet treat as a pathway to the rituals that allow us to connect with one another. In the conversation, Hans reflects on his upbringing in Guatemala and the challenges of being queer in a conservative Catholic society before recounting his journey as an entrepreneur and the story of how Wunderkeks went from being sold at farmer’s markets to gaining massive online orders, practically overnight.
Hans also shares some of the key lessons he’s learned from fundraising and leaves listeners with the one piece of advice he believes is imperative for founders to persevere and thrive.
Best piece of advice:
“Get a therapist if you're a founder, because it's super rough and the level of self-doubt is so big.”
If you haven’t listened to Han’s episode yet, listen HERE and learn more about Wunderkeks in our product review!
Our second episode published this month was with Loren Castle, Founder & CEO of Sweet Loren’s!
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Loren shared about her company Sweet Loren’s- the accessible, good for you, and delicious cookie brand. Loren talks about her passion for putting healthy, real food made from natural ingredients into her body turned into a serious baking hobby which subsequently led to founding Sweet Loren’s.
She shares about the unconventional household she grew up in, her approach to ensuring that the growth of her business is sustainable, and her key pieces of advice for turning entrepreneurial dreams into reality!
Best piece of advice:
“Make sure you have a business plan. Sometimes entrepreneurs want to create a product and want it to grow, but find people that help you put numbers behind it…what is the overall goal? If you could dream huge, what would it be, figure out what makes you happy in that because then you can drive the company and the ship forward.”
To listen to more of Loren’s story, check out episode 149!
A good start to the middle of the month came from Christian Kao, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Le Mini Macaron!
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In this episode, Lee was joined by Christina Kao, the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of the DIY gel manicure and nail care brand, Le Mini Macaron. Christina opens up about her personal journey from Alabama to New York, to Shanghai, and beyond, and shares the genesis story of her brand. We learn how her brand went viral on TikTok, the challenges she faced as her business evolved, and the role Covid played in the brand’s success.
She also shares advice for making a smooth career transition, her bootstrap approach, future fundraising goals, and more!
Best piece of advice:
“It really matters who you’re partnering with because that’s the person you’re riding those ups and downs with.”
To hear more of Christina’s great advice tune in to Episode 150!
Ending the month strong is a conversation with Allison Conrad, Co-Founder and CEO of Arey.
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Arey is a company that is providing the solution to grey hair! When Allison Conrad started going grey, she took a deep dive into the reasons why, and what she found surprised her as much as it will likely surprise you. Arey is the 12th company that Allison has been involved in and the 3rd she has founded, so in this episode, she shares some of the key takeaways from her career journey to date. She also explains how Arey products work and the difference they are making in people’s lives, as well as her hopes for the future of the hair care industry.
Allison also shares her advice for how to approach capital raising (hint: relationship building is key!)
Best piece of advice:
“Make sure you get a warm intro. Find somebody who knows somebody. Do your research; know if they invest in your category, in your space, [and] in the stage that you’re in. You can set yourself up for more success that way.”
Listen to Allison’s inspiring story here!
When we look back at the month of March, it’s important to note that every CEO made the point to talk about relationships and how important they are. Especially with who you’re partnering with.
Stay tuned throughout April to hear from amazing CEOs such as:
Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, follow us on Spotify, or tune in wherever you listen to podcasts.
Have any guest suggestions, comments, or questions about Stairway to CEO? Drop us a line here!
Welcome to the third edition of Stairway to CEO's Holiday Gift Guide– your ultimate resource for finding the perfect gifts. As we’ve reached almost 200 episodes, the options of your favorite leading direct-to-consumer brands. We have a lot of amazing gift ideas for you and we’ll be sure to cover everyone you’re shopping for, so we hope you enjoy!
Welcome back to another monthly recap! I know for some, the month of September felt like the longest month of the year, and for others, it flew by. But nonetheless, we had an incredible lineup of four amazing guests, with incredible backgrounds and stories. Let’s jump in to see what they all had in common, some life lessons they had to share, and take a peak into what we have coming out in October.
As the year hurtles towards its close, the fourth quarter (Q4) offers a prime opportunity to not only meet financial targets but also leave a lasting impression on your customers. It's a time when holiday festivities mingle with year-end goals, and careful planning can make all the difference. In this blog post, we'll explore strategies to navigate Q4 with a focus on delivering outstanding customer experience, and how to partner with Awesome CX to offer seamless solutions to help your business not only weather the storm but also thrive during this crucial season.
