What have I missed?

Scarcity vs Abundance: Systems Thinking & Decision Making | Ep 11

In this episode of What Have I Missed?, Bellroy's Lina (Co-Founder and CEO) and Andy (Co-Founder) explore the powerful frameworks of scarcity and abundance – examining both the systems we work within and the mindsets we bring to them. From sustainability and solar energy to business strategy and personal growth, they unpack when to optimize existing solutions and when to generate entirely new approaches.Drawing on insights from "Cradle to Cradle," "Theory of Constraints," and lessons from their own experience building Bellroy, this conversation offers a nuanced look at how understanding these dynamics can unlock better decision-making in business and life.Subscribe for new episodes exploring systems thinking, sustainability, and better ways of working. 📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED:Books: • Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things by Michael Braungart & William McDonough: https://bit.ly/3MhzcMm [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqazZTcFlTUDlxaTJJU3Z1QlRScnlYNjR2dUhTQXxBQ3Jtc0tuc3Vud1N6b2wzMkhFT2dBeGhvbUI4blcxYWRMay0wMVdFdXB0ZFE4eUgweS03MWJqcTV0cE5nVXMzUGN6cVQyZFVmRm9wZDVwclZWUFZFVnY4dzA4bG4yc1BTalVMZzFDc0dSMTJpR1ZoeThHanZSOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F3MhzcMm&v=R8_nDG8Om0o] • Theory of Constraints by Eliyahu M. Goldratt: https://bit.ly/4oUYrT7 [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa19lSlh2TDYzS2U5RDZyQkc4NDBYUlQ2Q3VJQXxBQ3Jtc0tsUkxzSGlPT0hDSHgwRVhmOHZqaEZscTNnbTNSUU5Mb09UcXg0eVhSTE9ycDJFaldPSmVQaThmd2Zmb3lPZVZURzFreVVvajdOVnY3LUstUl9waks1S0N5dUF2Y1U2VFBER1FSM2ZqZm8xWnVWZlBzOA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F4oUYrT7&v=R8_nDG8Om0o]• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir: https://bit.ly/48xgjOg [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmZwWF95OHJ5eklxQXNSS3VuX3ZXdDN3c1A0UXxBQ3Jtc0ttZkxKOFQ1NkQ2U29ERjN1NUZ4aHZRdGVlTU8zZEUybzNlUlo2M1ZsQXNyUnphVWpqQlQ5T2J2M0c1TmFwbHZvTDhBMVVlcTZKM1F0Yzg1Q3M0YjNSNkVqREJ5RUFKa01HaGlobmtoS2VONjlxZC0wdw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F48xgjOg&v=R8_nDG8Om0o] • The Chairman's Lounge by Joe Aston: https://bit.ly/4ohrQGj [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVg5RG1IOExHZDlyal9uZUs2bGRmbVBWSzl3UXxBQ3Jtc0ttbHl3anZsZ2FuVXZkRUFPODIxdUhDeGs4QTM5UWNjOVM0Y1cyUFA5TzJnUVlMZDZBUXpUX0lwdWQ3bllGY1pUazFYNGJfWHhVMDQtWWs5cVdBNEFyTnJUcnBneGNKS2ZERjdXS2FMOFRRcWp3WjNkZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F4ohrQGj&v=R8_nDG8Om0o]🎙️ ABOUT WHAT HAVE I MISSED?A podcast exploring the ideas, frameworks, and questions that shape how we work and think. Hosted by Lina (CEO and Co-Founder) and Andy (Co-Founder) from Bellroy, these conversations delve into sustainability, business strategy, systems thinking, and their intersections. 💬 We're evolving this format and would love your feedback. What resonated? What would you like to hear more of? Reach out to podcast@bellroy.com

#10 - Launching luggage the Bellroy way

In this episode of “What have I missed?”, Lina and Andy excitedly delve into Bellroy’s expansion of its travel offering, with the launch of a wheeled luggage line.  The conversation kicks off with an exploration of Bellroy's journey, highlighting the brand's roots in designing slim wallets and evolving the range to include carry solutions of all kinds. They share insights of how Bellroy's design philosophies (around improving the way we carry) translate to travel, emphasizing the importance of user-friendly, durable, and contextually versatile bags that enhance the travel experience. As the discussion unfolds, Lina and Andy articulate the challenges they have overcome in transitioning to luggage manufacturing, from ensuring product durability to designing for diverse travel environments. They reveal Bellroy's strategy of making user-replaceable components a key feature to prolong product life and promote sustainability. The episode also takes a deeper look into the emotional aspects of travel and how Bellroy's design philosophy seeks to instill confidence and ease in travelers. Lina and Andy wrap up by highlighting the coordinated effort across teams to ensure a seamless launch, hinting at the anticipation of consumer feedback and learning outcomes from the product rollout. * Bellroy's expansion into wheeled luggage is a strategic move to bring more comprehensive travel solutions to its renowned carry line, focusing on longevity and user experience. * Two styles of luggage are being introduced: a hard-shell spinner and a soft-shell tipper, each designed for different travel needs. * The brand emphasizes sustainability by ensuring major components are user-replaceable, minimizing the risk of the entire piece ending up in a landfill before its time. * Bellroy aims to create a travel experience that maintains a balance of utility, security, and aesthetics, ensuring users feel confident and at ease. * The launch of Bellroy’s luggage involved a new program-based management approach with multiple coordinated sub-projects across various teams to optimize the go-to-market strategy. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting expansion and follow along as Bellroy continues to innovate in the travel and carry space. Listen to the full episode for a comprehensive breakdown of their strategic approach and the anticipated impacts on the market. Have thoughts? We'd love your feedback - share it with us via podcast@bellroy.com

#9 - Building a resilient business

In this episode, co-founders Lina and Andy explore the intricate theme of resilience within a business and its culture. They discuss the metaphor of ‘taking the stairs versus the elevator’ as a means to build strength within a business. The episode also revisits their foundational pillars of growth, profit and impact, and how these relate to the complexities of running a modern business such as Bellroy – in order to balance the significance of short-term profits, medium-term growth, and long-term impact. The episode expands on strategic diversification across product categories, sales channels, and geographic markets to bolster resilience. They offer insights into prioritizing team dynamics, the importance of individuals within a collective environment, and maintaining agility in beliefs while anchoring fundamental values.  Resources: * Bellroy Website: bellroy.com [https://bellroy.com/] * Carryology: www.carryology.com [http://www.carryology.com]  Related Episode: "Stairs vs. Elevator [https://open.spotify.com/episode/0VYPhaFssIfkTafD8qdl4J?si=35183c0952b24011]" Have thoughts? We’d love your feedback – share it with us via podcast@bellroy.com [podcast@bellroy.com] Resonate with the way we do things? We’re always looking to recruit amazing people – check out our current openings [http://bellroy.com/careers].

#8 The evolving role of product in our lives

In this episode, Andy and Lina explore consumer-product relationships, and how these have evolved over time. They discuss Bellroy's history of product design, reflecting on how the expectations and interactions with its products has shifted or changed over the years.  It starts in the depths of historical context – discussing the evolution of product relationships from the Stone Age to the industrial revolution, and the existence of icons such as the Sony Walkman and the Hermes Kelly bag. Andy and Lina compare these examples to highlight the changing functional, personal, and social roles that products can play in our lives. They emphasise how important it is for us to understand these shifts in order to create products that resonate deeply with consumers. As they move into the contemporary landscape, the discussion shifts to how Bellroy has addressed these shifts. They examine the impact of platforms like Kickstarter and trends such as fast fashion, exploring the benefits and pitfalls of these approaches. A significant portion of the conversation is devoted to the concept of fostering a dialogue rather than a monologue with consumers, encouraging a more dynamic and interactive relationship between consumer and product. * Bellroy Website [https://bellroy.com] * Acquired Podcast Episodes: Hermes [https://www.acquired.fm/episodes/hermes], LVMH [https://www.acquired.fm/episodes/lvmh] * Patagonia Worn Wear [https://wornwear.patagonia.com/] Program Have thoughts? We’d love your feedback – share it with us via podcast@bellroy.com [podcast@bellroy.com] Resonate with the way we do things? We’re always looking to recruit amazing people – check out our current openings [http://bellroy.com/careers].

#7 - Smart* people with good intentions who get shit done

Andy Fallshaw and Lina Calabria discuss the three elements that make up the culture at Bellroy: smart* people, good intentions, and getting shit done. They explain that being smart* at Bellroy is not about IQ, but about how individuals process information and make decisions. Good intentions involve caring about things beyond oneself and finding goal alignment with the company's vision. Getting shit done means focusing on effectiveness over efficiency and making tangible progress towards meaningful goals together. The hosts also emphasize the importance of creating an environment that nurtures and supports employees to thrive. We are always looking to recruit amazing people - check out our careers page [https://bellroy.com/careers]. We'd love your feedback, please get in touch with us: ⁠podcast@bellroy.com⁠ [podcast@bellroy.com]