Say More

Business vs. Brand | Nadaam & Building What Money Can't Buy with Matt Scanlan

Matt Scanlan, co-founder of Nadaam, joins us to talk about the wild origin story behind his cashmere empire, including the time he stuffed $2.5M into 32 shopping bags and trekked into the Gobi Desert. We unpack how Mongolia reshaped his understanding of value, sustainability, and what it means to build a business that’s both ethical and profitable. From nonprofit roots to running three fashion brands at once, Matt shares his take on “millennialist capitalism,” navigating scale without selling out, and why gratitude and equity matter in business. We get into brand-building, viral storytelling, and the real talk behind partnerships, hiring, and economic curveballs. Topics Covered: The Gobi Desert cashmere story Brand-building, creativity, and why you can't rush it Brand doesn't equal business Getting so many "no's" to get to "yes" Running multiple brands at once Searching for external validation only to learn it's an inside job Hiring, firing, and what Matt is really good at Navigating scale, values, and consumer tension Luck vs. timing in startup success Follow Nadaam on Instagram: ⁠  / naadam.coand  ⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbDJaQ0prYndHanJIXy1Pc2hqZUFKQlM5UXFEUXxBQ3Jtc0tuSjZQVVpOVmhyZjJOWlc4SXMyMmtxOUVmUHEwX3ZpV004M01Nak14MTEwZ3VnY1RCaW1ncWltU0kxUkl6NTRlOEFqdTc5OW1DYi1la1VUc0NfTjZ1aV91WjFvVVJGXzVFMmpaUWJVaGt1NzN2RG45VQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fnaadam.coAnd&v=JgW--DG3Z6I] online: ⁠https://naadam.co/⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVpuTDBQc19yYVhKY3RfdTdsMzltdHVaajRIZ3xBQ3Jtc0trSUR5c3M4WURhUjJ3M0Q5ZnFQWmF0NHVzUmdHR0V2bG1ybkVzSE53eVdWVnFySlUxRENLZDFFbTdWSEQzREtGajlMd0MycmFXUURlV05rT1R4Q0ctcGlDR1UyWXVwR1Q5cndCZjd0QUFyTmFROUlzYw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fnaadam.co%2F&v=JgW--DG3Z6I] Thank you to our sponsors, Monark & Co (monarkandco.com) and to The Big Favorite (thebigfavorite.com) - Take 15% off your first order with code: SAYMORE15 and wear it under your Nadaam!

If You Know, You Know | Mickey Drexler on Intuition, Gut, & Seeing Around Corners

Often referred to as “the merchant prince”, Mickey Drexler has defined multiple eras in American fashion. He took Gap’s revenue from $400M to nearly $15B, created iconic brands, Old Navy and Madewell, reinvented J.Crew and took it public in 2006, and today serves as Chairman of Alex Mill and head of Drexler Ventures. Named Retailer of the Decade by WWD, honored by the CFDA, and once described by Steve Jobs as “the best retailer in the world”, Mickey’s career is a masterclass in vision, creativity, and leadership. In this episode, we explore: * Authenticity and adversity: Why money was never his motivator, and what truly drives his turnarounds. * Personal journey: Growing up in the Bronx, living in imagination, and lessons from being fired at Gap. * Creativity + business: How he balanced merchant instincts with CEO responsibilities, and why creative-led brands often win. * Mentorship and influence: His friendship with Steve Jobs, recognizing talent and good design * Merchant mindset: Trusting your gut, simplicity as luxury, and the art of brand building. * Legacy + future: the state of fashion today, advice for young people and women, and what excites him most at Alex Mill. Follow Mickey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/millard-mickey-drexler-1b00a9269/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/millard-mickey-drexler-1b00a9269/] and https://www.instagram.com/mickeydrexler/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/mickeydrexler/?hl=en]  Alex Mill: https://www.alexmill.com/ [https://www.alexmill.com/]  Thank you to our sponsors, Monark & Co (monarkandco.com [http://monarkandco.com/]) and to The Big Favorite (thebigfavorite.com [http://thebigfavorite.com/]) - Take 15% off your first order with code: SAYMORE15

The Honest Company & the Power of Intuition | Christopher Gavigan on Building Better Businesses

In this episode of Say More, we sit down with Christopher Gavigan: entrepreneur, environmental advocate, co‑founder of The Honest Company and Prima and now founder of Walkfully. From his early studies in environmental science to building mission‑driven businesses, Christopher shares how values, authenticity, and purpose have guided his journey. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: Roots & values: How growing up shaped Christopher’s worldview and drew him to environmental sciences Nonprofit lessons: The highs and lows of leading a nonprofit, and what he carried forward. Authenticity & truth: Why authenticity is more than a buzzword, and what it means to him personally. The Honest Company story: How the vision evolved, and how co‑founders’ “superpowers” made the business thrive. Family & place: Why he returned to the East Coast after years in California, and what raising four kids has taught him. Failures & resilience: How setbacks shaped his career and the lessons learned. Legacy & purpose: His perspective on legacy, and whether founder alignment with deep purpose is the key to success. Walkfully: His next venture… Book recommendations: Comfort Crisis, Michael Easter Second Mountain, David Brooks The Way Forward, Yung Pueblo Pivot Year, Brianna Wiest Follow Christoper: On IG: https://www.instagram.com/christopher... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnlNQjIzU3RDZ2ptSHVEd3c3Rm1Da2wycE1KZ3xBQ3Jtc0tscGRpdDZTZ3lkaWVJOW54TE5tRjNnVldWMU9wZlRjaWdnTmh0b1NUN1NJN3ZubVpIQU0wUU1DSUp0MUZFbHZpWnR6ZlYwUHlHNEtuZUh0OGJCdS10aTF5c0NXSnBrYXJEUGdPLV9pRzMwbnMxa0R4RQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fchristopher_gav%2F%3Fhl%3Den&v=ynx9OBYssw4] Check out Walkfully: https://walkfully.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa2dmLThraDF4YllKZzJHWE9sb1Q0MkpLZ1A0UXxBQ3Jtc0trOGZIcVBGdE9kSWVXM1FQd2hBbHhZRUo4NjRjZFNwSjI0Z1M3NVEzV201aVBoT1lmVmpEbS1CZTdTTG5xeHFsbS1tVUczNXF2RFhmX21QclZ0eHVVb2E2aXZiYzU2Z0lrYkh4aXlMa0NWYjQtbG5SMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwalkfully.com%2F&v=ynx9OBYssw4] Thank you to our sponsors, Amelia Risk (ameliarisk.com) - get a Free audit by signing up through their site - and to The Big Favorite (thebigfavorite.com) - Take 15% off your first order with code: SAYMORE15

The Soul of Simplicity | Jenné Claiborne on Food, Family & Finding Her Path

In this radiant and deeply personal episode, we sit down with chef, author, entrepreneur, and wellness advocate Jenné Claiborne to explore the journey behind her plant-based empire and the inner work that fuels it. From childhood memories in her nana’s kitchen to launching a blog “just for fun” that transformed her life, Jenné shares how curiosity, creativity, and purpose led her back to vegan food. We talk about the moment she realized she wanted more out of life and the questions she asked herself to get there. She opens up about: Raising her vibration, listening to her downloads and living in abundance; what that really means, and how it shows up daily Her hustle to start her private cheffing business along with her blog and YouTube channel and what kept her sticking to it to become the number 1 vegan chef in NYC How she manages her ambition with the desire to work less & smarter today Her relationship to spirituality and how veganism forces you to go against the grain Building a business as a woman of color, navigating criticism, and staying grounded Motherhood, single parenting, and raising a vegan daughter with intention and joy How it’s become easier for her to enjoy the journey versus thinking about the end goal Follow Jenné: YouTube:    / @sweetpotatosoul   [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbmUfoOfNW04K9U7moSDDcw] Instagram:   / sweetpotatosoul   [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqblAyQ3g1aHlvYlFfWG10Q1dNUWlkeU9OYkxtUXxBQ3Jtc0tuRk4wMFFLams4QlBxNmxTZFBYay1RTjl5Sy1JdXJ0b0k0TWdWcUZSWVk5MFBteEI1dmhJZlV4bHhCem1uMHVKQzZVS2xNZTJqSTl0ZDd2Ri1NMWlRRlhxcldob2tJQ21pOGRWVDYwa2h3MDlXXzBRVQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2FSweetPotatoSoul&v=8twFfnqYxSg] Blog: https://sweetpotatosoul.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbGJjcGtSdUNUUTR2Q0VLSGFaYUZKdjJCNW9oZ3xBQ3Jtc0trQlgwYzRlZHJDOUl4aDB0ZmJ1Q3Faa0M1c2o1UmxQNHlUVnpZa3luT1dlTzZjNDVjWTB4aldRYm9hVC1tdTd5MlBVMVRBYXRxSUdlemR5Yk1wRnJ3TlB0MXRnYVllX1ptY2UwV3lzTVpzdWtVeHpqcw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fsweetpotatosoul.com%2F&v=8twFfnqYxSg] Books’s Jenné likes: Kathy Freston’s Veganist Michael Singer’s Untethered Soul Thank you to our sponsors, Amelia Risk (ameliarisk.com) - get a Free audit by signing up through their site - and to The Big Favorite (thebigfavorite.com) - Take 15% off your first order with code: SAYMORE15

From Netflix's Snack vs. Chef to S’noods | Lauryn Bodden on Building Confidence & Community

In this episode, we sit down with Lauryn Bodden: athlete, chef, Netflix cooking show champion, and founder of Snoods, the noodle snack brand redefining comfort food. Lauryn’s path is anything but linear: from playing competitive soccer and studying sport management to working across every corner of the food world including private cheffing, editorial, restaurants, and reality TV. We talk about: Her early love of sports and what teamwork taught her about leadership Her obsession with food: where it started, and how it’s evolved The highs and lows of restaurant life, and what she still carries from that chapter The wild story behind Snack vs. Chef and how she went from judge applicant to contestant, and ultimately, winner The birth of Snoods: the aha moment, the product insight, and how she’s channeling her superpowers into building a brand What it’s really like to be a CPG founder: favorite parts, hardest parts, and whether it still feeds her passion for food Navigating a tough business partner breakup and the lessons she’s taking forward Imposter syndrome, identity, and the quiet work of believing in yourself This one’s for anyone who’s ever pivoted hard, followed their gut, or built something from scratch. Lauryn brings warmth, honesty, and a whole lot of flavor. Also, get 30% off your next Snoods order with code SAYMORE. Links & Resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatsnoods [https://www.instagram.com/eatsnoods] Website: https://www.eatsnoods.com [https://www.eatsnoods.com/]/ Sources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vqhs2C7v1w [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vqhs2C7v1w] https://www.laurynbodden.com/about [https://www.laurynbodden.com/about] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM6H1seJ8j0 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rM6H1seJ8j0] Thank you to our sponsors, Amelia Risk (ameliarisk.com [http://ameliarisk.com/]) - get a Free audit by signing up through their site - and to The Big Favorite (thebigfavorite.com [http://thebigfavorite.com/]) - Take 15% off your first order with code: SAYMORE15