Michelle Razavi of Elavi

Michelle Razavi of Elavi

In this episode of Brand F Ups, host Robyn Young sits down with Michelle Razavi, co-founder of Elavi, a pioneering food company specializing in healthy indulgence products. Michelle talks about her journey from corporate life to becoming an entrepreneur, her passion for health and wellness, and the challenges and triumphs she and her co-founder Nikki Elliott faced. From navigating the food industry during a global pandemic to achieving bestseller status on Amazon, Michelle shares valuable lessons on product development, pivoting strategies, consumer engagement, and maintaining a brand's North Star. Listen in for insights on Michelle's decision to bootstrap the business, the importance of market feedback, and the rebranding process that led to Elavi's current success.00:00 Introduction to Michelle Rosavi of Elevee 01:02 Michelle's Entrepreneurial Journey Begins 02:45 Challenges and Realizations in the Food Industry 03:55 The Decision to Bootstrap and the Impact of COVID-19 04:30 Early Success and the Real World MBA 07:18 Pivoting Product Lines and Learning from the Market 11:44 Understanding the True Target Consumer 14:37 Rebranding and the Costco Breakthrough 18:58 Consumer-Centric Approach and Future Innovations 20:18 Understanding Your Customer's Needs 20:45 Using Sampling Events for Market Insights 22:24 Identifying Your Core Customer Base 24:53 The Journey to Rebranding Success 28:27 Balancing Customer Feedback and Intuition 32:23 Maintaining Brand Integrity 35:25 Learning from Mistakes 37:48 Advice for Founders 38:54 The Role of AI in Business 41:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Justin Fenchel of BeatBox Beverages

Failing Up with Justin Fenchel: Beatbox's Brand Journey In this episode of Brand F*Ups, host Robyn Young speaks with Justin Fenchel, co-founder of Beatbox Beverages, about the challenges and successes of building a brand in the ready-to-drink alcoholic beverage industry. Beatbox is known for its party punch that embraces music and community vibes, often seen at major music festivals. Justin shares his journey starting as an economic major and transitioning to entrepreneurship inspired by his father. He discusses the evolution of Beatbox from initial failures, including the legal challenges with their first name 'Winergy', to the successful rebranding to Beatbox and achieving product market fit. The discussion includes insights on the importance of passion, adaptability, and building strong co-founder relationships. Justin also reveals the strategy behind their packaging evolution, their Shark Tank experience, and how Beatbox navigated distribution challenges. The conversation highlights the organic, slow growth strategy, the significance of community building, and the obstacles overcome in Beatbox's journey to becoming a leader in the beverage industry. 00:00 Introduction to Brand F Ups Podcast 00:29 Meet Justin Fenchel of Beatbox Beverages 01:50 The Journey to Beatbox Beverages 02:38 Early Entrepreneurial Ventures 04:25 The Birth of Beatbox 06:43 Challenges and Pivots 06:55 The Importance of Passion in Entrepreneurship 08:29 Navigating Co-Founder Relationships 11:09 The Beatbox Brand and Naming Journey 17:06 Testing and Validating the Product 19:00 Discovering the Perfect Wine Base 19:40 Innovative Market Research Strategies 20:48 Packaging Challenges and Iterations 22:13 The Big Shift to Single Serve 25:05 Navigating Distribution Networks 26:37 Standing Out in a Crowded Market 35:28 Future Plans and Global Ambitions 38:36 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Cindy Gallop of MakeLoveNotPorn

Falling Up with Cindy Gallop: Challenging Social Norms & Innovating Sex EdIn this episode of Brand F Ups, host Robyn Young interviews Cindy Gallop, the pioneering founder and CEO of MakeLoveNotPorn. Cindy shares her journey as a serial entrepreneur and activist, revealing the inspiration behind creating a social sex video sharing platform that promotes real-world intimacy. From her viral TED talk to challenges faced in the tech industry, Cindy discusses her fight to normalize conversations about sex, her struggles with business infrastructure, and her innovative plans for the MakeLoveNotPorn Academy. Cindy's insights on diversity, inclusion, and the importance of radical authenticity in business offer valuable lessons for any entrepreneur. Watch Cindy's original Ted Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/cindy_gallop_make_love_not_porn?subtitle=en Make Love Not Porn on WeFunder: https://wefunder.com/makelovenotporn 00:00 Introduction to Brand F Ups Podcast00:15 Meet Cindy Gallop: Entrepreneur and Activist01:23 The Birth of MakeLoveNotPorn07:07 Challenges and Triumphs in the Sex Tech Industry10:40 Navigating Cultural and Business Barriers12:09 Building a Sex Education Ecosystem22:11 Empowering Diversity and Inclusion30:25 Cindy's Bold Moves and Personal Stories38:02 Lessons from the Trenches: Fail Up Moments43:01 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

My Biggest Fail

The Power of Failure and Reinvention: Robyn Young's Journey Robyn Young returns to Brand F*Ups after a two-year hiatus to share the story of her biggest failure and the lessons learned. Joined by fellow agency owner and personal branding coach Terrence Lomax, Robyn delves into the ups and downs of a failed venture, the importance of discussing setbacks openly, and the ultimate road to reviving Young & Co with renewed clarity and purpose. This episode is a candid exploration of vulnerability, resilience, and the pursuit of authentic success in the entrepreneurial world. 00:00 Introduction to Brand F*Ups 00:58 Reviving the Podcast: Why Now? 03:46 Robyn's Biggest Failure: Lessons Learned 08:28 Seeking Validation and Bigger Challenges 18:47 Reflecting on Career Choices 20:19 The Value of Authentic Branding 22:44 Switching The Plan 28:55 Authentic Business Partnerships

Farah Kabir of Hanx

The brilliant Farah Kabir, Co-founder of Hanx, joins us from across the pond on this week’s episode of Brand F* Ups.  On a mission to revolutionize the sexual wellness industry after an uncomfortable experience buying condoms, Farah is a courageous disrupter in her category. With a smart idea and a healthy dose of intelligent naivete, Farah shares her journey from financial banker to champion for women’s sexual wellness. This is an extra saucy episode you don’t want to miss! https://www.hanxofficial.com/ Need help establishing your brand difference? Reach out to Robyn and her team at ⁠Young & Co⁠ [http://thisisyoung.co/].