Michelle Pham: Launching a Home Decor Brand, the Hermès Game and the Libby App

Michelle Pham: Launching a Home Decor Brand, the Hermès Game and the Libby App

How Michelle Pham, of Inner Child, built a business from one-woman show out of her apartment to regularly receiving wholesale orders from Anthropologie. Find links to everything mentioned on our Substack: https://nanphilip.substack.com/t/noteworthy-with-nan-podcastnanphilip.substack.com/t/noteworthy-with-nan-podcast [http://nanphilip.substack.com/t/noteworthy-with-nan-podcast] Shop the Inner Child brand: go.shopmy.us/p-61400251 [https://go.shopmy.us/p-61400251]  use the promo code: NAN15 for 15% off one order (code expires on June 18th.)  Nan sits down with Michelle Pham, the founder of Inner Child, a New York based home decor brand known for its colorful block print textiles, paper goods and lampshades, all handmade in India.  Michelle walks Nan through building Inner Child from a small textile line into a company with more than 400 SKUs, sold both direct to consumer and through retailers like Anthropologie. She is refreshingly honest about the unglamorous side of running a small business: the early days when she shipped every order out of her New York apartment, recruiting her retired parents as holiday elves, and determining when it was time to move into a real warehouse. The two discuss their love of color and pattern and how Inner Child stands out in what feels like a ‘beige’ world.  Michelle opens up about the realities of making things by hand in India, where the weather impacts the production schedule and monsoon season can stall an entire order. She and Nan talk about tariffs, quality control, and the hard call of when to hire. Michelle shares more details on her story, from a childhood in Vancouver with Vietnamese refugee parents, to a tech career at Google and TikTok, and launching her own brand.  The conversation turns to luxury shopping, where the two bond over the gamified, slightly ridiculous world of Hermès. Michelle recounts hunting down the Savana Dance scarf across auctions in France and Japan, and how Hermes influenced and inspired her to create Inner Child and offer beautiful handmade items at approachable prices. The episode closes with Michelle's three noteworthy tips: the Libby app for free library books, a body scrub at a Korean spa, and bringing a little more greenery into your home. Stay tuned for more Noteworthy with Nan episodes every Thursday!! Follow Michelle: Michelle’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iammichellepham/ [https://www.instagram.com/iammichellepham/] Inner Child’s Instagram: instagram.com/innerchildshop [https://www.instagram.com/innerchildshop] Shop Inner Child: go.shopmy.us/p-61400251 [https://go.shopmy.us/p-61400251] Follow Nan:  Instagram: instagram.com/nan.philip [https://www.instagram.com/nan.philip/] TikTok: tiktok.com/@nan_philip [https://www.tiktok.com/@nan_philip] Follow the podcast: Instagram: instagram.com/noteworthywithnan [https://www.instagram.com/noteworthywithnan/] TikTok: tiktok.com/@noteworthywithnan [https://www.tiktok.com/@noteworthywithnan] YouTube: youtube.com/@NoteworthyWithNan [https://www.youtube.com/@NoteworthyWithNan] Timestamps: 00:00 Meet Michelle, the founder of Inner Child 01:16 Inner Child: handmade, colorful items for the home  05:59 From Google and TikTok to Textiles 25:20 The Operations of Small Businesses and an Unpredictable Supply Chain  37:19  Shopping at Hermes: Is the game worth it?  38:58  How Hermes Inspired Michelle to launch her home decor brand 48:16  Noteworthy Tips: The Libby App, Korean Body Scrub & House Plants Credits: Host: Nan Philip Executive Producer: Julia Aubuchon Technical Director: Drew Downing Guest: Michelle Pham

Madeleine Fawcett: Beauty PR, Boarding School and Raising Four Kids

Nan sits down with Madeleine Fawcett, a beauty publicist, co-founder of Project MM, and mother of four. The two first connected online over their shared eye of great shopping finds, only to discover their families were already connected back home on Boston’s North Shore. Madeleine walks Nan through her wild path from an unpaid PR internship in New York to launching her own boutique beauty agency with her best friend Meredith fifteen years ago. They get into how she landed her first big client (Linda Rodin of Rodin Olio Lusso) thanks to a chance airport bar moment, why she has intentionally kept the agency small, and how the PR landscape has shifted from print magazines to Substack and creator gifting. Then, Madeleine opens up about life as a working mom and raising four children on Boston’s North Shore while building a career primarily in New York City. She reflects on her years at Andover, the lifelong friendships that began there, and how a move back home to Massachusetts during COVID became a permanent change. They also discuss why Madeleine’s mom (a.k.a. Grandmere) living with the family is the secret to making it all work, and the honest answer to whether the mom guilt ever fully goes away. The conversation turns to shopping with stops in Paris (Rubirosas and Charvet), plus favorite boutiques across New York, Massachusetts, and Palm Beach. The episode closes with Madeleine’s three noteworthy tips for managing a busy life: the Meta Ray-Ban Wayfarer glasses she swears by, the Google Calendar ritual that keeps her family on track, and her honest case for outsourcing and automating wherever she can. Find links to everything mentioned on our Substack: https://nanphilip.substack.com/t/noteworthy-with-nan-podcast [http://nanphilip.substack.com]    Stay tuned for more Noteworthy with Nan episodes every Thursday!!   Follow Madeleine:  Madeleine’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madeleinefawcett/ [https://www.instagram.com/madeleinefawcett/]  Madeleine’s Substack: https://madeleinefawcett.substack.com/ [https://madeleinefawcett.substack.com/] Project MM (Madeleine’s business): https://www.instagram.com/projectmmnyc/ [https://www.instagram.com/projectmmnyc/]    Follow Nan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nan.philip/ [https://www.instagram.com/nan.philip/]  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nan_philip [https://www.tiktok.com/@nan_philip]    Follow the podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noteworthywithnan/ [https://www.instagram.com/noteworthywithnan/]  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@noteworthywithnan [https://www.tiktok.com/@noteworthywithnan]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoteworthyWithNan [https://www.youtube.com/@NoteworthyWithNan]      Timestamps:  02:30 Highs & Lows of the Week 04:00 Boarding School at Andover  09:30 Raising Four Kids  15:30 Beauty PR Agency  22:00 How PR Has Changed 30:00 Paris Shopping: Rubirosas and Charvet 36:30 Madeline’s Three Noteworthy Tips 43:00 Quick-Fire: NY, MA and Palm Beach Favorites    Credits: Host: Nan Philip Executive Producer: Julia Aubuchon Technical Director: Drew Downing Guest: Madeleine Fawcett

Priyanka Aribindi: Podcasting with Crooked Media, Writing on Substack & The Row Park Tote

For the fourth episode of the podcast, Nan sits down with Priyanka Aribindi, a writer, podcast host, and content consultant whose Substack “Shit I Bought And Liked” is a can’t miss shopping newsletter. Both women have newsletters on Substack and love to shop, so they have lots to talk about.  Priyanka recounts her path from working at Time magazine to getting a DM from Crooked Media’s Jon Lovett that led her to move to LA, launch one of their first daily newsletters, and eventually host her own podcast.    Then, both women get honest about the realities of freelance life; the pros, cons, healthcare nightmares, how to scope out projects and what to charge. Next they dive into all things Substack: Priyanka discusses how she built her audience over seven years, when to launch a paid tier, and how she goes about working with brands for partnerships. Plus, Priyanka shares her number-one tip for anyone starting out on substack.  Later the girls switch over to discussing shopping and their shared love of the The Row N/S Park Tote and more details on everything they think about as they shop. The episode closes with Priyanka’s three noteworthy tips for surviving real life: Last Call as a post-drinking supplement, a “dinner list” in her notes app, and leaving her phone in the kitchen overnight for a better night's sleep.    Find links to everything mentioned on our Substack: https://nanphilip.substack.com/t/noteworthy-with-nan-podcast [https://nanphilip.substack.com/t/noteworthy-with-nan-podcast]   Stay tuned for more Noteworthy with Nan episodes every Thursday!!   Follow Priyanka Aribindi: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/priaribi/ [https://www.instagram.com/priaribi/]  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@priaribi [https://www.tiktok.com/@priaribi?lang=en]  Substack: https://www.shitiboughtandliked.com/ [https://www.shitiboughtandliked.com/]   Follow Nan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nan.philip/ [https://www.instagram.com/nan.philip/]  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nan_philip [https://www.tiktok.com/@nan_philip]    Follow the podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noteworthywithnan/ [https://www.instagram.com/noteworthywithnan/]  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@noteworthywithnan [https://www.tiktok.com/@noteworthywithnan]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoteworthyWithNan [https://www.youtube.com/@NoteworthyWithNan]      Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome Priyanka Aribindi 02:20 Highs & Lows of the Week  07:32 From Time Inc. to Crooked Media 15:12 ‘Shit I Bought And Liked’ 19:36 Substack tips 27:28 Freelance Life 32:41 Shopping: The Row Park Tote 37:25 Noteworthy Tips 45:34 Priyanka’s Favorite NYC Spots Credits: Host: Nan Philip Executive Producer: Julia Aubuchon Technical Director: Drew Downing Guest: Priyanka Aribindi

Sarah Lederman: Interior Design, Landline Phones & Hulken Bags

For the third episode of the podcast, Nan sits down with her friend (and former PR client!) Sarah Lederman, a New York-based interior designer and the founder of Three Fates Textiles, a brand new textile and wallpaper line that is an extension of Sarah's signature layered, collected aesthetic. They talk about the year-long journey of bringing Three Fates to market, the Greco-Roman influences behind her first collection, and why launching through trade showrooms like Temple Studio, Design Social Studio and Harbinger felt like the right first step. Then Nan asks some practical questions about interior design – when and how to hire an interior designer, what makes a good client, and Sarah's high-low approach to deciding when to spend and when to save. We also get Sarah’s perspective on raising two daughters in New York City without iPads or cell phones, the "Wait Until 8th" pledge, Sarah's recent travels to Bhutan and Morocco, and the family tennis ritual at Randall's Island that has become her favorite weekend hobby. The episode closes with Sarah sharing three noteworthy tips for small tools and systems that help her stay grounded at work and at home. Find links to everything Sarah mentions on our Substack: https://nanphilip.substack.com/p/noteworthy-sarah-lederman [https://nanphilip.substack.com/p/noteworthy-sarah-lederman]  Stay tuned for more Noteworthy with Nan episodes every Thursday!! Follow Sarah:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahledermaninteriors/ [https://www.instagram.com/sarahledermaninteriors/]  Follow Three Fates Textiles:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/threefatestextiles/ [https://www.instagram.com/threefatestextiles/]  Follow Nan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nan.philip/ [https://www.instagram.com/nan.philip/]  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nan_philip [https://www.tiktok.com/@nan_philip]  Follow the podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noteworthywithnan/ [https://www.instagram.com/noteworthywithnan/]  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@noteworthywithnan [https://www.tiktok.com/@noteworthywithnan]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoteworthyWithNan [https://www.youtube.com/@NoteworthyWithNan]  Timestamps:  02:08 Launching Three Fates Textiles 05:08 How to Hire an Interior Designer  10:40 Fashion, Jewelry & Resetting Her Engagement Ring  16:23 Raising Kids in NYC Without Phones  21:46 Travels to Bhutan, Morocco & Beyond  24:06 Family Tennis & Other Hobbies  29:45 Noteworthy Tips: Granola, Skylight & Hulken  40:09 Life Motto: "Everything Is Figureoutable" Credits: Host: Nan Philip Executive Producer: Julia Aubuchon Technical Director: Drew Downing Guest: Sarah Lederman

Caroline Keogh: Countless Hobbies, Reservations & Tracy Anderson Workouts

Nan sits down with her college friend, Caroline Keogh, who works in luxury and fashion communications.  Together they chat about everything from starting new hobbies, exploring New York City, getting great restaurant reservations and Tracy Anderson workouts. Caroline takes us through her morning routine and advocates for going into the office vs working from home. We then dive into Caroline’s Noteworthy Tips: the Indyx App (to catalog your clothing and outfits), using her Daily Overview Notepad from Ramona & Ruth and playing card games/buying a card shuffler. We wrap up the episode with Caroline’s advice on managing anxiety and moments of overwhelm plus her motto of ‘Life Happens on a Tuesday.’ Find links to everything Caroline mentions on our substack: https://nanphilip.substack.com/p/noteworthy-caroline-keogh Stay tuned for more Noteworthy with Nan episodes every Thursday!! Follow Caroline: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caroline_keogh/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@caroline_keogh?lang=en Follow Nan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nan.philip/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nan_philip Follow the podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noteworthywithnan/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@noteworthywithnan?lang=en YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoteworthyWithNan [https://www.youtube.com/@NoteworthyWithNan] Key Takeaway from the Episode: Caroline suggests having five or six go-to outfits each season.  Caroline and Nan rave about The Indyx phone app for cataloging and tracking their wardrobe. Write out your day the night before to reduce stress and sleep better. Reframing how you think about jealousy. Caroline’s inside perspective of Tracy Anderson workouts and how to get started. The pro’s of going into the office for work vs. working from home. Overwhelm and anxiety are different things and can be managed differently. Caroline’s personal motto: Life happens on a Tuesday. Credits: Host: Nan Philip Executive Producer: Julia Aubuchon Technical Director: Drew Downing Guest: Caroline Keogh