Summary
Welcome to the Startup Junkies Podcast!
This episode is hosted by the usual crew including Jeff Amerine, Caleb Talley and Davis McEntire. The special guest joining this show is Paul Chambers, the co-founder and CEO of Subscription Trade Association. Paul has an extensive expertise in the subscription commerce economy going back to more than two decades. He has been recognized by national and international publications for his work in this space and we loved getting to talk with him!
Tune in today!
Shownotes
(1:11) Introducing Paul Chambers of Subscription Trade Association
(1:41) What is the Subscription Trade Association?
(3:26) Stumbling Into an Idea
(6:06) The Art of Subscription Businesses
(11:54) It all started with selling popcorn!
(17:34) What’s next for SUBTA?
(22:34) Team Building Extraordinaire
(28:04) Advice to his younger self
(30:14) Wrap Up
Links
SUBTA Trade Association Website
Quotes
"We didn't set out to build an event to make millions of dollars just to be a money grab type of scenario. We set out to help find a community and create a community."
(5:30) - Paul Chambers
"By leading with the best intentions and just focusing on growing a business, growing a good business, and doing the right things, the rest tends to follow."
(22:50) - Paul Chambers
"One thing I share with my team is that it's okay to make mistakes as long as we learn from our lessons and don't make those same mistakes again."
(28:26) - Paul Chambers
"I had an entrepreneur tell me one time, you just gotta look yourself in the mirror and not believe your own BS."
(29:56) - Paul Chambers
Summary
Welcome to the Startup Junkies Podcast!
Beau & Kourtney Barrett, Founders of JUNK Brands, join the Startup Junkies Podcast for episode 274. Beau and Kourtney detail the start of JUNK Brands, and how it grew to become the nationally recognized headband company that it is today. They discuss the importance of listening to the market and providing customers with authentic products that leave them coming back for more. Beau and Kourtney also explore the subculture that helped them scale, and how to use your community as leverage to keep growing. They are huge advocates for the entrepreneurial community here in Northwest Arkansas, and we cap off the discussion talking about what new venture is brewing in the Barrett family, and the "What's Next!?" question that they have been asked a thousand times. Enjoy!
Thanks for tuning in!
Shownotes
(1:34) Introducing Kourtney and Beau Barrett
(1:54) It all starts with chickens.
(6:09) ...But How did it turn into headbands?
(11:16) Branding “JUNK”
(12:54) Living the Entrepreneurial Dream
(15:32) Scaling and selling in the early stages.
(23:50) The good, bad, and the ugly
(36:52) Advice on Starting Up
(38:38) Wrap Up
Links
Michael Iseman
Quotes
"As we thought through it [branding the headbands as JUNK] the more we really liked it. That the brand didn't take itself too seriously, that it was fun, that it was high quality and just kind of represented our attitude about the whole thing."
(11:56) - Kourtney Barrett
"When you first create a product, when somebody authentically buys that product, who is not your mom, your brother, or somebody that you know is doing it out of obligation... That is all an entrepreneur needs to fuel the fire."
(14:14) - Beau Barrett
"Finding the subcultures where you can become relevant and grow organically (especially in apparel) is super important."
(23:21) - Beau Barrett
Summary
Welcome to the Startup Junkies Podcast!
We had the opportunity to meet with James Farmer of EasyBins for episode 273! In this post-pandemic world, getting things to your doorstep sometimes is the only way to go. Look no further than EasyBins! Learn how James and his company are bringing hype back to the dinner table and making things easy, not just convenient. Don’t miss this episode!
Thanks for tuning in!
Shownotes
(1:44) Introducing James Farmer and EasyBins
(3:06) Why their Model Works
(7:24) Power of Word of Mouth & Competitive Pricing
(10:05) The Story Of James Farmer
(16:48) What It Costs To Be Up At Night
(21:24) Success in 5 Years
(28:50) Fighting Scammers
(32:13) Beyond Delivery
(36:38) Changing Habits From Restaurants To Dining Room Table
(42:40) Customer Logistics
(46:14) Wrap Up & Advice
Links
Quotes
"There's a difference between convenience and easy. And it's EasyBins, not ConvenienceBins." (2:43) - James Farmer
"The first couple people you hire are going to set your culture." (12:53) - James Farmer
"[On competitors] Do things they're not doing." ( 23:43) - James Farmer
"Food is one of the very few things that we derive identity from. We have a relationship with food." (25:53) - James Farmer
Summary
Welcome to the Startup Junkie's podcast!
For this holiday season, we are rebroadcasting an episode that was an absolute joy to record. Our regular host, Jeff Amerine, was joined by the former executive director of Startup Junkie Foundation, Haley Allgood. They had the opportunity to sit and chat with Luke and Natalie of Freckled Hen Farmhouse, a shop that began as a social media account and transformed into a retail store. Through featuring products during an at-home renovation, Luke and Natalie started what would be a fantastic functional and sustainable home goods and gifts store on College Avenue in Northwest Arkansas. You will want to visit this store as Christmas is quickly approaching!
Thanks for tuning in!
Shownotes
(1:40) Introducing Natalie and Luke Freeman
(2:10) From Farmers to Freckled Hen Farmhouse Shop
(6:06) Curating the Merchandise
(5:14) Utilitarianism and Beauty
(9:20) Credibility of Suppliers
(10:59) The Next Five Years
(14:48) Financing Without Savings
(18:25) Physical Location Vs. Online Store Growth
(23:06) How to Invest Your Time Well as an Entrepreneur
(26:14) Wrap Up
Links
Luke Freeman and Natalie Freeman
Quotes
"It's really grown into something that's more than a gift store, it's a one-stop shop for people buying meaningful gifts for people they love, and also a place for people to find items that inspire them to live a well-lived meaningful life."
(8:45) - Luke Freeman
"I feel like maybe my end goal is not necessarily a retail store, but it's always been building community."
(12:47) - Natalie Freeman
"We rented a cabin for a weekend and sat down and hammered out the business plan. We disconnected, no wifi. It was just us pencil and paper writing out this inspiration, this idea that had come to us."
(15:39) - Luke Freeman
"[On creating an online business first.] So just knowing that we're only going to grow as our customer requests, I just think it's a better business decision for us."
(20:53) - Natalie Freeman