Hardware Podcasts

Kate Spade: Kate & Andy Spade

How I Built This · 6 Feb 2017 · 39m

What this episode covers

Kate and Andy Spade, founders of the iconic handbag brand Kate Spade, recount building their company from scratch in the early 1990s. Starting with burlap bags designed in their New York apartment, they navigated early financial struggles, nearly shutting down after burning through their savings and 401(k)s. Their breakthrough came when major retailers like Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue picked up the line, leading to rapid scaling, a sale to Neiman Marcus Group, and eventual expansion into a global lifestyle brand.

Most relevant to

founders before launch and companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Barney's, Fred Segel, Mademoiselle Magazine, CFDA, Francis Valentine
Products
Kate Spade, Jack Spade
Materials
Burlap

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • The Startup CPG Podcast · 30m

    Founder Feature: Tabi and Meena Hoshmand of Tursh

    Tabi and Meena Hoshmand, co-founders of Tursh, discuss bootstrapping their Afghan-inspired green chutney brand from their respective homes in New York and Los Angeles. They detail the product's development based on their mother's recipe, the strategic decision to hire an external designer to translate their cultural vision into commercial packaging, and their cautious, slow-and-steady approach to scaling into boutique retail. The sisters also reflect on the emotional journey of reconnecting with their heritage and the operational realities of running a two-person, side-hustle CPG business.

    Starting a product companyPricing, margins & unit economics
    7 chapters

  • Core77 Podcast · 55m

    Afterschool Podcast, Episode 1 - Rich Brilliant Willing

    Theo Richardson, Alex Williams, and Charles Brill, co-founders of the Brooklyn design studio Rich Brilliant Willing, discuss their journey from RISD graduates to running a furniture and lighting company. They explain how the 2008 financial crisis pushed them to bypass traditional licensing models and instead design and manufacture their own products, such as the XL Perch and Delta Fabric lamp series, to maintain speed and control. The founders detail their collaborative process, the shift from seasonal trade show launches to a more continuous product release strategy, and the challenges of maintaining their creative partnership while scaling the business.

    Starting a product companyIndustrial & consumer product design
    8 chapters

  • The Startup CPG Podcast · 1h 00m

    #59 Welcome to the Oat Haus! Celebrity Collaboration, Sprouts Launch, and Mental Health with Ali Bonar

    Ali Bonar, Co-Founder and CEO of Oat Haus, discusses the evolution of her oat-based spread brand from a side hustle to a national retailer presence. She details the strategic launch of the Brownie Batter flavor in collaboration with Jameela Jamil, the challenges of securing a national Sprouts Grocery launch, and the importance of hiring scrappy early employees like VP of Sales Todd and VP of Marketing Lisa. Bonar also opens up about her mental health journey, the isolation of scaling a business, and her methods for maintaining founder wellbeing.

    Direct-to-consumer & e-commerceRetail, wholesale & distribution
    7 chapters

  • People of Packaging · 25m

    178 - A company started by Packaging Engineers! Dwayne Rainey from Advanced Packaging

    Dwayne Rainey, co-founder of Advanced Packaging, explains how he and Clemson University graduate Nick Young founded the company in 2012 to provide expert packaging engineering and distribution services. Rainey details the early financial struggles of the garage-stage startup, including the difficulty of paying salaries and the emotional weight of laying off employees during downturns. He describes the company's evolution into a scaling business with 20 full-time employees, serving major global brands by leveraging their team's specialized packaging degrees to act as trusted advisors rather than just suppliers.

    Starting a product companyLeadership, teams & culture
    7 chapters

  • The Startup CPG Podcast · 34m

    Founder Feature: Gabriella Labi and Tonya Reznikovich of Gato Dates

    Gabriella Labi and Tonya Reznikovich, co-founders of Gato Dates, explain how they transformed a home kitchen recipe for dark chocolate-covered, nut butter-stuffed Medjool dates into a premium DTC brand. They detail their 'year zero' strategy of validating the product at LA farmers markets, which generated $1,500 on day one and led to organic celebrity discovery by figures like LeAnn Rimes and Kristin Cavallari. The founders discuss their transition to full-time operations, their retail expansion into specialty and major grocery accounts, and the specific challenges of scaling production and managing margins in year two.

    Validation & product-market fitDirect-to-consumer & e-commerce
    5 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by How I Built This. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.