# Kate Spade: Kate & Andy Spade

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2017-02-06
- Length: 39m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-02-06-kate-spade-kate-andy-spade

## Summary

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.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-02-06-kate-spade-kate-andy-spade#t=0) Introduction: Kate & Andy Spade
- [1:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-02-06-kate-spade-kate-andy-spade#t=108) Early Life and Meeting in New York
- [8:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-02-06-kate-spade-kate-andy-spade#t=508) The Idea: Simple Handbags
- [10:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-02-06-kate-spade-kate-andy-spade#t=651) Prototyping with Burlap and Finding Manufacturers
- [13:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-02-06-kate-spade-kate-andy-spade#t=832) First Trade Show and Early Sales
- [19:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-02-06-kate-spade-kate-andy-spade#t=1194) Operating from the Apartment and Near Failure
- [25:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-02-06-kate-spade-kate-andy-spade#t=1501) Breakthrough with Neiman Marcus and Scaling
- [27:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-02-06-kate-spade-kate-andy-spade#t=1654) Selling to Neiman Marcus and Exit
- [32:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-02-06-kate-spade-kate-andy-spade#t=1936) Marriage Dynamics and New Venture

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Kate Spade (product)
- Neiman Marcus (company)
- Saks Fifth Avenue (company)
- Barney's (company)
- Fred Segel (company)
- Mademoiselle Magazine (company)
- CFDA (company)
- Francis Valentine (company)
- Jack Spade (product)
- Burlap (material)

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- [Afterschool Podcast, Episode 1 - Rich Brilliant Willing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-08-19-afterschool-podcast-episode-1-rich-brilliant-willing) (Core77 Podcast)
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## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2017-02-06-kate-spade-kate-andy-spade. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to How I Built This.