# Minted: Mariam Naficy

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2018-06-04
- Length: 49m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-06-04-minted-mariam-naficy

## Summary

Mariam Naficy, founder of Minted, explains how she pivoted her stationery platform from selling established brands to a 100% crowdsourced model after an initial launch failure. She details the early struggles of Eve.com, including VC collusion and a successful exit before the dot-com crash, and how Minted’s early sales silence forced a strategic shift toward design competitions. Naficy also describes overcoming a hostile acquisition attempt by a competitor who bought Minted’s printer, relying on rapid supply chain pivoting to maintain independence. The episode highlights Minted’s evolution into a profitable, cash-flow-positive business that empowers emerging artists.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-06-04-minted-mariam-naficy#t=0) Introduction: Mariam Naficy and Minted
- [1:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-06-04-minted-mariam-naficy#t=61) The Eve.com Launch and Dot-Com Exit
- [4:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-06-04-minted-mariam-naficy#t=247) Naficy’s Background and Early Career
- [15:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-06-04-minted-mariam-naficy#t=901) Fundraising Challenges and VC Collusion at Eve
- [24:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-06-04-minted-mariam-naficy#t=1467) Ideating Minted and the Initial Stationery Model
- [30:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-06-04-minted-mariam-naficy#t=1839) Minted’s Launch Failure and Pivot to Crowdsourcing
- [38:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-06-04-minted-mariam-naficy#t=2337) The Printer Acquisition and Supply Chain Crisis
- [43:28](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2018-06-04-minted-mariam-naficy#t=2608) Minted’s Profitability and Current Status

## Topics

- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Minted (company)
- Eve.com (company)
- Goldman Sachs (company)
- Stanford (other)
- Tech Crunch (other)
- Jaju Pierogies (company)

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## Citing this page

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