# Framebridge: Susan Tynan (2017)

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2019-05-06
- Length: 58m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-05-06-framebridge-susan-tynan-2017

## Summary

Susan Tynan, founder of Framebridge, explains how a $1,600 framing bill inspired her to build a mail-order framing company that raised $82 million. She details the early struggles of scaling production, including a critical backlog crisis during the first holiday season and the sudden departure of her CFO during a $17 million fundraising round. Tynan emphasizes the necessity of venture capital to maintain high quality and the intense operational demands of building a physical product business from scratch.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-05-06-framebridge-susan-tynan-2017#t=0) Introduction: Susan Tynan and Framebridge
- [6:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-05-06-framebridge-susan-tynan-2017#t=373) From LivingSocial to the Framing Idea
- [12:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-05-06-framebridge-susan-tynan-2017#t=765) Validating the Concept and Raising Seed Capital
- [30:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-05-06-framebridge-susan-tynan-2017#t=1857) Building the Factory and First Launch
- [37:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-05-06-framebridge-susan-tynan-2017#t=2251) Scaling Crises: Production Backlog and Staffing
- [43:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-05-06-framebridge-susan-tynan-2017#t=2629) Fundraising Challenges and CFO Departure
- [53:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-05-06-framebridge-susan-tynan-2017#t=3234) Postscript: Len Testa and Touring Plans

## Topics

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

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Framebridge (company)
- LivingSocial (company)
- Revolution Ventures (company)
- Tig Savage (other)
- Architectural Digest (other)
- InStyle (other)
- Touring Plans (company)
- Len Testa (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Founder + Funder: Fundraising, Founder-Investor Fit, and Building the Next Big Breakfast Brand with Emily Groden of Evergreen and Brian Bernstein of Rich Products Ventures](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-06-20-founder-funder-fundraising-founder-investor-fit-and-building-the-next-big-breakf) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Oddball's Path From Idea to Funding a Nationwide Target Launch](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-07-11-oddballs-path-from-idea-to-funding-a-nationwide-target-launch) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature: Val Emanuel of Rif Care](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-01-03-founder-feature-val-emanuel-of-rif-care) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [#168 - CPG Founder Life - What to Expect: Paul Voge](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2024-11-05-168-cpg-founder-life-what-to-expect-paul-voge) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Fundraising Journey: Jesse Konig, CEO & Co-Founder of Jesse & Ben's](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-02-28-founder-fundraising-journey-jesse-konig-ceo-co-founder-of-jesse-bens) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

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