# Aviator Nation: Paige Mycoskie

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2024-01-01
- Length: 1h 08m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-01-01-aviator-nation-paige-mycoskie

## Summary

Paige Mycoskie, founder of Aviator Nation, explains how she bootstrapped a handmade clothing brand into a multi-million dollar business by leveraging word-of-mouth, shrewd landlord negotiations, and a strict 'made in California' manufacturing philosophy. She details her journey from sewing vintage-inspired garments in her apartment to securing her first major order from Fred Segel, and how she avoided external investment to maintain control over her brand's slow, steady growth. Mycoskie also discusses the operational challenges of scaling, including a costly production scam that led her to buy out her own factory, and her decision to remain the sole designer despite the company's recent viral success on TikTok.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-01-01-aviator-nation-paige-mycoskie#t=0) Introduction: Paige Mycoskie and Aviator Nation
- [5:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-01-01-aviator-nation-paige-mycoskie#t=313) The Amazing Race and Early Career
- [13:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-01-01-aviator-nation-paige-mycoskie#t=819) Learning to Sew and Creating the First Collection
- [22:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-01-01-aviator-nation-paige-mycoskie#t=1360) Pitching Fred Segel and First Retail Orders
- [37:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-01-01-aviator-nation-paige-mycoskie#t=2270) Scaling Production and Opening the First Store
- [49:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-01-01-aviator-nation-paige-mycoskie#t=2974) Managing Team Drama and a Production Scam
- [56:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-01-01-aviator-nation-paige-mycoskie#t=3384) Manufacturing Strategy and Keeping Production in California
- [1:01:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-01-01-aviator-nation-paige-mycoskie#t=3677) Pandemic Pivot and Viral Growth
- [1:07:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-01-01-aviator-nation-paige-mycoskie#t=4024) Future of the Brand and Staying Independent

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies, companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Aviator Nation (company)
- Fred Segel (company)
- Planet Blue (company)
- Toms (company)
- The Amazing Race (product)
- ZJ Boarding House (company)
- U.S. Bank (company)

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- [Founder Feature: Tabi and Meena Hoshmand of Tursh](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-11-14-founder-feature-tabi-and-meena-hoshmand-of-tursh) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
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- [#186 - Bootstrap Heroes: Bumpin Blends, Lentiful and Drink Wholesome](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-03-11-186-bootstrap-heroes-bumpin-blends-lentiful-and-drink-wholesome) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

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