Founder Feature: Daniele Orellana of MITTS

The Startup CPG Podcast · 5 Sept 2025 · 27m · Episode 191

What this episode covers

Daniele Orellana, co-founder of MITTS, explains how the brand evolved from a niche solution for cleaning delicate Josephine Ut wine glasses into a versatile, aesthetically pleasing sponge for various non-dishwasher-safe kitchen tools. She details the manufacturing challenges of sourcing polyurethane production in China despite the desire for domestic manufacturing, and highlights the strategic advantage of a non-perishable product that avoids shelf-life pressures. Orellana also discusses balancing her full-time pediatric dentistry career with MITTS, leveraging her healthcare background to handle harsh feedback, and relying on the Startup CPG community for mentorship and early-stage guidance.

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • How I Built This · 1h 10m

    Beautyblender: Rea Ann Silva

    Rea Ann Silva, founder of Beautyblender, explains how she designed a teardrop-shaped makeup sponge to solve application issues in high-definition television. She details her collaboration with Victoria Vogue’s Catherine Bailey to develop the hydrophilic foam material and her strategy of selling directly to professional makeup artists before expanding to major retailers like Sephora and Ulta. Silva discusses the challenges of securing patent protection, managing pricing for a premium product, and navigating public relations crises while building a multi-million dollar brand without outside investment.

  • How I Built This · 50m

    Aden + Anais: Raegan Moya-Jones (2019)

    Raegan Moya-Jones, co-founder of Aden + Anais, explains how she identified a gap for cotton muslin blankets in the US market, sourcing manufacturing from China and securing a major retail deal with Target. She details the painful dissolution of her partnership with Claudia, which led to her buying out the other founder and taking on private equity that eventually resulted in her being fired as CEO. In an updated segment, Moya-Jones discusses her recovery from that trauma and her launch of a new company, St. Luna Spirits, a premium rye-based moonshine brand.

  • Product Startup · 49m

    006: Customizable swimwear with Kelsey Duffy of Versakini

    Kelsey Duffy, CEO of Versakini, explains how she pivoted from the failed Mix Bikini to launch her own interchangeable swimwear brand after appearing on Shark Tank. She details the challenges of manufacturing, including early errors with overseas factories and the importance of building personal relationships with reliable partners in Colombia. Duffy also discusses her strategy of collaborating with Project Runway alumna Amanda Perna to design collections while maintaining a lean team and focusing on direct-to-consumer sales to control brand identity.

  • Thoroughly Considered · 1h 07m

    89: Stretchy and Smudgy

    Tom Gerhardt and Dan Provost of Studio Neat discuss the design and manufacturing of the ATP Chicken Hat, detailing the challenges of sourcing fabric and finding a 'cut and sew' supplier. They also announce the Studio Neat Starter Kit gift box and share their long-term reviews of past product recommendations, including James Brand knives, Sage coffee machines, and Patagonia apparel.

  • How I Built This · 45m

    HIBT Lab! Malala Fund and Our Place: Shiza Shahid

    Shiza Shahid, who co-founded the Malala Fund and later the cookware company Our Place, explains her journey from a Stanford student organizing a summer camp for Malala Yousafzai to launching a profitable for-profit business. She details the design philosophy behind Our Place’s flagship product, the Always Pan, which uses lightweight cast aluminum and ceramic nonstick to simplify cooking for home cooks. Shahid discusses overcoming supply chain complexities by leveraging her co-founder’s manufacturing background and using storytelling to build a brand that celebrates diverse cultural traditions.

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by The Startup CPG Podcast. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.