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Loose Threads — Inside the new consumer economy

Loose Threads — Inside the new consumer economy

By Loose Threads

The Loose Threads Podcast explores the new consumer economy. Hosted by Richie Siegel, the founder of Loose Threads, each episode features an in-depth conversation with one guest that spans a range of topics, lasting about an hour. The unifying thread is always the rapid change facing the consumer, retail and commerce industry and how entrepreneurs are responding. You can listen to the podcast on any player of your choice: iTunes, Soundcloud, Overcast, Google Play. If you'd like to recommend a guest (including yourself!), don't hesitate to get in touch: hello@loosethreads.com. LooseThreads.com
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From Down Under — with Jonathan Shokrian of MeUndies

Loose Threads — Inside the new consumer economyNov 29, 2017

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38:31
Offense vs Defense: How GREATS is doubling down on high-touch digital

Offense vs Defense: How GREATS is doubling down on high-touch digital

#154. In our latest episode of Offense vs Defense we talk with Ryan Babenzien, CEO of GREATS, which makes timeless sneakers for men and women. We discussed how the brand is doubling down on digital at the expense of wholesale and retail and where it goes from here in this new world.
Jun 25, 202027:46
Offense vs Defense: How Minibar helped power online alcohol sales during COVID

Offense vs Defense: How Minibar helped power online alcohol sales during COVID

#153. In our latest episode of Offense vs Defense we talk with Lindsey Andrews, co-founder of Minibar, a marketplace for wine, liquor and beer. We discussed the rapid growth of at-home beverage consumption over the last three months and how the company shifted into customer service mode to manage the crisis so far.
May 28, 202025:09
Offense vs Defense: How The Sill doubled down on its strengths to survive COVID

Offense vs Defense: How The Sill doubled down on its strengths to survive COVID

#152. In our latest episode of Offense vs Defense we talk with Eliza Blank, the founder of The Sill, a modern plant company. We discussed how the brand is approaching advertising, customer communication, and what changes will remain once life is back to normal.
May 21, 202022:43
Offense vs Defense: How Jenni Kayne rebuilt momentum in a time of crisis

Offense vs Defense: How Jenni Kayne rebuilt momentum in a time of crisis

#151. In our third episode of Offense vs Defense we talk with Julia Hunter, the CEO of the lifestyle brand Jenni Kayne. We discussed her views on a rebalanced retail strategy and how the crisis has pushed her to realize how much of a business’s trajectory is outside of human control.
May 14, 202026:32
Offense vs Defense: How Outlier has leaned into transparency during COVID-19

Offense vs Defense: How Outlier has leaned into transparency during COVID-19

#150. In our second episode of Offense vs Defense we talk with Abe Burmeister, the co-founder of Outlier, a menswear brand pushing the limits of materials and performance. We discussed how the brand has handled supply chain woes, invested more in social media and struck a balance between customer communication about when to spend money on clothing and when to save it.
May 07, 202022:56
Offense vs Defense: How Blueland is taking the coronavirus crisis in stride

Offense vs Defense: How Blueland is taking the coronavirus crisis in stride

#149. In our first episode of Offense vs Defense we talk with Sarah Paiji Yoo, the co-founder of Blueland, a brand reimagining cleaning products to eliminate single-use plastic packaging. Blueland has seen a huge spike in demand in the last two months but it comes with all of the challenges every brand is facing deciding when to cut back and when to invest.
Apr 30, 202024:19
Will Loop’s complex and costly recycling model replace single-use packaging?

Will Loop’s complex and costly recycling model replace single-use packaging?

#148. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss Loop, a reusable packaging consortium’s decision to move into retail and whether or not the complex model will appeal to the masses.
Mar 11, 202013:24
Why is Elite Model Management launching its own fashion brand?

Why is Elite Model Management launching its own fashion brand?

#147. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss Elite Model Management’s decision to launch its own apparel brand and whether or not the modeling agency can run a fashion label.
Mar 04, 202015:25
Will KIND's new product launches expand or confuse its customer base?

Will KIND's new product launches expand or confuse its customer base?

#146. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss KIND Snacks’ expansion into four new product categories and if the brand can be more than just a snack bar company.
Feb 26, 202014:09
Will Atari's hotels bring the gaming company into the modern era?

Will Atari's hotels bring the gaming company into the modern era?

#145. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss Atari’s decision to open a handful of hotels across the U.S. and whether or not this move into experiences makes sense for the OG gaming company.
Feb 19, 202013:52
Is Simon and Brookfield’s $81 million acquisition of Forever 21 worth it?

Is Simon and Brookfield’s $81 million acquisition of Forever 21 worth it?

#144. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss Simon and Brookfield’s decision to buy Forever 21 out of bankruptcy and whether or not the brand is worth reviving.
Feb 12, 202015:05
Will Shake Shack’s four-day workweek impact its employee retention?

Will Shake Shack’s four-day workweek impact its employee retention?

#143. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss Shake Shack and Taco Bell’s approach to employee retention and whether or not these new initiatives will make a difference.
Feb 05, 202015:42
Are used cosmetics holding the second hand beauty market back?

Are used cosmetics holding the second hand beauty market back?

#142. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss the rise of second hand beauty platforms and the host of complications that could keep this market from taking off.
Jan 29, 202019:03
Will Goop's expansion into Sephora help or hurt the brand’s long-term success?

Will Goop's expansion into Sephora help or hurt the brand’s long-term success?

#141. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss Goop’s expansion into Sephora and whether or not the brand’s products will stand out beyond the Goop universe.
Jan 22, 202015:41
Espresso: Will Walmart’s influence boost SmileDirectClub’s revenue and reach?

Espresso: Will Walmart’s influence boost SmileDirectClub’s revenue and reach?

#140. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy to understand the upside and downside of the brand’s approach. We discuss SmileDirectClub's retail and product extension into Walmart and how both moves push the company further into oral care.
Jan 15, 202013:22
Espresso: Inside Drybar's wacky $255 million sale to Helen of Troy.

Espresso: Inside Drybar's wacky $255 million sale to Helen of Troy.

#139. Every week on the podcast we’ll challenge a recently-announced business strategy. This week we discuss Helen of Troy’s recent acquisition of Drybar’s product business and what drove the brand towards a sale.
Jan 08, 202016:07
How Jenni Kayne went back to basics to fuel its growth

How Jenni Kayne went back to basics to fuel its growth

#138. Jenni Kayne is a well-known California lifestyle brand. We talk with CEO Julia Hunter about her journey plotting the brand’s next chapter after a decade of existence and how her back to basics strategy fueled the company’s growth. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
Dec 18, 201942:01
Espresso: Macy’s and Nordstrom’s flawed holiday partnerships with hotels; Airbnb’s new Cooking Experiences are making food-related hospitality more accessible.

Espresso: Macy’s and Nordstrom’s flawed holiday partnerships with hotels; Airbnb’s new Cooking Experiences are making food-related hospitality more accessible.

#137. Espresso is a new talk show from Loose Threads where we dissect two different business strategies from the past two weeks, putting them under the microscope to see if they hold up or fall apart. In our third episode, we discuss legacy department store’s holiday pop-up shops in New York City hotels and Airbnb’s new program, Cooking Experiences.
Dec 11, 201925:16
Inside Richer Poorer’s journey to buy back its brand

Inside Richer Poorer’s journey to buy back its brand

#136. Richer Poorer is a men’s and women’s elevated basics brand. We talk with co-founder Iva Pawling about her journey selling her company, buying it back and taking control of the brand’s future. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
Dec 04, 201948:04
Espresso: Birchbox’s 500 Walgreens pop ups and the implications for subscription boxes; Ferrari’s pull back from licensing and leap into luxury goods.

Espresso: Birchbox’s 500 Walgreens pop ups and the implications for subscription boxes; Ferrari’s pull back from licensing and leap into luxury goods.

#135. Espresso is a new talk show from Loose Threads where we analyze important developments in the consumer economy. In our second episode, we discuss Birchbox’s 500 store partnership with Walgreens and Ferrari’s quest to pull back on licensing and shore up its luxury brand.
Nov 20, 201918:10
How STATE Bags is balancing growth and giving back

How STATE Bags is balancing growth and giving back

#134. STATE Bags is a mission-driven accessories brand for men, women and children. We talk with co-founders Scot and Jacq Tatelman about how they balance building a thriving business while still giving everything they can to others. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
Nov 13, 201947:21
Espresso: Rebag’s new appraisal tool and fractional ownership; Brooklinen’s twisted take on wholesale.

Espresso: Rebag’s new appraisal tool and fractional ownership; Brooklinen’s twisted take on wholesale.

#133. Espresso is a new talk show from Loose Threads where we analyze important developments in the consumer economy. In our first episode we discuss how Rebag’s new pricing index tool relates to what fractional ownership means today and Brooklinen’s new multi-brand platform that presents an updated but twisted take on modern wholesale.
Nov 06, 201918:42
How Clare is reinventing the painting experience from top to bottom

How Clare is reinventing the painting experience from top to bottom

#132. Clare is a direct-to-consumer brand reimagining the experience around painting one’s home. We talk with founder Nicole Gibbons about how she relied on her background in interior design and customer feedback to simplify the painting process. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
Oct 23, 201947:35
How Health-Ade kombucha grew from one farmers' market to 25,000 doors

How Health-Ade kombucha grew from one farmers' market to 25,000 doors

#131. Health-Ade is one of the fastest-growing and earliest small-batch kombucha brands. We talk with co-founder Vanessa Dew about how she grew the brand from one farmers’ market to over 25,000 doors nationwide. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
Oct 16, 201946:49
How Cha Cha Matcha is expanding outside of retail

How Cha Cha Matcha is expanding outside of retail

#130. Cha Cha Matcha is a beverage brand with five retail locations and a recently-released line of canned drinks. We talk with founders Matthew Morton and Conrad Sandelman about how they played a role in popularizing matcha. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
Oct 09, 201941:37
How Michel et Augustin is importing French dessert staples to the U.S.

How Michel et Augustin is importing French dessert staples to the U.S.

#129. Michel et Augustin is a French confectionary brand that entered the U.S. market in 2016. We talk with Evan Holod, the CEO of U.S. operations, about the challenges of making a popular French cookie resonate with Americans. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
Oct 02, 201946:46
Inside Recess’ approach to standing out in the CBD category

Inside Recess’ approach to standing out in the CBD category

#128. Recess is a CBD-infused beverage company. We talk with founder and CEO Ben Witte about how he set out to dominate the CBD category through a superior product offering and distinct marketing approach. The Megaphone Podcast features marketers, analysts and advertising professionals navigating the roller coaster ride of building a 21st-century brand.
Sep 25, 201934:03
Zeus is reimagining semi-permanent housing and hospitality

Zeus is reimagining semi-permanent housing and hospitality

#127. Zeus is a platform reimagining the corporate housing market. We talk with the founder and CEO Kulveer Taggar about how Zeus fills the gap between Airbnb and legacy players within the space. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
Sep 18, 201948:06
02 wants to speed up your post-workout recovery

02 wants to speed up your post-workout recovery

#126. O2 is an oxygenated recovery drink for athletes. We talk with founder and CEO Dave Colina about being the first to scale and commercialize an oxygenated recovery beverage. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
Sep 11, 201948:15
New Stand wants to enhance your daily routine

New Stand wants to enhance your daily routine

#125. New Stand merges your favorite blog and favorite bodega in a convenience store pop-up. We talk with co-founder and CEO Andrew Deitchman about the challenges and triumphs of merging physical products and space with digital content and experiences. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
Sep 04, 201947:29
Made In wants to simplify your kitchen toolkit

Made In wants to simplify your kitchen toolkit

#124. Made In is a direct-to-consumer cookware brand. We talk with co-founder and CEO Chip Malt about how he set out to create a curated and intentional set of products that satisfied everyday kitchen needs while chipping away at entrenched brands like All-Clad.
Aug 28, 201937:42
Derris defined direct-to-consumer communication strategy

Derris defined direct-to-consumer communication strategy

#123. Derris is a communications and brand consultancy that has been at the forefront of the direct-to-consumer revolution. We talk with founder and CEO Jesse Derris about how the fashion and tech press has changed the ways in which people discover and shop brands across the consumer landscape. Pressed Juice, a podcast by Loose Threads, talks with the journalists and PR leaders navigating this fast-changing industry about what warrants coverage today, how the media goes about covering it, and how both journalists and PR professionals define their relationship with brands throughout the process.
Aug 21, 201952:33
Rhone is creating the performance lifestyle toolkit for men

Rhone is creating the performance lifestyle toolkit for men

#122. Rhone engineers performance lifestyle products for men. We talk with co-founder and CEO Nate Checketts about Rhone balanced its ecommerce and wholesale channels early on how it has evolved the business from activewear to broader performance products for men. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
Aug 14, 201953:52
Pressed Juice: How Glossy found its lens on fashion and business

Pressed Juice: How Glossy found its lens on fashion and business

#121. Glossy tracks and analyzes the intersection of fashion, beauty, digital and tech. We talk with editor-in-chief Jill Manoff about Glossy’s evolution and the changing tides of the press more broadly. Pressed Juice, a podcast by Loose Threads, talks with the journalists and PR leaders navigating this fast-changing industry about what warrants coverage today, how the media goes about covering it, and how both journalists and PR professionals define their relationship with brands throughout the process.
Aug 07, 201928:21
Dame seeks to close the pleasure gap for women

Dame seeks to close the pleasure gap for women

#120. Dame’s products aim to close the pleasure gap for women. We talk with co-founder Alexandra Fine about how Dame is overcoming the challenges of marketing its products and how big the opportunity is ahead. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
Jul 31, 201944:33
How west~bourne puts neighborhood hospitality at the center of everything

How west~bourne puts neighborhood hospitality at the center of everything

#119. west~borune is a restaurant group focused on neighborhood hospitality. We talk with founder Camilla Marcus about the process of building a restaurant group from scratch and how she built a workforce where everyone can do every job. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
Jul 24, 201949:11
Rally Road is building the stock market for cars and other luxury goods

Rally Road is building the stock market for cars and other luxury goods

#118. Rally Road democratizes investments in collector cars, turning them into stocks that anyone can purchase through an app. We talk with co-founder Rob Petrozzo about how he’s merging the worlds of finance, consumer goods and pop culture to create returns for a new generation of investors. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
Jul 17, 201948:40
How DRY Soda preempted the alcohol-free beverage boom

How DRY Soda preempted the alcohol-free beverage boom

#117. DRY Soda makes alcohol-free sparkling beverages. We talk with founder Sharelle Klaus about her path climbing the ladder of national food and beverage distribution and how she survived the 2008 recession's impact on her business and the landscape more broadly. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
Jul 10, 201944:12
How Huckberry has evolved from a third-party retailer to a brand builder

How Huckberry has evolved from a third-party retailer to a brand builder

#116. Huckberry is an outdoor apparel brand made for men in the city who love spending time in nature. We talk with co-founder Richard Greiner about evolving from a digital retailer stocking once-unknown brands to one selling a growing roster of its own creations. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
Jul 03, 201934:43
Dada Daily is elevating snacks for the couch and dinner table

Dada Daily is elevating snacks for the couch and dinner table

#115. Dada Daily adds surrealism and fun to healthy snacking. We talk with founder Claire Olshan about merging high-end design, forward-thinking recipes and accessible pricing to make a snack brand that breaks common perception. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
Jun 26, 201945:34
Pressed Juice: Inside the world of media training with Dan Broden

Pressed Juice: Inside the world of media training with Dan Broden

#114. Broden Communications coaches figures ranging from C-suite executives and athletes to celebrities and job applicants on persuasive communication and media skills. We talk with founder Dan Broden about his work training executives on how to best navigate the press. Pressed Juice, a podcast by Loose Threads, talks with the journalists and PR leaders navigating this fast-changing industry about what warrants coverage today, how the media goes about covering it, and how both journalists and PR professionals define their relationship with brands throughout the process.
Jun 19, 201946:42
Retail is Alive: How Pressed Juicery scaled to 100+ stores

Retail is Alive: How Pressed Juicery scaled to 100+ stores

#113. Pressed Juicery is a California-based juice brand. We talk with founder Hayden Slater about how the company attacked offline retail from day one, when Pressed Juicery’s store consisted of a single refrigerator, and how the company grew to the more than 100 stores its operates today. Retail is Alive talks with the founders, executives, designers and builders illuminating the spaces and experiences defining modern retail.
Jun 12, 201943:17
Full Exposure — with Holly Thaggard of Supergoop

Full Exposure — with Holly Thaggard of Supergoop

#112. Supergoop is an SPF-first skincare brand. We talk with founder Holly Thaggard about how she decided to raise awareness in a highly misunderstood category while innovating products that put health and sun protection at the forefront. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
Jun 05, 201951:01
Drop the Base — with Andreas Palm and Christian Larson of CDLP

Drop the Base — with Andreas Palm and Christian Larson of CDLP

#111. CDLP keeps it brief with minimalist men’s underwear. We talk with co-founders Andreas Palm and Christian Larson about how their background and passions in film, music and live experiences, as well as heritage and direct-to-consumer brands, combined to build a company of their own. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
May 29, 201946:12
The Megaphone Podcast: How Reddit and Instagram Live are driving Outlier’s growth

The Megaphone Podcast: How Reddit and Instagram Live are driving Outlier’s growth

#110. Outlier is a men's techwear brand. We talk with co-founder Abe Burmeister about how the company is using Reddit, Instagram Live and Depop to drive conversation and sales. The Megaphone Podcast features marketers, analysts and advertising professionals navigating the roller coaster ride of building a 21st-century brand.
May 22, 201951:26
Sizing Up — with Michelle Grant of Lively

Sizing Up — with Michelle Grant of Lively

#109. Lively makes lingerie, swim and activewear for those who wear them—not their significant other. We talk with founder Michelle Cordeiro Grant about how her vast retail experience at Federated, VF Corp, Victoria’s Secret and Thrillist Media Group informed her digitally-native brand. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
May 15, 201953:12
Retail is Alive: Matthew Scanlan of Naadam

Retail is Alive: Matthew Scanlan of Naadam

#108. Naadam democratizes Mongolia-sourced cashmere. We talk with co-founder Matthew Scanlan about how the digitally-native brand began moving offline in 2016 after seeking the legitimacy that comes with going offline, which led it to open its first permanent store in 2018. Retail is Alive, a podcast by Loose Threads, talks with the founders, executives, designers and builders illuminating the spaces and experiences defining modern retail.
May 08, 201949:03
Baggage (Re)claim — with Charles Gorra of Rebag

Baggage (Re)claim — with Charles Gorra of Rebag

#107. Rebag wants to resell your baggage—just not the emotional kind. We talk with co-founder Charles Gorra about establishing a marketplace for secondhand, designer handbags, entering offline retail and launching a new type of loyalty subscription. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
May 01, 201955:44
Natural Selection — with Hillary Peterson of True Botanicals

Natural Selection — with Hillary Peterson of True Botanicals

#106. True Botanicals is a direct-to-consumer, all-natural skincare brand that puts clinical trials at the forefront of its marketing. We talk with Hillary Peterson, who founded the company to create the cleanest skincare products possible after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The Loose Threads Podcast features in-depth discussions with leaders across the rapidly changing consumer economy.
Apr 24, 201945:53
The Megaphone Podcast: Luke Droulez of Parachute

The Megaphone Podcast: Luke Droulez of Parachute

#105. Inside the marketing journey of Parachute, which makes goods for the home. We talk with CMO Luke Droulez who joined the company as its first hire to discuss scaling with constraints and experimenting with a variety of channels and markets. The Megaphone Podcast features marketers, analysts and advertising professionals navigating the roller coaster ride of building a 21st-century brand.
Apr 17, 201953:45