The Mentor Files

Listen in as Simon Huck talks about what inspired JUDY, how his previous PR business helped him with his new one, and what it takes to be an entrepreneur. "60% of American families have no emergency plan in place at all." - Simon Huck. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/84

Like many of us, Rachel Drori was trying to fit healthy, nutritious meals into her busy life...but was frustrated by the lack of options. In 2015, Rachel decided to take matters into her own hands: She founded Daily Harvest, a direct-to-consumer brand blending health and innovation to send delicious superfoods straight to your freezer so you can prepare and enjoy them at your convenience. The busi...

Listen in as Josh talks about aligning your goals and visions with your team, from your advisory board, to your company, and to your investors. "There was no master vision or strategy ten years ago." - Josh Goldin. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/83

Listen in to learn how Amanda Zuckerman cofounded Dormify with her mom, the unfair advantages this gave her, and what she learned along the way. "Energy and networking is a huge part of my success." - Amanda Zuckerman. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/82

Listen in as Alexa talks about the secret to keeping a good work life balance as an entrepreneur, and how she became the serial entrepreneur she is today. "Inspired Capital helps pay it forward to entrepreneurs who want to build great things in the future." - Alexa Von Tobel. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/81

Listen in to learn how Lauren Bush Lauren started FEED and worked with multiple different partners to help fight against world hunger and poverty. "With all these amazing results from school feeding, how can I build something that will support that?" - Lauren Bush Lauren. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/80

Listen in the learn how Sarah Jones Simmer has created and sustained such an incredible culture both in the Bumble team and in their customer base. "We're showing what is possible for a company that puts women in the driver's seat and puts kindness as a core value." - Sarah Jones Simmer. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.bl...

Listen in to learn how Miyoko went from nothing to an in-demand business in less than 6 months, and how she has transformed through her business career. "I don't do all this market research and figure out how to do it right, I just start doing things, and that's how I've done everything in my life." - Miyoko Schinner. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with...

Listen in to learn how Jens Grede and his cofounder found success in FRAME through their partnership, and what Erik calls the sixth sense of consumers. "It really went from idea to being in New York selling the line." - Jens Grede. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/77

On today's episode, Shan-Lyn goes through how she started Zola, from the inspiration behind the idea to the implementation and fundraising for the business. "Now we're really focused not just continually improving and innovating in wedding registries, but also in how we can serve couples throughout their entire wedding planning journey." - Shan-Lyn Ma. Learn more about this epi...

In 2015, Jen Rubio was traveling back from a trip to Switzerland when her luggage broke in the middle of a crowded airport, sending her clothes and belongings everywhere. As she looked for a replacement she couldn't find the kind of iconic, high-quality, affordable luggage she was looking for. Jen called up her friend Steph Korey - the two met in 2011 at Warby Parker back when they had only t...

Today's guest is one of the most sought after e-commerce investors in the country: Kirsten Green. Kirsten is the founder of Forerunner Ventures, and made early investments in companies like Birchbox, Glossier, Outdoor Voices and Bonobos. Plus, she was the only one to invest in two of the biggest e-commerce sites of the past few years: Jet.com and Dollar Shave Club. This year Kirsten was named...

As a professional soccer player, Tim Brown was used to receiving and trying out lots of free shoes. Somewhere along the line, he started to notice that all sports shoes were beginning to look the same. So, with that in mind, he set out to make his own. Tim grew up in New Zealand and was familiar with the great qualities of wool - it's not only good for minimizing odor but also for regulating...

For the first episode, I’m interviewing one of my favorite humans on earth: My brother Andy Dunn. The offspring of an immigrant mother who bucked tradition to marry our dad (he is not Indian, like our mother), we grew up feeling different from the other kids. This difference was our common bond and it made us that much closer. Andy founded Bonobos in 2007 with the goal of providing men with better...

Learn how Daniella Yacobovsky carefully selected her team, got more out of her education than most, and why she thinks BaubleBar has become so successful. "A lot of times the challenges that could test a friendship really are different than the challenges you'll face as business partners." - Daniella Yacobovsky. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at...

Learn how David Heath and his team innovated on a clothing staple, the unfair advantages he had as an entrepreneur, and how he built his team at Bombas. "You should never lose the humility that it can all turn around in a moment." - David Heath. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/76

Listen in to learn how Bianca started Birdies, what she has learned from her time as CEO, and how radical candor has changed her business for the better. "I've always been obsessed with finding a comfortable solution for the entertaining space of the home." - Bianca Gates. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/75

When Heidi Zak couldn’t find a quality bra that fit her right and looked great, she realized there was a hole in the market and ThirdLove was born. The data-driven bra company now offers 15 styles in 59 different sizes (they’re the only company to offer half cup sizes!) and provides a “try before you buy” model that encourages women to try the product on in the comfort of their own homes. On this...

Listen in to learn how Sarah Flint made the transition from wholesale to DTC, how she broke into the luxury shoe industry, and how she developed her team. "There was this huge space in the market for shoes where women wouldn't have to choose between fashion and the functional features that they wanted." - Sarah Flint. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Roy...

Learn how Vicki Fulop grew Brooklinen into what it is today so quickly, how she and the company have changed, and how she has kept a good work life balance. "We kind of just fell into working together, but thought we like being together, we have complimentary skills, we trust each other, so why not do this together?" - Vicki Fulop. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with M...

Listen in to learn why Katie Warner Johnson believes female CEO's are overmentored and undersponsored, and how Carbon38 is helping to change that. "We've in a way formed a sisterhood of traveling spandex." - Katie Warner Johnson. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/72

Learn how Nicole Quinn works with a small amount of companies per year to really thrive in their market, and what separates the good from the great. "I realized that what I was really passionate about was angel investing. I found myself running out of the office as soon as the market closed to go do angel investing." - Nicole Quinn. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with...

Listen in to learn how Afton Vechery serves her customers, how she decided on her funding strategy, and what she sees for the future of Modern Fertility. "We really started the company as a fertility information company. We felt that the conversation around fertility was very reactive as opposed to proactive." - Afton Vechery. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica...

Learn how Daniella Yacobovsky carefully selected her team, got more out of her education than most, and why she thinks BaubleBar has become so successful. "A lot of times the challenges that could test a friendship really are different than the challenges you'll face as business partners." - Daniella Yacobovsky. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at...

Listen in to today's episode to learn how authenticity drives all of Gray Malin's decisions, the value he sees in collaboration, and the evolution of him and his business. "I have traveled the world to bring my wildest visions to life." - Gray Malin. Learn more about this episode of The Mentor Files with Monica Royer at www.monicaandandy.blog/68