Brand Architects

Bora Celik
  • 5.0 (1)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY
Brand Architects

Bora Celik talks to leaders who build remarkable brands. Presented by collabs.io - building the opportunity economy for creators and brands.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Pioneer to Powerhouse: How Sidra Qasim Led Pakistan's First YC Company & Built Atoms' Cult Following

    Join Bora for an inspiring conversation with Sidra Qasim, co-founder of Atoms, as she shares her remarkable journey from building Pakistan's first Y Combinator company to establishing a thriving direct-to-consumer shoe brand in New York City. In this episode, you'll learn: • The power of "building in public" and how transparency helped Atoms build a 40,000-person waitlist before launch • How constraints can become advantages - learn how Atoms turned their limitation of only having size 10.5 samples into an exclusive testing program • The art of community building - from leveraging Twitter in the early days to collaborating with artists and taste-makers • Strategic insights on transitioning from Pakistani artisans to Korean manufacturing to Vietnamese supply chains • How Atoms pivoted during COVID by launching masks that became popular with Hollywood celebrities • Practical lessons on balancing growth with quality control in DTC brands • Real talk about marketing channels - why organic and email worked while paid acquisition remained challenging • The importance of finding your unique angle - how Atoms positioned themselves at the intersection of art, technology, and storytelling Whether you're just starting your brand or scaling an existing one, Sidra's experience offers valuable insights on building authentic connections with customers, navigating manufacturing challenges, and growing a brand with limited resources. She also shares candid thoughts on what's working in today's DTC landscape and exciting opportunities in personalization and automation for the future of retail brands. This episode is particularly valuable for founders interested in building community-driven brands, those navigating cross-border manufacturing, and entrepreneurs looking to understand how to leverage their unique story and constraints into competitive advantages.

    46 min

  2. 5 DAYS AGO

    From At-Home Spray Tans to 30+ Locations with $1000: How Courtney Claghorn Built SUGARED + BRONZED

    In this episode, Bora chats with Courtney Claghorn, co-founder of SUGARED + BRONZED, who reveals how she transformed a humble apartment-based spray tanning service into a thriving beauty empire with over 30 locations across multiple states. Starting with just $1,000 in initial capital ($500 each from her and her co-founder), Courtney shares the remarkable journey of bootstrapping a business while maintaining a full-time job in fintech. What You'll Learn: - The exact moment Courtney knew she had product-market fit and decided to quit her stable job - How they acquired their first customers using creative marketing techniques and built a loyal client base through referrals - Their strategic approach to location selection and expansion, from a small upstairs space to prime real estate in Union Square, NYC - The power of intuition in real estate decisions, even in the age of data-driven algorithms - Their journey from using third-party products to developing their own product line and the challenges of timing the launch during the pandemic - Practical insights on pricing strategy, including how they identified and filled a market gap in premium beauty services - Marketing evolution across different platforms, from pre-Facebook era to modern digital strategies - Key lessons on scaling a service-based business while maintaining quality and brand consistency Perfect for entrepreneurs who want to understand: - How to validate a business idea while keeping your day job - When and how to make the leap from side hustle to full-time business - Strategic approaches to expanding from one location to multiple markets - The balance between intuition and data in business decision-making - The challenges and opportunities in transitioning from a pure service business to a hybrid service-product model Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale your existing business, Courtney's journey from bootstrapped startup to beauty industry leader offers valuable insights for any entrepreneur's playbook.

    38 min

  3. DEC 13

    From Peace Corps Discovery to Making Moringa Mainstream in America with Lisa Curtis of Kuli Kuli

    In this episode, Bora chats with Lisa Curtis who shares her remarkable journey from discovering Moringa as a Peace Corps volunteer in Niger to transforming it into a mainstream superfood ingredient through her company Kuli Kuli. Here's what brand builders will learn: Key Business Insights: - The strategic path from farmers' markets to national retail presence - Critical lessons in consumer testing and messaging evolution - How to navigate the complex world of food distribution and retail partnerships - Successful fundraising strategies that secured over $11.5 million in investment Essential Brand Building Takeaways: - Converting social impact into market opportunity - Testing and refining product messaging through direct consumer interaction - Building relationships with major retailers like Whole Foods - Leveraging press and partnerships (including collaborations with Jose Andres and the Clinton Foundation) - The reality of scaling from handmade products to national distribution The episode offers invaluable insights into: - Early-stage market validation strategies - The transition from direct-to-consumer to retail distribution - How to position an unknown ingredient in the American market - Building valuable industry relationships and securing strategic partnerships - Managing rapid growth and the associated challenges Lisa also shares her current challenges and exciting plans for 2025, including major retail expansions into Kroger, Target, and Walmart, offering listeners a real-time look at scaling a CPG brand. Whether you're launching a food brand or building any consumer product company, this episode provides actionable insights from someone who built a successful brand from scratch.

    39 min

  4. DEC 6

    From Oscar de la Renta to Mi Golondrina: How Cristina Lynch Built a Mexican-Inspired Fashion Brand

    In this episode, Bora chats with Cristina Lynch, who shares her remarkable journey of building Mi Golondrina, a luxury fashion brand that bridges Mexican artisanal craftsmanship with modern fashion. As a former Oscar de la Renta sales executive, Cristina reveals how she transformed her $20,000 investment into a thriving business working with over 850 artisans across Mexico. For brand builders and entrepreneurs, this episode is packed with invaluable insights: • Learn how to bootstrap a luxury brand from scratch and maintain 100% ownership while scaling • Discover the power of authentic storytelling and community building in brand development • Understand how to balance artisanal production with modern business demands • Get practical insights on launching a brand with limited resources (including DIY marketing techniques) • See how cultural heritage can become a unique selling proposition • Master the art of combining social impact with profitable business • Understand the evolving landscape of influencer marketing and authentic partnerships Cristina shares candid details about her early days - from setting up DIY photoshoots with a tripod to hosting home pop-ups - and reveals how she built a loyal customer base through word-of-mouth marketing. She also discusses how she navigates the challenges of slow fashion in a fast-paced market and offers insights into maintaining product quality while scaling operations. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur looking to connect your business with your cultural roots, or an established brand builder seeking to understand the power of authentic storytelling, this episode offers a masterclass in building a purpose-driven luxury brand.

    32 min

  5. DEC 4

    How Taylor Johnson Cracked Social Commerce Before It Had a Name with Hazel and Olive

    In this episode, Bora sits down with Taylor Johnson, founder of Hazel and Olive, who unknowingly pioneered social commerce in 2012 when Facebook was just a social network with no shopping features. Starting with six sweaters and a blurry phone photo, Taylor recognized patterns in social behavior that would later become the foundation of modern social shopping. In this episode, you'll learn: - How Taylor identified social shopping behaviors on Facebook before formal commerce features existed - The story behind the viral "Thursday 7PM" drops that repeatedly crashed their servers - Her evolution from posting products on Facebook to launching 10-20 new styles daily - Building strategic wholesale relationships that enabled first access to trending styles - Managing viral moments, including becoming the #1 trending search for Taylor Swift concert outfits - How she maintained customer loyalty through the evolution of social platforms - Practical insights into scaling operations from a one-woman show to a sophisticated daily launch machine - The future of social commerce and lessons for modern brand builders Whether you're building a brand or fascinated by the evolution of social commerce, Taylor's story offers rare insights into recognizing and capitalizing on emerging consumer behaviors before they become mainstream trends.

    29 min

  6. DEC 3

    How One Perfect T-Shirt Grew Into a 25-Year Fashion Success Story w/ Pauline Nakios of Lilla P

    In this episode, Bora sits down with Pauline Nakios, founder of Lilla P, who shares her remarkable 25-year journey from selling a single t-shirt design to building a successful fashion brand. She reveals the nitty-gritty details of starting and scaling a clothing business, offering invaluable insights for aspiring brand builders. What you'll learn in this episode: • The reality of starting with minimal capital ($10,000 in 1998) and how to make it work • Navigating manufacturing challenges, including minimum order quantities and factory relationships • The art of cold calling and building relationships with boutiques and retailers • How to balance wholesale (75%) and direct-to-consumer (25%) channels effectively • The evolution of marketing strategies from traditional methods to modern digital approaches • Managing seasonal collections and inventory across multiple delivery windows • The importance of staying true to your brand identity while adapting to trends • Practical insights on working with sales representatives and expanding territorial coverage • Current challenges in the fashion industry, including tariff impacts and production sourcing • The role of AI in modern fashion business operations Key highlights include Pauline's candid discussion of early mistakes (like not knowing stores bought seasons in advance), the importance of building genuine relationships with retailers, and how she maintained brand consistency while expanding from a single t-shirt to a full collection. She also shares valuable perspectives on modern challenges like balancing wholesale and DTC channels, and adapting to changing marketing landscapes. Whether you're starting a fashion brand or building any consumer product business, this episode offers a masterclass in sustainable brand building, relationship-based sales, and long-term business growth.

    47 min

  7. NOV 27

    How a Mom Decoded Baby Gut Health with Cheryl Sew Hoy of Tiny Health

    In this episode, Bora chats with Cheryl Sew Hoy, founder and CEO of Tiny Health. She shares her remarkable journey from serial entrepreneur to pioneering force in the tech-bio space. After experiencing drastically different health outcomes with her two children—one born via C-section and another through natural birth—Cheryl discovered the critical role of the gut microbiome in early childhood development. This personal revelation led her to build Tiny Health, a company now revolutionizing how we understand and address gut health across all ages and lifestyles. What you'll learn: - The evolution of a personal health discovery into a groundbreaking tech-bio company - How to validate a business idea in the complex intersection of technology and biology - Strategic approaches to building credibility in a scientific field as a non-scientist founder - Practical insights on efficient marketing strategies, from Google Ads to influencer partnerships - Real tactics for managing customer acquisition costs and scaling sustainably - The journey from a baby-focused brand to a comprehensive tech-bio platform serving multiple markets For brand builders, this episode offers invaluable lessons on: - Building trust and credibility in a scientific field without formal scientific credentials - Converting personal experience into a viable tech-bio solution - Strategic community building and influence marketing with authentic storytelling - Balancing multiple business models (D2C, B2B, and scientific research) under one brand - Smart resource allocation and growth management in early-stage startups Whether you're interested in health tech, tech-bio innovations, or scaling a science-based startup, Cheryl's journey provides a masterclass in building a mission-driven company that bridges personal experience with market opportunity.

    50 min

  8. NOV 26

    From President of Kiehl's to Founder: Chris Salgardo on Building ATWATER Skincare from Scratch

    In this episode, Bora sits down with Chris Salgardo, former President of Kiehl's and founder of ATWATER Skincare, shares raw insights about transitioning from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship. With 18 years at L'Oreal and having built Kiehl's into a powerhouse brand, Chris reveals why even his impressive background didn't make starting ATWATER a smooth journey. Key insights you'll learn: - Why relationships and industry experience, while valuable, aren't enough to guarantee success in today's market - The unexpected challenges of self-funding vs. raising capital, and crucial financial lessons learned the hard way - How to develop a distinctive brand identity: from choosing colors with meaning to creating authentic storytelling - Why DTC is no longer the cash cow it used to be, and how the beauty retail landscape is shifting towards Amazon - The truth about influencer marketing: why one post doesn't work and how to really get the 15+ touchpoints needed for conversion - Surprising insight: 16% of ATWATER's customers are women, revealing important lessons about cross-gender marketing - Critical advice on sustainable business practices and why they're no longer optional in 2024 Perfect for entrepreneurs, brand builders, and anyone interested in the beauty industry's evolution. Chris shares candid stories about expensive mistakes, humbling moments, and the realities of building a brand in today's competitive landscape. Whether you're just starting out or scaling your existing brand, this episode offers practical wisdom from someone who's seen both sides of the business.

    51 min
See All (39)

About

Bora Celik talks to leaders who build remarkable brands. Presented by collabs.io - building the opportunity economy for creators and brands.

Information

  • Creator
    Bora Celik
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Bora Celik
  • Show Website
    Brand Architects

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada