Final Boss Sour’s James Hicks + River’s Rae Lambert | E1993
This Week in Startups
Innovative Strategies in Candy and Community
This chapter explores a unique candy brand that merges gaming with consumer experience through QR code integration and viral concepts. It also examines the CEO's efforts to enhance community connections in digital spaces by facilitating meaningful, purpose-driven meetups.
Todays show:
Jason sits down with James Hicks to discuss the unique aspects of Final Boss Sour's products and marketing (3:25), the future of commerce, influencers, and retailers' adaptations (23:12), followed by a discussion with Rae Lambert about River's software platform and community management best practices (46:16), high-end memberships, landing lighthouse customers, and influencer engagement (1:04:35) .
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Timestamps:
(0:00) Jason kicks off today’s show with guests James Hicks and Rae Lambert.
(3:25) Discussing the appeal and unique aspects of Final Boss Sour's products
(7:25) Better-for-you products and social media strategies
(9:40) .Tech Domains - Apply for the Jam Session with JCal contest today at https://jamwithjcal.tech
(10:50) Potential of TikTok for social shopping and influencer monetization
(21:04) DevSquad - Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at http://devsquad.com/twist
(23:12) Future of commerce, influencers, and retailers' adaptations
(30:00) Video game tie-ins and product development logistics
(37:22) Experiential retail and pop-up concepts
(38:36) Washington Post - TWiST listeners can subscribe for just 50 cents per week for your first year at https://www.washingtonpost.com/twist
(40:04) Ray Lambert and community building with River
(46:16) River's software platform and community management best practices
(52:16) Business models, monetization strategies, and paid events
(1:00:00) Community roles, expansion and engaging with fans
(1:03:19) Audience questions, community engagement insights, and hiring attempts
(1:04:35) High-end memberships, landing lighthouse customers, and influencer engagement
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Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com/
Check out the TWIST500: https://twist500.com
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Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp
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Check out Final Boss Sour: https://finalbosssour.com/
Check out Final Boss Sour TikTok Shop: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/tiktok-shop-final-boss
Check out Science: https://www.science-inc.com/
Check out River: https://www.getriver.io/
Check out Rae’s blog: https://www.raelambert.com/
Check our Founder Fridays: https://www.founderfridays.tech/
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Follow James:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-hicks-43957512/
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Follow Rae:
X: https://x.com/raechellambert
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raechel-lambert/
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Follow Jason:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis
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Thank you to our partners:
(9:40) .Tech Domains - Apply for the Jam Session with JCal contest today at https://jamwithjcal.tech
(21:04) DevSquad - Get an entire product team for the cost of one US developer plus 10% off at http://devsquad.com/twist
(38:36) Washington Post - TWiST listeners can subscribe for just 50 cents per week for your first year at https://www.washingtonpost.com/twist
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Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland
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Check out Jason’s suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups
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Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com
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