Kip Tindell and Sharon Tindell, co-founders of The Container Store, discuss their journey from skeptics to industry pioneers in home organization. They share how the idea of selling empty boxes transformed into a retail sensation despite initial doubts. The couple reflects on challenges with growth, the pitfalls of going public, and the effects of online competition. Insights about their partnership and a notable collaboration with Marie Kondo showcase their dedication to promoting organization as a means to enhance daily life.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Early Skepticism
Kip Tindell's father questioned the viability of selling empty boxes, highlighting the initial skepticism surrounding The Container Store's concept.
This anecdote underscores the challenge of explaining a novel business idea before its tangible realization.
insights INSIGHT
From Furniture to Function
Kip and Garrett Boone initially considered opening a furniture store but found the environment too slow and unexciting.
This led them to explore housewares and the then-untapped market of consumer organization products.
question_answer ANECDOTE
The Storage Landscape of the 70s
In the late 1970s, readily available storage solutions were limited, with no widespread retail options for cardboard boxes or durable plastic bins.
People often resorted to repurposing commercial items or using steamer trunks for storage.
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When Kip Tindell co-founded The Container Store in 1978, people laughed at him for wanting to sell empty boxes. But Kip and his partners had identified a clear problem—the tyranny of household clutter—and a new category of solutions: metal crates, stackable wicker baskets, sleek lucite canisters. The Container Store’s promise of affordable organization made it an instant hit, and Kip’s wife Sharon soon joined the partnership. Decades later, as online shopping took off, the business faltered; and in 2013, when The Container Store went public, Kip and Sharon came to regret it.
This episode was produced by J.C. Howard, with music by Ramtin Arablouei
Edited by Neva Grant, with research help from Sam Paulson.
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