The art of letting go with Vincent and Andrew Kitirattragarn of Dang Foods
Nov 2, 2023
41:20
auto_awesome Snipd AI
Vincent and Andrew Kitirattragarn, co-founders of Dang Foods, discuss the challenges after their departure, navigating changes in consumer demand, and resources that helped their mental health. They explore the emotional struggle of letting go, winding down the business, seeking therapy, and their plans for the future. They also reflect on their journey, the value of failure, and gratitude for their brand's impact.
Read more
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
auto_awesome
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
Understanding product-market fit and consumer needs is crucial for a successful brand.
Building a well-rounded team and strong operations are essential for supporting a brand's growth and success.
Deep dives
Lessons from Dang Foods
Dang Foods, an Asian-inspired snack food brand, faced challenges during the pandemic that led to difficult decisions. One key lesson learned was the importance of focusing on product-market fit, understanding consumers and their needs. Another lesson was the need for a well-rounded team and strong operations to support a successful brand. Spending too much on marketing and demos too early was identified as a mistake. Overall, the founders emphasized the value of failure and the importance of resilience and learning from setbacks.
The Wind-Down and Finding a Buyer
As Dang Foods encountered financial challenges, the founders worked on winding down the business and searching for a buyer to continue the brand. Despite facing obstacles with fundraising and finding the right fit, they eventually connected with a company that already imported products from Thailand, and it took over the operations and ownership of Dang Foods. The brand is still available in stores, and the founders expressed pride in seeing their product on shelves and the potential for its continued success.
The Emotional Impact and Moving Forward
The founders discussed the emotional toll of winding down the business, feeling a sense of loss, grief, and guilt towards their father, who had invested in the company. They praised the support of family and friends during this challenging time. Andrew, now working as a consultant, found purpose in helping others navigate similar experiences, and Vincent continues to be involved in the new venture, Mila. Both founders expressed openness to future business opportunities, using the lessons learned from Dang Foods and emphasizing the value of authenticity and targeting specific niches.
Reflections and Gratitude
The founders expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share their story on How I Built This and reflected on the impact of the show. They discussed the significance of failures and setbacks in the entrepreneurial journey and the pride they felt seeing other Asian-inspired brands thrive in the market. Ultimately, they acknowledged the highs and lows of their experience with Dang Foods and expressed appreciation for the lasting legacy of their brand.
How does a brand live on after its founders leave the company – especially one that was inspired by their family and their culture? That’s the question Vincent and Andrew Kitirattragarn have had to answer since their original appearance on How I Built This in January 2022.
This week on How I Built This Lab, Vincent and Andrew share their aspirations for Dang Foods after a difficult and heartfelt departure. Plus, how they navigated changes in consumer demand post-pandemic and the resources that helped buoy their mental health in the face of consequential entrepreneurial decisions.
This episode was produced by Carla Esteves with music by Ramtin Arablouei.
It was edited by John Isabella with research by Carla Esteves. Our audio engineer was Neal Rauch.
This episode is brought to you in part by Canva, the easy-to-use online design platform for presentations, social posts, videos, websites, and more. Start designing today at Canva – the home for every brand.