773 Courtney Toll: Co-Founder & CEO of Nori

Dec 3, 2025

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On today’s episode, Kara welcomes Courtney Toll, Co-Founder and CEO of Nori — the fast-growing brand reinventing how we care for our clothes and one of the most exciting consumer innovation stories unfolding right now. What started as a clever workaround between two college roommates ironing their clothes with a hair straightener has grown into a next-generation steam iron brand used by millions, proving that even the most overlooked categories are ripe for reinvention. Courtney has helped lead Nori to eight-figure revenue in under three years, raised nearly $8M, and built a design-forward hardware company in a space many founders shy away from.
In this episode, Courtney shares what it really takes to build a modern hardware brand from scratch — from early prototyping hurdles to navigating the intense realities of supply chain, cash flow, and rapid consumer adoption. She opens up about the near-catastrophic 145% tariff announcement that threatened to derail Nori’s nationwide Target launch and wipe out more than $5M in forecasted revenue, and how she and her team stayed scrappy, decisive, and resilient through a moment that could have broken most companies. Packed with insights on leadership, innovation, problem-solving under pressure, and scaling in unpredictable markets, Courtney’s story is a masterclass in grit, adaptability, and creating momentum where others see obstacles.

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To learn more about Courtney Toll and Nori:
https://www.instagram.com/nori/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/nori-co/
https://www.instagram.com/courtneytoll/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneytoll/
https://www.nori.co