DTC Podcast Ep 513: From Handmade to Nationwide: How Char Charms Scaled Hydration Accessories with Founder Charlotte Trecartin
Jun 2, 2025
Charlotte Trecartin, the founder of Char Charms, shares her incredible journey from crafting handmade drinkware accessories in her college dorm to securing deals with major retailers like Target and Dick's Sporting Goods. She reveals how starting scrappy can be an asset and discusses the role of TikTok and LinkedIn in her brand's rapid growth. Charlotte highlights the challenges of moving from prototypes to mass production and shares her vision for strategic collaborations with big names like Hello Kitty, showcasing innovative marketing strategies for budding entrepreneurs.
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Founder’s Handmade Start in College
- Charlotte started Char Charms inspired by the lack of drinkware accessories during the pandemic.
- She handmade her first prototypes in her college dorm and launched the website in 2021.
DIY Your First Prototype
- Make your first product prototypes yourself to validate the idea before manufacturing.
- Early small-scale sales, like at local gyms, build confidence in your product.
Sales Lessons from Door-to-Door
- Charlotte sold coupon books door-to-door as a gritty, motivating sales job.
- It taught her resilience, internal motivation, and how to handle rejection.