Earned: Unlocking the Power of the Creator Economy

In Episode 122 of Earned, Conor sits down with Taylor Frankel, Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Nudestix. To start, we dive into the founding story of Nudestix. Back in 2014, at the young age of 17, Taylor launched the brand in collaboration with her mother (Jenny Frankel) and sister (Ally Frankel) back in 2014. With a desire to create a product for those wanting “just enough” to feel more put together, the mother-daughter trio was armed with Jenny’s experience at beauty brand CoverFX. With Nudestix’s EMV surging 99% over the last four months, we learn about the data-driven strategy behind the brand’s growth—and Nudestix has utilized CreatorIQ to achieve this momentum. Next, we explore how Nudestix views relationship-building with creators, and how being community-driven has gotten the brand to where it is today. Taylor speaks to her personal goals as a founder, and how even as a public face of the company, she still finds balance when it comes to sharing her content. By enforcing boundaries, Taylor has built and maintained her own following, sharing some of the day-to-day tasks she performs as a founder and what it takes to build a business. We then learn about how Nudestix formed partnerships with high-profile celebrities such as Hillary Duff and Sophia Ritchie Grange, and how these partners truly immersed themselves in the success of the business. Between the virality of Sophia’s wedding and the collaboration that Hillary inspired, Taylor praises both partners for their investment in the brand from the start. Taylor then lets us in on Nudestix’s entry strategy for the skincare and bodycare categories, which includes making sure that each line has its individualized moment. To close the show, Taylor and Conor chat about their email inbox numbers, and the goal to have it at zero each day—which reminds me…. In this episode, you’ll learn:  1. How embracing viral moments can catalyze long-term brand growth and deeper community engagement. 2. How Nudestix leverages their social media community to drive product innovation and maintain a dialogue with consumers, reinforcing trust and loyalty. 3. The balance of personal branding and privacy with Taylor's candid discussion on the intersection of the founders' identity with the brand narrative in the digital age.   Resources: NUDESTIX - https://www.nudestix.com/   Connect with the Guest: Taylor’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-frankel-0ab0b5102/?originalSubdomain=ca   Connect with Conor Begley & CreatorIQ: Conor’s LinkedIn - @conormbegley CreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriq   Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - @TribeDynamics CreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriq CreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iq CreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ   Timestamps: [5:31] Challenges Taylor faced in the initial stages of NUDESTIX [15:02] The viral wedding look and revenue growth [20:00] What led NUDESTIX into skincare [25:03] How Taylor balances her personal and professional lives [30:01] Strategies NUDESTIX employs to build and maintain trust within their community  

In Ep. 121 of Earned, Conor sits down with Chris Ruder, CEO of Spikeball—the world’s largest supplier of roundnet equipment. To start, we dive into the background of Spikeball, which originally launched in 1989, before learning how Chris revived the name in 2004. With his original job being a sales position at Microsoft, Chris shares that he had no idea what steps to take, but that inspiration struck after seeing the game on a family vacation. Next, we explore the journey of building up to the re-launch, and how Chris was able to use his resources to create the product we know as Spikeball. Chris speaks to how he balanced running the Spikeball brand while simultaneously working his corporate job, and claims that the energizing work he did on Spikeball was what kept him going. We discuss what Chris loved about having the autonomy to build a consumer-forward brand, and how it led to feeling fulfilled in his career. By following the community of Spikeball players and monitoring what they’re asking for, Chris empowered a group of avid-roundnet players into a loyal fanbase itching to participate in tournaments. We then learn how Spikeball has maintained its focus on its competitive community while also maintaining the balance of making “at-home players” feel valued. Between the way Spikeball motivates its customer service to treat players as friends, the ‘Spikeballer of the week newsletter,’ and its social media strategy, Spikeball is always chasing the idea of being fully human. To close the show, Chris shares his own level of skill at the game, and how much he admires those who dedicate themselves to the craft.    In this episode, you will learn:  The importance of balancing engagement between niche communities and broader markets.  The power of humanizing your brand by blending humor and relatability to foster strong customer connections. The value of community investment and how Chris's distribution of free Spikeball sets led to both grassroots growth and brand loyalty. Resources: Spikeball - https://spikeball.com/   Connect with the Guest: Chris’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisruder/   Connect with Conor Begley & CreatorIQ: Conor’s LinkedIn - @conormbegley CreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriq   Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - @TribeDynamics CreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriq CreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iq CreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ   Timestamps: [4:01] How Chris initially approached marketing and distribution for Spikeball [14:46] How Chris balanced the needs of competitive players with those who play Spikeball casually [25:01] How Spikeball infiltrated niche groups, like Christian youth organizations [35:31] The importance of brand protection and becoming a proprietary eponym  

For Ep. 120 of Earned, we decided to spice things up. Conor sits down with Alex Rawitz, CreatorIQ’s own Director of Research & Insights, and author of the renowned newsletter, “How to Build Brands and Influence People.” Conor puts Alex in the hot seat by tackling the famed Hot Ones challenge, wherein they both eat progressively spicier chicken wings throughout the interview. To start the show, we dive into Alex’s background, and learn why the New York native turned Stanford graduate decided to join a little-known influencer marketing tech company called Tribe Dynamics back in 2016. The pair reminisce about what it was like to be in the center of a then-nascent industry, and how it’s since turned into a thriving creator economy. We take a step back and explore Alex’s passion for reading, and learn more about how he uses writing as a way of processing the world around him. Next, we talk HBBIP: what it is, why it started, and why it’s been so successful since its launch. Alex berates Conor for not finishing his chicken wings, then shares the tried-and-true strategies and patterns he’s observed among successful brands over his last eight years researching the industry. We hear about the latest brands that are doing influencer marketing right—from Raising Cane’s to Balenciaga—before unpacking the evolution of the influencer marketing space since Alex first joined in 2016. To close the show, Alex shares his predictions for the future of the creator economy, then tries the hottest wing in the lineup—The Last Dab—as he unveils a special announcement. In this episode, you will learn:  How the influencer marketing space has evolved since Alex joined the industry in 2016, and where he thinks its headed next. Alex's process for researching and writing his "How to Build Brands and Influence People" newsletter (and why we're turning it into his own podcast!). Who has the higher spice tolerance: Conor or Alex. If you'd prefer to watch this interview, check out the interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6kdo_Je90nM  Resources: "How to Build Brands and Influence People" Newsletter - https://www.creatoriq.com/newsletter-sign-up   Connect with the Guest: Alex’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-rawitz-1a8353b2/  Connect with Conor Begley & CreatorIQ: Conor’s LinkedIn - @conormbegley CreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriq Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - @TribeDynamics CreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriq CreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iq CreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ

In this episode, Kyle Leahy, CEO of Glossier, shares insights into the brand's rapid growth strategy, the importance of their female executive team, and their approach to engaging with creators on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. We also learn about Glossier's transition to retail, the significance of speed and focus in business, and the blend of art and science for brand success.

In Ep. 118 of Earned, Conor sits down with Cassandra Thurswell, founder and CEO of Instagram’s favorite haircare brand, Kitsch. (Use code “EARNED20” at checkout for 20% off Kitsch products!) We start by hearing Cassandra’s journey to launching Kitsch, including the sacrifices she had to make to fund the business. Cassandra explains how building the brand was like “building the plane in the air,” and why she listened to her customers’ feedback to continue to improve her products. Next, we learn Kitsch’s strategies for entering the retail space, starting with specialty stores before launching in Ulta. Cassandra emphasizes how the product should be able to sell itself on the shelf with educational, tactile, and aesthetic packaging. We then hear how the pandemic forced Kitsch to build up its digital channels and communities, before unpacking the factors behind the brand’s 2023 surge in EMV. Cassandra shares the success of Kitsch’s expansive product line, which helps consumers throughout their entire day, and how the brand’s licensing collaborations have helped Kitsch reach a new audience through common interests, like Harry Potter. We dig into Kitsch’s thriving Facebook community of over 40k members, and hear why the platform has been so valuable in connecting with the brand’s passionate fans. To close the show, Cassandra reveals why she was born to be an entrepreneur, and how she deals with the pressures of having to have great hair. In this episode, you will learn:  The importance of listening to customer feedback when building out your brand. Kitsch's strategies for successfully entering the retail space. How thoughtful licensing collaborations have helped Kitsch reach a new audience through common interests. Resources: Kitsch - https://www.mykitsch.com/  (Use code "EARNED20" at checkout for 20% off Kitsch products!) Connect with the Guest: Cassandra’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassandra-thurswell/ Connect with Conor Begley & CreatorIQ: Conor’s LinkedIn - @conormbegley CreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriq Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - @TribeDynamics CreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriq CreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iq CreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ

In Ep. 117 of Earned, Conor sits down with Taylor Lorenz, Technology Columnist at The Washington Post, and author of “Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and Power on the Internet.” We start the episode with an excerpt from Taylor’s recent essay in Marie Claire, and hear how she deals with the hate and harassment that runs rampant on the internet. Taylor explains what attracted her to journalism and why she’s a “techno-optimist,” before sharing which indie social platforms she’s into. Next, Conor asks Taylor how social media platforms could have a more positive impact on society, and Taylor shares why she believes more in data privacy than regulation. We switch gears and learn about Taylor’s career in journalism, diving into her experiences writing for The Atlantic and The New York Times before joining The Post. Taylor reveals why she believes more journalists should get out of the traditional media structure and build up their own independent, personal brands, before sharing her thoughts on how AI will impact the publishing industry. We then talk about Taylor’s experience as a creator in her own right, and how she grew her own large following by breaking impactful stories. To close the show, we hear about the genesis of Taylor’s book, and what she learned during the writing process, before she reveals the biggest misconception people have about her.   Resources: The Washington Post - https://www.washingtonpost.com/  Connect with the Guest: Taylor’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylorlorenz/  Connect with Conor Begley & CreatorIQ: Conor’s LinkedIn - @conormbegley CreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriq Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - @TribeDynamics CreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriq CreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iq CreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ

In our 116th episode of Earned, Conor sits down with Lucia Ruehlemann, President of Saie—a clean makeup brand that prioritizes superhero ingredients and high-performance outcomes, all while maintaining sustainable packaging and products. To start, we dive into Lucia’s decade of experience building successful indie brands such as Fresh and Drunk Elephant. Unlocking what makes Lucia who she is, we learn how she balances her family of six, and finds joy through the evolving situation that she calls “controlled chaos.” Lucia credits her children with reverse mentoring her, and shares insights on what’s culturally relevant to younger generations. Next, we explore how Lucia brings the same idea—creating love beyond reason—from her family to the brand she’s working on. Lucia shares with us how her family has processed the tragic loss of her eldest son, Jeremy, and turned it into core lessons that can be applied to everyone’s lives. While unpacking Lucia’s personal relationships, she shares that you’re “in it together” with the people you work with, and that having deep respect and admiration can help people through tough times and conversations. We learn about how the beauty industry is relationship-based, and how mission-critical it can be to chase core business, rather than viral moments. By tapping into creators who have a genuine love and affinity for your brand, Lucia emphasizes that these are the individuals who can truly share your brand story. Lucia then describes her experience working at powerhouse beauty conglomerates LVMH and Estée Lauder, which she characterizes as best in class, and shares how they equipped her with an edge that allowed her to be more effective at indie brands. To close the show, Lucia shares her goals of learning to live well, re-focusing on gratitude and mindfulness, and staying playful.  In this episode, you will learn:  How naturally building brand love and advocacy can set the stage for organic viral marketing moments. Why maintaining a product-first approach in marketing, coupled with creative and intimate gifting strategies, can lead to success. How genuine relationships with retailers like Sephora can enhance collaboration throughout the brand building process.  Resources: SAIE - https://saiehello.com/ Connect with the Guest: Lucia’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucia-lucy-perdomo-ruehlemann-4273397/ Connect with Conor Begley & CreatorIQ: Conor’s LinkedIn - @conormbegley CreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriq Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - @TribeDynamics CreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriq CreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iq CreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ  

In our 115th episode of Earned, Conor sits down with Rea Ann Silva, Founder and CEO of Beautyblender—the egg-shaped sponge that took the makeup industry by storm. To start, we dive into the creation of Beautyblender, and Rea Ann’s journey along the way. Rea Ann explains that by cultivating her love of dreaming big, she was introduced to new things, people, and experiences that shaped her life into what it is today. Rea Ann’s time in Hollywood production honed her desire to be a makeup artist, and with the assistance of superstars early on in their careers, Rea Ann’s celebrity makeup artist career took off with no end in sight. Rea Ann reveals that the majority of her lessons have been learned through catastrophes—like the one she experienced when trying to recreate airbrushed makeup without the airbrushing machine. We explore how Rea Ann’s fellow celebrity makeup artist, Kelsey Frye, gave her insights into “on set” procedures, which led to the creation of the iconic sponge. Rea Ann explains that even though the Beautyblender is well known and well loved, there were still growing pains as she evolved from being a “creative at her core” to becoming a business owner. While unpacking Rea Ann’s journey to becoming the successful business woman she is today, we learn that managing people was the trickiest part for her to master. Rea Ann explains the double-edged sword that is owning the business all on her own, as well as her thoughts on celebrity-founded beauty brands. Rea Ann emphasizes that in the beginning of the founding journey, every decision matters, and that a lack of passion can be a roadmap to failure. To close the show, Rea Ann speaks about her goal of Beautyblender eventually becoming a heritage business—with someone in her family taking the reins!   In this episode, you will learn:  How leveraging personal skills and relationships can transform a practical solution into a successful business. How to turn "catastrophes" into valuable learnings that empower you to make better decisions in the future. Why creating a product that satisfies a distinct need in the market can lead to organic growth and endorsement by top industry influencers. Resources: Beautyblender - www.beautyblender.com Connect with the Guest: Rea Ann’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reaannsilva/ Connect with Conor Begley & CreatorIQ: Conor’s LinkedIn - @conormbegley CreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriq Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - @TribeDynamics CreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriq CreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iq CreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ  

In Ep. 114 of Earned, Conor sits down with Ahmet Mercan, the CEO of Red Bull’s premium fashion line AlphaTauri. First, we dive into why the beverage brand decided to foray into fashion, and hear how innovation is the throughline across the Red Bull family of brands. Ahmet details his experience building the AlphaTauri brand from the ground up, and shares why he believes the brand has been successful amid a challenging market. Ahmet explains why, despite AlphaTauri’s impressive accomplishments over the last few years, he never lets his team get complacent, and constantly encourages them to push the boundaries of innovation. We then switch gears to the world of F1 racing, and discuss how AlphaTauri’s involvement in F1 helped fast-track the brand’s growth, as well as how AlphaTauri overcame the challenge of being known as a racing brand rather than a fashion brand by hosting memorable brand activations. Next, explore the differences of marketing a luxury brand, before learning how technology plays a major role in AlphaTauri’s product development. To close the show, Ahmet shares the challenges and opportunities that have come with expanding the European brand’s footprint into the U.S. market. In this episode, you will learn:  The strategies and challenges of launching a premium fashion brand within a well-known beverage company (Red Bull). The differences of marketing a luxury fashion brand compared to brands with lower price points, and the importance of adopting a customer-centric approach. How AlphaTauri prioritizes innovation and leverages technology in its product development. Resources: AlphaTauri - https://alphatauri.com/en-int/ Connect with the Guest: Ahmet’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmet-mercan-805301160/ Connect with Conor Begley & CreatorIQ: Conor’s LinkedIn - @conormbegley CreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriq Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - @TribeDynamics CreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriq CreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iq CreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ

In Episode 113 of Earned, we sit down with Sarah Gibson Tuttle, the Founder and CEO of Olive & June—the industry leader holding the No. 1 spot in the nail category. To start, we dive into the overall journey of Olive & June, with Sarah explaining how she got her inspiration for the original business model from Drybar, the premium blow-out hair salon. To reach the full potential for what Olive & June could do, Sarah reveals that her goal was an affordable and accessible salon manicure in whatever time the customer had to spend. Next, we explore how the brand navigated the pandemic and pivoted into becoming a product-driven company. Sarah explains how mindful the team at Olive & June is about holding their consumers in the highest regard, and keeping their focus on delivering the right product to the right market at the right price. While unpacking her 10 year finance career, Sarah shares that she’s a firm believer in the idea that you only get to live your life once, and then imparts the wisdom to dig deep and make a change when you know something isn’t right, or could be better. We learn about Olive & June’s approach to the influencer space, and how the brand’s goal is to solve consumer pain points, which leads to a philosophy of only launching products that fulfill actual customer needs. Sarah emphasizes that today’s beauty consumer wants REAL recommendations from real people, which is why creating stellar products is key to success. In her own publishing journey, Sarah prides herself on being very authentic—showing her audience that relationships aren’t always transactional, while still protecting her own boundaries. To close the show, Sarah speaks to her goals of eventually taking a more active role in investing in other female-founded brands, which she hopes will break down barriers for women to come. In this episode, you will learn:  The value of creating durable, long-lasting products and knowing your consumer. How understanding consumer behaviors and creating intentional distribution strategies can help you become the top-performing brand in major retailers. The balance of authenticity and privacy in influencer marketing, and how leading with product quality can foster genuine connections with your consumers. Resources: Olive & June - https://oliveandjune.com/ Connect with the Guest: Sarah’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gibsontuttle/ Connect with Conor Begley & CreatorIQ: Conor’s LinkedIn - @conormbegley CreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriq Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - @TribeDynamics CreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriq CreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iq CreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ