Irene Chen and Matthew Grenby are the co-founders of Parker Thatch, a luxury handbag and accessories brand they bootstrapped to 8-figures over the course of 20 years. Matt’s expertise spans tech, design, and marketing, while Irene brings deep fashion industry knowledge from working with powerhouse brands like Donna Karan and Calvin Klein.In this episode of DTC Pod, Matt and Irene share how they navigated the shift from an e-stationery startup to eventually finding product-market fit with their signature luxury bags. They discuss key lessons learned in bootstrapping—the importance of market timing, how to manage inventory risks, and why flexibility and systems are critical when growing a brand.Interact with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Founding and Evolution of Parker Thatch2. Initial Business Concepts and Pivots3. Strategies for Managing and Allocating Inventory4. Importance of Flexibility in Business Operations5. Bootstrapping and Capital Allocation6. Building Systems for Scalability7. Marketing and Demand Generation Strategies8. Community and Customer EngagementTimestamps00:00 Matt and Irene's backgrounds before Parker Thatch 06:55 Starting an e-stationery business in 200007:43 Pivoting to selling physical stationery and home goods 9:00 Lessons on market timing and pivoting when starting a business11:51 Changing company name from iomoi to Parker Thatch13:52 Creating Parker Thatch's debut handbag18:19 Bootstrapping, capital allocation, inventory decisions22:08 Why early business success depends on flexibility and testing25:53 Introducing leather bags and streamlining production29:10 Why small businesses fail without systems32:29 Shifting to systems thinking to enable business growth35:07 Marketing strategies to drive customer demand37:01 Building community and brand identity around "functional luxury"42:34 Relationship dynamics as husband and wife co-founders45:55 Key focuses for 2025 and beyond with PTTV 47:48 Where to find and connect with Parker ThatchShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok  Irene Chen and Matthew Grenby -  Co-Founders of Parker ThatchBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Caleb Alvarez is the founder of Shadow Light Studios, an agency specializing in high-converting paid and organic content. He has worked with major consumer brands like Monster Energy, Snapchat, and Samsung, as well as influencers like Tony Hawk, Logan Paul, Ice Cube, and many more.In this episode of DTC Pod, Caleb breaks down how founders can create better content, build and scale a content engine, and strike the right balance between organic and paid content. He unpacks everything from finding your USP and mapping out content pillars to establishing a sprint-based production process. Caleb also shares how he helped scale Nectar Hard Seltzer from $2M to $5M in revenue using only organic content.Interact with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Founder-Led Content Strategies2. Building a Content Engine: Key Roles and Process3. Systems for Creating and Managing Content4. Agile Workflow for Content Creation5. Social Media Content Types and Pillars6. Optimizing Content for Conversions7. Balancing Paid and Organic Marketing8. Balancing Virality and Conversion GoalsTimestamps00:00 Caleb's background and getting into content creation 05:22 How Shadow Light Studios works with brands 07:35 The power of founder-led content and storytelling 12:44 Who should create founder-led content 15:02 Key pillars for effective founder-led brand content18:55 Balancing content creation as a founder with limited time22:16 How to structure content teams and roles28:40 Paid ads vs. organic content—how they work together31:39 Building a content strategy and implementing a system36:18 Managing content sprints and pipeline43:01 Content that performs vs. content that converts49:01 Lead capture and conversion optimization techniques53:09 Wrap up and where to follow Caleb AlvarezShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok  Caleb Alvarez - Founder of Shadow Light StudiosBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Ben Matthews, a general partner at Night Ventures, dives into the world of early-stage consumer brands that leverage powerful creators like Mr. Beast and Hasan Piker. He shares insights on the essentials of building talent-driven brands and the importance of audience engagement. The discussion highlights the intricacies of selecting suitable partnerships and the future of creator commerce, particularly in the evolving landscape of TikTok and innovative monetization strategies. Expect valuable lessons for anyone interested in the creator economy!

Isabel Mendez, the founder and design director of Antara Studio, shares insights on building impactful, purpose-driven brands. She discusses the three essential phases of creating a brand identity and reveals what makes a compelling brand story. Isabel emphasizes the importance of consistency in branding while navigating trends, advocating for a balance between innovation and authenticity. Through relatable case studies, she illustrates how strong design can elevate a brand's narrative and maintain its integrity across various touchpoints.

John Sampogna, co-founder and CEO of Wondersauce, shares his expertise in brand storytelling across diverse media channels. He discusses the compelling need for building campaigns that resonate with target audiences and explores the '3-3-3 rule' for effective messaging. John uncovers undervalued marketing gems like connected TV and static out-of-home advertising while emphasizing the balance between brand-building and performance tactics. The conversation delves into the nuances of crafting narratives that truly connect with consumers, distinguishing between brand and product stories.

Haley Weidenbaum, co-founder and CEO of Everhem, shares her journey from interior design to revolutionizing the custom window treatment market. She discusses the challenges of online shopping for bespoke products and highlights how Everhem's dual business model tailor-fits offerings for both designers and consumers. Haley emphasizes the brand's commitment to customer service, adapts to market needs, and the impact of COVID-19 on home design trends. Listeners will learn about the importance of collaboration and innovation in navigating this competitive industry.

Ismail Salhi, co-founder and CEO of Wildgrain, shares his incredible journey from a failed hardware venture to the booming world of artisanal subscriptions. He reveals how Wildgrain scaled to over 80,000 subscribers by focusing on product quality and customer experience. Outsourcing baking to local artisans and investing in logistics tech were game-changers for efficient delivery. The conversation also dives into innovative customer acquisition strategies, including educational marketing and seasonal growth tactics, providing valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Christian Rivera, founder of The Ecommerce Accountants, dives into essential financial strategies for e-commerce success. He unpacks critical accounting challenges like sales tax compliance and revenue recognition. Listeners learn the importance of effective inventory management and strategies for financing. Tax considerations for both local and foreign businesses are explored, including the benefits of S-Corps and establishing businesses in Puerto Rico for tax incentives. Christian emphasizes the significance of structured finances for entrepreneurial growth.

Zach Ranen, Co-founder and President of David, shares insights into his protein bar brand that boasts a remarkable protein-to-calorie ratio. He discusses the innovative launch strategy that achieved over a million dollars in just one week, highlighting their giveaway of 20,000 samples and key influencer partnerships with figures like Peter Attia. Zach also dives into their product-led growth approach, the balance between taste and nutrition, and essential lessons from their rapid market entry and branding efforts.

Ariana Farahani, founder and CEO of Plant Press, shares her inspiring journey creating a healthier energy drink alternative. She dives into the importance of consumer feedback in refining products, focusing on clean caffeine and unique flavors. Ariana discusses her strategic partnerships with local retailers and the challenges of scaling production. She emphasizes the significance of direct sampling in boosting brand awareness and reveals her plans for further expansion while maintaining a commitment to health-conscious beverages.