Startups
March 3, 2019 at 11:25 am
In episode 185 of Total Retail Talks, Executive Editor Joe Keenan interviews Zak Normandin, founder and CEO of Iris Nova, parent company of innovative beverage brand Dirty Lemon, which sells it products via a direct-to-consumer conversational commerce model. Normandin addresses retail and grocery/CPG industry disruption, the future of text messaging as a commerce channel, and…
February 20, 2019 at 9:09 am
Recently, it’s been impossible to walk down a city street, ride the subway or scroll through Instagram without coming across an ad for a popular new direct-to-consumer (D-to-C) brand. These industry disruptors are positioning themselves independently from the retail giants that once owned the space, and instead selling straight to the consumer. From toothbrushes and mattresses…
January 7, 2019 at 10:43 am
Jeremy Parker is the founder of Swag.com, a custom promotional products e-commerce retailer. He spoke with Avenue Code about the importance of passionate entrepreneurship and of focusing on consumers’ core needs. Anna Vander Wall: Swag.com customizes an impressive breadth of promotional products for Facebook, Google, Amazon.com, WeWork, Microsoft, Harry’s, Starbucks, Netflix, and more. How did…
December 13, 2018 at 2:28 pm
Procter & Gamble, the consumer packaged goods company known for such household staples as Tide and Old Spice, will acquire Walker & Company Brands, the company that makes health and beauty products for people of color launched by entrepreneur Tristan Walker five years ago. Walker & Company Brands will operate as a separate and wholly-owned…
October 16, 2018 at 3:10 pm
This is an excerpt from an interview conducted with Scot and Jacq Tatelman, co-founders of STATE Bags, a New York-based startup that sells high-end bags and backpacks for men, women and children, while practicing a get one, give one model — for every STATE bag purchased, the company hand-delivers a backpack filled with school supplies and…
October 9, 2018 at 10:29 am
The answers featured below come from Total Retail's fourth annual Game Changers issue, sponsored by Emarsys. The goal of this issue is to highlight the entrepreneurs and startup businesses that are disrupting the traditional retail industry, whether it be it through digital innovation, unique product, enhancements to the supply chain, or a multitude of other ways. We…
October 5, 2018 at 9:10 am
In this episode of Retail Right Now, Total Retail's Caitlin Sullivan and Joe Keenan discuss Total Retail's 2018 Game Changers list, which highlights the entrepreneurs and startup businesses that are disrupting the retail industry. Six digital-native brands have been named this year's Game Changers, and this resource provides exclusive insights into the company founders’ business acumen…
October 2, 2018 at 2:15 pm
This is an excerpt from an interview conducted with Stephen Hawthornthwaite, co-founder and CEO, and Roth Martin, co-founder and chief creative officer, both of Rothy’s, a San Francisco-based startup that turns plastic water bottles into trendy women’s shoes, which it sells via its website and a brick-and-mortar store in its hometown. Hawthornthwaite and Martin were…
September 25, 2018 at 10:47 am
Eric Tam is the head of digital and technology at Biossance, a natural, squalane skincare line. He spoke with us about his career experience, from pioneering e-commerce to creating a successful workplace while planning for the future of digital branding. Holly Vander Wall: Tell us about your personal career path. What brought you to where…
September 18, 2018 at 1:13 pm
This is an excerpt from an interview conducted with best friends Jeanne Foley and Diana Ganz, co-founders of The Groomsman Suit, an online retailer that sells affordable groomsmen suits that cost less than a rental tuxedo. Foley and Ganz were recognized by Total Retail as entrepreneurs that are disrupting the traditional retail industry. For the…
