In 2016, while hiking the Wasatch Mountains, Ryan Baylis and Christian Thrapp faced a nagging annoyance: chemical-scented car fresheners that gave them headaches. A DIY prototype soaked in fish tanks sparked a vision—why not reinvent mundane fragrance products with thoughtful design and natural scents? Their garage project grew into Drift, a clean-fragrance brand that transformed car air fresheners into lifestyle statements and was acquired by Scentbird in 2022 after hitting $6.8 million in revenue.
continue readingIn 2019, amidst the hum of a Brooklyn kitchen, Kristen and Gustavo faced a familiar frustration: relentless chapped lips unsoothed by countless lip balm brands. Determined to find a solution, they embarked on a journey that would transform their personal plight into a thriving business—My Bee Balm.
continue readingHow to Build an Email List from Scratch — Fast & Easy
You’ve just launched your business or blog, and everything looks great, but there’s one problem: you don’t have anyone to send your amazing emails to. No subscribers. No list. Nada. It’s a common challenge, but the good news is you can build an email list from scratch and you can do it fast and smart, without needing a massive budget or complicated tools.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to build an email list from the ground up using simple strategies that work.
continue readingFounding Story: A Eureka Moment in Scrubs
Founders: Heather Hasson (fashion designer) and Trina Spear (ex-investment banker)
The Spark: In 2013, Hasson watched her nurse friend struggle with boxy, scratchy scrubs during a coffee meeting. Inspired by this, The FIGS was born. “Why do athletes get performance gear, but lifesavers don’t?” she wondered. That night, she sketched designs for modern scrubs on a napkin.