We Built a $30M Brand Without VC, and We’re Just Getting Started

Melanie Travis didn’t go to fashion school. She didn’t work at a legacy brand. She didn’t have a co-founder, a warehouse, or a team.What she did have was a miserable experience swimsuit shopping for a company retreat and a hunch that other women felt the same.In this episode of Unfinished Business, Melanie joins Alex and Lee to share how she turned a universal frustration into Andie Swim, a nationally recognized brand that’s sold millions of swimsuits and recently expanded into new categories through strategic acquisition.We talk about:– The origin story: from BarkBox employee to Kickstarter campaign to CEO– How she taught herself the fashion supply chain using an Airbnb “fashion tour”– Why she believes the classic DTC playbook no longer works– The truth about raising $30M and still struggling to reach profitability– Her approach to omnichannel growth, from Nordstrom to private label deals– What she looks for in brand acquisitions (and how she bought her first)– How she’s building a multi-brand portfolio while juggling two young kidsMelanie keeps it brutally honest about fundraising, scaling, hiring, and growth. This episode is a masterclass for consumer founders and a reality check for anyone chasing the DTC dream.

No guests. No prep. Just us.In this episode, we sat down together — two co-founders, two moms, two longtime partners in life and business — to talk about what’s really keeping our relationships strong. And what’s absolutely not.We covered:– Why Alex has never farted in front of her husband in 10 years (yes, really)– Why French kissing still matters (even after a decade)– How to maintain attraction without pretending it’s 2014– What our moms taught us about effort and appearance– The one yearly trip that saves our sanity and our spark– Why mystery is underrated and boundaries still matterThis is the stuff that doesn’t always make it into podcast interviews.But it’s real, it’s funny, and we think it’s worth saying out loud.If you’ve ever wondered how to balance love, motherhood, marriage, and not totally losing yourself… this one’s for you.Watch the full episode now and don’t forget to subscribe.

Liz Teich and her brand The New York Stylist is the real deal. A New York fashion stylist with nearly 20 years of experience, a loyal online following, and a sustainable wardrobe philosophy that actually makes sense.In this episode, Liz sits down with Alex and Lee to talk about how she built her business, her brand, and her confidence… without chasing trends or cutting corners.We cover:The personal story behind The New York StylistWhat it’s really like to style celebrities (including Mike Tyson)Her best advice for anyone starting a creative businessWhy she prioritizes sustainability and “shopping your closet”What pieces actually belong in your wardrobeThe connection between style, confidence, and showing up for yourselfPlus: why Lee needs to clean her sneakers, how Liz fakes the perfect tuck, and the psychological power of getting dressed (even if it’s just for your mailman).If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by fashion, disconnected from your closet, or unsure how to show up with confidence—this episode will make you feel seen, smarter, and a little more stylish.

Tieghan Gerard built one of the most beloved food brands on the internet.Today, Half Baked Harvest has over 6 million followers across platforms, four bestselling cookbooks, a candle line, a sold-out national tour with Williams-Sonoma, and a fiercely loyal community that shows up for everything she creates.But the story behind the brand? It’s chaotic, personal, and deeply real.In this episode of Unfinished Business, Tieghan sits down with Alex and Lee to talk about:Starting Half Baked Harvest with her mom at 19Growing up as one of eight kids in a wildly creative (and noisy) householdManaging anxiety while running a massive businessWhy she focuses on her website and email list (not just social media)How she stays creatively inspired without following trendsWhat she’d do if she had to start all over in 2025And why she still makes pancakes for lunch when she’s feeling offThis isn’t a story about recipes. It’s about resilience, identity, and building a brand that lasts… without selling your soul to the algorithm.If you’re a creative, entrepreneur, or multi-hyphenate woman trying to build something real, this one’s for you.

Victoria Brito has lived many lives: ballerina, global fashion model, queer icon, and now podcast host. But beneath the resume is a story of resilience, reinvention, and radical self-trust.In this episode of Unfinished Business, Victoria opens up about:Being raised by a single mom and mentored by Pelé (yes, that Pelé)What it takes to stay grounded in industries built on performanceHer viral relationship story—and what it’s like becoming a queer stepmom overnightCutting ties with people (including family) to protect your peaceThe shift from being the face of a campaign… to becoming the voice behind the micVictoria is magnetic, raw, hilarious, and refreshingly self-aware. You’ll walk away from this one thinking about your identity, your energy, and your boundaries.Subscribe for more honest conversations about growth, pivots, and the messiness of building a life you actually want.

What do branding and dating have in common?More than you’d think.This week on Unfinished Business, we sit down with creative director and wellness advocate Alex Sall to talk about what it really means to show up as your authentic self—in business and in love.We get into:How to build a brand that actually feels like youWhy confidence is the real secret to success (on Hinge and on Shopify)The toxic trap of outsourcing everything too earlyHow a wellness journey can start with flossing—and lead to life-changing fertility insightsWhy “settling” is often just fear in disguisePlus: Red lipstick, functional medicine, gut health, and why your oral microbiome might matter more than your Instagram.This one’s honest, eye-opening, and unexpectedly hilarious.

Alex and Lee are back with a brutally honest look at what it’s really like to build a profitable, non-venture-backed brand.They reflect on:Scaling Hulken to $30M+ with a tiny teamSaying no to VC—and why they’re not looking backWhat it means to build a “Kleenex-level” brand in a world of dupesDTC strategy, community magic, and the power of going slowPlus: They tease new product drops (carry-on alert!), share their TikTok Shop strategy, and reveal what’s actually on their minds as founders in year two.It’s fun. It’s raw. It’s the season opener you didn’t know you needed.

Would you post about your period online to build your business? Nadya Okamoto did—and that’s just the beginning.In this episode of Unfinished Business, we sit down with Nadya Okamoto, the fearless founder of August, a Gen Z brand that’s flipping the tampon industry on its head.We talk about:What DTC brands get wrong about Gen Z (and why “Hey Bestie” doesn’t work)Why she posted 5,500+ videos to launch August—and still creates 5+ dailyHow she keeps CAC low and virality high with unpolished, human contentHow to build a brand without becoming the brandHer brutally honest advice for first-time founders (hint: it’s not “raise capital”)What founders get wrong about social media, team building, and retail expansionThis is the blueprint for building a mission-led brand without faking the voice to get there.If you’re a founder, content creator, or aspiring entrepreneur—watch this.

What do ballet and building a company have in common?Way more than you’d think.Megan Fairchild is a principal dancer at New York City Ballet, an author, an NYU MBA grad, and a mom of three (including twins). In this episode, she gets radically honest about the pressure to perform—on stage, at work, and at home.We talk about:🩰 Perfectionism as a tool, not a personality flaw🧠 How to give and receive feedback without spiraling🤯 Living in constant comparison—and how to break out of it🪞 What parenting taught her that ballet never could🧘‍♀️ The anxiety that brought her to her knees—and how meditation brought her back📚 Why she spent 15 years finishing her undergrad (and what it taught her about discipline)If you’ve ever struggled with burnout, imposter syndrome, or the pressure to always be “on”—this episode will hit home.🔔 Subscribe for more unfiltered conversations about ambition, identity, and doing things your way.👇 Let us know in the comments: What’s something you learned the hard way about chasing excellence?

What if you could build a multi-million dollar company from a coin, some cellophane, and zero outside capital?Alexandra Fine did exactly that.She’s the Co-Founder and CEO of Dame Products—one of the most iconic sex toy brands in the world. In this episode, Alexandra gets radically honest about:🔥 Starting her company in her grandma’s pool house🔥 Prototyping her first product using plastic from an art supply store🔥 Launching on Indiegogo and raising $575K in 45 days🔥 Navigating bans, shadowbanning, and the politics of pleasure🔥 Getting canceled (and crying about Glassdoor reviews)🔥 Redefining ambition after becoming a momThis is one of the most vulnerable, hilarious, and real conversations we’ve ever had on Unfinished Business.💡 If you’re a founder questioning how to start, how to stay, or how to survive—you’ll want to hear every word.🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations on building, balancing, and betting on yourself.👇 Drop a comment: What’s one thing you’ve been scared to launch without “enough” resources?