In this season finale, Mike and Heather Beckham discuss their journey of starting Simple Modern and the challenges and joys of being married to an entrepreneur.
They share how faith has played a role in building the company and striving for excellence in all areas of life. They also discuss the importance of work-life balance and how they prioritize their marriage and family. Heather provides additional key insight and advice on supporting and challenging an entrepreneurial spouse.
Lastly, they open up on the impact of their giving initiatives and the motivation behind incorporating every employee in the process.
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Corbin Wallace, Chief Growth Officer, played a key role in navigating the complex licensing landscape. Together with Mike, they explore the intricacies of building partnerships with iconic brands like Disney and the NFL, emphasizing the art and science of licensing.
The episode covers challenges faced in securing licenses, the creative processes involved in designing unique patterns, and the importance of understanding partners' needs with a long-term mindset.
Beyond Disney, the conversation touches on partnerships with major sports leagues and media companies, mass retail challenges, and the impact of trust and reputation on industry opportunities.
Scaling for Good unveils the power of licensing, the art of partnerships, and the long-term vision propelling Simple Modern's success.
THIS EPISODE'S SPONSOR:
Launch, grow, and optimize with Bluebird: https://www.thebluebirdgrp.com/
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Jeff Hannam, the Chief Financial Officer and Mike discuss the challenges of recruiting Hannam, who had no prior experience in the consumer packaged goods industry but eventually joined as CFO.
The conversation delves into the strategic decisions made early in Simple Modern's growth, emphasizing the importance of building a strong financial organization and making the business bankable. Hannam explains how they managed inventory, the nuances of the consumer product business, and the role of forecasting and planning in mitigating risks associated with inventory management.
Jeff discusses the company's goals beyond profit, emphasizing a desire for giving and benefiting the local community. They explore the significance of internal ownership and how it allows for a long-term focus on both financial success and broader goals. The conversation also touches on the challenges and benefits of aligning individual values within the company, particularly when it comes to the complex interplay between financial performance and qualitative goals.
Overall, the conversation provides a glimpse into the challenges, emotions, and strategic considerations involved in managing a startup, especially during critical times such as the COVID pandemic.
THIS EPISODE'S SPONSOR:
Solving the tension between optimization and design, we help brands make the most of their eCommerce: https://www.vaangroup.com/
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Caleb Phillips, the Vice President of Technology at Simple Modern and Mike discuss the challenges and opportunities that arise when integrating technology into a non-tech company, the importance of understanding the business side of technical tools, and how building relationships plays a significant role in successful technology implementations.
Discover how effective communication and building pathways for collaboration can bridge the understanding gap and lead to successful project outcomes. The episode explores topics such as the intersection of credibility and trust, navigating complex projects, and the art of effective communication in leadership.
THIS EPISODE'S SPONSOR:
Friendly Full-Service Order Fulfillment and Distribution
https://www.encorefulfills.com/
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Chris Hoyle, CMO at Simple Modern, explores the challenges and growth of the brand. Mike and Chris discuss the importance of aligning the organization with a shared purpose and reminisce about the company's early days.
They highlight the role of style in connecting with customers, emphasizing the magic of double vacuum insulation. The narrative unfolds the company's journey on Amazon, positioning Simple Modern as a value brand.
The conversation touches on managing a creative team, qualitative and quantitative inputs, and the significance of constant experimentation in staying ahead in the dynamic market.
THIS EPISODE'S SPONSOR:
Solving the tension between optimization and design, we help brands make the most of their eCommerce: https://www.vaangroup.com/
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Checkout Simple Modern: https://www.simplemodern.com
Embark on a 13-year entrepreneurial journey with Mike Beckham where he shares the highs and lows of building businesses. Beckham unveils the key to business success—cultivating a winning culture.
Live from his keynote at the Main Street Summit, Mike explores the intricacies of culture and introduces three underestimated pillars: trust, purpose, and ownership. Trust, the linchpin, is dissected through the Trust Equation, emphasizing the balance of interpersonal and performance dimensions. Purpose's power in fostering exceptional teams is illustrated, aligning individual roles with a broader calling. The third pillar, ownership, takes center stage as he shares insights on transitioning from leader-dependent to collectively owned culture.
Don't miss this roadmap to creating an exceptional workplace.
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Checkout Simple Modern: https://www.simplemodern.com
Bryan Porter, co-founder of Simple Modern, takes over the host chair to interview Mike Beckham, the CEO of Simple Modern.
As Mike navigates the unfamiliar territory of being a guest on his own podcast, Bryan jumps into Mike's background prior to Simple Modern, exploring his atypical journey from a finance undergraduate to the world of entrepreneurship and e-commerce. Mike reflects on the pivotal moments that led him to transition from the nonprofit world to the business world, emphasizing the importance of purpose and impact in his career decisions.
Mike sheds light on the CEO role's evolution throughout different phases of the company. From bootstrapping and working nights to building a team and securing major partnerships. As the startup scales and success brings the opportunity to hire, Bryan discusses the challenges of coaching new team members. They explore the pitfalls of becoming a bottleneck by resisting delegation and share strategies for effectively empowering others.
This discussion highlights the role of leadership in creating a positive impact beyond profit, emphasizing the idea that true success lies in making a redemptive impact on the lives of others.
THIS EPISODE'S SPONSOR:
Friendly Full-Service Order Fulfillment and Distribution
https://www.encorefulfills.com/
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Bryan Porter, the Chief e-Commerce Officer of Simple Modern discusses the company strategy for achieving initial traction on Amazon, emphasizing a channel strategy over a product strategy. Mike and Bryan describe the intricacies of succeeding on Amazon, emphasizing the importance of understanding the platform's algorithm and customer behavior. The speakers share insights into building effective product listings, including the significance of customer clicks, conversions, and providing a unique value proposition.
This episode reflects on the longevity of their success on Amazon, attributing it to their willingness to iterate, test, and pivot based on customer data. They discuss the pitfalls of becoming emotionally attached to a successful product and the necessity of disrupting themselves to stay relevant. The conversation touches on the advantages of being a privately held, bootstrapped company, allowing them the flexibility to invest in development and growth without immediate financial pressures.
THIS EPISODE'S SPONSOR:
Solving the tension between optimization and design, we help brands make the most of their eCommerce:
https://www.vaangroup.com/
Watch Scaling For Good: https://www.youtube.com/@mikebeckhamsm
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Checkout Simple Modern: https://www.simplemodern.com
Lee Graves has played a pivotal role in scaling the company. He discusses the challenges and strategic decisions made during the process. Mike and Lee touch upon the critical aspect of finding the right partners for scaling operations, focusing on manufacturing, shipping, and fulfillment warehousing.
They navigate through the importance of humility, the willingness to learn, and the value of a partner's track record in building a successful and scalable operation. Mike and Lee note the cultural differences, language barriers, and the importance of time in building strong relationships with international partners. Lee shares stories from numerous trips to China, highlighting the significance of understanding and adapting to cultural nuances in business interactions.
Amidst challenges and risks, including the competitive landscape and unforeseen shifts in the market, it is agreed that their commitment to generosity fostered trust. They narrate instances where their proactive approach, whether addressing factory practices or participating in a sales competition, became catalysts for building lasting relationships.
THIS EPISODE'S SPONSOR:
Friendly Full-Service Order Fulfillment and Distribution
https://www.encorefulfills.com/
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Checkout Simple Modern: https://www.simplemodern.com
In 2017, the company had one of its biggest days.
In this episode, you'll hear the remarkable story of how Simple Modern, a company known for its stylish water bottles and lifestyle products, forged a multi-year partnership with Target, resulting in millions of dollars in product sales on Target shelves.
Mike Beckham, CEO and co-founder of Simple Modern, sits down with Kelley, one of the architects of the Target partnership, to discuss the intricacies of mass retail, salesmanship, and the importance of being incremental to the retailer's goals.
Discover the behind-the-scenes planning and relationship management that goes into building successful partnerships with major retailers. Learn how anticipation, timely communication, and internal sales within the company are essential to delivering results in the world of mass retail. Join us for a conversation on the fascinating world of retail strategy, market fit, and the art of being a forward-thinking partner that truly makes a difference.
THIS EPISODE'S SPONSOR:
Launch, grow, and optimize with Bluebird: https://www.thebluebirdgrp.com/
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Checkout Simple Modern: https://www.simplemodern.com
In a world where resumes don't tell the whole story, this episode gets to the heart of building a thriving workplace culture.
Jon Kuhlman, Chief Culture Officer, explains the importance of culture and how it can shape an organization. They discuss the role of culture in their organization, what it means to them, and how they have worked to build and maintain a healthy culture.
They touch on various topics, including:
* The definition of culture and how it's like the air we breathe within an organization.
* The role of alignment on values in shaping culture.
* The importance of hiring individuals who align with the company's values and how it's a mix of finding those who possess these traits and teaching others to embody them.
* How employees at all levels can contribute to culture and make a positive impact on their teams and organizations.
It’s about discovering how a unique mission statement, "We exist to give generously," has shaped the role of the Chief Culture Officer and transformed careers.
THIS EPISODE'S SPONSOR:
Launch, grow, and optimize with Bluebird: https://www.thebluebirdgrp.com/
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Checkout Simple Modern: https://www.simplemodern.com
In 2020 and 2021, the world experienced a massive supply chain disruption, impacting industries across the board. Simple Modern's Production Manager, Wes Zimmermann, and Engineering Manager, Jenny Scott, share their insights into the company's journey from zero to one in domestic manufacturing.
This conversation focuses on how Wes and Jenny tackled the challenges of setting up domestic manufacturing, emphasizing the importance of learning, asking the right questions, and building relationships within the manufacturing community. They discuss the balance between preparation and action, adapting to new challenges, and the role of flexibility in scaling production.
You'll hear stories of collaboration, trust, and empowerment that have allowed Simple Modern to scale up production while maintaining a high level of quality and personalized service.
THIS EPISODE'S SPONSOR:
Friendly Full-Service Order Fulfillment and Distribution
https://www.encorefulfills.com/
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Checkout Simple Modern: https://www.simplemodern.com
Ever wondered how businesses decide which products to pursue? Curious about the role customer feedback plays in shaping decisions?
In this episode, Alex Benton, Simple Modern's VP of International Manufacturing, and Nathaniel Haskins, Simple Modern's General Counsel, share their experiences, challenges, and triumphs as they navigate the complex landscape of product development. Discover how every product and design decision can profoundly impact people's lives, making this conversation a true exploration of the rewarding outcomes in business.
But this episode is more than just a lesson in product development; it's a testament to the power of generosity in business. They emphasize the importance of communication and trust, sharing real-life experiences that highlight the art of generosity. Join the conversation as Mike leads a discussion around the ongoing journey of building a business grounded in strong values and equally strong products.
THIS EPISODE'S SPONSOR:
Solving the tension between optimization and design, we help brands make the most of their eCommerce: https://www.vaangroup.com/
Watch Scaling For Good: https://www.youtube.com/@mikebeckhamsm
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Checkout Simple Modern: https://www.simplemodern.com
In the first episode of season two of Scaling for Good, Mike and Simple Modern's Chief Sales Officer Carson Rock cover the essence of entrepreneurship at any scale and how Simple Modern has grown into a winning sales organization. They emphasize the pivotal roles of agility, adaptability, and a perpetual "day one" mindset as key factors in driving success, irrespective of a company's size.
Carson also sheds light on Simple Modern's distinctive approach to fostering partnerships with some of the world's largest mass retailers and setting sales goals, striking an intricate balance between ambitious targets and a pragmatic willingness to adapt to external circumstances. Mike and Carson further explore the critical facet of internal leadership within a company and how Simple Modern has built a successful sales team.
Launch, grow, and optimize with Bluebird: https://www.thebluebirdgrp.com/
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Check out Simple Modern: https://www.simplemodern.com
You're invited into the secrets behind Simple Modern, the drinkware company that defied conventions. Join us as we explore the journey from a passionate startup to a global sensation, all while focusing on generosity and community impact. Learn exclusive strategies, insider insights, and the transformative lessons that helped us scale from zero to nine figures in annual revenue. This podcast is your backstage pass to the world of purpose-driven entrepreneurship. Get ready to be inspired and empowered by the art of scaling for good!
Watch Scaling For Good: https://www.youtube.com/@mikebeckhamsm
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Checkout Simple Modern: https://www.simplemodern.com
