Hot Takes Big Stakes cover art

Hot Takes Big Stakes

Hot Takes Big Stakes

By: Natalie Holloway and Lana Elie
Listen for free

About this listen

 The real-world highs and lows of building a business—from early ideas scribbled on napkins to multimillion-dollar raises and the pivotal moments in between. Hosted by serial founders Natalie Holloway (Bala) and Lana Elie (Floom). We explore the unfiltered truths most founders are too polished (or too cautious) to say out loud. No hype, no jargon—just honest conversations about what actually works, what doesn’t, and what it really takes to grow something from nothing. Each week, Natalie and Lana sit down founder-to-founder to share sharp insights, fresh perspectives, and the kind of candor you rarely hear in the boardroom. Build your dream. Burn the playbook.Natalie Holloway and Lana Elie Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • The Truth About GLP-1s: What No One’s Talking About | #22

    The Truth About GLP-1s: What No One’s Talking About | #22
    Dec 18 2025

    GLP-1 is everywhere, but most people do not actually understand what it is or how it works. In this episode, we break down the science behind GLP-1, how it affects appetite, metabolism, inflammation, and more, and why it is not just about weight loss. Becca, founder of Evolv, shares how she built a prescription-free oral GLP-1 alternative, the stigma around weight loss solutions, and what the future of metabolic health could look like. This conversation blends science, entrepreneurship, and real-world application in a way that finally makes sense.More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Evolv Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolvlife/Website: https://evolvlife.com/ More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/
    Show More Show Less
    50 mins
  • Couples Therapy Meets Shark Tank: Building An Iconic Fitness Brand | #21

    Couples Therapy Meets Shark Tank: Building An Iconic Fitness Brand | #21
    Dec 10 2025

    Co-founders Max and Natalie Holloway share the real story behind Bala, from a napkin idea to a design- driven fitness brand with celebrity fans. They unpack their Shark Tank moment, the pandemicsurge from $2M to $16M, the inventory whiplash that followed, and the brutal reset from 30employees to just three. You will hear how they manage lenders, keep their marriage strong, andsplit product and marketing to move faster. Candid lessons on optionality, sustainable growth,and why smaller daily goals beat big vanity targets.


    More Hot Takes Big StakesInstagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/More on Natalie Holloway:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHollowayMore on Lana Elie-Meyers:Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/
    Show More Show Less
    43 mins
  • How Chillhouse Went from a Tiny NYC Nail Salon to a Cult Beauty Brand in Target and Walmart | #20

    How Chillhouse Went from a Tiny NYC Nail Salon to a Cult Beauty Brand in Target and Walmart | #20
    Dec 3 2025

    Founder Cyndi Ramirez breaks down how she turned Chillhouse from a small New York “third space” into a fast-growing nail brand now carried at Target and Walmart. She shares the early PR and partnership strategy, why franchising didn’t fit, and how press-on nail art became the breakout product during lockdown. Cyndi opens up about a costly Paris expansion, what it taught her about focus, and how she’s mapping a three-year plan to become a legacy nail brand. If you care about brand, margins, and distribution strategy, this is your masterclass.



    More Hot Takes Big Stakes

    Instagram: www.instagram.com/hottakesbigstakes/

    TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@hottakesbigstakes/


    More on ChillHouse

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chillhouse/


    More on Natalie Holloway:

    Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/“Bala” Instagram: www.instagram.com/bala/“Balacize” Instagram: www.instagram.com/balacize/Substack,“

    Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.comBook a 1-on-1 Call: intro.co/NatalieHolloway

    More on Lana Elie-Meyers:

    Personal Instagram: www.instagram.com/lanaelie/

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/
    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.