Starting a business? Expect uncertainty and scrappy decisions.

In this Hot Takes, Big Stakes deep dive, co-founders and hosts Natalie Holloway and Lana Elie break down the real behind-the-scenes of launching a brand. From bad product ideas and co-founder debates to raising capital, faking it with factories, and why launching to crickets still taught them everything. No fluff, just the stuff we wish someone told us.

Real talk. Real tactics. No playbook required.

Chapters:

00:00:01 – Is your idea worth it? How to test your concept even if no one gets it yet.
00:04:02 – Solo founder vs. co-founder What no one tells you about emotional labor, investor bias, and breakups.
00:09:38 – Setting up your company LLC or C-Corp? LegalZoom, lawyers, or Stripe Atlas?
00:11:14 – Bootstrapping vs. raising capital Natalie and Lana take sides.
00:15:15 – Making your first physical product
00:19:07 – What makes a brand stick?
00:24:00 – Naming your company
00:26:22 – How to get your first customers
00:27:58 – Go niche or go broke. The strategy behind showing up in all the right places.
00:30:13 – SEO: underrated, essential

More on Natalie Holloway:

• Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalieholloway/
• “Bala” Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bala/
• “Balacize” Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balacize/
• Substack, “Working Out in Heels”: natalieholloway.substack.com
• Book a 1-on-1 Call: https://intro.co/NatalieHolloway

More on Lana Elie-Meyers:

• Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lanaelie/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lana-elie-875b383a/