Scaling Tiege Hanley.
Scaling Tiege Hanley, a direct-to-consumer men’s skin care product company, with co-founder Kelley Thornton.
Kelley shares his entrepreneur journey, and how he launched and scaled Tiege Hanley (starting at 15:11) – providing “Uncomplicated Skin Care for Men” through their online site.
Kelley Thornton was born in Towson, Maryland, moved to Connecticut for high school, started a painting business, and graduated with a degree in Economics from the University of Connecticut in 1990, debt-free.
He began his career in sales in New York City and transferred to Chicago a few years later. After a successful 19-year career in Corporate America, he left the industry to begin his second company, Purchase Point LLC, an in-store design and strategy company with offices in the US, London, and Taiwan.
Through his experience at Purchase Point, he was inspired by the rapidly growing men’s care industry and he founded his third company, Tiege Hanley, Inc., in 2016.
Tiege is an e-commerce company with the mission of Helping Men Look and Feel Amazing. With the help of Aaron Marino, a YouTuber with over 6,000,000 followers, and Rob Hoxie, the business has evolved organically, with over 500,000 customers globally and over $100MM in lifetime sales.
Special Offer:
- Use this link to receive a 30% discount on any Tiege Hanley Men’s Skin Care products: Tiege Hanely Discount
Scaling Tiege Hanley:
- What led you to starting your first business (Purchase Point) after a successful 19-year corporate career?
- Why did you decide to enter the men’s skin care industry?
- Please introduce Tiege Hanley and the products you offer.
- How did you develop your initial products?
- How did you fund the launch and growth? (No outside investors.).
- How long from idea to launch?
- How did you get found online initially?
- How did you engage on-line influencers to help you market your products?
- Partners – why did you decide to partner, and what tips can you share for working well with business partners?
- Manufacturing Model: Manufactured in-house or by third-party?
- Pricing Model: Why do you only sell a Subscription?
- Distribution Model: Why only Direct to Consumer?
- Would you please share a significant early surprise or challenge related to scaling? Something you were not expecting.
- What advice would you share for someone listening who has a personal care product idea?
Episode Host: Henry Lopez is a serial entrepreneur, small business coach, and the host of this episode of The How of Business podcast show – dedicated to helping you start, run and grow your small business.
Resources:
Books mentioned in this episode:
[We receive commissions for purchases made through these links (more info)].
- The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany by William L. Shirer
- The Force Multiplier: How to Lead Teams Where Everyone Wins by Tony Chatman
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