Company Overview - Slick Chicks was founded in 2017 by Helia Mohamadian, inspired by her sister's C-section recovery, to create adaptive clothing for people with limited mobility [5] - The company's mission is to empower people by making getting dressed easier and more stylish [5] - Slick Chicks products are now available at major retailers like Target and CVS [5][30] Product Design and Development - The design process starts with understanding the customer's needs through conversations with end-users, caregivers, and occupational/physical therapists [23][24] - Customer feedback is crucial for iterating and improving the product [27][47] - The initial product was designed as a maternity product but evolved to serve people with disabilities and chronic illnesses [12][16][17] Funding and Business Strategy - The company initially used crowdfunding (Kickstarter) to raise capital and pre-sell products [13][14][15] - Bootstrapping and being scrappy are key for business owners, especially in the early stages [33] - Securing funding from angel investors with personal connections to the product's mission can be beneficial [34][35] Market and Customer Focus - The target market includes individuals with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and those recovering from surgeries [16][17] - Caregivers represent a secondary but critical market [25] - The company aims to serve a large, underserved market, emphasizing that accessibility is a need, not just a "nice-to-have" [31][34] Supply Chain and Manufacturing Challenges - The company faced challenges with manufacturing, including cutting corners and dealing with unreliable suppliers [19][20] - Building strong partnerships with the right suppliers is essential for navigating supply chain challenges [37][38] - Early challenges included issues with packaging and shipping large orders, requiring hands-on involvement from the founder [39][40][41] Retail Expansion - Cold emailing a buyer at Target led to a significant retail partnership [43] - Being in Target increased visibility and attracted other retailers like CVS [44] - Authenticity and storytelling are important for attracting retailers and conveying the size of the market [45] Key Advice for Entrepreneurs - Know everything about your customer and validate your product with them [45][46] - Be prepared to receive and act on uncomfortable feedback [47] - Don't be afraid to be scrappy and get your hands dirty [42]

Core Argument - People affected by violence and conflict prioritize livelihoods over aid, seeking self-sufficiency and a better life [7][8] - The "American dream" of building a better life is a universal human aspiration [8][9] - Supporting small business entrepreneurs has generational payoffs and fosters hope in conflict-affected communities [15][16] Supply Chain Integration - Supply chain integration is an undervalued opportunity for small businesses to expand beyond local markets [18][20] - Small businesses often lack the networks, information, and know-how to navigate complex supply chain requirements [22] - Women-led businesses capture only 1% of total global supply chain opportunities, highlighting a significant disparity [22] Building Markets' Approach - Building Markets focuses on supply chain integration to support small business growth in conflict-affected areas [16][18] - Building Markets provides mentorship, certification assistance, and introductions to corporate buyers [23][24][25] - Building Markets has generated over $1.5 billion in contract value for small businesses, creating 75,000 jobs [26] Call to Action - The global supply chain market is valued at $23 trillion, representing a significant opportunity to address poverty and displacement [18][29] - Rewiring the $23 trillion supply chain can create effective and sustainable solutions for global challenges [29] - Leveraging the global supply chain can unleash the potential for a more just and inclusive world [29][30]

Meanwhile, our next guest thinks tensions between President Trump and Fed Chair Jerome Powell could reach a boiling point by the next interest rate decision scheduled for later this month. Ben Emmens is founder and chief investment officers at Fed Watch Adviserss. Ben, thank you for being with us.I mean, my goodness. Uh, I can't even remember what day it was this week, but it was a long day and a short day allin-one. We had we thought we knew one thing and then an hour and a half later we knew something dif ...

Company Overview - Kemo Sabe is a luxury Western wear brand [1] - Wendy Kunkle took over as president & owner of Kemo Sabe in 2020 [1] Business Strategy - Kemo Sabe's success is attributed to its elite in-store experience [1] - The company emphasizes the importance of a strong and passionate team [1] Industry Insights - The Big Idea with Elizabeth Gore on Yahoo Finance explores the world of small business [1] - The podcast offers actionable insights for entrepreneurs with storefronts [1] Digital Presence - Yahoo Finance provides the latest news and data [1] - The Yahoo Finance app is available on Apple and Android [1] - Yahoo Finance maintains a presence on various social media platforms, including X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn [1]