Launching a D2C Brand, TikTok Marketing & Death by Sweat with David Spratte and Kasper Kubica

07/18/22 • 43 min

Kasper Kubica and David Spratte are the co-founders of Carpe, makers of Dermatologist recommended sweat care products. Carpe is quickly becoming a major player in the world of antiperspirants, competing against giants like Unilever which owns Degree, Dove and AXE. From their humble beginnings, we then talk about how they have positioned Carpe to succeed in a hypercompetitive market and what makes their products unique.

Both Kasper and David have become true sweat experts and have leveraged their knowledge to produce hilarious and informative content across channels like TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube. If you are interested in start-ups, co-founding a business with a close friend, launching a direct-to-consumer brand and the different ways you can die from sweating too much, then this podcast is for you.

Discussion Topics:

(1:46) How you can die from sweating too much.

(7:11) Becoming sweat experts.

(12:09) Early product development.

(14:47) Carpe’s total addressable market.

(19:16) Launching a D2C product in a highly competitive market.

(25:02) Content strategies for TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

(32:16) Expanding into retail.

(35)52) Rapid fire.

Discussion Topics:

(1:46) How you can die from sweating too much.

(7:11) Becoming sweat experts.

(12:09) Early product development.

(14:47) Carpe’s total addressable market.

(19:16) Launching a D2C product in a highly competitive market.

(25:02) Content strategies for TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

(32:16) Expanding into retail.

(35)52) Rapid fire.

Previous Episode

Digital ETA, MicroAcquire, 3x Exits, Buying & Selling Businesses with Andrew Gazdecki

Andrew Gazdecki is the founder and CEO of MicroAcquire which is billed as the world’s #1 acquisition marketplace for Startups. Andrew is a successful founder with 3 exits to his name. He has been named an Inc. Magazine 30 Under 30 entrepreneur, and had the Fastest Growing Company in San Francisco in 2014 according to Inc.

Andrew and I talk about his entrepreneurial journey and spend a lot of time discussing what I call “digital ETA.” Many people are familiar with Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) which traditionally focuses on Entrepreneurs acquiring brick and motor established family businesses. Digital ETA, however, specializes in the acquisition of eCommerce and SaaS businesses which include more digital than physical assets. The time to close can be much faster with such deals, and Andrew has built a platform to help search entrepreneurs get deals done in a more streamlined way.

If you are interested in startups, eCommerce or are thinking about acquiring an online business, you will want to tune into this podcast. Andrew is passionate about helping founders and entrepreneurs succeed and has a great deal of wisdom on the topic.

Discussion Topics:

(1:25) MicroAcquire by-the-numbers. 2.5 years and $1.75 billion.

(3:07) The catalyst for launching MicroAcquire.

(9:17) Vetting deals to help increase the probability of a sale.

(16:09) MicroAcquire’s total $11 million raise.

(27:05) The demographics of a typical buyer on MicroAcquire.

(30:06) The financing of a typical deal on MicroAcquire.

(33:56) Valuation multiples for eCommerce businesses.

(41:28) How Amazon brand aggregators are changing the market and valuations.

(44:20) Andrew’s keys for success.

(48:15) Rapid fire questions.

Next Episode

Digital Marketing, Geofencing, Print Media & Intrapreneurship with Rory Gillis

Rory Gillis is the President of Triangle Media Partners and Founder of Triangle Digital Partners. Triangle Media Partners is the largest lifestyle influencer in the Research Triangle Park of North Carolina. The company owns Chapel Hill Magazine, Durham Magazine, Chatham Magazine, Heart of NC Weddings, Sip + Savor and Triangle Weekender. Triangle Digital Partners is the digital wing of the business which focuses on display advertising, social media marketing and more.

With CNBC recently naming North Carolina as America’s Top State for Business in 2022, Rory and I talk about why more businesses and professionals are moving to the area and what makes it ideal for professional recruitment. We also talk about small to medium sized business ad budgets, geofencing, digital marketing and how her company has managed to bridge the gap between traditional print media and cutting-edge online marketing techniques.

As a warning, this episode focuses heavily on our hometown, but even if you are not from here, there is a great deal of wisdom on how best to grow and build a business in an ever-changing digital landscape. If you are from North Carolina, you’ll want to stick around as we dish out dirt and have heated exchanges about our favorite local businesses and more.

Discussion Topics:

(1:25) Why North Carolina is the top state for business in 2022.

(8:25) Triangle Digital Partner’s origin story.

(16:27) Geofencing, location data and microproximity.

(21:30) Scaling a business.

(28:02) Mentorship and team building.

(31:38) Hiring and motivating Millennials and iGen.

(37:04) Intraprenurship vs. Entrepreneurship.

(46:15) Controversial rapid fire.