Advertise on podcast: The Failure Factor

Monique Rodriguez, Founder & CEO of Mielle Organics, shares how a hobby in her kitchen became a global haircare brand and the highest exit of any Black woman in history. After the devastating loss of her son, Monique turned to social media and haircare as an outlet for grief. What began as sharing homemade recipes online evolved into a business built on real connection that took over the natural hair space. Within months of launching, she left her nursing career. Within five years, she faced a $2M financial hole that nearly cost her everything. In this conversation, Monique opens up about betting on herself before she felt ready, building without mentors, mismanaging early capital, walking away from a 40% investment deal, and ultimately securing the right partner. Her story is a grounded look at what it really takes to scale through pain, risk, faith, and battle-tested business lessons.   Key Takeaways and Topics Turning personal grief into creative purpose Building community before building product Leaving nursing to go all in on a kitchen hobby $300K in year one with no business background Skipping the playbook and trusting her gut Bootstrapping for six years before raising capital The $2M accounting mistake that almost ended everything Walking away from a 40% equity deal Finding the right investor (and why it's like dating) The P&G acquisition and the backlash that followed Why she reframes "selling out" as building Black wealth   Links The Failure Factor Podcast was brought to you by Off The Field Coaching. Explore working with one of our coaches at http://offthefieldcoaching.com   Hosted by Megan Bruneau: therapist, executive coach, speaker, Forbes contributor, and host of The Failure Factor. For more info, visit https://meganbruneau.com    Follow Monique Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/exquisitemo  Follow Mielle https://www.instagram.com/mielleorganics  https://mielleorganics.com/  Follow Megan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganjbruneau/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-j-bruneau-m-a-rcc Subscribe to the podcast newsletter at https://thefailurefactorpodcast.com

Brianna Bitton was calling out of work because of her period, and lying about why. Doctors told her to "deal with it." So she and her brother Bobby maxed out every credit card they had to create the first PMS gummy vitamin. Two years and 20+ manufacturer rejections later, they launched FLO. Now O Positiv does nine figures in annual revenue; sits in Target, Walmart, and CVS; and is approaching a rumored billion-dollar valuation.  In this episode, they discuss the COVID-era product that tanked, fighting Meta to say the word "vagina," the most telling question they ask when hiring, and why slow and steady (while bootstrapping) won the race.  Key Takeaways and Topics Turning debilitating PMS into a viable business idea Two years of failed R&D and what it taught them about perseverance Bootstrapping with credit cards and managing financial risk Why an immunity product failed and the lesson that reshaped the company Building a women's health category through education Getting banned from Meta ads and changing the policy Product efficacy vs. trend-driven growth Choosing profitability and control over constant fundraising The top question they ask when hiring  Why retention matters more than hype   Links The Failure Factor Podcast was brought to you by Off The Field Coaching. Explore working with one of our coaches at http://offthefieldcoaching.com   Hosted by Megan Bruneau: therapist, executive coach, speaker, Forbes contributor, and host of The Failure Factor. For more info, visit https://meganbruneau.com    Follow O Positiv Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/opositiv Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@opositiv  https://opositiv.com Follow Megan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganjbruneau/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-j-bruneau-m-a-rcc Subscribe to the podcast newsletter at https://thefailurefactorpodcast.com

Mari Llewellyn, co-founder of Bloom Nutrition, joins The Failure Factor to share the unpolished story behind building a wellness brand that grew from $5 fitness PDFs into a multi-category company selling nationwide at Target, Walmart, and beyond. Mari didn't set out to be an entrepreneur. After hitting a personal rock bottom in college, she rebuilt her confidence through fitness, consistency, and keeping small promises to herself. That personal transformation sparked an online community—one built on vulnerability, free value, and trust—long before Bloom ever existed. In this conversation, Mari reflects on the scrappy early days of selling digital products through Instagram DMs, launching supplements without outside capital, learning publicly, and navigating the pressure of being both founder and face of the brand. She also opens up about missteps, including products she chose to walk away from, scaling beyond her personal identity, and what it's been like to run a fast-growing company while going through IVF and redefining her priorities. This episode is a grounded look at building something meaningful without waiting to feel "ready."   Key Takeaways and Topics Rebuilding confidence after personal rock bottom Turning free content into sustainable business models Why she started with digital products, not physical ones Learning entrepreneurship without formal training The risks of being both founder and brand Starting before things feel "perfect" When to listen to feedback—and when to pivot Owning product mistakes publicly Scaling beyond a personal brand Navigating IVF while leading a company Letting seasons of life reshape leadership Why trust compounds faster than hype The Failure Factor Podcast was brought to you by Off The Field Coaching. Explore working with one of our coaches at http://offthefieldcoaching.com   Hosted by Megan Bruneau: therapist, executive coach, speaker, Forbes contributor, and host of The Failure Factor. For more info, visit https://meganbruneau.com    Subscribe to the podcast newsletter at https://thefailurefactorpodcast.com   Follow Mari Llewellyn: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marillewellyn  Bloom Nutrition: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloomsupps  Hosted by Megan Bruneau: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganjbruneau/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-j-bruneau-m-a-rcc

Branch Basics Co-Founder Allison Evans shares the story behind one of today's fastest-growing human-safe cleaning brands—serving 240,000+ households and generating $50M annually. What began as Allison's search for answers to debilitating chronic pain in college became the blueprint for a mission-driven company rooted in integrity and transparency. But at the height of early success—$2M in revenue, nine employees, and a passionate customer base—Allison and her co-founders made an unthinkable call: shutting the company down after discovering they couldn't verify a key ingredient in their hero product. In this conversation, Allison walks through the shame, backlash, and financial fallout of that decision—while pregnant—along with the 18-month rebuild that followed. From becoming accidental chemists to restoring customer trust to scaling into 600+ Target stores, her story is a case study in resilience and values-driven leadership. It's the founder dilemma no one talks about: when doing the right thing means risking everything.   Key Takeaways and Topics The chronic health crisis that sparked Allison's mission toward toxin-free living The early growth of Branch Basics—and the ingredient controversy that halted it Navigating public criticism, refunds, layoffs, and an IRS audit simultaneously Rebuilding from scratch: 100+ reformulation attempts and finding the right partners How transparency, community, and mission made a comeback possible The mindset shift required to lead through shame, uncertainty, and pregnancy The role of content and education in driving long-term customer loyalty Lessons on partnership, boundaries, and sustainable founder capacity   The Failure Factor Podcast was brought to you by Off The Field Coaching. Explore working with one of our coaches at http://offthefieldcoaching.com  Hosted by Megan Bruneau: therapist, executive coach, speaker, Forbes contributor, and host of The Failure Factor. For more info, visit https://meganbruneau.com   Branch Basics: https://branchbasics.com Branch Basics Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/branchbasics Megan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganjbruneau  Megan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-j-bruneau-m-a-rcc  Subscribe to the podcast newsletter at https://thefailurefactorpodcast.com

Jack Savage, Founder & CEO of Everyday Dose, built a 400,000-subscriber functional coffee brand from his dad's garage—but not before spending years as "the dumb kid" who needed extra time on tests, wore a suit on planes hoping to meet someone important, and cycled through ADHD medications that left him with facial tics and shame. In this conversation, Jack opens up about the scarcity mindset he inherited from watching his father's business collapse, the $500K investment deal that fell through at the last second (leaving him in tears), and why discovering he had the CYP1A2 gene—which makes 50% of us caffeine-sensitive—changed everything about how he formulated Everyday Dose. He also gets real about the unglamorous parts of scaling: living in his dad's garage at 33, battling a massive counterfeit crisis that cost the company customers and reputation, getting rejected by VCs who made him question his worth, and learning that friendships (even in business) have to be earned, not assumed. Through it all, Jack kept returning to one framework: Dharma. Are you good at it? Are you passionate about it? Are you making an impact? Does it make you money? This conversation is about finding that alignment—and what happens when you finally do. Key Takeaways & Topics Jack's early experiences with ADHD, shame, and overcompensating through ambition Why taste and clinical dosing became Everyday Dose's differentiator Building supply chain and formulation knowledge from scratch Moving into his dad's garage and bootstrapping the first version of the brand VC rejection, self-worth, and learning to scale without outside validation The emotional toll and operational cost of battling large-scale counterfeit products How Jack defines dharma and why alignment is a founder's most reliable compass Retention as a strategy: treating existing customers better than new ones Why "you can do anything, but you can't do everything" His weekly retro practice with 35 team members: what's going well, what's not, what needs to change The hidden gene that affects 50% of us and why Jack built a coffee specifically for slow caffeine metabolizers The Failure Factor Podcast was brought to you by Off The Field Coaching. Explore working with one of our coaches at http://offthefieldcoaching.com  Hosted by Megan Bruneau: therapist, executive coach, speaker, Forbes contributor, and host of The Failure Factor. For more info, visit https://meganbruneau.com   Everyday Dose on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydaydose  Everyday Dose: https://www.everydaydose.com Megan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganjbruneau  Megan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-j-bruneau-m-a-rcc  Subscribe to the podcast newsletter at https://thefailurefactorpodcast.com

Jewel went from a busking teenager living in her car to selling 30 million records worldwide—then walked away at the peak of her fame. While the world saw success, she was navigating panic attacks, trauma, and agorophobia. She realized she had broken a promise to herself made years earlier: to become a "happy, whole human—not a human full of holes." In this conversation, Jewel reveals how she built a career on her own terms—even when those terms seemed irrational to the industry—and how she continues to redesign her life today with the same commitment to peace over profit. She shares spiritual lessons she learned while growing up in rural Alaska, why she believes we should look at anxiety like we do food poisoning, and the opportunity for "breaking down" she's looking forward to next.  Today, through her Inspiring Children Foundation and the Not Alone Challenge, she's helping others do the same by providing mental health tools for people who don't have access to therapy, privilege, or a safety net. Entrepreneurs will recognize familiar terrain here: risk, self-doubt, scaling what works, walking away when it doesn't, and the personal evolution required to build anything that lasts. Key Takeaways & Topics Leaving an abusive home at 15 and choosing agency over circumstance Turning down a $1M record deal to prioritize long-term well-being Why fame triggered old wounds and how she restructured her career around values The concept of "emotional inheritance" and rewiring harmful programming Anxiety as an ally: using discomfort as a decision-making barometer Making happiness measurable and non-negotiable as a founder How to walk away or redesign when your dream stops working The Inspiring Children Foundation and Not Alone Challenge: democratizing mental-health tools Creative reinvention at 51: shifting into art and entrepreneurship again   The Failure Factor Podcast was brought to you by Off The Field Coaching. Explore working with one of our coaches at http://offthefieldcoaching.com  Hosted by Megan Bruneau: therapist, executive coach, speaker, Forbes contributor, and host of The Failure Factor. For more info, visit https://meganbruneau.com   Jewel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jewel Not Alone Challenge: https://notalonechallenge.org Megan on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganjbruneau  Megan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-j-bruneau-m-a-rcc  Subscribe to the podcast newsletter at https://thefailurefactorpodcast.com

Courtney Claghorn, Founder and President of SUGARED + BRONZED shares how she transformed a $1,000 side hustle into a 40-location beauty brand spanning seven states. What began as a solution to her frustration with overpriced spray tans is now a brand on track to do $50M in ARR in 2025. In this conversation, Courtney opens up about bootstrapping for nearly a decade, the hard lesson of hiring the wrong "experts" after raising capital, and the series of personal crises that forced her to shift her focus from hustle to ROI. She shares what it's really like to rebuild a company's culture from the inside out and how learning to trust her gut over polished resumes became her biggest leadership advantage. Now 15 years in, Courtney reflects on balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, trading cortisol for breathwork, and redefining success on her own terms. Key Takeaways and Topics - How SUGARED + BRONZED started with $1,000 and a portable spray-tan machine - Bootstrapping to profitability during a recession - Why intuition often beats "expert advice" - The painful lessons of hiring for prestige over humility - Rebuilding company culture after leadership missteps - Surviving pandemic shutdowns and rebuilding stronger - Finding balance and presence after burnout - Breathwork and spirituality as tools for leadership clarity - How Courtney approaches growth, hiring, and decision-making today - The ROI of creating a joyful, values-driven workplace The Failure Factor Podcast was brought to you by Off The Field Coaching. Explore working with one of our coaches at http://offthefieldcoaching.com Hosted by Megan Bruneau: therapist, executive coach, speaker, Forbes contributor, and host of The Failure Factor. For more info, visit https://meganbruneau.com  Follow SUGARED + BRONZED: https://www.sugaredandbronzed.com https://www.instagram.com/sugaredandbronzed/ Courtney: https://www.instagram.com/courtneyclaghorn Megan: IG: https://www.instagram.com/meganjbruneau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-j-bruneau-m-a-rcc Subscribe to the podcast newsletter at https://thefailurefactorpodcast.com

Dave Asprey—serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and Bulletproof founder—went from making $6M by 26 to losing it all two years later. By 30, a health crash (testosterone lower than his mom's, multiple diagnoses) pushed him to spend millions hacking his biology. He ultimately built Bulletproof to $140M in annual revenue—then was removed from the board in what he calls a calculated coup that cost him hundreds of millions. Now, as CEO of Upgrade Labs, he's focused on making elite biohacking accessible. This conversation goes well beyond cold plunges and butter coffee. Dave maps the decisions he wishes he'd made sooner: firing the $28M mistake, spotting narcissists quickly, and sorting win-win from win-lose people before they poison their business' culture. We explore how birth trauma shows up in leadership, why empathy drains while compassion sustains, and how to step out of the victim–perpetrator–savior triangle. He shares hiring guardrails (the "first-wiggle" rule, real reference checks, the 60-day policy) and therapeutic/energetic tools founders can use immediately. If you're building through chaos—navigating toxic team members, your own triggers, or both—you'll leave with concrete ways to protect your company, your energy, and your judgment.   Key Takeaways and Topics The $28M lesson: recognize the "first wiggle" and act right away Four categories of people (win-win to win-lose) and who to hire Red flags: instant "best friend" chemistry, envy tells, and trauma bonds How to reference-check and background diligence Empathy vs. compassion: boundaries that protect teams and CEOs Business drama patterns and how leaders step out of them Forgiveness as a nervous-system reset; going no-contact with manipulators Energy as a leadership edge: willpower and decision quality Daily levers: intermittent fasting and nighttime darkness   The Failure Factor Podcast was brought to you by Off The Field Coaching. Explore working with one of our coaches at http://offthefieldcoaching.com Hosted by Megan Bruneau: therapist, executive coach, speaker, Forbes contributor, and host of The Failure Factor. For more info, visit https://meganbruneau.com    Follow Dave Site: https://daveasprey.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/dave.asprey/  Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asprey/  Follow Megan IG: https://www.instagram.com/meganjbruneau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-j-bruneau-m-a-rcc Subscribe to the podcast newsletter at https://thefailurefactorpodcast.com

Daryl-Ann Denner, Co-Founder and CEO of nuuds, turned a personal frustration—why is the perfect T-shirt so hard to find?—into a nine-figure clothing brand that sold 50,000 units in its first seven minutes. What started as a blog and Instagram account turned into a company built on real body fittings, transparency, and loyalty from a super-engaged community. In this episode, Daryl-Ann shares how she navigated postpartum anxiety while building a business, why she bets on herself instead of outside investors, and how a failed distribution partnership almost derailed nuuds' early momentum.    Key Takeaways and Topics How blogging in her 20s laid the foundation for launching NUUDS Leaving pre-med behind and embracing unexpected pivots Postpartum anxiety, therapy, and medication—and how it impacted her leadership Why she believes confidence is a "trained muscle" The decision to bootstrap nuuds and risk everything on the first production run Launch day chaos: near-website failure, selling out in seven minutes, and the emotional aftermath The failure of a flashy distribution partnership and what it taught her about integrity Why she rejects "perfect fit models" and builds clothing around real women's insecurities The role of community trust and transparency in scaling to nine figures Her mantra, "do it afraid," and what it means in practice   The Failure Factor Podcast was brought to you by Off The Field Coaching. Explore working with one of our coaches at http://offthefieldcoaching.com Hosted by Megan Bruneau: therapist, executive coach, speaker, Forbes contributor, and host of The Failure Factor. For more info, visit https://meganbruneau.com    Follow NUUDS 🌐 https://www.nuuds.com/  📱 IG: https://www.instagram.com/nuuds  Follow Daryl-Ann 📱 IG: https://www.instagram.com/darylanndenner  🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darylanndenner  Follow Megan 📱 IG: https://www.instagram.com/meganjbruneau 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-j-bruneau-m-a-rcc Subscribe to the podcast newsletter at https://thefailurefactorpodcast.com

Olivia Landau, Co-Founder and CEO of The Clear Cut—the largest digitally native natural diamond jewelry company in the United States—shares how a side hustle selling engagement rings through Instagram DMs transformed into a company that's hitting $100M in revenue. Despite being dismissed by venture capitalists and warned by her family not to become an entrepreneur, Olivia Landau chose to bet on herself. Alongside her then-boyfriend (now husband and co-founder), Kyle, she took a leap of faith, walking away from the safe path and rejecting startup "best practices" that didn't feel aligned. Instead of following the noise, she doubled down on what felt right: human connection, deep education, craftsmanship, and building slow and intentionally. Her voice is a powerful reminder of what can happen when you block out the noise, trust your gut, and build your way—even when everyone says you're doing it wrong.   Key Takeaways and Topics: How The Clear Cut started as an educational blog and Instagram side hustle Olivia's generational roots in the diamond industry and how that shaped her approach The myths around lab-grown vs. natural diamonds—and why she refuses to sell lab-created stones Fundraising rejection: Why no VCs would invest and how they raised $700K from angels and customers instead The Clear Cut's breakthrough moment during the pandemic and how their custom-built tech scaled the business Why "unscalable" things are worth doing first The emotional toll and impostor syndrome that come with fundraising and startup leadership How Olivia navigates being a new mom, co-founder, and CEO Debunking ethical misconceptions about natural diamonds—and why the real story matters Why having a personal brand and showing your face on social media can be a competitive advantage Her advice to aspiring founders: Don't wait for perfection, just take the first step   Disclaimer: Olivia shares her view that natural diamonds can be more ethical than lab-grown alternatives. This is a nuanced topic; what is "ethical" depends on your values. Natural diamonds may support economies like Botswana's, while lab-grown stones produced with renewable energy may appeal to those prioritizing environmental impact. Some stats shared from memory have been clarified: Diamonds make up 25–30% of Botswana's GDP, not 80% as mentioned (that figure refers to exports). Diamond revenues fund free primary education, subsidized secondary education, and universal healthcare in Botswana. While "stipends" aren't standard, the government provides scholarships and financial support to students and select groups. We've included these clarifications to support informed decision-making.   The Failure Factor Podcast was brought to you by Off The Field Coaching. Explore working with one of our coaches at http://offthefieldcoaching.com Hosted by Megan Bruneau: therapist, executive coach, speaker, Forbes contributor, and host of The Failure Factor. For more info, visit https://meganbruneau.com Follow Olivia and The Clear Cut Her Ig: https://www.instagram.com/olivialandau  The Clear Cut: https://www.instagram.com/theclearcut  Follow Megan Ig: https://www.instagram.com/meganjbruneau/ In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-j-bruneau-m-a-rcc Subscribe to the podcast newsletter at https://thefailurefactorpodcast.com Themes: entrepreneurship, diamond industry, The Clear Cut, venture capital, scaling a startup, personalized luxury, ethical sourcing, tech, jewelry, women founder, e-commerce, working with a partner, motherhood, impostor syndrome, custom jewelry, resilience, lab-grown diamonds, natural diamonds, storytelling, brand building

Join us for an unflinchingly honest conversation with Peter Rahal, founder of RXBAR (sold to Kellogg's for $600M) and David Protein. Once labeled "disabled" by the school system, Peter reveals how his dyslexia fueled his contrarian mindset, relentless hustle, and ability to spot market gaps others missed. Learn how childhood humiliation became his rocket fuel, why he refuses to celebrate wins, and how his "anti-authority" approach built two category-defining brands. This episode is for entrepreneurs, neurodivergent thinkers, and anyone who's been told they don't fit the mold. Key Takeaways and Topics: Peter Rahal's background in the food industry and how this influenced his entrepreneurial journey. The idea for RX Bar emerged from a gap in the market for paleo-friendly protein bars. Early partnerships can significantly impact the success of a startup. Scaling production requires understanding supply chains and manufacturing processes. Product market fit is crucial for the success of any consumer product. Rebranding helped RX Bar reach a broader audience and clarify the product's value proposition. Rahal's childhood experiences shaped his resilience and contrarian nature. The importance of teamwork and aligned values in partnerships cannot be overstated. His success in business came from organic growth and word-of-mouth marketing. Be very, very efficient with your time. Seek criticism, seek feedback. The positive feedback loop of being doing something you're good at is motivating. Your 20s are the time to go all in and take risks. The Failure Factor Podcast was brought to you by Off The Field Coaching. Explore working with one of our coaches at http://offthefieldcoaching.com Hosted by Megan Bruneau: therapist, executive coach, speaker, Forbes contributor and host of The Failure Factor. For more info visit https://meganbruneau.com Follow Peter and his ventures: His Ig: https://www.instagram.com/peterrahal  David Protein: https://www.instagram.com/davidprotein  Follow Megan Ig: https://www.instagram.com/meganjbruneau/ In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-j-bruneau-m-a-rcc Subscribe to the podcast newsletter at https://thefailurefactorpodcast.com Themes: RX Bar, entrepreneurship, protein bars, startup culture, product market fit, rebranding, personal growth, childhood experiences, resilience, business challenges, David Protein, dyslexia, work ethic, fatherhood, humility, business lessons, nutrition, leadership

Gara Post—serial entrepreneur, franchise mogul, and self-proclaimed "hyper-emotional" leader—joins Megan Bruneau to unpack the realities of building The Now Massage and Bowie Barker. From her early days as a jewelry designer to franchising during a pandemic, Gara reveals how she balances perfectionism with scalability, why she leans into therapy, and the painful lessons she learned from business partnerships gone wrong. Key Takeaways and Topics: Gara's journey in the corporate world before transitioning to entrepreneurship. Her jewelry design venture while working as an executive assistant. How the support from her husband was crucial in her entrepreneurial journey. The Now, born out of a need for affordable luxury wellness experiences. How Gara's family life influenced her business decisions and priorities. The Now has grown to 77 locations and continues to expand. Authenticity and passion are key to successful business ventures.  Franchising can be risky but offers opportunities for growth. Challenges often present opportunities for innovation. Quality control is essential in maintaining brand integrity. Emotional intelligence is crucial for effective leadership. How therapy has played a significant role in her personal and professional growth. Flexibility within a framework is key to managing a franchise. Empathy and compassion enhance leadership effectiveness. Understanding trauma can improve interpersonal relationships in business. Partnership dynamics can significantly impact business success. Hard conversations are essential in business. Compartmentalization is crucial for personal and professional balance. Integrity and authenticity are vital in navigating challenges. Surround yourself with supportive and honest people. Recognizing triggers can help manage emotional responses. It's important to take risks and move forward. Learning from past mistakes is key to growth. Finding passion and purpose drives success. The Failure Factor Podcast was brought to you by Off The Field Coaching. Explore working with one of our coaches at http://offthefieldcoaching.com Hosted by Megan Bruneau: therapist, executive coach, speaker, Forbes contributor and host of The Failure Factor. For more info visit https://meganbruneau.com Follow Gara and her ventures: Ig: https://www.instagram.com/garadanielle The Now: https://www.instagram.com/thenowmassage Bowie Barker: https://www.instagram.com/bowiebarkerbath Follow Megan Ig: https://www.instagram.com/meganjbruneau/ In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-j-bruneau-m-a-rcc Subscribe to the podcast newsletter at https://thefailurefactorpodcast.com Themes: entrepreneurship, wellness, business growth, investment, self-care, personal journey, franchising, business expansion, COVID challenges, emotional intelligence, leadership, therapy, quality control, wellness industry, partnership dynamics, business challenges, co-founding, communication, integrity, entrepreneurship,

Scott Harrison is the founder and CEO of charity: water, a nonprofit that has funded over 171,000 projects to bring clean, safe, drinkable water to more than 20 million people across 29 countries. Unfulfilled from a decade of living the fast-paced extravagance of a nightclub promoter, he decided to seek a more purposeful life. He parted toward West Africa to serve as a volunteer in a hospital, where he witnessed first hand the devastating impacts of dirty water on the health and lives of people in developing countries. Join us as we unravel Scott's journey –how this experience began a profound transformation so he turned his life around and built an organization dedicated to providing drinking water to millions around the world. We discuss the challenges faced in this transition, the global water crisis, the role of women in water collection, and the importance of education and sanitation. Scott also reflects on his childhood experiences and the pivotal moments that led him to seek true happiness beyond material success. Scott is the author of the New York Times bestselling book "Thirst" and has been recognized in Fortune Magazine's 40 under 40 list, the Forbes Magazine Impact 30 list, and in Fast Company's 100 Most Creative People in Business issue. Listen to the story that will challenge you to think differently about giving and inspire you to create meaningful change in the world. Key Takeaways and Topics: Scott Harrison's transitioning from nightclub promoter to philanthropist. Charity Water's vision was to provide clean water to every person in the world. 703 million people currently drink contaminated water. 80% of those without water live in rural areas. Women and girls bear the burden of water collection. Lack of water and sanitation leads to girls dropping out of school. Scott's childhood shaped his caregiving role and independence. A moment of clarity led Scott to seek fulfillment beyond wealth. True happiness is found in purpose, not material possessions. The pivotal moment that led to a desire to serve others. Scott's experiences in Liberia highlighted the dire need for clean water. Sharing stories helped build awareness and engagement. Art exhibitions became a means to raise funds for humanitarian efforts. Scott's vision to reimagine charity with creativity and transparency. Promoting the right cause is crucial for impact. Visual storytelling can evoke stronger emotional responses. A clear solution to a problem can drive donations. Creating a business model that ensures transparency builds trust. Emotional experiences can motivate people to take action. The 100% model attracted donors who wanted to see direct impact. Financial crises can lead to innovative solutions and growth. Learning from failures is essential for organizational improvement. Effective risk management is key in charity work. Building strong relationships with donors can lead to long-term support. Failures can lead to significant growth and learning. Radical transparency is essential for restoring trust. The subscription model significantly increased revenue. Personal fulfillment often outweighs financial gain. Integrity is the most important value in leadership. Perseverance is key during challenging times. The Failure Factor Podcast was brought to you by Off The Field Coaching. Explore working with one of our coaches at http://offthefieldcoaching.com Hosted by Megan Bruneau: therapist, executive coach, speaker, Forbes contributor and host of The Failure Factor. For more info visit https://meganbruneau.com Learn more about Charity: Water: https://www.charitywater.org Sponsor a water project: https://www.charitywater.org/donate Buy the book: https://www.charitywater.org/thirst Ig: https://www.instagram.com/charitywater In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/charity-water Follow Scott Ig: https://www.instagram.com/scottharrison In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottharrison1 Follow Megan Ig: https://www.instagram.com/meganjbruneau/ In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-j-bruneau-m-a-rcc Subscribe to the podcast newsletter at https://thefailurefactorpodcast.com Themes: Charity Water, Scott Harrison, clean water, global philanthropy, water crisis, women empowerment, education, sanitation, personal journey, faith, personal growth, humanitarian work, clean water, charity, transformation, service, awareness, community, mission, charity, fundraising, storytelling, business model, emotional impact, nonprofit, marketing, visual communication, donor engagement, innovation, entrepreneurship, integrity, failure, purpose.

Alexandra Zatarain is the co-founder and VP of Brand and Marketing of Eight Sleep, the world's first sleep fitness company. With accolades like being named to Forbes 30 Under 30 and Inc's 100 female founders lists, Alexandra is the marketing genius that helped put Eight Sleep on the map.  Starting Eight Sleep with minimal marketing experience, she managed to redefine their product category through a long process of trial and error. Alexandra shares her thoughts about the importance of feedback, effective communication, humility, and long-term planning while emphasizing the need to embrace challenges, learn from failures, and maintain a growth mindset. Listen to her insights on navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship and innovation, particularly in the tech space.   Key takeaways: The journey of entrepreneurship is often messy and filled with failures. Understanding customer needs is crucial for product development. Feedback from early users can guide product improvements. Positioning is critical for startup success. Growth comes from learning through challenges and failures. Embracing feedback as a learning opportunity can lead to growth. Humility is a key trait for effective leadership. Scaling a business introduces new complexities and challenges. Long-term planning is necessary for sustainable growth. Feedback should be immediate and constructive, not just negative. Assuming good intentions helps in receiving feedback positively. Continuous learning is vital in entrepreneurship. Building a supportive community can alleviate the fear of failure.   The Failure Factor Podcast was brought to you by Off The Field Coaching. Explore working with one of our coaches at http://offthefieldcoaching.com  Hosted by Megan Bruneau: therapist, executive coach, speaker, Forbes contributor and host of The Failure Factor. For more info visit https://meganbruneau.com   Learn more about Eight Sleep: https://www.eightsleep.com Ig: https://www.instagram.com/eightsleep In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eight-- Follow Alexandra Ig: https://www.instagram.com/alexzatarainj In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrazatarain Follow Megan  Ig: https://www.instagram.com/meganjbruneau In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-j-bruneau-m-a-rcc    Subscribe to the podcast newsletter at https://thefailurefactorpodcast.com  Themes: entrepreneurship, sleep technology, Eight Sleep, failure, innovation, marketing, crowdfunding, product development, difficult conversations, leadership, entrepreneurship, feedback, leadership, scaling, business growth, humility, team dynamics

After more than a year of silence, Megan Bruneau returns with the Failure Factor to share a deeply personal episode about navigating one of the most challenging years of her life. In this raw and insightful conversation, Megan shares her journey through profound grief, major life transitions, and the lessons she discovered along the way.  In this episode, she opens up about how the sudden loss of her mother transformed her understanding of grief, both as a therapist and as a daughter, and how emotional avoidance only compounds our suffering. Episode highlights: Why compassion likely isn't what you think How understanding the evolutionary purpose of emotions changes everything Tools for processing emotional discomfort Megan's experience of death anxiety The connection Megan felt with her mom before she died A parable to returns to during times of struggle   Whether you're navigating grief, major life changes, or simply feeling stuck, this one's for you. Megan's story provides compassionate guidance, actionable wisdom, and the reassurance that you're not alone. The Failure Factor Podcast was brought to you by Off The Field Coaching. Explore working with one of our coaches at http://offthefieldcoaching.com Hosted by Megan Bruneau: therapist, executive coach, speaker, Forbes contributor and host of The Failure Factor. For more info visit https://meganbruneau.com Subscribe to the podcast newsletter at https://thefailurefactorpodcast.com   Follow Megan  Ig: https://www.instagram.com/meganjbruneau In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-j-bruneau-m-a-rcc Themes: grief, compassion, emotional avoidance, emotional health, lessons, authenticity, therapy, ACT, resilience, personal growth, family dynamics, community