How To Launch & Grow A Business In 3 Months: Cass Di Micco On The Power of Mindset & Cold Emails

This podcast explores the journey of Cass Di Micco, founder of the jewelry brand Orium, and her evolution as an entrepreneur. Di Micco discusses the importance of mindset and the power of taking risks, emphasizing the value of direct relationships with manufacturers and prioritizing product quality. She also shares her perspective on the challenges of balancing work and personal life, particularly as she navigates the desire to have children while maintaining her successful business.

Early Career & Orium's Start

• 00:06:15 Di Micco's passion for fashion led her to a career as a buyer for a large department store, where she gained valuable experience but eventually realized she needed to pursue her own creative vision. Her entrepreneurial journey began with building a following through content creation and eventually led to the launch of Orium, a jewelry brand, in a remarkably short period of three months.

Mindset & Confidence

• 00:09:56 Di Micco believes that a strong mindset is essential for success in business and life. She emphasizes the importance of taking risks, particularly in one's early twenties when the potential for loss is lower. She also highlights the significance of consistently pushing oneself, both personally and professionally, as a means of building self-confidence and self-worth.

Building a Business

• 00:30:01 Di Micco shares how the concept of Orium evolved from her personal desire for elevated style on a budget, emphasizing the power of accessorizing. She stresses the importance of quality over quantity, and her commitment to working directly with manufacturers to ensure the authenticity and integrity of the products.

Working with a Partner

• 00:42:31 Di Micco discusses the benefits and challenges of working with her husband, who was her boyfriend at the time of Orium's launch. She highlights their complementary skill sets, the value of honest feedback, and the unique bond they've forged through their shared entrepreneurial journey.

Finding Manufacturers & Minimum Viable Product

• 00:45:11 Di Micco emphasizes the importance of taking risks and starting a business before feeling completely prepared. She advises new entrepreneurs to utilize Google and cold emails to connect with manufacturers, acknowledging that the first manufacturer may not be the ideal long-term partner. She advocates for the minimum viable product approach, emphasizing the value of getting a product to market quickly to gather customer feedback and adapt accordingly.

Balancing Control & Delegation

• 00:39:38 Di Micco acknowledges the challenge of balancing control over the creative aspects of her business with the need to delegate tasks to others. She emphasizes the importance of identifying core skills and delegating others where appropriate. She also discusses the benefits and challenges of remote work and the importance of regular communication with her team.

Work-Life Balance & Motherhood

• 01:00:20 Di Micco shares her anxieties and excitement about balancing her entrepreneurial ambitions with her desire to have children. She acknowledges the inherent unfairness of the societal expectations placed on women, particularly regarding the impact of motherhood on career progression. Despite these concerns, she emphasizes her commitment to setting a positive example for her future children and incorporating their presence into her life in a fulfilling way.

The Importance of 'Why'

• 01:12:19 Di Micco concludes by stating that the most impactful advice she's received is to constantly reflect on one's 'why.' She emphasizes the need to connect with the core reasons behind actions and decisions, both personal and professional. This understanding, she argues, provides motivation, clarity, and resilience in the face of challenges.

Breaking Down Barriers

• 01:00:01 Di Micco challenges the societal pressure on women to compete with each other, arguing that female entrepreneurs should support and learn from each other. She describes her own efforts to reach out to other entrepreneurs in similar industries, providing valuable feedback and building strong relationships. She believes that this collaborative approach benefits everyone involved and contributes to a more supportive environment for women in business.