S3. Ep. 264 Bigger Is Not Always Better, Taking the Proper Steps to Build a Successful Brand with Lauren Dudley Stephens and Kaki Dudley McGrath, Co-founders of Dudley Stephens
“Always come back to your North Star. Stay true to your mission, and when you find yourself veering off the path, remind yourself of who you are, what you do, why you do it, and how, and circle back to that original mission of your brand. It is always there to guide you.” This is one of Lindsay Pinchuk’s top takeaways in this episode, pointing out the need for alignment and focus in building a brand that lasts.
Lindsay is joined by Lauren Dudley Stephens and Katherine “Kaki” Dudley McGrath, the sister duo behind the direct-to-consumer brand Dudley Stephens. What’s the secret to their success? A mix of family values, sustainable practices, and an unwavering commitment to staying true to their mission—even as their business grows! They share how starting small, fostering genuine connections with their community, and building a grassroots approach to marketing allowed them to expand thoughtfully while staying grounded.
Tune in to hear how Dudley Stephens became a brand that’s as beloved for its values as it is for its products, and why sometimes, smaller really is better.
Quotes
“Marketing is everything, and you need to have a good core product. But how you get your story out there is just as important.” (10:53 | Lauren Dudley Stephens)
“If it goes against our North Star, we say no. It kind of goes back to being true to ourselves and staying small and manageable as well. We want to be able to stay the course, and that North Star helps us do that.” (33:14 | Katherine “Kaki” Dudley McGrath)
“Bigger is not better, and the grass is not always greener... you have to appreciate what you’ve built, grow steadily, be profitable, and have a nice family business.” (34:31 | Lauren Dudley Stephens)
“Learn from the people who know it better than you… It’s a roller coaster and there are going to be downs, but take those—the negatives—and turn them into positives.” (39:55 | Katherine “Kaki” Dudley McGrath)
Connect with Lauren Dudley Stephens and Kaki Dudley McGrath:
https://www.instagram.com/laurendudleystephens/
Get on Lindsay's LIST here: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/foundherforum
There are still a few tickets left for Dear FoundHer... on Tour with Sunny and Jenn on December 2 in Wilmette, IL: https://dearfoundher.ticketspice.com/dear-foundheron-tour-presents-sunny-jenn
Don't forget to follow Lindsay https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk
