Behind the Brand: Mvnifest and GIR, with our CMO Lauren Kaufman - Conversations with Consumer Goods Mavens

Episode 3: The partners in crime. Motherhood, friendship, and scaling companies in the midst of it all...

TLDR: I broke my leg skiing earlier this spring. As a Founder/CEO, wife, and mom with a whole lot going on, it was a massive disruption. For years I’ve been wanting to make the time to record conversations with my network of founder-friends, mentors, and consumer goods experts. I always found a reason to say “we’ll get to it later,” until now. If I can’t walk around the kitchen to make dinner or sneak off early to go surfing, I can at least sit in front of a camera, chat with friends new and old, and share some fun stories with the world. Take that, leg.

While I’m back on my feet (literally and figuratively), I’m continuing the conversations. This time, with my long-time friend, and CMO/Chief of Staff at Mvnifest, Lauren Kaufman.

The conversation between Lauren and I highlights the balancing act of navigating family life and business life, and I hope it resonates with anyone striving to maintain a harmonious equilibrium between these two essential aspects of our stories.

We discuss the advantages of blurring the lines between work and personal life, especially when working closely with friends and family members, and how we look at this in a positive light—it’s not a bug, it’s a feature. Our work-life integration allows for open communication and problem-solving that extends beyond formal work hours.

We emphasize the importance of celebrating family within the work environment. Instead of considering family an interruption, our company culture embraces children who occasionally peek into the room during meetings, fostering a sense of togetherness and inclusivity.

We also get into:

• Flexible Scheduling: Acknowledging the need for flexibility in our schedules. Finding ways to make meetings work at unconventional times or fit “out-of-office hours” into the middle of a weekday, emphasizing that this approach is not seen as a burden for employee or employer but as an opportunity to collaborate effectively.

• Parenting and Leadership: Highlighting the significance of approaching both responsibilities with love and empathy. This outlook shapes the way I deal with challenges, making me a far more effective leader in my professional life as well.

• Time Management Strategies: Lauren shares how she structures her day and what’s worked for her to make time for deep work while leaving room for personal commitments.

• Sticking to Meeting Schedules: A big one to ensure workflow is smooth.

• Reflection and Adaptation: We acknowledge that there is no perfect formula for managing both family and business seamlessly, and talk of self-reflection, adaptability, and a constant effort to strike a balance that works for each of us.

Lauren and I had a great time exploring the challenges and strategies we employ to navigate the dance of managing family life while driving our business(es) forward. But our conversation most deeply underscores the significance of a supportive company culture that celebrates both personal and professional achievements. I’d love to hear your take on this and what’s worked for you, in this constant, fabulous balancing act!

Watch or listen to our full chat above. You can also tune in on our YouTube, where the full transcript lives.

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Behind the Brand aims to inspire entrepreneurs, marketing professionals, and design enthusiasts by showcasing the real stories of those who have navigated the complexities of product-based landscapes. Whether you’re curious about the latest trends, seeking practical advice, or craving inspiration, this interview series offers a deep dive into the minds shaping the future of consumer brands.

At Mvnifest, we manage every aspect of the consumer goods brand lifecycle, from ideation to fulfillment—we’re the swiss army knife in your favorite brands’ back pockets. We’re sharing our favorite industry trends, tips, and takeaways for consumer goods brand builders, founders, and the teams behind them.