Behind the Brand: Mylle, with Kris Myllenbeck - Conversations with Consumer Goods Mavens

Episode 2: Behind the Brand: The inflatable pool taking over the internet (and Saks, and Holt Renfrew…)

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.

In episode 2, I sit down with Kris Myllenbeck - founder of Mylle, a company that offers aesthetic inflatable pools designed to fit your urban space. The idea for Mylle came about in 2016 when Kris, an editorial stylist, wanted a beautiful pool for her rooftop in downtown Seattle but couldn’t find one that matched her aesthetic.

Recognizing a lack of attractive inflatable pools in the market, Kris decided to create her own. By reimagining inflatable pools in a way that was elevated and matched urban dweller’s aesthetic spaces, they could appeal to a broader audience and show people that small pools are not just for kids.

Initially, Kris thought it might be possible to begin by changing the patterns of existing inflatable pools, but quickly realized the existing forms were part of what made what was on the market less appealing. With her background in styling and a keen eye for aesthetics, Kris focused on creating fully custom, beautiful, and minimal pool designs. She ran up all the learning curves: manufacturing, import/export, packaging efficiencies, and shipping (from her garage at first, where so many legendary product stories get their start). Flash forward, Mylle has become known for the unique and visually appealing pool designs that captured the interest of consumers and the media alike (cue Architectural Digest, Dwell, Glamour, and more).

We dive into a few aspects of Kris’ journey during our chat, including the open-ended ambiguity of Mylle’s pronunciation, and why she feels that added so much to the charm, but there were a few major themes:

Authenticity Matters: It’s okay not to have everything perfectly figured out at the beginning. People connect with the human side of a brand and appreciate the genuine story behind it.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help: We highlight the value of seeking advice and help from experts in different areas. Always seek out smarter people than you - surrounding yourself with people who are better than you at what they do gives you access to thinking that will make you better.

Progress Over Perfection: While it’s essential to have a well-thought-out brand, don’t let perfectionism hinder your progress. Brands can evolve over time, and it’s okay to make adjustments along the way.

Scaling Takes Strategy: Scaling a brand requires careful planning and making adjustments to handle growth efficiently. Seeking third-party fulfillment (3PL) services and finding suitable partners can be crucial in preparing to scale smoothly.

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

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. Subscribe to our substack for bi-weekly episodes of Behind the Brand and other awesome content.