From Bootstrapped to $20MM in Revenue in Less than Three Years, with Alex Schinasi, Founder of Hulken
Dear FoundHer...Real Founder Stories for Women Small Business Owners
Lindsay Pinchuk
4.9 • 1.1K Ratings
🗓️ 12 November 2024
⏱️ 41 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
“Everyone has a use case for Hulken, and I think that’s what makes it so relatable. The product basically markets itself,” says Alex Schinasi, the co-founder and president of Hulken, as she shares how her simple yet functional rolling tote became a viral sensation.
Joining Lindsay Pinchuk in this episode, Alex reflects on her start as an entrepreneur in Israel, where she first learned the importance of responding to customer needs. From launching a side project during the pandemic to growing Hulken into a profitable business, Alex’s journey challenges many common assumptions about what it takes to start a successful company. Is a large team really necessary? Or can resourcefulness and focus on a single standout product bring growth?
Alex’s story inspires entrepreneurs to start small, keep things straightforward, and rethink the need for external funding. Her approach is refreshingly practical, proving that anyone can build something meaningful with determination, adaptability, and a willingness to listen to the market.
Quotes
- “Everyone has a use case for Hulken, and I think that’s what makes it so relatable… the product basically markets itself.” (14:22 | Alex Schinasi)
- “You don’t need the big fancy teams. You don’t need the six-figure hires. You can hire freelance people for projects. And I say this all the time: figure out what you don’t want to do and what you can’t do, and find someone who can do it for you, and you will be paying them less than it would cost you to ‘pay yourself.’ That’s how you grow a big business. That’s how you bootstrap a business… Hulken, it’s only now, and we’re almost at 20 million in revenue, that we’re investing in our website. Not a dime was invested in that website until literally right now.” (18:18 | Lindsay Pinchuk & Alex Schinasi)
- “It’s funny, there’s that misconception that you need capital to start a company, but it’s actually never been easier to start a company with nothing... You observed your customers and you made the pivot. In all of these situations, which is so important, you can just get started. The tools are there.” (20:27 | Alex Schinasi & Lindsay Pinchuk)
- “You somehow find the strength, right? I think that happens a lot as a founder—that things just seem impossible, and you just find it in you somehow and get through it.” (36:11 | Alex Schinasi)
- “If you overthink, you’re never going to start. Nothing’s ever going to be perfect, and you just have to be okay with that idea.” (38:35 | Alex Schinasi)
Connect with Alex Schinasi:
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alexschinasi
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 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Hi guys, it's me Lindsay Pinchuk, host of Dear Fountain. And in just a few minutes, you're going to hear me talk to today's guest about how she started her current venture simply by putting up a website and going for it, literally. It's been her side hustle until earlier this year when she decided to join the business full time. And as you'll hear her say, you don't need much to just get started. |
| 0:22.9 | This sentiment is one, which I try to share with you regularly here on Dear Founder, the podcast |
| 0:27.6 | and on our social media. First, it's to just get started. And second, it's just to give it a go. |
| 0:34.5 | And third, it's to do it simply. As you hear me say often, your network is a big |
| 0:40.3 | part of making that all happen, which is why we want to help level yours up. In just a couple of |
| 0:46.1 | weeks, we're going to be opening the doors to our new online community called the Deer Found Her |
| 0:51.3 | Forum. And it's a place for you to meet, connect, brainstorm, |
| 0:54.7 | support, lift up and share with other female founders and entrepreneurs. We know that we're better |
| 1:00.1 | together and around here we don't gatekeep. So we're creating a space for you to share tools and |
| 1:05.3 | resources, jobs, ideas, and so much more. Plus, you'll have access to monthly office hours |
| 1:10.7 | with me where you can ask any question that you more. Plus, you'll have access to monthly office hours with me where you can ask |
| 1:12.6 | any question that you want. So if you want to be one of the first to know when the Deer found |
| 1:17.8 | her forum is open, click the link in the show notes and get on the list. You've told us that you're |
| 1:23.7 | ready for this and we can't wait to see you inside. But for now, on to today's episode. |
| 1:30.2 | I love today's conversation for so many reasons. |
| 1:33.7 | One, Alex Chenezzi is a powerhouse. |
| 1:37.8 | She's started three companies already and she sold her first two. |
| 1:42.6 | Number two, in starting her companies, she has solved |
| 1:45.7 | very real problems for her customers. And when they haven't been so aligned, she has pivoted, |
| 1:54.2 | which is what makes her such an effective and successful entrepreneur. And number three, |
| 2:00.1 | this latest venture was totally bootstrapped and she's killing it. |
| 2:05.6 | Alex Shinazi is an accomplished entrepreneur and co-founder of Hulkin, Ivy, and Clay. |
... |
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