Meet Jane Over A Plain Black Coffee (I Need One Every Morning!)
Jane Lee, Co-Founder of Launch Pop | Los Angeles & Toronto
Jane was referred to me by two well respected venture capitalists. They urged me to connect with her and she did not disappoint. Our friendship formed instantly over a Macchiato <> Plain Black Coffee, while debating the state of the founders/funders economy, the evolution of the consumer goods industry, and the need for a deeper sense of community. Jane is an advocate for culture and always prioritizes the power of connection. I admire her deeply.
Jane is the co-founder of consumer brand acceleration agency, Launch Pop, which has operations in Los Angeles and Toronto. Launch Pop helps high potential founders launch brands and products that will disrupt the consumer health and wellness industry. Jane is a successful entrepreneur who built silly b intimates – a bold, light-hearted and cheeky lingerie brand that specializes in creating the most reliable underwear for the modern woman. Her company was acquired in 2016. Jane then went on to be the Entrepreneur in Residence at Shopify and is known for leading the popular Kylie Cosmetics launch. She is now on a mission to shed new light on the consumer goods industry in North America and to provide founders with the funding and attention they deserve for successful brand growth.
Now over to Jane for some inspirational fuel. ☕️
What does community mean to you?
J.L.: Community is so important to me. I believe that people who truly want to succeed are those who create a strong community around them. They are the people that will surrender and be humble enough to say that they can't do it alone. Instead of focusing on themselves, they start bringing people together so that knowledge and resources can be shared. This results in a stronger group of people rising together. I think the best leaders empower those around them to take action around a communal vision. That is community!
You have always been an entrepreneur and innovator at heart, from the conception of your Silly B Intimates brand which was acquired in 2016, to your role as an entrepreneur in residence at Shopify helping emerging brands grow, to your groundbreaking business model and role at Launch Pop. What is the best and worst advice you have received throughout this journey?
J.L.: I've received a lot of advice in the past, both positive and negative advice. The best advice I've ever received is: People are everything. At the end of the day you can be the smartest, hardest working person in the world but if you don't value the people around you, you'll never go far. Here are a couple of other pieces of advice that go alongside that: 1. Networking isn't about being fake, it's about making real connections with people that you genuinely want to learn from and like! 2. Keeping authentic genuine relationships with people who are more experienced, older and wiser than you is important but it's also important to mentor younger people. You never know who might join your team next! 3. Always try to add value first before asking for anything in return. Figure out how you can help!
“I think the best leaders empower those around them to take action around a communal vision. That is community!”
- Jane Lee
The love you have for the emerging consumer goods industry runs deep as well as your contributions to industry articles for various news outlets. What gaps are you working to solve for as you now lend a helping hand to founders?
J.L.: My co -founder and I saw a huge struggle amongst our community and friends. Many single founders would struggle at the beginning stages of their company because there was just way too much to do and not enough time! We created Launch Pop so that founders could focus on product development, fundraising and my team would come in and take care of the online/brand/growth and design side of their business. Ultimately, we'd act like their DTC (direct-to-consumer) co-founder. We're a fusion of an agency and an accelerator. We also help our founders fundraise as well. Many early stage founders have a hard time raising money so we help build their business and introduce them to our network of investors as well.
Any leaders / companies that inspire you in your life and in the work you do?
J.L.: I admire all founders who have taken the risk to start something. There are many unicorn companies out there and they get a lot of media attention. A lot of people think that building a sustainable company is easy, when it's really not! I've seen founders give up a lot to build their company and it's tiresome and lonely. I am inspired by every single one of the founders that I work with.
“I have something called Airplane Mode Saturdays where my partner and I airplane mode our phones for the entire day.
This allows us to really disconnect from the world and focus on the present and each other.”
- Jane’s Fuel Hack
What daily ritual have you integrated into your life that enables you to stay grounded?
J.L.: I have something called Airplane Mode Saturdays where my partner and I airplane mode our phones for the entire day. This is one of the most amazing things that we've done for a couple of reasons: 1. We are both entrepreneurs and always glued to our laptops/ phones. Both of us have team members in Canada & USA so we are constantly working in different time zones and hopping on hangouts. This allows us to really disconnect from the world and focus on the present and each other. 2. Letting go of your phone lets you stop thinking about what's happening with the world and lets your mind float to different places. This is really important because it's easy to get trapped in being one dimensional about business and your work. By doing this, it gives you the permission to think in different ways, creatively and breathe, expand.
Mindset you live by… go!
J.L.: Live with integrity! At the end of the day, you'll never regret a thing if you are honest and authentic in business, relationships and life. Life and work are one, it's almost impossible to have a face for work and a face for life. Live a consistent life.
Connect with Jane!
