This episode of "How I Built This" interviews Monica Nassif, founder of the upscale cleaning brand Caldrea and the mass-market brand Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day. The interview traces Nassif's entrepreneurial journey, from her initial struggles raising capital and finding manufacturers to her strategic decision to create a lower-priced line (Mrs. Meyer's) as a deliberate "knock-off" of her own higher-end product. Nassif discusses the challenges of scaling a business, the importance of understanding your target market, and the unexpected success of using her mother as a brand mascot. The interview highlights the crucial role of effective marketing and strategic partnerships in achieving significant growth, culminating in the acquisition of both brands by S.C. Johnson. A key takeaway is Nassif's emphasis on persistence and her willingness to adapt her strategies based on market feedback and her own experiences.
