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Ep. 21 Flow State Founders & Limitless Dreamers
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Ep. 21 Flow State Founders & Limitless Dreamers

Insights from Vanessa Kuhlor & Miller McCoy

In this episode of Could Be Pretty Cool News, Kacie speaks with two entrepreneurs who are redefining success on their own terms - from reimagining corporate structures to building fashion empires from unexpected places.

First Interview: Vanessa Kuhlor

Brooklyn-based creative and founder of In Between Dreams, a creative collective and consulting studio focused on innovation, design, and community.

Episode Highlights

·       Journey from venture debt at Silicon Valley Bank through the bank's collapse

·       Launch of In Between Dreams during a period of intentional rest and exploration

·       Development of HenFia, the design arm focused on African art and textiles

·       Philosophy of "ease and leisure" in approaching creative work

·       Finding inspiration in unexpected places, from birdwatching to community kinship

Notable Quotes

"Reimagine what experiences for everything could look like for you. I think we are able to create and develop an architecture of the world that we want to live in, but also your own world."

Second Interview: Miller McCoy

Founder of Limitless Manufacturing Group, Human Clothing, and Made by Miller, building a full-service fashion house from midwest beginnings.

Episode Highlights

·       Early start in magic shows while managing chronic illness

·       First clothing venture selling one t-shirt at an Iowa sneaker convention

·       Strategic use of product seeding to build brand recognition

·       Dramatic move to LA with a broken leg just before pandemic lockdown

·       Evolution into manufacturing for major recording artists while maintaining creative vision

Notable Quotes

"In the creative, the entrepreneur, the creative entrepreneur world, you can only fail if you quit. If you don't quit, you're still trying."

Key Themes

·       Reimagining traditional business structures

·       Finding opportunity in setbacks

·       Building community through creative work

·       The importance of persistence in creative entrepreneurship

·       Balancing personal vision with commercial success

Discussion about this podcast

Could Be Pretty Cool’s Substack
Could Be Pretty Cool News
Could Be Pretty Cool News is your go-to podcast for the latest scoop on the indie art and creative entrepreneurship scene. Each episode blends insights from the trailblazers who study and build the creative economy with intimate conversations with up-and-coming artists and entrepreneurs. Tune in for insightful discussions, artist spotlights, and a deep dive into the mechanics of running an independent creative business.
In each episode, we embark on an intellectual exploration where research meets creativity and data intersects with entrepreneurship.
The show is hosted by Spotify Sound Up Alum and "You Heard Me Write" host Kacie Willis.