How to grow through the power of community | Sarah Hardy (Bobbie)

Join Daryna Kulya as she interviews Sarah Hardy, Co-Founder of Bobbie, in a conversation that cuts to the heart of what it means to build a mission-driven company.

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Sarah shares how Bobbie created a strong community even before launching their product. She recounts the extraordinary lengths Bobbie went to support customers, including Uber-ing cans of formula to their subscribers, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to customer care.

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Sarah also discusses the tough, unconventional decision to pause new sign-ups during the national formula shortage to prioritize existing subscribers—an unheard-of move that showcased their brand’s integrity.

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From setting early company values to testifying before Congress, Sarah’s journey is packed with practical insights and powerful lessons on community, resilience, and staying true to your mission. This episode is a must-listen for any founder looking to build a company with heart and purpose.

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In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• The value of having a community
• The importance of doing things that don’t scale to meet customer needs
• How actions during a crisis can define your brand and build customer loyalty
• The significance of setting company values early and sticking to them
• Insights into navigating the challenges of scaling a mission-driven company
• The impact of advocacy work and engaging with public policy

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Timestamps:

1. (0:00) - Intro
2. (01:31) - Sarah’s background and experience at Airbnb
3. (04:14) - Joining Airbnb post Series B during the time of rapid growth
4. (05:54) - Lessons from Airbnb's focus on company culture and values
5. (09:30) - Sarah’s transition from Airbnb to Bobbie
6. (16:47) - Demo: Sarah shows Daryna how to make a formula bottle 🍼
7. (18:42) - How Bobbie built a community before having a product
8. (26:14) - Uber-ing cans to subscribers
9. (30:40) - Pausing signups during the national formula shortage
10. (38:54) - Bobbie’s advocacy work and Sarah’s experience testifying before Congress
11. (41:38) - Open sourcing Bobbie’s paid leave policy
12. (46:17) - Advice for founders looking to build a mission-driven company

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This is a series featuring real stories behind building a company. Expect candid conversations with fellow entrepreneurs who’ve experienced everything from wild highs to “can-we-survive-this” lows. In each episode, Daryna and her guests share their journeys, lessons learned, and the insights that made all the difference. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned founder, there's something here for everyone.

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To learn more about Bobbie, check:

▷ Bobbie website: https://www.hibobbie.com/

▷ Follow Bobbie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbie/

▷ Connect with Sarah Hardy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahhardy/

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