I’ve always been drawn to the stories behind brands—the real, messy moments that define them. Not just the polished success, but the times when everything felt impossible. I’m no Howard Schultz, but I had my own tiny version of that moment. When I started Threads Earrings, I was overwhelmed. I had no experience, demand was higher than I could handle, and there were plenty of times I wanted to quit.

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That’s why I admire people like Schultz. Before Starbucks was a global brand, he walked into a Milan café and had a powerful experience that changed everything. He didn’t invent coffee culture or cafes—he just saw something, felt something, and made others feel it too. But vision alone wasn’t enough. Back in the U.S., no one wanted to fund him. His wife was pregnant, money was tight, and the dream almost died. But he made it happen.

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Or take Daniel Ek, who built Spotify and later admitted that he might not have done it at all if he had known how hard it would be. That kind of honesty is rare, but it’s real.

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What resonates with me most is that even when everything is stacked against them, these founders keep going—because their belief in what they’re building is unshakable. That’s why I love telling brand stories. Not just the highlight reel, but the moments that make people connect, believe, and care.