Ali Hynek's guest appearances

Ali Hynek

Inspired Conversations with Amy Schuber

Salt Lake Speaks

The Startup Story

Dan's Millionaire Code

David Allen

Penney Peirce

Joe Vitale

Christy Whitman

Brent Michael Phillips

Debra Silverman

Hans Christian King

James Van Praagh

Lee Harris

Christina Stembel

Katie Goodman

Kara Goldin

Tiffany Sorya

Brian Johnson

Laura Roeder

OwlTail

About this episode Nena &amp; Co. makes unique one-of-a-kind artisan purses, bags, and accessories. This week the founder of Nena &amp; Co., Ali Hynek, unpacks her startup journey for us.  While her company may be known for beautiful bags and accessories, the heart of the company is to support individuals and families in Guatemala by helping to create sustainable income opportunities for everyone they work with. They are changing the lives and future for all the individuals and families that serve them to bring these bags to market. I learned about Nena &amp; Co. from a listener who reached out to me to inform me of the company's HUGE fan base. In fact, the fans call themselves the Nena-verse.  Ali and the Nena team release bags for sale every Friday morning and Friday evening. They are sold out within minutes. So why do they just release products on Fridays?  Everything is made by hand in Guatemala, Mexico, and Morocco. When it comes to growth challenges, you’ll hear that Ali will point to manufacturing as the greatest challenge. Ali’s story is incredible for many reasons. One key thing that makes Ali’s story rise above the rest is just how deep entrepreneurship is rooted in her family. In fact, I might need to invite Ali’s mom on an episode of her own. This is Ali Hynek’s startup story.  In this episode, you’ll hear  About her earliest memory of her parents owning a pinata company While her parents were entrepreneurs, the idea of becoming one herself never occurred to her; instead she went to college in Hawaii and took longer than anticipated to finish How she found out travel was one of her passions (traveling to 60 countries has something to do with it!)  Her story of trying to figure out what she was passionate about, including people and culture About the time she tried to get a job at Lululemon and they wouldn’t hire her, but Restoration Hardware did The experience and lessons about customer service she learned from her time at Restoration Hardware How her struggle with infertility led her in the direction of Guatemala and the beginnings of Nena &amp; Co. The early days of Nena &amp; Co., arranging to buy bags from Guatemala, setting up a website, and selling and shipping merchandise from her home in Orange Co. Having an intimate knowledge of her buyer persona, how it has affected the growth of Nena &amp; Co., and how she markets the products to her customers There is so much power in asking your personal network to simply help support you Her start on Instagram and the story behind how and why she began to start doing sales on Fridays Having someone believe in you is helpful, but belief in yourself is true empowerment  “As entrepreneurs we do not do a very good job at celebrating the small victories along the way.” – Ali Hynek Resources from this episode The Startup Story LIVE! May 7th in Dallas. Tickets on sale now → http://startupstorylive.com  Creedon: Legal partners you want as you build your business and brand. Listeners get a 30-minute brand consultation + $200 discount on a trademark application. Visit http://creedonpllc.com/startupstory Brex: The credit card specifically for startups. Visit http://www.brex.com. Listeners, use code StartupStory and get fees waived for life! Nena &amp; Co.: https://www.nenaandco.com/ Nena &amp; Co. on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nenaandco/?hl=en Nena &amp; Co. Society on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/nenaandcomvp/ Ali Hynek on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-hynek-62462a132/ The Startup Story on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thestartupstory/ The Startup Story is now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/jamesmckinney The Startup Story on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestartupstory/ Share the podcast The Startup Story community has been so incredible sharing our podcast with others, and we thank you! We do have more stories to tell and more people to reach. There are three ways you can help. First, the most powerful way you can support this podcast is by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.  Second, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and be sure to share your favorite Startup Story episodes with your friends and on social media. Tag or mention @thestartupstory.co so we can give you a virtual high five and a thank you!  Lastly, share the podcast on LinkedIn. The Startup Story podcast is for entrepreneurs. Don’t underestimate the power of sharing on LinkedIn so other entrepreneurs can discover us.   With your support, we hope to further our reach in encouraging and inspiring the founders of today and tomorrow. Thank you! EPISODE CREDITS If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment. He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world. Contact him today at https://emeraldcitypro.com/startupstory Special Guest: Ali Hynek.

<h2>About this episode</h2> Nena &amp; Co. makes unique one-of-a-kind artisan purses, bags, and accessories. This week the founder of Nena &amp; Co., Ali Hynek, unpacks her startup journey for us. While her company may be known for beautiful bags and accessories, the heart of the company is to support individuals and families in Guatemala by helping to create sustainable income opportunities for everyone they work with. They are changing the lives and future for all the individuals and families that serve them to bring these bags to market. I learned about Nena &amp; Co. from a listener who reached out to me to inform me of the company's HUGE fan base. In fact, the fans call themselves the Nena-verse. Ali and the Nena team release bags for sale every Friday morning and Friday evening. They are sold out within minutes. So why do they just release products on Fridays? Everything is made by hand in Guatemala, Mexico, and Morocco. When it comes to growth challenges, you’ll hear that Ali will point to manufacturing as the greatest challenge. Ali’s story is incredible for many reasons. One key thing that makes Ali’s story rise above the rest is just how deep entrepreneurship is rooted in her family. In fact, I might need to invite Ali’s mom on an episode of her own. This is Ali Hynek’s startup story. <h2>In this episode, you’ll hear</h2> <ul> <li>About her earliest memory of her parents owning a pinata company</li> <li>While her parents were entrepreneurs, the idea of becoming one herself never occurred to her; instead she went to college in Hawaii and took longer than anticipated to finish</li> <li>How she found out travel was one of her passions (traveling to 60 countries has something to do with it!) </li> <li>Her story of trying to figure out what she was passionate about, including people and culture</li> <li>About the time she tried to get a job at Lululemon and they wouldn’t hire her, but Restoration Hardware did</li> <li>The experience and lessons about customer service she learned from her time at Restoration Hardware</li> <li>How her struggle with infertility led her in the direction of Guatemala and the beginnings of Nena &amp; Co.</li> <li>The early days of Nena &amp; Co., arranging to buy bags from Guatemala, setting up a website, and selling and shipping merchandise from her home in Orange Co.</li> <li>Having an intimate knowledge of her buyer persona, how it has affected the growth of Nena &amp; Co., and how she markets the products to her customers</li> <li>There is so much power in asking your personal network to simply help support you</li> <li>Her start on Instagram and the story behind how and why she began to start doing sales on Fridays</li> <li>Having someone believe in you is helpful, but belief in yourself is true empowerment</li> </ul> “As entrepreneurs we do not do a very good job at celebrating the small victories along the way.” – Ali Hynek <h2>Resources from this episode</h2> The Startup Story LIVE! May 7th in Dallas. Tickets on sale now → <a href="http://startupstorylive.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://startupstorylive.com</a> Creedon: Legal partners you want as you build your business and brand. Listeners get a 30-minute brand consultation + $200 discount on a trademark application. Visit <a href="http://creedonpllc.com/startupstory" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://creedonpllc.com/startupstory</a> Brex: The credit card specifically for startups. Visit <a href="http://www.brex.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.brex.com</a>. Listeners, use code StartupStory and get fees waived for life! Nena &amp; Co.: <a href="https://www.nenaandco.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.nenaandco.com/</a> Nena &amp; Co. on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/nenaandco/?hl=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/nenaandco/?hl=en</a> Nena &amp; Co. Society on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/nenaandcomvp/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/nenaandcomvp/</a> Ali Hynek on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-hynek-62462a132/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/in/ali-hynek-62462a132/</a> The Startup Story on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/thestartupstory/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.linkedin.com/company/thestartupstory/</a> The Startup Story is now on YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/jamesmckinney" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/jamesmckinney</a> The Startup Story on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thestartupstory/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/thestartupstory/</a> <h2>Share the podcast</h2> The Startup Story community has been so incredible sharing our podcast with others, and we thank you! We do have more stories to tell and more people to reach. There are three ways you can help. First, the most powerful way you can support this podcast is by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. Second, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and be sure to share your favorite Startup Story episodes with your friends and on social media. Tag or mention @thestartupstory.co so we can give you a virtual high five and a thank you! Lastly, share the podcast on LinkedIn. The Startup Story podcast is for entrepreneurs. Don’t underestimate the power of sharing on LinkedIn so other entrepreneurs can discover us. With your support, we hope to further our reach in encouraging and inspiring the founders of today and tomorrow. Thank you! <h4>EPISODE CREDITS</h4> If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment. He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world. Contact him today at <a href="https://emeraldcitypro.com/startupstory" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://emeraldcitypro.com/startupstory</a> Special Guest: Ali Hynek.

Ali Hynek, founder of Nena & Co.

Today’s guest is my friend and amazing entrepreneur, Ali Hynek. She is the CEO and founder of Nena &amp; Co, the “bohemian couture” fashion brand that focuses on handbags and textiles with a strong focus on design and marketing.  Nena &amp; Co. celebrates the unique heritage and talents of artisans around the world working in countries such as Guatemala, Mexico, Ghana, Morocco, and the USA. Responsible growth and strong community are an integral part of their principles. They live by the tagline, Wearing Values. Nena &amp; Co.'s success has allowed Ali to better the lives of hundreds of artisans and their families by providing a fair living wage, access to medical services, and offering opportunities for education.   Part of celebrating artisan's heritage is by creating a connection between them and the consumer. The driving force behind Nena &amp; Co.’s marketing, her visual storytelling brings artisan’s stories straight to the consumer. It is overwhelmingly successful. In five years, Nena &amp; Co. communities have formed around the world all on their own. That is thanks to a commitment to the values she finds important. As she says, don’t be afraid to be different. To create a great company, it can be unique and a little weird but not so far that you are all alone.   It's not an easy task, but if you can get focused and clear about what you want to bring to the world, as Ali has, you will succeed. Today’s podcast with Ali is a shining example of that. You wouldn’t think the fashion and technology industries could teach one another anything, but good things come from unexpected places. Be sure to watch today’s podcast and execute the wisdom Ali shares. I know everyone on my marketing team will be. 

Today’s guest is my friend and amazing entrepreneur, Ali Hynek. She is the CEO and founder of Nena &amp; Co, the “bohemian couture” fashion brand that focuses on handbags and textiles with a strong focus on design and marketing.  Nena &amp; Co. celebrates the unique heritage and talents of artisans around the world working in countries such as Guatemala, Mexico, Ghana, Morocco, and the USA. Responsible growth and strong community are an integral part of their principles. They live by the tagline, Wearing Values. Nena &amp; Co.'s success has allowed Ali to better the lives of hundreds of artisans and their families by providing a fair living wage, access to medical services, and offering opportunities for education. Part of celebrating artisan's heritage is by creating a connection between them and the consumer. The driving force behind Nena &amp; Co.’s marketing, her visual storytelling brings artisan’s stories straight to the consumer. It is overwhelmingly successful. In five years, Nena &amp; Co. communities have formed around the world all on their own. That is thanks to a commitment to the values she finds important. As she says, don’t be afraid to be different. To create a great company, it can be unique and a little weird but not so far that you are all alone. It's not an easy task, but if you can get focused and clear about what you want to bring to the world, as Ali has, you will succeed. Today’s podcast with Ali is a shining example of that. You wouldn’t think the fashion and technology industries could teach one another anything, but good things come from unexpected places. Be sure to watch today’s podcast and execute the wisdom Ali shares. I know everyone on my marketing team will be.

Branding Yourself Online with Ali Hynek

Mommy Blogging

Ali Hynek found her way into Mommy blogging, or ‘influencing’ as she prefers, after her triplets were born two years ago. Hynek had already developed a face and following through her fashion company, Nena &amp; Co., so the transition into mommy specific blogging was easy. For Hynek, the instagram account began as a digital scrapbook for keeping pictures of her sweet PEAs, (Penelope, Ethan &amp; Alejandra), but eventually it has grown to be one of Utah’s top mommy influencing accounts. Hynek discusses how she grew her company and her personal account, how she manages products and branding and how to balance what is seen on social media and the reality of motherhood. 

Ali Hynek found her way into Mommy blogging, or ‘influencing’ as she prefers, after her triplets were born two years ago. Hynek had already developed a face and following through her fashion company, <a href="http://www.nenaandco.com/%E2%80%8E" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nena &amp; Co.</a>, so the transition into mommy specific blogging was easy. For Hynek, the instagram account began as a digital scrapbook for keeping pictures of her sweet PEAs, (Penelope, Ethan &amp; Alejandra), but eventually it has grown to be one of Utah’s top mommy influencing accounts. Hynek discusses how she grew her company and her personal account, how she manages products and branding and how to balance what is seen on social media and the reality of motherhood.

Utah Mommy Blogging: Ali Hynek of Nena &amp; Co 

Nena &amp; Company was created by Alejandra Hynek in 2013 to bring some of her culture to your colorful lifestyle.  Nena can be loosely translated in English to mean "baby girl" or "darling" and is a term her mother affectionately calls her. Guatemala {Guate} became a magical place for Alejandra as she grew and learned more of her heritage with the lush country.  Raised on tortillas, black beans, arroz con leche (rice pudding) in California, and years of receiving handicrafts from her grandmother made from typical Guatemalan patterns, Alejandra soon found that food was not the only praiseworthy attribute to be found in Guate and those colorful fabrics had more to offer than she could have imagined. With the combination of her love for travel, design, her family and culture Nena &amp; Co. was established. Nena &amp; Co. bags are uniquely handcrafted and capture the magic and depth of the Maya people.   Rather than just admiring the talents of these impoverished Maya families, Nena &amp; Co. is committed to always giving back! Whether it is by providing purified filtered water to a family or helping a child get an education your purchase of a Nena &amp; Co. bag will enable them to make a difference in someones life that is in great need.

Nena &amp; Company was created by Alejandra Hynek in 2013 to bring some of her culture to your colorful lifestyle.  Nena can be loosely translated in English to mean "baby girl" or "darling" and is a term her mother affectionately calls her. Guatemala {Guate} became a magical place for Alejandra as she grew and learned more of her heritage with the lush country.  Raised on tortillas, black beans, arroz con leche (rice pudding) in California, and years of receiving handicrafts from her grandmother made from typical Guatemalan patterns, Alejandra soon found that food was not the only praiseworthy attribute to be found in Guate and those colorful fabrics had more to offer than she could have imagined. With the combination of her love for travel, design, her family and culture Nena &amp; Co. was established. Nena &amp; Co. bags are uniquely handcrafted and capture the magic and depth of the Maya people. Rather than just admiring the talents of these impoverished Maya families, Nena &amp; Co. is committed to always giving back! Whether it is by providing purified filtered water to a family or helping a child get an education your purchase of a Nena &amp; Co. bag will enable them to make a difference in someones life that is in great need.