Ep 513: From Handmade to Nationwide: How Char Charms Scaled Hydration Accessories with Founder Charlotte Trecartin

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup

Today we’re joined by Charlotte Trecartin, the founder of Char Charms, a brand creating customizable accessories for drinkware. Charlotte’s journey from handmade prototypes in her college dorm room to nationwide deals with Target and Dick’s Sporting Goods offers a masterclass in category creation and scaling.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Why starting scrappy can be your biggest asset in product development.
• How TikTok virality and LinkedIn cold outreach helped Char Charms secure major retail deals.
• Strategies for differentiating product lines between DTC and retail to maximize growth.
• The challenge of scaling production from handmade to mass manufacturing.
• Future plans including collaborations with major brands like Hello Kitty.

Whether you’re a founder, marketer, or entrepreneur, this episode offers practical takeaways you can implement today.

Did you know that 98% of your website visitors are anonymous? Instant powers next-level retention by identifying who they are and converting them into loyal shoppers. Sign up for a quick demo today to get 50% off and unlock a guaranteed 4x+ ROI: instant.one/dtc

Timestamps

00:00 - Launching Char Charms and early prototypes

02:00 - How Charlotte connected with retailers like Target and Dick's

04:00 - TikTok as a growth engine and content strategy

06:00 - Insights from Charlotte’s door-to-door sales background

08:00 - Leveraging LinkedIn to secure retail partnerships

10:00 - Target nationwide launch and SKU expansion

12:00 - Challenges of launching into retail and margin management

14:00 - Vision boards and goal-setting approach

16:00 - The role of mentors in Charlotte’s journey

18:00 - Future plans: Collaborations with big brands and DTC focus

20:00 - Key advice for entrepreneurs and TikTok consistency

Hashtags

#DTC #ecommerce #startupstories #retailstrategy #tiktokmarketing #entrepreneurship #hydrationaccessories #mentorship #growthmindset #brandcollaborations

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup

Advertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertise

Work with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouse

Follow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletter

Watch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video