Revolutionizing Men's Fashion: How Anya Cheng’s Taylor.Style Leveraged AI, Subscription Models, and Sustainability to Achieve 10x Growth, Millions in Revenue, and Scale from 2 Founders to Over 20 Team Members in Just 2 Years. (Episode 648 - Anya Cheng)

In this episode, Troy Trewin interviews Anya Cheng, founder of Taylor.Style, an AI-powered men's fashion startup. Anya shares how she scaled the business from 2 founders to over 20 team members, achieving 10x growth and generating millions in revenue. She discusses how AI-driven clothing subscriptions provide a hassle-free shopping experience while promoting sustainability. With insights from her leadership roles at Meta, eBay, and McDonald’s, Anya offers valuable lessons on innovation and scaling a fast-growing startup. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation on building a tech-driven, customer-focused business.

Anya Cheng, CEO of Taylor.Style, is a Silicon Valley entrepreneur recognized in "Girls in Tech 40 Under 40" for her expertise in AI, product management, and marketing. She played a key role in launching Facebook and Instagram Shopping, led new business at eBay, and advanced McDonald’s global delivery. A best-selling author, TED speaker, and professor, she teaches at Northwestern University and 500 Global. Taelor has won top awards, including Draper University’s Startup Competition and a "Startup to Watch" title. Mention code “PODCAST” for 25% off your first order!

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Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice.

And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions:

1. What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business?
   
   Anya Cheng believes the hardest part of growing a small business is balancing priorities amidst an overwhelming workload. As a startup founder, everything feels important, making it challenging to focus. She emphasizes the value of seeking guidance from investors and external perspectives to step back, reassess, and make strategic decisions effectively.
   
   

2. What's your favourite business book that has helped you the most?
   
   Anya Cheng's favorite business book is "Get to Aha!" by Andy Cunningham. She appreciates how the book emphasizes the importance of clear positioning, using examples like Disney's "Happiest Place on Earth" and Amazon's "Most Customer-Centric Company." It has guided her in maintaining focus and defining her company's unique value proposition.
   
   

3. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business?
   
   Anya Cheng recommends leveraging founder meetups and networking events, such as those hosted by Startup Grind and Open Future Forums in the Bay Area. She finds these opportunities invaluable for gaining insights, sharing experiences, and learning directly from other entrepreneurs in the small business and startup ecosystem.
   
   

4. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business?
   
   Anya Cheng emphasizes the importance of leveraging tools that enhance emotional well-being for small business growth. She recommends the "How We Feel" app, which helps track and manage emotions, fostering mental clarity and resilience. According to Anya, a healthy and focused mindset is vital for effective leadership and team success.
   
   

5. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business?
   
   On day one, Anya Cheng would advise herself to prioritize building relationships and engaging with the community early. She emphasizes that success in business requires strong connections and collaboration, not just focusing on executing tasks. By networking and integrating into the business ecosystem sooner, she believes she could have accelerated growth and created more opportunities for her startup.

Book a 20-minute Growth Chat with Troy Trewin to see if you qualify for our upcoming course. Don't miss out on this opportunity to take your small business to new heights!

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Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

Success is not about doing everything; it’s about focusing on what truly matters – Anya Cheng

The key to scaling a business is leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and customer experience – Anya Cheng

True impact comes when you step out of your bubble and see the world through others’ eyes – Anya Cheng

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