In this episode, we sit down with Kristen Armstrong, founder of Ensemble Consignment, who went from banking to building a thriving retail business with multiple locations and a loyal nationwide customer base.

Kristen shares how relationship-building became her competitive advantage, why word of mouth still beats expensive advertising, and how trusting your instincts can open doors you never expected.

1. Relationships are the real product.

Kristen believes her business is not just about clothing. It is about how people are treated. Remembering customers, making things easy, and delivering a great experience creates loyalty that advertising cannot buy.

2. Word of mouth is still the most powerful marketing tool.

Instead of spending heavily on ads, Kristen focuses on giving customers an experience worth talking about. When people feel valued, they naturally tell others, and that momentum builds a business.

3. Convenience creates growth.

Offering services like porch pickups, styling and easy purchasing through social media removes friction for customers. The easier you make it for people to do business with you, the faster your business can expand.

4. You do not have to know everything to start.

Kristen launched her first store with $5,000, used equipment from Craigslist, and a willingness to try.

5. Trusting your team is the next level of entrepreneurship.

Growth requires letting go of control. Training people well and trusting them to run operations allows a business owner to scale beyond a single location.

Check out the Ensemble Consignment website and follow them on Instagram (Nashville and Charleston)

Our Links

Tony’s website

Melissa’s website

Drip Trickle Flow Flood T-Shirts

We’ve got merch! That’s right, Drip Trickle Flow Flood t-shirts are officially here and they’re as comfy as they are conversation-starting.

Grab yours!

Rate and Review

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to rate and review Drip Trickle Flow Flood on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners discover the show and it makes our day. Thanks for listening!

Subscribe to the newsletter for income ideas that drip, trickle, flow, and flood into your life.

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. The opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are solely their own and do not reflect the views of any companies or organizations they may be affiliated with.

Listeners should conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee that the information presented is complete, current, or applicable to your specific situation. Investing involves risk, including potential loss of principal.

By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree that the hosts, guests, and producers are not responsible for any financial decisions you make based on the content discussed.

In this episode, we sit down with entrepreneur Kelvin Sealy, founder of Tally Tumbler, to talk about the messy middle of building a product, the power of niche communities, and how passion projects can evolve into real income streams. From launching bocce ball leagues to creating a product now sold nationwide, Kelvin’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, patience, and playing the long game. If you’ve ever wondered whether your idea is worth pursuing, this conversation will give you the push you need.

1. You don’t need to know everything to start, just be willing to figure it out.

Kelvin didn’t have manufacturing experience or product design training. He learned by researching, asking questions, and trying anyway.

2. Most success stories are built on rejection.

He contacted more than 40 manufacturers before finding one willing to produce his product. That stretch of rejection was part of the process.

3. Start small, grow steady, and protect your cash flow.

Instead of chasing fast growth or taking on debt, Kelvin and his partner reinvested profits and expanded slowly. That discipline allowed the business to become profitable and sustainable.

4. Opportunities multiply when you show up in the right rooms.

Trade shows became a turning point for the business. One event led to retailer relationships, new customers, and the momentum to go full-time.

5. Multiple income streams don’t happen overnight.

What began as a bocce league turned into a podcast, which led to partnerships, which led to a product, which became a full-time business. That’s the Drip → Trickle → Flow → Flood in action.

Check out the Tally Tumbler.

Our Links

Tony’s website

Melissa’s website

Drip Trickle Flow Flood T-Shirts

We’ve got merch! That’s right, Drip Trickle Flow Flood t-shirts are officially here and they’re as comfy as they are conversation-starting.

Grab yours!

Rate and Review

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to rate and review Drip Trickle Flow Flood on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners discover the show and it makes our day. Thanks for listening!

Subscribe to this newsletter for income ideas that drip, trickle, flow, and flood into your life.

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. The opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are solely their own and do not reflect the views of any companies or organizations they may be affiliated with.

Listeners should conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee that the information presented is complete, current, or applicable to your specific situation. Investing involves risk, including potential loss of principal.

By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree that the hosts, guests, and producers are not responsible for any financial decisions you make based on the content discussed.

In this episode of Drip Trickle Flow Flood, the first in our two-part “bringing a product to market” series, we sit down with Greg Dayley of SeaBar, a natural shampoo and conditioner bar company on a mission to reduce plastic waste and rethink how everyday products are made. Greg shares his unexpected path to the world of haircare, social media, and sustainable product innovation. He takes us behind the scenes of building a physical product from scratch, developing a brand rooted in story and mission, and learning what it really takes to bring an idea to market.

1. Great businesses often start with a simple frustration.

Greg’s idea for SeaBar came from a basic but powerful realization: many shampoo bottles are mostly water, and people are essentially buying bottled water to use in the shower. That small moment of noticing a problem became the spark for an entirely new product.

2. Story matters just as much as the product.

One of Greg’s biggest lessons is that selling is storytelling. People don’t just buy what something is. They buy what it means, what it solves, and the bigger mission behind it. For Greg, that meant building a brand around sustainability, convenience, and reducing waste in a way that feels practical, not preachy.

3. Start smaller than you think you need to.

For anyone wanting to launch a product, Greg emphasizes testing on the smallest scale possible. Before investing huge amounts of money, prove the concept, create rough versions, get feedback, and learn what works. Early experimentation can save you from expensive mistakes later.

4. Making your own product gives you more control.

Greg chose to formulate and manufacture SeaBar himself. That decision gave him a deeper understanding of the product, more flexibility, and more ownership over quality. It also allowed him to create something genuinely different rather than a slightly repackaged version of what already exists.

5. Mission-driven brands still need to be excellent businesses.

Greg is passionate about reducing plastic waste and helping clean up ocean trash, but he is clear that mission alone is not enough. A product has to work well, be convenient, and make sense financially. The strongest businesses pair purpose with quality, practicality, and a real value proposition.

Check out SeaBar.

Our Links

Tony’s website

Melissa’s website

Drip Trickle Flow Flood T-Shirts

We’ve got merch! That’s right, Drip Trickle Flow Flood t-shirts are officially here and they’re as comfy as they are conversation-starting.

Grab yours!

Rate and Review

If you loved this episode, please take a moment to rate and review Drip Trickle Flow Flood on your favorite podcast platform. It helps new listeners discover the show and it makes our day. Thanks for listening!

Subscribe to this newsletter for income ideas that drip, trickle, flow, and flood into your life.

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. The opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are solely their own and do not reflect the views of any companies or organizations they may be affiliated with.

Listeners should conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee that the information presented is complete, current, or applicable to your specific situation. Investing involves risk, including potential loss of principal.

By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and agree that the hosts, guests, and producers are not responsible for any financial decisions you make based on the content discussed.