Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kristin Langenfeld. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Kristin with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I get my work ethic from my parents. Growing up, their relentless drive seemed normal to me. Now, I see how exceptional they are and how much it has shaped my brother, myself, and our families. Even in their late sixties, they accomplish more in a day than most people do in a month. One of our core values at GoodBuy Gear is “GSD” – getting shit done – and that’s definitely part of who I am and how I was raised.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am incredibly proud of the company we’ve built at GoodBuy Gear. It’s been a journey, not without its challenges, to get to where we are today. Over the last eight years, we have worked to build a service and company that makes a difference in the world. As corny as it sounds, this mission keeps us going, achieving milestones most people didn’t think were possible. We provide a way for baby and kid products, like car seats, strollers, and high chairs, to be used safely and reliably by multiple families. We do this by partnering with industry leaders, businesses and brands who are also rooted in safety and sustainability initiatives. Our partners make up our GreenGear Coalition, a panel of nearly 50 esteemed retail & brand partners committed to creating a greener future where baby & kid gear returns are recirculated instead of discarded.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Resilience: Building a company involves training your resilience and grit. There will absolutely be bumps along the path. It’s not a straight line or easy journey.
Finance: Basic accounting and financial modeling are crucial. No one cares about your business and your money more than you. Every business owner needs to understand every line item to prevent things from getting out of control. Eventually, you will need professional help, but you have to be capable enough to review, challenge, and understand all financial aspects.
Problem-Solving: Being able to solve problems and make decisions with the information you have, guided by your North Star and values, is essential. This trait has been invaluable throughout my journey and on a daily basis.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
We love to collaborate with brands, retailers, industry experts, product influencers, media, and anyone involved in making the parenting journey easier, more cost-effective, more informative, and sustainable for today’s parents. Our mission is to help change the way people spend their money. We encourage spending with small businesses, mom-and-pops, independent artists, and creatives rather than with giant, cookie-cutter corporations. One of the best ways to achieve this is by creating content that highlights these hard working folks in interesting, thought-provoking conversations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://goodbuygear.com
- Instagram: goodbuygear
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/15234334
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRbtQMm_Bu3lnXvQChyyFeA
Image Credits
GoodBuy Gear
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