1:18:03

In this Polish‑language podcast episode, host Oskar Lipiński interviews Karolina Cwalina‑Stępniak, co‑founder of the baby‑product brand Lu, best known for its pacifiers ("smoczki"). The conversation traces the brand’s origin story – from Karolina’s personal need for a medically‑sound pacifier, through product design, Polish manufacturing, and the substantial investment required to create the mould (≈800 k PLN) and bring the product to market (≈2 M PLN total). Karolina shares concrete performance metrics: roughly 650 000 units sold within two‑to‑three years, with a large share of sales driven by community‑based, influencer‑led word‑of‑mouth and event marketing. Distribution is a hybrid model of a direct‑to‑consumer online shop, selective retail partners, and concept stores. Marketing relies heavily on personal networks, influencer collaborations, family‑doctor endorsements, and strategic bundling, resulting in high repeat‑purchase rates (monthly replacements) and a wide colour palette that fuels repeat buying. Operationally, Karolina describes the team’s division of labour (e.g., Ewelina handling analytics and operations) and the decision to stay away from venture capital, instead using private investors and careful legal structuring for co‑founders. The latter part of the interview shifts to anecdotal experiences at industry events, awards from the Orange West agency, and the importance of networking – from spontaneous dinner conversations that lead to new e‑commerce contacts, to the role of LinkedIn in connecting with peers. Karolina reflects on the difficulty of measuring KPIs in a relationship‑driven business, the value of “unknown” connections (e.g., truck drivers, slaughterhouse workers) and the need for founders to be comfortable selling their tools in person, not just showcasing them online. The episode ends with a light‑hearted thank‑you and a reminder that personal magnetism and networking are as crucial as the product itself.

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