This week on Above The Fold, I’m in NYC catching up with my new friend and fellow startup nerd, Adam Simone—co-founder of Leaf Shave and Smoosh. We get into what it really means to build product-first brands and why having strong opinions might actually be a founder’s best tool.

We talk about his mechanical engineering background and how it led to building a shaving brand that doesn’t suck, and why their second brand, Smoosh, turned into a surprise hit with a totally different audience.

Adam breaks down the chaos and clarity of launching two brands with one small team, why TikTok turned on them (lol, truly), and how staying product-led keeps the vision clear—even when the market throws curveballs.

If you’re trying to scale something meaningful, juggle two brands, or just need a reminder that not every decision needs a focus group, this one’s for you.

Listen now for insights on product development, startup reality checks, and the joy of building weird stuff that works.

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Instagram: @adam_simone

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adamsimone/

📲 Follow

Instagram: @leafshave & @getsmoosh

Website: https://leafshave.com/ & https://getsmoosh.com/

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Episode 55 | Bootstrapped, Product-Led, and Built to Last with Adam Simone