Podcast Summary: Let's Get Dressed

Episode: From The Archives: How Pia Mance Made Heaven Mayhem Go Viral
Date: August 18, 2025
Host: Liv Perez
Guest: Pia Mance (Founder of Heaven Mayhem)

Episode Overview

This episode is a re-air from the archives featuring Pia Mance, founder of viral jewelry brand Heaven Mayhem. Host Liv Perez dives into how Pia took her brand from low-key launch to A-list status, the realities of being an entrepreneur, the vintage jewelry trend, and how personal productivity and authenticity propelled Heaven Mayhem's rapid growth. The conversation is candid, insider-y, and full of practical advice for aspiring founders and fashion lovers alike.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Reality of Entrepreneur Life

• Pia’s Energy & Routine: Pia describes herself as typically energetic, but admits to burnout, relating to the grind of entrepreneurship.
  • Quote: “I really just threw it together. I'm great. I'm just so tired… when people do, I'm like, all right, get over it. And now it's me.” — Pia Mance [03:34]
• Productivity Hacks: Both Liv and Pia share that they are most productive in the mornings.
  • Pia’s “Hour of Power” is 5am; she works out, gets dressed ("blush and lip liner" are essentials), and gets four hours of personal productivity before the day “officially” starts at 9am.
  • Quote: “My like hours of power. I'm so good. Whereas last night I'm kind of like keeping my eyes open. It's like a struggle. Mornings are my, my time.” — Pia Mance [04:44]

2. Working Habits & Hobbies

• Work/Life Integration: Both agree weekends are for focused, uninterrupted work.
• Outdoor Time & Connection: Walks are critical both for exercise and socializing, especially in LA.
  • Quote: "My hobby is my work...I’ve just taken up tennis lessons two weeks ago, so I guess that’s a hobby.” — Pia Mance [09:48]
  • Tip from Liv: Set regular walking meetings with friends [12:03].

3. Founding Heaven Mayhem: Low-Key & Authentic

• Stealth Launch:
  • Pia did not capitalize on her influencer following at first—she posted the jewelry as if she were just a fan, not the designer.
  • Quote: “I started the brand without even posting on my personal Instagram… I didn't want people to know it was my brand. So, like, I really went about it the other way.” — Pia Mance [15:15]
• Quality > Hype: Both agree that a good product will outlast any marketing push.
  • Quote: "You can’t market yourself out of a bad product. Like, if your product isn't hitting, I don't know if there's hope." — Pia Mance [16:15]
• From Handmade to Brand: Early necklaces were hand-tied by Pia; she admits it was unsustainable and moved to scalable, higher ID products.

4. Growing Pains & Tips for First-Time Entrepreneurs

• Starting Small: Pia emphasizes scrappiness—starting her business with $900, a Shopify store, and Canva.
  • Quote: “My literal life motto is done is better than perfect...I started really, really small. There was no business plan.” — Pia Mance [19:37]
• Testing & Feedback: She always produces small product runs to test what customers like before scaling up.

5. The Secret Sauce: Going Viral

• Right Time, Right Product: Pia credits the convergence of vintage jewelry resurgence, timely influencer placements, and LA proximity for Heaven Mayhem’s viral success.
  • Quote: "It was that plus a perfect storm of Hayley wearing, Matilda Jeff posting, amazing influencers, Revolve reaching out, Shopbop reaching out… just a whole storm of it." — Pia Mance [23:52]
• Serendipity + Hustle:
  • Example: Pia personally thanked a real buyer—Hailey Bieber’s friend—at a coffee shop, leading to Hailey requesting her earrings and the brand blowing up soon after [26:40–28:00].

6. Influencer & Stylist Relationships

• Human over Transactional: Pia never insists on posts or follows up for deliverables—she simply gifts the product and “lights up” to see it on people she admires.
  • Quote: “Never in my life will I be like, hey, when are you going to wear it?… The point of me giving Heaven Mayhem to anyone is… I would die to see you in it, because I think you're the coolest and I love my brand.” — Pia Mance [28:04]
• Stylists in LA: The proximity to stylists and quick delivery options played a key role in exposing the brand to celebrities.

7. The Vintage Jewelry Trend

• Why Vintage Is Hot: Tiredness with “dainty” and hoop trends; yearning for statement, unique, and timeless pieces that feel both nostalgic and fresh.
  • Quote: "The coolest thing about vintage things to me and vintage inspired designs is that they're always cool...they just always come back around." — Pia Mance [30:09]

8. Building a Capsule Wardrobe & Styling Tips

• Heaven Mayhem’s Place: Accessories make the simple capsule wardrobe pop; intergenerational appeal is a goal.
• Mixing Metals: Both advocate for mixing metals, with Pia designing earrings specifically for people who own both gold and silver.
  • Quote: “We all have, like, a bracelet from our family that we have to wear is silver, but then the watch is gold…so it's really amazing, but I also don't really care. I have no problem with it.” — Pia Mance [34:20]

9. The Future of Heaven Mayhem

• Upcoming Releases:
  • Fun, statement necklaces for summer
  • New earrings with fabric details
  • Expanding accessories—potentially sunglasses, bags, etc.; Heaven Mayhem officially shifting from only earrings/belts to broader accessories [33:00–33:45]

10. Thoughts on Fashion Culture

• Dupe Culture: Pia would banish the celebration of dupes, especially for smaller brands. She emphasizes supporting original design over knock-offs.
  • Quote: “I guess I would try and remove dupe culture. I think it gets kind of annoying...I think I'd just like to support the original creator.” — Pia Mance [35:22]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Done is better than perfect.” — Pia Mance [19:38]
• “You can't market yourself out of a bad product.” — Pia Mance [16:15]
• “My fantasy would literally be…starting a brand, having no one know that it's mine, and just…people finding it and being like, oh, I really love this.” — Liv Perez [16:42]
• “If you can have three different generations wearing your product, it works.” — Liv Perez [30:56]
• “I just want to see you and talk and catch up. So walking is great.” — Pia Mance on staying connected [08:31]
• “I think Heaven Mayhem really struck while the iron was hot, as they say. If that's what they say. I'm always messing up my phrase.” — Pia Mance, joking [29:52]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:34 — Pia and Liv discuss energy, burnout, and entrepreneurial grind
• 04:44 — Productivity routines: mornings and personal “power hours”
• 09:48 — Conversation about hobbies, balance, and starting tennis
• 12:03 — Using LA's walking culture for connection and wellness
• 15:15 — Pia explains her low-key, stealth launch strategy
• 19:37 — "Done is better than perfect": Pia’s mantra and business foundation
• 23:52 — The confluence of events that sent Heaven Mayhem viral
• 26:40–28:00 — Story of Hailey Bieber encounter and celebrity placement
• 30:09 — Vintage jewelry trend and why timeless design wins
• 33:00–33:45 — Teasing upcoming products and Heaven Mayhem’s accessory expansion
• 34:20 — Advice on mixing metals and jewelry personalization
• 35:22 — Pia’s take on dupe culture and fashion ethics

Style & Tone

The conversation is honest, energetic, and filled with behind-the-scenes insight—true to Liv’s “fashion insider” vibe and Pia’s grounded, witty approach. Both celebrate personal style, scrappiness, and the importance of meaningful connections in building a business.

Summary for New Listeners

Even if you’ve never heard of Heaven Mayhem, this episode offers a masterclass in building a brand from scratch, staying authentic, and thriving amidst fashion’s shifting trends. From practical routines to real talk about influencer marketing and product identity, Pia Mance’s journey is as relatable as it is inspiring for anyone looking to get dressed—and get started—on their dreams.