In this episode, Jenny Rae and Namaan unpack one of retail’s most unexpected survivors: Build-A-Bear. Build-A-Bear is a mall-based stuffed animal retailer in an AI-driven world – and yet it’s a profitable public company with rising stock performance.

We cover:

• What the company really sells – and how customization drives pricing power
• What the financials reveal about profitability and scale
• The next move: U.S. focus, international expansion, or partnerships

A sharp look at retail economics, defensibility, and what it actually takes to survive.

Episode Links:

• Annual Report - SEC Form 10-K Filing for Fiscal Year 2024 (Build-A-Bear)

Executive Presentation Training:

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Chapters:

00:00 – Should Build-A-Bear Be Dead?
01:45 – The “Pay Your Age” Hook
04:30 – Chipotle for Teddy Bears
06:40 – Public Company Surprise
09:00 – Breaking Down the Financials
12:30 – Retail vs AI Disruption
16:45 – Growth Levers That Matter
22:30 – U.S. Core vs Global Expansion
29:00 – What Would You Do Next?

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• Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn
• Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube

Once Upon a Farm went public, and the stock jumped. But this isn’t the standard path for a consumer brand.

In this episode, Jenny Rae and Namaan examine why a single-brand baby food company chose an IPO instead of selling to a large CPG player - and what role Jennifer Garner’s involvement really plays in that decision.

We break down the business fundamentals behind the headlines, from refrigerated supply chains to retailer economics, and question how much of the early momentum can translate into long-term scale.

The episode closes with what comes next - and whether this business is built to stay public.

We cover:

• Why this IPO breaks the usual consumer brand playbook
• The real economics behind refrigerated, organic consumer products
• How celebrity-backed trust does - and doesn’t - scale over time

A clear-eyed look at IPO strategy, consumer economics, and where this bet could break.

Executive Presentation Training

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Chapters:

• 00:00 – Why This IPO Is Different
• 02:30 – What Is Once Upon a Farm?
• 05:20 – The Jennifer Garner Effect
• 09:10 – Refrigerated Food Economics
• 13:40 – Retail Shelf Space and Margins
• 17:30 – Why IPO Instead of Selling
• 21:40 – Losses, Growth, and Valuation
• 25:40 – How This Business Scales
• 29:40 – What Comes Next

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• Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn
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Boeing’s rebound isn’t about brilliance. It’s about not losing in a brutal duopoly.

In this episode, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what Boeing’s post-crisis recovery really signals — and why its future depends less on innovation and more on execution over time.

We cover:

• Why Boeing’s biggest advantage is the Airbus duopoly, not outperformance
• How long delivery timelines distort cash flow, pricing, and leverage
• What it would actually take for Boeing to reach $10B in free cash flow

This is a case study in capital intensity, regulation, and survival in one of the hardest businesses in the world.

Episode Links:

• Boeing’s quarterly sales jump 57% as CEO says there’s ‘a lot to be optimistic about’ (CNBC)

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10

Chapters:

• 00:00 Boeing’s Crisis and Lost Trust
• 02:52 Boeing vs Airbus: The Duopoly
• 05:05 A “Comeback” Driven by Demand
• 08:47 Orders vs Deliveries vs Cash
• 12:04 Regulation, Quality, and Bottlenecks
• 16:22 Can Boeing Reach $10B Free Cash Flow?
• 19:56 Defense as the Real Growth Engine
• 27:50 Innovation vs Execution
• 33:26 Why Deliveries Matter Most

Learn more about Executive Presentation and Storytelling Training with Management Consulted

More Market Outsiders:

• Connect with Namaan and Jenny Rae on LinkedIn
• Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn and subscribe on YouTube