Bag Balm President, Libby Parent, on the Origins & Surprising Evolution of a 125-Year-Old American Company

Bag Balm President, Libby Parent, on the Origins & Surprising Evolution of a 125-Year-Old American Company

Author: BLISTER November 15, 2023 Duration: 1:08:35

Based in Vermont — where they still make their products — Bag Balm is an American company with a 125-year history and one very remarkable story. Bag Balm’s president, Libby Parent, joins us to talk about cow udders, celebrity endorsements, and the countless uses of their products, and you’ll also get a great lesson on how to steward a company with such a rich history into the modern world.

TOPICS & TIMES:

From Cow Udders to Celebrity Endorsements (2:38)

BLISTER & Bag Balm & Strange Uses (20:04)

Changes to the Formula (24:34)

Made in Vermont (27:36)

Marketing Product Uses & Discovering New Ones (31:01)

Bar Soap & (Serious) Exfoliation (35:08)

Stewarding a 125-Yr-Old Heritage Brand (40:08)

Most Common Uses & Emotional Support Chickens (47:36)

How Libby’s Background Informs Her Work at Bag Balm (53:33)

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There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when someone has dedicated their life to making something tangible, driven by obsession over details most of us overlook. CRAFTED, from BLISTER, is built on those conversations. Each episode moves beyond a simple product review to explore the entire ecosystem of creation, whether the subject is a meticulously roasted coffee, a complex whiskey, a precision timepiece, or a bold new wine. You'll hear directly from the individuals who define these fields-brewers, distillers, founders, and artisans who started their ventures not because it was easy, but because they couldn't imagine doing anything else. This podcast digs into the raw materials, the failed experiments, the business risks taken on a principle, and the quiet triumphs that happen long before a product reaches a shelf. It’s about the philosophy embedded in the process as much as the technical skill. Tuning in feels less like listening to an interview and more like pulling up a stool in a workshop or a tasting room, offering an intimate look at the patience, setbacks, and unwavering standards that transform a simple idea into a crafted object. The stories are specific, but the themes of creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit are universal, connecting anyone who appreciates the depth behind a well-made thing.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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