Tidemark Talks
Tidemark Real Estate Services is a privately held, full-service commercial real estate company based in Orange County, California. Our mission is to create value for our clients through creative, professional and effective brokerage and management services with a focus in Orange County industrial real estate.
Tidemark Talks
How Mike Holcombe Went From Bartender to The #1 Store on Etsy | Caitlyn Minimalist
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Mike Holcombe, co-founder of Caitlyn Minimalist, joins Tidemark Talks to share how he and his wife Kate turned a sentimental gift into the #1 jewelry brand on Etsy. From humble beginnings in their living room to viral growth and now opening their first retail store, this episode is full of powerful lessons for entrepreneurs. Mike opens up about branding, scaling, work-life balance, and what it’s really like building a business with your spouse.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro to Mike Holcombe & Caitlyn Minimalist
02:35 – How they started the business in their living room
03:37 – Leaving their jobs and going all-in on Etsy
04:43 – The dangers of relying on algorithms
06:06 – The bracelet that sparked the brand
12:27 – Going viral: the moment everything changed
14:00 – Why they’ve stayed independent without investors
16:58 – Opening their first physical store in Irvine
23:49 – Email flows, Instagram pixels, and social media strategy
25:19 – Dealing with copycats and brand impersonators
32:50 – Hiring out of their home & building real culture
42:43 – Why Kate’s passion is the brand’s biggest superpower
45:42 – Running a business with your spouse – challenges & rewards