On the Cutting Edge

This week, my daughter, Lily, launched the Kickstarter campaign for The Cardinal, a new chef's knife that she designed. It is an amazing product, and I wholeheartedly encourage you to support her. The inspiration for this knife came four years ago when she was in culinary school and learned that traditional chef knives are too large for most hands. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she started an online business teaching cooking and meditation (together), which led her to investigate how to create the product she felt was needed and that women (and small-handed people everywhere) deserved. As the pandemic eased, she began to build a team, identified a talented young industrial designer, and attracted a mentor to support her in developing the product and business. She enrolled in the NYU Food and Nutrition Masters Program, winning over faculty and friends as supporters and collaborators. She has filed for and been awarded patents. Her product is both elegantly designed and highly functional.

Lily’s journey is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance in leadership. She identified a problem that she was deeply passionate about solving and set out to create a solution that would make a difference for others like her. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, she remained focused and adapted her approach to build a team and develop her product. Her ability to inspire and engage others, from her industrial designer to her faculty supporters, demonstrates the importance of building strong relationships and fostering collaboration as a leader. By staying true to her vision while remaining open to feedback and new ideas, she has created a product that not only meets a functional need but also embodies a deeper sense of purpose and meaning.

Lily is committed to providing value far beyond their first interaction with the product. In addition to offering a high-quality chef's knife, she is providing original content, new recipes, free sharpening, and a community of food lovers – a complete "knifestyle" brand. This holistic approach recognizes that customers seek more than just a tool; they seek an experience that enriches their lives and connects them with others who share their passions. My daughter is demonstrating the power of empathy and customer-centricity by creating a comprehensive offering that meets both functional and emotional needs. Looking beneath the surface, she is not simply selling a product but equipping chefs of all sizes and skills with the tools and inspiration they need to embrace their love of cooking and share it with the world.

Lily's journey also highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability in leadership. The path to creating a successful product and launching a business is rarely straightforward, and there will inevitably be obstacles and setbacks. However, by staying focused and being willing to pivot and adjust her approach as needed, my daughter has demonstrated the resilience to weather storms and the adaptability essential for long-term success. She has faced challenges with creativity and determination, always looking for new ways to move forward and bring her product to life. This mindset is critical for entrepreneurs and leaders in all fields who must navigate complex and ever-changing environments to achieve their goals.

In life and leadership, my daughter's example teaches the importance of passion, perseverance, empathy, and adaptability. By staying true to herself while remaining open to new ideas and approaches, she has created a product and a movement that have the potential to make a real difference in people’s daily lives. She has shown me that a beautifully designed tool has the power to change the way we interact with the world around us.  As leaders, we can all learn from her example and strive to bring the same level of passion, purpose, and customer-centricity to our work to make a difference in the lives of those we love and lead. Whether creating a new product, building a team, or leading an organization, we must always remember that our ultimate goal is to create value and positively impact the world.

With love, gratitude and wonder.

Scott