Episode 2: Built From the Ground Up — Carla Truitt on Purpose, Persistence & Eight Royale

Every great business begins with someone asking a simple question: "There has to be a better way." In this episode of *Issue Zero*, Trystanne Cunningham and Seneca Connor sit down with entrepreneur Carla Truitt, founder of Eight Royale, to explore the story behind building a luxury brand from the ground up. From sketching her first ideas between board meetings and red carpets to navigating manufacturers, bootstrapping her business, and building a brand rooted in purpose, Carla shares what it really takes to create something that lasts. Together, they unpack the realities of entrepreneurship that rarely make the headlines, from funding challenges and finding the right partners to why collaboration, community, and consistency matter more than perfection. Because every meaningful brand begins long before it becomes visible. ### In this episode: 1. The moment Carla realized women deserved a better solution 2. Building Eight Royale from one simple idea 3. Finding manufacturers who believe in your vision 4. Bootstrapping a business without outside funding 5. Why consistency matters more than having all the answers 6. Collaboration over competition 7. Creating a legacy that empowers women 8. Why purpose has always been at the center of Eight Royale Whether you're building your first product or your next chapter, this episode is a reminder that every meaningful business begins with someone willing to solve a real problem. Listen to Issue Zero.