Episode 4: Deborah Perlman on Leaving Corporate, Building a Creative Brand, and Trusting the Unconventional Path
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Deborah Perlman spent 13 years living in China, working with major beauty brands like Dior and Sephora, learning Mandarin, and figuring out global manufacturing from the factory floor up. Then she started Cocus Pocus, a colorful lifestyle accessories brand built around humor, bold design, and the kind of personality that doesn't fit neatly into a category.
In this conversation, Deborah and Ann Marie talk about what it looks like to build a business from scratch with no outside funding, how Deborah's corporate background shaped her instincts as a founder, and why imperfect progress beats waiting for a perfect plan.
What we cover:
How Cocus Pocus grew from a playful idea into a wholesale lifestyle brand
What 13 years in China taught Deborah about product development and sourcing
Navigating imposter syndrome as a female entrepreneur
Balancing creativity, family, and business growth
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
Guest: Deborah Perlman, founder of Cocus Pocus. Use code CONVERSATIONS for 15% off at www.cocuspocus.com