On today’s episode, we welcome Amy Smilovic, Founder & Creative Director of Tibi and author of the new book Almost Reckless. What started in 1997 with $15,000 and no formal fashion training has grown into one of the most respected independently owned luxury brands — built not on focus groups or algorithms, but on rigorously defined principles and instinct.
In this conversation, Amy shares how she rebuilt her $70M business by rejecting sameness, redefining traditional success metrics, and embracing what she calls the “Creative Pragmatist” mindset — balancing bold creativity with discipline and utility. We talk about navigating “the good ick” before growth, knowing when a risk aligns with your values, building community without chasing trends, and leading with conviction in an era dominated by data. A thoughtful episode for founders, creatives, and anyone committed to building something original with structure, clarity, and courage.

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To learn more about Amy Smilovic and TIBI:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/773715/almost-reckless-by-amy-smilovic/
https://tibi.com/
https://www.instagram.com/tibi/
https://www.instagram.com/amysmilovic/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-smilovic/

808 Amy Smilovic: Founder of TIBI & Author of Almost Reckless