The Design Of Making Things That Matter: Meet Dena Blevins
Season 11, Episode 78
Posted By Justin Ahrens in Podcast
Read Time
1 minute
After helping lead creative and innovation efforts for global brands including Starbucks and Hydro Flask, Dena Blevins found herself asking a different question:
What happens when you stop building for some of the world's most recognized brands and start building something that feels deeply personal?
In this episode of Design Of, Dena shares her journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship and the launch of Frank, a company inspired by the messy, funny, difficult, and beautiful realities of everyday life.
At Frank, the mission is simple: create products inspired by what life throws at us and what's happening in the world around us. Sometimes that means diving into difficult topics. Sometimes it means finding humor in uncomfortable moments. And sometimes it means offering a proud middle finger and an undeniably frank point of view.
Through a growing collection of bandanas, scarves, cocktail napkins, and thoughtful products, Frank gives people a way to wear, share, celebrate, mourn, laugh, support, and express what they're feeling. Or not. The choice is theirs.
What makes this conversation compelling isn't the products.
It's the story behind them.
"I love that I can put something out there that hopefully resonates with others as well."— Dena Blevins
After years helping shape stories for global brands, Dena found herself building a company rooted in that belief. We explore how leadership evolves over time, how personal experiences often become the foundation for meaningful businesses, and why some of the most impactful ideas begin not with a market opportunity but with a human one.
Along the way, we talk about entrepreneurship, reinvention, grief, humor, purpose, storytelling, and what it means to create work that reflects who you are, not just what you do.
And perhaps the biggest takeaway is this:
The most meaningful businesses don't just create products.
They create connection.
In This Episode, We Explore
Dena's journey from global creative leadership at Starbucks and Hydro Flask to entrepreneurship
The story behind Frank and why she started it
Building a business rooted in honesty, humor, and humanity
How personal experiences can become meaningful products and opportunities
Why storytelling remains one of the most powerful business tools
The relationship between purpose, creativity, and entrepreneurship
What it means to redefine success in a new chapter of life
Key Takeaways
Experience often reveals what matters most
Great businesses begin with real human needs
Stories create connection when they are relatable, honest, and human
Humor can help people navigate difficult conversations
Purpose and business can strengthen one another
New chapters require courage, curiosity, and conviction
About Dena
Dena Blevins is an entrepreneur, storyteller, and former global creative leader whose career includes leadership roles with Starbucks and Hydro Flask. She is the founder of Frank, a brand that creates bold, honest products inspired by real life and the world around us. Through bandanas, scarves, cocktail napkins, and storytelling, Frank helps people express themselves with humor, humanity, and an unapologetically frank point of view.
Listen now.
