The Story of a Brand

Recent Episodes

April 1, 2025

Lifeway Foods - The Immigrant Dream That Built a $200M Wellness Brand

In this episode, I had the honor of sitting down with Julie Smolyansky, President, CEO, and Chairwoman of Lifeway Foods, a pioneering brand behind the kefir movement in the U.S. We dive deep into Julie’s incredible family story, from escaping the Soviet Union with just...

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March 27, 2025

Smart Apron - The Apron That Works as Hard as You Do

In this episode, I sat down with father-son duo Kevin and Kieran Hoy of Smart Apron to discuss how they’re transforming a tired, overlooked product into a modern-day solution for food service workers and beyond. What started with a stitched-up fanny pack has become a functional, durable, and smartl…

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March 26, 2025

Hemp Heros - How to Build a Wellness Brand Your Pets Will Love

In this episode, I sit down with David Hartigan, Founder and CEO of Hemp Heros, to talk about the real story behind his mission-driven CBD and functional mushroom company. From managing MMA fighters to becoming one of the few B Corp-certified hemp brands, David shares how...

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March 25, 2025

VitaWild - No Sugar, No Guilt—Just Good Hydration

In this episode, I sit down with Jacques Spitzer and James Schrader, co-founders of VitaWild, to talk about their passion for product integrity, building brands with intention, and why they refused to cut corners in making something their families—and yours—can feel good about drinking. They open u…

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March 21, 2025

Spritzal Cookie Company - How a Family Recipe Became a Retail Hit

What do you get when you combine a great-grandmother’s Swedish cookie recipe, a mother-daughter duo, and a lot of grit? You get Spritzal, a clean-label cookie brand disrupting the cookie aisle with shortbread bites made from real, simple ingredients. In this episode, I sit down with Taylor Walker, …

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March 20, 2025

Ooso - A Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Tea Inspired by Natural Wine

In this episode, I sit down with Oliver Spring and Sophia Racciatti, Co-Founders of Ooso, to discuss their journey of creating a sparkling tea inspired by natural wine. From late-night kitchen experiments to landing on retail shelves, they share how they built a brand that...

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March 18, 2025

Winx Health - Revolutionizing Reproductive Care: One Product at a Time

Women’s health should be accessible, judgment-free, and rooted in real solutions, but that hasn’t always been the case. In this episode, I sit down with Jamie Norwood, Co-founder of Winx Health, to discuss how her brand is challenging outdated norms, improving access to essential products, and...

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March 13, 2025

Wove - The 10% Luck, 90% Preparation Rule for Going Viral

Jewelry isn’t just about sparkle—it’s about storytelling, sentiment, and capturing life’s most meaningful moments. In this episode, I sit down with Simone Kendle, CEO of Wove, to discuss how this brand redefines the fine jewelry experience with...

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March 11, 2025

FullWell - What to Know Before You Conceive

What if prenatal and reproductive health went beyond pregnancy?  In this episode, I sit down with Ayla Barmmer, Founder & CEO of FullWell, to discuss the critical role of nutrition in fertility, pregnancy, and overall reproductive wellness for both women and men. As a registered dietitian and integ…

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March 10, 2025

Key Sparkling Water - Crafted Carbonation: Changing How You Enjoy Spa…

Most sparkling water brands sound the same, look the same, and talk to the same consumer, but Mike Pilkington, Co-founder & CEO of Key Sparkling Water, saw an opportunity to do things differently. In this episode, we discuss how Key Sparkling Water is challenging the status quo with real ...

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March 6, 2025

Calocurb - GLP-1 Activation: No Injections Needed

What if you could naturally support your body’s appetite regulation without injections or synthetic drugs? In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Kennedy, CEO of Calocurb, to dive into a revolutionary approach to hunger management and GLP-1 activation. Backed by 14 years of ...

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Feb. 21, 2025

Saral - Beyond Followers: The Truth About Real Influence

In today’s episode, I sit down with Yash Chavan, the founder of Saral, to talk about what’s changed in influencer marketing, what’s working right now, and how brands can build long-term, authentic partnerships with influencers. We dive into the evolution of...

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Feb. 13, 2025

Molly Bz Cookies - From $150 to a National Cookie Brand

If you love stories of resilience, grit, and entrepreneurial spirit, today’s episode is exactly that. Meet Molly Blakeley, the powerhouse founder of Molly Bz Cookies, who went from being a single mom with just $150 to her name to building a nationally recognized brand. Molly’s journey is nothing sh…

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Jan. 29, 2025

CHOMPS - From $6,500 to America’s Fastest-Growing Snack Brand

In this episode, Rose Hamilton, Founder of Compass Rose Ventures, sits down with Pete Maldonado and Rashid Ali, Co-founders and Co-CEOs of CHOMPS, the fastest-growing food brand in the U.S.  From humble beginnings to over $500 million in retail sales, Pete and Rashid have built a brand redefining...

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Jan. 23, 2025

Manmade - The Essentials Men Need without the BS

In this episode of The Story of a Brand, I interview Anthony Ciavirella, Co-founder of Manmade.  Anthony and his co-founders are redefining men’s essentials with a focus on quality, simplicity, and authenticity. From leaving their finance careers to perfecting their products, their story is filled …

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Jan. 22, 2025

The Real Cereal Co. - The Next Generation Deserves Better Cereal

In this episode of The Story of a Brand Show, I interview Tom Binder, Co-founder of The Real Cereal Co.  From leaving a comfortable job to investing in a self-owned facility to a deep commitment to simple, clean ingredients and sustainability, this story is one of grit, big dreams, and redefining...

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