The Story of a Brand

Recent Episodes

July 1, 2025

SET ACTIVE - Bootstrapped and Bold

In this episode, I sit down with Lindsey Carter, the Founder and CEO of SET ACTIVE, a brand that has reshaped how women experience athleisure—not just in terms of function, but also in terms of feeling. Lindsey shares her raw and powerful journey, from bootstrapping...

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June 27, 2025

The Froot Thief - The Untold Story Behind That Viral Fruit Spaghetti

In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Cornish, the spirited co-founder and “Head Bandit” behind The Froot Thief—a fruit snack brand that’s turning heads and winning lunchboxes.  Jonathan’s story is one of grit, gratitude, and big flavor. We discuss how a...

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June 26, 2025

1 Commerce - How to Win at Omnichannel Without Losing Your Mind

In this episode, I had a powerful and insightful conversation with Eric Kasper, the founder of 1 Commerce. Eric isn’t just building another ecommerce platform—he’s building from the ground up based on hard-won experience, past failures, and deep empathy for the challenges founders face.  We discuss…

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June 25, 2025

BloomNation - Empowering Local Florist and Their Customers

What happens when you mix a deep love for small business with the drive to shake up an outdated industry? You get BloomNation.  In this episode, I sat down with Farbod Shoraka, Co-founder & CEO of BloomNation, to talk about how a few powerful insights—and one unforgettable lunch—led to the creation…

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June 25, 2025

Little Spoon - How to Build a Brand Parents' Trust

As someone who has worked with numerous consumer brands, I can confidently say that Little Spoon is one of those companies that truly understands today’s modern parent. I had the joy of sitting down with Angela Vranich and Ben Lewis, co-founders of Little Spoon, and discussing how ...

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June 24, 2025

Halfday Ice Tea (Part 2) - From Gut Issues to Grocery Shelves

When it comes to building a better-for-you beverage brand, it’s easy to think it’s all about the product. But as Kayvon Jahanbakhsh, co-founder of Halfday Iced Tea, shares in this episode, building a brand people actually love is just as much about emotional connection, persistence, and timing. Thi…

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June 24, 2025

Halfday Ice Tea (Part 1) - How a Dorm Room Idea Disrupted Iced Tea

Every now and then, you come across a founder story that’s both heartfelt and hustle-packed—this is one of those.  In this episode, I sit down with Mike Lombardo, co-founder of Halfday Iced Tea, a brand that’s redefining what iced tea can be. We talk about everything from starting the company out o…

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June 20, 2025

Baumer Foods - They Make Good Food Taste Great

I’ve interviewed a lot of founders, but few with stories as rich and enduring as today’s guest. In this episode, I sit down with Pepper Baumer, President & CEO of Crystal Hot Sauce, a product of Baumer Foods. We explore how this iconic, family-owned brand has been flavoring kitchens for over...

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June 18, 2025

Flytographer - The Power of Saying Yes to Your Idea

I always say some of the most innovative ideas come from personal experiences, and Nicole Smith’s story is proof. What started as a meaningful moment in Paris with her best friend evolved into Flytographer, a global platform that helps people capture unforgettable travel...

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June 17, 2025

ByHeart - Rebuilding Infant Formula from the Ground Up

Every once in a while, you come across a story so driven by purpose and heart that you can feel it in every word, and that’s exactly how I felt talking to the co-founders of ByHeart.  In this episode, Ron Belldegrun and Mia Funt, Co-founders of ByHeart, guide us through their remarkable journey to …

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June 16, 2025

EssenZen - Rewriting the Rules of Clean Beauty

I always love speaking with founders who are guided by purpose, and Reham Essa’s story is a perfect example. After years as a pharmacist, Founder and CEO Reham set out to create a skincare brand that prioritizes health, simplicity, and integrity over hype. EssenZen is about more than beauty; it’s a…

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June 12, 2025

Bugaboo - The Future Belongs to Adaptable Brands

Something is compelling about a leader who brings both sharp commercial instincts and deep empathy to the table, and that’s precisely what I found in my conversation with Jeanelle Teves.  As Chief Commercial Officer at Bugaboo, she’s not just driving growth; she’s redefining what it means to build …

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June 11, 2025

Back to Nature - Balancing Mission and Margin in CPG

As people who are passionate about purpose-driven CPG brands, we couldn’t wait to sit down with Jennifer Jorgensen, CEO of Back to Nature. She’s not just leading the charge at Back to Nature, she’s revitalizing a legacy brand for today’s conscious consumer.  With a powerful...

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June 10, 2025

TRUBAR - How Bold Packaging and Clean Ingredients Win

I had an absolute blast chatting with Erica Groussman, the bold and fearless founder of TRUBAR. Erica’s energy is infectious, and her story is a masterclass in trusting your gut, listening to your body, and never settling for the status quo.  What started as a...

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June 9, 2025

BattlBox - Surviving and Thriving in the Subscription Game

When I sat down with John Roman, it was clear this wasn’t just a story about subscription boxes; it was a story about grit, evolution, and building a brand that speaks directly to a passionate community. As the Co-founder & CEO of BattlBox, John has...

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June 6, 2025

FIOR Scotch - Breaking the Scotch Rulebook

When I sat down with Eric Dominijanni, the founder of FIOR Scotch, I knew this was going to be more than a conversation about spirits; it was going to be about reinvention. Eric’s background in beverage alcohol and his vision to bring a new type of scotch to a new kind of ...

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