Startup to Storefront

SUGARED + BRONZED - Courtney Claghorn Feb 25, 2025

Welcome to this episode of Startup to Storefront, where we spotlight entrepreneurs turning passion into thriving businesses. Today, we’re diving into the story behind SUGARED + BRONZED—a unique blend of sunless tanning and eco-friendly hair removal that’s redefining beauty in Santa Monica.

Courtney Claghorn always felt her best with a tan—even though she was the only Italian in her family who didn’t naturally tan. Rather than "baking in the sun," she embraced a faux glow that ultimately shaped her career. After meeting her now-husband and co-founder, Sam Offit, at the University of Colorado Boulder, Courtney set her sights on Santa Monica to create a better tanning experience.

On this week’s episode, you'll learn:

How Courtney started the business with just $1,000
Why she chose to fuse sugaring with bronzing for a unique service
Her unforgettable experience with her very first customer

Join us as we explore Courtney’s journey from a spark of inspiration to entrepreneurial success, and discover how SUGARED + BRONZED is setting a new standard in beauty and self-care.

Eight Sleep - Matteo Franceschetti Feb 18, 2025

Today, we’re sitting down with Matteo Franceschetti, the founder and CEO of Eight Sleep—a company revolutionizing the way we think about rest, recovery, and human potential.

Matteo has always been obsessed with performance—whether it was on the slopes as a competitive ski racer in his native Italy, on the tennis court, or behind the wheel of a race car. That same drive propelled him into the legal world and led him to launch not one, but two clean-tech companies across two continents—all before the age of 30. But with success came sleepless nights. Frustrated by the lack of innovation in sleep technology, Matteo set out to change that. He founded Eight Sleep, a company turning the bed into a seamless health platform designed to optimize sleep, improve performance, and even extend longevity.

On this week’s episode, you’ll learn:

✅ How elite athletes, including Formula 1 drivers and professional sports teams, are using Eight Sleep to gain a competitive edge.

✅ Why sleep is the next frontier in a multi-billion-dollar wellness revolution—and how technology is transforming the way we rest.

✅ The science behind sleep temperature, and why getting it right can be the key to deeper, more restorative sleep.

From athlete to entrepreneur, from restless nights to unlocking the science of better sleep, Matteo’s path to building Eight Sleep has been anything but ordinary. Join us as we explore the intersection of technology and wellness, the future of sleep optimization, and how Matteo is redefining what it means to rest well and perform at your peak.

Tonal - Troy Taylor Feb 11, 2025

Today on Startup to Storefront, we’re sitting down with Troy Taylor, a globally recognized leader in human performance and innovation. With a career spanning seven Olympic Games, Troy has worked with over 500 Olympians and 50 Olympic medalists, helping athletes reach peak performance on the world’s biggest stage. As the former High Performance Director at U.S. Ski & Snowboard, he played a pivotal role in securing 15 Olympic medals—including seven gold—at the 2018 PyeongChang Games.

Now, as the Senior Director of Performance & Innovation at Tonal, Troy is bringing his expertise to the world of connected fitness. Tonal, the pioneer behind the world’s smartest strength training system, is redefining how people train by combining revolutionary digital weight technology with AI-powered coaching. From strength training and HIIT to mobility and recovery, Tonal adapts to each user’s needs, helping them break through plateaus and reach their full potential.

On this week's episode, you’ll learn: Why most fitness apps fail—and the science behind keeping people engaged in long-term fitness The shocking reason 90% of people quit the gym—and how technology is changing the way we approach strength training Everything you need to know about Tonal—from its game-changing features to cost, installation, and whether it’s worth the investment

Get ready for an episode packed with expert insights, industry secrets, and a deep dive into the future of fitness.

REVERIE - Garrett Markenson Feb 04, 2025

This week on Startup to Storefront: Garrett Markenson, Founder of REVERIE

Over a decade ago, industry-leading hairstylist Garrett Markenson set out to change the way we think about hair. Frustrated by the industry's approach, he created REVERIE—a brand rooted in integrity, innovation, and clean, effective formulas designed to truly nurture hair.

Beyond being a visionary in haircare, Garrett shares how becoming a hairstylist was a liberating, life-changing decision—one that shaped his perspective on creativity, business, and sustainability.

This week, we dive into: Haircare secrets you need to know Garrett’s journey to building a brand that disrupts the industry The art of hairdressing & why it’s more than just a profession

Tune in to hear how he’s redefining beauty, one thoughtful formula at a time.

KOA Life - Alexis McClay Jan 28, 2025

From Celeb Fashion to Women’s Wellness Disruption!

This week on the Startup to Storefront Podcast, we’re sitting down with Alexis McClay, a powerhouse entrepreneur and philanthropist who’s been redefining industries for over 16 years.

Co-founder of NAVEN, the celeb-loved fashion brand worn by icons like the Kardashians, Taylor Swift, J Lo, and Selena Gomez, Alexis has built a career at the intersection of style, innovation, and purpose. She’s collaborated with fashion giants like Revolve and bebe, graced stages like the Forbes Women’s Summit, and even earned recognition at the Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Awards.

Now, she’s disrupting the $5T wellness industry with KOA LIFE, a revolutionary women’s wellness brand bridging the gap between beauty and health. From peptide-infused skincare at CVS and Target to virtual clinics tackling the root causes of aging, Alexis is empowering women to thrive, not just survive.

On this week’s episode, you’ll learn:

• Why staying true to yourself and rejecting societal expectations can unlock your greatest potential.

• How it’s never too late to start your entrepreneurial journey.

• The importance of focus and how prioritizing one goal at a time leads to greater success.

Tune in to hear how Alexis turned personal challenges into entrepreneurial triumphs, what it takes to lead in the beauty and wellness space, and her vision for the future of women’s health.

CANN - Jack Bullock Jan 07, 2025

To kick off 2025, we’re diving into CANN-uary with a brand that’s redefining the way we socialize. Our guest today is Jake Bullock, founder of Cann, the #1 leading THC-infused beverage brand in America. Jake’s entrepreneurial journey began with a bold idea: finding a better alternative to alcohol that still brings the fun but ditches the hangover. What started as small-scale experimentation with microdosed cannabis and all-natural ingredients has now grown into a thriving business leading the $1.1B cannabis beverage industry.

Jake has overcome the challenges of launching a disruptive brand, navigating the complex cannabis industry, and educating a market unfamiliar with THC beverages. In less than five years, Cann has become an industry pioneer and market leader, boasting:

🌱 A 50% repeat customer rate.

🌱 THC beverages outselling Chardonnay in Minnesota, the first state to legalize their sale.

🌱 Partnerships with bars and restaurants nationwide, where Cann has become a must-have menu item.

🌱 A global supply chain that has made Cann the #1 exporter of Sicilian Blood Orange Juice.

In this episode, we’ll explore the grit and innovation it took to launch Cann in 2019, Jake’s entrepreneurial lessons in scaling a disruptive brand, and the exciting future of the cannabis and social beverage industries.

And to celebrate CANN-uary, we’re hosting a giveaway! Stay tuned for details—winners will be announced this Friday! Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a fan of innovation, or curious about the booming cannabis market, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration. Let’s dive in!

DJ Kaila Troy Dec 17, 2024

This week on Startup to Storefront, we’re thrilled to welcome DJ Kaila Troy—an international talent whose career spans music, media, and global influence. As a DJ, Kaila has shared stages with icons like Lil Wayne, Black Eyed Peas, Nelly, Keyshia Cole, and Wyclef Jean, performing in countries across Africa, India, Dubai, France, the UK, China, and more.

With over 100,000 followers on Instagram and collaborations with top brands like Nike, Monster Energy, and Puma, Kaila’s influence extends far beyond the turntables. She’s been featured in major publications like Radio Times and Irish Mirror, and even made her mark on daytime TV with an appearance on ABC Chicago.

And if she looks familiar, it’s because she brought her charisma to millions on Hulu and ITV Network’s Love Island UK Season 7.

On this week’s episode, you’ll discover:

• Kaila’s incredible DJ journey

• Her unforgettable Love Island experience

• What’s next for Kaila as she continues to elevate her career

Funkkoff - Sonia Hounsell and Joelle Flynn (as seen on Shark 🦈 Tank) Dec 03, 2024

This week on Startup to Storefront, we’re sitting down with Sonia Hounsell and Joelle Flynn, the dynamic Co-Founders of FunkkOFF!®, the lifestyle brand redefining personal and oral care with their innovative, reusable TeethRefreshers®!

With decades of experience in marketing, entrepreneurship, and invention, these powerhouse women took their game-changing product from concept to Shark Tank success—securing a deal with Robert Herjavec earlier this year. 🦈💼

On this week’s episode, you’ll learn: • Their experience on Shark Tank: Sonia and Joelle share the behind-the-scenes process of pitching their innovative product to the Sharks, what it was like standing in front of the panel, and how they secured a deal with Robert Herjavec. From preparation to the high-stakes moment, they offer valuable insights into navigating the high-pressure world of reality TV entrepreneurship.

How TV transformed their business overnight: Discover how their appearance on Shark Tank catapulted FunkkOFF!® into the spotlight, resulting in increased sales, brand recognition, and invaluable opportunities.

They dive into the ripple effects of the national exposure and how it changed the trajectory of their company almost immediately.

The journey of building an innovative brand: Learn how Sonia and Joelle combined decades of experience to create a product that disrupted the personal care industry. 🎧

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation! Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts.

FORVR MOOD - Denis Asamoah Nov 26, 2024

On this week’s episode of Startup to Storefront, we’re joined by Denis Asamoah, cofounder of @forvrmood—a brand that has quickly become synonymous with luxury self-care.

Together with his partner, Jackie Aina, Denis set out to create a brand that not only delivers high-quality candles but also represents authenticity, individuality, and inclusivity in the lifestyle space.

Forvr Mood began with a vision to bring joy and comfort into everyday routines. From their carefully curated scents to their premium packaging, the brand has redefined what it means to invest in self-care. But building a brand like Forvr Mood wasn’t without its challenges. In this episode, Denis takes us behind the scenes, sharing the ups and downs of their entrepreneurial journey.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How Denis and his team faced and conquered entrepreneurial fears while building a standout brand

• How Forvr Mood sold an incredible 20,000 candles within hours of launching

• How they developed the perfect pricing strategy that balances accessibility with luxury

This is an inspiring conversation about resilience, vision, and creating a brand that lights up lives—literally and figuratively. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or just love a good success story, this episode is for you.

Something Sweet - Brittney Cook Nov 19, 2024

This week on Startup to Storefront, we’re joined by Brittney Cook, the founder of Something Sweet Dough. Brittney’s story is one of family, resilience, and purpose. What began as a labor of love has grown into a brand known for its rich, brown butter cookie dough that brings joy to kitchens everywhere—all while honoring her late father’s legacy.

For Brittney, Something Sweet is more than a business; it’s a heartfelt tribute. She and her family have transformed their grief into meaningful action, channeling love and loss into a mission to spread happiness through the universal comfort of cookies. By staying deeply connected to their “why,” Brittney’s team has made thoughtful decisions to grow their brand strategically, ensuring that every step is rooted in quality and customer connection.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Brittney built Something Sweet Dough as a tribute to her father’s memory

• How her family turned a personal loss into a powerful mission for joy and connection

• Why understanding their customers has been the secret to scaling at the right pace without compromising quality

Get ready to be inspired by Brittney’s story—a testament to the power of family, resilience, and the simple magic of cookies that bring people together.

Sweet Loren's - Loren Castle Nov 12, 2024

Today, we’re thrilled to welcome back Loren Castle, the powerhouse Founder and CEO behind Sweet Loren’s. Loren’s journey began with a life-changing cancer diagnosis at just 22. Determined to take control of her health, she eliminated processed foods, creating a new lifestyle full of flavor and nutrition. A year later, she was cancer-free and realized her recipes—including her wholesome cookie dough—could help others enjoy delicious food that also felt good. Fast forward to today, Sweet Loren’s is the #1 selling natural cookie dough in the U.S., available in nearly 30,000 stores nationwide. The brand has expanded to include pre-cut cookie doughs, breakfast biscuits, and an innovative new line of rolled doughs like puff pastry, pizza crust, and pie crust—all plant-based, non-GMO, and free from the top 14 allergens. On this episode, you’ll learn: •How Loren’s focus on emotional intelligence became a crucial tool for driving business success, helping her make genuine connections with customers, team members, and partners. • The challenges Loren faced building Sweet Loren’s from scratch, from finding the right recipes and manufacturing partners to scaling a brand in a competitive industry, and how she navigated these early struggles. • Loren’s inspiring transformation from cancer survivor to creator of healthy, clean treats that bring joy and indulgence to all—without compromise. Join us as Loren shares the latest developments in Sweet Loren’s mission to bring joy to everyone, one delicious, uncompromising bite at a time.

Bioniq - Vadim Fedotov Oct 29, 2024

This week on Startup to Storefront, we’re joined by Vadim Fedotov, whose journey from pro basketball to health tech entrepreneurship is all about resilience and innovation. After enduring four torn ACLs and finding limited proactive health guidance, Vadim set out to change the game with Bioniq—a health optimization company focused on personalized wellness.

On this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why traditional medicine often falls short in optimizing health.

• How nutrition is the key to achieving better overall well-being.

• Practical strategies to transform your health and elevate your performance.

• The role of cutting-edge technology in personalizing health solutions.

• Insights into building a successful health tech company from the ground up.

Founded in 2019, Bioniq combines Swiss pharmaceutical-grade quality with advanced AI for hyper-personalized nutritional solutions and is trusted by athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo. With the backing of institutions such as Lanserhof and King’s College Hospital, Bioniq is setting a new standard in health and wellness. Tune in to hear Vadim’s story of transforming personal challenges into a mission to elevate well-being for all!

W by Jake Paul - Woodie Hillyard Oct 22, 2024

On today’s episode of Startup to Storefront, we sit down with Woodie Hillyard, the co-founder and CEO of W, the antiperspirant line created in collaboration with Jake Paul. Woodie is a seasoned leader in the Consumer & Retail industries, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his time as Head of eCommerce for Casper and Chief Revenue Officer at Safely, Kris Jenner’s safe cleaning products brand. At Safely, he successfully launched and scaled the eCommerce business while securing nationwide placement in major retailers like Walmart and Bed Bath & Beyond. Before his journey building top consumer brands, Woodie worked in private equity and investment banking at Deutsche Bank and TowerBrook. Today, he’s here to talk about W’s mission to keep you fresh all day long with their antiperspirant that combines sweat protection with skin-nourishing ingredients like Magnesium and Vitamin D, all while leaving out harmful chemicals. Whether you’re breaking a sweat or just living your everyday life, W’s innovative formula is here to keep you smelling great around the clock. On this episode, you’ll learn: • How Jake Paul harnessed the power of AI to break the internet and amplify his brand’s reach in ways no one saw coming. • Why bar soap is making a major comeback in the personal care industry and how it’s reshaping consumer habits. • How Jake Paul’s massive following played a pivotal role in launching W, turning fans into loyal customers and building a brand with unstoppable momentum. Let’s dive into Woodie’s journey, how W came to life, and what it takes to build a successful brand in the highly competitive world of personal care.

Pricklee - Kun Yang (as seen on Shark 🦈 Tank) Oct 15, 2024

We’ll be speaking with Kun Yang, co-founder and CEO, about Pricklee’s remarkable journey and what’s next for their growing company.

On this episode, you’ll discover:

• How Pricklee went from a local startup in Boston to making a national splash on Shark Tank.

• What it was like pitching their product to the Sharks, and the lessons they learned from the experience.

• The key strategies behind Pricklee’s impressive 80% sales growth, and how they continue to scale in a competitive market.

The New Bar - Brianda Gonzalez Oct 08, 2024

On today’s episode of Startup to Storefront, we’re joined by Brianda, founder of The New Bar. Growing up on Catalina Island, alcohol was a common part of social gatherings with friends and family—until a life-changing moment altered that for Brianda. When her father was nearly lost to a debilitating autoimmune disease, she sought new ways to foster the same close family connections—this time without alcohol. Brianda launched The New Bar in Venice Beach in the summer of 2022, creating a platform that connects people to nonalcoholic drinks and alternatives. Her mission? To prove that socializing doesn’t need to revolve around alcohol. By 2023, The New Bar became the official alcohol-free partner at Coachella, and in 2024, Brianda tripled her footprint with new locations in West Hollywood and San Francisco. She also expanded her partnership with Golden Voice to bring nonalcoholic drinks to Stagecoach. Featured in Forbes, Adweek, Thrillist, Eater, and The Guardian, Brianda is a trailblazer in the alcohol-free movement. On this week’s episode, you’ll learn how Brianda turned a personal journey into a thriving business, leaving the tech industry to create a platform for non-alcoholic alternatives. She shares how she’s changing perceptions around non-alcoholic drinks by making them exciting and accessible, securing partnerships with major events like Coachella. You’ll also hear about the life-changing benefits of sober months and how Brianda expanded The New Bar into multiple locations while influencing the entertainment and hospitality industries.

Guru Nanda - Puneet Nanda (as seen on TikTok) Oct 01, 2024

Today, we're excited to welcome Puneet Nanda, the founder of Guru Nanda, to Startup to Storefront. Puneet's journey to mainstream success is unlike any other— he's built an Ayurvedic-inspired oral care brand that has gone viral thanks to TikTok, with over 285,000 followers and $12.5 million in sales to date. From oil pulling solutions to dual chamber mouthwash, Guru Nanda’s products have captivated millions of consumers, and every viral moment on TikTok leads to a surge not just online but also in retail giants like Walmart and Amazon. Puneet’s success story demonstrates the power of authenticity, customer engagement, and timely content. He’ll be sharing the insights he’s gained along the way, from understanding TikTok’s unique ability to spread trends, to building impactful influencer partnerships, and using the platform to propel Guru Nanda to the forefront of holistic oral care. Whether you're a brand looking to leverage TikTok or simply curious about his innovative approach, Puneet’s story offers valuable lessons on turning a passion into a thriving business.

On this week’s episode, you'll also learn:

- How Puneet Nanda unexpectedly became a TikTok sensation and built a viral brand overnight.

- The ultimate dental showdown: Flossing vs. Brushing – the surprising truth behind what your routine might be missing.

- Why he shifted from traditional marketing to TikTok, and how embracing the platform revolutionized his business strategy and skyrocketed sales.

Let’s dive into the secrets behind the viral success of Guru Nanda!

Do Twins Have Their Own Language? - Dr. Joan A Friedman Sep 24, 2024

We are excited to welcome Dr. Joan Friedman to this week’s episode of Startup to Storefront! 🎙️ As a renowned twin expert, Dr. Friedman has dedicated her life to understanding the emotional needs of twins and helping families navigate their unique challenges. Not only is she an identical twin herself, but she’s also the mother of five, including fraternal twins! W

ith her acclaimed books Emotionally Healthy Twins and The Same but Different, Dr. Friedman shares invaluable insights on how twins can grow as individuals while maintaining a strong bond. 💡✨

On this week’s episode, you’ll discover:

The fascinating concept of twin synergy and how it shapes their unique connection

Why dedicated one-on-one time with each twin is crucial for their emotional development and individuality

The surprising strengths and "superpowers" that set twins apart from the rest of us

Don’t miss this enlightening conversation!

Cakesbody - Taylor and Casey (as seen on Shark 🦈 Tank) Sep 17, 2024

Welcome back to the podcast! This week, we’re excited to reconnect with Taylor and Casey, co-founders of CAKES Body, for an update since we last spoke to them in 2022. They’re on a mission to solve a problem many women face but few talk about—Nipple Freak Out, or as they call it, NFO. Their solution? The world’s first grippy, not sticky, nipple covers that use your body’s natural heat, with no sticky adhesives. What started as a simple fix quickly turned into a viral sensation, with TikTok driving massive demand and multiple sellouts of their product. But the real game-changer came when Taylor and Casey appeared on Shark Tank in 2023. They secured a $300,000 deal with Emma Grede in exchange for 10% equity, a move that’s propelled their company to nearly $10 million in revenue today. This wasn’t just a business deal—it was the moment that launched CAKES Body into a whole new level of success. This week, you’ll learn: - How CAKES Body is empowering women by revolutionizing traditional bras - The power of manifestation in their journey - What it was like to pitch on Shark Tank and make a deal with Emma Grede - How they’re owning the boob solution space Without further ado, let’s meet the founders of CAKES Body, Taylor and Casey! ReplyForward

Poplight - Rose & Caroline Matthes (as seen on Shark 🦈 Tank) Sep 10, 2024

On the latest episode of Startup To Storefront, we’re shining a spotlight on Rose & Caroline, the wife-and-wife duo behind Poplight, as seen on Shark Tank! 💡

The idea for Poplight came to them when they moved into their first place together. They wanted beautiful, modern wall lighting that fit their budget, but quickly realized traditional wall sconces just wouldn’t work for them:

💸 They’re expensive – costing hundreds of dollars each.

🔧 They require a contractor for installation (and might even break your lease!)

🔒 Once installed, they’re permanent, meaning you can’t take them with you if you move or redecorate.

That’s when they had their 💡 lightbulb moment:

Poplight, renter-friendly wall lighting that installs in seconds, can be moved easily, and fits any budget! Here’s how their journey unfolded: - They went viral on TikTok (yes, in their overalls!) - A Shark Tank producer reached out, but they thought it was a scam. - After some convincing, they made it onto the show—and the rest is history!

🎉 INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY ALERT 🎉 We’re giving away a black Poplight exclusively to our Instagram followers! Stay tuned for the details on how to enter and win! Tune in to hear how they built a brand, conquered Shark Tank, and are lighting up the world with Poplight. 🔥

Holy Water - Jasmine Mooney Sep 03, 2024

Welcome back to another episode of Startup to Storefront, where we explore the journeys of innovators and entrepreneurs breaking new ground. Today, we are thrilled to have Jasmine Mooney on the show. Jasmine is a dynamic female founder who has made a remarkable shift from owning bars and restaurants to leading a cutting-edge company that creates innovative health products. Her company, which is PhD-led, focuses on leveraging the power of functional mushrooms, adaptogens, nootropics, and ketones to offer healthy alternatives that promote longevity and enhance quality of life. This week, you’ll discover: How Jasmine made the leap from owning bars and restaurants to entering the CPG industry. Jasmine’s personal health journey with natural medicine and ketones. Why Holy Water is unique as the only functional beverage incorporating ketones. Tune in for an episode filled with insights, inspiration, and actionable advice for anyone interested in health, wellness, and entrepreneurship!

Love + Chew - Lauren Chew 🍪 Aug 27, 2024

Meet Lauren Chew: The "Accidental Entrepreneur" Behind Love+Chew Cookies 🍪 In 2018, Lauren went completely vegan and needed to rethink her diet—especially her sweet treats. She started experimenting in her tiny San Francisco apartment and, by 2019, transformed her side hustle into a full-fledged business: Love+Chew cookies. Her secret? Delicious, plant-based cookies made with minimal, wholesome ingredients. Fast forward to today, and you can find Love+Chew cookies in over 2,000 stores nationwide, including Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, select Costco locations, and even on Amazon! But what makes Lauren’s journey truly remarkable? She’s bootstrapped her business from day one with zero outside funding. With a background in business development and tech from companies like Tesla and Stem, she runs everything—from product development and marketing to sales and operations. In 2023, Lauren scaled Love+Chew from $1M to $3M in revenue and is on track to hit $5-6M this year! As a solo female founder in a competitive market, Lauren’s story is nothing short of inspiring. In this week’s episode, Lauren shares: 🍪 How she found the perfect co-manufacturer to scale her business 🍪The game-changing packaging and sales strategy introduced by Whole Foods 🍪How she pivoted her business strategy in response to the challenges of COVID-19 Tune in to learn how she did it all—and why Love+Chew cookies are a must-try!

Azure Printed Homes - Ross Maguire Aug 20, 2024

Last year, we had the pleasure of speaking with Gene Eidelman, co-founder of Azure Printed Homes. Now, we’re thrilled to welcome his partner in innovation, Ross Maguire, for an exciting update on the podcast!

Azure Printed Homes is revolutionizing the way we think about living spaces with their cutting-edge 3D-printed small homes and backyard studios, paving the way for a more affordable and sustainable future.

Tune in to this episode to explore:

The groundbreaking future of home printing

How Azure is reshaping the way we live

The advanced technology that keeps Azure at the forefront of the industry

Don’t miss this insightful conversation!

Full Glass Wine 🍷 - Neha Kumar Aug 13, 2024

When Winc, the internet's favorite wine club, filed for bankruptcy, many thought the DTC model was finished. But Neha Kumar saw something golden—true brand loyalty. 💡 She acquired Winc’s DTC arm and, through the power of scaled assets, transformed it into the lion’s share of Full Glass Wine, a $100M powerhouse with two other brands under its wing. Now, millions of loyal Winc subscribers continue to enjoy the brand they love.

🍷 Neha is also the former COO/CFO of Create & Cultivate, a Professor at UCLA, a mentor through the Women’s Abundance Collective, and a first-generation Indian-American entrepreneur. She’s redefining what it means to lead in both business and life. 💪✨

Tune in to this episode to discover:

🍷 The future of DTC wine and where the industry is headed

💡 Neha’s top tips for entrepreneurial success

📈 Exclusive insights into Neha’s innovative marketing strategies

🚀 How Full Glass Wine is optimizing efficiency and scaling to new heights

hiyo - Evan, Cygne, and George (the future of Non-Alcohol) Aug 06, 2024

This week, we had the pleasure of welcoming two of the Co-Founders of Hiyo to the podcast! As a brand, Hiyo is on a mission to revolutionize the way we drink, advocating for healthier ways to unwind. With just 30 calories and 0% ABV per can, you no longer have to choose between feeling good and maintaining your health. Hiyo delivers on both taste and functionality, offering a non-alcoholic option that inspires more relaxation on the sofa, more hangover-free happy hours, more presence at parties, and ultimately, a happier, healthier you. On this week’s episode, you’ll discover: - How Hiyo offers a healthier way to unwind, providing a refreshing alternative to traditional alcoholic beverages. - The growing trend of social tonics and how they are transforming social drinking. - The unique market need Hiyo fulfills with its blend of adaptogens and nootropics. - The evolving landscape of alcohol consumption and the shift towards mindful drinking. Tune in to hear more about Hiyo’s journey, mission, and the incredible benefits of their social tonic.

Tantos - Chef Joe Sasto & Sean Knecht launch a CPG company! Jul 30, 2024

Today, we're thrilled to have Chef Joe Sasto and Sean Knecht as our guests.

Joe Sasto, inspired by his lifelong passion for pasta, founded Tantos, the ultimate pasta chip! Tantos is a brand that embodies the Italian expression "Tanto Si," meaning "so much yes." From a young age, Joe's talent for cooking was evident. He trained under some of the Bay Area's top chefs, contributing to the success of Michelin-starred Lazy Bear and Quince. You've also seen him on Bravo’s Top Chef and Food Network’s Tournament of Champions and Chopped.

Sean Knecht, since 2013, has helped Fortune 500 companies, hotels, breweries, and pet retailers leverage the emotional bond between customers and their pets to boost revenue and brand recognition. He provides award-winning customizable pet accessories for resale and promotional use. Sean has appeared on ABC's Shark Tank and has been featured in Inc., Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, and Buzzfeed. His clients include Petco, Tito's Vodka, Subaru, Houston Astros, Bumble, Heineken, ESPN, and more.

On this episode you’ll discover:

How Tantos is Revolutionizing Pasta: Tantos revolutionizes pasta by transforming it into a gourmet snack with its unique process of drying, puffing, and seasoning pasta to crispy perfection.

Joe’s Incredible Culinary Journey: Chef Joe Sasto’s remarkable culinary journey took him from a young cooking enthusiast to a Michelin-starred chef, culminating in his innovative creation of the Tantos pasta chip.

Sean & Joe’s Launch Strategy: Sean Knecht and Joe Sasto’s launch strategy combined Sean’s brand expertise with Joe’s culinary innovation to successfully introduce Tantos to the market.

Rosalynn Supper Club - Chef Jasper Lynn Jul 23, 2024

Join us in welcoming Chef Jasper Lynn, this week’s special guest!

To celebrate the grand opening of the Rosalynn Summer Series at Little City Farm, we're giving away two tickets to Thursday's event! To enter, head over to our Instagram! The winner will be announced at 3pm on Wednesday!

Chef Jasper Lynn, recognized as House of Suntory’s 2023 Rising Chef of the Year and featured by the James Beard Foundation at the Pebble Beach Food & Wine Festival, is known for his bold Asian flavors with New American and French influences. His culinary excellence at Rosalynn earned him a feature on Netflix's Bling Empire (Season 2).

Rosalynn started as a passion project during the pandemic in August 2020. Chef Jasper, a former tech PM and consultant for companies like Apple and UPS Capital, began hosting dinner parties, which evolved into one of the most coveted private dining experiences in Los Angeles. He is also launching YEAT HAY, his new CPG and lifestyle brand, and hosts the viral video podcast 'The Durian Pod.'

In this episode, you'll learn about:

- Chef Jasper’s Summer Series at Little City Farm

- His near-death experience

- The launch of YEAT-HAY, the first Asian chimichurri sauce on the market

- His journey from tech to culinary success with Rosalynn Supper Club

Don’t miss this exciting episode!

Bio.me - Shannon Race Jul 16, 2024

Join us as we welcome Shannon Race, co-founder of Bio.me, to our podcast this week. With over 12 years of experience in marketing and brand strategy, Shannon is currently a Principal at Starshot Ventures, where she leads investment strategy and advises portfolio brands. She also co-founded bio.me, a pioneering gut health and fiber supplement company, and serves as a board member and strategic advisor for Koia plant-based protein drinks. Shannon has spoken at industry events such as Create & Cultivate, BeautyCon, and BevNET. Bio.me is a female-founded company dedicated to improving gut health with effective, science-backed supplements. Their products, including bio.me Daily Prebiotic Fiber, bio.me Fiber Rescue, and bio.me Daily Synbiotic, aim to rebalance the microbiome and support overall digestive wellness. Better gut health leads to more energy, better sleep, reduced bloating, and a stronger immune system. On this episode you’ll learn: How to Create a Strong Brand Identity: Discover the essential steps to build a brand that stands out, from understanding your audience and crafting a clear message to maintaining visual consistency and sharing an authentic story. The Power of Fiber in Boosting Gut Health: Learn how fiber supports digestion, balances the microbiome, reduces inflammation, enhances nutrient absorption, boosts immunity, and helps regulate blood sugar levels. Key Business Tips from Shannon & Co-Founder Chloe Melas: Gain valuable insights from their experiences in growing successful brands and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.

Cryo Healthcare - Emilia and Jonas Kuehne MD Jul 09, 2024

Join us this week as we welcome the founders of Cryo Healthcare, Emilia and Jonas Kuehne, MD! Emilia and Jonas Kuehne, MD, are the visionary minds behind Cryo Healthcare, a pioneering venture that began in 2009. Their journey started in Berlin, Germany, where they discovered the transformative benefits of Cryotherapy. Driven by their passion for wellness, they brought this innovative therapy to the United States, becoming trailblazers of Whole Body Cryotherapy in the country. As the inaugural enterprise to introduce this cutting-edge therapy in the US, Emilia and Jonas have helped countless individuals experience the remarkable benefits of Cryotherapy. The success of their first year operating from home inspired them to expand, leading to the establishment of a larger, state-of-the-art facility on La Cienega Blvd in West Hollywood. Cryohealthcare is dedicated to enhancing lives through non-pharmaceutical, preventive healthcare. Their mission is to improve the well-being of their clients and encourage healthier lifestyles. In this episode, you'll discover: 🥶 The benefits of Cryotherapy for reducing inflammation, preventing diseases, and promoting healing. 🥶The link between inflammation and aging. 🥶 The critical role of recovery in enhancing overall health. 🥶 Join the Cryohealthcare team on a journey towards wellness and experience the transformative power of Cryotherapy, where health meets innovation.

Ground Up - Julie Sullivan 🫙🥜 Jul 02, 2024

Please join us in welcoming our guest, Julie Sullivan, co-founder of Ground Up!

Ground Up was founded in 2016 when Julie returned from Uganda, where she had been leading an employment training program for women overcoming poverty. Back in her hometown of Portland, Oregon, Julie recognized a similar need for such programs locally.

Ground Up is a mission-driven business dedicated to providing job training to womxn overcoming adversity in the Portland area. By producing and selling healthy, delicious nut butters, Ground Up empowers womxn with the confidence and skills they need to rebuild their lives.

On this week's episode, you’ll discover:

Ground Up’s innovative influencer marketing strategy

Their remarkable journey to success in both e-commerce and retail

Julie’s inspiring story of creating the empowering Ground Up employment program

Sender One - Alice Kao Jun 25, 2024

Join us as we welcome this week’s guest, Alice Kao. Alice discovered climbing while living and working in London in 2008 after a difficult breakup. Inspired by the healing and self-discovery that climbing brought her, she co-founded Sender One in 2011 upon returning to the United States with her business partners. Alice hates following rules but excels at getting people to believe in her ideas.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

- How Alice’s experience as a ‘parachute kid’ shaped her life.

- Diego’s insights on transforming your mindset and turning problems into opportunities.

- Alice’s unique perspective on entrepreneurship.

- Her journey from a side gig to full-time success.

Fungiments - Maria Camila Giraldo Jun 18, 2024

Join us as we dive into Maria Camila Giraldo's incredible journey to founding Fungiments! After hitting dead ends on her healing journey from a severe accident, Maria connected to a doctor who introduced her to the power of functional mushrooms. Before working with her functional doctor, Maria had gone through an array of treatments including traditional prescriptions to help with anxiety, stress, and more but left her symptoms worse. After several months of research and development, Fungiments was born, and combines the best of nature and science, only using sustainably sourced and clinically proven ingredients.

Before building her wellness empire, you may have seen Maria on TV. After starring in shows like Queen of the South in Latin America, the Colombian actress made her US acting debut this year with a role on Netflix’s Griselda – along with two highly anticipated films with actors, Alec Baldwin and Al Pacino premiering later this year.

In this week's episode, you'll learn:

The pivotal moment that led Maria Camila to explore the amazing benefits of mushrooms.

How Fungiments is adding fun and "superpowers" to everyday life!

The incredible power of natural alternatives for boosting energy and easing anxiety.

Cargo Crew - Felicity Rodgers Jun 11, 2024

Please join us in welcoming this week’s guest, Felicity Rodgers, the Co-Founder of Cargo Crew, an Australian-born, female-led, and family-run uniform brand.

Since 2002, Cargo Crew has been on a mission to reinvent the modern uniform. Today, the brand proudly serves 45,000 teams across more than 80 countries, catering to both B2B and D2C sectors. From casual home chefs to what Founder and Chief Creative Officer Felicity Rodgers calls "makers, bakers, and creatives," Cargo Crew's clientele includes renowned names such as Paris Hilton, Curtis Stone, Goop, Netflix, Claus Meyer, and Melbourne & Olympic Parks.

On this week’s episode you’ll learn:

The story behind Cargo Crew's collaboration with Goop!
The exciting expansion plans for Cargo Crew.
How Cargo Crew is revolutionizing the uniform industry.

Honey Mamas - Christy Goldsby (Diego's favorite snack 🍫) Jun 04, 2024

Please join us in welcoming this week’s guest, Christy Goldsby, the visionary founder of Honey Mama’s.

Christy was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, in a family of passionate cooks, bakers, and gardeners. From an early age, she experienced the kitchen as a place of creativity and joy. In 2010, her personal health journey inspired her to combine two lifelong passions: indulgent, delicious foods and the empowerment that comes from personal wellness.

Honey Mama’s began with a lightbulb moment. Influenced by the importance of gut health, Christy discovered that a combination of superfood ingredients could replicate the taste and texture of the most indulgent treats. Two years later, she introduced her honey-sweetened truffle bars at the Portland State Farmers Market. Within a few months, Honey Mama’s products were available on grocery store shelves.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

🍫 Christy’s entrepreneurial journey

🍫 Her innovative chocolate marketing strategy

🍫 How she transformed her life through clean eating

🍫 The revolutionary impact Honey Mama’s has had on healthy treats

Tune in to be inspired by Christy’s story and gain insights into her approach to wellness and entrepreneurship.

Troop - Stephanie Moyal & Jake Mellman 🍄 May 28, 2024

Join us as we welcome Stephanie Moyal & Jake Mellman, cousins, friends, and visionary co-founders of Troop!

Jake and Stephanie founded Troop with a mission to demystify mushrooms and make their incredible benefits accessible to everyone. They believe that nature, especially mushrooms, holds many of the answers we seek.

In this episode, you'll discover:

🍄 The remarkable power of mushrooms in healing mental health

🍄 How Jake and Stephanie explored the complex mushroom kingdom and started cultivating their own

🍄 Ways to boost your brain health with Troop's innovative products

Don't miss this enlightening conversation about the transformative potential of mushrooms!

Cabinet Health - Achal Patel (as seen on Shark 🦈 Tank) May 21, 2024

Join us as we welcome Achal Patel, Co-founder of Cabinet Health, to the podcast! Cabinet Health is a pioneering company tackling the plastic waste crisis in the $1.2 trillion pharmaceutical market.

With consumers growing more conscious of their environmental impact, Cabinet Health's zero-waste solution aims to revolutionize a consumer behavior pattern unchanged for over 70 years. After appearing on Shark Tank, Cabinet Health secured partnerships with not one, but two sharks: Mr. Wonderful, Kevin O’Leary, and Tony Xu.

In this week’s episode, discover:

Insider details of Cabinet Health’s transformative Shark Tank journey.

The profound impact of plastic bottles and the critical importance of recycling for our planet.

The often-overlooked environmental consequences of prescription medication.

Tune in for an enlightening and impactful episode!

Blackbird Foods - Emanuel Storch - Plant-Based Frozen Pizza 🍕 and Wings 🍗 May 14, 2024

Join us this week as we chat with Emanuel Storch, CEO of Blackbird Foods, creators of plant-based Frozen Pizza and Wings! Launched in January 2020 and Founded by chefs, Blackbird Foods started by making seitan for local restaurants. As more customers started to request the option to cook with it in their homes, they then opened their own dedicated facility in NYC to create the best Pizza, Seitan, and WINGS in the world. They've since grown into a nationwide brand in 4+ years, available at Target, Whole Foods, and Sprouts. Don't miss out on discovering: The unique innovation setting Blackbird Foods apart. How Blackbird Foods is using Beyond Meat in their products. The future of frozen food in retail. The journey of getting Blackbird Foods into Erewhon.

MALK Organics🥛 - Jason Bronstad May 07, 2024

This week we welcome Jason Bronstad, CEO of MALK Organics, to the podcast.

Jason is a seasoned CPG professional with 20+ years of experience in the food and beverage industry. With a successful background at leading companies like Sara Lee and Jimmy Dean, Bronstad joined MALK in 2020 as a consultant and quickly rose to CEO in June 2021. Under his leadership, MALK has experienced significant growth, becoming the fastest-growing plant-based milk brand in 2022. Bronstad's mission is to expand MALK's consumer base by educating people on its health benefits as the top alternative milk option. His personal journey towards a healthier lifestyle fuels his passion for promoting wellness.

In this episode, you'll discover:

Jason's CEO journey and his strategies for steering MALK Organics to success.

How MALK is pioneering the premium segment of plant-based milks.

Insights from Jason's failures and the valuable lessons learned.

The transformative influence of TikTok on consumer information-seeking behavior.

Vanessa Dew - Health-Ade May 01, 2024

On the latest pod we interview Vanessa Dew who Co-Founded and created a $200M Kombucha Empire - Health-Ade Vanessa is a dynamic force in the realm of innovation and entrepreneurship. With a passion for pushing the boundaries of what's possible, Vanessa's journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a keen eye for emerging opportunities. In this episode, you’ll discover: How Health-ade was early to the Kombucha and. gut health party. Vanessa’s invaluable tips for achieving success and profitability. Her trailblazing journey as a female Asian American entrepreneur, inspiring women to believe in themselves. Join us in celebrating Vanessa Dew, a trailblazer whose vision knows no bounds and whose impact continues to shape the future of innovation.

Marci Hopkins - From Chaos to Clarity Apr 23, 2024

This episode was sponsored by Riverside: Sign up today using StartupToStorefront for 15% OFF -- https://creators.riverside.fm/StartupToStorefront

Introducing this week's special guest, Marci Hopkins! She's a remarkable figure in the world of inspirational and educational television, hosting a show that reaches over 2.8 million viewers monthly on CBS-owned WLNY-TV New York. Her mission? To be a beacon of inspiration and empowerment, guiding viewers towards their happiest lives through candid, meaningful, and engaging conversations.

But that's not all—Marci is also an accomplished author, renowned for her work "Chaos to Clarity Community." This powerful memoir shares her personal journey, weaving together stories of inspiration, hope, and strength. From breaking the cycle of negativity to navigating trauma, Marci offers invaluable insights for embracing the best life.

Join us as we dive into a conversation filled with empowerment and inspiration!

Don't miss this week's episode! Here's what you'll discover:

The transformative impact of cutting out alcohol in Marci's life.

The empowering journey of starting her own community and how it changed her life.

The importance of accessible mental health resources in today's digital age.

Marci's inspiring journey to healing and finding her best self.

S'NOODS - Lauryn Bodden (winner of Netflix’s Snack vs. Chef) Apr 16, 2024

Exciting news! This week's podcast guest is Lauryn Bodden, the winner of Netflix’s first season of Snack vs. Chef! Lauryn wowed us all as she competed alongside 12 chefs, channeling her inner food scientist to recreate classic snacks and invent her own original creations. After her victory, Lauryn launched S’NOODS, a deliciously crunchy snack noodle that's perfectly seasoned and ready to enjoy right out of the bag each time! In addition to running S’NOODS, Lauryn is a recipe developer and private chef for The Sailing Collective. She’s also worked as a food editor and stylist for major meal kits, brands, and publications.

In this episode, you'll learn: How Lauryn used nostalgic snacks to create S’NOODS

Her marketing strategy as a solo founderHow she overcame imposter syndrome and gained confidence on Snack vs. Chef

Tune in now to hear Lauryn’s incredible journey!

The Sculpt Society - Megan Roup Apr 09, 2024

This week, we're thrilled to sit down with Megan Roup, the inspiring founder of The Sculpt Society! Launched in 2017, Megan's decision to turn her passion for fitness into a full-time career led to the creation of The Sculpt Society, a revolutionary platform that embodies her belief in the transformative power of movement for personal growth and well-being. As a mother of two, Megan's journey with TSS continues to evolve, and she's here to share her mantra: "commit to less so you can show up more." With workouts ranging from quick 5-minute bursts to comprehensive 50-minute sessions, The Sculpt Society truly offers something for everyone, regardless of fitness level.

In this episode, you'll discover:

Megan's journey in developing The Sculpt Society from a personal passion to a thriving fitness community.

The pivotal role dance played in shaping Megan's fitness journey and the unique blend it brings to The Sculpt Society's workouts.

The exciting story of how Vimeo approached Megan to collaborate on developing her very own fitness app.

Fila Manila - Jake Deleon (as seen on Shark 🦈 Tank) Apr 02, 2024

Join us in welcoming Jake Deleon, the founder of Fila Manila!

Jake, a first-generation Filipino American born in the Philippines and raised in New Jersey, founded Fila Manila to spread the joy of Filipino family, culture, and cuisine. Discover award-winning Filipino flavors like Adobo Sauce, Banana Ketchup & Ube Purple Yam Spread, perfect for enjoying at home!

This year, Jake secured a $250,000 investment from Daniel Lubetzky on Shark 🦈 Tank!

During this episode, Jake shares his journey to closing the deal on National TV.

Tune in to learn about: Jake's journey from CPG to entrepreneurship. Navigating a retail launch during COVID-19. How resilience turned a pitch competition loss into a Shark Tank win.

Join the Fila Manila WeFunder Campaign!

David Cantor - Folk Revival - Are Acorns the Next Superfood Trend? 🌰🐿️ Mar 26, 2024

Join us this week as we chat with David Cantor, Founder of Folk Revival, on his mission to enhance food resilience. Discover how he's bridging worlds by introducing high protein, low carb options to natural food enthusiasts.

On this episode you’ll learn:

Are Acorns the Next Superfood Trend? 🌰🌱
The reasoning behind their strategic decision to avoiding using acorns in the brand name.
How they landed a deal with Whole Foods.
Are Acorns 🌰 the Next Big Food Innovation? 🌍
Their innovative fundraising approach on WeFunder.

Don't miss this insightful episode!

Celine & Joline Nehoray - Beverly Hills Lingerie Mar 19, 2024

This week we welcomed Celine and Joline Nehoray to our studio!

Join us as we dive into their inspiring journey from sisters to cofounders of Beverly Hills Lingerie. Founded in 2018, their brand draws inspiration from the 1980s trend of lingerie as streetwear, bringing a fresh perspective to the oversaturated market. Beverly Hills Lingerie has since been featured in Vogue, Entrepreneur, GQ, The Zoe Report, Who What Wear, WWD & more! More than just a product, Beverly Hills Lingerie is a service that is elevating the experience of self-love and empowerment. With an all-female team, Celine & Joline exemplify the importance of women supporting women in business.

Tune in to our episode to discover their secrets to success!

Unlock key learnings from our latest episode:

Discover how Beverly Hills Lingerie crafted its brand voice & engaged its audience.
Follow Celine & Joline's journey to success, fueled by family bonds.
Gain entrepreneurial tips from the sisters.
Don't miss out on these invaluable insights

Carrie Barber - Make Beauty 💄 Mar 12, 2024

This week we’re sitting down with Carrie Barber of MAKE Beauty. Carrie navigated her career with some of the most influential brands in beauty, with roles at top companies such as Sephora, Augustinus Bader, Bloomingdales and VIOLET GREY, establishing herself as part of the industry’s new guard of tastemakers. Carrie harnesses the advancements of biotechnology and formulates each product with sustainable botanical materials, lab engineered natural ingredients, and skin-compatible synthetics that go beyond the concept of clean. MAKE products are formulated using botanical and botanically derived ingredients and tested synthetic ingredients.

This episode’s key highlights:

Learn about Carrie's journey to create MAKE Beauty and understand the brand's unique strategies that contribute to its lasting impact in the beauty industry.

Explore Carrie's shift from working with major beauty brands to becoming an entrepreneur. Learn about the challenges and victories that led her to forge her path.

Discover how Carrie conquered dyslexia, turning it into a strength in her entrepreneurial journey. Explore the mindset and support systems that empowered her success.

Dive into what lies ahead for MAKE Beauty, exploring upcoming developments and strategies. Learn about the envisioned steps for growth and success in the brand's future.

Cyndi Bray - Wad-Free (as seen on Shark Tank 🦈) Mar 05, 2024

This episode was sponsored by Riverside: Sign up today using StartupToStorefront for 15% OFF -- https://creators.riverside.fm/StartupToStorefront

This week, we're featuring Cyndi Bray, the creator of Wad-Free, as seen on Shark Tank!

Wad-Free is a wad preventer that eliminates tangled, twisted, and balled-up laundry. Cyndi invented Wad-Free to help laundry-doers fight the battle against the dreaded sheet wad. One year after launching Wad-Free, Cyndi was featured on ABC’s Shark Tank and landed a deal with Mr. Wonderful himself, Kevin O’Leary.

On this episode, we'll cover:

How Cyndi went from being a Shark Tank fan to appearing on the show.

The secret behind Wad-Free’s explosive success.

Whether Cyndi had a particular Shark in mind before her appearance on the show.

How she developed and launched her product all by herself, in the middle of a pandemic!

Standard Self Care I Hannah Minardi & Austin Wiberg Feb 27, 2024

This week, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Hannah Minardi and Austin Wiberg, the duo behind Standard Self Care. Former college friends turned business partners, they have set out on a mission to revolutionize the personal care industry by creating high-performance products with meticulously tested formulas that instill the highest confidence. In this episode, you won't want to miss out on: The importance of testing everything, especially in the realm of digital marketing, and how no one’s idea is insignificant. How Standard Self Care goes beyond just selling products, focusing on educating consumers and fostering a community of informed individuals. The insightful discussion on the pivotal role of choosing the right business partners and how it has contributed to the sustained success and longevity of Standard Self Care.Tune in to gain valuable insights from Hannah and Austin as they share their journey, vision, and the core principles that drive their business forward.

SOMOS | Miguel Leal - The Future of Mexican Cooking at Home Feb 20, 2024

Welcome to this weeks episode, recorded using Riverside, your all-in-one online podcast and video studio.

This week’s guest is Miguel Leal, Cofounder and CEO of SOMOS. Miguel created SOMOS alongside his friends Rodrigo Zuloaga and Daniel Lubetsky after coming to the United States and being disappointed with the options for creating truly delicious Mexican meals at home. Discover why the market for cooking Mexican food at home is projected to grow to 30 billion dollars in the next five to ten years. Join us as we discuss the importance of cooking Mexican cuisine and why it is becoming as popular as Italian food. As consumers begin to spot the brand’s brightly colored packaging (inspired by Mexican alebrijes) of all non-GMO plant-based entrees (all microwavable in 90 seconds), rices, beans, chips, and salsas in stores, Miguel hopes they will also discover a Mexico far more diverse than rice and beans.

In this episode you’ll learn:

The story behind starting a CPG brand.

How Mexican food surpassed Italian during COVID.

The 30 Billion Dollar Mexican cooking market.

The idea behind Juntos Market: A Fusion of Asian and Latin American Cuisine.

This episode was sponsored by Riverside: Sign up today using StartupToStorefront for 15% OFF -- sign up now

Hyperice | Jim Huether from $10 million to $142 million in 24 months Feb 13, 2024

Welcome to our conversation with Jim Huether, CEO of Hyperice. Join us as we delve into the company's incredible growth, from $10 million to $142 million in just 24 months. In this episode, we'll cover:

The impact of maximizing TV exposure.

Jim Huether's strategies for navigating the challenges of being a CEO.

The pivotal role of the Hypervolt in Hyperice's remarkable success.

Over a short duration in 2020, Hyperice struck league-wide partnerships with the NFL, MLB, NBA, PGA Tour, UFC and US Soccer. Chief rival Therabody inked deals with the NWSL and ATP Tour. Both companies also scooped up numerous team partnerships and star athlete ambassador relationships.

The three-year agreement Hyperice had with the NFL has now lapsed, meaning it is no longer the exclusive sideline supplier, although it has built up significant brand loyalty among the players. And part of the original arrangement was an investment in Hyperice from 32 Equity, the NFL investment vehicle.

Dutch | Joe Spector - Revolutionizing Pet Telehealth Feb 06, 2024

Welcome to our interview with Joe Spector of Dutch, the premier direct-to-consumer pet telehealth company dedicated to revolutionizing pet telemedicine. Joe's journey from fleeing Uzbekistan as a young Jewish refugee to the mission of Dutch is a true testament to the American dream. In this episode, we will delve into:

Joe's inspiring escape from Uzbekistan as a Jewish refugee at the tender age of 7.
The profound influence of Joe's grandfather's business on his commitment to making healthcare more accessible.
Dutch's impactful initiatives in bringing life-changing care to pets nationwide.

Dutch is on a mission to revolutionize telemedicine for pets (just how Hims, One Medical, and Better Health have changed telemedicine for humans) through affordable and accessible healthcare plans. It is founded by the former CoFounder of Hims & Hers, Joe Spector, who has an incredible story that is a testament to the American dream.

With the state of California just recently making veterinary telehealth legal as of January 1 by passing AB 1399, Dutch is the preeminent expert in the business of pet telehealth which is quickly becoming a national topic.

This episode is brought to you by Riverside: Sign up now with 15% OFF using our Discount Code: StartupToStorefront

Curie | Sarah Moret's Path to $20 Million - as seen on Shark Tank Jan 30, 2024

In this episode, you'll discover the inspiring story of Sarah Moret, founder of Curie, who turned frustration into success. From creating a performance-based deodorant formula to expanding into a body care line, Sarah's journey is filled with challenges and triumphs, including her appearance on Shark Tank. Join us as we delve into the entrepreneurial spirit and the transformative power of Shark Tank. In this episode you'll discover:

The inspiring origin of the name Curie.
The transformative impact of Shark Tank on her business.
The evolution of Curie's hero product into a body care line.

Use STARTUP20 for 20% your next order from Curie!

Cowboy Drifter - Chuck Carrington & Michael Lange Jan 23, 2024

Ever wonder how to make a movie or a television show? Join us for an exclusive conversation with Chuck Carrington and Michael Lange as they unveil the behind-the-scenes of 'Cowboy Drifter'.

Uncover:

🎞️ Innovative guerrilla filmmaking tactics that breathed life into the story. 🎬 The art of resourcefulness in unleashing creativity within budget constraints. 🎥 Harnessing musical talent to craft a captivating soundtrack that embellished the narrative.

About the movie: Can a man find redemption when he's never placed any value on his own life? When Caskie Jones goes searching for a father he hasn't seen in thirty years he gets more than he bargained. Will it be enough to win back those he loves?

Director
- Michael Lange
Writer
- Chuck Carrington
Stars
- Lynn Collins Morningstar Angeline Kerry O'Malley

George Gascon - Los Angeles County District Attorney Jan 16, 2024

Join us as we welcome back Los Angeles County District Attorney, George Gascon.

Currently, Gascon is campaigning for reelection in 2024. To quote a recent speech given by the DA: “This campaign is not about me, this is a community movement. This is about looking at the criminal justice system of the 21st Century not with a rearview mirror but looking forward. Reform is the collective work of people, both in our community and in the legal system -attorneys as well those who are being impacted, victims and accused. We’re fully committed to fighting for our shared values: investing in community health and safety while ending the death penalty, no longer prosecuting children as adults, and holding law enforcement and big corporations accountable.”

In this enlightening episode, you’ll gain insight into:

The truth about crime rates as we dispel misconceptions.

The potential of mental health beds as a solution to housing insecurity.

Gascon’s passionate journey to make a difference in his community as both a police officer and a prosecutor.

Bezel - Quaid Walker ⌚ Jan 10, 2024

Step into the watch enthusiast's paradise at Bezel - where luxury meets legacy. Unveil a world of timekeeping opulence with a $400+ million collection, accompanied by a bespoke concierge experience that redefines support and quality assurance.

In this episode you’ll learn about:

🕰️ Bezel's Revolutionizing Partnerships: - Pioneering collaborations reshaping the watch industry - Redefining standards and unlocking new realms of possibility

⏳ Unwavering Client Trust: - Prioritizing trust through transparency and excellence - Fostering enduring relationships built on integrity and dependability

⏱️ Meticulous In-House Authentication: - Ensuring authenticity through a meticulous, precision-driven process - Elevating each timepiece to the pinnacle of craftsmanship and assurance

Orange County Soccer Club ⚽ - Daniel Rutstein Jan 03, 2024

Get ready for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Orange County Soccer Club with Daniel Rutstein! Discover how this trailblazing professional soccer team in Orange County is setting a new standard for sports and community engagement.

In this episode, we unpack the strategies and initiatives that drive OCSC's success:

⚽ Building a passionate and fan-focused community: Learn how OCSC fosters a vibrant and inclusive community around the love of soccer, and the impact it has on the organization's growth and success.

⚽ The fascinating story behind the gnome and how it became their fastest selling non-apparel item.

⚽ Exploring groundbreaking fan engagement strategies and the bold decision to put a percentage of the club up for sale: Gain insights into OCSC's innovative approach to fan involvement, and the forward-thinking move to offer fans a stake in the club.

Little Spoon - Ben Lewis 👶🏽 🥄 Dec 19, 2023

Step into the world of innovation as we sit down with Ben Lewis, the founder of Little Spoon. When they launched, their tagline was 'your baby’s food shouldn’t be older than your baby’ - a mantra that has shaped their product. Discover the remarkable advances Little Spoon has made, breaking a century-old mold, and revolutionizing clean, healthy options from infancy to the big kid years.

On this episode you’ll learn: 👶🏽 How baby food had not changed in 100 years when they started. 🥄 The power of selling Little Spoon direct to consumer. 🍼 The innovation behind Little Spoon’s products

Momentous - Jeff Byers Dec 12, 2023

Momentous. Listen as we talk about how they are constantly raising the bar to deliver the best products and how they have built the most dynamic and advanced network of experts in the field of human performance. Momentous products are the result of work with some of the brightest minds in human performance, including Dr. Andrew Huberman, using the latest research. They use the highest-quality ingredients, and every single product is rigorously tested by independent third parties to ensure they deliver their promise to bring you the best.

In this episode you’ll learn:

🏈 How Jeff’s NFL experience gave him access to the best knowledge and innovation available. 💤 The importance of increasing your quality of sleep. 💤 How Momentous is advocating for long term brain health.

Modern Animal 🐾 - Steven Eidelman & Dr. Christie Long (Round 2) Dec 05, 2023

This year’s Spotify wrapped revealed that the Modern Animal was our top episode of the year. This week, they return, to catch up on everything that has changed and developed since we last spoke. Following on from our viral episode, join the conversation as we get an overview of this past year’s transformative chapter in the veterinary space. With an anticipated shortage of 15,000 veterinarians by 2030 as many as 75 million pets could be left without access to veterinary care. So a new assembly bill, AB 1399, represents more than just an opportunity to modernize veterinary care; it is a crucial step towards safeguarding continued care for all our beloved pets, an essential need that became starkly apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this episode you’ll learn:

🐾 How chief medical officer Christie is driving legislative changes in the state to expand access to care. (AB 1399)

🐾 Modern Animal’s learnings in scaling from 6 to 16 clinics.

🐾 How the veterinary industry has changed in the last year since we first spoke.

🐾 The role technology plays in supporting doctors in providing the best possible care.

Painterland Sisters Organic Skyr Yogurt 🐄 - Hayley & Stephanie Nov 28, 2023

Sisters and farmers Stephanie and Hayley Painter launched Painterland Sisters Organic Skyr Yogurt as part of their mission to preserve, showcase and utilize their family’s Pennsylvania organic dairy farm, Painterland Farms. Join us as we discuss the four years of preparation that went into launching Painterland Sisters Organic Skyr Yogurt, a women and farmer-owned organic, lactose-free skyr yogurt brand. We spoke to Hayley Painter on the steps she and her sister Stephanie took to launch their product. Four months prior to launching, they were able to trial their first batch and were left with 14,000 yogurts that they were unable to sell. They used this as a window to network with various opportunities of interest. In its first 12 months of business, 🐄Painterland Sisters achieved $1.3 million in sales and is on track to hit $3.5 million in top-line sales this year. Their yogurt is now in over 1,500 locations nationwide, almost all 50 states. Learn about how they fundraised by focusing on in-person meetings and events, and how they sustain their farming heritage as proud 4th generation farmers.

Support the Painterland Sisters as they are raising $1.2M on WeFunder!

SwingVision 🎾 - Swupnil Sahai - the move to Pickleball! Nov 21, 2023

SwingVision returns! Last year, we delved into their game-changing tech for tennis with co-founder Swupnil Sahai. Now, they're back with more. So much has happened since the last time we spoke to them in 2022, we had to invite them back on the show. From automated scoring to revolutionizing swing analysis, SwingVision has been a game-changer. Tennis remains their heartbeat, yet they're embracing Pickleball with their cutting-edge A.I. After an Apple award win, their app's downloads skyrocketed.

Today's agenda:

🎾 Tracking stats: Tennis vs. Pickleball 🎾 Tech expansion at SwingVision 🎾 Challenges & triumphs in tech innovation

UomoSport 🎾 - Steven Siebert Nov 14, 2023

Steven Siebert of UomoSport discusses on staying authentic to his brand and genuinely conveying his passion. We explore the vital connection between sharing that passion with the audience and staying true to the brand. Don't miss out on Uomo Sport's latest collections featured at these two exciting events: 🎾 Pádel Players League All-Star Players, San Diego Barnes Center. Saturday, November 18th, 5:30-9:00pm.

🎾 First Break Academy at Manhattan Country Club, Manhattan Beach. Saturday, December 9th, 11:00-3:00pm.

🎾 You can donate to support underprivileged kids @firstbreaktennis and play with top pros and coaches including Francis Tiafoe.

P-NUFF Crunch - Dr. Juan Salinas (as seen on Shark 🦈 Tank) Nov 07, 2023

Combined with his passion for health and fitness, extensive knowledge of food science, and expertise in sports & exercise nutrition, Dr. Juan Salinas has created the perfect, all natural, guilt-free snack: P-nuff Crunch - healthy and nutritious, without sacrificing the “delicious”. That path did not stop there. During his college years abroad, Dr. Juan developed a love for exercise and healthy eating, so much so that he changed his major from Engineering to Food Science. With over 20 boastful years of successful product development in several of the nation’s top food companies, he slowly grew disheartened by the food industry’s deception of the word, “healthy”. Although his well-known products graced the shelves of every grocery chain in the U.S., they lacked in what Dr. Juan truly believed in.

Today's show you'll learn:

🦈 How Dr. Juan landed a deal with Mark Cuban

🦈 Why he decided to go shirtless on Shark Tank!

🦈 What’s on deck for the better for you-snacking-brand

The Anthology of Balaji - Eric Jorgenson 📖 Oct 31, 2023

In The Anthology of Balaji: A Guide to Technology, Truth, and Building the Future, Eric Jorgenson curates a collection of Balaji’s wisdom from his entire career. In “Technology” you will see how technology shapes our world today and the ways it could shape our future. In “Truth” you learn how to think for yourself through the constant clamor of information and media. Finally, in “Building the Future,” you will learn how to wield Technology and Truth to change your life, change your community, and—maybe—change the future of our species.

Today's show you'll learn:

📖 How technology is so much more than software 📖 How to identify new opportunities in all markets 📖 What the future of construction might look like!

Toast it - Mafe & Coco (as seen on Shark 🦈 Tank) Oct 24, 2023

When 2 sisters moved to Florida from Venezuela there was something they were missing from their homeland and they wanted to quickly solve that problem. Fittingly named "Toast-It," these sisters built a brand out of the one thing they missed the most after moving to the U.S. from Caracas, Venezuela — their mother's cooking.

Mafe and Coco's products are made using ingredients that are true to their Venezuelan culture and after initial success with a handful of retailers, they decided to apply for a spot on Shark Tank! Mafe and Coco's products are made using ingredients that are true to their Venezuelan culture. The Toast-It arepas, for instance, are made using white cornmeal flour, much like the masarepa that's used in traditional arepas. But, they also come in other versions — one that's seeded, combining the cornmeal with flax and chia seeds, and another made with cassava, also known as yuca flour, that is also traditional to Latin cuisines.

On Shark Tank O'Leary made the sisters an offer: $100 grand for 20% equity — Mafe and Coco, were asking for the same amount of money for 5%. Guest shark Daniel Lubetzky matched it, and the girls countered by offering them both 15% equity for $150,000, ultimately striking a deal with Lubetsky.On

Today's show you'll learn:

🦈 How this business grew from a yearning for a hometown food 🦈 How Mafe's background in Pepsi and Coco's marketing insights gave them a leg up 🦈 How they landed guest shark Daniel Lubetzky who founded snack company Kind

Ggiata - Jack, Noah, & Max 🥖 Oct 17, 2023

On today’s show, we sit down with the founders of what has been dubbed one of the best sandwiches in Los Angeles. The inspiration for Ggiata comes from childhood friends who grew up eating authentic Italian-style deli sandwiches in Montclair, NJ. The deli was always an anchor in the community, the central meeting point for any occasion that invited friends to gather. Ggiata exists to serve exceptionally prepared Italian-style deli fare, inspired by traditional East Coast neighborhood delis. They aim to bring lunchtime staples like fresh chicken cutlets and marinated eggplant to Los Angeles while working with local vendors to source the highest quality ingredients.

In today’s episode you’ll learn:

🥖 how Ggiata started first to start a brand

🥖 where the name came from .. hint “passeggiata”

🥖 just how far they want to take this concept

East Coast Inspired Italian Deli 📍5009 Melrose Ave 📍7998 Santa Monica Blvd 📍83 Windward Ave OPEN 9 AM - 7 PM 🥖🥖

Origo Brands - David Cisneros 🦜 Oct 03, 2023

Origo Brands is creating a new way to supply the USA and countries around the world with healthier, more authentic, and more sustainable foods from the origin.

Origo Brands is a unique combination of:

Experience and expertise - Founders with a 30-year track record of food and beverage organization and development. A Great Team that is contributing to Origo Brands’ expertise and capabilities!

Origin innovation - That experience and expertise, combined with innovative thinking, is resulting in what we like to call—(IN)Credible products—brands that are leading food development in areas around health, convenience, taste, and authenticity.

Chantico Mexican Agave

Monstruo de Gila BBQ Salsa

Avenidas Direct Source Coffee

In today’s episode you’ll learn how:

🦜 How Model beer was introduced to Asia

🦜 If agave is better than honey

🦜 Why LinkedIN may be your secret weapon

Noshi Food Paint - Tomo Delaney (as seen on Shark 🦈 Tank) Sep 26, 2023

Introducing Noshi Food Paint: A Creative Culinary Revolution 🎨

In a world where artistry and gastronomy converge, a delightful innovation has emerged to redefine the boundaries of culinary creativity. Enter Noshi Food Paint, the ingenious culinary companion that transforms everyday meals into edible masterpieces. Noshi Food Paint is not just a condiment; it's a canvas for your culinary imagination, a tool for self-expression in the kitchen, and a delightful way to infuse color and flavor into your dishes like never before. On Today’s show you’ll hear about:

🎨 How Tomo landed Mark Cuban as a shark

🎨 Why getting kids to play with their food is totally okay!

🎨 How Noshi landed in over 2,000 Walmarts

Edge Theory Labs 🧊🛁- Joshua Church Sep 18, 2023

On Today’s show, we speak to Joshua Church, Co-Founder, of Edge Theory Labs the creators of the world's first portable, iceless ice bath, The Edge Tub. Since launching in 2022, they have quickly become an industry leader and been the go-to ice bath trusted by athletes, pro sports teams, celebrities, and high performers across the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLS, MLB, UFC, and Olympic Games. They are on a mission to provide people with the tools that give them the edge so that they can unlock their maximum human potential. Today you’ll learn:

🥶 How Joshua was inspired by a Wim Hof retreat in Iceland.

🥶 How they invited a cold tub can be packed into a backpack and transported in a car.

🥶 How a paddle board inspired the first step

The Cupcake Collection 🧁 - Mignon Francois (from $5 to $10M) Sep 12, 2023

This is the life lesson Mignon Francois learned as she turned the $5 she had to feed her family dinner for the week into a multi-million-dollar bakery brand, The Cupcake Collective. With no experience and no recipe for success, nor cake for that matter, her path was truly made from scratch. Today, we chat with #1 national best-selling author of Made from Scratch: Finding Success Without a Recipe, Mignon Francois. Listen in as we chat about:

💵 Why she started hiding money as a form of fiscal restraint

😰 How every statistic was telling her she wouldn’t succeed

✨ The story of how you never lose…you either win, or you learn.

Sweetfin 🐟 - Seth Cohen Sep 05, 2023

Today we sit down with Seth Cohen, the President/co-founder of Sweetfin. Sweetfin is a healthful, chef-driven, California-inspired poke concept that uses local produce, sustainable fish, and innovative ingredients. In 2015, Sweetfin was created with the goal of providing healthy, nutritious and flavorful bowls and a more approachable way for diners to enjoy sushi. Our fine-casual restaurant concept takes all the familiar flavors of sushi and puts them in an easy to eat, portable, customizable, and affordable bowl.

Sweetfin is centered in their “Pole to Bowl” ethos which means that in sourcing they aim to use the highest-quality and most sustainable raw fish they can find while still maintaining a reasonable price point. Approaching 20 locations today we speak to Seth about:

🐟 Pitching investors on a fast-casual restaurant before fast-casual was popular

🐟 When a huge investor dinner turned into a near-dire medical emergency

🐟 Why supermarket sushi sales are the litmus test for the overall health of the industry

Le Coupe 🐔 - Chef Craig Walker & Kristen Walker (voted #1 Fried 🐔 in Cali by Yelp) Aug 29, 2023

Born and raised in South Louisiana, Chef Craig was inspired by his family meals and his grandmother's cooking. His heart and soul are Southern, which transcends into his cooking. After working in some of the world's most renowned restaurants, opening two of his own restaurants in Louisiana, and honing recipes as a private chef, Chef Craig and his wife Kristen moved to Southern California. They began feeding their friends and neighbors from their home kitchen when the pandemic hit. By the end of COVID, they were turning out more than 80 meals per day. The most popular meal was his fried chicken, inspired by his Southern roots and first made famous by Chef Craig in Aspen at the 7908 Supper Club. The idea to open a fast-casual restaurant devoted to his popular fried chicken took on a life of its own, and Le Coupé was born. The name for Le Coupé in French translates to "The Cut." The cut of Chef Craig's fried chicken thigh makes his chicken unique. He uses a technique that frenches the bone of the thigh while keeping the meat intact, allowing for a unique flavor profile and presentation. The name is also a nod to being all cooped up during the quarantine. Le Coupé has become a local sensation in the burgeoning Melrose Hill area of Los Angeles. This husband-and-wife operation was named the best fried chicken sandwich in California by Yelp -- and everyone who tries it!

For Chef Craig, Le Coupé represents an opportunity to showcase his take on Southern cuisine inspired by a Cajun-French saying – lagniappe. Which means "a little extra." Chef Craig and Kristen, a former event planner, ensure everyone visiting Le Coupé feels like the experience was a little extra. Today we chat with Chef Craig and Kristen, the founders of Le Coupe about:

🐔 How Chef is bringing a slice of Louisiana to East Hollywood at This Low-Key Fancy Fried Chicken Shack

🐔 Why Yelp ranked them the best friend chicken sandwich in the state of California!

🐔 How they made the most of the pandemic and came out knowing the market was eager for their take on fried chicken!

Pantone 294 - Alex Soto 🔵 Aug 22, 2023

The legendary Tommy Lasorda coached the LA Dodgers for twenty years, leading them to two World Series Championships during his time at the helm. Part of the reason why he is so revered amongst the Dodger faithful is because of how he wore his heart on his sleeve when it came to his love for the franchise. He best put it into words when he said “cut me and I’ll bleed Dodger Blue.”And with that remark, Dodger Blue became so much more than just a color code. So when Alex Soto was trying to come up with a name for his company, a company that specialized in creating fan travel and experiences to away Dodger games, he knew he had found the winner with Pantone 294, the color code for Dodger Blue. In 2016, Pantone 294 organized a trip to watch the Dodgers play at Yankee Stadium. They sold 1,555 tickets, maxing out 7 planes, 3 hotels, and 2 yachts on the Hudson. They then marched into Yankee Stadium and took over left field. Pantone 294 made their presence known by stretching an absolutely massive flag across the outfield. The story caught fire, and Pantone 294 was published in nearly every major newspaper publication including the LA Times, NY Times, and ESPN. This game put Pantone 294 on the map, and ironically, it’s why the Yankees refuse to sell them tickets now. Today we chatted with Alex, the founder of Pantone 294 about

🔵 The first trip over 10 years ago, way before their infamous Yankee Stadium appearance

🔵 What it’s like booking an entire plane for next years trip to watch the Dodgers play the Padres in South Korea

🔵 The steady growth that has gotten them to where they are today.

Cup Board Pro - Kaley and Keira Young (as seen on Shark Tank 🦈) Aug 15, 2023

A while ago, we interviewed Mindy Zemrak, who works as the supervising casting producer from Shark Tank. During our conversation, we asked her what her most memorable moment from the show was. Without hesitation, she said that her most memorable moment was the pitch from the founders of Cup Board Pro that left everyone--Sharks included--in tears. Cup Board Pro was invented by firefighter and 9/11 first responder, Keith Young. He was named a two-time Food Network Chopped Champion, and he invented this product to simplify the cooking prep process which always takes longer than expected. Less time prepping means more time with your family. Before Keith could get serious traction with his new product, tragedy struck. Keith’s wife, Beth, passed away at age 47 from breast cancer, and it understandably crushed the whole family. And then, a couple of years later, Keith passed away from 9/11-related cancer, orphaning his three young children. It was their dad’s dream to get Cup Board Pro into homes worldwide, so to carry on his legacy, Kaley, Christian, and Keira all went on Shark Tank seeking an investment to carry on his legacy. By now, we’re guessing you can see why their pitch had enough raw emotional power to leave the Sharks in tears and create one of the most memorable moments in Shark Tank history. In today’s episode, we chat with Kaley and Keira about:

🦈 How they were manifesting the deal moments before making their pitch in front of the sharks

🦈 Launching the cutting board into Williams-Sonoma

🦈 What they’re all doing now after this life-changing deal

REZA 👟 - Mustafa Syed Aug 08, 2023

A few years ago, Mustafa Syed walked out of his house wearing custom, light-up shoes that he’d created. Over the course of that one night, not only were people constantly asking him where he bought them, but everyone wanted to be his friend. The shoes were just a form of self-expression, and they had the power to instantly connect strangers. Realizing this potential, Mus decided to launch his own shoe company, REZA, to build a community for people who--as he puts it--Light Their Own Path. After multiple trips to Asia, years of development, and teetering on the verge of failure, he has created beautiful, exclusive shoes that light up to give everyone the magical feeling he felt that first night out on the town. Today we chat with Mus, the founder of REZA about

👟 An upcoming collab with a huge car manufacturer

👟The insights he learned after locking in the designer of Crocs as his first investor

👟 How the brand exploded in popularity after Steve Aoki wore them while performing at a Vegas club

Habiza Hummus - Jonathan Srour Aug 01, 2023

While still in high school, Jonathan Srour first started producing hummus in his garage and selling it every Sunday in the driveway. Following his grandma’s family recipe, he used tahini sourced from the mountains of Lebanon. The hummus is creamy, light, and it embodies a homemade taste. However, what started as a small driveway operation, quickly gained a loyal following as people lined up to get their hummus. But then he had to make a decision. Was he going to go to college, or continue to make his family’s hummus?The tricky part came not in the decision, but in telling his family he wasn’t going to college. In hindsight, with his product on the shelves of both Ralphs and Erewhon, it looks like a no-brainer. But at the time, his family just had to trust in his grit and tenacity. For our part, it’s rare that we interview founders at this stage of entrepreneurship. But much like his family trusting his instincts, once we heard his story, the decision to have him on was also a no-brainer. Today with chat with Jonathan, the founder of Habiza, about:

How he used his high school friends to help him launch into big grocery chains
Why he is targeting shelf space instead of social media followers
The time he convinced his boss at Marco’s Pizza to follow his plan to takedown Dominos Pizza.

Stealth Bros & Co. - Braxton Fleming (as seen on Shark 🦈 Tank) Jul 25, 2023

Stealth Bros & Co.Needles are a daily medical necessity for hundreds of millions of people around the world. From insulin to hormone therapy to In Vitro Fertilization, there’s just no better vessel to administer these treatments than a simple needle. Yet with all these legitimate uses for needles, there aren’t a lot of great storage options on the market for injection equipment. That is until Braxton Fleming founded Stealth Bros & Co., which makes beautiful storage solutions for that equipment. Braxton got the idea for the company while undergoing hormone replacement therapy. As both a trans man and a nurse, administering injections was a daily occurrence for him. Upon launch, the product was an instant hit. They quickly sold out of their entire inventory, and Shark Tank reached out to have him come on the show. He ended up closing a deal with Mark Cuban and Barbara Cochran. But unlike so many deals that close on the show but fall through in due diligence, their deal solidified, and it’s been an exciting, nerve wracking ride ever since. Today we chat with Braxton about:

🦈 Breaking the stigma around injections

🦈 How this market is a lot bigger than you may expect

🦈 What it’s like getting investment from Mark Cuban, the founder of Cost Plus Drugs.

Unnar Beck Danielsson - Thor's Skyr Jul 18, 2023

For centuries, Vikings have been eating skyr, a thick, creamy yogurt as a source of energy to defeat their opponents and survive in some of the harshest climates known to man. Skyr is full of protein, flavor, and tradition. This is why the world’s strongest man, Hafthor Bjornsson, and Terry Crews both eat it to supplement their workout regiments. So Unnar Beck Danielsson partnered with Hafthor, Terry, and Dylan Sprouse to introduce Thor’s Skyr to the rest of the world. While this may seem like a random collection of celebrities, they’re all very much in touch with the Icelandic culture, and funny enough, Terry actually means Thor in the old Norse language. In today’s episode we chat with the cofounder of Thor’s Skyr, Unnar, about:

why going into Walmart was a mistake
The decision to make Terry Crews a founder instead of an ambassador
How he honed his salesmanship by convincing diners in his restaurant to try fermented shark

Chris Tompkins - Broad Street Oyster Co. Jul 11, 2023

After traveling around the world, Chris Tompkins returned to the United States with a dream. He wanted to open a seafood-centric mobile raw bar in California. This would include world-famous oysters and lobster rolls topped with caviar and uni. They first started at the open-air market known as Smorgasburg in LA and quickly amassed a loyal following. So when they opened their first brick-and-mortar location in Malibu people flocked with excitement. It only took a day and a half after opening for Broad Street to sell all of its inventory. To say they were underprepared would be an understatement, but Chris and the team quickly adapted to the new volume. Now, this fan favorite continues to grow at a rapid pace and is soon to open its 5th and 6th locations in San Francisco and Huntington Beach. Today we chat with Chris, the founder of Broad Street Oyster about:

🦞 Why he needed some tough love from his girlfriend to snap out of his pandemic lockdown funk

🦞 Why he initially thought opening in Malibu was a stupid idea

🦞How Chris has been able to grow the brand so quickly without taking in any outside investment

Wes Horbatuck - Driftline (as seen on Shark 🦈 Tank) Jul 04, 2023

According to the late founder of the O’Neill surfing company, the three most important things in life are surf, surf, surf. Though we admit he may have been a little biased. For most surfers worldwide, wearing a wet suit is a seasonal requirement. There are months where you need it, months where you don’t, and some months where the decision gets tough. For example, In San Diego, the average temperature of the ocean in the summer only gets as high as the upper 60s. Meaning, it’s too hot to wear a wetsuit, but it’s too cold to go without it. But this gave Wes Horbatuck an idea. What would happen if he cut up an old wet suit, and sewed it into a pair of board shorts? And just like that, Driftline was born. Today we chat with Wes, the co-founder of Driftline about:

🦈 Why it’s important for them to dominate the market in their own backyard

🦈 What he’d change if he could re-do his pitch on Shark Tank

🦈 How they got their board shorts into the Olympics

Joe Nicchi - CVT soft-serve 🍦 moves to CPG Jun 27, 2023

In 1926, Charles Taylor patented the world’s first soft-serve ice cream machine. With the pull of a lever, these machines could dispense the cold yet soft ice cream we all know and love. Since that day, soft serve has been dispensed from those same machines. And if you’ve ever been to a McDonald’s where the ice cream machine is broken, you know the frustration of this aging system. However, 97 years after the first soft-serve machine turned the ice cream eating world upside down, Joe Nicchi has revolutionized how we consume soft-serve ice cream. He has created a way to package soft serve into a pouch, so you can enjoy it whenever, wherever. You no longer need to be Jeff Bezos to enjoy soft-serve ice cream in your house, because now you can grab a few pouches from the grocery store and keep them in your freezer. Or eat them all on the way home. No judgment from us. In today’s episode, we chat with Joe, the founder of CVT Soft Serve about:

🍦 How they are grappling to keep products on the shelves because the demand is so high

🍦 the importance of making his product “LA-mom friendly”

🍦 Why going on Shark Tank is a “hard pass” for him

Shaira & Mabel - Luna Magic (as seen on Shark Tank 🦈) Jun 20, 2023

Growing up in New York City, sisters Mabel and Shaira Frías have been working since they were 14. After years of saving, they decided to go all in on their dreams and start Luna Magic. Their first 18 months were a whirlwind. They landed 3 major retail accounts and made it on Shark Tank. And what’s crazy is that it actually wasn’t until the Shark Tank promo aired that their employers found out about their side hustle. They hadn’t yet quit their day jobs, and their bosses had no idea what was going on behind the scenes. But once they found out, it was nothing but love and support. This isn’t a mystery as to why this occurred, as the energy and passion they bring to their endeavors is apparent. By the end of this episode, you’ll likely feel the same way. In today's episode we chat with Shaira and Mabel about:

🦈 How Craigslist is a secret hack for all small businesses

🦈 How small businesses can have the upper hand when in negotiations with major retailers

🦈 What it takes to become a hero to the kids in their old neighborhood.

Rosa Li - Wild Wonder (as seen on Shark Tank 🦈) Jun 13, 2023

The kombucha category grew from $1 million in sales in 2014 to $1.8 billion in 2019. Between being positioned as a better-for-you soda alternative, and the large marketing spend, it’s no wonder kombucha quickly skyrocketed in popularity. But the problem with kombucha is that the flavor is polarizing. For example, Mark Cuban is simply not a fan. To fill this gap, other probiotic drinks fought to capture market share. When today’s guest, Rosa Li, founder of wildwonder, appeared on Shark Tank, the big fruit flavors combined with the pre and probiotics, packed into a can, was a hit. Kombucha skeptic Mark Cuban gulped down the entire drink. Wildwonder is the world’s first sparkling prebiotic & probiotic beverage for gut health. It tastes more like a fresh juice than a fermented drink. Today, we chat with Rosa about:

🦈 Why she left her prestigious finance job to start a consumer packaged good company

🦈 The importance of diversifying everything

🦈 How her Shark Tank appearance couldn’t have worked out more perfectly

Mindy Zemrak - Shark Tank Supervising Casting Producer 🦈 Jun 02, 2023

Approximately 20,000 businesses apply to be on Shark Tank each season. That means, over all 14 seasons, they have received over a quarter million applications to be on the show. What’s crazy is that only about 1,200, or .43% of applicants make it on air. Some brands apply once, while some apply every year in the hopes of finally making it on the show. In today’s episode, we chat with Mindy Zemrak, the casting producer for Shark Tank. Mindy and her team sort through all of the applications to decide what brands make the cut to be on the show. So if you’ve ever been curious about what it takes to make it onto the Shark Tank floor, this is the episode for you. We discuss:

🦈 The most memorable Shark Tank pitch that left everyone in tears

🦈 The 4 tips she tells every entrepreneur before they enter the tank

🦈 Why after years of being surrounded by entrepreneurs, she’s never once been tempted to take the plunge herself.

Brazi Bites- Junea Rocha - (as seen on Shark Tank 🦈) May 23, 2023

Every culture has a food it’s known for. In Japan, it’s sushi, in Italy, it’s pasta, and in Brazil, it’s Pao de queijo, or Brazilian cheese bread. While sushi and pasta have long since made their way into every town in the United States, the same can’t be said for Brazilian cheese bread. Recognizing this gap in the market, Junea decided to bring her favorite snack to America. And so she founded Brazi Bites. Initially, the growth was steady and predictable, but once they went on Shark Tank, Junea quite literally couldn’t keep Brazi Bites on the shelves. In todays episode, we chat with Junea about:

🦈 Selling out nationwide in a matter of days after airing on Shark Tank

🦈 The challenges that come with inventing a new food category

🦈 And why her deal with Lori Greiner ended up falling through once the cameras stopped rolling.

Tia Lupita Foods - Hector Saldivar - the Shark Tank 🦈 experience! May 16, 2023

Over the past 14 seasons of Shark Tank, $221.5M has been invested in 729 companies. While it’s thrilling to watch the negotiations happen, just because everyone shakes on a deal, doesn’t mean it will actually close. Every company wants to be the unicorn that blows the sharks out of the water, but terms change and deals can fall through. So what happens once the pitch is over, the doors shut, and the cameras stop rolling? In today’s episode, we welcome back to the podcast, Hector Saldivar, the founder of Tia Lupita. Hector was recently on season 14 of Shark Tank, and he closed a deal with Kevin O’Leary for $500,000 as a line of credit for 5% equity. We wanted to chat with him to hear about the whole Shark Tank experience from his application all the way to how the show impacted his sales once it aired on TV. In this episode, we discuss:

🦈 Why he says Shark Tank producers know him better than his wife

🦈 The secret small brand killer in retailers

🦈 The immediate impact Shark Tank has on the brand’s sales

And make sure to listen until the end. Hector drops a super exciting partnership announcement that got us fired up in the studio.

Bricia Lopez - Asada The Art of Mexican Style Grilling - all new cook book May 09, 2023

If you’ve been a long-time listener of the podcast, you might recognize Bricia Lopez from episode 7. At that point, she had just received The James Beard American Classics Award for the best Oaxacan food in the country. Since then, she grabbed hold of a rocket ship, and her career hasn’t stopped ascending. Here are some highlights:

Her drink mix, I Love Micheladas, officially launched at Costco
She started Super Mamas, a chart-topping podcast, with her sister, Paulina
And now you can officially bring the taste of Oaxaca to your home with Bricia Lopez’s new cookbook, Asada The Art of Mexican-Style Grilling.

These delicious recipes were born out of love, heritage, and passion. It’s one of the first-ever grilling books dedicated to the art of Mexican grilling, and it perfectly captures the beauty of asada culture in LA. In today’s episode, we chat with Bricia Lopez about:

Why she insisted her cookbook photos be shot outside of a studio
Why we should normalize Latino kids growing up with privilege
Why people don’t write cookbooks to make money

Holey Grail Donuts 🍩 - Nile Dreiling May 02, 2023

Donuts are a stale $40 billion industry, but one company is breathing new life into the vocation. Holey Grail Donuts began its pilgrimage as a burger truck in Kauai, but it wasn’t long until they developed a cult following around their taro donuts. Fast forward to today and they just raised $9M in funding to open a bunch of shops in LA, and they’ve even garnished investments from Christopher Kostow and Tony Hawk. Part of what makes eating their donuts a religious experience is that they’re freshly made with each order, and the unique flavors they offer can only come as a result of divine inspiration. Today we talk with Holey Grail Donuts co-founder, Nile, about:

🍩 Making fresh donuts in his hotel room just before one of the most important pitches of his career

🍩 Taking a leap of faith in rapidly expanding their locations

🍩 Why there’s nothing unique from one small donut shop to the next

Boston University - "I Love Networking!" - Said Nobody Ever Apr 27, 2023

Let's be honest; when people hear the word "networking", they frequently recoil in dread thinking about cheesy events where strangers smash business cards in your hand. When done wrong, putting yourself out there and making professional connections can feel intimidating, unpleasant, and tiring. But networking DOESN'T have to suck. Join us as 4 accomplished alumni discuss the role that networking has played in their career journeys and how they were able to spin a worn-out concept into something energizing, authentic, and meaningful - as well as successful.

Blue Cube - David Haddad (ice baths and cold plunges) 🥶🛁 Apr 25, 2023

Does submerging yourself in 44-degree water for 6 minutes sound fun to you? I promise you’ll only shake for the first couple of minutes! Well, thanks to people like Wim Hof and Joe Rogan, this practice has actually been gaining a lot of popularity. The benefits of ice baths, or cold water therapy include reduced inflammation and pain relief, and it can even boost your immune system. Some people fill metal tubs with bags upon bags of ice, while some people, like Diego, have a BlueCube. BlueCube makes high-end ice baths that keep the water chilled, flowing, and filtered so you don’t have to refill your tub daily with a hundred pounds of ice. In today’s episode, we talk with David Haddad, co-founder of BlueCube about:

🥶 The early days of starting BlueCube in a barn in Oregon

🥶 The science behind why cold plunging is so good for your health

🥶 How long should you stay in an ice bath to reap the full benefits

So, grab your towel or blanket before we plunge into this week’s episode.

Dave - Jason Wilk (NeoBank -- Startup to IPO) Apr 18, 2023

Let me give you a scenario: you try and purchase something on your debit card, but you don’t have enough money in your account instead of declining the purchase, your bank instead allows it to go through and charges you $35 for the “convenience” Overdraft fees accounted for $5.8 billion dollars of bank revenue in the first 3 quarters of 2022. These fees harm millions of Americans every year and can trap people in a cycle of debt. Jason Wilk, the founder of Dave, also struggled with these fees. What frustrated him the most was that if the bank just looked at his transaction history, they would be able to see a scheduled paycheck coming in only a couple of days. And in that frustration, Dave was born. Dave is an online bank offering no-interest loans based on your transaction history to avoid overdraft fees. In today’s episode, we discuss with Jason about:

🏦 How Mark Cuban invested in his first company only to cap his salary at $30,000/year

🏦 Going from the euphoria of an IPO to watching the stock price tumble a few days later

🏦 What it was like to transition from the CEO of a private company to a publicly traded one

Burn the Boats - Matt Higgins 📚 (Guest Shark Tank and Author) Apr 11, 2023

To quote Arnold Schwarzenegger: “big dreams require relentless focus, and any time we spend planning for failure sets us up for failure.” Today’s guest, Matt Higgins, literally wrote the book on the subject. He grew up in poverty in Queens, dropped out of high school to get his GED, and took night classes just to finish college. At that point, Matt had already beaten the odds, but he didn’t stop there. Matt became the youngest press secretary to the mayor’s office in New York City history, Vice Chairman of the Miami Dolphins, and a guest shark on Shark Tank. His path to success was hardly linear, but for Matt, it’s always been about taking calculated risks, which is why he titled his book Burn the Boats. In todays episode we discuss with Matt Higgins about:

🦈 Why his first impression of Gary Vaynerchuck was that he could make a career out of stealing Gary’s ideas

🦈 Letting his nerves almost get the best of him during his first appearance on Shark Tank

🦈 Why you should always bet on the jockey and not the horse

Brad Gilbert (Former No.4 🎾 in the world & author of Winning Ugly) - Live Q&A with Diego Torres-Palma Apr 05, 2023

Today we bring to you a special bonus episode of our podcast! We have a fascinating conversation about mental toughness, featuring none other than Brad Gilbert - former #4 tennis player in the world, author of "Winning Ugly," and a past guest on our show. Recorded in front of a live audience at the LA Tennis Club and moderated by our very own Diego Torres-Palma, Brad shares his insights on what it takes to build psychological stamina and perform under pressure on the court. Whether you're a seasoned tennis player, just starting out, or have never even picked up a racket, you won't want to miss this insightful discussion because the lessons can be applied towards all athletic endeavors. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this bonus episode, as we explore the secrets of resilience on the tennis court with the one and only Brad Gilbert.

Alegria Publishing - Davina Ferreira 📚 Apr 04, 2023

Latinos make up 20% of the population, yet publishing is only 8% Latino, making it the worst field in media for representation according to Publishers Weekly. This underrepresented demographic has so much untapped talent, yet Latinos are always seen as “less than others”. So, Davina, the founder of Alegria Publishing, wanted to focus on supporting new, exciting, and emerging literary voices in the latine/x community. Today, we talk with Davina, about:

📚 Her journey from growing up in Columbia during Pablo Escobar’s reign to starting a luxury magazine in Los Angeles

📚 How art truly has the power to change lives

📚 Why it was a blessing to the magazine prior to the rise of social media

Conjure - Ali Ahmed 🚚 (on-demand delivery) Mar 28, 2023

Conjure has created fully automated stores, on wheels. Using the Conjure app, you can hail the store to you in a matter of minutes. The autonomous vehicles show up, the doors automatically slide open, and you choose the products you want. Using the RFID tags, your account is then automatically billed only for the items you selected. You don’t have to talk to the driver, and all the options are truly at your fingertips. In this episode we talk with Ali Ahmed, the co-founder of Conjure, about:

🚚 How they broke the internet at CES, in 2018

🚚 Why they decided to launch specifically with ice cream

🚚 The implications of store hailing for industries outside of ice cream including grocery stores, markets, and alcohol.

Cofertility - Lauren Makler 👶 Mar 21, 2023

For the first time, the average age to have kids has surpassed 30. Children are getting more expensive, people are living longer, and potential parents are focusing more on their careers. This poses a unique, but severe personal problem. The older people get, the more likely they are to have pregnancy complications. The solution is to freeze the eggs, but that’s expensive, and not top of mind for those in their 20s. CoFertility is creating an ecosystem that lowers the cost and increases the accessibility of egg donation. In todays episode we talk with Lauren Makler, the co-founder of CoFertility, about:

👶 Why doctors are twice as likely to face infertility as the general public

👶 Launching Uber in States Across the Country

👶 How CoFertility is Reducing the Cost of Egg Donations

Arrae - Siff & Nish Mar 14, 2023

20 million Americans suffer from digestive issues every day. Whether it’s the food they eat or their lifestyles, it’s not always clear what causes these issues. This quest for better gut health led Siff and Nish, the cofounders of Arrae, down a rabbit hole of natural supplements. In their research and experimentation, they began to realize that herbs, minerals, and vitamins have the power to effectively solve the digestive problems they were once facing. It was a true Eureka moment. And from that moment, Arrae was born. In today’s episode, we discuss:

The step-by-step guide they used to close millions of dollars in funding
Why “clinically trialed ingredients” is misleading
Why they are investing one million dollars into paid TikTok ads over the course of 2023

Azure - Gene Eidelman (3D Printed Backyard Studios, ADU’s and Homes) Mar 07, 2023

The State of California is in a housing crisis, and to meet the demand, the state needs to build 310,000 homes every year for the next 8 years. However, between the high cost of land, labor, and materials, this is a serious problem with no easy solution. So our guest today, Gene Eidelman, began to analyze the issue at a high level, and started to ask himself: why not use 3D printers to create the homes instead? Azure makes prefab units built 70% faster and 30% less expensive than traditionally constructed units, all while using recycled materials. They can be used as backyard studios, and offices, and up to 5 units can be stacked together. In this episode, we discuss with Gene about:

How these can be used to help with the homeless crisis
Why their early adopters were glamping retreats
Why Gene finds strength in coming from an immigrant community

Planta - Steven Salm 🌱 (plant based restaurant group) Feb 28, 2023

Every year, more and more people are changing their diets to plant-based. There are a variety of factors for this which include health, sustainability, and climate change to name a few. The palate of the average American is evolving, and yet the restaurant industry isn’t keeping up. This gap in the market is where Planta, a 100% plant-based restaurant group, is betting on its figurative farm. Launched in 2016, they’ve expanded to 11 locations across The United States and Canada, with a whole bunch more still on the way including in California, Georgia, and New York. Steven Salm, our guest today and the founder of PLANTA, wants to alter the perception of plant-based restaurants one diner at a time.Today we talk with Steven about:

🌱 How restaurants have the power to make or break hotels

🌱 Re-engineering dishes v. starting from scratch

🌱 The madness that comes with rapid expansion

Book Thinkers - Nick Hutchinson & Luke Gifford 📚💡 Feb 21, 2023

Rearch suggests that people reach peak brain Books can change your life, yet 23% of Americans say they didn’t read a book last year. Books can provide entertainment, a portal into an imaginary world, or a series of cheat codes for leveling up your life. It is almost entirely because of this last point that our guests today created BookThinkers, a community of readers and authors centered around the positive power of personal development. We even witness firsthand the stickiness of the topic, as in this episode with Nick Hutchinson and Luke Gifford, the conversation begins on the journey of BookThinkers and quickly flows into a discussion of self-development and improvement. In this episode we discuss:

Why Luke is selling his house so that it doesn’t become his coffin
The opportunity cost for not leveraging social media
Nick and Luke’s top takeaways from interviewing some of the world’s most renowned authors including Grant Cardone, Lewis Howes, and Guy Raz

Patrick Schwarzenegger - MOSH Feb 14, 2023

Research suggests that people reach peak brain health at around age 22. By 37, memory begins to decline, and it’s estimated that around 22% of people age 71 and older have mild cognitive impairment. But what’s interesting is that people don’t typically begin taking brain supplements until their late 50s. This is exactly the conversation that todays guest, Patrick Schwarzenegger, had with his mom, Maria Shriver when he moved back in with her during the pandemic lockdowns. He noticed that Maria kicked off every morning with various supplements and a protein bar. This got him thinking. Why not combine the supplements with the bar she was already eating? Thus, MOSH was born. MOSH is a tasty, adaptogen-powered brain fuel for all ages. In today’s episode with talk with Patrick about:

What it’s like launching a nutritional bar, which is notoriously one of the most competitive CPG categories
Why his dad would tell him and his siblings to sleep faster
And how being an early investor in Blaze Pizza showed him the signs of what was to come

David Kuo - Little Fatty Feb 07, 2023

1 in 3 restaurants won’t survive their first year. Profit margins are razor thin, staff turnover is high, and there’s a lot of competition. As David Kuo, our guest today and self-titled Head Fatty will explain, discovering product-market fit is a painful process of personal sacrifice. His first restaurant specialized in California-inspired cuisine, and as much as he wanted it to work, it just didn’t get the support he wanted. So he doubled down, put it all on the line, and re-opened the restaurant as Little Fatty, a Taiwanese soul food restaurant: new cuisine, new name, and new processes. The restaurant exploded in popularity. They are #1 on Uber Eats for the LA area, and if you don’t make a reservation beforehand, good luck getting in. But now, David is taking this concept to the next level by opening Fatty Mart, and Juntos Market. They’re where food, culture, and community intersect to provide convenience without compromise. In this episode, we discuss with David:

What it was like working for a Michelin Starred restaurant in New York City
Why he slept above the walk-in fridge at his restaurant
How he is partnering with local growers to make the best food possible

Ape Water - Andrew Bragg 🐵 🦍 Jan 31, 2023

About a year ago, NFTs were all anyone could talk about. Mark Cuban, Justin Bieber, and Jimmy Fallon each spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on a particular variety of NFTs called Bored Ape Yacht Club. Seth Green also bought in and began writing a TV show around his Ape, while in Long Beach a fast food restaurant opened called Bored and Hungry using the Bored Ape Yacht Club IP. Since then, the news concerning NFTs has not been great. Seth Green lost his Ape in a phishing scam, and a stock market downturn plunged the budding crypto boom into a crypto winter, sending NFT prices tumbling along the way. While many chalked up the NFT craze as nothing more than a flash in the pan, there were those who still saw the potential in the technology. Our guest today is one such person, who saw the communal aspect of NFT ownership as a feature to be harnessed. Today we talk with Andrew Bagg, the cofounder of Ape Water. We discuss:

How they are building a business that isn’t tied to the turbulent NFT markets
How Ape Water cans are similar to Wheaties Boxes
How Ape Water uses web3 technology to give its consumers more than just a refreshing beverage

"Call Me Anne" 📚 - Heather Duffy (in memory of Anne Heche) Jan 26, 2023

When Anne Heche passed away on August 11, 2022, it shocked the world. After reportedly reaching a top speed of 100 miles per hour, she drove her Mini Cooper into the side of a Los Angeles home. Although emergency responders were able to free her from the wreckage, she passed away in the hospital a couple of days later. Anne Heche left a courageous, complicated past behind. From standing up for same-sex relationships in the late 90s to an Emmy-winning acting career, she has forever left a mark on modern culture. Today, we are speaking with Anne’s podcast co-host, co-author, and dear friend Heather Duffy. At the time Anne passed, she and Heather had been working on Anne’s newest book titled, “Call Me Anne.” They were weeks away from finalizing it when Anne died. Heather was able to finish the book through the notes and outlines that Anne left behind. In today’s episode, we discuss:

how Anne got escorted out of her own movie premiere for arriving with Ellen DeGeneres as her date

Getting blacklisted from Hollywood as a result but not letting them have the last word
how unsubstantiated claims about the fatal crash drowned out the truth in the hours and days that followed

Modern Animal 🐾 - Steven Eidelman (a new approach to veterinary care) Jan 17, 2023

The veterinarian industry is changing, but you probably haven't noticed unless you’ve been paying close attention. For years, the vet industry has been defined by small mom-and-pop clinics. However, large investment firms have been buying up practices, yet offering nothing new or innovative. These old practices still keep their patient records on paper, don’t offer 24/7 access, and if you are out of town, it’s nearly impossible to book an emergency appointment. And this is all while, according to Time, suicide rates among veterinarians are incredibly high, and as a matter of fact, women vet suicide rates are 3.5x the national average. Our guest today is changing all of that, from how the clinics are built to waiving exam frees for members, Modern Animal is redefining what it means to practice veterinary medicine from the ground up. In today’s episode, we talk with Steven Eidelman, the founder of Modern Animal. We discuss:

- How Modern Animal is working to avoid vet burnout with this new approach - Setting up a tattoo parlor at a vet conference - The nationwide vet shortage, and what that means for the pet industry in the coming years

StoryFile - Heather Maio Smith (preserving history through AI) Jan 10, 2023

Welcome to season five. For centuries, mankind has been obsessed with the possibility of immortality. After Walt Disney’s death, reports of his body being frozen in liquid nitrogen spread like wildfire. The thought was that he could be brought back to life by future, more advanced civilizations. These reports turned out to be false, but they didn’t stop people from thinking about the concept of living forever. While immortality is still science-fiction, Storyfile has created the next best thing. By having subjects answer upwards of 1,600 questions, a subject’s memories are preserved and created into an artificial intelligence so that future generations can hold a conversation in real-time with the deceased. From helping teach social skills to kids with autism to leveling up corporate training modules, the applications of this technology extend way beyond just immortality. In today’s episode, we speak with Heather Maio-Smith, the founder of Storyfile. She explains:

How Storyfile is preserving history by interviewing holocaust survivors
The applications for interactive adult videos, if you know what I mean
And The importance of keeping the human element in AI interactions

Scout - Adam Bent 🦞 🐙 🐟 Dec 27, 2022

Canned Octopus, mussels, and squid. In Europe, tinned seafood is a delicacy. But here in North America consumers don’t eat as much canned fish. As a matter of fact, most people only know of canned tuna, and that’s it. Scout is a craft seafood company that is bringing this tradition back to the North American table. They can lobster, trout, and mussels and take it from the Startup to Storefront team, it tastes delicious. Today we are talking with Adam Bent, the co-founder of Scout. We discuss:

Why tuna is the #1 canned fish in the United States
How kelp became the new kale
Why ever major seafood brand is being forced to change how they fish

Part 3/3 - How to Build a Distinct Brand: Navigating Setbacks (ft. Founders of Lettuce Grow, Sweet Loren's and Alpha A) Dec 20, 2022

In 1996 Apple had lost $867 million, and by 1997 they were on the verge of bankruptcy. According to the New York Times, they cut 1/3 of their workforce and were about 90 days out from running out of money. In a Hail Mary attempt to survive, the board brought back Steve Jobs as CEO. He eliminated 70% of their product plans, launched the now-famous “Think Different” ad campaign, and reimagined their entire product line. Just a few short years later in 2001, they launched the iPod which propelled them out of the red and into the black. Fast forward to today, and Apple is now worth over $2.3 trillion. Every company has to navigate setbacks. It’s an inescapable part of the journey. This is the final installment of a 3 part BrightLive podcast series where we break down how to build a distinct brand. In this episode, we are focusing on navigating and overcoming setbacks. On the panel, we have Jacob Pechenick, the founder of Lettuce Grow, Manu Seve, the founder of Alphaa.io, and Loren Brill-Castle, the founder of Sweet Loren’s.In this segment of the series we discuss:

dealing with implicit bias while raising capital
why embracing big problems can lead to big growth
how making the decision to become an entrepreneur is like switching religions

Part 2/3 - How to Build a Distinct Brand: Creating Company Culture (ft. Founders of Lettuce Grow, Sweet Loren's and Alpha A) Dec 13, 2022

If you’re anything like me, the pandemic has completely changed your view on office work. Why go in, when you can ditch the commute and work from home? On the surface, this seems pretty straightforward, but it puts founders and entrepreneurs in a tricky situation. Remote work can make it extremely difficult to develop a real sense of culture. The lack thereof negatively impacts employee retention, recruitment, and overall satisfaction. This is part 2 of a 3-part BrightLive podcast series where we break down how to build a distinct brand. In this episode, we are honing in on developing company culture in a time of uncertainty. On the panel, we have Jacob Pechenick, the founder of Lettuce Grow, Manu Seve, the founder of Alphaa.io, and Loren Brill-Castle, the founder of Sweet Loren’s.

In this segment of the series we discuss: - How to nurture and develop talent from within your company - How being open about your mission statement can attract the right candidates to you - How to put out fires when key members of the team are on vacation

How to Build a Distinct Brand: Leadership (ft. Founders of Lettuce Grow 🥬, Sweet Loren's 🍪 and Alpha A) 1 of 3 Dec 06, 2022

Approximately 20% of businesses fail in the first year, and around 50% go under in the first 5 years according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The companies that survive do so by navigating setbacks and creating a culture with effective leadership. They build a distinct brand. This is part 1 of a 3-part BrightLive podcast series where we break down how to build a distinct brand. In this episode, we are focusing on leadership and all that goes into becoming an effective leader. On the panel, we have Jacob Pechenick, the founder of Lettuce Grow, Manu Seve, the founder of Alphaa.io, and Loren Brill-Castle, the founder of Sweet Loren’s. In this segment of the series we discuss:

Quiet quitting
Navigating the hiring process
Doing personality tests with investors only to have them back out on Christmas Eve

Michael Allison - The Play Zone 🎾 Nov 29, 2022

What separates the world’s top athletes is not training, determination, or endurance. It is how they react to stress and pressure in the game. And this isn’t a simple mindset shift. It’s bigger than that. We are talking about how their nervous system responds to the unknown and unfamiliar. The longest nerve in the body is called the vagus nerve and it’s responsible for letting our fight/flight reflex take over OR turning it into PLAY. Our guest today, Michael Allison, has become an expert in how this nerve affects our performance in everything from public speaking to athletic competitions. Through this, he has developed The Play Zone, where he works with coaches to help athletes manage their physiology when it matters most. In this episode we discuss:

what western swing dancers have in common with tennis doubles partners
how to recognize when our bodies are in a suboptimal state and regain control in order to perform at our best
And the application of Polyvagal Theory in helping entrepreneurs make better game-time decisions.

Taylor & Casey - Cakes Body (Viral TikTok Brand) Nov 22, 2022

NFO. Nipple Freak Out. If you know, you know. In response, Cakes Body has created the world’s first, grippy, not sticky nipple covers. They grip using your body’s natural heat and have no annoying stick adhesives. It’s a real problem all women deal with. So when they began sharing the products on TikTok, videos started to take off. They sold out of their entire inventory after 1 viral video. And then it happened again, again, and again. The founders had tapped into something much larger than just silicone nipple covers. Today we talk with Olivia, Taylor, and Casey, the owners of Cakes Body. We discuss:

How Cakes Body is more of a movement than a company
How they’ve built a community of Hype Girls
How TikTok drives 90% of their sales

Without further adieu, meet Cakes Body.

Leveraging Social Media - A Masterclass from our past guests Nov 15, 2022

We have a special episode for you this week. We’re living in the attention economy. Every day, we are bombarded with nonstop notifications, advertisements, and emails. Since every company is competing for their customer’s attention, big brands dump large amounts of money into paid ads to hack the system. But we’re going to let you in on a little secret. Sponsored posts on social media don’t hit like they did a couple of years ago. Apps like TikTok have leveled the playing field. We’ve had TikTok videos organically reach 1 million views in 24hrs, and when the client wakes up in the morning, they have tons of orders that came as a result of those videos waiting to be packed. Small brands don’t have to spend thousands and thousands of dollars on ads. The playing field has officially been leveled. So this begs the question, “what do you post on TikTok or Instagram to see this same success?” In this episode, we are doing a look back on past episodes to dissect what works, and what doesn’t work so you can cash in on this attention economy.

Max Berg - ELIQS/Barrel Labs Nov 08, 2022

In business school, it’s common for college professors to assign semester-long projects where students have to start a business. And to be honest, most students never take this project beyond the final grade. However, Max Berg and his classmate Dave Goldman took this assignment and ran with it. In a world where you can literally customize everything, they couldn’t help but ask, “why can’t you create customized beer cans”? After all, that’s what everyone’s drinking in college. After creating custom cans for their families’ Thanksgiving dinner, their families, especially the grandparents, just couldn’t get enough. Heck, one grandparent was even stashing them away to hold onto the memory. That’s when they realized the concept of custom can labels had staying power beyond the classroom. Today we are talking with Max, co-founder of ELIQS, a company that creates customizable beverages made for the moment. We discuss:

Why custom drinks pair so well with weddings
How they started by soaking Trader Joe’s beer bottles in bathtubs
And their partnerships with everyone from individuals to businesses including Mischief

The Science of Stuck (Must Read Book) - Britt Frank Nov 01, 2022

In today’s episode, we are unpacking the science of how to get unstuck. It’s no coincidence that that’s also the title of the book written by our guest today: author, psychotherapist, and trauma specialist, Britt Frank. Britt knows a thing or two about getting unstuck, as she has battled everything from meth addiction to sexual abuse. She emerged from that trauma with a new outlook on life, a Master of Social Work degree, and a desire to help others overcome their own hurdles. These hurdles vary from individual to individual, but when it comes to entrepreneurship, it’s not uncommon for someone to put up a mental blockade that prevents them from moving forward. Getting over this mental blockade that inhibits you from progressing forward is what we are dissecting today. In today’s episode we discuss:

why you don’t need every friend to be a best friend
How Covid didn’t create a mental health crisis, it just exposed the one we already had
The power behind changing your why’s to whats.

So roll up your sleeves and let’s start the process of getting unstuck. Order your copy today!

Night Cap - Shirah Benarde (as seen on Shark Tank) Oct 25, 2022

1 in 3 women has either had their drink spiked or knows someone who has according to a 2021 YouGov survey. It’s a serious problem that disproportionately harms college students. That is until Shirah Benarde invented NightCap. Covering the top of the glass makes it a lot harder for someone to spike your drink. Since its launch, the company has taken the world by storm. NightCap has 422k followers on TikTok, and while on Shark Tank they landed a deal with Lori Greiner in record time. In this episode, we speak with Shirah Benarde, the co-founder of NightCap.

We discuss:

Going viral on TikTok
Their Shark Tank Experience
What it was like going to the Shark Tank reunion in Vegas

Haven's Kitchen - Alison Cayne Oct 18, 2022

Business is like basketball. It’s all about the pivot. And Alison Cayne, founder of Haven’s Kitchen, is no stranger to the game. Haven’s Kitchen was founded on the mission of empowering home cooks. The first iteration began with cooking cours.es. Then, it grew into a café and events held in their New York City kitchen. But over and over, she kept getting the same feedback. Everyone loved the sauces, but no one had the time to make them. And from there, ready-made sauces were born. In this episode we spoke with Alison Cayne, founder of Haven’s Kitchen, about:

Her experience going through the Chobani incubator program
The problems with the How I Built This podcast
Shy she wants to be the fairy godmother of CPG

We hope you’re ready. This podcast episode is filled with some crazy flavor and spice.

Gentefy - Barney Santos Oct 11, 2022

Change is constant. It’s inevitable. But it doesn’t always have to be bad.

Gentefiers aren’t strangers to the neighborhood. They are from the community, and they are trying to build up the community that is near and dear to their hearts.

From gentefication, we get Gentefy (hen-teh-fi), a development company founded by Barney Santos.

The goal is to act as a catalyst to stimulate economic growth through entrepreneurial activities.

Their first project is BLVD MRKT, a carefully curated food hall in beautiful Downtown Montebello. It’s committed to serving up good food, good drinks, and good vibes.

In this episode, we talk with Barney Santos about:

• The difference between gentrification and gentefication

• Keeping money local

• And being greater than the sum of the stereotypes as a community

This marks our final episode celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, so let’s go out with a bang.

SUYO Pisco - Alex Hildebrandt Oct 04, 2022

Pisco is the best kind of brandy that I bet you’ve never heard of. It all starts in the vineyards in Peru. The grapes are picked, pressed, and fermented to create this delicious spirit. Peruvian Pisco is so pure that not even one drop of water will ever touch the inside of the bottle. This liquor is never cut with sulfates or additives, and let me tell ya, you can definitely taste the quality. In this episode, we talk with Alex Hildebrandt, co-founder of SUYO Pisco about:

Using the playbook that Tequila and Mezcal brands created
The feud between Peru and Chile over Pisco

Get ready, you are about to discover the world of Single Origin Pisco.

Avenida Productions - Fanny & Nelson Grande Sep 27, 2022

Hollywood does not treat all filmmakers equally. Despite being a critically acclaimed director, Fanny Grande found it extremely difficult to find funding for her movies. The major studios saw Latino movies as a niche market with very little broad appeal. That’s why Fanny and her husband, Nelson Grande, founded Avenida Productions, a movie studio in the heart of LA. They are providing equal opportunity to filmmakers to fund, film, and distribute their next big hit. In this episode, we spoke with both Nelson and Fanny Grande about:

Why crowdfunding campaigns fail
Why Fanny is the top crowdfunding coach for creatives across the country
Why they created their own streaming service

Grab your popcorn, and please take a seat. The movie will be starting soon.

Tia Lupita - Hector Saldivar Sep 20, 2022

There is nothing better than a home-cooked meal. As the pan simmers, the tantalizing aromas fill the air, and everyone’s taste buds begin to salivate in excitement. For Hector Saldivar, the founder of Tia Lupita, sharing his family’s hot sauce is akin to welcoming you into his kitchen for a home-cooked meal. In Latin American culture, and others, family recipes are passed down from generation to generation. Hector, with his mother’s blessing, has taken her hot sauce and bottled it for everyone to enjoy. Some recipes are just too good not to share with the world. Tia Lupita sells cactus chips, grain-free tortillas, and the best hot sauce on the market. Listen in as we discuss:

How Hector convinced his mom to let him commercialize their secret family hot sauce recipe
Why the large Hispanic brands are out of touch with today’s consumer
And Border Patrol agents questioning the increasingly large amounts of home-cooked hot sauce being brought over the Mexico/American border

And thank you to Cat Footwear for sponsoring this episode. They are a premier shoe company that empowers builders and doers, to reframe the world to create something more meaningful.

Justina Machado Sep 13, 2022

According to the 2020 UCLA “Hollywood Diversity Report”, Latinos made up 18% of the population, yet received only 4.6% of movie roles in 2019. To put it simply, even though Latinos make up almost a fifth of the population, there’s a massive gap in representation on the silver screen. There is, however, a growing movement within the industry to change that. Today we have the pleasure of talking to a leader of this movement, actress Justina Machado. You might recognize her from her roles in Jane the Virgin, Six Feet Under, or even Dancing with the Stars. In this episode, we discuss:

why she didn’t call herself an actress until she moved to LA
Why she didn’t feel financially stable until she was 40
The outrage the latino community felt when James Franco was cast as Fidel Castro

Quiet on set, we are rolling in 3, 2, 1 …

Swing Vision 🎾 - Swupnil Sahai Sep 06, 2022

Swing Vision started as an app that leveraged the Apple Watch to help tennis players improve their game. Players could now track swing movements, hits, and scores. But after working at Tesla, Swupnil Sahai, the co-founder of Swing Vision, realized there was a lot more they could do with this simple idea. By mounting an iPhone on a court, and through motion tracking within the app, that can now offer:

Automated scoring
Line calling
Recorded match highlights
And so much more.

In this episode we talked about the impact of having Swing Vision featured on the Apple Keynote, coaching players with AI, and last, between you and me, we also talked about Diego paying a little extra to have the speed of his serves register faster than they actually are.

Sundays - Barbora & Noah Aug 30, 2022

Imagine this. It’s a beautiful Sunday morning. There’s a warm breeze, the birds are chirping in tune, and you feel effortlessly relaxed. Sundays work to capture that feeling of bliss. And no, I’m not talking about the day the of the week, I am referring to Sundays furniture. Sundays is a curated type collection with outstanding quality and beautiful design. In this episode of the podcast, we talk with Noah, and Barbora, two of the co-founders of Sundays. We discuss:

What it’s like sourcing materials from all over the world
If sales are higher on Sundays
& The steps they took to ultimately recover the hacked Sundays Instagram account

So, kick back and relax for this week’s episode.

Waldo - Ashleigh Hinde Aug 23, 2022

The eyes are the second most complex organ in the body, beaten only by the brain. Thus, it’s no surprise that eye care - specifically daily contact lenses - are expensive. In this, Waldo recognized an opportunity to disrupt the eye care industry. Waldo helps consumers “refocus” by:

Saving them money by removing the added distribution costs and
Adding B-12 to reduce dryness by up to 30%

In short, this means consumers get great contacts, without paying over-the-top prices. Listen in as we talk with Ashleigh Hinde, the founder of Waldo, about:

How a little white lie led her to start Waldo
Why it’s important to talk with your customers like you’re sitting around a dinner table
How they Partnered with Walmart to become the first exclusive retailer to offer Waldo

And before you ask us where’s Waldo, I think it’s better if we just roll the episode.

Sweet Loren's - Loren Brill Aug 16, 2022

The best part about making cookies is eating the raw dough off the mixers. High risk, high reward. This can make you seriously ill. Between the flour and eggs, salmonella is a real threat. Sweet Loren’s, the #1 natural cookie dough company in the United States, has created the solution we all needed. They make gluten-free, dairy-free, plant-based, and nut-free cookie dough. It comes in pre-cut portions, bakes in minutes, and can even be eaten raw. Sweet Lorens is transforming what it means to be convenient and delicious. In this episode, we talk with Sweet Loren herself, Loren Brill.

Listen in as we cover how a cancer diagnosis shifted her priorities at a time when most of her peers were living a carefree life, how she got into the major grocery retailers, and how staying scrappy in the early days hindered the company’s growth. Pull up a chair, and take a seat at our table because everyone’s welcome to this cookie party of an episode.

Stowed Home - Elissia Sigalow Aug 09, 2022

Stowed was founded on a vision. A vision for a more beautiful living space filled with modern, sophisticated, and luxurious furniture that stands the test of time. Founded in 2017, Stowed harnessed the power of Instagram to build a loyal following. Through a beautifully curated aesthetic on their social media pages, it becomes easy for a customer to see how Stowed’s collection can transform their home. However, in an effort to compete with TikTok, Instagram recently rewrote its entire algorithm. Instead of favoring a meticulously crafted grid like Stowed’s, the algorithm now prioritizes Reels. Short form videos have completely flipped the platform on its head, and many companies, like Stowed, are not happy about it. In this episode, we spoke with Elissia Sigalow, the founder of Stowed, and Megan Scofield, the Director of Creative Operations. We discuss the Instagram algorithm changes, what that means for small businesses, and how companies and individuals can finally get their engagement back.

Villas Tacos - Victor Villas Aug 02, 2022

Between all the Mexican restaurants, food trucks, and street vendors, Los Angeles is the place to be when it comes to getting authentic, mouth-watering tacos. Thus, winning the award for the best tacos in LA is quite the feat. Villas Tacos did the unthinkable. They were crowned as the best tacos in LA, two years in a row. These back-to-back champions serve their tacos on hand-made blue, corn tortillas with guac that never costs extra, and a drizzle of their family salsa. These will blow your mind.

This week on the podcast we are speaking with Victor Villa, the founder of Villas Tacos about how he got his start throwing house parties in high school, why he wants Villas Tacos to be the In N Out of taco franchises, and how life is easy, but people make it harder than it needs to be. And on that note, Villas Tacos is in the building.

Lettuce Grow - Jacob Pechenik Jul 26, 2022

It’s no secret that America’s food supply has been compromised. 52% of produce is wasted. For food to survive the current supply chain, it has to be processed and then sprayed with chemicals. Not everyone has a green thumb, and if you live in a city, it can be hard to find the space to have your own personal garden. From Farmstand to the table, Lettuce Grow makes growing your own groceries easy. They ship you the starter plants, and then you drop them into the Farmstand. The system is self-watering and self-fertilizing. You just have to come back for the harvest. Grow outdoors, indoors, and year-round. In this episode, we spoke with Jacob Pechenik, the co-founder of Lettuce Grow. We talked about why he would’ve been more successful running a Krispy Kreme franchise, his 10-year vision for Lettuce Grow, and why it’s better to be an outsider.

LiveMore Organics - Julia Klein Jul 19, 2022

I am willing to bet you don’t drink smoothies because they are too much of a hassle. You have to purchase multiple bags of frozen fruit from the grocery store, portion it out, blend it all together, and then pour it all into a separate cup that I suspect is not built for travel. It’s just too complicated. With 80 years of family fruit expertise, LiveMore Organics has created the world’s first 100% Organic Certified Smoothie Cup that can be delivered right to your doorstep. These high-quality smoothie cups can be ready to drink in 90 seconds, making them ideal for those of us on the go. In this episode, we spoke with Julia Klein, the cofounder of LiveMore Organics about why frozen bags of fruit are the problem, how fruit improves digestion, and why you don’t need 1 million followers on Instagram to make an impact.

Soona - Liz Giorgi Jul 12, 2022

Picture this, you’re looking to launch a Shopify store for your new product. You sign onto Shopify to set things up, only to realize you have a huge problem you have 0 photos. That’s where Soona comes in. Instead of having to do it yourself, Soona takes the stress away. You ship your products to their studio, you join a remote video call, and you only have to buy the assets you like. Photos, videos, and gifs. They’ve got you covered. In today’s episode we are talking with Liz Giorgi, the co-founder of Soona about how they have a waitlist of over 3,000 photographers ready to work with them, the similarity between Soona and Goop, and why she secretly considers herself a witch.

UFC Champ - Carla "Cookie Monster" Esparza Jul 05, 2022

Carla Esparza is a two-time UFC Women's Strawweight Champion and became the current title holder when she defeated Rose Namjunas. Typically a fighter’s career only lasts a couple of years, and when they have a huge win, they have to stretch the money until their next fight. The pay is not consistent, and after one fight, their career could be completely over.

Competitors in the UFC are also required to become ultimate entrepreneurs, as their longevity is directly tied to their audience. In this episode we discuss what it was like winning the Ultimate Fighter, her mindset going into the ring, and how it felt walking down the aisle on her wedding day wearing her UFC title Belt.

Alpha A - Manu Seve Jun 28, 2022

Alpha’a is the Squarespace of blockchain. Right now, If you want to utilize the blockchain, you would need to hire a development team to do the coding for the project. It takes time, money, and resources to just find the right dev team, and you haven’t even started coding. Manuela Seve, the founder of Alpha’a, is on a mission to remove the friction, and make this process much, much easier. In the same way that Squarespace simplified website creation through customizable templates, Alpha’a simplifies working on the blockchain through customizable, plug-and-play templates. No code. No stress. and significantly less time.

Listen in as we cover how this tech can be used to authenticate commonly forged luxury items, how they almost went under when an investor over-promised, and under-delivered, and why blockchain tech is here to stay in this crypto winter.

Apothékary - Shizu Okusa Jun 21, 2022

Welcome to Mother Nature’s Farmacy. Today’s guest is Shizu Okusa, the founder of Apothékary. Backed by 5,000 years of science, Apothékary provides Natural Alternatives To Synthetic Skincare And Drugs. The goal is to stay Healthy So You Don’t Have To Get Healthy. Apothékary is at the forefront of the rising adaptogen market, and what’s interesting is it’s really trailing behind the CBD market. So if you’re into CBD, but it’s a little too taboo for you, then adaptogens become the perfect fit. Not sure what adaptogens mean, or what you’re supposed to do, or how you’re supposed to consume them? Make sure to watch the full episode because we will pose the questions we know everyone’s thinking, but are too afraid to ask.

Xiao Chi Jie - Jen Liao Jun 14, 2022

You don’t have to look hard to find a national brand that started from a single-family-owned restaurant. There’s In-N-Out: started by the Snyder family, McDonald’s: started by the McDonald brothers, and Chick-fil-A: started by the Cathy family. While we’re on the topic, go ahead and add Xiao Chi Jie into the mix (or XCJ for short). But unlike the previous three brands that spread primarily through new brick & mortar locations, our guest today started with a single restaurant and expanded into a CPG brand. Jen Liao and her then-boyfriend Caleb Wang (now husband) started the business as a way of connecting with their family’s history since they’re both second-generation Chinese Americans. Their modern take on Chinese street food was an immediate hit with the locals of Bellevue, WA, and they knew that their recipes were destined for a much bigger audience. So just like those other family-owned brands that came before her, Jen has her sights set on national recognition. Her goal is for XCJ to become the default Chinese food company in America.

Listen in as we cover everything from why most of her customers live in an Asian-food desert, why hiring someone to handle XCJ’s marketing was low on her priority list, and what it means to be a third culture kid.

Arushi Gallery - Arushi Kapoor Jun 07, 2022

When it comes to the art world, you have artists, dealers, and collectors. Dealers have been around almost as long as humans have been selling art, linking buyers and artists together all over the globe. The relationship between an artist and a dealer was originally based on commerce but eventually evolved into one that included sincere advocacy and patronage. The art dealers of today are often just as much talent managers as they are brokers. This is very much the case for our guest today, Arushi Kapoor. Arushi has been involved in the art world since her teenage years, starting with an internship at Sotheby’s and launching from there into opening up her own galleries all over the world. She’s a champion of artists both upcoming and established, and she’s here today to talk with us about the contemporary art world, both analog and digital.

Listen in as we cover everything from why an artist needs around a thousand pieces before they have a recognizable style, the frustrations of being a financial coach to artists, and why you don’t need to have a great business mindset to get represented as an artist; you just need to be better than the most awkward person in the room.

Drink Renude - Brandon Mizrahie May 31, 2022

Want to spice up your morning latte? Try adding some mushrooms to it. And not just any mushrooms, but a specific species that only grows on a small percentage of birch trees in cold weather climates. Seems a bit extreme, right? To Brandon Mizrahie it seemed like the perfect idea for a business. Chaga mushrooms are known to have a long list of health benefits, so Brandon set out to find the ideal delivery system. After offering several varieties of Chaga beverages at a local farmer’s market, the one that was far and above the best seller was the chagaccino. But success at one farmer’s market can only get you so far, and Brandon knew this product had much more significant potential.

Listen in as we cover everything from why he didn’t want his branding to be associated with hippies, why humans are closer to the fungi kingdom than the plant kingdom, and why adaptogens are more of a re-discovery than a new trend.

For our Listeners: Use promo code STS15 for 15% Off your next order at Drink Renude!

Las Maris Vegan - Carlos Bryant May 24, 2022

Eat your own dog food. It’s a simple phrase designed to convey the notion that if your product is good enough for your consumers, it’s good enough for you too. For Carlos Bryant, founder of Las Maris vegan food truck, his initial menu didn’t fit with his diet. Las Maris wasn’t always vegan, and when customers would ask how the food tasted, all he could offer were referrals to other people. Let’s just say it didn’t exactly inspire confidence. But Carlos was quick to recognize the dissonance and soon made the switch to vegan offerings. The rebranded food truck was a much more authentic and personal venture, one that allowed him to combine his startup with his virtues. What followed could be considered a runaway Sacramento success story, but Carlos has plans for expansion far beyond a single food truck in a single metropolitan area.

Listen in as we cover everything from the problems of scaling your business too quickly, how his rap career instilled in him the grit that he’d later use in entrepreneurship, and why life is like a game of Twister.

Leisuretown - Doug Walker and Jon Feld May 17, 2022

If you were to set out to cut your caloric intake today, odds are pretty high that your mind would immediately go to what food groups you could swap out or substitute. But what about swapping out or replacing the beverages you consume on a daily basis? Lower calorie beverages are certainly nothing new, like diet and zero-calorie options have been staples of everything from Pepsi to Gatorade to Michelob for decades now. There are some though that are betting big that consumers are becoming bored with those antiquated options. Our guests today are Doug Walker and Jon Feld of Leisuretown, a CBD-infused sparkling water company. They’ve positioned themselves at a significant intersection of wellness, CBD, and non-alcoholic alternatives. Their immediate goal is to be the cool drink to consume at parties without any caloric or inebriated side effects. Their long-term goal has their sights set much, much higher. You don’t have to take my word for it though, as we’re about to dive into the deep end with Doug and Jon.

Listen in as we cover everything from why they got dropped from all major online payment processors in a span of three days, how they turned to NFTs in order to sell and market their drinks, and why Doug is currently running for Mayor of West Sacramento

Fuel Finance - Alyona Mysko May 10, 2022

On Thursday, February 24th, Russian military forces crossed the border into Ukraine and ended a peace that had existed in Europe since World War II. The war in Ukraine has, among many other tragedies, created a massive humanitarian crisis with the millions and millions of Ukrainian citizens that have fled the country in search of safety. For those that have stayed, daily life has been completely upended and their future was thrown into uncertainty. But there are still plenty of Ukrainians trying to carve out a living and maintain a sense of normalcy amidst the invasion. Our guest today is Alyona Mysko, founder of FuelFinance, a cloud-based financial service based in Ukraine. Alyona has relocated her headquarters from Kyiv to Lviv in order to avoid the worst of the assault, but she still finds herself being woken up by the sounds of air raid sirens. Listen in to this special episode as we cover everything from what it’s like to run a company in a country at war, the decision to stay in Ukraine versus fleeing, and her plans for both the short term and long term as the war drags on.

Lil Bucks - Emily Griffith Apr 26, 2022

Scaling a business and cementing your place in an emerging market is a special kind of struggle. While you’re busy building your own brand you’ve also got to be busy educating consumers about the market’s very existence. The appeal of all of this is of course if and when consumer trends shift, any company with a foothold sees massive growth and all the rewards that come with it. One needs to look no further than Tesla to see how proper timing and a few lucky breaks can launch a small startup into a Fortune 100 company. Our guest today is Emily Griffith, founder of Lil Bucks, and the emerging marketplace in question is centered all-around buckwheat. Buckwheat is a familiar dietary staple in other cultures around the world, but when it comes to America it’s still in its infancy. Buckwheat is naturally packed full of nutrients and antioxidants while at the same time being gluten-free since it’s a fruit seed and not a grain. So in following recent superfood trends, it checks a lot of the same boxes. The ability to educate and appeal to a mass audience will be the difference between ending up like Tesla or Fisker.

Listen in as we cover everything from why consumers don’t want to sacrifice taste for health, why she focused on building her brand before building her business, and how she owes her success to getting on the shelves of Whole Foods to a cleaning lady.

Partake Brewing - Ted Fleming Apr 19, 2022

It wasn’t very long ago that we as a society were told that a small amount of alcohol—say, a glass of wine with dinner—could be beneficial for our cardiovascular health. But a recent study from the World Heart Federation has turned that notion upside down, saying that any amount of drinking alcohol can contribute to the loss of a healthy life. So what are we to do with this new information? Sure, there are plenty who will ignore it, but national trends show a shift in drinking habits. No and low alcoholic beverage sales have increased 33% in the past year, with the non-alcoholic beverage category predicted to grow by another 35% this year. In other words, the future looks bright for Ted Fleming of Partake Brewing. Partake is a non-alcoholic brewing company, and Ted has been ahead of the curve for a while now, winning over the taste buds of casual beer drinkers and professional critics alike. But there’s still a lot of work left to do, as there is still a very real stigma about non-alcoholic beer and massive companies with vested interests in maintaining the status quo.

Listen in as we cover everything from why alcoholic breweries see Partake as a threat to their business, what the design of Ted’s ideal brewery would look like, and taking his bike to appear on Dragon’s Den—and getting caught in the rain.

Chili Chews - Shant and Vicken Apr 12, 2022

Remember when we were all making sourdough bread to pass the time during lockdown? Our guests today were also cooking something up in their kitchen, but it was much sweeter and designed to be more of a long-term play than a short-term way to occupy their time. Shant Reganyan and Vicken Kejejian were fulfilling a long-time mission to start a business together. And with the coronavirus pandemic upending everyone’s best-laid plans, there really was no better time to take that first step. So the two childhood friends created their own candy. They mixed together a blend of spices, developed a base, put ‘em together, and called it Chili Chews. And after testing their recipe on friends and family, they set their sights on making the grocery store candy aisle exciting again.

Listen in as we cover everything from why they chose a name that was purposefully vague, running into discrimination from those who thought they were too young to be taken seriously, and why their candy tastes like the San Fernando Valley — in all the best ways.

Drink Champs - DJ EFN Apr 08, 2022

Last week we had a session on Bright Live with DJ EFN of Drink Champs. His career has taken him everywhere from mixtapes and music marketing to podcasting and documentary filmmaking. The best part about Bright Live is the ability to have audience participation in the conversation. They host a variety of sessions on just about any topic you’d be interested in, and it’s a great place for curious minds to grow and learn from some of the best in their respective fields. We’re releasing a condensed version of this conversation, but if you want to learn more about what sessions are being offered, you should head on over to BrightLive.com.

Listen in as we cover everything from why DJ EFN’s not interested in being a journalist, how he was inspired by his father to blaze his own trail even though the two have never had a close relationship, and why Ice Cube was the only guest that ever made him nervous.

Ventum - Diaa Nour Apr 05, 2022

You probably don’t have to think too hard to recall the early days of the coronavirus lockdowns. When all we wanted was an excuse to get out of our homes, bikes became that excuse. You could head out your front door and get some exercise while maintaining your social distance. It was the perfect pandemic escape. And so it was no big surprise when bike sales skyrocketed. One would think that it would be a great time to be in the cycling business. Instead, a global economy dealing with supply chain delays, factory shutdowns, and parts shortages meant that there was no supply to meet the demand. Not exactly what any business owner would call ideal. Our guest today is Diaa Nour, founder of Ventum, a direct-to-consumer bike brand out of Heber City, Utah. Ventum first burst onto the scene with their triathlon bike, turning heads with its signature Z-shaped frame. From there they quickly expanded their lineup to include road and gravel bikes to mirror national trends. Diaa has big plans on the horizon for Ventum, but before he can accomplish those goals he’s got to maneuver around the global supply chain backup just like the rest of us.

Listen in as we cover everything from why starting a bike company was way more difficult than he initially assumed, why he prioritized sponsoring female triathletes in an effort to level the gender wage gap between men and women, and why he chose to partner the brand with perhaps the most polarizing figure in cycling, Lance Armstrong.

Brainiac Foods - Mark Brooks Mar 31, 2022

Parents will always want what’s best for their children. Many go to great lengths to give their child just the tiniest leg up if that will mean success down the line. Whether that be after-school tutoring, private music lessons, or waking up at 5AM on a Saturday morning to drive your kid to practice, it’s not difficult to find examples of parents making their child’s development a priority. But what about that child’s nutrition? Our guest today is Mark Brooks, co-founder of Brainiac Foods. Mark, together with his co-founder Jonathan Wolfson, found that certain nutrients were essential to early brain development; notably choline and omega-3. The problem is, it’s not always easy to get your child to ingest foods that contain these nutrients. So the two founders decided to put a twist on a product that was already a hit in school lunchboxes: yogurt. By adding choline and omega-3 to yogurt they were able to support early-childhood brain development without asking parents (or kids) to sacrifice taste for growth.

Listen in as we cover everything from why they’re not trying to be the #1 applesauce company, why food is the first line of defense when it comes to healthcare, and why it’s not nutritious if it’s not eaten.

Van Leeuwen - Ben Van Leeuwen Mar 29, 2022

If you were born before a certain point in time, hearing about a Good Humour ice cream truck might conjure up nostalgic memories of a carefree summer. Younger generations might be more familiar with Good Humour products found in the freezer section of grocery stores all over the country. This is the story of how a single ice cream truck grew into a chain with national distribution, but it is not the Good Humour story. Our guest today is Ben Van Leeuwen, co-founder of Van Leeuwen ice cream. Ben’s first experience with ice cream came from working in one of those Good Humour ice cream trucks, and his tale parallels theirs in many ways. He eventually branched off and created his own ice cream, selling it out of a truck on the streets of New York City before expanding into storefronts and grocery chains nationwide.But in order to get the full story you’ll have to listen in as we cover everything from why his vision for the company was massive from the get-go, the importance of mentorship, and why making good ice cream isn’t rocket science.

Katy Flannery - Beckon Ice Cream Mar 24, 2022

The prevalence of gluten-free food options is no accident. Manufacturers saw that there was a sizable portion of the population who wanted foods that wouldn’t wreak havoc on their digestive systems and they responded. To a lesser extent, the same is true for foods catering to the lactose-intolerant among us, but the latter hasn’t quite reached the level of the former. There are all sorts of statistics that contradict each other on how many Americans are actually affected by lactose intolerance, but the gist is the same: it’s a sizable portion of the population. Our guest today is Katy Flannery, co-founder of Beckon Ice Cream. As someone who suffers from lactose intolerance, she knows firsthand how frustrating it can be to crave a food that you know would not be in your best interest to eat. So she and her co-founder Gwen created an ice cream that seemingly does the impossible: is full of dairy but without the problematic lactose.

Listen in as we cover everything from how she kept a photo of Tom Brady from his time at the NFL combine on her desk to inspire her, the importance of knowing when to kick in a door vs finding another one, why they were told to bring on a male co-founder when they started to raise capital (and why they ignored that advice).

Stefanie Olson - SheBuilds Mar 22, 2022

Our guest today is Stefanie Olson, founder of SheBuilds. What started out as flipping a single house has turned into a career spent renovating, flipping, and building new properties from the ground up. SheBuilds now tackles entire housing developments, most notably for the town of Paradise, California. In 2018, the Camp Fire raged through Paradise, destroying 95% of its structures and killing 85 people. To this day it remains the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California’s history. Stefanie has been a big part of the rebuilding process, helping those who were displaced by the disaster a chance to call Paradise home once more.

Listen in as we cover everything from how she used to go so far as hopping backyard fences to scope out potential flips, why she’ll never sell a house without staging it, and why no one ever leaves enough money in the budget for landscaping.

Jennifer Stojkovic - Vegan Women Summit Mar 17, 2022

On some level, we’re probably all familiar with life-changing events. You never know when or where they’ll take place; nor can you predict how you’ll emerge from the ordeal. But we can all look back at our lives and pick out at least one point where our trajectories were forever altered. For Jennifer Stojkovic, one such moment came when a close friend was murdered. As she wrestled with the suffering that comes in the wake of such a tragedy, she set out to erase what suffering she could in this world—she became vegan. But to truly make an impact, changing her own dietary regiment wouldn’t cut it: she needed to create something bigger than herself. And thus, the Vegan Women Summit was born.

But you know by now that there’s always more to the story, so listen in as we cover everything from how lab-grown meat is changing what it means to be vegan, why women don’t invest, and why vegans don’t all fit into the same box.

Joan Barton - Dirty Girl Construction Mar 15, 2022

Our guest today is Joan Barton, founder of Dirty Girl Construction. In another life, Joan was a music composer crafting everything from orchestral symphonies to commercial jingles. But when a friend asked her to oversee the construction of his house, she said yes and figured everything out as she went. The ability to create and build a house from the ground up spoke to her in such a way that she switched careers and went into contracting full time, eventually founding her company in 2008. Joan is now at a point where she can look back at her long career and impart the wisdom of someone who’s been around the block a time or two. Hell, at this point she’s basically built the block.

Listen in as we cover everything from how being a waitress helped her market her company, how the construction industry enabled her to avoid selling out, and why she considers her plumber to be an artist.

Lauren & Katie - HigherDOSE Mar 10, 2022

The concept of biohacking has been around for a while now, and the term can encompass everything from tracking your sleep to getting a blood transfusion from a younger person in an effort to fight aging. Yes. Really. The idea is to find ways in which we can harness the fullest potential of our bodies so that we may perform at our best in whatever we do. The term biohacking can be a deterrent to some, as the more extreme methods are often the ones that come to mind when discussing its merits.

Our guests today are Lauren Berlingeri and Katie Kaps, co-founders of HigherDose. Their goal is to make biohacking more approachable and remove some of the stigmas that comes with it by designing products like the infra-red sauna blanket that can easily be used in a home and by educating their community on the benefits of routine self-care and wellness.

Listen in as we cover everything from why biohacking has never appealed to a broad spectrum of women, why it was hard for them to be taken seriously the first time they raised money, and why they decided to offer themselves up as test subjects for the most extreme bio-hacks on the market.

Angela Cacace - Move Over Bob Mar 08, 2022

Our guest today is Angela Cacace, founder of Move Over Bob, an online community sharing resources, inspiration, and knowledge to a growing number of women in skilled trades. Bob in this case refers to the men who have long dominated the industry, but Angela isn’t trying to make this an ‘us vs. them’ fight. Instead, she wants those who already have a seat at the table to move over and allow anyone and everyone a chance to join the ranks of skilled trade workers.

Listen in as we cover everything from why the No Child Left Behind Act is responsible for a reduced trade labor force, how winning a competition on the show This Old House turned her hobby into a career, and how to deal with the struggle of managing both a family and a business at the same time.

LeSandre Morris - Nudie Community NFT Mar 03, 2022

This episode is part of our continuing series centered around NFT communities. Like any other brand, creating a vibrant and engaged NFT community is no easy feat. Yet it is this trait that separates those with staying power from the ones that are only in it for the rug pull. It requires management, moderators, and members to be aligned and in constant communication. Our guest today is LeSandre Morris, founder of Nudie Community. She has built a fiercely loyal and motivated base through creative and intentional marketing which led to selling out all 10,000 Nudies in a matter of minutes.

Listen in as we cover everything from why NFT communities are like high school cliques, why it’s important to hire from within your community, and why your network is your net worth.

eMOD - Katie Frank #DoMoreHerWay Mar 01, 2022

This month is women’s history month, and we’ve partnered with Cat Footwear to bring you stories from female entrepreneurs in the construction industry. This is the first episode of our four-part series. The goal is to highlight some of the female movers and shakers in an industry where they make up only around 10% of the workforce. Our guest today is Katie Frank, founder of eMOD, a company focused on improving safety on construction sites. Katie’s story is a deeply personal one, and she’s helping to modernize construction safety so that every worker can go home to their families, every night.

Listen in as we cover everything from why there’s a lack of respect inherent in the construction industry, the importance of keeping your cool in high-pressure scenarios, and why easy fixes have high costs.

Mike - Moments in History NFT Project Feb 24, 2022

The Startup to Storefront team has been taking a deep dive into that world over the past few months, and as such we are sharing our findings with you, so that you may become better informed. Our guest today is Mike Szopinski, a part of the team behind the Moments in History NFT. This particular NFT community has a goal of uniting history novices and buffs, reflecting on moments throughout our global history that have shaped our lives today.

Listen in as we cover everything from the pros and cons of designing an NFT by committee, how to teach a new audience to use Discord, and how a coma changed his career path.

immi - Kevin Lee Feb 22, 2022

We’ve all encountered instant foods. The trend of convenience took over American society after World War II and dominated the consumer market with a big assist from the microwave oven. You could eat instant oatmeal in the morning, a cup of noodles for lunch, and a TV dinner at night, all ready to eat with the touch of a few buttons on your microwave. Eventually, consumers realized that the trade-off of convenience for nutrition was not in their best interest. And thus the better-for-you market was born. There are many brands within this new market that have shunned the “instant” label, not wanting to be associated with the unhealthy connotations that the label brings with it. Our guest today is Kevin Lee, co-founder of immi, a brand that has innovated its way into becoming a healthier instant ramen option.

Listen in as we cover everything from not knowing how to ask for help (and why that’s a cultural problem), why starting a company has involved equal parts personal and professional development, and why you shouldn’t overthink which social media platform you use to reach your audience.

Aura Bora - Paul Voge (as seen on Shark Tank) Feb 15, 2022

The past decade has seen a meteoric rise in the popularity of sparkling water. The convenience of at-home soda streams gave way to La Croix, which in turn gave way to White Claw. Carbonated water isn’t exactly new; in fact, it’s much older than you’d likely guess. It was first invented in 1767 by suspending a bowl of water above a beer vat. The beverage has come a long way since then, highlighted by both small tweaks and huge leaps forward. Our guest today is Paul Voge, co-founder of Aura Bora. In today’s consumer market, there are staples like Lays’ chips, Skippy peanut butter, or La Croix sparkling water. Before long, a new brand comes along with the intent to disrupt the market, like Kettle chips or Justin’s peanut butter. Paul created Aura Bora to be that sparkling water category disruptor. Since creating it, he’s gained some notable fans, including Robert Herjavec, who closed a deal with Aura Bora on Shark Tank early last year.

Listen in as we cover everything from how Paul told a white lie to get on the shelves of Whole Foods, why the Shark Tank audience is a perfect representation of the country, and why you should never drink essential oils.

NFT's - what to look for before investing Feb 08, 2022

With all the talk about NFT’s, people are rushing to get in and test their luck on being early to the next Bored Ape Yacht Club. Our team recently hosted a public Space on Twitter to open up open what our team is learning within the various projects we’ve invested in. We’ll help you identify the red flags and the green flags in an effort to help you learn what to look for when placing your next bet.

NFT investing is similar to startup investing but it’s done at rocket speed which can make for a fun, rewarding, anxiety-ridden ride.

Our thumbnail includes an NFT from the Nudie Community! We call her ‘Star.’

Twice - Cody Levine Feb 01, 2022

What do these three things have in common: brushing your teeth, flossing, and Lenny Kravitz? They’re all key components in Twice, the oral hygiene brand that believes a good smile has the power to change lives. Our guest today is Cody Levine, who co-founded the company with his brother Julian and yes, Lenny Kravitz. The two brothers grew up in a household that prioritized proper oral hygiene, but that isn’t exactly surprising given that their father is a dentist. But they didn’t initially set out to continue down the same trail as their dad. Cody and Julian set out on their own different career paths in advertising and finance, respectively. On occasion, they would join their dad on dental missions to impoverished areas around the world. It was the impact that they had on those communities that led them to start Twice and make healthy smiles more accessible to everyone.

Listen in as we cover everything from why using toothpaste with sulfates can lead to canker sores, why you should never sell toothpaste direct to consumers, and why early charcoal toothpaste was like taking sandpaper to your teeth.

Daring - Ross Mackay Jan 25, 2022

Today’s guest is Ross Mackay, co-founder of Daring, the plant-based chicken currently taking over your local grocery store. Maybe you’re a carnivore. Maybe you’re a vegan. Maybe you’re even—as Ross would say—plant curious. No matter who you are, the three most important criteria you’re likely to consider when buying food are taste, texture, and price. And Ross has managed to create a plant-based chicken that emphatically checks all the boxes. Because if you’re going to change the dining habits of your average American, you’ve got to come up with a pretty damn appealing alternative.

Listen in as we cover everything from why the Scottish government told him there’s no market for his product, his not-so-secret recipe that he cooks for investors, and why the average consumer has a lack of trust in plant-based meat.

Haley Russell - Chippin Jan 18, 2022

Today we talk with Haley Russell, founder of the dog food company Chippin. If you’ve ever bought dog food, chances are the ingredients included something like beef or chicken. Fine for your dog to eat, but when you scale the production those food groups become entirely unsustainable. On the other side of the equation is the invasive species known as silver carp. This fish has been slowly making its way north up the Mississippi River toward the Great Lakes. To put it lightly, it would be a massive problem if silver carp make it into Lake Michigan. Haley was able to kill two birds with one stone by substituting silver carp in the place of beef or chicken in her dog food. Our furry friends will still get all the nutrients they need in a much more sustainable fashion.

Listen in as we cover everything from running a cricket farm, tapping into the Dogecoin craze, and why the standards for pet food and baby food are similar.

Keithan and Quiante - Candi (as seen on Shark Tank) Jan 11, 2022

Today’s guests are Keithan and Quiante Hedrick, the husband and wife duo behind Candi. Candi is a platform that allows you to video chat with celebrities in real-time and was born out of the ashes of their first joint venture, Instaspeakers. The failure of Instaspeakers, while difficult, showed them what to focus their money and energy towards with Candi. And the success of apps like Cameo showed that there was a very real market for personal connections with celebrities. We filmed this episode three days prior to Candi’s debut on Shark Tank, so while they weren’t able to discuss the specifics, we made sure to cover their preparation for the inevitable Shark Tank bump.

Listen in as we cover everything from the importance of surveying the market before starting a business, why celebs tend to overprice themselves, and why Kevin Hart probably wouldn’t be the best fit for a service like Candi.

Kevin Mendoza - Crypto Collective Jan 05, 2022

Welcome back as we begin Season 4 of the show! Today’s guest is Kevin Mendoza, founder of Crypto Collective and today we are—in fact—talking about all things crypto. By now you’ve likely heard everyone from your friends to that drunk guy in the bar talk about cryptocurrency and NFTs. Maybe you know a little, maybe you’re somewhat of an expert. Maybe you’re even a little bit skeptical. The point is that this digital infrastructure is having a very real impact on the world around us and we would all do well to learn more. Luckily enough for you, this is a great episode for expanding upon whatever foundational knowledge you already have. We cover everything from centralized to decentralized finance and riff ideas of how to join in and capitalize on a booming NFT marketplace. Because no matter if you’re looking to join the Bored Ape Yacht Club or have no idea what that is, this is the place to be.

Jill Bauman - Imagine LA Dec 21, 2021

Today’s guest is Jill Bauman, head of Imagine LA, a nonprofit focused on breaking the cycle of family homelessness and poverty. Her organization is certainly not the first to attempt to tackle these problems, and she’s realistic about the need for other organizations to do their part as well. But Imagine LA is having a real impact on the lives of over 200 families in the greater Los Angeles area, helping what are often families led by a single parent get back on their feet when it comes to financial and emotional stability.

Listen in as we cover everything from why domestic violence is a huge driver of family homelessness, how she plans to scale Imagine LA to different parts of the state, and her plans to build livable mixed communities with houses and retail shops to alleviate the housing crisis we’re currently experiencing.

Carmen Dianne & Kara Still - Prosperity Market Dec 14, 2021

Today’s guests are Carmen Dianne and Kara Still, founders of Prosperity Market. Last year, as the world was dealing with the coronavirus pandemic and the racial reckoning spurred on by the murder of George Floyd, Carmen felt inspired to do something about it. She partnered up with Kara and the two of them set out to create a market that would feature black farmers and businesses, also while providing low-income areas of LA with access to fresh produce and healthy food. The idea was solid, but there were bumps in the road that were unforeseen, such as difficulty in finding black farmers. The progress may not be as fast as Carmen would like, but little by little they are making their presence known all over Los Angeles County and making a big impact in the communities they visit.

Listen in as we cover everything from why they legally can’t call themselves a farmer’s market, how they’ve been able to grow largely through direct donations on their website, and why they’re currently building two businesses; the one they’re in now and the one they’ll be in five years from now.

Brad & Zach Gilbert - Tennis Legend/Author Dec 07, 2021

Today’s guests are the father and son duo Brad and Zach Gilbert. To say that tennis is a Gilbert family hobby would be like saying that the Kennedy family dabbles in politics. Brad was a former professional tennis player who was ranked as high as number 4 in the world and won a bronze medal at the '88 Olympics to boot. After his playing career was over he went into coaching, molding the next generation of elite players such as Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, and Andy Murray. Zach grew up courtside at televised tournaments, so it’s no surprise that he also took to tennis, eventually becoming an NCAA Division 1 tennis player for Cal-Berkeley. Our conversation today is centered on all things tennis but the lessons here are universal.

Listen in as we cover everything from how to manage expectations and outside pressure, why Brad had such a difficult time coaching Zach, and the importance of being honest about your weaknesses.

Leah O'Malley & Tori Robinson - Boys Lie Nov 30, 2021

Today’s guests are Leah O’Malley and Tori Robinson, lifelong friends and co-founders of the clothing brand Boys Lie. It’s probably safe to assume that a fair share of us have experienced heartbreak, and in Leah and Tori’s case, they turned their heartbreak into a mantra. That mantra would become the eventual inspiration to launch something bigger than the two of them; to connect with a world of women who had also gone through a bad breakup. They decided on a makeup line. The problem was that the makeup line didn’t connect as they had intended. But the two women were far from finished, and they pivoted to manufacturing streetwear. And with this new venture, they finally found their audience and connected in a BIG way.

Listen in as we cover everything from how they’ve had their own trouble with paparazzi, why they’ll anonymously answer support emails from time to time, and why you should never go into business with your best friend.

James Beshara - Magic Mind/Tilt (acquired by AirBnB) Nov 23, 2021

Today’s guest is James Beshara, founder of Magic Mind, a productivity drink designed to replace your morning cup of coffee for good. James’ story is about so much more than Magic Mind though, as he’s started a few other companies and invested in a few others as well. One of the companies he started was bought by AirBnB, which on the surface seems like a major win! Until you learn that he had to sell it in a fire sale. James is very open about both his successes and his failures, and it’s this kind of honesty that led him to start his own podcast where he dives into all of the challenges facing business leaders all over the world. This episode is a truly fascinating conversation in which we take a high-level look at what it really means to be an entrepreneur in today’s world.

Listen in as we cover everything from the difference between the fear of missing out and the fear of being involved, why he’s long on AirBnB, and why spiritually, everyone should be a freelancer.

Kerrigan Behrens - Sagely Naturals Nov 16, 2021

Today’s guest is Kerrigan Behrens, founder of the CBD skincare brand Sagely Naturals. Kerrigan and her cofounder Kaley had used CBD products and experienced firsthand relief from the immense anti-inflammatory benefits that it offers. They wanted to bring this to the wider consumer market but even though there’s no THC in their products, the US government doesn’t distinguish between the two. And when it comes to US consumers, they’re also largely still learning to distinguish between CBD and THC products as well. Kerrigan and Kaley knew the challenges and still dove headfirst into their new company. In many ways, they’re still educating the market and working within the narrow confines of the law, but in the six years since they started Sagely Naturals, they’ve already shown how effective CBD is in soothing pain and have grabbed a sizable share of a rapidly growing market.

Listen in as we cover everything from overcoming the stigma around hemp-derived products, why banks are the biggest obstacle currently facing the CBD market, and what led her to sell the company she had built from the ground up.

David Greenfeld - Dream Pops Nov 09, 2021

Today’s guest is David Greenfeld, founder of the plant-based popsicle company Dream Pops. David is a student of successful entrepreneurs and takes a very academic approach to grow as an individual as well as a business owner. For instance, when he was starting out his professional journey, he figured it would be a good idea to have a grasp of finance, so he went into investment banking. And concurrently with banking, he was on the lookout for markets with untapped potential. He eventually found one in popsicles, but to say the rest is history would be to ignore the persistence and clever series of pivots that led him to create a national brand.

Listen in as we cover everything from why there are no overnight success stories in business, why Dream Pops will not be the brand that relies heavily on celebrity partnerships, and why entrepreneurship is a sport.

Jimmy DeCicco - Super Coffee Nov 02, 2021

Today’s guest is Jim DeCicco, co-founder of Super Coffee. By now you’re probably familiar with the rise of adaptogen-infused wellness products, but six years ago this emerging market was still in its infancy. Jim and his brothers Jake and Jordan saw the potential early on and dove head-first into this opportunity, with Jordan dropping out of school and Jim quitting his job on Wall Street. Their first wholesale was a whopping two hundred dollars, but they knew it was only the beginning. The path that they’ve taken since then has enabled their company’s evaluation to explode from three million dollars to about 500 million today. Which makes the ten million dollar evaluation they asked for on Shark Tank a few years ago seem like an absolute steal.

Listen in as we cover everything from how they initially priced their coffee using the ‘Field of Dreams’ model, life lessons that they took from athletics that they were able to apply to their business, and why their first round of fundraising was from ‘friends, family, and fools’.

Drew & Amanda - Yasso Oct 26, 2021

Today’s guests are Drew Harrington and Amanda Klane, co-founders of the frozen greek yogurt brand Yasso. Drew and Amanda have been friends for a long time; since kindergarten, to be exact. They were also both Division 1 athletes in track and soccer, respectively. Nutrition is a very important component of athletic success, but let’s not pretend that athletes are immune to cravings. Drew and Amanda would try and mitigate these cravings by searching for items in the ‘better-for-you’ categories, but when it came to ice cream the choices were seriously lacking. So what’s better than creating a great-tasting ice cream alternative? Creating it with a lifelong friend. And if that ice cream alternative should someday surpass Klondike bars in terms of units sold? Well, that’s the sweetest reward of them all.

Listen in as we cover everything from their initial strategy to give away thousands of free bars in order to cultivate a grass-roots following, how they persuaded their friends with a beer in exchange for product testing, and why when creating a new product, they have to keep it 100. 100 calories or less, that is.

Taylor Frankel- Nudestix Oct 19, 2021

Today’s guest is Taylor Frankel, co-founder of the beauty brand Nudestix. Together with her mom and her younger sister, the three women sought to create a company that would cater to the subtle looks and on-the-go applications that today’s consumer demands. Though Taylor is still in her twenties, she has been in the game for quite some time now and speaks with the wisdom and maturity of someone far beyond her years. Taylor’s mom, Jenny, has worked in the cosmetics industry for over 20 years, and would always enlist her daughters’ help in packing boxes or filling orders. In some ways, they were running a family business long before they founded Nudestix, so it only makes sense that they would make it official and put their combined talents to work.

Listen in as we cover everything from the challenges of being taken seriously as a young head of the company, why trust and communication are two of the most crucial traits to have as a leader, and how to adjust marketing strategies alongside the ever-changing social media landscape.

Wendy Day - Rap Coalition Oct 12, 2021

Our episode today is a special one, a session we recently did on BrightLive.com. Sessions there are designed to help you level up your life by allowing you exclusive access to speakers, visionaries, and titans in their field. We’ve hosted a couple of sessions so far on the platform, and we love it because it offers listeners the chance to directly ask questions and learn firsthand from the experts. For this session, we had the pleasure of chatting with Wendy Day, founder of Rap Coalition, and perhaps one of the most influential people in the rap industry over the past 30 years. She’s made it her mission to educate up-and-coming artists on how to take hold of their careers and their money, mentoring them and ensuring that their business savvy is just as robust as their artistry.

Listen in as we cover everything from how she helped build the careers of the likes of Master P and Eminem, why just being a talented artist isn’t enough to succeed in the music industry, and why she has no plans to launch her own rap career.

The Dial In - Farm Cup Coffee ft. Miffies Coffee Oct 07, 2021

Welcome to another episode of The Dial In, a new addition to the Startup to Storefront podcast group. We've partnered with Chobani to bring you this new podcast in which your hosts Emerson Haro and Brian Barnes take a deep dive into all things coffee. Today's guests are Ross and Didi Lower, husband and wife duo behind Miffies Coffee. As one of the only coffee trucks in Orange County, they became, by default, the ultimate outdoor coffee experience during the time when outdoor service was the only service that was possible.

Today's conversation will cover how they're working to create the most sustainable and eco-friendly truck on the market by harnessing solar power and only using plant-based milk as well as what it was like to start a business in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. If your local coffee shop feels like a second home to you, this podcast will surely feel like a third. So grab a cup of your favorite brew and get ready to Dial In.

Michael Cherman - Market Oct 05, 2021

Today’s guest is Michael Cherman, founder of the clothing brand Market. Do you remember the trends that would ignite and spread like wildfire throughout your high school? You’d be walking through the halls and see everyone else wearing some new accessories, some new items. You had no idea where it came from, all you knew is that you had to be in on the fad. Well, Mike was the kid behind one of those high school fads. He created a shirt so popular that he got expelled for selling it on school grounds. If he wasn’t voted most likely to succeed in his yearbook, it was a missed opportunity to predict the future. His career has taken him in many different directions, and it’s a credit to his savvy and flexibility that he’s been able to navigate the cutthroat world of fashion with such success.

Listen in as we cover everything from how he ended up designing one-off jackets for the likes of LeBron and Kanye, what he’s trying to personally solve for in creating a brand, and the inspiration behind creating a thirty thousand dollar Swarovski basketball.

The Dial In -- Farm Cup Coffee ft. Nicely Abel ☕ Sep 30, 2021

Hello and welcome to a brand new addition to the Startup to Storefront podcast group. This is the first episode of The Dial In, a podcast in which your hosts Emerson Haro and Brian Barnes take a deep dive into all things coffee. They’ll cover everything from how climate change is impacting the ways in which coffee shop owners source their beans to how they can create a community space that adds and enriches the neighborhood around the shop. If you’re a coffee-lover, this is the podcast for you. And there’s no better time to roll it out than right before International Coffee Day on October 1st. So grab a cup of your favorite coffee and get ready to Dial In.

Debbie Wei Mullin - Copper Cow Coffee - National Coffee Day w/ Chobani Sep 28, 2021

Today’s guest is Debbie Wei Mullin, founder of Copper Cow Coffee. In case you weren’t aware, National Coffee Day is coming up on October 1st, and what better way to celebrate than with a conversation about the roasted beverage that jump-starts America every morning. The first phase of Debbie’s path took her all over the world working for the World Bank. But even though she enjoyed the work, she knew she was destined to set out on her own. Her first venture wasn’t the runaway success story she had hoped it would be, so she pivoted. And then she had to pivot again when her next idea missed the mark as well. The product we know as Copper Cow Coffee was only ever intended to be a backup plan, but the success it’s had only serves to reinforce the phrase ‘if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.’ Debbie’s story is a masterclass in how flexibility and paying attention to market signals can lead to huge returns.

Listen in as we cover everything from why her family’s experience in the food industry made her avoid it at all costs, why her deal with Robert Herjavec fell through, and how she hired someone from Craigslist to design a logo and accidentally came away with a name for her company.

Megan & Jimmy Feeman - NoBaked Cookie Dough Sep 21, 2021

Today’s guests are Megan and Jimmy Feeman, the married duo behind NoBaked Cookie Dough. Most of us can probably relate to sitting at work wishing we could just walk out the door and chase our dreams. Megan actually did it. She may have thought the music industry would be a good fit for her when she started her career, but once she felt the calling to branch out on her own, she was gone, and no one was going to tell her otherwise. It’s that kind of entrepreneurial fire that has driven Megan and Jimmy to lead an ever-expanding business. One that has led them from scoop-shops to pop-ups to e-commerce and everything in between.

Listen in as we cover everything from why being able to eliminate fear is an important part of entrepreneurship, why a hit on your credit score shouldn’t deter you from making business decisions, and why you should let procrastination be your guide.

Trey Lockerbie - Better Booch Sep 14, 2021

Today’s guest is Trey Lockerbie, co-founder of the kombucha brand Better Booch. Trey’s first experience with kombucha was an unpleasant one on many levels. His sister was going through treatment for breast cancer and trying everything under the sun, including kombucha. Trey tried it and hated it, but couldn’t quite shake the thought from his mind that it could be better. After a few years and a whole lot of tinkering with recipes, Trey and his wife Ashleigh took their Booch to a local Farmer’s Market where it was an instant hit. But just because they had a better product doesn’t mean that the journey to becoming a nationally distributed brand was all sunshine and rainbows.

Listen in as we cover everything from why they never set out to conquer the world with their brand, why the kombucha market is nowhere near its full potential, and how being an investor in other people’s companies makes you a better owner of your own company.

Harry Kargman - Kargo Sep 07, 2021

Today’s guest is Harry Kargman, founder of the mobile advertising company Kargo. What started as a mobile platform to sell ringtones quickly shifted to advertising once the ringtone market was gutted. To say you’ve been in the industry since ringtone sales were popular is a flex that not many mobile advertisers can make. Harry has grown Kargo in tandem with the rise in popularity of the mobile phone and has been quick to maneuver his company as trends come and go. His decades of experience have made him an expert in mobile advertising, and our conversation today is full of insight that is sure to make you re-think how you interact with your phone.

Listen in as we cover everything from why most see data as the Holy Grail (and why they’re wrong), how the GoDaddy Super Bowl commercials are proof that marketing works, and what the infamous Fyre Festival got right.

Ryan Goldman & Jonathan Friedman - Volo Beauty Aug 31, 2021

Today’s guests are Ryan Goldman and Jonathan Friedman, co-founders of Volo, the beauty company that has reimagined the humble hairdryer. If you haven’t given much thought to hairdryers lately, that’s ok, because Ryan and Jonathan have spent the better part of the past decade doing exactly that. They saw the inefficiencies of the existing hair dryers on the market with their thousands of watts going in every direction and the reliance on a power cord, and they vowed to change that. But inventing a better mousetrap takes time and money, so in order for the fledgling company to stay solvent, they tackled a smaller problem first and invented a new fabric which they turned into a hair towel. The success of their hair towel was enough to buoy Volo until this year when they were finally able to release their flagship product: the world’s first cordless hairdryer.

Listen in as we cover everything from why you can’t actually patent a cordless hairdryer, how their idea was nearly ripped off by a Chinese manufacturer, and why you need to quit your current job if you want to start a new company.

Docuseries/TV Show Concept Aug 24, 2021

Ever since we began this podcast in 2019, we’ve been focused on uncovering the truth behind entrepreneurship. Through many conversations with founders, self-starters, and people who think outside the box, we’ve heard about the ups-and-downs of branching out on your own and building something new. Those conversations have always been focused on the guest sitting across the table from us, but in a way, we’ve been on our own entrepreneurial journey as well. We’ve grown our podcast from a kitchen table to a full recording studio, added some fantastic additions to our team, and have risen to be in the top 2% of all podcasts worldwide. Always with an eye on the future, we’ve been brainstorming ways in which we can keep expanding and growing. One idea we couldn’t shake out of our heads was the concept for a new podcast tracing the route that your coffee travels from seed to cup. I assure you, it’s a very complex global industry that involves much more than meets the eye. So much more, in fact, that we started thinking along bigger lines. We thought a subject as fascinating as this would benefit from a multi-tiered approach, one with a docu-series serving up all the beautiful imagery and emotional journeys of the coffee farmers in remote jungles all over the world accompanied by a podcast that offers a deeper dive into each episode. This episode is dedicated to showing you a glimpse of that creative process, as we hash out this concept in more detail. It also provides a real-time look into our own entrepreneurial journey.

Jun Lee - Nabis Aug 17, 2021

Today’s guest is Jun Lee, co-founder of the cannabis wholesale distribution company Nabis. To anyone even remotely paying attention, it’s clear that the public perception of cannabis is rapidly changing. To date, cannabis is legal for recreational use in 18 states, plus D.C., while another 13 states have decriminalized its use. The winds of change are blowing, and they’re headed towards legalization on a national level. The only question is how long it will be until we get there. For many though, the race towards market domination began long ago. Jun saw a budding industry with loads of untapped potential back in 2017 when he founded Nabis. In just four short years he’s taken the company from a single van making once-a-week shipping runs to serving over 100 cannabis brands and almost 100% of California’s licensed weed retailers.

Listen in as we cover everything from why he had to initially hide his career choice from his parents, why big shipping companies like FedEx haven’t gotten into cannabis distribution, and why there’s no brand loyalty in the cannabis market.

Sashee Chandran - Tea Drops Aug 10, 2021

Today’s guest is Sashee Chandran, founder of Tea Drops. She found a way to eliminate the tea bag by pressing tea into fun little shapes. Just drop them in hot water, et violà! You’ve got tea. What’s most impressive about Sashee’s story is not that she found a way to eliminate the tea bag, but that she shows how to build a successful company through incremental progress and learning from mistakes along the way. There was no “aha!” moment, just a series of steps that eventually led to her running a national brand and raising millions of dollars in VC funding.

Listen in as we cover everything from why she initially wanted to sell customizable made-to-order cookies, tips for digital marketing both in the present and future, and how Chrissy Tiegen became her company’s biggest fan.

Sarah Lee & Christine Chang - Glow Recipe Aug 03, 2021

Today’s guests are Sarah Lee and Christine Chang, co-founders of the K-beauty-inspired Glow Recipe. In this age of globalization and cross-cultural influence, it certainly seems like South Korea is having its moment in the sun. Between K-Pop, Korean BBQ, and K-beauty, South Korean culture is really taking the world by storm. Christine and Sarah met while they were working for L’Oréal in Korea, but it wasn’t until they had moved to New York City that they saw the potential in being a distributor for K-beauty products in the states. It wasn’t long before the American consumer was snatching up everything they offered, and ever the savvy entrepreneurs, they capitalized on this success to dive into manufacturing their own products as well.

Listen in as we cover everything from how there’s no one-size-fits-all skin type and therefore no one-size-fits-all skincare, why the beauty industry needs to stop using unrealistic terms like pore-less and flawless, and we take a deep dive into their Shark Tank experience; how they struck a deal with Robert and why they ended up walking away from that deal after the episode aired.

Sarah Sommers - IFundWomen Jul 27, 2021

Today’s guest is Sarah Sommers, a co-founder of the crowd-funding and entrepreneurial resource center IFundWomen. There are a lot of places you can go online in order to crowd-fund your next venture, but IFundWomen doesn’t just give female entrepreneurs access to capital, they also provide coaching and help foster connections that are vital for any new enterprise to thrive and grow. In the world of startups there exists a gender disparity in access to funds and mentors. Bridging this gap is the main driving force behind IFundWomen.

Listen in as we cover everything from why pitches should be concise, efficient, personal, and data-driven; why she hopes to see more pregnant women building businesses; and how she ended up on the streets of New York City pitching her company to confused tourists outside of the Broadway musical Hamilton.

Diana Nyad Jul 20, 2021

Today’s guest is the one and only Diana Nyad. The author, motivational speaker, and long-distance swimmer has swum around the island of Manhattan, from the Bahamas to Florida, and most famously from Cuba to Key West. She is the first person to have ever done that swim without the assistance of a shark cage. She defied intense currents, venomous jellyfish, and even her own age in order to complete the 111-mile open water swim. Even though Diana is the epitome of the phrase “you can accomplish anything you set your mind to”, she’ll be the first to tell you that it doesn’t always come easily. It often requires heartbreaking failure time and time again before you finally achieve victory. She is very candid about the struggles of running her EverWalk foundation, but if her past is any indication of her future, the smart money is always on Diana.

Listen in as we cover everything from drawing her inspiration from those who are alive and engaged with the world around them, how she lost her direction in life during her career as a sportscaster, and she even shows off her skills on a bugle.

Cass & Andrew Walker - Little West Jul 13, 2021

Today’s guests are Cass and Andrew Walker, husband and wife duo, and co-founders of cold-pressed juice company Little West. Their journey began with their wedding—or more accurately—using the money they would’ve spent on their wedding to start Little West. They got some space in a yoga studio and threw themselves into making juice. They’ll be the first to tell you that they knew absolutely nothing about running a commercial juice business, but Cass and Andrew dedicated everything they had to learn and master their craft. Their story is one of perseverance and grit which has paid off in numerous ways, not least of which is selling their company to PlantX.

Listen in as we cover everything from the lessons learned in taking bad loans to float their business, drinking coffee in the morning, juice at noon, and wine at night, and why the number one rule of running a business is to invest in marketing.

Muralist & Artist - James Peter Henry Jul 06, 2021

Today’s guest is James Peter Henry, the artist best known for painting the mural in our very own studio! Ok, maybe that’s not his most famous piece of work, but it’s certainly up there in our books. James grew up on a farm in rural Australia, about five hours outside of Melbourne. As he explored the property as a kid, he discovered a set of caves that were adorned with Aboriginal paintings and drawings. These fascinated him and would go on to influence his work all throughout his life. The Aboriginal artists were painting on the walls of the cave in order to pass down stories. Each of James’ pieces today reflects this notion of art as a vessel for storytelling, but instead of being featured on the walls of caves, they’ve been projected onto the sails of the Sydney Opera House.

Listen in as we cover everything from why he almost talked himself out of his career, why he considers his paintings to be similar to real estate, and how his darkest moment came when he accidentally spilled five gallons of black paint on himself.

Comedian/Actress/Writer- Hannah Pilkes Jun 29, 2021

Today’s guest is Hannah Pilkes, the comedienne, actress, and writer. Hannah got her start in the Kevin Bacon drama The Woodsman. If you’re familiar with that movie you’ll know it’s about as far from comedy as a movie can get. But acting in the movie was enough to reinforce Hannah’s love for performing, and though it took a while, she did eventually find her own voice and a following on Vine. Thankfully, Hannah’s career has lasted much longer than the platform that launched her. She continues to reach a wide audience today through her stand-up performances, comedy skits on social media, and is even writing and developing a tv show.

Listen in as we cover everything from why she doesn’t consider what she writes to be jokes, how she’s managed to continuously promote her activism alongside her comedy, and why she thinks 80% of standup in the midwest should probably cease to exist.

Modamily- Ivan Fatovic Jun 15, 2021

Today’s guest is Ivan Fatovic, founder of Modamily. Modamily is a mashup of the words “modern family”, and Ivan is working to redefine what that means in modern culture. This country as well as many around the world have long held up the ideals of the nuclear family as something to strive for. The problem with that is for many, that ideal ranges anywhere from undesirable to unachievable. And for those of us who want to have children outside of the “boy meets girl, they fall in love, they have kids” framework, the path was often complicated and almost never easy. Modamily is a service that allows people to meet like-minded individuals and have kids without necessarily developing a romantic connection. And while it probably won’t be the end of Western Civilization as we know it, it is undeniably groundbreaking.

Listen in as we cover everything from how Ivan defines the modern family, why he considers Modamily a hybrid between dating apps and the fertility industry, and why choosing who you have kids with is the most important decision you’ll make in your life.

Chemist Confessions - New Book Launch! Jun 08, 2021

Returning to the show today are Victoria Fu and Gloria Lu, co-founders of Chemist Confessions and authors of the new book Skincare Decoded: The Practical Guide to Beautiful Skin. When we last spoke with Victoria and Gloria, they were busy running an online skincare platform and developing new skincare products. Somehow in the middle of all that, they managed to squeeze in writing a book as well. If you ask them, they initially thought it wouldn’t be much more than repackaging everything they’d already written on their blog. They couldn’t have been more wrong. But the same effort and care that they’ve put into their blog went into their book, and as a result, sales are spiking.

Listen in as we cover everything from having to navigate the launch of the book on their own, why Gloria’s excitement about finding her book at her local bookstore was not shared by the cashier, and what humans have in common with guinea pigs when it comes to skincare.

Genius Juice - Alex Bayer Jun 01, 2021

Today’s guest is Alex Bayer, founder of Genius Juice. Alex hasn’t always been an entrepreneur, but he has picked up several valuable skills along the way that have given him a leg up when he did decide to start out on his own. He honed his sales technique while selling Afflack insurance, and he learned all about marketing and distribution during his time at a non-profit. So the preparation was all there when he had his Eureka moment when a friend made him his first whole coconut smoothie. He seized the opportunity and turned a simple healthy smoothie into a nationwide brand.

Listen in as we cover everything from the difficulties of having to kick out a partner who is also a friend, the importance of recognizing your own limitations and hiring people who complement your strengths, and why the fourth time was the charm when it came to getting on Shark Tank.

Farm Cup Coffee - New Storefront Announced! May 24, 2021

Today’s guests are Emerson Haro and Tony Yuan, co-founders of Farm Cup Coffee and co-inhabiters with us in our new space at 7748 Santa Monica Blvd in West Hollywood, CA. Farm Cup and their one-of-a-kind coffee truck Sunny take up the front half, while we record in the space right behind them. So needless to say we all know each other pretty well. In the two years that we’ve been doing this show, no one embodies the spirit of Startup to Storefront more than these guys. Aside from literally going from startup to an actual storefront, they pour their heart and soul into their business and it shows.

Our first conversation with them was episode 17, and we’re thrilled that we could catch up with them again and talk about just how far they’ve come since then. Listen in as we cover everything from how Emerson’s initial drawings for Sunny were completely impractical, how they fought through low customer turnout last year, and they recount the most disastrous pitch meeting imaginable.

Fōnuts - Nancy Truman and Thom Furtado May 18, 2021

Today is our 100th episode! It’s also the first time we’ve hosted a guest in our brand new podcast studio. We can’t think of a sweeter way to celebrate this milestone than with some doughnuts. So with that being said, today’s guests are Thom Furtado and Nancy Truman, the couple behind the LA sensation Fōnuts. Those that know Los Angeles know that LA is a doughnut-loving city. There are many, many places that satisfy your sweet tooth, but a few rise above the rest. Fōnuts has made a name for itself not only in the quality and taste of their doughnut, but by making all of their creations gluten-free as well. They’ve come to our brand new studio today to tell us all about how they became the creators of the enlightened doughnut.

Listen in as we cover everything from their plans to become a national brand through franchising, why Nancy doesn’t like to lead with gluten-free when asked “what’s a fōnut?”, and why the biggest struggle in running their business has always been hiring quality employees.

New Studio Announced! May 11, 2021

Today’s guests are Diego and Nick! We’re in the process of opening up our brand new podcast studio, and so today we decided to break it in by recording our first episode in it. We’ll be back next week with our normal content, but this week we decided to reminisce on how far we’ve come and where we plan on taking the podcast. We also offer up a lot of insights and tips we’ve learned along the way, from our routine when we sit down with guests to our thoughts on how we should celebrate our upcoming 100th episode. This is just the start of the next chapter in the Startup to Storefront story, and we’re thrilled that we can share it with you all.

Sky Ting Yoga - Krissy Jones & Chloe Kernaghan May 04, 2021

Today’s guests are Krissy Jones and Chloe Kernaghan, co-founders of Sky Ting Yoga. Krissy and Chloe began with a single brick-and-mortar studio in New York City, but their following quickly outgrew their studio’s capacity. So naturally, they expanded into more locations. But just as it’s difficult to keep expanding into new studios, it’s also tough to find great teachers to staff them. To be fair, this is a great problem to have. The only real solution was to leverage their instruction style and name into an online platform. And in a moment of unpredictably brilliant timing, they launched this platform a few months before COVID hit and everything switched to an online platform.

Listen in as we cover everything from how taking a hit in video quality during the pandemic actually taught them how to create more engaging videos, how they plan to compete with industry titans like Peloton, and how switching from an analog studio to a digital space wasn’t exactly as straightforward as they’d hoped.

Ellenos - Alex Apostolopoulos Apr 27, 2021

Today’s guest is Alex Apostolopoulos, founder of the greek yogurt company Ellenos. Ellenos has gained quite the following in Seattle, drawing crowds through word-of-mouth advertising to their stand at the iconic Pike Place Market. But they wouldn’t have even gotten to Seattle if it weren’t for Yvonne Klein, a flight attendant who loved the yogurt so much that she would bring back cases of it whenever she flew to Australia. Eventually, she and her husband reached out to Alex and his father about bringing their product to the US. The four became business partners and set out to win consumers over one taste at a time.

Listen in as we cover everything from the challenges of finding a dairy farmer in the US who would work with them if we’ll see yogurt breweries pop up in the next few years, and why some of the simplest flavors are the most challenging to make.

Bro Dough - Erica Rankin Apr 20, 2021

Today we talk with Erica Rankin, founder of the edible cookie dough company Bro Dough. It’s a guilty pleasure we’ve all indulged in at least once or twice. The problem has always been that those raw eggs that make it dangerous for consumption prior to being baked to golden perfection. Bro Dough isn’t your grandparent’s cookie dough though. It’s vegan, safe for consumption, and packs an extra dose of protein. In fact, though you can indeed bake it, this is a cookie dough that is meant to be eaten raw.

Listen in as we cover everything from the benefits of being open and honest on LinkedIn, why she often takes the path of most resistance, and how her dad wasn’t quite convinced there was a market for cookie dough until he saw the sales come rolling in.

The Comfy - Brian and Michael Speciale Apr 13, 2021

Today’s guests are the Comfy brothers, Brian and Michael Speciale. As you may have guessed from their nickname, they co-founded The Comfy, and they are indeed brothers. The two of them took their idea for a wearable blanket and straight-up sprinted with it. They knew that they were sitting on such a hot ticket item that before they did just about anything else with their company, they were appearing on Shark Tank. They left the tank with a deal in hand and set to work on actually manufacturing the product. It took some time to get their supply chain and distribution figured out, but once they did, the brothers turned The Comfy into one of the most successful companies to ever come out of Shark Tank. What follows is a captivating and energetic conversation about the grit and determination that led them to where they are today.

Listen in as we cover everything from why getting their product into retail stores was the best decision they ever made, how Brian spent the early days of his company flipping people from angry customers to supporters of the brand, and why it’s imperative to own up to both the mistakes and successes of your business.

Partake Foods - Denise Woodard Apr 06, 2021

Today’s guest is Denise Woodard, founder of Partake Foods. When her daughter was diagnosed with severe food allergies, Denise struggled with finding snacks she could safely feed her. So she set out to create some herself. But it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. Her initial attempts were met with responses of “this is awful” from her daughter. And this is where it’s important to note that Denise was able to bypass so many hurdles that plague entrepreneurs as they grow. Denise recognized her own limitations and instead of laboring for a lengthy amount of time perfecting a recipe, she hired a food scientist. By delegating this task she freed herself up to focus on getting Partake off the ground and running. Partake is now a nationwide brand with venture capital funding from big names like Rihanna and Jay-Z.

Listen in as we cover everything from how tough it was to get allergic customers to build up enough trust in the brand before they’d even try it, why frozen is the new fresh, and why at times she feels like she’s flying the plane as she’s building it.

Solento Tequila - Taylor Steele Mar 30, 2021

Today’s guest is Taylor Steele, founder of the tequila company: Solento. If you’ve been listening to the show for a while, you might have picked up on a common theme: career paths are almost never linear. Taylor’s career path is even more proof of this, as he has gone from indie surfing-filmmaker to creative director of Corona beer in Australia to the head of a premier tequila company. For some, it’s enough to find their passion and make money at it. For others, passions can change over time, and you need to look no further than Taylor’s story to see that if you don’t like the wave you’re currently riding, hop-off and catch another one. With Solento, Taylor is able to bring all of his collective experience and creative energy and pour it into his company. And if the past is any indication of the future, we’ll be seeing a lot more from Taylor in years to come.

Listen in as we cover everything from how he distributed his first film by selling one copy at a time to local surf shops, why he felt like a life coach to some of the world-class surfers he was filming, and if he sees Solento as becoming the tequila of choice for extreme sports.

Project Sunscreen - Rachel Henderson Mar 23, 2021

Today we talk with Rachel Henderson, founder of Project Sunscreen. The goal behind Project Sunscreen is simple: get more people to wear sunscreen. It’s not that putting on sunscreen is an inherently strenuous activity that keeps people up at night with anxiety. But there are friction points. Rachel broke these points down and addressed them by designing a product with a roll-on application and without any harmful or irritating chemicals. Our conversation today covers how to prepare yourself for a lot of “no’s” while fundraising, advice on how to get your product into big box stores, and the difficulties of growing while cash-strapped.

CVT Soft Serve - Joe Nicchi Mar 16, 2021

Today’s guest is Joe Nicchi, founder of CVT Soft Serve. Like a lot of east-coasters who move out West, Joe found himself in Los Angeles searching for comfort food to remind him of where he came from. The problem was that Joe’s comfort food was soft-serve ice cream, and LA really didn’t offer that particular food group. Sure, there were ice cream parlors and frozen yogurt shops, but none of those really hit the spot for Joe. So he did what any self-enterprising person would do: he created his own soft-serve company. Well, first he had to find an old Mr. Softee ice cream truck, fix it up, ship it to LA, get all the permits, yadda yadda yadda… But we’ll cover all that later in the episode. Joe’s story is a perfect example of how a great product paired with an electric personality can catapult a company to uncharted heights.

Listen in as we cover everything from why the customer is NOT always right, the trials and errors of finding the best spots to park your ice cream truck, and why there should be ice cream served in every gym.

Neyborly - Ben Seidl Mar 09, 2021

Today’s guest is Ben Seidl, founder of Neyborly. In much the same way as WeWork or AirBnB reimagined how we work and vacation, Neyborly is reimagining how we interact within our community. Odds are high that there are a couple of vacant commercial real estate properties in your town. Some might see vacant properties as nothing more than urban blight, but Ben sees opportunity. Instead of sitting empty while waiting for the next long-term tenant, Neyborly partners with the landlords to rent these spaces out for everything from one-time meetings, limited-time restaurant pop-ups, to multi-year leases for retail stores.

Listen in as we cover everything from how he shifted his mentality to succeed in a hopefully-soon-to-be post-covid world, the magic of turning vacant buildings into community hubs, and his bullish views on A.I. and how it will bring new significance to the humble parking lot.

Mandala Tequila - Humberto and Craig Mar 02, 2021

Today’s guests are Humberto Ibarra and Craig Cartozian, co-founders of Mandala Tequila. If it feels like tequila is in a golden age right now, you’re not imagining things. Between the plethora of tequila varieties, celebrity-owned companies, and competition from its cousin mezcal, walking down the tequila aisle of a liquor store is sure to present you with any number of options. So if you’re a tequila company, how do you stand out? First, you need a good product. That should go without saying. Then, you need an eye-catching vessel. If you’re at a store that sells Mandala, it’s unlikely that you’ll miss them. They’ve got the most ornate ceramic bottles you’ve ever seen, decorated by hand and featuring designs that celebrate Mexican folklore and culture. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that what’s inside the bottle is also just as memorable. Mandala’s journey hasn’t all been sun-kissed though, as they very nearly failed to find a foothold in the crowded tequila market.

Listen in as we cover everything from how they created their own niche by going against conventional wisdom in releasing their extra añejo first, the initial challenges of convincing restaurants to stock their product, and why there’s no shortcut to success in the tequila market…unless you happen to be The Rock.

Aymara Peruvian (Ghost) Kitchen - Launch Pad Series Feb 23, 2021

Today we talk with Ralph and Caroline Walde, co-founders and the husband and wife chef duo behind Aymara Peruvian kitchen. The restaurant industry is constantly evolving, and trends can seemingly pop-up and disappear overnight. But one industry trend that is looking like it has some staying power is the ghost kitchen. Brick and mortar restaurants begat more cost-efficient food trucks, which have in turn led to even more cost-efficient ghost kitchens.

Listen in as we cover how the coronavirus pandemic steered Ralph and Caroline into opening Aymara, the economics of taking orders through delivery apps, and how to progress from a cook to a chef.

Boy Smells - Matthew Herman Feb 09, 2021

Today’s guest is Matthew Herman, co-founder of Boy Smells. What started off as a hobby turned into a side-hustle turned into a thriving business that even caught the attention of country music superstar Kacey Musgraves. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. It began as a candle-making experiment in Matthew’s kitchen, trying to buck the gender norms of how candles have been traditionally made and marketed. Matthew and his co-founder David combined both masculine and feminine scents into products like Cinderose, Polyamberous, and Rhubarb Smoke. They then took that philosophy and applied it to underwear. Creating a line with the option of either a pouch front or flat front and leaving it up to the consumer to choose the best fit for them.

Listen in as we cover everything from how their sense of humor inspired the company name, how Boy Smells is truly an extension of Matthew’s personality, and we find out who made the first move in the collaboration between Boy Smells and Kacey Musgraves.

Sunwink - Eliza Ganesh Feb 09, 2021

Today’s guest is Eliza Ganesh, founder of Sunwink. As is often the case in the health and wellness space, the founding of Sunwink came about as a result of a personal issue. Eliza was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease and sought a better way to fight the disease and lead a healthier life. She had to experiment a bit and incorporate feedback from her early customers, but she persevered and eventually found a recipe that succeeded. So then, armed with little more than some bottles of Sunwink and her Honda Fit, she made her mark in the Bay Area before growing Sunwink into a nationwide brand.

Listen in as we cover everything from working in San Francisco through the pandemic and if she intends to keep the Sunwink HQ there long term, the value of knowing your worth as a female entrepreneur, and how learning new TikTok dances fits into her own corporate wellness plan.

Gail Levy - HFactor Hydrogen Water Feb 02, 2021

Today’s guest is Gail Levy, founder of HFactor hydrogen water. Gail is a self-described “serial entrepreneur”, but of all the companies she’s founded, this one is the most personal. Gail watched as her friend went through painful chemotherapy treatments. Nothing was helping her recover from the radiation, and they tried just about everything available. Tragically, Gail’s friend lost her battle with cancer, but Gail’s fight was just beginning. She was fixated on finding something that would help other cancer patients through their treatment, and it wasn’t long before she stumbled upon the benefits of adding extra hydrogen to water. But the science was still in its infancy and to get where H-Factor is today required a lot of grit in navigating uncharted waters.

Listen in as we cover everything from how Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr inadvertently helped to advertise HFactor, how she manufactured early samples using a cement mixer and some beer kegs, and Gail reveals to us her startup superpower.

MUD\WTR - Shane Heath Jan 26, 2021

Today’s guest is Shane Heath, founder of MUD\WTR, a coffee alternative that boasts all the aspects that make coffee great, without leaving you waiting for the crash. Shane developed MUD\WTR first and foremost for himself. His coffee cycle went something like this: drink coffee, get a boost of energy, crash, repeat. He was fed up. So he started experimenting in his kitchen. After some trial and error, he landed on the recipe that’s still sold today. He didn’t set out to make a business, he was only trying to solve a problem in his daily ritual. But as you’ll hear, the signs that he was onto something big became clearer and clearer until he could ignore them no more.

Listen in as we cover everything from the trip to India that helped him shake his coffee habit, why entrepreneurs should chase a feeling of intention and purpose, and why it’s so hard to quit drinking coffee.

Brevitē - Brandon, Dylan, and Elliot Kim Jan 19, 2021

Today’s guests are Brandon, Dylan, and Elliot Kim, co-founders of Brevitē. Brevitē is a backpack company that started out when Dylan needed a camera backpack he could use while traveling. Brandon figured “why buy one when I can make one?” He grabbed a sewing machine and some raw materials and the first Brevitē backpack was born. For some, it may have stopped there. But the three brothers saw the opportunity and combined their design, marketing, and finance skills into a multi-million dollar company.

Listen in as we cover everything from the challenges of learning to sew, why they’re shifting focus from an outdoor to an urban brand, and we see if they’ll answer us when we ask “who’s your favorite sibling?”

Daniel Inskeep - YouTuber with +1M subscribers Jan 12, 2021

Welcome to season 3! Today’s guest is Daniel Inskeep, a YouTuber and self-described “anti-guru” who together with his wife Rachel have built their Mango Street YouTube channel to an audience of over a million subscribers. There they focused on creating concise and informative photography and filmmaking tutorials, but they both have recently created personal channels that focus on their other interests like investing, passive income, and fitness. So listen in as we cover everything from selling knock-off designer jeans on eBay to turn a quick buck in high school, why failing throughout his entire 20’s set him up for success, and Daniel’s continuing quest to get some of that sweet, sweet internet money.

Pop Up Grocer - Launch Pad Series Dec 22, 2020

Today we talk with Emily Schildt, founder of Pop Up Grocer. The name says it all. It’s the here-today, gone-tomorrow grocery store with the most perfectly curated selection of small-batch, locally-sourced items. Today we talk with Emily about her plans in a post-Covid world, why she considers Pop Up Grocer to be a media company, and we find out her most important criteria for selecting a brand to feature in her stores.

One more little announcement before we get into the episode. This is our final episode of the year, and I’d like to take a moment and thank you all for continuing to support this podcast. Whether it’s in leaving a review on iTunes, subscribing to our YouTube channel, or sharing these episodes with your friends, your support means the world to us. We are not alone in saying that this year has presented unpredictable challenges and hardships. But it has also given just as many reasons to hope, to be inspired, and to recognize the resilience around us. Season 3 of the podcast will begin on January 12th, and we’ve already got a few episodes lined up that we can’t wait to share with you. So until then, happy holidays, and here’s to a happy and prosperous new year.

Dr. Martin Bazant, MIT Professor & Covid-19 Researcher Dec 14, 2020

Today’s guest is Dr. Martin Bazant, professor of chemical engineering at MIT and who has recently made headlines for his app which helps calculate safe exposure times and occupancy levels for indoor spaces as it relates to the airborne transmission of COVID-19. Dr. Bazant has researched transport phenomena and fluid dynamics, as well as the physics of viral spread, so he was uniquely suited to lend his expertise in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus when it became a global threat earlier this year.

His research offers a clearer look into the airborne spread of the virus and asks that we start thinking more critically about our previous notions of defense against it.

Stratia Skin - Alli Reed Dec 08, 2020

Today’s guest is Alli Reed, founder of the skincare company Stratia Skin. You just heard one of the problems that Alli had with trying to buy skincare products from other companies. Her reading of the label to figure out what ingredients were in the product is not an anomaly. She obsessively pored through dermatology journals trying to figure out exactly what the skin needs to look its best and what it doesn’t. She blogged about her findings and eventually made her own moisturizer. After many tweaks and even more feedback, this moisturizer hit the market and became the breakout item that put Stratia on the map. But to think the story stops there would be to blemish the journey and the hard-won knowledge and experience that Alli earned along the way.

Listen in as we cover everything from her hiring practices and tips, why she doesn’t find raising money to be too challenging, and how she knew Stratia was going to be more than just a part-time gig when she forced her local USPS to upgrade their mailbox.

Tusol - Launch Pad Series Dec 01, 2020

Hello and welcome to the Launchpad! This is an offshoot of the Startup to Storefront podcast where we talk to the founders of companies that are just getting started, and whose stories we find compelling.

Today we talk with Ingrid and Ilana, co-founders of Tusol. It was Ingrid’s own battle with Crohn’s disease that led her to take a deep dive into her own nutrition and develop a smoothie recipe that would act as a supplement replacement and be the cornerstone to a clean and healthy lifestyle. She was selling curated smoothies to private clientele when she met Ilana, who was working at a three Michelin star restaurant in Napa Valley. Together they grew Tusol into a brand that focuses on nutrition as a path to wellness and happiness. If you’d like to try Tusol for yourself, you’re in luck, because they’re offering our listeners $30 off of their month supply box using the code STARTUPTOSTOREFRONT. That’s enough time to start seeing real results from the smoothies.

The Almanack of Naval Ravikant - Eric Jorgenson Nov 24, 2020

Today’s guest is Eric Jorgenson, author of the book The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: a Guide to Wealth and Happiness. Now, if you’re not in the tech world, you might be forgiven for not knowing the name Naval Ravikant. But to millions of people around the world, his teachings on business, investing, and life philosophy are the gold standard. Naval’s story is an inspiration to many, from being a first-generation immigrant to the US, founding a successful business, to becoming an early-stage investor in companies like Uber, Twitter, and Postmates. The problem was that Naval’s musings were scattered across many platforms. So Eric set out to solve that and consolidate them into one collective body of work. After jokingly floating the idea out to his Twitter followers, the response he received was overwhelming. He even got the blessing of Naval himself. And thus, without truly knowing what he was in for, Eric set about writing the book that Tim Ferris describes (in the foreword, no less) “will give you a good taste of what that cocktail of bullets looks like in Naval’s head.”

Listen in as we cover everything from how the process took Eric way longer to finish than he ever could’ve predicted, how he’s found that other people are more willing to help you if you’ve first shown that you’ve put in the work, and how his book got published with a little help from Tucker Max. Yes, that Tucker Max.

Love Good Fats - Suzie Yorke Nov 17, 2020

Today’s guest is Suzie Yorke, founder of the snack brand Love Good Fats. As the name implies, the brand is centered around bucking the notion that all fats are bad. This notion began back in the 1960’s, when the sugar industry paid scientists to fudge their studies on the correlation between sugar and heart disease. Those scientists took their money and instead pointed the finger at fat. Suzie admits falling for this charade, and she developed lots of health issues as a result. It was her own research that eventually set her down the right path, allowing for a more nutritious diet with more healthy fats and less sugar. Some might have stopped there. But Suzie—a single mom and at this point in her late 40’s—was driven to shift gears and leave behind a 10-year career as a marketing executive to start her own company. It is through her hard work and perseverance that Love Good Fats can be found in over 14,000 stores today.

Listen in as we cover everything from how she managed her family, her startup, and her training for an Ironman Triathlon all at the same time, why she thinks there are more hurdles to starting a company in Canada as opposed to the US, and why it is never too late in life to switch gears and become your own boss.

Caraway - Jordan Nathan - Launch Pad Series Nov 10, 2020

Hello and welcome to the Launchpad! This is an offshoot of the Startup to Storefront podcast where we talk to the founders of companies that are just getting started, and whose stories we find compelling. Today we talk with Jordan Nathan, founder of the cookware company Caraway. Born of an unfortunate incident where Jordan was actually poisoned by his Teflon cookware, Jordan set out to educate and inform the market while creating a high-end line of ceramic alternatives.

Hydroviv (as seen on Shark Tank) - Launch Pad Series Nov 03, 2020

Hello and welcome to the Launchpad! Over the past year of doing this podcast, we’ve grown, and so have our guests. We have always strived to cover every aspect of the entrepreneurial journey, from the ideation to the product launch and possibly even the exit. Most of our guests have been in the game for a while, but we know that those aren’t the only stories worthy of telling. So we created this offshoot of the podcast to cover the companies that are just starting out.

Today we talk with Eric Roy, founder of Hydroviv. They create water filters, but this isn’t like the Brita that you might have in your fridge. These are water filters that are specific to your city’s water data. It might not be something you’ve ever considered, but the age of your home and city’s infrastructure, the natural geology of the region, and your proximity to industrial sites, farms, and military bases all affect the quality of the water that comes out of your faucet. So without further ado, I present to you our conversation with Eric Roy.

Mayor of West Hollywood - Lindsey Horvath Oct 27, 2020

Today’s guest is Mayor Lindsey Horvath of West Hollywood California. In this election cycle, national political campaigns have taken over the entire news cycle. In the midst of this political fervor, it’s easy to gloss over the local elections that are in many ways just as important as the national elections. Though you may not reside in West Hollywood, the lessons and experience that Mayor Horvath brings to the discussion today resonate far beyond WeHo. Your own town council and mayor’s office probably operate in a very similar fashion. This is not the type of position that comes with national acclaim, a nice salary, and a full-time residence. These positions are filled with community organizers and political activists that can help make your community thrive. It’s time we got to know them.

Listen in as we cover everything from why she has a full-time job in addition to being Mayor, what it’s been like to run a city largely via remote digital platforms, and how the city plans to make voting this election day as easy and as safe as possible.

Netflix's Sneakerheads - Allen Maldonado Oct 20, 2020

Today’s guest is Allen Maldonado, star of the new Netflix show Sneakerheads. But to say he’s an actor is only telling a small part of his story. He’s also the founder of an app and film festival aimed at connecting short films with consumers, he’s the co-founder of a music label that provides music for movies and television shows, and he’s the founder of a running coalition that promotes a healthy lifestyle and positive self-image. Fittingly, his website and instagram are named MaldonadoIsEverywhere. It’s safe to say that when he’s passionate about something, he spearheads a movement larger than just himself. But if you ask him, he’s just happy people are finally pronouncing his name correctly.

Listen in as we cover everything from why there needs to be an Indiana Jones equivalent for minorities, how a trip to Spain changed his outlook on life, and why shoe collections really aren’t all that different from fine art galleries.

Moment - Tim Kendall (as seen on Netflix 'The Social Dilemma') Oct 13, 2020

Today’s guest is Tim Kendall, former director of monetization at Facebook, former president of Pinterest, and the current CEO of Moment, an app designed to help you develop a healthier relationship with your phone and the amount of time you spend on it. And in case you’re wondering, he’s all too aware of the irony. It’s this kind of resume that also made Tim stand out to the producers of the much talked about documentary ‘The Social Dilemma’, where he lends his industry insight into how tech companies are manipulating and controlling us through social media platforms. If you’ve thought as much without having seen the documentary, the problem is probably worse than you’d imagine.

Listen in as we cover everything from the downside of trying to optimize your work/life balance, why Tim predicts that the inevitable end of social media will leave us at war with one another, and perhaps most importantly, how to gain back control over your phone.

Beam - Matt Lombardi & Kevin Moran Oct 07, 2020

Today’s guests are Matt Lombardi and Kevin Moran, co-founders of Beam, a line of THC-free CBD products. Beam was born from the aches and pains of athletic competition. You see, both Matt and Kevin were professional athletes, and though there many rewarding aspects to that achievement, it is not without its drawbacks; namely the physical toll it takes on one’s body. When the two of them concluded their professional careers, the CBD market was still in its infancy. But Matt and Kevin were quick to see the potential for CBD in both overall wellness and market growth potential. Looking back on their decision to start a CBD company, it seems like a no brainer. But as you’ll learn in this conversation, it has been far from easy.

Listen in as we cover everything from busting all the myths and misconceptions about CBD, the trouble with opening a bank account for their business, and why they decided to shun the THC market.

Art of Sport - Matthias Metternich Sep 30, 2020

Today’s guest is Matthias Metternich, co-founder of the skincare brand Art of Sport. This isn’t Matthias’ first rodeo. He’s been creating companies since his teenage years, and with that comes the kind of insight and knowledge that you can’t put a price on. Art of Sport came about as a collaboration between himself and Honest Company co-founder Brian Lee, and they set about to approach skincare from an athlete’s point of view. As they were developing their prototypes, they realized that as a brand geared towards athletes, it made sense to bring an athlete into the founder’s circle. So what do you do if it’s 2017 and you’re looking to bring a world-class athlete onto the team? You pitch Kobe Bryant your idea. Naturally. Fast forward to today and they’ve partnered with other athletic icons like James Harden and Juju Smith-Schuster, as well as securing an additional $6 million in VC funding just last week.

Listen in as we cover everything from how he went from creating video games as a child living in Mongolia to creating international brands, what it was like to work with Kobe on the development of this brand, and we learn that advertising on a billboard in Times Square is temporary, but a photo of that advertisement in Times Square will last forever on your Instagram.

Lumen - Launch Pad Series Sep 23, 2020

Hello and welcome to the Launchpad! Over the past year of doing this podcast, we’ve grown, and so have our guests. We have always strived to cover every aspect of the entrepreneurial journey, from the ideation to the product launch and possibly even the exit. Most of our guests have been in the game for a while, but we know that those aren’t the only stories worthy of telling. Therefore, we created this offshoot of the podcast to cover the companies that are just starting out. The flow of the conversation will sound familiar to those of you who are frequent listeners, but the topics will trend more towards pitching investors, crowd-funding, product manufacturing, basically anything that budding entrepreneurs are dealing with.

Without further ado, we present to you Yashir and Kris from Lumen, a hemp juice company that provides the ultimate immune boost. They’ve created a nutrient-dense drink that reduces stress and inflammation. Since they began their journey in the hemp juice industry, they’ve created a product that is loved by over 17,000 customers. We’re excited to have them for our first episode of our new series! Now that you’ve listened, what did you think? We’d love to hear from you!

Mother Raw - Kristi Knowles Sep 16, 2020

Today’s guest is Kristi Knowles, CEO of the plant-based product line, Mother Raw. Kristi initially joined the company in an advisory role. The founder, Michelle Kopman, had already shaped what was then known as Michelle’s RawFoodz into a successful company with VC-backers. Kristi’s role was to help better define the company’s business strategy and take their products to the next level of appeal and availability. Then, tragedy struck. Michelle passed away at the too-young age of 45, leaving Kristi tasked with carrying out her vision. It is a task Kristi has taken to heart, as she strives to guide the company with the same care and passion as Michelle would have done.

Listen in as we cover everything from why it’s been easier to raise money since the COVID-shutdown, the meaning behind giving her employees a “thank-you pay”, and why the dressing aisle at grocery stores was in need of disruption.

HVNM - Geoffrey Woo Sep 09, 2020

Today’s guest is Geoffrey Woo, co-founder of Health Via Modern Nutrition, or HVMN for short. And what you just heard is uncomfortable, but true. America’s obesity epidemic may be even worse than we thought, with the CDC releasing data earlier this year that showed the country’s obesity rate reaching 42.4% in 2017 and 2018. There are a lot of causes for this statistic, and so solving it will not be one simple solution. It will require addressing income inequality, education gaps, access to health care, fitness, and healthy eating. This conversation nicely dovetails with last week’s episode with Sergey Young. Both Sergey and Geoffrey are aligned in the quest for a healthier and longer-living population. The good news is that no matter who you are, there are steps you can take today in order to increase both the quality and quantity of your time here on earth. Because while systemic change is a big part of the solution, it’s empowering to know that there’s also power in your daily choices.

Listen in as we cover everything from the ins and outs of a ketogenic diet, why Geoffrey supports “enlightened capitalism”, and the science behind intermittent fasting.

Longevity Vision Fund - Sergey Young Sep 02, 2020

Today’s guest is Sergey Young, founder of Longevity Vision Fund and author of the upcoming book Growing Young: An Insider’s Guide to the Breakthroughs That Will Dramatically Extend Our Lifespan. Sergey’s mission is to make 1 billion people live to be 100 years old. And we’re not talking about achieving the century mark while immobilized in a hospital bed while having seen the last of your healthy years run their course. No, we’re talking a happy and healthy 100. The kind of centenarian that inspires the phrase “age is just a number”. Sergey is putting his energy and his money into making this a reality by investing in companies who are developing technologies that will enable humans to blow past 100 years of age like the arbitrary benchmark it is.

Listen in as we cover everything from the ways in which you can increase your lifespan right now, why he’ll never quite get over passing up an early investment opportunity in Google, and the pros and cons of sharing your data with fitness trackers.

Collywobbles Author & Negotiations Lecturer - Moshe Cohen Aug 31, 2020

Today’s guest is Moshe Cohen. He’s the founder of The Negotiating Table, Senior Lecturer at the Questrom School of Business at Boston University, and author of the book Collywobbles: How to Negotiate When Negotiating Makes you Nervous. And if you’ve been paying attention, it should be no surprise that he’s here to talk about negotiation. It’s an art form that all are familiar with yet it still evokes a sense of mystery and fear among many of us. Moshe states that this is partially due to the fear of being taken advantage of on both sides of the table. In this episode, we cover tactics you can use and new ways you can frame negotiating in your mind to quell any fear or trepidation you might have.

Listen in as we cover everything from why there’s nothing to lose in asking for things, how to gain more leverage when buying a car, why talking can stress you out, and why listening can calm you down. So with that said, tuning in to this episode is a great way to start working on your listening skills.

Remote Team Wellness - Tarin Calmeyer Aug 26, 2020

Today’s guest is Tarin Calmeyer, founder of Remote Team Wellness, a company that strives to reduce stress in the workplace. In what is truly a sign of the times, they offer their wellness and meditation classes through video conferences. While we’ve talked a lot about how companies have had to pivot to a post-Covid environment, this is the first company we’ve featured to have been born out of the lockdown. Tarin recognized that just because companies weren’t all working under one roof didn’t mean that she couldn’t offer her services to keep morale and mental wellbeing high. If anything, the prevalence of video conferences meant that she could reach a much wider audience than ever before. This is truly a prime example of finding the silver lining in a dark cloud.

Listen in as we cover everything from why Tarin strives to do everything with intention, why she teaches that movement, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence are the three tenets to wellness, and she also leads us through a meditation session that is sure to leave you centered and relaxed.

HGTV's Build Me Up Host - Orlando Soria Aug 19, 2020

Today’s guest is Orlando Soria, the designer, author, and the host of HGTV’s Build Me Up. Build Me Up is feel-good television at its finest, as the show features Orlando renovating homes for people going through major life changes. Some of the episodes also feature our very own host, Natalya Cappellini! The show stands out for Orlando’s ability to listen and add his expertise to his client’s tastes and suggestions; taking their trepidation and uncertainty about the next chapter in their lives and giving them an inspired new home that ushers them forward while still paying homage to where they’ve come from.

Listen in as we cover everything from what it was like to grow up inside of Yosemite National Park, why he hires partners and not employees, and we give him perhaps his greatest challenge of all: redesigning Nick's bedroom.

Gloria and Victoria - Chemist Confessions Aug 12, 2020

Today’s guests are Gloria Lu and Victoria Fu, co-founders of Chemist Confessions, the skincare brand that started as an attempt to break down the overly complicated and purposefully confusing world of beauty products. They were industry insiders working at L’Oréal, and they were fed up with the lack of transparency in how the Big Brands marketed to consumers. Since they’re both actually chemists (hence the name), when they tackled misconceptions and broke down the basics of healthy skincare, people listened. They were able to amass a passionate and loyal fanbase before eventually expanding into their own line of skincare products.

Listen in as we cover everything from what would happen if you only applied sunscreen to one half of your face consistently over ten years, the three most basic and essential skincare products, and—in accordance with one of their most popular hashtags—we decode that ingredient list.

Bad Birdie (as seen on Shark Tank) - Jason Richardson Aug 05, 2020

Today’s guest is Jason Richardson, founder of golf apparel company Bad Birdie. Golf can be an electrifying sport; look no further than how many people tuned in to watch Tiger Woods in his prime, or just listen to how loud the average player gets when they sink a long putt. But if you ask most people, when they think of golf, they think of stale country clubs where a bunch of old guys putz around in attire that hasn’t changed since the ’20s. As in the 1920’s. Jason wanted to change that stereotype, but as you just heard, he started the company as a way to make a couple extra bucks. Sometimes it takes an outsider’s perspective to know what you’ve got. And after that fateful meeting, he dove headfirst into growing Bad Birdie into a company that reminds people just how much fun golf can actually be.

Listen in as we cover everything from how a missed putt by Robert Herjavec allowed him to keep an extra 5% of his company, how he wants to make the sport of golf more inclusive, and find out why he doesn’t actually play that many rounds of golf.

CurlMix (as seen on Shark Tank) - Kim & Tim Jul 29, 2020

Today’s guests are Kim and Tim Lewis, co-founders of CurlMix, a brand focused on clean beauty hair products for —you guessed it—curly hair. This is the second company that they’ve started together, but they’ll be the first to tell you that their first was a failure. Still, they grew from the experience and attribute the success of CurlMix to the lessons learned from that first failed business. As you’ll learn in this episode, Kim and Tim are innovative, driven, and work exceptionally well together. We’ve had a few founders on this show before who are married, and it’s always immediately apparent why both the marriage and the company are successful. Kim and Tim perfectly complement each other’s skillsets and have such infectious energy that it’s a no-brainer why they were chosen to appear on not one, but two TV shows.

Listen in as we cover everything from how they funded their first company on Tim’s winnings from Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, how they grew CurlMix’s sales from $140k to $1M in only one year, and why it’s so important for them to be the entrepreneurial role models they never had while growing up in Chicago’s South Side.

Cocofloss - Chrystle and Cat Jul 22, 2020

Today’s guests are sisters Chrystle and Cat Cu, co-founders of the hottest thing in the floss market since…well…ever. Imagine the last time you bought floss, or for some of you, imagine that you’ve ever bought floss. You walk down the aisle in the store and you see a bunch of companies basically selling the same thing. It might have different packaging or flavor, but the product itself might as well be indistinguishable from one company to the next. And they’re all just kind of bland. And this is the part of the problem that Chrystle was running into over and over at her dental practice. Try as she may, she couldn’t get her patients to floss. Here’s the part we can all relate to, every time we go to the dentist and they ask how often you’ve been flossing, we either lie or feel some variation of “not enough”. So faced with this recurring problem, Chrystle teamed up with Cat and together they built a better proverbial mousetrap.

Listen in as we cover everything from how they piggybacked off the popularity of coconut oil to launch Cocofloss, how they set their first price point just to break even on shipping costs, and much more

Frame - Kendall & Sage Jul 15, 2020

Today’s guests are Kendall Bird and Sage Grazer, co-founders of Frame, a mental wellness network that is a one-stop-shop for therapy. On the user end, you can search around and connect with therapists, and on the back end it allows the therapists access to the tools they need to run their practice. This is therapy for modern times. The stigma around therapy has been eroding for a while now, and I truly think it’s for the better. We all need to feel heard, we all have problems, we all are fighting our own battles, and if you turn to a licensed professional to help you grow, all the more power to you.

Listen in as we cover everything from how Kendall and Sage went from running a lemonade stand as kids to launching Frame earlier this year, why something as simple as movement is such an important part of mental health, and we learn of the existence of therapist influencers.

Therabody - Dr. Jason Wersland Jul 09, 2020

Today’s guest is Dr. Jason Wersland, founder of Therabody. The journey in creating Therabody has been a very personal one for Dr. J. In 2007 he was cruising around LA on his motorcycle when a car cut him off and sent him flying. The recovery from that crash was long and frustrating, prompting Dr. J to invent the first iteration of Theragun, an instrument that helped his body heal through percussive therapy. Theragun was far from an overnight success though, and Dr. J spent years trying to convince anyone who would listen about the benefits of using one. But over time, as Theragun found its way into the hands of more and more people, the feeling was undeniable. Now, with the launch of a new line of CBD products, the company formerly known as Theragun has become Therabody.

Listen in as we cover everything from how a fateful knock on his door from a famous stranger convinced him not to give up, why innovation leads science, and why Dr. J believes the three most important attributes in an entrepreneur are persistence, consistency, and delusion.

Candidate for LA District Attorney - George Gascón Jul 02, 2020

Today’s guest is George Gascón, a candidate running for the office of Los Angeles District Attorney. To quote an editorial from the L.A. Times from October of last year, “There is a strong case to be made that aside from the presidential race, the most important item before voters in 2020 will be the race for L.A. County D.A.” The reasoning behind such a bold prediction is centered on the relatively high incarceration rates in L.A. county. The two-term incumbent, Jackie Lacey, has made a name for herself as being tough on crime. So when George Gascón entered the race running on a platform to end mass incarceration, the death penalty, and to enact police reform, people took notice. His platform has only increased in relevance since the death of George Floyd instigated America’s racial reckoning. Gascón has since garnered the support of progressives such as Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, as well as musicians John Legend and Common.

Listen in as we cover everything from how he’s running his campaign during the age of Zoom/social distancing, the difficulties of changing structural problems within policing, and how he plans to change them, and we go into the specifics of his plan to completely reform L.A.’s system of mass incarceration.

101 Cider & Pulp Culture - Mark and Brendan Jun 29, 2020

Today we’ve got a two-for-one special. Our guests are Mark McTavish and Brendan Brazier. Together the two of them are revolutionizing the American cider industry by sitting back and letting Mother Nature do its thing. While that might seem a bit simplistic, they realized that there’s no need to add any extra sugar, water, or substances to their cider. They literally juice the apples and let them sit for 3 months before canning them and selling them. That’s it! That’s their process! And let me tell you from my own taste test: I’m a big fan. Mark says that anyone can do this at home, but I’m going to keep letting them do the work so that I can enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Listen in as we cover everything from how Mark was inspired by the day-drinking culture in Northern Spain, how many apples you have to juice to get one serving of cider, and why the wine industry has lobbied to make it illegal to put ingredients on anything over 7% alcohol.

Bambooee (as seen on Shark Tank) - Noam & Irene Jun 24, 2020

Today’s guests are Noam and Irene from Bambooee. If you’ve been listening to the show for a while, you’ll know that we’ve had a couple of guests on the show who were contestants on Shark Tank.

As avid fans of the show, the Bambooee episode was one of the most lively! Noam and Irene burst on to the stage and within seconds, they had all the sharks eating out of the palms of their hands and exclaiming: Bambooee! After listening to this episode, I think you’ll know why. Their energy is contagious and the product is just as good as advertised. In fact, they’re offering you a chance to try it out yourself by giving you 15% off on their website by using the code gift15 at checkout. But wait, there’s more! If you listen til the end, they give an even better discount code.

Listen in as we cover everything from why Noam views selling as a vital life skill, how they created a product so indestructible it caused other unforeseen problems and the importance of knowing your numbers when making an investor pitch.

Hydrant - John & Jai Jun 17, 2020

Ministry of Supply - Aman Advani Jun 10, 2020

Today’s guest is Aman Advani, co-founder of Ministry of Supply. If you’ve ever worn a traditional suit, you’ve experienced the problem that Aman and his co-founder Gihan wanted to solve: they’re stiff, uncomfortable, and they let the entire world know just how much you sweat. At first, they stitched fabric from their favorite athletic brands into acceptable office wear before developing their own blends. And just to prove how versatile their suit is, co-founder Gihan ran a half marathon while wearing it and was rewarded with the most literal interpretation of proof of concept and a Guinness World Record.

Listen in as we cover everything from why there’s still a ton of great opportunity in retail, why word of mouth was crucial to their company’s growth, and why the inspiration for the company name came from none other than James Bond himself.

Neuro - Kent & Ryan Jun 03, 2020

Today’s guests are Kent Yoshimura and Ryan Chen, co-founders of Neuro. The two met in college and were friends for a few years before putting their minds together to create a product that would allow them to get a clean boost of energy throughout the day. Originally that energy came in pill form, but they thought it looked a little weird to be popping pills in public. So they pivoted into a much more socially acceptable form of ingestion: gum and mints.

After a successful indiegogo campaign that gained traction through Reddit, Neuro was born. After a few years, an appearance on Shark Tank, and a couple of unsolicited endorsements by super fans Joe Rogan and Apollo Anton Ohno, Neuro is making big strides towards their goal of becoming a lifestyle brand.

Listen in as we cover everything from why Ryan’s mom had to cosign on their first business bank account, why Kent’s college dorm room reminded Ryan of a scene from Scarface, and we learn which program has the bigger bump: Shark Tank or Joe Rogan.

Former White Supremacist turned Peace Activist - Arno Michaelis May 27, 2020

Popular Pays - Corbett Drummey May 20, 2020

Today’s guest is Corbett Drummey, founder of Popular Pays, a platform that enables brands to easily connect with creators and influencers and vice versa all in the name of generating sponsored social media posts. Corbett started out in traditional advertising and noticed the inefficiencies rife within an aging structure. As he puts it, the past 100 years were the century of the agency, but the next 10 are the decade of the creator. This episode was actually taped right before California went on a statewide stay-at-home order and thus was the last time we recorded an episode in person.

Listen in as we cover everything from why Vine failed, how the initial idea for PopPays came from an inebriated stream of thought, and ALL things Y-Combinator.

Lumion Skin - Amy Briant May 13, 2020

Today’s guest is Amy Briant, co-founder of Lumion Skin. Amy’s journey towards creating the Lumion brand started with a gift from her father. He had been playing around with a new formula in a lab and noticed it was having very beneficial results when it came to clearing up acne. When he first offered it to Amy, she was hesitant, but as soon as she saw the results her mind was made up. Together with her partner Lisa Bonoff they launched Lumion as a skincare product in 2016 and have been going strong ever since. By the way — they met because they were seated next to each other on an airplane and struck up a conversation. WOAH!

Listen in as we cover everything from how she and Lisa complement each other’s skillsets and why google advertising has been huge for them whereas Facebook advertising has not. And if you’re interested in trying out the product for yourself, they’re offering Startup to Storefront listeners 15% when you use the code “Startup” at checkout.

Koia - Maya French May 07, 2020

Today’s guest is Maya French, founder of Koia. Koia is a plant-based protein drink, and Maya began the company by blending and bottling the drinks in her kitchen and then driving to local stores and offering samples of the product. As her company grew, her responsibilities shifted to more of a management role, and eventually she handed off the reins of the company to an investor who then became CEO. Though she’s not behind the steering wheel anymore, Maya is still very involved in the company and shares with us her vision of what it can become.

So listen in as we cover everything from randomly waking up to an email from a supporter who wanted to invest $100k into the company, the difficulties of measuring returns from influencer marketing, and how a conversation with Steve Harvey led her to change the name of the company to Koia.

Actress/Activist - Sophia Bush May 05, 2020

Today’s guest is actress and activist Sophia Bush. When Sophia was growing up, she envisioned herself as a cardiovascular surgeon, and had her life mapped out accordingly. That all changed when she performed in a play to complete her arts credit in high school and was bitten hard by the acting bug. From that moment on, she threw everything she had into acting. Her hard work paid off a few years later when she was cast as a lead on the WB show One Tree Hill. The show would air for nine seasons, catapulting Sophia’s career to new heights and making her a household name. And for some that would’ve been enough. But as you just heard in the opening, she decided to use her platform as a celebrity to fight for causes she believes in and in so doing rediscovered her love for her college major of journalism.

So listen in as we cover everything from when she was just starting out in auditions and competing with the same three actresses for every role, how she initially wanted nothing to do with social media until tabloid culture forced her hand, and how she’s passing the time in COVID isolation.

Founding Equinox Instructor - Colleen Conlon Apr 30, 2020

Let's get FIT! We're all struggling to keep up with our fitness routines during COVID19, on today's show we bring you a fitness expert to discuss tips and tricks for us during this time. Colleen is a founding Equinox instructor, she shares how her life as a trainer has been impacted during this time and gives us her best tips, tricks, and equipment needed to stay active during shelter-in-place. She'll also share where you can find some of her (FREE) workouts that you can do at home. Colleen is a Kettlebell Specialist, RKC, Certified Personal Trainer, PTA Global, Awarded Next Fitness Idol 2017, SCW Mania

ASYSTEM - Oli Walsh & Josh Levine Apr 28, 2020

Meet Oli and Josh. They created ASYSTEM because they needed it. They were getting older, traveling too much and trying to balance family and work—with too little sleep, too much anxiety and the odd skin complaint. They wanted a simple solution. Products backed by science that were easy to use—and worked. It didn’t exist. So ASYSTEM was born. Their products include men's skincare, vitamins and overall betterments for men's health and are currently working on a CBD pain relief product.

Founder of Quikcord explains his symptoms with COVID19 Apr 23, 2020

On this episode we catch up with Quikcord. Right before the shutdown they were in the throws of raising capital and had just ordered a large quantity of product. While they are continuing to fulfill previous sales, they are also digging into marketing and placing some attention on their website. One of the Founders, Matt Adams, also serves as an EMT and was exposed to and has tested positive for COVID19. Matt shares his symptoms and how the team is dealing with this time. Take a listen!

BANGS Shoes - Hannah Davis Apr 21, 2020

On the latest episode we speak to Hannah Davis who founded BANGS Shoes in an effort to satisfy her appetite for philanthropy. BANGS Shoes are modeled after simple work boots Hannah discovered when she was teaching English in China. The company makes shoes that are made from 100% vegan, ethically sourced materials inside a factory whose workers are treated with dignity and respect. The company has partnered with KIVA.org in an effort to grow the entrepreneurship community around the world. The motto is simple: Buy BANGS Shoes = Your Adventures Help Others Find Theirs. Take a listen!

Blueland (as seen on Shark Tank) - Sarah Paiji-Yoo Apr 14, 2020

We interview Sarah Paiji-Yoo, Founder of Blueland, and hear how she launched Blueland. The company is focused on cleaning up our planet by cleaning our homes. Starting with cleaning products - items traditionally sold in disposable plastic bottles, Blueland can eliminate over 100 billion single-use plastic bottles in the US alone because their cleaners live in 100% reusable bottles. Sarah details how she first came up with the idea and shares her entire Shark Tank experience and how it's impacted her company. Take a listen!

Kindred Bravely - Deeanne and Garret Akerson Apr 08, 2020

Pre COVID19 we had a great chat with the Founders of Kindred Bravely. In a hopeful return to normalcy we wanted to share their amazing story. It all began when Deeanne, co-founder/CEO, was nursing her one-year-old and couldn’t find a comfortable and cute pair of pajamas. She decided to design her own – a simple idea that became something extraordinary. The company has 2 goals: creating maternity and nursing clothes that are beautiful, useful, and comfortable, and building a community of moms who support and encourage each other on the motherhood journey. Listen to the full story now!

How VegOut, a print and online media company is dealing with COVID19 Apr 02, 2020

On today’s episode we talk with Maggie of VegOut Media. Since she has both a print magazine and an online component, it’s unsurprising that she’s experiencing drastically different effects on either side of her business from the economic shutdown. In this episode she shares with us the high of getting her magazine into Barnes & Nobles nationwide only to see those stores close a few months later. While Maggie continues to charge ahead, she isn’t afraid to hedge her bets by applying for an SBA loan just in case this pandemic has a couple more curveballs up its sleeve.

Hear from Lynnette Marrero, from Masterclass, on how her and her team are dealing with COVID19 Apr 01, 2020

Hear from Lynnette Marrero, from the Masterclass on Mixology. Lynnette joins us from New York and shares how she and her team are dealing during this intense time. With over 15-Million restaurant workers in the United States her hope is during this time the economy begins to understand the importance of these workers and their impact on the economy and on hospitality. She's launched an auction site to support her team and is focusing a lot of her energy into her foundation. Listen now!

About Lynnette:

Co-Founder Speed Rack Bar Director LLama Inn, Brooklyn Food and Wine + Fortune’s Top Women in Food and Drink 2015 Wine Enthusiast Mixologist of the Year 2016 Tales of the Cocktail Philanthropy Award Speed Rack 2019 Tales of the Cocktail Best Bar Mentor 2019

Farm Cup Coffee and COVID19 Mar 31, 2020

Hear from Emerson, Founder of Farm Cup Coffee on how the new slogan is drink coffee, stay home, and do good. The Farm Cup team was just coming off a setup where, Sunny, their amazing coffee truck/vehicle needed to spend time with the mechanic. A few days after getting Sunny back in action COVID19 was forcing the team to shut down once again. Hear how they are moving efforts online and how they are both getting through this strange time and focusing on the positive.

The silver lining during COVID19 with Wave Maiden Ale Works Mar 30, 2020

We check in with Margaux Moses, founder of Wave Maiden Ale works, on how she's doing during COVID19. She was inches from signing a lease on a new space in Long Beach -- listen to how she's taking this all as a positive and is thankful for the reset this time is providing her.

How SetSchedule is leaning into opportunity during COVID19 Mar 28, 2020

What a crazy time to be in business! We (virtually) hear from Roy Dekel, Founder of SetSchedule. Roy's company is deeply rooted in real estate and he shares how he's hit the accelerator button on development of new technology. He's also convinced now more than that virtual home tours will help realtors change their approach to landing business and why if you're in the top 10% of agents, you're now attacking and building your buyer's list.

How GoodMylk is leaning in during COVID19 Mar 27, 2020

What a crazy time to be in business! We (virtually) hear from Brooke, Founder of GoodMylk, on what her normal looks like given this outbreak. Brooke was in the middle of raising a Series A round of funding and her entire world got turned upside down. Hear from Brooke as to what this last 10 days has been like and how's she's leaning in to different strategies for her business.

What Tara from Tweak is doing during COVID19 Mar 26, 2020

Tara Riceberg has 3 retail locations here in Los Angeles, listen to how she's dealing with COVID19 and why she wants you to help by simply leaving a review on Google or Yelp for your favorite local business during this time.

What Tara from Tweak is doing during COVID19 Mar 26, 2020

Tara Riceberg has 3 retail locations here in Los Angeles, listen to how she's dealing with COVID19 and why she wants you to help by simply leaving a review on Google or Yelp for your favorite local business during this time.

Thinking about launching a Podcast? Learn how to plan, record, and distribute it. Mar 24, 2020

Ever listened to a podcast and thought, “hey, I want to do that”? We often get emails on how we started, what equipment we use, and we wanted to answer them via this podcast.

During this episode we will cover:

What topic to pick and why we choose ours.
What equipment you’ll need.
Pre-record with a friend to get jitters out and test your setup
How to record episodes and distribute them.
How we messed up! What not to do!

Hopefully you can make the most of this time while we're all staying home.

COVID19 and its impacts on Real Estate Mar 19, 2020

What you can do as a real estate developer or investor during the Corona Virus outbreak. Questions answered from/by our friends at Sheppard Mullin Law Firm.... and what to do if you're a construction company in these uncertain times.

Coronavirus - staying productive during COVID19 Mar 19, 2020

This a trying time for all of us. Hear some quick tips for things we can do during this time in relation to donations, VC's, new hobbies and a brief outlook on what's to come. Includes stories and reporting from The Information, WSJ, SBA Loans, tips for working from home, and how you may be able to lower your rent payment this month.

SetSchedule - Roy Dekel Mar 11, 2020

Diego and Nick interview Roy Dekel, Founder of SetSchedule. SetSchedule is a technology and data disruptor that leverages AI-powered predictive data, trend insights, automated marketing software tools and machine learning to deliver increased business efficiency to agents, teams, brokers, franchises and industry verticals. SetSchedule was recently named the 5th fastest growing real estate company in the US and 21st fastest growing company in California. Listen to hear Roy explain why SetSchedule is not for sale, the importance of questioning authority figures and why Roy believes you should rent and not buy in today's real estate market

Real Plans - Antony Bartlett Mar 04, 2020

Diego and Nick interview Antony Barlett, Co-Founder of Real Plans. Real Plans is a meal planning app and website that streamlines your weekly planning, shopping, and cooking with custom meal plans based on your diet. The company was recently recognized as one of Inc Magazine's fastest growing companies. Antony shares the full journey and how they just launched Real Plans Pro which is a tool to help you meal plan for your clients (perfect for nutritionists, trainers, and teams alike.) Real Plans not only presents you with mouth-watering, nutritious, simple recipes, but you can also plan, cook, and shop the way that works best for YOU. Listen to the full episode for more!

Sandymount - Ronan McGovern Feb 26, 2020

Diego and Nick interview Ronan McGovern, Founder of Sandymount Technologies. Sandymount is a Massachusetts-based process technology company serving the brewing industry. The company has a patented Revos hyperfiltration technology that allows them to deliver and support machines that enable up to 75% water removal from beer while protecting sensory characteristics. In plain english, they are helping turn beer into a concentrate form which means you're able to ship so much more product only to add water once the product arrives on-site or at the local plant. Listen to the full episode to dig into this game-changing technology.

Sandymount Company Website

Buttery (acquired by Drizly) - Gaurav Tanna Feb 19, 2020

Diego and Nick sit down with Gaurav Tanna who co-founded Buttery, an on-demand alcohol delivery company that launched in Boston, MA. Buttery was acquired by Drizly in 2018, Drizly operates across the United States and Canada, from Austin to Boston, Calgary to Tampa, New York City to Denver (and beyond). Backed by world-class institutional investors, the company has raised $35 million to date. Gaurav shares his insights with us on how they got started, the dark times, and how he was able to navigate to a successful exit! Take a listen to the journey and check out Drizly for your next alcohol delivery.

Thirty Two Dentistry - Dr. Naz Feb 12, 2020

Diego and Nick sit down with our favorite dentist, Dr. Naz, to share the importance of dental health for all of us but especially for entrepreneurs who often put off all visits to the doctor or dentist. Dr. Naz opened her West Hollywood practice in 2006, realizing her vision for the perfect dental experience; a combination of state-of-the-art equipment and highly skilled staff in a space that looks more like a high fashion boutique. Listen to her journey, what she recommends we must do, how she would change the industry and much more!

If you're in the LA area make sure to go visit Dr. Naz at 8763 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069

The Townshend - Devin Adams Feb 05, 2020

Diego and Nick sit down with Devin Adams, Restaurateur and Founder of the Townshend in Quincy, MA. Devin began his career in hospitality at Todd English’s Kingfish Hall, where he went from bar-back to bartender to sommelier, before finally landing in management. He later ran the beverage program at Lucca Restaurant in the North End, and eventually joined the opening team of Island Creek Oyster Bar. From there, he worked at Barbara Lynch’s bar, Drink, where he honed his skills both behind the bar and as a restaurateur. He was raised and lives on the South Shore firmly believing in taking five minutes out of your day to change someone else’s.

Perks - Alexa Baggio Jan 29, 2020

Diego and Nick interview Alexa Baggio, Founder of PERKS. Alexa launched Perks in 2014 out of a longing for a more thoughtful and modern solution to workplace improvement and the employee experience. Underwhelmed by the traditional outlets for benefit discovery and feeling a lackluster focus on the employee experience, PERKS and the PERKS Conventions were born to change the script for employees and employers alike.

Follow PERKS on Instagram: @perkscon

Head over to: Perks Website for a full look at their offering!

Quikcord - Matt Fioretti & Matt Adams Jan 22, 2020

Diego interviews Matt Fioretti & Matt Adams, Founders of Quikcord. Adams, who spent over 8 years in the US Marine Corps, learned that the US military needed a better solution for paracord. After partnering with Fioretti, Quikcord was born. This military inspired product is built for military personnel, outdoor enthusiasts, extreme sport athletes, boaters, and handymen all across the globe. Rugged, lightweight, compact, and made in the USA, Quikcord is versatile in that it stores, cuts, and dispenses paracord tangle-free every time. It also comes with a built-in emergency nighttime signaling device, which can also be used as a temporary flashlight.

Follow Quikcord on Instagram: @QuikCord

Head over to: QuikCord Website for a full look at their product

Sh*t That I Knit - Christina Pardy Jan 15, 2020

Diego and Nick interview Christina Pardy, Founder of Sh*t That I Knit (what a great name!) Based in Boston, Sh*t That I Knit strives to create high-quality knitwear and accessories that make you feel good. Their materials are sustainably sourced and handmade by women in Peru who are working moms earning a fair wage. Beyond doing good the company was also recently featured in Katie Couric's Gifts that Give Guide - listen to the full story!

Follow Sh*tThatIKnit on Instagram: @ShitThatIKnit

Head over to: Sh*t That I Knit website use "startup" for 15% OFF your next order :)

Welcome to Season 2! Jan 12, 2020

Season 1 was an absolute blast and now we're leveling up. We’ve added a new logo for a fresh look in 2020. This season we’re bringing you guests/companies from all over the United States. We start the season with some Boston based startups and bring it right back to LA and even NYC. Thanks for following along and here's a sneak listen as to what you can expect in 2020!

Border X Brewing - David Favela Dec 17, 2019

Diego and Nick interview David Favela, Founder of Border X Brewing. Border X is focused on showcasing Mexican culture through their craft. After launching in San Diego in 2014, the popular Mexican craft brewery envisioned a new location in Los Angeles. That started with leveraging WeFunder to raise ~$200,000 and they launched in the City of Bell in March of 2019. Listen to how David keeps his focus on sharing the blend of community, culture, and craft.

Follow Border X on Instagram: @BorderXBrewing

Farm Cup Coffee - Tony and Emerson Dec 11, 2019

Diego interviews Tony and Emerson, Co-Founders of Farm Cup Coffee™. Their company motto is "Drink Coffee, Travel, and Do good." Farm Cup is committed to single-origin direct trade coffee in an effort to provide the highest revenue to the farmers they work with. Hear about their travels through the amazon and how they built and bought Sunny - a WWII Citroén HY - which is their vessel for delivering coffee to those all over Los Angeles. Their story is both inspiring and fun - take a listen!

Follow Farm Cup Coffee on Instagram: @FarmCupCoffee

I Love Micheladas - Fernando Lopez Dec 04, 2019

Diego and Nick interview Fernando Lopez, Founder of I Love Micheladas™, a liquid Michelada mix that GQ called the greatest Michelada in a city full of great Micheladas. We cover everything from dealing with imposter syndrome, how Fernando built the Miche Mobil, and the big dreams of making the product a household name.

Follow I Love Micheladas on Instagram: @ILoveMicheladas

Website: https://www.ilovemicheladas.com/

Tanuki - Bekah the Wrekah Nov 20, 2019

Diego and Natalya interview Bekah who ran a successful Kickstarter to launch Tanuki, a Provincetown izakaya and Japanese pastry shop. Bekah, a Drink alum, shares her story of what she learned working for the Barbara Lynch Collective, leveraging Kickstarter to raise capital, and how she was homeless while launching her restaurant in an effort to put every penny into her business.

Follow Tanuki Taiyaki on Instagram: @tanukitaiyaki

S'moo - Karagan Osmann Nov 13, 2019

Diego and Nick interview Karagan Osmann, Founder of S'moo. Karagan struggled with PCOS, a severe hormone disorder since she was 14 which brought her to bring S'moo to life to help women everywhere achieve hormone balance and feel amazing again. Karagan shares how by solving her problem she was able to bring this amazing product to market.

Follow S'Moo on Instagram: @thesmooco

Website: https://thesmooco.com/

Universal/Decca Recording Pianist - Van‐Anh Nguyen Nov 06, 2019

Diego and Nick interview Van Anh or "VA" as we call her. VA is fresh off hitting the No.1 spot on the Australian iTunes Classical charts (2018, 2017, 2016), and becoming the first Australian-Vietnamese to, ever in history, enter the US iTunes Classical Charts in 2017. Concert pianist and composer Van-Anh Nguyen has become a worldwide sensation and in-demand artist, leading an intense touring career across the globe and is the newest Artist addition to the Universal Music/Decca Records family. Hear to how she got started playing the piano and how she navigates the challenges of being a musician.

Follow VA on Instagram: @vananhofficial

Rooted Shots - Chris Douglass Oct 30, 2019

Diego and Nick interview Chris Douglass who recently launched Rooted Shots, a wellness shot company focused on the benefits of using real superfoods, no refined sugar, and a powder format that creates a dried wellness shot that you can take with you anywhere. Chris shares how he and his Co-Founder launched and how a close relative would go on to be their angel investor.

Rooted Shots Online

Use promo code: Startup to get 10% off your next order!

Follow Rooted Shots on Instagram: @rooted.shots

Apothenne - Jacqueline Bradley Oct 23, 2019

Diego and Natalya interview Jacqueline Bradley who recently launched Apothenne, a soy-wax candle company. Jacqueline's story however starts with us hearing about how at the 11th hour, her first company failed to sell. She shares the full story of launching a clothing company and how the lessons learned translated to her current venture.

Apothenne -->Online

Use promo code: Startup for 30% off and Free shipping!

Follow Apothenne on Instagram: @apothenne

Follow Jacqueline on Instagram: @JacquelineLBradley

VegOut - Maggie Ortlieb Oct 16, 2019

Diego interviews Maggie Ortlieb who launched VegOut in 2014 and is getting ready for nation wide expansion. VegOut is an all-vegan city guide covering cruelty-free things to eat, see, and do in Los Angeles and surrounding cities. VegOut seeks to connect consumers looking for plant-based foods with vegan-friendly businesses and events. You'll hear how Maggie made the jump from a marketing role at an accounting firm to running her own media company.

Follow VegOut Los Angeles on Instagram: @VegOutLosAngeles

Follow VegOut New York on Instagram: @VegOutNewYork

Follow Maggie on Instagram: @MaggieeOrtlieb

Sellbrite (acquired by GoDaddy) - Brian Nolan Oct 09, 2019

Diego interviews Brian Nolan who recently sold his company, Sellbrite, to GoDaddy in April of 2019! Hear about how a side hustle turned into a company that was eventually acquired by one of the largest hosting in the world. You'll hear how Brian raised his initial funding to how he needed to keep the acquisition a secret from his employees for months!

Follow Brian on Instagram: @briancnolan

Sellbrite @SellBrite GoDaddy @GoDaddy

Guelaguetza - Bricia Lopez Oct 02, 2019

Diego and Natalya interview Bricia Lopez - a James Beard award winner, author, mezcal queen, mother, daughter, podcaster and more! You'll hear about her family restaurant, an LA staple Guelaguetza, her latest Vegas collab - Mama Rabbit, and her new book!

Check her out:

Instagram: @bricialopez

Co-owner @LaGuelaguetza Co-founder @ilovemicheladas Co-creator @_supermamas Chief Mezcalera @drinkmamarabbit

Wave Maiden Ale Works - Margaux Moses Sep 25, 2019

Diego and Natalya interview Margaux Moses, owner of Wave Maiden Ale Works in Los Angeles. Margaux is on a mission to resurrect the lost art of brewing with the medicinal, aromatic, and nourishing herbs. The result is bright, sometimes cider-like flavors, floral noses, bitter brews without any hops, and a unique plant buzz. Hear her story as she's looking to launch from a small beer manufacturer to a full fledged brewery in Los Angeles.

Follow Wave Maiden on instagram

Wave Maiden Ale Works - company website

Schaffer - Kathleen Shaffer Sep 18, 2019

Diego and Natalya interview Kathleen Shaffer, owner of Shaffer here in Los Angeles. Kathleen grew her career as an executive chef throughout the world and has been recognized for her culinary accomplishments by the James Beard House, AAA Five Diamond and Chef George Perrier of Le Bec Fin. Shaffer was also awarded the 2019 Caterer of the year by the International Caterers Association. Hear her super fun story and listen to what her team put together for the Breaking Bad finale - it's unbelievable!!

Follow Schaffer on instagram

Schaffer - company website

Dan Deutsch Optical Outlook - Dan Deutsch Sep 11, 2019

Diego interviews Dan Deutsch, owner of Dan Deutsch Optical Outlook. Dan has been styling the who’s who of Los Angeles since he first opened his doors. He has taken the simple motto, that “glasses are jewelry to the face and the conviction that: “eyewear defines who you are” from his youthful beginnings all the way to his role today, directing the largest independent chain of retail eyewear stores in the Los Angeles area. He serves as a frequent consultant not only to film and television studios but also to eyewear designers and manufacturers. He has fit heads of state; music icons (Cher, Madonna, Ella, Justin), Hollywood movers and shakers and anyone who cares about looking their best!

Dan Deutsch Optical Outlook Store

Follow Dan Deutsch Optical on Instagram

Tweak/Best Gift Store Ever - Tara Riceberg Sep 04, 2019

Diego sits down with Tara Riceberg, owner of Tweak, Tesoro and the bestgiftstoreever.com, one of LA's most curated gift stores you'll ever visit. Tara shares how as a second-generation retailer she continues to grow her business through passion, curation, and being a "jumper." Take a listen and if you're in LA be sure to check out Tweak or Tesoro!

Tweak/Tesoro Website

Tara's Tesoro Spotify Playlist

VCHOS Food Truck - Wendy and Donny Aug 28, 2019

Diego interviews Chef Wendy and Donny, the Founders of VCHOS Food Truck, an LA staple! Hear the story of how Wendy mastered the traditional cooking of Central America and brought the Salvadorian culture to the masses via her culinary gift. If you're in the LA area make sure to checkout their famous "PUPUSAS" food trucks!

Follow VCHOS on instagram

GoodMylk - Brooke Harris Aug 22, 2019

Diego and Natalya interview Brooke Harris, founder of GoodMylk, a game-changing, industry disrupting plant-based milk product for the masses. When Brooke initially presented her idea to industry insiders and investors, it was met with skepticism on all fronts. Listen to Brooke's amazing story and how she's charging ahead!

GoodMylk can now be found in your favorite coffee shops and as a consumer product on goodmylk.co and amazon.com

Follow GoodMylk

Intro to the podcast Aug 19, 2019

We share a bit about why we started this podcast and hope you all enjoy the journey and hear from some amazing people! Thank you to all of our friends, guests, supporters, and families for rooting for us. We're just getting started and will soon have our own storefront :)

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