The Kara Goldin Show

Latest Episodes:

779 Julie Bornstein: Founder & CEO of Daydream Dec 17, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode, Kara welcomes Julie Bornstein, Founder and CEO of Daydream — the AI-powered, chat-based fashion shopping agent that’s reimagining how we discover and shop for clothes online.
Daydream is reinventing the way people shop for fashion by replacing endless scrolling and outdated search bars with something radically better — personalized, conversational discovery. Backed by $50M in funding and featuring over 8,000 brands, Daydream lets users simply ask for what they want — by style, mood, occasion, or photo — and receive tailored results instantly. It’s fast, intuitive, and built for the way people actually shop today.
Julie, of course, knows this space well. A seasoned leader in commerce and tech, she’s held executive roles at Sephora, Nordstrom, and Stitch Fix — and founded THE YES, which was acquired by Pinterest in 2022. In this episode, she shares what sparked the idea for Daydream, why AI is the future of retail discovery, and what she’s learned from building (and scaling) multiple consumer companies.
A must-listen for anyone curious about the future of fashion, AI, entrepreneurship, and what it takes to build something truly transformative.

Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, which is now in the Top 1% of Entrepreneur podcasts in the world? Let me know by contacting me at karagoldin@gmail.com. You can also find me @‌KaraGoldin on all networks.

To learn more about Julie Bornstein and Daydream:
https://www.daydream.ing
https://www.instagram.com/daydream.ing
https://www.instagram.com/juliebornstein
https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliebornstein

Sponsored By:

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Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/779

778 Shae Hong: Founder & CEO of Made by Gather Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode, Kara welcomes Shae Hong, Founder and CEO of Made by Gather — the design-driven company behind some of America’s fastest-growing home and kitchenware brands, including Beautiful by Drew Barrymore and bella.
At just 25, Shae launched Made by Gather with a vision to reimagine the kitchen as a space for joy, creativity, and connection — not just utility. Two decades later, he’s built a $5B powerhouse that's redefining what affordable, high-performance design can look like. In an era where many chased DTC trends, Shae bet on strong retail partnerships — and that contrarian strategy paid off in a big way.
Today, Made by Gather ships 15 million units annually across major retailers like Walmart, Target, Macy’s, and Amazon. With proprietary innovations like TurboCrisp™ and EverGood™ nonstick, and a sharp eye for product storytelling, the company continues to lead in a competitive category — even outpacing industry growth by more than 50% this past year alone.
In this episode, Shae shares his journey from startup founder to scaling a household name, how he balances creativity with performance, and why connection — not just commerce — is at the heart of everything he builds. It’s a conversation full of smart lessons on leadership, brand building, and staying grounded while thinking big.

To learn more about Shae Hong and Made by Gather:
https://www.madebygather.com
https://www.instagram.com/madebygather
https://www.instagram.com/shaehong
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shae-hong-4154914

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Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/778

777 Angie Hicks: Co-Founder of Angi (Angie’s List) Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode, Kara welcomes Angie Hicks, Co-Founder of Angi — the groundbreaking brand formerly known as Angie’s List that helped define the home services space for the digital age.
Angie started Angie’s List back in 1995 as a recent college grad, going door-to-door to sign up new members. What began as a small directory in Columbus, Ohio has grown into a trusted national platform that connects homeowners with skilled home service professionals. Over the past 30 years, Angie has helped lead the brand through incredible growth — including an IPO, a major acquisition, a rebrand to Angi, and most recently, a new chapter as a standalone public company.
In this episode, Angie shares what it takes to build a legacy brand and keep it relevant through decades of disruption. We dive into how Angi is using AI and smarter matching tools to modernize the home improvement experience, why she believes the trades are among the most “AI-proof” careers of the future, and the leadership lessons she's learned from listening to millions of customers. From grit and reinvention to empathy and long-term vision, Angie’s story is packed with insights for founders, leaders, and anyone navigating change.

To learn more about Angie Hicks and Angi:
https://www.angi.com
https://www.instagram.com/angi
https://www.instagram.com/the.angiehicks
https://www.linkedin.com/in/angie-hicks-30566
https://www.linkedin.com/company/angi

Sponsored By:

Chewy - Send your pet’s wish to Chewy.com/ChewyClaus and it might become a reality. Plus, your wish means Chewy will donate five meals to pets in need.

LinkedIn Jobs - Head to LinkedIn.com/KaraGoldin to post your job for free.

AuraFrames - Visit AuraFrames.com and get $35 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames by using promo code KARA at checkout.

LifeMD - Get 50% off their Weight Management Program plus free shipping. Visit lifemd.com/KARA to activate the offer.

Function Health - My first 1,000 listeners get a $100 credit toward their membership. Go to FunctionHealth.com/KARA or use code KARA100 at sign-up.

Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/777

776 Charles Brun: Co-Founder of IZIPIZI Dec 10, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode, Kara welcomes Charles Brun, Co-Founder of IZIPIZI — the globally loved eyewear brand bringing playful, design-forward glasses to people of all ages around the world.
Charles’ journey began with two high school friends and a simple observation: their mothers couldn’t find reading glasses that were both stylish and affordable. What started as a small idea among three 23‑year‑olds from Lyon has become a worldwide brand known for its joyful aesthetic, accessible price point, and commitment to quality. From Parisian concept stores to international expansion, IZIPIZI has grown into a category-defining company with glasses for every moment of life.
In this episode, Charles shares how he and his co-founders turned a childhood friendship into a thriving business, how they cracked the eyewear market without traditional optical backgrounds, and what it takes to scale thoughtfully while staying true to design and mission. He also opens up about achieving B Corp certification, building a global team, and what’s next for IZIPIZI as it continues to expand its product universe.
A must-listen for anyone interested in consumer products, design, entrepreneurship, and the power of seeing opportunity where others don’t

To learn more about Charles Brun and IZIPIZI:
https://www.izipizi.com
https://www.instagram.com/izipizi/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbrun

Sponsored By:

LinkedIn Jobs - Head to LinkedIn.com/KaraGoldin to post your job for free.

AuraFrames - Visit AuraFrames.com and get $35 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames by using promo code KARA at checkout.

LifeMD - Get 50% off their Weight Management Program plus free shipping. Visit lifemd.com/KARA to activate the offer.

Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/776

775 Angela Gargano: Co-Founder of Lola Arnao Dec 08, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode, Kara welcomes Angela Gargano, Co-Founder of Lola Arnao — the slow beauty brand redefining what it means to care for your skin, your health, and the planet.
A lifelong wellness entrepreneur and breast cancer thriver, Angela founded Lola Arnao alongside her mom during her own treatment journey, when she couldn’t find products gentle enough for her sensitive, healing skin. What started as small-batch, handcrafted formulas made in her mom’s kitchen has evolved into a plastic-free, intentional beauty brand rooted in simplicity, sustainability, and self-care.
In this episode, Angela shares how she turned one of life’s hardest moments into a movement — creating skincare that’s as mindful as it is effective. We talk about the power of slow beauty, how self-care can become a form of healing, and why conscious entrepreneurship is changing the face of the beauty industry. It’s an inspiring conversation about resilience, reinvention, and the beauty of building something with purpose.

To learn more about Angela Gargano and Lola Arnao:
https://www.lolaarnao.com
https://www.instagram.com/angeladgargano
https://www.instagram.com/lolaarnaobeauty

Sponsored By:

Framer - Start creating for free at Framer.com/design, and use code KARAGOLDIN for a free month of Framer Pro.

LinkedIn Jobs - Head to LinkedIn.com/KaraGoldin to post your job for free.

AuraFrames - Visit AuraFrames.com and get $35 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames by using promo code KARA at checkout.

LifeMD - Get 50% off their Weight Management Program plus free shipping. Visit lifemd.com/KARA to activate the offer.

Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/775

774 Yousuf Ahmed: Founder & CEO of B-SIDES Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode, Kara welcomes Yousuf Ahmed, Founder and CEO of B-SIDES — the Brooklyn-based upcycled snack brand turning overlooked ingredients into bold, crave-worthy puffs and quickly becoming one of the most compelling sustainability-driven food stories today. What began with a simple question — what happens to the leftover oats from oat milk production? — led Yousuf to transform what was once considered waste into high-protein, low-sugar snacks that are reshaping how modern consumers think about clean eating. With a background that spans music, finance, and now food entrepreneurship, Yousuf has built B-SIDES into a brand that fuses sustainability with serious flavor, proving that doing good for the planet can also taste really, really good.
In this episode, Yousuf shares how he made the bold jump from advising ultra-high-net-worth clients at Goldman Sachs to reinventing the snack aisle, what he learned about risk and fulfillment along the way, and how upcycling became a powerful engine for both purpose and profit. He opens up about the challenges of building in a crowded CPG landscape, the breakthroughs that validated B-SIDES early on, and the mindset shifts required to leave behind one identity and fully step into another. Packed with insights on reinvention, brand building, sustainability, and consumer behavior, Yousuf’s journey is a powerful example of how a single overlooked ingredient — and an even more overlooked opportunity — can fuel a new category entirely.

To learn more about Yousuf Ahmed and B-SIDES:
https://www.instagram.com/enjoybsides
https://www.linkedin.com/company/enjoybsides https://www.enjoybsides.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/yousufmahmed/
https://www.instagram.com/yousufgoose/

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LinkedIn Jobs - Head to LinkedIn.com/KaraGoldin to post your job for free.

Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/774

773 Courtney Toll: Co-Founder & CEO of Nori Dec 03, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode, Kara welcomes Courtney Toll, Co-Founder and CEO of Nori — the fast-growing brand reinventing how we care for our clothes and one of the most exciting consumer innovation stories unfolding right now. What started as a clever workaround between two college roommates ironing their clothes with a hair straightener has grown into a next-generation steam iron brand used by millions, proving that even the most overlooked categories are ripe for reinvention. Courtney has helped lead Nori to eight-figure revenue in under three years, raised nearly $8M, and built a design-forward hardware company in a space many founders shy away from.
In this episode, Courtney shares what it really takes to build a modern hardware brand from scratch — from early prototyping hurdles to navigating the intense realities of supply chain, cash flow, and rapid consumer adoption. She opens up about the near-catastrophic 145% tariff announcement that threatened to derail Nori’s nationwide Target launch and wipe out more than $5M in forecasted revenue, and how she and her team stayed scrappy, decisive, and resilient through a moment that could have broken most companies. Packed with insights on leadership, innovation, problem-solving under pressure, and scaling in unpredictable markets, Courtney’s story is a masterclass in grit, adaptability, and creating momentum where others see obstacles.

To learn more about Courtney Toll and Nori:
https://www.instagram.com/nori/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/nori-co/
https://www.instagram.com/courtneytoll/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneytoll/
https://www.nori.co

Sponsored By:

LinkedIn Jobs - Head to LinkedIn.com/KaraGoldin to post your job for free.

Shopify - Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at Shopify.com/kara

AuraFrames - Visit AuraFrames.com and get $35 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames by using promo code KARA at checkout.

Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/773

772 Melinda Maria Spigel: Founder & Chief Creative Officer of Melinda Maria Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

On today’s episode, Kara welcomes Melinda Maria Spigel, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Melinda Maria Jewelry — the celeb-adored brand redefining accessible luxury for the modern woman.
Melinda’s journey is anything but ordinary. She started out selling jewelry at Starbucks and even entered game shows to fund her first production runs. What began as pure hustle has evolved into a $30M+ brand worn by icons including Michelle Obama, Julia Roberts, and Taylor Swift. Through creativity, resilience, and a deep connection with her audience, Melinda turned her handmade beginnings into one of the most recognizable digitally native jewelry brands in the world.
In this episode, she shares how she built her business from scratch, what it really takes to stay relevant in a fast-changing digital landscape, and how storytelling and authenticity built a loyal following that still fuels the brand today. From her first sale to her first celebrity moment, Melinda’s story is a masterclass in grit, creativity, and finding your sparkle — on your own terms.

To learn more about Melinda Maria Spigel and Melinda Maria:
https://www.melindamaria.com
https://www.instagram.com/melindamaria_jewelry/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/melinda-maria/

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Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/772

Interview Replay: Kara on Win Monday with Paul Epstein Nov 28, 2025

Show notes

The power of momentum on the path to purpose

OPENING QUOTE:
“So often people sort of get stuck, I guess it's the goal. Go find your purpose, go find your mission. But sometimes in order to find that purpose and mission, you just have to start with not staying complacent.”

Kara Goldin is the founder of Hint, best known for its award-winning and industry-leading Hint Water. She’s also the bestselling author of Undaunted: Overcoming Doubts and Doubters. She’s been named to InStyle’s Badass 50, Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business, Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs, Ernst Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Northern California, and one of the Huffington Post’s six disruptors in business alongside the likes of Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg.

To learn more about Win Monday and Paul Epstein:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/win-monday-with-paul-epstein/id1550451059

Sponsored By:

AuraFrames - Visit AuraFrames.com and get $45 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames by using promo code KARA at checkout.

Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/ireplay-paul-epstein-2

Interview Replay: Kara on Everybody Pulls The Tarp with Andrew Moses Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

This week, Andrew Moses talks with Kara Goldin. Kara is the founder of Hint, the leading unsweetened flavored water brand loved by millions. In 2004, Kara was addicted to diet soda—sometimes drinking 10 cans a day. One day, she decided to quit diet soda and started drinking water. She began slicing fruit to add to her water and turned that idea into one of the most successful beverage companies in history. Kara has been named to Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs list, and her book 'Undaunted' is a Wall Street Journal bestseller. This conversation focuses on the power of persistence, staying authentic, and how to create your own opportunities.

To learn more about Andrew Moses:
https://www.everybodypullsthetarp.com/
https://twitter.com/andrewhmoses
https://www.instagram.com/AndrewMoses123

Sponsored By:

AuraFrames - Visit AuraFrames.com and get $45 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames by using promo code KARA at checkout.

LinkedIn Jobs - Head to LinkedIn.com/KaraGoldin to post your job for free.

Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/ireplay-andrew-moses-2

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