Starting Small

In this episode of Starting Small, we’re joined by Charlie Weisman, founder of Staff, a brand that's redefining the most overlooked items in our homes. Staff started with a plunger—yes, a plunger—designed to be bold, colorful, and functional, a far cry from the bland utility items most of us keep hidden away. Charlie takes us back to the initial spark of inspiration during the pandemic, when he lo...

In this episode of Starting Small, we chat with Lulu Ge, founder of Elix, a wellness brand that’s changing how women approach health. Lulu’s journey starts in China, moves through a tough transition to California, and ends up with her launching a company focused on personalized herbal care. After years of dealing with stress, hormonal issues, and a traditional corporate grind, Lulu turned to Chine...

In this episode I'm joined by Bartosz Skwarczek of G2A. He started G2A in 2010 with a small team and a big idea—create the world’s largest digital marketplace for gaming products. What began in a small room in Poland with just six people has grown into a platform serving over 25 million customers in 180 countries. Today, G2A is the largest marketplace for digital goods, from games to software and...

In this episode I'm joined by Grace Lee Chan of Birdy Grey, the direct-to-consumer bridal brand that’s shaking up the wedding industry. Grace Lee Chen, co-founder of the brand, shares how she and her best friend Monica Ashauer launched Birdy Grey in 2017, turning a simple idea into a company that hit $80 million in revenue in just a few years. With no outside funding, they bootstrapped the busines...

In this episode I'm joined by Jim Keyes, the former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster, to talk through his journey from humble beginnings to leading two of the most recognizable brands in the world. Jim opens up about how he worked multiple jobs—like flipping burgers at McDonald’s—to pay for school, made pivotal decisions in 7-Eleven’s growth, and led Blockbuster during its struggle against Netflix....

In this episode, I'm joined by Chris & Jonathan Ronzio of Trainual, the leading SaaS platform transforming the way businesses onboard, train, and scale teams. Trainual streamlines essential processes by providing businesses with a digital playbook to standardize how work gets done. Whether teams are remote, in-office, or hybrid, Trainual ensures employees have the knowledge and resources they...

In this episode I am joined by Susan Levine, founder of Career Group Companies. Susan didn’t just build a recruiting agency—she redefined the industry. What started as a one-woman operation has grown into Career Group Companies, a national firm placing talent everywhere from Fortune 500 boardrooms to Hollywood’s biggest power players. Whether it’s staffing A-list assistants for Kevin Costner and M...

In this episode I am joined by Jacob and Victor Eriksson, founders of Boxbollen. What do Khloe Kardashian, Will Smith, and thousands of TikTok creators have in common? They’ve all been hooked on Boxbollen, the Swedish reflex-training game that went viral overnight. Founded by two brothers, Boxbollen turned a simple head-tracking ball into a global fitness and gaming sensation. From partnerships wi...

In this episode I am joined by Suze Dowling, co-founder of Pattern Brands. Suze Dowling has spent her career shaping some of the most recognizable brands in DTC. From launching Warby Parker and Harry’s at Gin Lane to co-founding Pattern Brands, she’s helped build companies that don’t just scale—they last. Now, with $99M raised and seven acquisitions, Pattern is creating a portfolio of home brands...

In this episode I am joined by David Habib, founder of Yo Mama's. Tired of bland, preservative-packed sauces that caused him relentless heartburn, David took matters into his own hands. Trading spreadsheets for saucepans, he founded Yo Mama’s Foods in 2017 with a mission to create pasta sauces made from simple, honest ingredients—just like his mom would. Bootstrapped from his personal savings, Dav...

In this episode I am joined by Mike Browne, founder of HEALiX Infrared. Mike shares his transformative journey from competitive hockey and professional psychology to launching a cutting-edge wellness brand. With a foundation built on years of expertise in fitness, nutrition, and mental health, Mike created HEALiX to bring advanced therapies like PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field therapy) and red...

In this episode I am joined by Courtney Claghorn of SUGARED + BRONZED, the national leader in sugaring and spray tanning services with over 38 locations across five states. What began in Courtney’s Santa Monica apartment as a quest to create healthier, more aesthetic tanning options has grown into a self-care empire. Leaving a successful career in Fintech, Courtney combined her passion for natural...

In this episode I am joined by Priya of Hapny Home, a brand redefining hardware with its curated collection of solid brass pieces. Growing up immersed in the hardware business, Priya took the unconventional route of building her own brand instead of joining her father’s 40-year-old company. With an eye for detail and a commitment to quality, Priya has filled a gap in the market, crafting hardware...

In this episode I am joined by Lillian Tung and Laura Schubert, lifelong friends and co-founders of Fur, pioneered the pubic hair and skin care category nearly a decade ago. Breaking taboos, they created a brand known for standout products like Fur Oil, a favorite of Emma Watson, and grew a loyal following, including over 12,000 professional estheticians. After landing a Shark Tank deal with Lori...

In this episode I am joined by David Heacock, Founder of Filterbuy. David took a bold leap from a seven-figure career at Goldman Sachs to save his family’s business in Talladega, Alabama. Without prior involvement, he purchased the company from his grandfather and rebuilt it into Filterbuy, the leading indoor air quality brand. Through self-funding and a commitment to U.S. manufacturing, David sca...

In this episode I am joined by Amy Zalneraitis, co-founder of We Feed Raw, the fastest-growing DTC raw dog food company. Amy shares the deeply personal story of carrying on her late sister Alissa’s mission to revolutionize pet health through biologically appropriate nutrition. Recognized as the premier raw dog food delivery service by Forbes, People Magazine, and Popular Science, We Feed Raw is se...

In this episode I am joined by Ryan Close, Founder & CEO of Bartesian, behind the revolutionary at-home cocktail machine that has transformed home entertaining. Officially launched in 2019, Bartesian skyrocketed to over $100M in DTC sales in under three years, with millions of cocktails served monthly. Ryan delves into the brand’s journey from its innovative concept to its retail expansion int...

In this episode I am joined by Alex Watson, co-founder of Renais—a premium gin crafted from upcycled grape skins sourced from his family's renowned vineyard in Chablis, France. Built alongside his sister, Emma Watson, Renais blends innovation with tradition to redefine sustainability in spirits. Alex shares the challenges of creating a brand that honors their family heritage, milestones like their...

In this episode I am joined by Ryan Vesler, founder of Homage, building a brand that transforms nostalgia into iconic apparel, celebrating pop culture, sports history, and the moments that bring us together. Since its inception, Homage has become a cult favorite, known for its vintage-inspired designs and premium quality. With partnerships spanning major sports leagues and cultural icons, Ryan sha...

In this episode I am joined by Woodie Hillyard, Co-Founder and CEO of W, co-founded by Jake Paul, a disruptive personal care brand redefining men’s grooming. Launched nationally in Walmart in June 2024, W broke records by becoming Walmart’s best launch in its Emerging Brands category, surpassing seven figures in its first month. With influencer-driven campaigns and accessible pricing, W is revolut...

In this episode I am joined by Priyanka Jain, founder and CEO of Evvy, transforming women’s health by building the largest dataset on the vaginal microbiome to address and close the gender health gap through precise, data-driven diagnostics. With its innovative testing, Evvy empowers women with deeper health insights and sets a higher standard of care that is empathetic, personalized, and research...

In this episode I am joined by Tim Fung, founder and CEO of Airtasker, the platform that connects people with skilled local taskers to get more done. Tim shares Airtasker’s journey, from launching in Australia in 2012 to expanding into the UK in 2018 and most recently, the US in 2023. Now with 3 million taskers and 4.3 million tasks completed worldwide, Airtasker has seen remarkable growth, includ...

In this episode I am joined by Renata Black, founder of EBY, a brand committed to both innovation in intimate apparel and women’s empowerment worldwide. Renata shares how EBY began as more than a clothing line, pioneering a subscription model that has now sold over 1 million products. With each purchase, EBY funds microloans for women entrepreneurs, creating a ripple effect of support. Partnering...

In this episode I am joined by Luke Milton, former professional Australian rugby player and founder of Training Mate, the fitness brand that blends HIIT with mental well-being and social connection. Luke’s approach, inspired by the Australian concept of 'mateship,' has attracted celebrity clients like Khloe Kardashian and Rebel Wilson. With 6 studios in Los Angeles, 2 in Dallas, and 4 more opening...

In this episode I am joined by Shirah Benarde, co-founder of NightCap, who created the drink spiking prevention tool at just 16 after a friend’s harrowing experience. By 17, she landed one of the fastest deals on Shark Tank, partnering with Lori Greiner. NightCap has since sold over 500,000 units in more than 40 countries, amassed a 600K social media following, and won TIME Magazine's Best Inventi...