Dear Citrus Diaries

Floura  (Co-Founder + CEO);  Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams  (Founder)  Jeni Britton is an American entrepreneur and New York Times best-selling author. She founded Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams in an Ohio farmers' market in 2002, transforming it from a small shop into a beloved national brand. Underscoring her commitment to wellbeing and sustainability, Jeni's latest venture, Floura., reinve...

PJ Monte is the founder of Monte’s Fine Foods and the creator behind Monte’s Fine Sauces. Five years ago, he began bottling and hand-labeling his family’s 120-year-old red sauce recipe for local New York restaurants and specialty stores, quickly gaining a following and earning the nickname “Sauce Boss.” what we chat about: Your family’s culinary story runs deep from Monte’s Venetian Room in Brookl...

Wendy Pickett, Co-Founder & EVP of Sales, RationAle Brewing. Bringing 25 years of consumer goods experience to the non-alcoholic craft brewing brand, Wendy has a long history of building legacy brands in the grocery/mass, natural, and specialty channels. As one of the few female leaders in the male-dominated alcohol space, she’s helping reshape the future of NA craft beer, tapping into the sur...

Founded in 2021 by longtime friends Allison Luvera and Lauren De Niro Pipher, Juliet is redefining boxed wine through premium quality, thoughtful design, and sustainability. Juliet’s proprietary Eco-Magnum™ packaging uses over 50% less carbon than glass and holds the equivalent of two bottles. The founders also created the Alternative Packaging Alliance , uniting fellow high-end boxed wine brands...

Dr. Sandra Carter is a trailblazer in the health & wellness industry with over 35 years of experience in community health, corporate wellness, research, & hospital administration. Om Mushrooms offers a range of certified organic, science-backed mushroom products—from supplements and powders to beverages and gummies. Grown in an eco-friendly indoor farm in Carlsbad, California, Om ensures m...

Halfday was founded after Kayvon Jahanbakhsh was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis when he was a freshman in college. Losing over 80 pounds, he was forced to dramatically change his diet to focus on his gut health. Kayvon enlisted the help of classmate & best-friend Mike Lombardo to develop a gut-healthy iced tea that reminded them of the classics they grew up with. Each can of Halfday has 6g...

Kate Greer is the co-founder of Cheerie Lane, an innovative popcorn brand that developed the first all-in-one ‘popcorn pod’. Growing up in the Midwest close to her family’s farm, a warm bowl of popcorn was always part of Kate’s family gatherings. Her expertise as a creative and an entrepreneur shows up in the innovative and artistic spirit of the brand. Cheerie Lane is reimagining the way people e...

Founded in 2018 by Aishwarya Iyer, Brightland is a California-based premium pantry staples brand crafting artfully designed and consciously-made olive oils, vinegars, and honeys that elevate everyday moments. what we chat about: A personal health scare sparked the idea for Brightland; Can you walk us through how that moment transformed into building a brand that has become a household name? Spirit...

Neeshi is a women’s wellness brand using real food to ease hormonal symptoms from menstruation through menopause. Founded by Gita Vellanki to help her daughter avoid the side effects of prescription meds, Neeshi offers delicious, functional products—like their Dark Cacao Spread—to support daily hormonal health naturally. The brand’s mission is to help women feel empowered and unburdened by their c...

Krishna Kaliannan is the founder of Catalina Crunch, a better-for-you cereal and snack company he launched after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. what we chat about: Catalina Crunch has been ahead of the curve in the high-protein, low-sugar movement. Looking back, what inspired you to create a brand centered on functionality before it became such a dominant trend in the grocery aisle? What do...

Dancing Elephant was founded by Saira Malhotra, an internationally trained chef and TV personality, and Chandni Prasad, an Ayurvedic wellness advocate with deep roots in public service and global policy. Rooted in tradition but reimagined for today, Dancing Elephant brings this beloved Indian staple to the American market with a fresh, vibrant perspective. what we chat about: The roots of kitchari...

CPG News: Something & Nothing OOH campaign Hear from Olly Dixon, co-founder of Something & Nothing, about their bold new out-of-home campaign in Chicago. Something & Nothing , the premium soda brand inspired by travel, has debuted its first out-of-home campaign in the U.S. – “Not Pop.” – to challenge consumers to rethink what modern soda can be in a category commonly saturated by nosta...

Courtney McHugh is a seasoned senior executive with over a decade of experience in incubating, launching, and scaling venture-backed consumer product businesses. amplifyeP24’s mission is to amplify the nutritional impact of food while contributing to a more sustainable future. Amplifye is a pioneering biotechnology company that applies computational enzyme discovery and the power of precision ferm...

Laoban Dumplings started as a humble dumpling shop in Washington, DC in 2017. While living and teaching in China, co-founder Patrick Coyne frequently found himself in the dumpling shop near his school. He loved spending time in the shop—developing a special appreciation for the care and craftsmanship shown by the shop's boss or "laoban." Once back stateside, Patrick sought to honor t...

Hear from Camilla Marcus, founder of west~bourne, about her newest collaboration with YUZUCO at the beginning of this week’s episode! Lily Geiger is a born and bred New Yorker and the founder and CEO of Figlia, a modern, non-alcoholic aperitivo brand focusing on changing the conversation around alcohol consumption. what we chat about: How Lily’s family history of alcoholism influenced the creation...

Since their humble beginnings at the farmers markets of Austin, TX in 2009, GoodPop has become known for producing some of the cleanest, most innovative and most delicious frozen treats available on the market. what we chat about: what were the early days of Good Pop like and how did its grassroots beginning shape the company’s values and growth? Scaling a brand with clean ingredients, organic sou...

Angel Margarita is co-founded by Academy Award-nominated actress, multi-platinum recording artist, and producer Hailee Steinfeld in partnership with Rodrigo Hernandez of Premium Beers Group , a leader within the alcohol industry in Mexico. what we chat about: Consumer taste evolving in the spirits and RTD space, particularly with tequila-based cocktails Process for developing Angel Margarita’s ini...

This episode is sponsored by Hummingbirds, ⁠ learn more ⁠ by booking a call with their team! Emily Steele is the CEO and cofounder of Hummingbirds, a venture-backed platform that connects brands with hyperlocal content creators. Hummingbirds is a first of its kind platform that connects cpg brands with hyperlocal creators to share their favorite products found in their backyard. what we chat about...

This episode is sponsored by Hummingbirds, ⁠ learn more ⁠ by booking a call with their team! Ribbon was created to bring a sense of calm and softness to everyday routines—for the moms doing everything and the little ones learning everything. Made from premium, platinum-cured silicone, Ribbon’s thoughtfully designed tableware is non-toxic, unbreakable, and built to last through every meal, mess, an...

This episode is sponsored by Hummingbirds, ⁠ learn more ⁠ by booking a call with their team! As co-founder and Chief Product Officer, Angela drives Little Spoon's insights-driven product innovation strategy. She started her career working in food-related television production, where she was involved in creative planning and execution. An avid chef and boutique fitness junkie, Angela is passion...

This episode is sponsored by Hummingbirds, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ learn more ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ by booking a call with their team! Aerflo is transforming the $40B+ sparkling water market with a first-of-its-kind, zero-waste carbonation system built for a more sustainable (and affordable) future. Founded by John Thorp and Buzz Wiggins, Aerflo is a case study in circular design done right. Their flagship product, the Aer1...

This episode is sponsored by Hummingbirds, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ learn more ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ by booking a call with their team! Spring & Mulberry , the original date-sweetened chocolate company, is dedicated to exploring a world of sweet beyond sugar. On a travel pitstop in Dubai on her way to visit her husband's family in India, Kathryn discovered the pleasure and beauty of dates. Jammy, sweet, and bursting wit...

This episode is sponsored by Hummingbirds, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ learn more ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ by booking a call with their team! Salad Sprinkles are Flavorful, Sprinkle-Sized Rice Puffs That Put Crunch In Every Bite! Jordan is an award-winning graphic designer and entrepreneur. For over 12 years, her eye for design has made products pop on shelves and screens alike. Our clever TikTok’s and metallic labels are her pride and...

This episode is sponsored by Hummingbirds, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ learn more ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ by booking a call with their team! MILKish is smooth, creamy (kind of like almond milk), delicious, and totally allergen-friendly, with 0g sugar and 99% less water use than almonds. They offer two unsweetened flavors: Original and Vanilla, and are launching now in coffee shops and specialty retail + Amazon, and it’s already catching...

This episode is sponsored by Hummingbirds, ⁠⁠⁠⁠ learn more ⁠⁠⁠⁠ by booking a call with their team! After being diagnosed with an array of chronic gut illnesses, and being fortunate to work with a functional medicine doctor, Xeba learned about the power of supplements and nutrition. While on a restricted diet, she searched snack aisles and couldn't find BFY snacks that actually tasted indulgent...