Starting Small

In this episode I am joined by Kim Le, Co-Founder of Prime Roots, taking on the plant-based meat industry, one deli counter at a time. Prime Roots has spent the last seven years mastering the craft of growing Koji and slicing it to sandwich-ready perfection without the cholesterol, nitrates, antibiotics, hormones, and preservatives. The brand has created koji-ham, koji-turkey and koji-pepperoni to...

Founded only 8 years ago, HexClad is now one of the fastest growing cookware brands in the world, growing more than 100% YOY nearly every year since its inception in 2017, and is backed by partner Gordon Ramsay. The HexClad Culinary Council includes notable chefs across the globe like Nancy Silverton, Dominique Crenn, Paul Ainsworth and Natsuko Shoji, and devoted celeb fans include Oprah, Halle Be...

In this episode I am joined by Ashley Gould, Founder of Âme Atendre™. Âme Atendre™, translating to “tend to the soul” in French, captures their mission: to cultivate meaningful connection through thoughtfully designed tableware. They believe in the power of open and curious conversations, especially across differences, to deepen our human bonds and well-being. Their collections elevate everyday ga...

In this episode I am joined by Tom Spier, Founder of BFG Partners, a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage consumer products including the likes of OLIPOP, Mid-Day Squares, Athletic Greens, Vacation, and more. As of spring 2024, they just announced the activation of their third fund with commitments already approaching 70% of the $125 million target fund size. Make sure to check out BFG...

In this episode I am joined by Quaid Walker, Founder of Bezel, a marketplace for authenticated luxury watches with +$400M in listings from Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Cartier, and more. Along with that, they've raised $10M from John Legend, Steve Aoki, Kevin Hart, J Balvin, Michael Ovitz and BoxGroup. With Bezel, you can easily browse for watches on the Bezel app, chat with their watch...

In this episode I am joined by Craig Dubitsky, Co-Founder & CEO of Happy Coffee, alongside actor Robert Downey Jr. Slow roasted coffee creates complex notes, char-free and smooth taste, all while sourcing from thoughtful growers across 8 countries. Trust me, if you haven't tried Happy Coffee yet, I'm sure you've tried one of his other brands. He is the man behind consumer brands such as Method...

In this episode I am joined by Will Nitze, Founder & CEO of IQBAR, the leading brain and body nutrition company most known for their low-sugar, high-protein bars with brain-boosting ingredients. What started in his Boston apartment kitchen in 2017 can now be found in more than 10,000 stores and more than 14,000 5-star online reviews. Make sure to check out IQBAR at: https://www.eatiqbar.com  ...

In this episode I am joined by Jen Zest of GOODLES. GOODLES quickly took over the mac and cheese category with its bold packaging and “adult” flavors. The brand is only 2 years old and has already sold over 9 billion noodles. A box of GOODLES is sold every 2 seconds Make sure to check out GOODLES at: https://www.goodles.com/   Visit Starting Small Media: https://startingsmallmedia.org/ Subscribe t...

In this episode I am joined by Vidyuth Srinivasan of Entrupy, scalable AI-powered solutions for product verification—anytime, anywhere. At the palm of your hand in seconds, Entrupy protects businesses, buyers and sellers from inadvertently transacting in counterfeit and fraudulent items. Make sure to check out Entrupy at: https://www.entrupy.com   Register FREE for Starting Small Summit: https://i...

In this episode I am joined by Melissa and Lee of Frame Fitness, the first at-home, digitally-connected pilates reformer. The husband-and-wife team behind the at-home, digitally-connected Pilates reformer combines Melissa’s success and knowledge in the Pilates space and Lee’s entrepreneurial spirit. The at-home fitness space was already growing rapidly and with the quick acceleration of the need f...

In this episode I am joined by Rosa Li of Wildwonder, the world’s first prebiotic + probiotic sparkling drink. As a child, Rosa Li was inspired by her grandma's herbal tonics to make a delicious Wildwonder beverage that combines heritage-inspired herbal knowledge with gut-healing elements. After appearing on ABC's Shark Tank, Wildwonder can be found in numerous retailers, nation wide and online at...

In this episode I am joined by Jash Mehta of Pop & Bottle, serving up pure, organic almond and oat lattes using simple ingredients. Jash and her co-founder, Blair, launched Pop & Bottle with the goal to create delicious RTD lattes with clean, functional ingredients and without dairy or refined sugars. Make sure to check out Pop & Bottle at: https://www.popandbottle.com/   Register FREE...

In this episode I am joined by Austin Maxwell of Kanga Coolers, the worlds first iceless cooler for your case, keeping beverages cold for up to 7 hours. The co-founders all had expensive coolers that could keep their drinks cold for 3 weeks, but never used them to keep their drinks cold for 3 hours! They were too bulky to carry, and getting ice each time was a hassle. So, they would just grab a co...

In this episode I am joined by Caroline Buck of Petaluma. As one of the only certified B Corp businesses in any pet category, Petaluma is challenging the status quo by offering science-backed dog nutrition with less harm to the environment and zero reliance on factory-farmed animal protein. Make sure to check out Petaluma at: https://www.feedpetaluma.com/   Visit Starting Small Media: https://star...

In this episode I am joined by Philip James of Firstleaf. Firstleaf has helped over a million people find wines they love. Their custom algorithm meticulously maps its award-winning wine portfolio to each customer’s distinct palate via its quiz and rating system with a 96% accuracy rate. Most quiz-based wine subscriptions will group you into profiles, where 98% of Firstleaf's boxes are completely...

In this episode I am joined by Oliver Zak of Mad Rabbit, your easy tattoo care solution from soothing new ink to reviving & protecting current ones. Founded in 2019 by two friends with a passion for ink, Oliver and Selom saw an opportunity to reinvent the tattoo aftercare and tattoo skincare space to help improve the healing process and preserve tattoos. After their own experience with the lac...

In this episode I am joined by Shelley Young of The Chopping Block, Chicago’s premier school for home cooks, offering intimate, interactive cooking classes daily in their state-of-the-art kitchens. Make sure to check out The Chopping Block at: https://www.thechoppingblock.net/   Visit Starting Small Media: https://startingsmallmedia.org/ Subscribe to exclusive Starting Small emails: https://starti...

In this episode I am joined by Mike Salguero, CEO and founder of ButcherBox. Founded in 2015, ButcherBox® began with a simple mission to make high-quality meat more accessible to all. The company soon discovered that meant more than delivering 100% grass-fed, grass-finished beef, free-range organic chicken, pork raised crate-free, and sustainably sourced seafood, it meant rethinking the country’s...

In this episode I am joined by Aaron Trotman of NON, non-alcoholic beverages with bold and complex flavors. Non is redefining the wine occasion using the natural world and multidisciplinary techniques to produce the future of drinks. Real Taste. No Booze. Make sure to check out NON at: https://us.non.world/   Visit Starting Small Media: https://startingsmallmedia.org/ Subscribe to exclusive Starti...

In this episode I am joined by Preston Rutherford of Chubbies, a weekend apparel brand and leaders of the proper length shorts revolution. Make sure to check out Chubbies at: https://www.chubbiesshorts.com/ Preston's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prestonr/   Visit Starting Small Media: https://startingsmallmedia.org/ Subscribe to exclusive Starting Small emails: https://startingsmallmedia....

In this episode I am joined by a Starting Small alum from 2021, Edgar Blazona, with his new venture Maderight CA, luxurious, audacious, contemporary furniture, made right in the heart of California. Make sure to check out Maderight at: https://maderightca.com/   Visit Starting Small Media: https://startingsmallmedia.org/ Subscribe to exclusive Starting Small emails: https://startingsmallmedia.org/...

Thank you for tuning into “Starting Small'', a podcast about brand development, entrepreneurship, and innovation in the modern world. In this episode I am joined by Barbora Samieian of Sundays, a Scandinavian and West Coast inspired, thoughtfully curated selection of modern, timeless furniture for your home. Make sure to check out Sundays at: https://www.sundays-company.com/   Visit Starting Small...

Thank you for tuning into “Starting Small'', a podcast about brand development, entrepreneurship, and innovation in the modern world. In this episode I am joined by Caron Prochan of Simply, a natural confections brand making gum, mints, dark chocolate date bars, and fruit bites. Make sure to check out Simply at: https://www.simplygum.com/   Visit Starting Small Media: https://startingsmallmedia.or...

Thank you for tuning into “Starting Small'', a podcast about brand development, entrepreneurship, and innovation in the modern world. In this episode I am joined by Bria Hammel, founder of Brooke & Lou, an e-commerce collection of furnishings, décor and one-of-a-kind pieces. Make sure to check out Brooke & Lou at: https://brookeandlou.com/   Visit Starting Small Media: https://startingsmal...

Thank you for tuning into “Starting Small'', a podcast about brand development, entrepreneurship, and innovation in the modern world. In this episode, I am joined by Jordan Nathan, founder of Caraway, designing non-toxic, ceramic-coated non-stick home goods that raise the standards of what you cook and bake with... with a vast variety of unique color ways to fit your kitchens aesthetic.  Make sure...