The Story of a Brand Show

When you meet someone building a brand with soul, you feel it.  That's exactly what happened when I spoke with JW Wiseman , the founder of Curious Elixirs , a line of booze-free cocktails that doesn't just skip the alcohol but adds in adaptogens, bold flavor, and a whole lot of purpose. We discuss how this brand was born out of personal transformation, how JW is rethinking the celebration culture,...

When Rose Hamilton , Founder of Compass Rose Ventures , first tried Aplós, she knew there was something different, sophisticated, calming, and beautifully intentional.  In this episode, Rose sits down with David Fudge , Co-founder and CEO of Aplós , to unpack how he's not just building a brand—he's reimagining what it means to unwind. From Bonobos to beverage, David's journey is a masterclass in b...

When your product is born out of love, necessity, and a mission to help others, it shows.  In this episode, I sit down with Jesslyn Rollins , CEO of BIOLYTE , the first medical-grade hydration drink formulated to deliver the benefits of an IV bag in a bottle. What started as a way to help her mom during cancer treatment has grown into a mission-driven brand helping people stay hydrated across heal...

Few brands impress me the way Kizik has when it comes to everyday innovation that people can use in their daily lives. In this episode, I sit down with Elizabeth Drori , the Chief Marketing Officer leading the charge at Kizik , the brand redefining how we think about footwear. These aren't just shoes; they're hands-free, high-tech, and built for real life.  Whether you're a parent juggling kids, a...

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Lauren Corugedo , Head of Marketing at Chef Merito . Chef Merito is a family-founded Latino brand that has been bringing bold, authentic flavor to kitchens since 1985.  We dove into the brand's rich heritage, how it all started in her grandfather's garage, and why staying true to their roots is more important than ever as they grow across the U....

When someone tells me they're going all in, I listen.  That's exactly what Tommy Walsh , Founder & Owner of Shroom Bar , did when he launched Shroom Bar, a protein-packed, mushroom-fueled bar designed for focus, energy, and endurance.    In this episode, Tommy shares his founder journey, from mixing mushroom powder in his drinks to building a functional bar brand targeting the MMA world (and beyon...

When I say this episode is packed with hard-won wisdom, I mean it. I sat down with Matt Orlic , founder of Qure Skincare , who's built 25+ brands over the past two decades, and survived losing $5 million when a major retailer collapsed overnight. Instead of giving up, he pivoted to DTC and built Qure , a brand redefining the skincare category through innovation, accessibility, and product efficacy...

As someone who's passionate about brands that lead with purpose and quality, my conversation with Lindsey Hickey , CEO and owner of Simek's , was a true highlight.   Simek's isn't just about frozen meals; it's about nourishing people with food made from real ingredients, giving back to local communities, and doing business with integrity. In this episode, Lindsey shares her journey from joining th...

From the moment I met Annie Meyer , Co-founder & CEO of Untoxicated , I could tell she was building something special.   In this episode, we dive deep into her journey with Untoxicated , a mission-driven skincare brand formulated for people with sensitive skin and built around science, empathy, and real impact.  Annie opens up about the personal skin struggles that led her to co-found the brand, h...

As someone who's had the pleasure of working closely with Sachi Singh , the Founder & CEO of  Rootless , I knew this episode would be special.    Sachi isn't just building a product. She's building a movement rooted in impact, education, and transformation.  In this conversation, we explore Rootless 's origin story, how seaweed became the brand's "hero ingredient," and the systems thinking that un...

When it comes to fueling ambition, some stories are just unforgettable. In this episode, Rose Hamilton , founder of Compass Rose Venture , sits down with Scott Turner and Nick Lagonia , the powerhouse duo behind Misery & Mayhem , a new protein-packed oatmeal brand that's redefining what "fuel" really means for athletes and everyday warriors alike. We dive deep into how two former Peloton team memb...

In this episode, I sit down with João Esteves , founder of DiVERGE Sneakers , a brand that's rewriting the rules of footwear from the ground up.   We discuss why customization matters, how DiVERGE puts the customer's individuality front and center, and what it truly takes to build a business rooted in purpose, not just profit.   João opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, including the emotio...

On today's episode of The Story of a Brand Show , I'm joined by Lauren Picasso , the founder and CEO of Cure Hydration .   What started as a personal struggle with staying hydrated as an endurance athlete led Lauren to launch a science-backed, clean-label hydration brand that is now available in thousands of retail stores.  We talked about how she identified the gap in the hydration category, buil...

In this episode, I sat down with Vicky Pasche , the incredible force behind Dapper Boi , a gender-inclusive, size-inclusive apparel brand with a mission rooted in confidence and authenticity.   What began as Vicky's search for clothes that fit her body and identity has grown into a full-blown movement. From scrappy Kickstarter launches to launching on Nordstrom, this is a story of resilience, crea...

In this episode, I sit down with Jason Bronstad , CEO of Malk Organics , and talk about the journey of not just leading a clean-label brand but rebuilding it from the inside out.   Jason shares how a deeply personal career pivot led him to a mission-driven company that's transforming the plant-based milk category, one clean ingredient at a time. We get into the weeds from SKU rationalization and s...

In this episode, I sit down with Dan Abel , Co-founder and CEO of Pilot Project Brewing , a first-of-its-kind beverage incubator helping brands navigate one of the most competitive and complex CPG categories: beverages.   From launching home-brew experiments in his garage to opening multi-location tasting rooms and scaling more than 20 innovative brands, Dan shares the real story behind building a...

In this episode, I had the honor of sitting down with Julie Smolyansky , President, CEO, and Chairwoman of Lifeway Foods , a pioneering brand behind the kefir movement in the U.S.   We dive deep into Julie's incredible family story, from escaping the Soviet Union with just $116 to building a nearly $200M company that now owns 95% of the global kefir category. Julie shares how her father's dream, h...

In this episode, I chat with Charlie Weisman , the creative force behind Staff , a brand that's reimagining the most overlooked items in your home such as plungers, lint rollers, and oven mitts with joy, color, and a whole lot of personality.   What started as a quirky side project during the COVID lockdown turned into a design-forward brand now making waves with retailers, collaborators, and even...

In this episode, I sit down with Dan Abel Jr. , Chief Chocolate Officer of Bissinger's , one of the oldest chocolate companies in the world, dating back to 1668.   We dive into this remarkable brand's royal beginnings in France, its journey to the U.S., and how Dan and his family have preserved Bissinger's timeless quality while modernizing its operations for today's consumer. Dan shares the heart...

Ever wonder why restaurant aprons haven't changed in a hundred years?  In this episode, I sat down with father-son duo Kevin and Kieran Hoy of Smart Apron to discuss how they're transforming a tired, overlooked product into a modern-day solution for food service workers and beyond. What started with a stitched-up fanny pack has become a functional, durable, and smartly designed product used by eve...

What does it take to build a premium wellness brand in one of the world's most regulated, misunderstood, and competitive industries?  In this episode, I sit down with David Hartigan , Founder and CEO of Hemp Heros , to talk about the real story behind his mission-driven CBD and functional mushroom company. From managing MMA fighters to becoming one of the few B Corp -certified hemp brands, David s...

What happens when two creative minds, a thriving agency founder and a comedian-turned-creator, team up to launch a better-for-you hydration brand?   You get  VitaWild —a deliciously clean and thoughtfully formulated hydration and immunity blend that's winning hearts (and taste buds).  In this episode, I sit down with Jacques Spitzer and James Schrader , co-founders of VitaWild , to talk about thei...

What do you get when you combine a great-grandmother's Swedish cookie recipe, a mother-daughter duo, and a lot of grit?   You get  Spritzal , a clean-label cookie brand disrupting the cookie aisle with shortbread bites made from real, simple ingredients. In this episode, I sit down with Taylor Walker , COO and Co-founder of Spritzal , to talk about how a family recipe evolved into a brand that's w...

What happens when two passionate entrepreneurs set out to reinvent the non-alcoholic drinking experience?  In this episode, I sit down with Oliver Spring and Sophia Racciatti , Co-Founders of Ooso , to discuss their journey of creating a sparkling tea inspired by natural wine. From late-night kitchen experiments to landing on retail shelves, they share how they built a brand that brings complexity...

Women's health should be accessible, judgment-free, and rooted in real solutions, but that hasn't always been the case.  In this episode, I sit down with Jamie Norwood , Co-founder of Winx Health , to discuss how her brand is challenging outdated norms, improving access to essential products, and leading the charge in reproductive and vaginal health. From over-the-counter emergency contraception t...