TrepTalks with Sushant

 Dr. Juan Salinas, founder of Pnuff Crunch, a baked peanut-based protein puff made with peanuts, navy beans, and rice with no added flavors or preservatives. Dr. Juan shares his journey from immigrating from Honduras in 1985 to earning a PhD at Rutgers and working 20–25 years at major CPG companies before starting Pnuff in 2015. He explains how fitness and performance nutrition work at Nestlé insp...

 Tim Swindle, co-founder of Paddle Smash, shares his journey from selling a venture-backed software startup to LinkedIn to building and scaling consumer products. He discusses launching the game Utter Nonsense (later acquired by PlayMonster) and how Paddle Smash evolved from a rough prototype into a viral outdoor game through a year of R&D. He highlights key growth strategies, including a DTC-...

Steve Adams, founder of TiCK MiTT, a patented reusable microfiber mitt designed to quickly and safely remove ticks from people and pets, inspired by his family’s experiences with Lyme disease. Steve shares his entrepreneurial journey from early hustle and real estate to building a celebrity-home construction firm and then acquiring Magnolia Bakery, scaling it from one shop to 35–40 locations acros...

Debbie Quintana, founder of Jocelyn & Company, shares how she transitioned from 12+ years in corporate security at Cisco to building a gourmet foods and corporate gifting brand during COVID. Starting with limited capital, she grew the business to $1M in 11 months and $5M in 2022 by leveraging her network, scaling B2B gifting (now 80% of revenue), and using platforms like Faire. Debbie discusse...

 Adam Myhoob, founder of Nuts On the Run. Adam shares his entrepreneurial journey, which began with a successful restaurant business in Vancouver, Canada. He details how he transitioned into the e-commerce space with Nuts On the Run, a brand that offers premium, small batch roasted nuts and snacks. Adam discusses his philosophy of never compromising on quality, his unique product flavors, and the...

 Anthony Coussa, the founder of DadBod apparel, a family-owned lifestyle brand based out of Northern California. Anthony discusses his journey into entrepreneurship, the inspiration behind DadBod Apparel, and how he successfully created a niche market focused on dads maintaining fitness, fashion, and health while embracing parenthood. He shares the initial challenges, the strategies used to build...

Emma Rose Cohen, the innovative CEO and founder of Final Straw, on Treptalks. In this insightful episode, Emma shares her journey from being a ski bum to becoming a leading entrepreneur in the sustainability movement. She discusses how Final Straw, the pioneering reusable and collapsible straw, launched on Kickstarter and raised $1.8 million shortly after. Emma dives deep into the strategies she u...

Alex Stanford, the founder of St. Belford, a company specializing in lifestyle planners and journals designed to help individuals prioritize self-care, build healthier habits, and achieve personal growth. Alex shares her entrepreneurial journey, including her motivation behind starting the business in 2017 following personal burnout, and the unique features of St. Belford planners that differentia...

Mai Tran, the founder of Cavology, a Canadian-based lifestyle brand specializing in fashionable and functional accessories for dogs and their owners. Mai shares her inspiring journey from practicing law to becoming an entrepreneur in the pet industry. She discusses the development and growth of her brand, the strategies and tactics used to build an audience and scale the business, and the challeng...

 Nathan Rothstein, founder of Project Repat. Nathan shares the story of how Project Repat started in 2012 to convert customers' memorable t-shirts into high-quality quilts. Discussing his entrepreneurial journey, Nathan reveals the initial inspiration, challenges faced, and strategies used to scale the business to an eight-figure enterprise. 

 Joanne Liscano, the Chief Executive Officer of On-Air Parking. Joanne shares her inspiring journey from working at American Airlines to becoming the CEO of a travel technology company. She discusses the challenges of balancing family life with a professional career and how she utilized her skills to climb the ranks within On-Air Parking. Joanne also talks about the company's innovative busin...

Bob Healey, founder and inventor of GrillBlazer. Bob shares his fascinating journey from frustration with low-quality propane torches to creating the innovative Grill Gun. He discusses the challenges and strategies he employed to take his idea from concept to market. Bob explains the importance of hands-on design, navigating manufacturing hurdles, and leveraging Kickstarter for success. Tune in to...

Arpit Aryan Gupta, the partner and new business development head of NG Apparels. Arpit shares insights about his journey as a fourth-generation entrepreneur in the textile industry. He discusses the history and evolution of NG Apparels, an India-based custom and sustainable clothing manufacturer utilizing ethical and fair trade practices. Gain valuable entrepreneurial lessons, understand the texti...

Andy Sartori, the founder of MealPro. Andy shares his entrepreneurial journey, which began with a passion for healthy eating and evolved into a successful e-commerce business that delivers nutritious meals to busy professionals and individuals with specific dietary needs. He discusses the strategic challenges and steps he took, including vertical integration, leveraging constraints, and focusing o...

John Roman, founder of BattlBox, a monthly subscription service offering handpicked outdoor survival gear. John shares his entrepreneurial journey, detailing the inception of BattlBox, the strategies and tactics used to grow the business, and the significant milestones along the way. He also discusses the challenges of operating a subscription model, the importance of content and influencer market...

Lindzi Shanks, co-founder of XO Marshmallow, a gourmet marshmallow e-commerce company based in Chicago. Lindzi shares the fascinating journey of starting XO Marshmallow with just $200 and growing it into a multi-million dollar business. She delves into how the idea for custom-flavored marshmallows was born, the power of social media in their success, and their innovative products. Lindzi also disc...

Craig Rabin, the founder of The AirHook, a patented travel convenience product. Craig shares his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of creating and marketing The AirHook, and his pivot into becoming an 'invention coach.' Learn about the power of rapid prototyping, the importance of strong relationships, and the value of giving back. Craig also reveals insights into his successful cr...

Ambrose Price, the co-founder of SKNMUSE, a premium skincare brand. Ambrose shares the entrepreneurial journey of creating SKNMUSE alongside his wife, the challenges faced, and the strategies used to grow the business. They discuss the unique aspects of their product line, focusing on natural ingredients and artisanal production. Ambrose also highlights their marketing efforts, including impactful...

Ben Sarrazin, founder of Yuba Bikes, a pioneering company on a mission to transform urban mobility through high-quality, eco-friendly cargo bikes. With a background in environmental science and a lifelong passion for cycling, Ben shares the story behind Yuba’s creation and his vision for sustainable transportation. We explore the early challenges of building a cargo bike market, the complexities o...

Matilda and Kelly Belknap, co-founders of the Adventurist Backpack Company share their entrepreneurial journey, tracing the idea back to their first international backpacking trip. Observing market gaps between low-cost and high-end backpacks, they designed their own line that combined quality and affordability. Their travels also exposed them to global food insecurity, inspiring them to incorpora...

Illana Karcinski, co-founder of Fairytale Pet Care, a unique wedding day pet care company, discusses her entrepreneurial journey, revealing how the idea originated from observing a common problem in the hospitality industry where couples struggled with including their pets in their wedding. She explains how Fairytale Petcare offers a range of services including pet sitting, round trip transportati...

Joseph Watson, Co-owner of K9 Sport Sack, shares the inspirational story of how rescuing a puppy named Daisy from a dumpster led him and his wife to create a product that allows people to bring their dogs along on cycling and hiking adventures. Throughout the interview, Joseph discusses the evolution of the K9 Sport Sack, the challenges they faced, the strategies they employed, and the passionate...

David Restiano, the founder and inventor of Sorsoap, a unique muscle scraping soap designed for use in the shower, integrating physical therapy into daily routines. David shares the story of how he came up with the idea during the COVID-19 pandemic while dealing with soreness from running. He discusses the development process, manufacturing challenges, Shark Tank experience, and the successful mar...

Richard Worsham of Janus Motorcycles,  shares his unique background in literature and architecture and details his journey from childhood fascination with vehicles to founding a motorcycle company. Janus Motorcycles specializes in handmade, classically styled, lightweight motorcycles with a strong focus on design, craftsmanship, and personalization.

Dr. Bobbi Peterson, an orthodontist and founder of Big Mouth Toothbrush, shares her journey from opening her own dental practice to becoming the first black female orthodontist to invent an electric toothbrush. She discusses the motivation behind her innovative product, which aims to improve periodontal health with a wider brush head and powerful sonic vibrations. Dr. Bobbi talks about her experie...