Bissinger’s - What It Takes to Craft a Chocolate Masterpiece
The Story of a Brand
In this episode, I sit down with , Chief Chocolate Officer of , 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 timeless quality while modernizing its operations for today’s consumer. Dan shares the heartfelt moments that fueled their purpose, from handwritten letters of gratitude to surviving COVID by leaning on their direct-to-consumer strength. We also talk chocolate, real chocolate. Dan walks us through what makes ...
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Lifeway Foods - The Immigrant Dream That Built a $200M Wellness Brand
The Story of a Brand
In this episode, I had the honor of sitting down with , President, CEO, and Chairwoman of , 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, her mother's entrepreneurial spirit, and her own grit helped turn a probiotic-rich dairy drink into a wellness staple for millions. We also discuss the science behind kefir, staying innovative while running a public...
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Smart Apron - The Apron That Works as Hard as You Do
The Story of a Brand
Ever wonder why restaurant aprons haven’t changed in a hundred years? In this episode, I sat down with father-son duo and Hoy of 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 everyone from restaurant servers to inventory teams. We dive deep into how they’ve bootstrapped their business, navigated manufacturing challenges, and used customer feedback to build a better product. From high...
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Hemp Heros - How to Build a Wellness Brand Your Pets Will Love
The Story of a Brand
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 , Founder and CEO of , to talk about the real story behind his mission-driven CBD and functional mushroom company. From managing fighters to becoming one of the few -certified hemp brands, David shares how a single moment of belief changed his life and how he's paying it forward through his business. David takes us behind the scenes of launching into the U.S. market, setting up U.S.-based manufacturing, creating pet...
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VitaWild - No Sugar, No Guilt—Just Good Hydration
The Story of a Brand
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 —a deliciously clean and thoughtfully formulated hydration and immunity blend that’s winning hearts (and taste buds). In this episode, I sit down with and , co-founders of , to talk about their passion for product integrity, building brands with intention, and why they refused to cut corners in making something their families—and yours—can feel good about drinking. They open up about the actual cost of doing...
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Spritzal Cookie Company - How a Family Recipe Became a Retail Hit
The Story of a Brand
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 , a clean-label cookie brand disrupting the cookie aisle with shortbread bites made from real, simple ingredients. In this episode, I sit down with , COO and Co-founder of , to talk about how a family recipe evolved into a brand that’s winning over retailers, shoppers, and sweet tooths alike. Taylor shares the 10-year journey of building Spritzal, from hand-pressing cookies in a home kitchen to scaling manufacturing and launching with major...
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Ooso - A Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Tea Inspired by Natural Wine
The Story of a Brand
What happens when two passionate entrepreneurs set out to reinvent the non-alcoholic drinking experience? In this episode, I sit down with and , Co-Founders of , 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, sophistication, and design-forward thinking to the non-alcoholic space. Oliver and Sophia dive into the challenges of launching a beverage brand, the importance of great branding, and why consumer education is key to success...
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Winx Health - Revolutionizing Reproductive Care: One Product at a Time
The Story of a Brand
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 , Co-founder of , 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 to at-home testing, is redefining how women take control of their well-being. Jamie shares the challenges of breaking into retail, the impact of misinformation on women’s health, and why proactive education is...
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Wove - The 10% Luck, 90% Preparation Rule for Going Viral
The Story of a Brand
Jewelry isn’t just about sparkle—it’s about storytelling, sentiment, and capturing life’s most meaningful moments. In this episode, I sit down with , CEO of , to discuss how this brand redefines the fine jewelry experience with custom designs, technology, and a personal touch. From engagement rings to viral moments, Simone shares how is making luxury jewelry more accessible, personal, and deeply meaningful. Simone also discusses the strategy behind ’s recent viral success, the importance of operational excellence, and how the brand is scaling without losing its custom-first...
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FullWell - What to Know Before You Conceive
The Story of a Brand
What if prenatal and reproductive health went beyond pregnancy? In this episode, I sit down with , Founder & CEO of , to discuss the critical role of nutrition in fertility, pregnancy, and overall reproductive wellness for both women and men. As a registered dietitian and integrative health expert, Ayla shares how evidence-based formulations, transparency, and education are changing the landscape of prenatal and fertility supplements. Ayla opens up about the science behind essential nutrients, why preconception health matters, and the industry-wide gaps is solving. Key...
info_outlineEver 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 everyone from restaurant servers to Nike inventory teams.
We dive deep into how they’ve bootstrapped their business, navigated manufacturing challenges, and used customer feedback to build a better product. From high school business projects to Amazon reviews, Smart Apron proves that listening to your customers and staying consistent can lead to real innovation.
Key Moments in This Episode:
🧵 How a restaurant shift inspired the very first Smart Apron
🚧 The 10-year pause—and what brought it back to life
🎯 Why real-world feedback fuels their design process
💡 Turning a niche product into a multi-industry solution
📦 Scaling a lean, family-run business from Amazon to national retailers
Join me, Ramon Vela, for this inspiring conversation about resilience, reinvention, and why solving a small problem can lead to something big.
For more on Smart Apron, visit: https://thesmartapron.com/
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Today’s Sponsors:
Compass Rose Ventures- Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/
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