DiVERGE Sneakers - How Custom Sneakers and Social Impact Walk Hand-in-Hand
The Story of a Brand
In this episode, I sit down with , founder of , 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 emotional resilience required to stay the course and the people who believed in him when the business needed it most. From launching a brand inspired by a Robert Frost poem to becoming a B Corp committed to people and the...
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Cure Hydration - How One Brand Made Hydration Cool (and Clean)
The Story of a Brand
On today’s episode of , I’m joined by , the founder and CEO of . 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, built from the ground up (including mixing formulas at home), and the strategic choices that helped the brand scale across DTC and retail. Lauren didn’t come from the CPG world, but her background in e-commerce and performance marketing...
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Dapper Boi - Confidence Is the Real Product
The Story of a Brand
In this episode, I sat down with , the incredible force behind , 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, creativity, and staying true to your why. We talk about the power of fit, why confidence is ’s actual product, and the wild ride of building a business from scratch. Vicky doesn’t hold back; she shares the highs, the...
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Malk Organics - The Simple Ingredient Strategy That Built Consumer Trust
The Story of a Brand
In this episode, I sit down with , CEO of , 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 category, one clean ingredient at a time. We get into the weeds from SKU rationalization and shelf life extension to the emotional lessons of transparent leadership and brand stewardship. What happens when your consumers call you out on social media? You listen, and you learn, and Jason shares exactly how his team responded and...
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Pilot Project Brewing - The Incubator That's Launching the Next Big Beverage Brands
The Story of a Brand
In this episode, I sit down with , Co-founder and CEO of , 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 an incubator that acts more like a record label than a traditional brewery. We discuss how removes barriers for founders, democratizes access to manufacturing and distribution, and gathers real-time consumer data to help...
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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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Staff - How to Turn a Plunger Into a Social Media Star
The Story of a Brand
In this episode, I chat with , the creative force behind , 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 celebrities like Drew Barrymore. Charlie opens up about building from scratch, why he didn’t tell anyone what he was working on, and how trusting his instincts (plus a little naivete in the beginning)...
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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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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...
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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