Coco5 - The Athlete-Backed Brand Moms Love
The Story of a Brand
I had the pleasure of sitting down with , Co-CEO and Co-founder of , and what a conversation it was. From the South Side of Chicago to Wall Street to the beverage aisle, James’s journey is packed with powerful lessons on grit, reinvention, and staying true to your purpose. He opened up about a pivotal moment in college that transformed his life — when he walked away from basketball to pursue academics — and how that same clarity of purpose led him to fall in love with a product called Coco5. What started as a health-conscious investment turned into a mission-driven beverage brand...
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BusterBox - From Zero to Thousands of Happy Dogs
The Story of a Brand
In this episode of , I sit down with , co-founder of , a subscription box that delivers joy straight to your dog’s doorstep. What started as three friends looking to create something fun and meaningful quickly became one of the fastest-growing dog subscription brands in Europe. Gary shares the ups and downs of starting a business from scratch, from packing boxes by hand in a tiny apartment to now serving thousands of happy dog parents every month. What I loved most about this conversation is how scrappy and determined Gary and his co-founders were in the early days. They didn’t...
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MTE - A Better Way to Recharge
The Story of a Brand
On this episode of , I sat down with , founder of , a wellness brand that’s redefining how we think about energy, recovery, and mood. What started as a personal quest to feel better and support the people closest to him turned into a full-spectrum product created with intention, science, and heart. Jeff gets candid about burnout, anxiety, and how most of us are just trying to show up as our best selves in a world that doesn’t make it easy. This conversation isn’t just about supplements—it’s about the pursuit of better living. Jeff opens up about building a product he uses...
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Diestel Family Ranch - What Real, Responsible Food Really Looks Like
The Story of a Brand
What does it mean to steward a family legacy while completely rethinking how food is raised? In this episode, I sat down with of , a fourth-generation turkey farmer who's not afraid to ask hard questions about the food system and make bold changes. Heidi brings a rare mix of tradition, transparency, and a challenger mindset to an industry that often resists change. We talked about everything from regenerative agriculture to redefining what “better” means in the turkey category. Heidi shares how her family is holding to their values while also pushing boundaries, such as...
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Avocado Mattress - What Makes a Mattress Truly Organic?
The Story of a Brand
When I think of a product worth buying and a brand worth supporting, is at the top of my list. In this episode, I sat down with , Co-CEO of , to discuss what it truly takes to build a mission-driven, vertically integrated company in a category dominated by commodity players. Vy’s story is rooted in deep gratitude for his family’s immigrant journey, and he brings that same heart and intention to everything he does—from sourcing organic materials to creating calm, customer-first retail spaces. We discussed the early days of , the team's commitment to vertical integration,...
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Cordina Hair - Creating Confidence, One Curl at a Time
The Story of a Brand
In this episode, I sit down with , the founder and creative mind behind , a brand built on innovation, determination, and one incredibly clever invention. What started as a DIY experiment to solve her hairstyling challenge has turned into a viral beauty tool trusted by thousands of women worldwide. walks us through her journey of turning a homemade prototype into a product featured by media outlets and sold globally. What I loved most about this conversation is Yanika’s fearless approach to building from scratch, literally. We talk about everything from product development and customer...
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Snoozy - Helping You Sleep, One Gummy at a Time
The Story of a Brand
In this episode, I sit down with and , the dynamic duo behind , a functional gummy brand that’s reimagining how we think about sleep, stress, and chill. What started as a curiosity about CBD quickly evolved into a product line that’s all about helping people wind down without the fuzziness or stigma of traditional solutions. We delve into everything from product formulation to branding, as well as how they’re breaking into retail by creating real value for both consumers and partners. What I loved most about this conversation is how Chris and Owen are building with intention....
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Compass Rose Ventures - Good Ideas Don’t Scale Themselves
The Story of a Brand
In this episode, I sit down with , a powerhouse marketing strategist, CPG advisor, and the founder of . Rose shares an honest, insightful look into what it takes to build, grow, and scale a consumer brand in today’s landscape, from digital-first storytelling to the emotional resilience founders need to survive the chaos of retail and fundraising. This conversation is packed with wisdom earned from years in the trenches, advising some of the most innovative brands in beauty, beverage, wellness, and beyond. What I love most about this episode is Rose’s unique blend of heart and...
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Resbiotic - The Gut-Lung Axis Explained
The Story of a Brand
In this episode, I sit down with , a physician-scientist and the founder & CEO of , to explore the incredible connection between our gut microbiome and respiratory health. Dr. Lal shares how his clinical work with premature infants inspired a deeper dive into gut-lung science, ultimately leading to the development of —a science-first wellness brand that’s bridging the gap between clinical research and everyday health. What really struck me in this conversation was Vivek’s blend of curiosity, care, and credibility. He’s not just creating a product—he’s on a mission to...
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Bare Kind - How Socks Became a Force for Good
The Story of a Brand
In this episode, I sit down with , the passionate owner of , a brand of bamboo socks that’s on a mission to save endangered animals one step at a time. What began with a desire to create a feel-good product has grown into a purpose-driven business that partners with over 30 animal charities, donates 10% of profits, and makes every sock design count. What I love about this conversation is how grounded Andrew is in the belief that consumer products can—and should—do good. We talk about sustainability, giving back, building a business in the UK and beyond, and why even something as...
info_outlineI had an absolute blast chatting with Erica Groussman, the bold and fearless founder of TRUBAR. Erica’s energy is infectious, and her story is a masterclass in trusting your gut, listening to your body, and never settling for the status quo.
What started as a personal journey to clean up her own nutrition turned into a full-on movement—and a fast-growing brand that’s flipping the protein bar category on its head.
TRUBAR isn’t just another snack—it’s a delicious, clean-label product with a powerful “no BS” message at the center. In our conversation, Erica opens up about the highs and lows of building a better-for-you brand, how she broke into mass retail on her own terms, and what it really takes to stand out on shelf and online in a crowded CPG space.
Here are a few highlights from our conversation:
* Why Erica believes "permissionless entry" is the key to innovation
* How she went from her kitchen to national retail distribution
* The truth about navigating manufacturing, scaling, and keeping your standards
* Why brand voice and bold packaging are non-negotiables in today’s market
* The importance of staying raw, real, and mission-driven—no matter the pressure
Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode and hear how Erica turned a personal health need into a fearless brand that’s changing the snack game—one unapologetically clean bite at a time.
For more on TRUBAR, visit: https://www.trubar.com/
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Augmentum Media - Influencer Marketing for Consumer Brands: https://www.augmentum-media.com/story
What secret do fast-growing Health and Wellness brands like Xtendlife, Nourished, and Hunter & Gather share? They all outsource their influencer marketing to the experts at Augmentum. Augmentum is offering "The Story of a Brand Show" listeners a 30-minute consulting session AND a personalized influencer strategy plan built by their experts for you to implement either with them or in-house. Visit the link above to learn more.