Hiya Health - No Sugar, No Dyes, No Compromises
The Story of a Brand
In this episode, I sit down with , the founder of , a mission-driven kids' wellness brand that’s reimagining what it means to raise healthy children. Darren shares how a single disappointing order led him down a path of obsession with better ingredients, smarter packaging, and more meaningful health experiences for kids and families. What started with taste tests from his daughters turned into a national movement to clean up the children’s supplement space. What I love most about this conversation is how Darren and his team go beyond just building a better vitamin—they’re...
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SET ACTIVE - Bootstrapped and Bold
The Story of a Brand
In this episode, I sit down with , the Founder and CEO of , a brand that has reshaped how women experience athleisure—not just in terms of function, but also in terms of feeling. Lindsey shares her raw and powerful journey, from bootstrapping the brand at 25 with zero funding to building a movement rooted in authenticity, storytelling, and unmatched community connection. Her story is one of resilience, vision, and redefining what it means to be “.” What I love about this conversation is how candid Lindsey is about the emotional ups and downs of entrepreneurship—what it truly...
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The Froot Thief - The Untold Story Behind That Viral Fruit Spaghetti
The Story of a Brand
In this episode, I sit down with , the spirited co-founder and “Head Bandit” behind —a fruit snack brand that’s turning heads and winning lunchboxes. Jonathan’s story is one of grit, gratitude, and big flavor. We discuss how a family-run business gave him and his brother their first break over 25 years ago, and how that act of faith continues to shape their approach today. That foundation—combined with deep experience in retail and manufacturing—set the stage for a snack brand that’s anything but ordinary. We dive into how went from a bold idea during lockdown to...
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1 Commerce - How to Win at Omnichannel Without Losing Your Mind
The Story of a Brand
In this episode, I had a powerful and insightful conversation with , the founder of . Eric isn’t just building another ecommerce platform—he’s building from the ground up based on hard-won experience, past failures, and deep empathy for the challenges founders face. We discussed how losing everything gave him clarity, how he rebuilt with intention, and how that journey became the foundation of a platform that helps brands scale across channels with real support. What stood out to me most is Eric’s unique mix of humility and depth. He’s not here to sell a system—he’s here...
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BloomNation - Empowering Local Florist and Their Customers
The Story of a Brand
What happens when you mix a deep love for small business with the drive to shake up an outdated industry? You get . In this episode, I sat down with , Co-founder & CEO of , to talk about how a few powerful insights—and one unforgettable lunch—led to the creation of a platform that empowers thousands of florists and small business owners across the U.S. We delve into how evolved from a simple idea into a nationwide software solution that enables independent florists to thrive in the e-commerce landscape. Farbod opens up about his personal motivations, lessons learned during the...
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Little Spoon - How to Build a Brand Parents' Trust
The Story of a Brand
As someone who has worked with numerous consumer brands, I can confidently say that is one of those companies that truly understands today’s modern parent. I had the joy of sitting down with and , co-founders of , and discussing how they’re not just reinventing kids’ nutrition, but also rethinking how to meet families where they are—with convenience, trust, and transparency. In this episode, we delve into how evolved from a fresh baby food concept into a comprehensive platform that supports children through every life stage. Ben and Angela opened up about the power of...
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Halfday Ice Tea (Part 2) - From Gut Issues to Grocery Shelves
The Story of a Brand
When it comes to building a better-for-you beverage brand, it’s easy to think it’s all about the product. But as , co-founder of , shares in this episode, building a brand people actually love is just as much about emotional connection, persistence, and timing. This conversation is packed with insights into what it truly takes to break through in a crowded category, especially when you're on a mission to reintroduce Americans to a nostalgic drink with a gut-healthy twist. Kayvon opens up about how he and his co-founder turned a personal health journey into a nationally recognized...
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Halfday Ice Tea (Part 1) - How a Dorm Room Idea Disrupted Iced Tea
The Story of a Brand
Every now and then, you come across a founder story that’s both heartfelt and hustle-packed—this is one of those. In this episode, I sit down with , co-founder of , a brand that’s redefining what iced tea can be. We talk about everything from starting the company out of a college dorm room to turning a personal health journey into a functional beverage brand that’s now on the shelves of Whole Foods, Sprouts, and more. Mike shares how was built on a foundation of relentless iteration, a belief in gut health, and a flavor-first approach that makes it easy for consumers to get...
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Baumer Foods - They Make Good Food Taste Great
The Story of a Brand
I’ve interviewed a lot of founders, but few with stories as rich and enduring as today’s guest. In this episode, I sit down with , President & CEO of , a product of Baumer Foods. We explore how this iconic, family-owned brand has been flavoring kitchens for over a century, surviving everything from World War II to Hurricane Katrina to global supply chain meltdowns. It’s a powerful reminder of what it means to adapt, persevere, and keep a legacy alive. Pepper shares how his grandfather flipped a snowball syrup company into a global hot sauce business, how his aunt Ella Brennan...
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Flytographer - The Power of Saying Yes to Your Idea
The Story of a Brand
I always say some of the most innovative ideas come from personal experiences, and ’s story is proof. What started as a meaningful moment in Paris with her best friend evolved into , a global platform that helps people capture unforgettable travel memories through professional photography. Nicole didn’t just build a business; she created a movement rooted in human connection, storytelling, and joy. In this episode, Founder & CEO shares her journey from a corporate career at Microsoft to launching a two-sided marketplace with no startup experience—all while raising two young...
info_outlineSomething is compelling about a leader who brings both sharp commercial instincts and deep empathy to the table, and that’s precisely what I found in my conversation with Jeanelle Teves.
As Chief Commercial Officer at Bugaboo, she’s not just driving growth; she’s redefining what it means to build a global lifestyle brand rooted in purpose, innovation, and real human connection.
In this episode, we talk about what it takes to evolve a premium product line while staying close to the needs of modern families.
Jeanelle shares her insights on balancing DTC with retail, leading with authenticity, building globally relevant strategies, and why empathy belongs at the core of every great product and team culture.
Here are a few highlights from our conversation:
* Why performance marketing is powerful—but brand is what builds long-term loyalty
* How Bugaboo leads with sustainable product design that’s meant to be repaired and reused
* The importance of retail and DTC as complementary, not competitive, channels
* How global expansion succeeds when local nuance meets consistent brand identity
* What it means to lead with authenticity and create space for others to thrive
Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode to hear how Bugaboo is helping shape the future of premium CPG through innovation, purpose, and people-first leadership.
For more on Bugaboo, visit: https://www.bugaboo.com/us-en
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Color More Lines: https://www.colormorelines.com/get-started
Color More Lines is a team of ex-Amazonians and e-commerce operators who help brands grow faster on Amazon and Walmart. With a performance-based pricing model and flexible contracts, they’ve generated triple-digit year-over-year growth for established sellers doing over $5 million per year.
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1 Commerce: https://1-commerce.com/story-of-a-brand
Scaling a DTC brand gets harder the bigger you grow, especially when you’re stuck selling on just one channel. While you’re focused on day-to-day ops, your competitors are unlocking marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart, and even retail shelf space—and capturing customers you’re missing. That’s where 1-Commerce comes in.
They help high-growth brands expand beyond their sites, handle end-to-end fulfillment, and scale through a revenue-share model that means they only win when you do.