Food & Beverage Episodes

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Lauren Corugedo, Head of Marketing at Chef Merito. Chef Merito is a family-founded Latino brand that has been bringing bold, authentic flavor to kitchens since 1985. We dove into the brand's rich heritage, how it all started in her grandfather’s ...

When someone tells me they’re going all in, I listen.  That’s exactly what Tommy Walsh, Founder & Owner of Shroom Bar, did when he launched Shroom Bar, a protein-packed, mushroom-fueled bar designed for focus, energy, and endurance. In this episode, Tommy shares his founder journey, from mixing mushroom powder in his drinks to building...

As someone who’s passionate about brands that lead with purpose and quality, my conversation with Lindsey Hickey , CEO and owner of Simek's , was a true highlight. Simek's isn’t just about frozen meals; it’s about nourishing people with food made from real...

When it comes to fueling ambition, some stories are just unforgettable. In this episode, Rose Hamilton, founder of Compass Rose Venture, sits down with Scott Turner and Nick Lagonia, the powerhouse duo behind Misery & Mayhem, a new protein-packed oatmeal brand that's redefining what "fuel" really means for athletes...

On today’s episode of The Story of a Brand Show, I’m joined by Lauren Picasso, the founder and CEO of Cure Hydration. 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...

In this episode, I sit down with Jason Bronstad, CEO of Malk Organics, 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...

In this episode, I sit down with Dan Abel, Co-founder and CEO of Pilot Project Brewing, 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...

In this episode, I sit down with Dan Abel Jr., Chief Chocolate Officer of Bissinger’s, 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...

In this episode, I had the honor of sitting down with Julie Smolyansky, President, CEO, and Chairwoman of Lifeway Foods, 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...

In this episode, I sit down with Jacques Spitzer and James Schrader, co-founders of VitaWild, 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...

In this episode, I sit down with Oliver Spring and Sophia Racciatti, Co-Founders of Ooso, 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...

In today’s episode of The Story of a Brand Show, I interviewed Rosa Li, the inspiring Founder and CEO of Wildwonder. Her brand is rooted in a beautiful blend of her Chinese heritage and California influences, offering gut-healthy sparkling beverages that are as delicious as they are...

This episode is brought to you by .   Starting a new brand - particularly a very small brand - can be pretty isolating. So determination and vision are keys to success, says , founder of , a non-alcoholic cocktail with no added sugar or...

This episode is brought to you by .   combined an early entrepreneurial spirit with the isolating feeling of having an alcoholic parent to develop her brand of non-alcoholic beverages - .   The premium non-alcoholic space might be super new...

“Progress, not perfection” is Hector’s mantra, which suggests that there will always be mistakes you can learn from. In part 2, Hector Saldivar, Founder and CEO of Tia Lupita Foods, mentions that if you have a solution to a problem, then you should go for it. In the beginning, Hector had many challenges starting the brand, but his biggest challenge was getting his mom's blessing to use her much-sought-after recipe for hot sauce. He also found difficulty in...

“A better-for-you Mexican-inspired food brand,” says Hector. Today, we have Hector Saldivar, Founder and CEO of Tia Lupita Foods, a Mexican food and beverage brand. Hector came to the US about 16 years ago and worked in the consumer packaged goods space. He worked with companies like Nestle and Diamond Foods. He saw a white space when brands were losing authenticity by...