Ravi Prasad: Co-Founder of Almora Botanica

On today’s episode, we welcome Ravi Prasad, Co-Founder of Almora Botanica — a luxury, natural and sustainable skincare brand bringing together Ayurvedic wisdom, Himalayan botanicals, adaptogens, green chemistry and modern science. After decades working in Ayurvedic medicine and wellness, including leading Himalaya Wellness Company, Ravi saw a major gap in skincare: too many products treat symptoms, not the root cause.
In this episode, Ravi shares why he made the shift from Ayurvedic medicine and supplements into skincare, and how Almora Botanica is taking a “pharma to farm” approach rooted in the Himalayas. He breaks down the idea of researched Ayurveda, why Indian beauty is finally gaining momentum in the luxury market, and how the brand’s Sapta Complex is challenging the perception that Ayurvedic oils have to feel heavy or greasy. We also talk about COSMOS NATURAL certification, green chemistry, the “If you won’t eat it, don’t wear it” philosophy, and why today’s consumers are looking more closely at what they put on their skin.
A must-listen for founders, operators, and anyone interested in the future of beauty, skincare, wellness, sustainability and how ancient traditions are being validated by modern science.

Katie Lee: Founder of Katie’s Pizza & Pasta

On today’s episode, we welcome Katie Lee, Founder of Katie’s Pizza & Pasta — a chef-driven Italian restaurant and fast-growing CPG brand based in St. Louis. Katie’s journey from high school dropout, recovering addict and single mom to James Beard-recognized restaurateur and one of the fastest-growing food entrepreneurs in America is a powerful story of resilience, grit and building something from scratch.
In this episode, Katie shares how she launched her first restaurant in 2008 and helped ignite the artisan Italian pizza movement in the Midwest. She talks about taking Katie’s from a beloved neighborhood restaurant to the national frozen food aisle, why handmade quality and rigorously sourced ingredients remain core to the brand, and what it took to produce 400,000 pizzas for Target in just 96 days — all by hand. We also discuss clean comfort food, building a brand with real identity, staying true to your roots while scaling, and what founders should do when the idea they believe in still isn’t working.
A must-listen for founders, operators, food lovers and anyone interested in resilience, restaurant growth, CPG, brand building and what it really takes to scale without losing the soul of the product.

Suman Desai: Founder & President of GLASSFX

On today’s episode, we welcome Suman Desai, Founder and President of GLASSFX, a biotechnology-forward skincare brand built at the intersection of clinical science, Korean innovation, and modern consumer behavior. Before entering the beauty industry, Suman co-founded FLYBLACK, a private aviation company that challenged traditional luxury travel. But after spending four years inside South Korea’s leading formulation labs, she became convinced that skincare was ready for its own disruption.
That vision became GLASSFX—a clinically driven beauty brand designed to deliver high-performance results without the complexity of traditional skincare routines. Built with patented Korean technologies and advanced bioactive ingredients, GLASSFX is focused on creating products that perform like makeup, heal like medicine, and fit seamlessly into modern life.
In this episode, Suman shares what she learned from working alongside some of Korea’s top skincare innovators, why she believes the beauty industry has overcomplicated skincare, and how consumers are increasingly demanding fewer products with better results. We discuss the difference between real biotech innovation and marketing hype, how to build trust in one of the most crowded consumer categories, and why she believes the future of skincare will be defined by science-backed performance rather than endless routines.
Suman also reflects on the lessons she carried from luxury aviation into beauty, the challenges of building a disruptive brand in a legacy industry, and the emerging trends she believes will reshape skincare over the next decade.
A must-listen for founders, operators, beauty enthusiasts, and anyone interested in where science, technology, and consumer behavior are taking the future of skincare.

Jenney Korasick: Co-Founder of Leche

Jenney’s path to entrepreneurship began with a problem she experienced firsthand. As a mother with an oversupply of breast milk, she wanted to donate — but quickly realized the system wasn’t built for modern families. It was fragmented, confusing, and far harder to navigate than it should be. That frustration became the starting point for Leche.
In this episode, Jenney shares how one Instagram post sparked a donor community of more than 25,000 mothers, why she built community before product, and how Leche is working to make real donor breast milk more accessible to everyday families. We talk about trust, education, consumer behavior, and what it takes to build a category that did not really exist before.
Jenney also shares what it has been like building in one of the most personal and emotional areas of family health, partnering with co-founder Trish Clifford, and growing a company while raising a family. This conversation is a powerful founder story about seeing an overlooked problem, building a movement, and creating something that families truly need.

Aimee Dudum: Co-Founder of VICI Collection

On today’s episode, we welcome Aimee Dudum Colorado, Co-Founder and Chief Merchandising & Marketing Officer of VICI Collection, one of the leading direct-to-consumer fashion brands to emerge from the Bay Area. Since launching in 2012, VICI has grown from a small startup into a highly loyal fashion destination known for its daily drop model, trend-driven assortments, and deep connection to its customer.
In this episode, Aimee shares the story behind VICI’s growth, the early decisions that helped differentiate the brand, and how she recognized the power of social commerce and influencer marketing before many others in fashion retail. We discuss the evolution of consumer behavior, the strategy behind VICI’s daily drop model, and what it takes to build loyalty in one of the most competitive categories in consumer products. Aimee also opens up about balancing creativity with data, how her leadership style has evolved as the company has grown, and the opportunities she sees ahead for fashion, technology, and retail innovation.
Whether you’re building a consumer brand, leading a growing business, or fascinated by the future of retail, this conversation is packed with insights on staying close to your customer, scaling thoughtfully, and building a brand people genuinely love.

Brynn MacLennan: Co-Founder & CEO of Slate Flosser

On today’s episode, we welcome Brynn MacLennan, Co-Founder and CEO of Slate Flosser — a women-led oral care company on a mission to transform flossing from an overlooked chore into one of the most important habits in preventive health. A product designer, entrepreneur, and mother of five, Brynn built Slate after recognizing that flossing wasn’t a motivation problem—it was a design problem. What started as a Kickstarter project evolved into a seven-figure company and the #1 dentist-recommended electric flosser on the market.
In this episode, Brynn shares how purchasing a dental practice opened her eyes to the connection between oral health and overall health, and why she believes the mouth is one of the most overlooked gateways to longevity. We discuss the three-year journey of developing Slate’s patented 3-in-1 electric flosser, the challenges of disrupting a stagnant category, and how thoughtful product design can change consumer behavior. Brynn also opens up about scaling from a garage invention to a nationally recognized brand, building a women-led company culture, balancing entrepreneurship with raising five children, and why a simple 60-second daily habit can have a meaningful impact on long-term health outcomes.
A must-listen for founders, product innovators, health enthusiasts, and anyone interested in prevention, behavior change, and building a brand that solves a real-world problem.

Rick Rosenfield: Co-Founder of California Pizza Kitchen and Author of The California Pizza Kitchen Story

On today’s episode, we welcome Rick Rosenfield, Co-Founder of California Pizza Kitchen and author of The California Pizza Kitchen Story: How Two Federal Prosecutors Changed the Way America Eats Pizza. Before helping create one of the most recognizable restaurant brands in the world, Rick built a successful career as a federal prosecutor, handling major criminal cases and organized crime matters. But in 1985, he and his longtime friend and fellow attorney, Larry Flax, made an unexpected decision: leave the legal profession behind and open a pizza restaurant in Beverly Hills.
What followed was one of the most remarkable brand-building stories in modern restaurant history. California Pizza Kitchen didn’t just create a successful restaurant—it helped redefine what pizza could be, pioneered California-style pizza, and reshaped the casual dining experience. From barbecue chicken pizza to open kitchens and elevated dining, CPK became a category-defining brand that grew from a single location into a global phenomenon.
In this episode, Rick shares the lessons behind that journey, including the risks they took, the challenges of rapid growth, and the importance of building both a brand and a business. We discuss the culture-first philosophy that became the foundation of CPK, the ROCK values—Respect, Opportunity, Communication, and Kindness—and why culture ultimately matters more than product. Rick also reflects on entrepreneurship, leadership under pressure, partnerships, private equity, loss of control, and what happens when the company you built evolves beyond your hands.
This conversation is packed with insights for entrepreneurs, operators, restaurant leaders, and anyone interested in building an enduring brand. Rick’s story is a reminder that some of the biggest opportunities come from taking an unconventional path—and having the courage to follow it.

Katina Mountanos: Founder and CEO of Kosterina

On today’s episode, we welcome Katina Mountanos, Founder and CEO of Kosterina — a modern Mediterranean wellness brand built around high-antioxidant, early-harvest extra virgin olive oil.
Kosterina is what happens when someone is searching for something better, so they decide to create it. Katina grew up with olive oil as part of everyday life, but later realized that much of what was sold in the U.S. lacked the quality, freshness, and health benefits consumers expected. That discovery became her why: to make truly great olive oil more accessible and help people live longer, healthier, and more delicious lives.
In this episode, Katina shares what most consumers still don’t understand about olive oil, why she built Kosterina as a wellness brand, how she scaled into retailers like Whole Foods and Target, and what it takes to turn a timeless ingredient into a modern lifestyle company.
So, so good! Listen now.

Adeela Hussain Johnson: CEO of BÉIS

What does it take to build a travel brand for the way people actually live, move, pack, and go today?
On today’s episode, we welcome Adeela Hussain Johnson, CEO of BÉIS — the travel and lifestyle brand reimagining luggage, bags, and accessories for life on the go.
Adeela has helped scale BÉIS into a $250M+ global business by staying focused on thoughtful design, functionality, accessibility, and disciplined growth. As the company has expanded across categories, channels, and markets, she has helped navigate the shift from startup momentum to building a business designed to last.
In this episode, we talk about growth, leadership, and the hard decisions that come when a company gets big enough that saying “no” becomes more important than saying “yes.” Adeela shares a candid look at what it really takes to scale a modern consumer brand—and why the challenges only get more interesting as the business gets bigger.
If you’re building a company, leading a team, or navigating growth at any stage, you’ll want to hear this conversation.
Don’t miss this conversation!

Lauren Kleban: Founder & CEO of LEKFIT

On today’s episode, we welcome Lauren Kleban, Founder and CEO of LEKFIT — the luxury fitness brand known for its signature rebounder-based workouts, devoted community, and intentional approach to movement and wellness.
Lauren started teaching her method out of her garage in 2014. Within a year, classes were selling out, celebrities like Busy Philipps were showing up, and LEKFIT was becoming more than a workout — it was becoming a movement built on consistency, trust, and results.
In this episode, Lauren shares how she grew LEKFIT into a global digital platform and flagship Los Angeles studio, what separates a lasting fitness method from a trend, and how she has scaled without losing the integrity, safety, and community that made the brand special.
So good! This is a must listen.