Sammy Kestembaum: Co-Founder & CEO of PRETZELIZED

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Sammy Kestenbaum, Co-Founder and CEO of PRETZELIZED — the snack brand pioneering a whole new category by combining pretzels with other classics to create two favorites in one. What started with the idea for a pretzel-meets-pita-chip hybrid has quickly grown into a national brand, now found in over 15,000 doors across the country with products like oven-baked Pretzel Crackers and twice-baked Pretzel Pita Chips.
In our conversation, Sammy shares the inspiration behind PRETZELIZED, how he and his team carved out white space in the brutally competitive snack aisle, and what it takes to convince retailers to back a brand-new snack format. We talk about scaling fast, standing out against industry giants, and the bold bets he’s making to grow PRETZELIZED into a household name. Sammy also opens up about the challenges of launching something new, the lessons he’s learned from building other iconic snack brands, and his vision for the future of snacking.
Whether you’re a lifelong snacker, a food industry insider, or a founder curious about breaking into CPG, this episode is full of insights and inspiration you won’t want to miss. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.

Mark Brooks: Co-Founder & CEO of Brainiac

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Mark Brooks, Co-Founder and CEO of Brainiac — the science-driven snack brand on a mission to close the brain nutrition gap and give families better options that fuel brilliance. With most Americans consuming less than 20% of the Omega-3s and choline needed for optimal brain health, Mark and his team are changing that with kid-favorite snacks powered by the BrainPack®, their proprietary blend designed to support memory, mood, focus, and adaptability.
In our conversation, Mark shares the inspiration behind launching Brainiac, the personal journey he and his Co-Founder Jonathan Wolfson went through as dads that sparked the idea, and how they built the brand alongside pediatricians, neuroscientists, and nutritionists. We dive into the science of brain nutrition, the challenges of educating parents in a crowded food space, and what it takes to grow a mission-driven brand into national distribution at Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, and beyond. He also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the lessons learned from his time leading Truvia and Thrive, the decision to certify Brainiac as a B Corp, and the future of the brain food category.
Whether you’re a parent, a wellness-focused consumer, or a founder in the CPG space, this episode is filled with insights and inspiration you won’t want to miss. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.

Mike Adair: Founder of Red’s

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Mike Adair, Founder of Red’s — the premium frozen food brand on a mission to reinvent the frozen aisle with clean, convenient, and crave-worthy options. What began with a simple idea and a nod to his beloved dog Red has grown into the largest premium frozen burrito and breakfast sandwich brand in the country. Red’s is now a staple in grocery stores nationwide, delivering real food made with fresh-baked tortillas, non-GMO ingredients, antibiotic-free meats, and cage-free eggs.
In our conversation, Mike shares how Red’s went from a small startup to a national category leader, the bold bets he made on clean ingredients before it was trendy, and why bringing manufacturing in-house was a game-changing move. We explore the realities of competing with legacy giants in the freezer aisle, how frozen food can actually drive sustainability by reducing food waste, and what it takes to balance rapid growth with relentless quality. Mike also opens up about the toughest challenges he’s faced as a founder, his perspective on the future of frozen food, and the advice he’d give to anyone building a mission-driven CPG brand today.
Whether you’re a busy parent, a frozen food skeptic, or a founder looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with stories and insights you won’t want to miss. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.

Debbie Mullin: Founder & CEO of Copper Cow Coffee

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Debbie Mullin, Founder & CEO of Copper Cow Coffee — the premium Vietnamese coffee brand on a mission to modernize and elevate the traditional Vietnamese coffee experience for U.S. consumers. What began as an idea to merge her Vietnamese heritage with a commitment to ethical sourcing and innovative design has grown into the leading Vietnamese coffee brand in America. Copper Cow is now a national favorite, found in over 3,000 retail doors including Target, Whole Foods, Costco, and H-E-B, and beloved for its signature single-serve pour overs, bold flavors, and all-natural creamers.
In our conversation, Debbie shares how she built Copper Cow from the ground up, the challenges of educating U.S. consumers about Vietnamese coffee, and how she positioned the brand to stand out in a crowded coffee market. We talk about her bold bets on design, direct farmer partnerships in Vietnam, and why she believes Vietnamese coffee is poised to take off globally. Debbie also opens up about her entrepreneurial journey, her Shark Tank experience, and the lessons she’s learned about balancing authenticity, innovation, and rapid growth.
Whether you’re a coffee lover, a mission-driven entrepreneur, or someone curious about building a brand that bridges cultures and categories, this episode is full of insights you won’t want to miss. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.

Xeba Zareie: Founder of Preme

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Xeba Zareie, Founder of Preme — the gut health brand making daily digestion support simple, science-backed, and actually doable for even the most sensitive stomachs. What started in her Dallas kitchen has become a line of low-FODMAP prebiotic powders and drink mixes, co-developed with a functional medicine doctor, that are redefining what gut care looks like.
Before launching Preme, Xeba spent years battling chronic gut issues with little relief from conventional medicine. After discovering functional medicine and the power of a low-FODMAP diet, she set out to create products that not only worked for her but could help countless others struggling in silence. Today, Preme stands out for its transparency, third-party testing, and clean sourcing — offering the only FODMAP-friendly prebiotic beverage on the market. Xeba opens up about the highs and lows of starting a wellness CPG brand, why she chose to focus on prebiotics over probiotics, and the lessons she’s learned about building with integrity and intention.
Whether you’re interested in health, wellness, or the grit it takes to launch a consumer brand from scratch — this episode is packed with insights and inspiration. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.

FX Rouxel: Founder and CEO of Gardyn

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by FX Rouxel, Founder and CEO of Gardyn — the smart indoor gardening brand reimagining how we grow and eat food at home. Gardyn empowers anyone to grow fresh, nutrient-rich produce year-round with no green thumb required. Using patented Hybriponics® technology, AI-powered plant care, and optimized LED lighting, Gardyn delivers 8–10 pounds of produce monthly — enough to feed a family of four — all from just 2 square feet of space.
Before launching Gardyn, FX was training for an Ironman when he noticed his energy plateauing despite following a healthy diet. He realized that much of the “fresh” produce he ate had lost nutritional value during long transit times. Drawing on his background in clean energy, automation, and AI, he created Gardyn as a more sustainable, nutrient-dense, and convenient alternative to the modern food system. Since then, Gardyn has been named one of TIME’s Best Inventions, recognized as one of TIME’s Top Greentech Companies, and honored by Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Awards. FX opens up about the inspiration behind Gardyn, the challenges of rethinking food production, and his vision for a more sustainable, food-secure future.
Whether you’re passionate about wellness, sustainability, or the future of food, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.

Van Hong: Co-Founder of Mint Tools

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Van Hong, Co-Founder of Mint Tools — the professional hair tool brand designing high-performance, ergonomic styling tools built with stylists in mind. Mint was founded by two best friends who combined over 40 years of beauty industry experience and electrical engineering expertise to solve a major gap in the market: salon tools weren’t designed for the people actually using them. Today, Mint’s line of curling irons, blow dryers, and brushes deliver salon-quality results with comfort, safety, and durability at the forefront.
Before launching Mint, Van spent years as a stylist himself, constantly frustrated with tools that were heavy, clunky, and unreliable. Pairing that experience with his co-founder’s technical background, the two reimagined what professional styling tools could be. From salon demos to consumer feedback, Mint has built a reputation for innovation, transparency, and products that last. Van opens up about the process of testing new tools in salons, what makes Mint different from competitors, how he thinks about safety and design for wigs and extensions, and the exciting trends shaping the future of hair styling technology.
Whether you’re a stylist, beauty enthusiast, or curious about what it takes to turn an industry pain point into a thriving brand, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.

Samantha Gold: Founder & CEO of Motette

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Samantha Gold, Founder and CEO of Motette—the fast-growing children’s clothing brand redefining modern parenting with stylish, ultra-soft bamboo essentials and built-in sun protection. In less than a year, Motette has scaled 300% month-over-month, landed in more than 35 U.S. boutiques without a showroom, and earned features in Forbes, Fox News, and countless “editor favorite” roundups.
Before launching Motette, Samantha served as CEO of Elizabeth James the Label, where she grew the women’s clothing brand into an eight-figure business. Today, she’s bringing that same scrappy, strategic mindset to Motette—building with lean systems, intentional growth, and a focus on redefining what’s possible in children’s fashion. She opens up about the hidden costs of scaling, how she decides what not to do, and the mindset shifts that keep her moving forward as a founder.
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or someone curious about what it really takes to build a fast-growth brand from scratch—this episode is packed with valuable lessons and tons of inspiration. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.

Luna Aziz: Founder & CEO of Legendairy Milk

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Luna Aziz, Founder and CEO of Legendairy Milk—a wellness brand born from her own journey through the unfiltered realities of new motherhood. After struggling with low milk supply and reacting badly to fenugreek, Luna turned to research and cultural traditions to create effective, fenugreek-free lactation support blends. Starting in her backyard, she crafted what she couldn’t find on store shelves—and in doing so, sparked a movement that now supports women through every hormonal chapter of life, from trying to conceive to postpartum, perimenopause, and beyond.
In our conversation, Luna shares the deeply personal story behind Legendairy Milk and how she transformed a personal struggle into a thriving, mission-driven business. We talk about the power of community, the role of science and ancient wisdom in her formulations, and how she’s rewriting the conversation around women’s health. She opens up about scaling a brand in a crowded supplement market, building trust with over a million women worldwide, and creating products that meet women where they are—no judgment, no taboos, just real solutions.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a wellness advocate, or someone curious about turning personal challenges into purpose-driven ventures, this episode is full of powerful takeaways. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.

Cara Dumaplin: Founder of TakingCaraBabies

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Cara Dumaplin, Founder of Taking Cara Babies—a trusted education company dedicated to helping parents navigate the challenges of infant and toddler sleep. A neonatal nurse, certified pediatric sleep consultant, and mom of four, Cara has built a global community of millions through her research-backed, compassionate approach that empowers families to thrive. Her courses, resources, and now physical products, like her newly launched swaddles, offer practical tools that nurture both babies and parents.
In our conversation, Cara shares her journey from years in the NICU to creating one of the most respected brands in the parenting space. We talk about the inspiration behind Taking Cara Babies, the evolution from education to product development, and the strategies she’s used to scale a mission-driven brand while staying authentic to her values. Cara opens up about the challenges and joys of entrepreneurship, how she balances building a business while raising four children, and the most meaningful success stories she’s witnessed from parents around the world.
Whether you’re a new parent, aspiring founder, or someone fascinated by how empathy and expertise can build a movement—this episode is full of insight and inspiration. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.