Brianda Gonzalez : Founder & CEO of The New Bar

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Brianda Gonzalez, the inspiring Founder and CEO of The New Bar. Brianda’s journey began on Catalina Island, where socializing with family and friends often revolved around alcohol. When her father’s health required him to give up drinking, Brianda set out to create a new way for their family to bond over drinks—without the alcohol. From this, The New Bar was born, a platform that’s redefining social drinking with high-quality, alcohol-free alternatives. In 2022, Brianda opened The New Bar’s first location in Venice Beach, and just a year later, the brand became the first nonalcoholic partner at Coachella and expanded to new locations in West Hollywood and San Francisco.
In our conversation, Brianda shares her experiences building The New Bar, securing major partnerships, and navigating the fast-growing nonalcoholic category. We dive into the shift in consumer attitudes around alcohol, her unique approach to brand building on a lean budget, and how she continues to make The New Bar a fun and accessible choice for all. Whether you’re curious about the rise of nonalcoholic options, entrepreneurship, or innovative brand-building, this episode offers tons of insights and inspiration. Tune in to hear Brianda’s amazing story and learn how The New Bar is transforming the way we connect. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.

Mike Dunlop: Author of The Art of the Turnaround

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Mike Dunlop, author of The Art of the Turnaround, and Founder and CEO of Net Inspect and Autonomous Machining. Mike shares his remarkable journey in aerospace, spanning over 45 years, and his expertise in turning around struggling companies across different industries and countries.
Mike’s passion for helping businesses thrive shines through in his new book, The Art of the Turnaround. We dive into the key lessons Mike has learned, how he finds talent to build winning teams, and the surprising parallels he draws between golf and business. From his early days in aerospace to navigating international turnarounds, Mike’s insights are packed with practical advice for entrepreneurs and leaders. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to gain valuable strategies for overcoming challenges in business. Tune in now on The Kara Goldin Show!

Katie Lefkowitz: Founder & CEO of Harken Sweets

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, Kara is joined by Katie Lefkowitz, Founder and CEO of Harken Sweets. Katie’s entrepreneurial journey is one of resilience, passion, and a drive to create something delicious and healthy. After a health scare related to colon cancer, Katie, a lifelong candy bar lover, realized she needed to find a better way to enjoy her favorite indulgence without sacrificing her health. Determined to recreate the candy bar experience using superfoods, she launched Harken Sweets, a line of 100% plant-based, sugar-free candy bars that are not only delicious but also gut-friendly.
Katie’s story takes us from her kitchen experiments to getting Harken Sweets into 3,500 Walmarts. We dive into how she overcame challenges, the science behind her superfood ingredients like date caramel, and how she’s bringing nostalgia back to candy bars with a healthier twist. Tune in to hear how Katie built Harken Sweets from the ground up, her inspiring personal journey, and what’s next for this exciting brand. Now on The Kara Goldin Show!

Erica Bethe Levin: Founder & CEO of Globowl

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Erica Bethe Levin, Founder and CEO of Globowl, an innovative baby and toddler food brand that’s bringing big flavors and early allergen introduction to little ones. Erica’s journey is inspiring—beginning with her successful marketing career for culinary giants like Daniel Boulud and Jean-Georges, and later, her role at restaurant tech company Reserve. But it was when she became a mom that Erica saw a need in the baby food market for authentic flavors and safer allergen introduction, leading her to launch Globowl.
We dive into Erica’s journey, from crafting recipes in her kitchen to building Globowl, and her experience growing a brand that introduces diverse flavors and allergen-friendly foods to babies. Erica also shares her story of being a contestant on Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars, her dedication to Globowl’s mission, and how she’s grown the brand to be available in 300 stores across the U.S. If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, food industry insights, or just love hearing stories of innovation and resilience, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

Vanessa Torrivilla: Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer of Goldbelly

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Vanessa Torrivilla, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer of Goldbelly. Vanessa shares the fascinating story behind founding Goldbelly with her husband, and how they’ve grown it into a company that connects people with their favorite iconic foods from restaurants and makers across the country. We dive into how they balance the creative and technical aspects of Goldbelly’s unique and bold brand identity. Vanessa also shares how Goldbelly supports local food businesses by helping them reach new customers, the logistics of scaling food e-commerce, and what’s next for the company as they continue to innovate.
Tune in to hear Vanessa’s incredible insights on entrepreneurship, the future of food e-commerce, and the impact Goldbelly is making in the industry. Now on The Kara Goldin Show!

Thayer Sylvester: Co-Founder & CEO of Carve Designs

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Thayer Sylvester, Co-Founder and CEO of Carve Designs, a pioneering outdoor apparel brand. Thayer shares the inspiring story of how Carve Designs evolved from its roots as a beach apparel company selling rash guards and board shorts to becoming a complete outdoor lifestyle brand. The brand’s mission has always been about carving a path—whether in surf or life—and Thayer’s leadership has kept that ethos at the forefront as Carve Designs continues to grow.
We dive into how Carve Designs has remained committed to sustainability, the importance of creating high-quality products that meet customer needs, and how the brand has built a loyal community. Thayer also shares insights on building a strong company culture, navigating the challenges of the outdoor fashion industry, and what it means to be a female CEO in this space. This episode is packed with valuable lessons on entrepreneurship, sustainability, and leading with purpose. Don’t miss it! Tune in now on The Kara Goldin Show!

Sue Delegan: Co-Founder & CEO of Brutus Broth

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Sue Delegan, Co-Founder and CEO of Brutus Broth. Sue shares the inspiring story behind how she and her sister launched Brutus Broth, a pet nutrition company that grew out of their love for their dog Brutus and their desire to offer healthier food options for pets. What started with a family bone broth recipe has turned into a thriving business that provides bone broth and other nutritious products for dogs across the country. We dive into the challenges Sue and her sister faced while building Brutus Broth, how they grew the business into over 10,000 stores nationwide, and the importance of health and nutrition in the pet industry. Sue also discusses her personal health journey and how she and her sister overcame significant challenges while launching and scaling the company.
Tune in to hear Sue’s incredible insights on entrepreneurship, balancing personal challenges with business success, and what’s next for Brutus Broth as they continue to innovate in the pet nutrition space. Now on The Kara Goldin Show!

David Habib: Founder & CEO of Yo Mama’s Foods

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, Kara is joined by David Habib, Founder and CEO of Yo Mama’s Foods. David’s entrepreneurial journey is one of hustle, heart, and a deep love for healthy, real ingredients. After leaving a successful corporate career as a Deloitte Consultant, David jumped headfirst into the food industry with a mission to create delicious sauces and condiments that you’d actually want in your kitchen—free of preservatives, fillers, and the artificial stuff you’d never find in your mom’s pantry.
What started with just his savings and a vision has now become Yo Mama’s Foods, one of the fastest-growing pasta sauce brands in the U.S. (according to SPINS data), available in over 25,000 stores nationwide. From bootstrapping his business with no outside funding to becoming an Amazon bestseller, David’s story is all about determination, innovation, and staying true to his roots.
Tune in to hear how David built Yo Mama’s Foods from the ground up, the challenges he faced along the way, and his vision for the future of healthy, delicious food. Now on The Kara Goldin Show!

Kat Schneider: Founder & CEO of Ritual

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Kat Schneider, Founder and CEO of Ritual, a health and wellness brand that is redefining transparency in the supplement industry. Kat shares her personal journey of launching Ritual after being unable to find a prenatal vitamin she could trust while pregnant. This led her to create a new standard for high-quality supplements, including the first visible supply chain in the industry, known as “Made Traceable™.” We dive into how Ritual is creating science-backed products tailored for women at every life stage, how they ensure quality with rigorous third-party testing, and the journey of building a B Corporation that has garnered the trust of over a million customers. Kat also shares how she balances growing Ritual while being a mother, and what’s next for the company as they continue to innovate.
Tune in to hear Kat’s insights on entrepreneurship, transparency in wellness, and the future of Ritual. Now on The Kara Goldin Show!

Coco Quill: Founder & CEO of Whiskey & Woof

In this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by the incredibly creative and inspiring Coco Quill, Founder & CEO of Whiskey & Woof Candle Atelier. Coco’s journey is anything but ordinary, starting from her impressive marketing career with global brands like Yahoo Music, MTV Networks, Disney, and Sony Music. She eventually transitioned into the world of entrepreneurship, launching Whiskey & Woof in 2019—a brand that perfectly marries her love for dogs, whiskey, and unique scents.
Whiskey & Woof has rapidly grown into a beloved brand known for its one-of-a-kind scents inspired by Coco’s French Bulldog, Elle, and the joy of good company. Coco shares how her passion for storytelling through scent has led to collaborations with notable names like Kiehls and Sketcher’s concept store, and how she’s built a brand that’s more than just candles. Tune in to hear Coco’s fascinating story, learn about the inspiration behind Whiskey & Woof, and explore her journey in creating a brand that captures the essence of friendship, companionship, and creativity. This conversation is full of insights into brand building, the power of scent storytelling, and the challenges and joys of entrepreneurship. Now on The Kara Goldin Show.