Folgen
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In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Cornish, the spirited co-founder and “Head Bandit” behind The Froot Thief—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 The Froot Thief went from a bold idea during lockdown to landing on Costco shelves nationwide. What I love about this episode is how honest Jonathan is about the risks, the emotional journey, and the fulfillment that comes from building something you truly believe in.
From production lines in South Africa to school lunches in the U.S., this is a story about purpose, play, and the power of trusting your instincts.
Here are a few highlights from our conversation:
* How a simple act of belief launched a 25-year entrepreneurial journey
* The Costco call that changed everything: “I’ll take every strand you can make”
* Creating a clean-label fruit snack that’s as fun as it is nutritious
* Navigating tariffs, manufacturing, and the realities of scaling internationally
* Why “fruit spaghetti” and 100 inches of fun are stealing the snack spotlight
Join me, Ramon Vela, as I listen to the episode and discover why this snack brand is not only worth trying but also worth supporting. If you’ve got kids, love fruit, or just want a great founder story, you won’t want to miss this one.
For more on The Froot Thief, visit: https://www.frootthief.com/
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand a rating and review.
Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.
Your support helps us bring you more content like this!
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Today’s Sponsors:
Augmentum Media - Influencer Marketing for Consumer Brands: https://www.augmentum-media.com/story
What secret do fast-growing Health and Wellness brands like Xtendlife, Nourished, and Hunter & Gather share? They all outsource their influencer marketing to the experts at Augmentum. Augmentum is offering "The Story of a Brand Show" listeners a 30-minute consulting session AND a personalized influencer strategy plan built by their experts for you to implement either with them or in-house. Visit the link above to learn more. -
In this episode, I had a powerful and insightful conversation with Eric Kasper, the founder of 1 Commerce. 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 to partner with founders, guide them through complexity, and help them make smarter decisions.
Whether you’re overwhelmed by Amazon, unsure about Walmart, or just trying to manage profitability across retail and DTC, this episode is packed with real talk, proven advice, and actionable strategies.
Here are some key moments from the episode:
* How Eric scaled from a garage to nearly $100M—and what broke it all apart* Why the way you build matters more than what you build
* The #1 mistake brands make when entering marketplaces (and how to avoid it)
* A real-world case study: going from a $10M Shopify store to 8 retailers and 60% growth
* How 1 Commerce blends software + strategy to help founders sleep better at night
Join me, Ramon Vela, as I listen to the episode and hear how one founder’s experience is now empowering hundreds of others. Whether you’re a DTC brand, B2B company, or omnichannel operator, there’s something in here for you.
For more on 1 Commercet, visit: https://1-commerce.com/story-of-a-brand
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand a rating and review.
Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.
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Today’s Sponsors:
1 Commerce: https://1-commerce.com/story-of-a-brand
Scaling a DTC brand becomes harder the bigger you grow, especially when you’re limited to 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.
As a Story of a Brand listener, you’ll get one month of free storage and a strategy session with their CEO, Eric Kasper. Visit the link above. -
Fehlende Folgen?
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What happens when you mix a deep love for small business with the drive to shake up an outdated industry? You get BloomNation.
In this episode, I sat down with Farbod Shoraka, Co-founder & CEO of BloomNation, 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 BloomNation 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 pandemic, and how his company is helping preserve the soul of small businesses while building for long-term resilience.
Here are some key moments from the episode:
* How Farbod’s father’s unwavering support helped him leave finance to launch his first startup* The early insight that disrupted the floral industry—and why removing the middleman mattered
* How the pandemic became a tipping point for small business digital adoption
* The strategy behind BloomNation’s evolution into Promenade and their recent UK expansion
* Farbod’s no-BS advice for founders: “Don’t listen to anyone. Carve your own path.”
Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode and hear how one founder is creating meaningful impact—one bouquet, one order, and one small business at a time.
For more on BloomNation, visit: https://www.bloomnation.com/
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.
Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.
Your support helps us bring you more content like this!
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Today’s Sponsors:
Saral - The Influencer OS: https://www.getsaral.com/demo
SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Request a live demo today. Let the SARAL team know you're a The Story of a Brand Show podcast listener to get an extended free trial! Visit the link above. -
As someone who has worked with numerous consumer brands, I can confidently say that Little Spoon is one of those companies that truly understands today’s modern parent.
I had the joy of sitting down with Angela Vranich and Ben Lewis, co-founders of Little Spoon, 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 Little Spoon 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 content and community, why innovation is never one-size-fits-all, and how they’ve balanced growth with a clear-eyed commitment to mission-driven impact.
Here are a few highlights from our conversation:
* How Little Spoon used DTC to unlock deep consumer insights—and turn them into innovation* The role of education and content in building trust with millennial parents
* Expanding product lines while staying laser-focused on ingredient quality
* Why every piece of the business, from packaging to partnerships, is built for scale and emotional connection
* Their perspective on what it takes to truly grow with your customer, not just sell to them
Join me, Rose Hamilton, Founder of Compass Rose Ventures, in listening to the episode to learn how this duo is rewriting the playbook on family nutrition—and what every brand can learn from their approach.
For more on Little Spoon, visit: https://www.littlespoon.com/
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand a rating and review.
Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.
Your support helps us bring you more content like this!
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Today’s Sponsors:
Workspace6 - Private Community for 7, 8, 9-figure Brands: https://www.workspace6.io/
Workspace6 is a private community where over 950 seven, eight, and nine-figure brand operators trade insights, solve problems, and shortcut growth. It's the anti-fluff operator's room, and for your first 30 days, it's just $1. Get real answers and skip the trial and error. -
When it comes to building a better-for-you beverage brand, it’s easy to think it’s all about the product. But as Kayvon Jahanbakhsh, co-founder of Halfday Iced Tea, 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 brand stocked in over 7,000 stores. We talk about retail wins, scrappy marketing tactics, and why doing the "unscalable things" early on helped them earn shelf space and consumer trust.
Whether you're a fellow founder, a marketer in the trenches, or just someone who loves a good iced tea comeback story—this one’s for you.
Here are some key moments from the episode:
* How a ulcerative colitis diagnosis led Kayvon to reimagine iced tea with prebiotic fiber and better ingredients* Why consumer education and playful branding were critical to getting people to trust a functional beverage
* The turning point when they went from selling out of a garage to landing national retail distribution
* Why Kayvon believes “velocity is king” when it comes to scaling at retail
* His thoughts on brand-building in an era where transparency and taste both matter more than ever
Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode and get inspired by how Kayvon and the Halfday team are reviving a beloved drink for a new generation, with purpose, flavor, and hustle at the core.
For more on Halfday Ice Tea visit: https://drinkhalfday.com/
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand a rating and review.
Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.
Your support helps us bring you more content like this!
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Today’s Sponsors:
REViVE Amazon Marketing Partners: https://revivemp.com/
REViVE Amazon Marketing Partners helps better-for-you CPG brands win on Amazon with niche expertise, founder-led strategy, and a true partnership model. Built by a CPG founder with a successful exit, REViVE only works with brands they believe in. Curious if Amazon is right for you? Book a Free Deep Dive Strategy Session today. -
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 Mike Lombardo, co-founder of Halfday Iced Tea, 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 Halfday 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 behind. With a mission rooted in Kayvon’s fight with ulcerative colitis, Halfday has stayed true to one thing: delivering great-tasting iced tea that’s actually good for your gut.
This episode is a powerful look at entrepreneurship, adaptability, and building a brand that truly resonates.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
* How a college capstone project turned into a national beverage brand* Why product iteration—down to the can size—was key to Halfday’s success
* What it took to land their first retail buyer without even having samples
* The story behind Halfday’s Good Day Prebiotic Blend and why it matters
* How Mike and Kayvon think about innovation, scaling retail, and brand storytelling
Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode and learn how Halfday is changing the iced tea category—one can at a time. Whether you're a brand builder, a gut health geek, or just love a good founder story, this one’s worth a sip.
For more on Halfday Ice Tea visit: https://drinkhalfday.com/
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand a rating and review.
Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.
Your support helps us bring you more content like this!
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Today’s Sponsors:
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.
Use code "STORY OF A BRAND” and receive a complimentary market opportunity assessment of your e-commerce brand and marketplace positioning. -
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 Pepper Baumer, President & CEO of Crystal Hot Sauce, 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 instilled business smarts in him one Wall Street Journal article at a time, and what he’s doing to bring the brand into its next era. From private label to industrial partnerships, from NOLA roots to nationwide shelves—this is one flavorful story you don’t want to miss.
In this episode, you’ll hear:
* The origin story of Crystal Hot Sauce and how a hidden recipe changed everything* What Pepper learned from his aunt Ella Brennan that still guides him today
* How Baumer Foods survived Hurricane Katrina and rebuilt their business
* Why investing in manufacturing and industrial partnerships is key to the future
* The brand’s flavor-first philosophy: “We make good food taste great”
Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode and discover how a century-old hot sauce brand continues to evolve with heart, hustle, and a whole lot of heat.
For more on Baumer Foods, visit: https://crystalhotsauce.com/
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.
Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.
Your support helps us bring you more content like this!
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Today’s Sponsors:
REViVE Amazon Marketing Partners: https://revivemp.com/
REViVE Amazon Marketing Partners helps better-for-you CPG brands win on Amazon with niche expertise, founder-led strategy, and a true partnership model. Built by a CPG founder with a successful exit, REViVE only works with brands they believe in. Curious if Amazon is right for you? Book a Free Deep Dive Strategy Session today. -
I always say some of the most innovative ideas come from personal experiences, and Nicole Smith’s story is proof. What started as a meaningful moment in Paris with her best friend evolved into Flytographer, 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 Nicole Smith shares her journey from a corporate career at Microsoft to launching a two-sided marketplace with no startup experience—all while raising two young kids.
We discuss the ups and downs and how conscious leadership and resilience enabled her to lead with clarity, even during the pandemic. If you’ve ever had a spark of an idea and wondered, “Could this be something?”—this episode is for you.
Here are a few highlights from our conversation:
* How a trip to Paris inspired the creation of Flytographer
* The moment Nicole decided to leave corporate life and go all in on her vision
* Navigating a global shutdown and rebuilding with profitability and purpose
* Why community, trust, and storytelling are at the heart of the Flytographer model
* Nicole’s personal mission to get moms (and all caregivers) back into the photo
Join me, Ramon Vela, as we listen to the episode and hear how Nicole turned a simple idea into a global celebration of memory, connection, and reinvention.
For more on Flytographer, visit: https://www.flytographer.com/
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.
Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.
Your support helps us bring you more content like this!
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Today’s Sponsors:
Workspace6 - Private Community for 7, 8, 9-figure Brands: https://www.workspace6.io/
Workspace6 is a private community where over 950 seven, eight, and nine-figure brand operators trade insights, solve problems, and shortcut growth. It's the anti-fluff operator's room, and for your first 30 days, it's just $1. Get real answers and skip the trial and error. -
Every once in a while, you come across a story so driven by purpose and heart that you can feel it in every word, and that’s exactly how I felt talking to the co-founders of ByHeart.
In this episode, Ron Belldegrun and Mia Funt, Co-founders of ByHeart, guide us through their remarkable journey to reinvent infant formula from the ground up, driven by science, transparency, and a deep conviction that parents deserve better options.
From building their manufacturing facility to conducting one of the most extensive clinical trials in over 25 years, their story isn’t just about disrupting a category; it’s about raising the standard for an entire industry. If you’re a founder, parent, or just someone passionate about what modern CPG brands can stand for, this conversation is packed with inspiration and actionable wisdom.
Here are a few highlights from our conversation:
* Why building their manufacturing was a necessity, not a strategy
* The science and transparency behind their patented, breast milk-inspired formula
* How community, parent feedback, and clinical trials fueled meaningful innovation
* What it takes to challenge 100 years of industry status quo
* Why ByHeart believes the future of infant nutrition is about access, evidence, and trust
Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode to learn how this team built one of the most important—and personal—brands in modern consumer health.
For more on ByHeart, visit: https://byheart.com/
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Showa rating and review.
Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.
Your support helps us bring you more content like this!
*
Today’s Sponsors:
Augmentum Media - Influencer Marketing for Consumer Brands: https://www.augmentum-media.com/story
What secret do fast-growing Health and Wellness brands like Xtendlife, Nourished, and Hunter & Gather share? They all outsource their influencer marketing to the experts at Augmentum. Augmentum is offering "The Story of a Brand Show" listeners a 30-minute consulting session AND a personalized influencer strategy plan built by their experts for you to implement either with them or in-house. Visit the link above to learn more.
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.
As a Story of a Brand listener, you’ll get one month of free storage and a strategy session with their CEO, Eric Kasper.
https://1-commerce.com/story-of-a-brand -
I always love speaking with founders who are guided by purpose, and Reham Essa’s story is a perfect example.
After years as a pharmacist, Founder and CEO Reham set out to create a skincare brand that prioritizes health, simplicity, and integrity over hype. EssenZen is about more than beauty; it’s about reclaiming what skincare should be: minimal, functional, and rooted in science.
In this episode, Reham shares how her background in pharmacy led to a deeper understanding of skin and a passion for product formulation.
We dive into what it means to create a brand from scratch, challenge industry norms, and speak directly to the conscious consumer. If you're building something purpose-driven or just tired of 12-step skincare routines, you’ll want to hear this.
Here are a few key moments from our conversation:
* Why Reham left pharmacy to pursue her purpose through skincare* How EssenZen redefines beauty with minimalist, science-backed products
* The challenges and wins of building a bootstrapped brand from the ground up
* Why fewer ingredients and clear messaging resonate in a noisy market
* The importance of staying true to your values—even when growth is slow
Join me, Ramon Vela, as we listen to the episode and discover how Reham is rewriting the skincare story—one intentional product at a time.
For more on EssenZen, visit: https://essenzenbotanicals.com/For more on Radixir, visit: https://radixir.com/
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.
Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.
Your support helps us bring you more content like this!
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Today’s Sponsors:
Saral - The Influencer OS: https://www.getsaral.com/demo
SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Request a live demo today. Let the SARAL team know you're a The Story of a Brand Show podcast listener to get an extended free trial! Visit the link above. -
Something 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
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.
Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.
Your support helps us bring you more content like this!
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Today’s Sponsors:
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.
Use code "STORY OF A BRAND” and receive a complimentary market opportunity assessment of your e-commerce brand and marketplace positioning.
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.OFFER: As a Story of a Brand listener, you’ll get one month of free storage and a strategy session with their CEO, Eric Kasper.
-
As people who are passionate about purpose-driven CPG brands, we couldn’t wait to sit down with Jennifer Jorgensen, CEO of Back to Nature.
She’s not just leading the charge at Back to Nature she’s revitalizing a legacy brand for today’s conscious consumer. With a powerful blend of empathy, strategy, and bold decision-making, Jennifer demonstrates what it means to lead with both heart and business acumen.
In this episode, Rose Hamilton, Founder of Compass Rose Ventures, unpacks the transformation of Back to Nature as it reclaims its roots in plant-based simplicity and moves toward a cleaner, more intentional product line.
From managing reformulation without alienating loyal customers to redefining what “better-for-you” actually means, Jennifer shares the challenges and breakthroughs of modernizing a beloved brand while staying true to its mission.
Here are a few highlights from our conversation:
* How Jennifer approached reformulating legacy products while maintaining consumer trust* The strategy behind bringing purpose and profitability together in a crowded CPG landscape
* Lessons on leadership, team culture, and empowering people through change
* Why Back to Nature is leaning into its plant-based identity—and what that means for product innovation
* The importance of transparency, storytelling, and staying grounded in values during brand evolution
Join us in listening to the episode to learn how one leader is thoughtfully scaling a heritage brand with modern relevance and building a stronger future for the next generation of better-for-you foods.
For more on Back to Nature, visit: https://www.backtonaturefoods.com/
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.
Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.
Your support helps us bring you more content like this!
*
Today’s Sponsors:
REViVE Amazon Marketing Partners: https://revivemp.com/
REViVE Amazon Marketing Partners helps better-for-you CPG brands win on Amazon with niche expertise, founder-led strategy, and a true partnership model. Built by a CPG founder with a successful exit, REViVE only works with brands they believe in. Curious if Amazon is right for you? Book a Free Deep Dive Strategy Session today. -
I had an absolute blast chatting with Erica Groussman, the bold and fearless founder of TRUBAR. Erica’s energy is infectious, and her story is a masterclass in trusting your gut, listening to your body, and never settling for the status quo.
What started as a personal journey to clean up her own nutrition turned into a full-on movement—and a fast-growing brand that’s flipping the protein bar category on its head.
TRUBAR isn’t just another snack—it’s a delicious, clean-label product with a powerful “no BS” message at the center. In our conversation, Erica opens up about the highs and lows of building a better-for-you brand, how she broke into mass retail on her own terms, and what it really takes to stand out on shelf and online in a crowded CPG space.
Here are a few highlights from our conversation:* Why Erica believes "permissionless entry" is the key to innovation
* How she went from her kitchen to national retail distribution
* The truth about navigating manufacturing, scaling, and keeping your standards
* Why brand voice and bold packaging are non-negotiables in today’s market
* The importance of staying raw, real, and mission-driven—no matter the pressure
Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode and hear how Erica turned a personal health need into a fearless brand that’s changing the snack game—one unapologetically clean bite at a time.
For more on TRUBAR, visit: https://www.trubar.com/
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand a rating and review.
Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.
Your support helps us bring you more content like this!
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Today’s Sponsors:
Augmentum Media - Influencer Marketing for Consumer Brands: https://www.augmentum-media.com/story
What secret do fast-growing Health and Wellness brands like Xtendlife, Nourished, and Hunter & Gather share? They all outsource their influencer marketing to the experts at Augmentum. Augmentum is offering "The Story of a Brand Show" listeners a 30-minute consulting session AND a personalized influencer strategy plan built by their experts for you to implement either with them or in-house. Visit the link above to learn more. -
When I sat down with John Roman, it was clear this wasn’t just a story about subscription boxes—it was a story about grit, evolution, and building a brand that speaks directly to a passionate community.
As the Co-founder & CEO of BattlBox, John has transformed a niche outdoor and survival subscription into a DTC powerhouse, boasting millions of YouTube views and a hit Netflix show to boot.
But behind the curated gear and rugged packaging is a founder who deeply understands performance marketing, customer acquisition, and what it takes to scale through constant change. In this episode, John opens up about lessons learned, bets that paid off, and how BattlBox continues to thrive by listening to its community and leaning into its identity.
Here are a few key moments from our conversation:
* The “aha moment” that turned a hobby into a full-fledged business* How a loyal Facebook group became a strategic growth lever
* Why BattlBox scaled back from 30+ employees to a lean, high-performing team
* The story behind the Netflix show and its unexpected impact
* How John approaches data, storytelling, and building real brand loyalty
Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode to hear how one brand embraced its niche, built a community of superfans, and turned survival gear into a DTC success story.
For more on BattlBox, visit: https://www.battlbox.com/
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.
Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.
Your support helps us bring you more content like this!
*
Today’s Sponsors:
Workspace6 - Private Community for 7, 8, 9-figure Brands: https://www.workspace6.io/
Workspace6 is a private community where over 950 seven, eight, and nine-figure brand operators trade insights, solve problems, and shortcut growth. It's the anti-fluff operator's room, and for your first 30 days, it's just $1. Get real answers and skip the trial and error.
Saral - The Influencer OS: https://www.getsaral.com/demo
SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Request a live demo today. Let the SARAL team know you're a The Story of a Brand Show podcast listener to get an extended free trial! Visit the link above. -
When I sat down with Eric Dominijanni, the founder of FIOR Scotch, I knew this was going to be more than a conversation about spirits; it was going to be about reinvention.
Eric’s background in beverage alcohol and his vision to bring a new type of scotch to a new kind of drinker made this a compelling deep dive into brand building, innovation, and identity.
FIOR isn’t trying to be your grandfather’s scotch. It’s a bold, flavorful, and inclusive brand crafted for those who might have never considered sipping scotch before. Eric shares how he’s breaking category conventions, embracing American culture while honoring Scotch tradition, and creating a brand that welcomes the “new wave” consumer.
Whether you’re a spirits enthusiast, a founder, or someone fascinated by modern brand storytelling, you’ll find something inspiring in Eric’s journey.
Here are a few highlights from our conversation:
* Why Eric calls FIOR a “cultural remix” of old-world Scotch and modern American vibes* The branding decisions that make FIOR feel more like streetwear than traditional spirits
* How flavor, accessibility, and breaking rules are central to winning over a younger, more diverse audience
* What Eric learned launching a premium alcohol brand without relying on the “usual suspects” of Scotch marketing
* His candid reflections on risk, resilience, and trusting your gut as a first-time founder
Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode and hear how Eric is shaking up one of the most traditional categories in spirits—and why the future of Scotch might just look a little different than the past.
For more on FIOR Scotch, visit: https://www.fiorscotch.com/
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Today’s Sponsors:
Saral - The Influencer OS: https://www.getsaral.com/demo
SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Request a live demo today. Let the SARAL team know you're a The Story of a Brand Show podcast listener to get an extended free trial! Visit the link above. -
What does it take to elevate a simple, everyday product into a beloved premium brand?
In this episode, I sat down with Lindsey Johnson, Co-Founder & CEO of Weezie Towels, to talk about how she’s redefining the towel category with quality, intentionality, and customer delight at the core.
Lindsey shares how Weezie was built from scratch with a focus on product excellence, brand storytelling, and community feedback. From launching with just a few SKUs to expanding into custom monograms and thoughtful gifting experiences, Weezie’s journey is packed with lessons on scaling direct-to-consumer (DTC) operations, maintaining high standards in manufacturing, and adapting to shifting consumer expectations, while staying grounded in its purpose.
Here are a few highlights from our conversation:
* How Lindsey turned a gap in the towel market into a premium, design-led opportunity
* The importance of obsessing over every customer touchpoint—from box to bathroom
* Why feedback loops helped shape their core product line and brand evolution
* Building a retail-ready experience while staying loyal to DTC roots
* What it really means to lead with trust, transparency, and intuitionJoin me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the full episode to hear what it takes to build a movement around conscious consumption, one bottle at a time.
For more on Weezie Towels, visit: https://weezietowels.com/
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Today’s Sponsors:
REViVE Amazon Marketing Partners: https://revivemp.com/
REViVE Amazon Marketing Partners helps better-for-you CPG brands win on Amazon with niche expertise, founder-led strategy, and a true partnership model. Built by a CPG founder with a successful exit, REViVE only works with brands they believe in. Curious if Amazon is right for you? Book a Free Deep Dive Strategy Session today. -
In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Allana Hurst, the energetic and passionate owner of Tights, Tights, Tights, a brand that’s as fun to say as it is to shop.
From the moment we started talking, it was clear that Allana brings heart, hustle, and a sense of humor to everything she does.
We explored what it takes to scale a family business with integrity, how she’s reinventing a legacy retail experience for modern consumers, and what it means to stay true to your values in a fast-changing world. This conversation is filled with lessons on entrepreneurship, resilience, and how a niche business can cultivate genuine loyalty.
Here are a few highlights from the episode:
* The origin story of a brand that puts fit, function, and fun first.
* How Tights, Tights, Tights balances brick-and-mortar with ecommerce growth.
* Lessons from leading with empathy, humor, and grit in a competitive market.
* Why customer experience isn’t just a department, it’s the heart of the brand.
* What it really means to build a brand around confidence, comfort, and community.
Join me, Ramon Vela, as we listen to the episode and discover how Allana is proving that legacy retail can evolve and thrive with purpose and personality.
For more on Tights Tights Tights, visit: https://www.tightstightstights.co.uk/
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Today’s Sponsors:
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.
Use code "STORY OF A BRAND” and receive a complimentary market opportunity assessment of your e-commerce brand and marketplace positioning. -
If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to turn a simple idea, like chewing gum, into a performance-driven, clean-label product with serious staying power, this episode is for you.
Today, I’m talking with Logan Wright, Co-founder of Greco Gum, a brand redefining what gum can be. Logan shares the real story behind launching a functional gum designed to energize, support focus, and fit seamlessly into active lifestyles.
From early product formulations in a blender to landing on shelves in Erewhon, this is a founder journey that proves how much grit, clarity, and consumer empathy it takes to disrupt even the most overlooked CPG categories.
Here are a few highlights from our conversation:
* Why Logan saw an opening in the market for better-for-you, functional gum
* How they formulated a clean, no-compromise gum with real performance benefits
* Lessons from testing in real life—gyms, marathons, and startup grind
* What it takes to win early DTC sales and build trust with retail buyers
* Balancing brand identity, efficacy, and storytelling from the ground up
Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode and get inspired by how Greco Gum is bringing a fresh perspective to wellness, one chew at a time.
For more on Greco Gum, visit: https://grecogum.com/
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand a rating and review.
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Today’s Sponsors:
Workspace6 - Private Community for 7, 8, 9-figure Brands: https://www.workspace6.io/
Workspace6 is a private community where over 950 seven, eight, and nine-figure brand operators trade insights, solve problems, and shortcut growth. It's the anti-fluff operator's room, and for your first 30 days, it's just $1. Get real answers and skip the trial and error. -
This interview left me feeling inspired and grounded.
I sat down with Hayley and Stephanie Painter, the passionate co-owners behind Painterland Sisters, a family-run brand that’s redefining what it means to bring food from farm to spoon.
Raised on a fourth-generation regenerative farm in Pennsylvania, they’ve taken their roots and turned them into a vibrant, values-driven business that’s nourishing people and the planet.
In our conversation, we dive into how their Icelandic-style yogurt is not just a product, but a platform for connection, connecting consumers to farming, sustainability, and rural America. We talk about the highs and lows of building a CPG brand with family, the grit it takes to stay mission-aligned, and how they’re navigating retail with boldness and heart. It’s a story of sisterhood, soil, and serious entrepreneurial spirit.
Here are some highlights from the episode:
* How a regenerative farm upbringing shaped their business philosophy
* The decision to launch with Icelandic-style yogurt—and why that mattered* What it takes to scale from local markets to national retail chains
* Why storytelling and transparency are central to their brand DNA
* Lessons learned from staying rooted in values while growing fast
Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode and discover how two sisters are turning rural pride and regenerative farming into a standout CPG brand with heart.
For more on Painterland Sisters, visit: https://painterlandsisters.com/
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Today’s Sponsor:
Augmentum Media - Influencer Marketing for Consumer Brands: https://www.augmentum-media.com/story
What secret do fast-growing Health and Wellness brands like Xtendlife, Nourished, and Hunter & Gather share? They all outsource their influencer marketing to the experts at Augmentum. Augmentum is offering "The Story of a Brand Show" listeners a 30-minute consulting session AND a personalized influencer strategy plan built by their experts for you to implement either with them or in-house. Visit the link above to learn more. -
When it comes to rewriting the rules of women’s health, few founders are doing it with as much heart, rigor, and clarity as Tovah Haim.
In this episode, I sit down with the founder and CEO of Bodily, a brand transforming the postpartum and reproductive health space by making invisible experiences visible and giving women the support they deserve.
We talk about the glaring gaps in education and product design that exist for birthing and miscarriage experiences, how Bodily is changing the narrative with science-backed, radically empathetic solutions, and what it takes to pioneer a new category while honoring a deeply personal mission. Tovah’s story is one of courage, clarity, and an unwavering commitment to serving women on their terms.
Here are a few highlights from our conversation:
* Why most postpartum products weren’t designed with women in mind, and how Bodily is changing that
* The role of data and scientific rigor in developing Bodily’s product line* Lessons on educating a consumer who’s underserved, overwhelmed, and often overlooked
* How the brand approaches both DTC and retail with intention and empathy
* The power of building from lived experience and staying anchored to purpose as you scale
Join me, Ramon Vela, as I listen to the episode and discover how Bodily is reshaping the future of women’s health with integrity, innovation, and impact.
For more on Bodily, visit: https://itsbodily.com/
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.
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Today’s Sponsors:
Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/
Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.
Saral - The Influencer OS: https://www.getsaral.com/demo
SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Request a live demo today. Let the SARAL team know you're a The Story of a Brand Show podcast listener to get an extended free trial! Visit the link above. - Mehr anzeigen
