Episódios
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“I had to find that niche, that core community of people who were trying to solve the same problems that I was and who were passionate about the solution. But if I hadn’t found that, I think it would be tough to try to keep promoting your product and your brand without actually knowing where it fits.” —Belinda Lau
Every toothpaste tube and toothbrush we've ever used might still be existing somewhere on this planet! Plastic dental care products are silent environmental destroyers, with each toothbrush lingering for about 500 years in landfills and oceans.
Belinda Lau, a biomedical engineer with 15 years in medical device innovation, co-founded Elims with her dentist husband to transform oral care through sustainable, science-backed products. Motivated by the environmental impact of traditional dental care and her background in medical technology, she developed a breakthrough toothpaste using nano-hydroxyapatite that delivers clinical effectiveness while dramatically reducing plastic waste.
Tune in as Justine and Belinda explore NASA's nano hydroxyapatite technology, sustainable oral care packaging, TerraCycle's recycling innovation, clean ingredient alternatives to fluoride, bootstrapping a CPG business, growing business as a couple, flavor development strategies, dental professional insights, plus much more.
Meet Belinda:
With a background in biomedical and material science engineering and over 20 years of experience in the medical device industry, Belinda brings deep science and heart to every product. Inspired by a mission to create better-for-you, planet-friendly health care, she leads ELIMS with purpose, innovation, and impact. Belinda was named to the Forbes Next 1000 list and recognized by the Los Angeles Times as a Visionary CEO for her leadership in driving innovation and impact in sustainable consumer health.
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Episode Highlights:
02:24 ELIMS: Bridging Sustainability and Dental Health
09:07 Nano Hydroxyapatite: An Alternative to Fluoride Developed by NASA
16:44 TerraCycling: Sustainability Beyond Product
24:29 Flavor Innovation: Making Toothpaste Fun Again
36:42 Power Couple Entrepreneurship
45:21 Funding Mistakes
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Episode Description:
“In the CPG industry, so many individuals are just so friendly and eager to help emerging brands and founders succeed. Ask for help and they’re always willing to make an introduction.” —Danny Auld
Early childhood nutrition is more than just filling tiny bellies with food. It's about creating lifelong eating habits that can shape health, curiosity, and cultural understanding. The first few years of a child's diet can determine their relationship with food for decades to come.
Danny Auld and David Fullner are the co-founders of Kekoa Foods, a groundbreaking baby food company born from their personal mission to provide nutritious, globally-inspired meals for children. As an educational psychologist and former entertainment industry professional, they've developed a revolutionary approach to introducing complex flavors and healthy eating habits from infancy.
Tune in as Justine Reichman explores with Danny and David their innovative "Taste Training" program, uncovering how parents can help children become adventurous eaters, why 93% of kids aren't eating recommended vegetables, and the transformative power of introducing global flavors from the very first bite.
Meet David:
David Fullner, the visionary CEO and co-founder of Kekoa Foods, turned his passion for cooking, gardening, and healthy living into a bold mission after the birth of his son in 2013, when he saw the lack of flavorful, high-quality baby food options. Motivated to create something better, he began crafting organic baby food blends using fresh vegetables, herbs, roots, and spices — a unique approach his son instantly loved. What started as a personal solution quickly evolved into Kekoa Foods, a company now known for challenging industry norms and prioritizing taste, wellness, and ingredient integrity. Under David’s leadership, Kekoa Foods is reshaping the future of baby food to ensure every child has access to clean, nutritious, and flavorful meals.
Meet Danny:
Dr. Danny Auld is the co-founder and President of Kekoa Foods, where he leads business operations, sales, financial strategy, and production logistics with a strong focus on excellence and community impact. He manages fundraising, investor relations, and compliance while also shaping the company’s public presence through digital content, influencer partnerships, and nationwide food donation initiatives. With a PhD from Fordham University and a background in academic leadership, Danny brings strategic insight and a passion for meaningful change. Beyond his professional work, he enjoys cooking, family time with his husband and co-founder David, and their son, and actively mentors young professionals while supporting efforts to combat food insecurity and promote youth development.
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Episode Highlights:
01:49 Kekoa Foods: Providing Nutritious Food to the Youngest Eaters
04:14 Introducing New Flavors to Young Eaters
08:00 Enhancing Flavor and Ensuring Safety
13:00 Taste Training Program
18:40 Funding and Networking in the CPG Industry
23:43 Strategic Retail Expansion
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Episode Description:
“I would say stick to your values because once we start to slip on that, everybody knows it and we’re not authentic anymore— and what people want is the transparency of who’s making their food.” —Sam Paone
We've all been there—watching those beautiful farmers market finds slowly wilt in the fridge, feeling guilty with every sad, soggy leaf. What if there was a delicious way to rescue those forgotten vegetables and turn them into something not just healthy and edible, but absolutely crave-worthy?
Sam Paone is a culinary alchemist who traded restaurant kitchens for a mission to reinvent pickling. As the founder of Golden State Pickle Works, she transforms organic, seasonal produce into probiotic-rich delicacies that challenge everything people thought about fermented foods.
Tune in for a flavor-packed journey that transforms kitchen waste into probiotic gold as Justine and Sam talk about how fermentation can boost gut health, support local farmers, and preserve seasonal produce as well as the surprising health benefits, cultural significance, and gourmet potential of transforming humble vegetable scraps into delicious, sustainable treats.
Meet Sam:
Sam Paone is the founder of Golden State Pickle Works, a California-based artisan fermentation company. With a background in restaurant cooking, she transitioned to entrepreneurship, creating organic, hyper-seasonal pickled vegetables, condiments, and salad dressings. Sam is passionate about preserving local produce, supporting organic farmers, and introducing innovative fermented food products. She has developed a unique line of pickles and fermented goods that celebrate seasonal ingredients, and is currently working on a preservation-focused television series. Her culinary approach emphasizes flavor, sustainability, and community connection.
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Episode Highlights:
01:45 Golden State Pickle Works: Exploring the Concept of Pickling
10:05 Marketing and Business Challenges
14:56 Community and Customer Feedback
22:44 What’s Next for Sam?
28:54 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
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Episode Description:
“How can we make growing your own food possible in environments where it normally wasn’t? Or can we drastically lower the impact of water use, fertilizer use, or resources used to drive to the grocery store? That’s a big impact that we can have if we can allow you to grow your own food right at home.” —Conner Tidd
What if you could grow fresh, pesticide-free produce just steps from your refrigerator, regardless of where you live? Indoor vertical farming isn't just a trend— it's a revolutionary approach to sustainable, accessible food production.
Conner Tidd is a sustainability expert and the co-founder of Just Vertical, a pioneering company reimagining how urban dwellers grow food. With a Master's in Sustainability and a passion for solving global food challenges, Conner has developed innovative indoor gardening solutions that make fresh, local produce possible for everyone.
Tune in as Justine and Connor reveal how indoor vertical farming can slash water usage, eliminate pesticides, reduce food miles, and empower individuals to become home producers—transforming our relationship with food, one garden at a time.
Meet Conner:
Conner Tidd is the co-founder of Just Vertical, an innovative indoor farming company that designs indoor gardens and vertical farming solutions. With a Master's degree in Sustainability, he aims to make fresh, locally grown food accessible to people in urban environments and remote locations. Conner's entrepreneurial journey focuses on addressing food security, reducing environmental impact, and providing sustainable solutions for growing produce in challenging climates. Through Just Vertical, he helps individuals grow pesticide-free, fresh vegetables and herbs in their own homes, with a mission to create resilient and affordable food systems.
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Episode Highlights:
03:25 Historical Context and Current Trends in Food Production
05:09 Water and Resource Efficiency in Vertical Farming
21:14 Pesticide-Free Produce
23:23 A Journey Into Entrepreneurship: Mistakes and Lessons Learned
33:37 How to Set up a Vertical Garden
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Episode Description:
“Once you start eating your own food, it expands your taste horizons and you can’t be afraid to experiment. If it doesn’t work out and it’s horrible, just put it in the compost bucket and start over. It’s okay, you’ll be fine.” —Marjory Wildcraft
Food is not just sustenance; it's a fundamental human right that we've outsourced to complex, fragile systems. This disconnection from food sources has transformed us into passive consumers dependent on a market that creates an illusion of abundance, masking a precarious supply chain that can unravel in moments. But we are not powerless. Our backyard is a potential fortress of food security, self-sufficiency, and resilience.
Marjory Wildcraft is a pioneering educator who teaches sustainable food production and home medicine skills. She has developed innovative systems for growing food in diverse environments, helping people reclaim their food independence.
Tune in as Justine and Marjory explore how we can transform our living space into a productive food ecosystem through urban gardening, home medicine, animal protein production, seed diversity, nutrient cycling, and economic resilience strategies.
Meet Marjory:
Marjory Wildcraft is the founder of The Grow Network, which is a community of people focused on modern self-sufficient living. She has been featured by National Geographic as an expert in off-grid living, she hosted the Mother Earth News Online Homesteading Summit, and she is listed in Who’s Who in America for having inspired hundreds of thousands of backyard gardens. Marjory was the focus of an article that won Reuters’ Food Sustainability Media Award, and she recently authored The Grow System: The Essential Guide to Modern Self-Sufficient Living—From Growing Food to Making Medicine.
She is best known for her DVD series Grow Your Own Groceries, which has over half a million copies in use by homesteaders, foodies, preppers, universities, and missionary organizations around the world.
Beloved for her humorous, non-judgmental, get ’er done style, Marjory raised two teenagers in Central Texas and currently splits her time between Paonia, CO, and Puerto Rico. When she’s not building an online network, being “Mom,” and tending her family’s food supply, Marjory loves playing, running, doing gymnastics, skateboarding, acquiring skills from the Paleolithic era (yes, she is part cavewoman!), and experimenting with anything and everything related to food production and sustainability.
Join the I Can Grow Food webinar to learn the fastest and easiest ways to produce healthy and delicious meat, eggs, and vegetables with Marjory: http://www.backyardfoodproduction.com
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Episode Highlights:
00:20 Meet Marjory: A Journey of Food Security
08:00 Practical Tips for Urban Food Production
14:55 Transitioning to Home Medicine
21:11 The Role of Marketing in Sustainability
26:56 Preparing for Future Food Security
30:01 Integrating Ancient Practices with Modern Needs
33:01 The Nutritional Value of Backyard Livestock
38:54 Start Growing Your Food
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Episode Description:
“I don’t have an MBA. I only have a food knowledge background, and that doesn’t make me an expert, either. But I know how to inquire and how to connect. So I have just been digging and grinding through my process, always finding the answers when I need them.” —Seena Chriti
Snack innovation is more than just creating a product—it's about telling a cultural story through flavor. Every bite carries the potential to bridge traditions and challenge culinary expectations.
Seena Chriti is a culinary arts graduate from Mexico City with a deep passion for food, media, and cultural storytelling. Her entrepreneurial journey transforms traditional Mexican snacks into modern, health-conscious offerings through her CPG brand.
Tune in as Justine sits with Seena to share her journey of launching a culturally inspired snack brand and how she navigated challenges in product development, market positioning, consumer education, scaling, cultural food innovation, and more.
Meet Seena:
Seena Chriti is a Food and culture expert with TV and print media experience. Her focus is on visual media, such as TV and video production of Food segments. Her passion is the relationship of food with culture, history, art, its meaning, and symbolism.
Seena has worked in television, newspaper, and magazines, always highlighting the historical or symbolic value of food so that it is never taken for granted since it is considered one of the most important aspects of human life. She believes that food is the only element of culture that enters our body and becomes part of us.
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Episode Highlights:
01:52 Meet Seena
04:26 The Role of Incubators and Accelerators
08:41 Consumer Feedback and Product Adjustments
14:21 Exciting Innovations
20:38 Consumer Perception and Market Challenges
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Episode Description:
“We need to think more about the ecosystem, and it’s not always the cheapest way to do stuff. I think we’re just trying to make a difference. And if we can make a living while making a difference, then that’s really important.” —Jason Walker
Regenerative organic farming is more than just a method—it's a revolutionary approach to healing our planet's most critical resource: soil. It offers a holistic approach that sees agriculture not as an extraction process but as a recuperative, life-giving partnership with the Earth.
Jason Walker is a visionary third-generation farmer who leads StarWalker Organic Farms, championing regenerative organic agriculture and raising heritage breed livestock in their natural environments. With a deep commitment to soil health, animal welfare, and sustainable farming practices, Jason is not just a farmer, but an educator and advocate for transforming our understanding of food production and its impact on human and environmental well-being.
Listen in as Justine and Jason decode the complex landscape of regenerative organic farming, exploring the intricate connections between soil vitality, heritage breeds, certification standards, and the profound impact of conscious agricultural practices on nutrition and environmental sustainability.
Meet Jason:
Jason Walker is a third-generation farmer and co-founder of StarWalker Organic Farms, a pioneering regenerative organic farm with nearly 45 years of organic farming experience. As a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture, Jason has transformed his family's farm by implementing regenerative practices that prioritize soil health, animal welfare, and ecosystem diversity. Jason is committed to educating consumers about the importance of regenerative farming and its impact on nutrition, environmental sustainability, and food production.
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Episode Highlights:
01:23 The Origin: StarWalker Organic Farms
07:34 Transitioning to Regenerative Organic
10:19 The Impact of Regenerative Farming on Soil and Ecosystem
21:38 Regenerative Farming: Challenges and Opportunities
29:03 Heritage Breeds and Nutrient-Dense Meat
38:44 Future Aspirations and Community Engagement
40:04 Availability and Accessibility of Regenerative Products
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Episode Description:
“Trust that you can do the Math and that you have the tenacity and that nature will give you way more opportunities than you even need.” —Jamiah Hargins
Imagine a world where water conservation isn't just a choice, but a critical strategy to survival.
Water isn't just slipping through our fingers—it's vanishing before our eyes. Yet, our current consumption patterns are writing a dangerous narrative for future generations. Hence, the silent crisis of water conservation demands immediate, innovative solutions that reimagine how we interact with this precious resource.
Jamiah Hargins is a visionary urban farmer and social entrepreneur who founded Crop Swap LA, a nonprofit revolutionizing food production in unused urban spaces. With a mission-driven approach, he has developed groundbreaking strategies for community-based agriculture and water management.
Tune in as Justine and Jamiah talk about water conservation, community-driven food independence, entrepreneurial resilience, organic gardening techniques, local food distribution, and innovative strategies for creating sustainable, resilient food systems.
Meet Jamiah:
Jamiah Hargins is the founder of Crop Swap LA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to growing food on unused urban spaces and promoting food independence. With a mission to transform local food systems, he has developed innovative approaches to urban agriculture, water conservation, and community-driven food production. Over the past seven years, Crop Swap LA has impacted approximately 1,000 people monthly, growing food across 10 different locations in Los Angeles.
An experienced social entrepreneur, Jamiah has previously launched multiple ventures and is passionate about creating sustainable, regenerative solutions to food insecurity. His work focuses on empowering communities to grow their own food, implement water recycling systems, and reduce dependency on traditional agricultural supply chains. Jamiah is also developing educational resources to help other communities replicate Crop Swap's model across the United States.
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Episode Highlights:
02:54 Empowering Community Leaders
06:50 Water Conservation and Rainwater Capture
17:44 Expanding the Movement
26:05 Community and Mentorship
29:49 Crop Swap: Impact and Future Plans
35:22 Upcoming Events and Campaigns
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Episode Description:
“I want to create a world of mindful foodies. I don't see this as a little project. I see this as something big.” —Janet Irizarry
Every bite we take is a vote for the planet's future, and our children are the most powerful voters we have. By modeling mindful eating to them, we can transform how future generations understand and respect the journey of their food.
Janet Irizarry is a culinary innovator and passionate educator who has dedicated her professional life to reshaping how families approach food sustainability. As an instructor at the Culinary Institute of America and founder of The MMK Method, she bridges culinary expertise with environmental consciousness.
Listen as Justine and Janet unpack the secrets of reducing household food waste, creative strategies for involving kids in mindful eating, insights about food storage and preservation, the profound environmental impact of conscious consumption, and practical, joy-filled approaches to transforming kitchen habits that benefit both families and the planet.
Meet Janet:
Janet Irizarry, M.Ed, is the founder of the My Mindful Kitchen (MMK) Method, a program dedicated to fostering mindful eating, sustainability, and well-being. With a Master’s in Education from Arizona State University and extensive experience in teaching, instructional design, and hospitality, she develops impactful courses at The Culinary Institute of America and advocates for food sustainability as Editor of Hudson Valley EATS. Passionate about reducing food waste, Janet collaborates with initiatives like Food Waste Prevention Week and inspires positive change through education, community engagement, and her innovative MMK Method.
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Episode Highlights:
03:26 Raising the Next Generation of Mindful Foodies
05:44 The MMK Method
10:52 Practical Tips for Reducing Food Waste
15:57 The Role of Mindfulness and Family Involvement
26:23 The Impact of the MMK Method
31:55 Creating at Home Change
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Founder Resource Series
Episode Description:
“My advice for people that are wanting to shift or starting out is to just jump in the water. Once you're there, you're going to figure out how to swim.” —Sebastian Stahl
A lot of startups crumble within their first year—a stark reminder that dreams alone cannot sustain a business. But the difference between survival and surrender often hinges on adaptability, strategic thinking, and the courage to pivot when the path becomes uncertain.
Sebastian Stahl is a battle-tested entrepreneur who has navigated the complex terrains of restaurants and marketing, transforming setbacks into strategic victories. With a rich background spanning multiple industries, he brings a unique perspective on building sustainable businesses and helping entrepreneurs break through their most challenging obstacles.
Tune in as Justine and Sebastian deconstruct the entrepreneurial code, revealing raw survival strategies, marketing game-changers, personal growth blueprints, mentorship secrets, and the critical mindset shifts that can turn potential business failures into extraordinary success stories.
Meet Sebastian:
With over 19+ years in the hospitality industry, Sebastian has owned and operated multiple restaurant concepts and served as the Head of Marketing and Partner at an award-winning restaurant group in South Florida operating six brands. Sebastian’s track record speaks for itself. He has helped numerous restaurants around the country transform their business and drive revenue growth. His approach is not just about short-term gains but also about building a solid foundation for long-term success.
Sebastian’s mission is to help restaurant owners gain freedom in their business. His wealth of experience, combined with his strategic mindset and creative flair, make him an invaluable asset for any restaurant owner looking to elevate their brand, attract new customers, and ultimately achieve sustainable growth. When he is not working you can find him at home hanging out with his wife and playing with his daughter Annika.
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Episode Highlights:
01:13 Falling in Love with the Restaurant Biz
06:55 Navigating a Growing Business
11:14 Overcoming the Blind Spots
18:53 The Impact of Building Relationships on Business
31:12 How to Survive the First Year of Business
37:56 Just Keep Doing
40:04 The Road to Becoming a Good Leader
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Episode Description:
“You can over engineer things like a business plan. I think there's no substitute for going out and just trying things— that's the best and fastest way you can learn.” —Ashwin Cheriyan
Modern life often makes it hard to balance convenience, health, and sustainability, leaving many searching for better options.
Ashwin Cheriyan, Thistle’s co-founder and CEO, is a former corporate lawyer turned passionate innovator, dedicated to bringing health and sustainability to everyone’s table. Ashwin’s work focuses on proving that eating delicious, wholesome, and planet-friendly meals can be both effortless and satisfying
Tune in as Justine interviews Ash about how about Thistle's remarkable journey from a passion project to a mission-driven food company, exploring how they blend health, sustainability, entrepreneurial resilience, and innovative meal delivery to create positive change for individuals and the planet.
Meet Ashwin:
Ashwin Cheriyan is an entrepreneur, recovering corporate lawyer, and a mediocre surfer. He is currently the co-founder and CEO of Thistle, a Bay-area-based modern, tech-enabled, organic food and nutrition company. He was also the co-founder of WeGoFair, a social enterprise providing ratings for hotels and restaurants reflecting their performance on social and environmental issues.
Prior to Thistle and WeGoFair, he spent 4 years in New York as an M&A associate at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, where he worked alongside senior management and cross-functional deal teams in collective transactions valued at over $100 billion. He received his A.B. in Economics from Brown University and his JD from The University of Texas School of Law.
Outside of Thistle, he spends his energy working with, advising, and investing in startups, mountain biking throughout Marin County, suiting up in neoprene to surf the waves of Bolinas, and enjoying the abundant culinary delights the Bay Area has to offer.
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Episode Highlights:
02:05 Building a Heath and Sustainability-Driven Biz
15:44 Challenges and Growth of Thistle
27:46 Thoughts Before Seeking Venture Financing
31:52 The Importance of Passion and Alignment
36:05 The Broader Impact of Collective Action
39:44 From Skeptical Partners to Loyal Customers
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Founder Resource Series
Episode Description:
“I think consumers and company leaders are becoming more curious as to what the alternatives are and not just following simple workflows and playbooks. The transparency and the ability to educate around the possibilities— the alternative possibilities of manufacturing and ingredients that are available.” —Riana Lynn
The possibilities for AI-powered innovation in the culinary world are truly exciting. Consumers are now more intrigued than ever about the transformative potential of AI-powered solutions in innovation and nutrition.
This week, we are joined by Riana Lynn, the Founder of Journey Foods, a cutting-edge platform that leverages AI to transform the way companies approach food innovation. With a diverse background spanning VC, chemistry, and entrepreneurship, Riana is at the forefront of driving positive change in the food industry.
Tune in as Justine and Riana discuss the role of AI in revolutionizing food formulation and sourcing, the impact of Journey Foods on companies of all sizes, the importance of transparency and education in the food industry, and more.
Meet Riana:
Riana Lynn, MPH is an entrepreneur, storyteller, and AI consultant dedicated to transforming the global food system through innovative, data-driven solutions as the founder and CEO of Journey Foods. Recognized as a World Economic Forum Tech Pioneer and Google Entrepreneur-in-Residence, she has delivered over 230 speaking engagements at prestigious forums worldwide.
As the inventor of the first AI patent for generative recipes and one of the first women with an AI software patent, Riana leads Journey Foods and Journey Labs in setting new industry standards. She combines her focus on creative community building with her commitment to business challenges.
Riana holds degrees and formal training in Biology, Chemistry, Anthropology, Black Studies, Public Health, and Artificial Intelligence from multiple prestigious institutions. Based in Atlanta, she enjoys collecting art, growing fruit trees, and exploring culinary and architectural heritage sites globally.
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Episode Highlights:
01:24 Bridging the Nutrition Gap with AI
04:57 Food and Chronic Diseases
09:24 AI in Food Innovation
16:19 Journey Foods’ Services and Impact
21:56 Connect with Journey Foods
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Beyond the Basket: The Secret Ingredient to Building a Regenerative Community with Wen-Jay Ying
Episode Description:
“It's having a genuine interest in your consumers, not just a transactional experience— That is the best way to build community.” —Wen-Jay Ying
Building a thriving community takes more than just a shared interest— it requires genuine connections, a sense of belonging, and a shared vision for a better future. In an age of impersonal online interactions, the power of face-to-face relationships and supporting local businesses has never been more important. Discover how one entrepreneur is redefining the way we think about community through the lens of food.
Wen-Jay Ying is the founder and CEO of Local Roots, a community-driven and minority-owned company in New York City. With over 14 years of experience in the local food movement, Wen-Jay continues to innovate and find new ways to connect people to their food sources.
Tune in as Justine and Wen-Jay share insights on traditional and online marketing strategies, operational models, the evolution of the local food movement, overcoming common entrepreneurial challenges, reflections on closing the business, and building community and customer relationships.
Meet Wen-Jay:
Wen-Jay Ying is the founder and CEO of Local Roots, a community-driven and minority-owned company in New York City. Wen-Jay started Local Roots in 2011 with the goal of making high-quality local and organic ingredients more accessible and convenient for New Yorkers. Under her leadership, Local Roots has grown into a trusted source for seasonal, regeneratively-grown produce and other local food products.
Wen-Jay is passionate about education, transparency, and empowering consumers to make better food choices. With over 14 years of experience in the local food movement, Wen-Jay continues to innovate and find new ways to connect people to their food sources.
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Episode Highlights:
01:51 Local Roots: Modernized CSA
04:15 Initial Marketing a Community Building
09:26 Operational Model and Customer Experience
14:37 The Evolution of the Local Food Movement
18:11 Overcoming Financial, Structural, and Operational Challenges
25:01 The Emotional Process of Closing a Business
32:03 Tips on Building a Community
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The Secret Ingredient to Food Biz Success: A Shared Kitchen with a Side of Networking with Djenaba Johnson-Jones
Founder Resource Series
Episode Description:
“I wanted something that I could call my own and not have to answer to anyone. We asked ourselves what we want for our future and we wanted to launch this business.” —Djenaba Johnson-Jones
Shared kitchens are more than just a place to cook - they're hubs of innovation, collaboration, and growth for food entrepreneurs. By tapping into a community of like-minded innovators, food startups can unlock new opportunities, streamline operations, and accelerate their path to success. Beyond the physical space, shared kitchens offer a wealth of resources, education, and networking that can be game-changing for any food business.
Djenaba Johnson-Jones is the founder of Hudson Kitchen, a shared commercial kitchen and storage facility in New Jersey that has supported over 60 food businesses since its inception. With a background in marketing and a passion for empowering entrepreneurs, Djenaba has built a thriving ecosystem that caters to the unique needs of CPG and meal prep companies.
Tune in as Justine sits down with Djenaba to discuss the resources, collaborations, and community that make Hudson Kitchen a hub for food business growth.
Meet Djenaba:
Djenaba Johnson-Jones is the founder of Hudson Kitchen, a shared commercial kitchen and storage facility based in Carney, New Jersey. She started the business in 2016 after being laid off from her corporate job, pivoting from an initial plan to launch a fitness business.
At Hudson Kitchen, Djenaba supports over 60 food businesses, primarily focused on consumer packaged goods and meal prep companies. She has created educational resources like a "10 Steps to Starting a Food Business in New Jersey" guide and a Food Business Boot Camp program to help entrepreneurs launch and grow their food ventures.
In addition to providing physical kitchen space, Djenaba has fostered a collaborative community at Hudson Kitchen, where members share resources and support each other's growth. She also hosts networking events featuring industry experts to connect with her members and provide them with valuable connections and insights.
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Episode Highlights:
01:54 Sustainable Food Delivery and Packaging
04:01 Founding the Hudson Kitchen
11:12 More Than a Kitchen: Resources and Support Hub
19:48 Expanding Reach: Local to National Support
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Instant Noodles 2.0: Bringing Flavor, Health, and Sustainability to Your Favorite Comfort Food with Thuong Tan
Episode Description:
“I'm going to create something that I love and my friends’ love— because even on a bad day you have to wake up to run your business.” —Thuong Tan
Comfort food has the power to transport us, to soothe the soul, and to bring us back to simpler times. For many, that comfort comes in the form of a steaming bowl of noodles - a quick, satisfying meal that has stood the test of time. But what if we could reimagine this beloved staple to be both delicious and better for our bodies and the planet?
Thuong Tan, the visionary founder of Noodelist, has done just that. With a background in luxury branding and a deep-rooted passion for noodles, she's on a mission to elevate the instant noodle experience with a plant-based, sustainable solution that doesn't sacrifice flavor.
Tune in as Justine and Thuong discuss the journey of creating a healthier, more sustainable instant noodle, the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, the power of branding and marketing to stand out in a crowded market, the benefits of having a co-founder, the importance of teaching young ones to eat healthy, and more.
Meet Thuong:
Thuong Tan is the founder of Noodelist, a plant-based instant noodle company that offers a healthier and more sustainable alternative to traditional instant noodles. With a background in international business and a passion for food, Thuong embarked on a mission to create a better-for-you instant noodle product that delivers on both taste and nutrition.
After completing her MBA in luxury branding, Thuong was inspired to leverage her marketing and branding expertise to develop Noodelist. The company's products feature clean, plant-based ingredients and are packaged in eco-friendly materials. Thuong's goal is to make nutritious and delicious instant noodles accessible to a wider audience, from busy professionals to health-conscious families.
Under Thuong's leadership, Noodelist has gained a loyal following for its innovative approach to a classic convenience food. Thuong continues to drive the company's product development and expansion into new distribution channels, with a focus on making a positive impact on people's diets and the environment.
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Episode Highlights:
01:42 Loving Noodles
07:06 Walking the Entrepreneur Path
14:28 Challenges and Insights in Entrepreneurship
19:02 Marketing and Strategy
24:14 Building Healthy Habits to the Younger Generation
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💲Get a discount when you shop at Noodelist. Just use promo code: HAPPINESS
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From Garage to Global: Spilling the Beans on Startup Success with Jon Lambert
Founder Resource Series
Episode Description:
“You can run the best business in the world, but if you as an individual, fail, the entire thing falls to pieces.” —Jon Lambert
In the world of startups, your network can be as valuable, if not more, than your net worth. A strong community can provide the resources, mentorship, and support needed to navigate the turbulent waters of entrepreneurship. By fostering meaningful connections and collaborations, founders can unlock opportunities that money alone can't buy, turning their vision into a thriving reality.
Jon Lambert is the CEO of The Cannon, a community-driven organization dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs and startups. With a background in tech, startups, and corporate venture capital, Jon has made it his mission to democratize access to resources and support for founders at every stage of their journey.
Tune in as Justine and Jon explore the essential ingredients for startup success, including community building, pandemic resilience, digital networking, global expansion strategies, funding challenges, and the power of founder-to-founder support in this insightful conversation about nurturing the next generation of business innovators.
Meet Jon:
Jon Lambert is the CEO of The Cannon, a company dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs and startups. Under his leadership, The Cannon has expanded from its initial focus on mobilizing people and conversations to establishing nine physical locations in Houston, while also developing a robust digital platform to connect members globally.
With a vision for global expansion, Jon is guiding The Cannon toward an international network that transcends geographical boundaries, providing resources and support to innovators and entrepreneurs worldwide.
Jon's expertise in fundraising, community building, and providing comprehensive support to businesses at various stages has positioned him as a respected figure in the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
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Episode Highlights:
02:00 The Initial Focus of The Cannon in Houston
08:00 How the Pandemic Impacted The Cannon’s Community
15:00 Join the “Founder’s Confessions” Event
22:00 Accelerator Services
28:00 Global Reach and International Support StartUps
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Glow Up Guaranteed: The Chemist-Approved Skincare Routine with Ron Robinson
Clean Beauty Series
Episode Description:
“Every brand now needs to be an educator as well as a seller.” —Ron Robinson
The beauty industry is undergoing a transformative shift, with consumers demanding more than just surface-level solutions. From the rise of the "skinification" trend to the ongoing debate around clean beauty, the landscape is evolving rapidly. Brands must now navigate the delicate balance between safety, efficacy, and sustainability to captivate their audience.
Ron Robinson is a veteran cosmetic chemist with an impressive track record, having developed products for renowned brands like Clinique, Lauder, and L'Oreal. His expertise and passion for unlocking the potential of gold-standard ingredients have led him to found his own brand, Beauty Stat.
Tune in as Justine and Ron explore the rise of skinification in beauty products, misconceptions around natural vs synthetic ingredients, the need for brands to incorporate consumer education, Ron’s expert recommendations and tips for essential skincare products, upcoming trends in the beauty industry, the importance of sustainability, the challenges around recycling and waste management in the beauty industry, and more.
Meet Ron:
Veteran cosmetic chemist Ron Robinson founded BeautyStat blog in 2009, demystifying skincare ingredients with a factual, chemist-based approach. After years of research, he developed a technology to formulate pure Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid) at its optimal 20% concentration, protected from oxidation.
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Episode Highlights:
01:17 The Skinification of Beauty Products
05:00 Clean Beauty and Consumer Concerns
13:19 Consumer Education and Product Transparency
17:21 Skincare Tips
26:52 Beauty and the Planet
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Sea the Difference: Unlocking Seaweed's Potential for Beauty and Beyond with Matthew Perkins
Clean Beauty Series
Episode Description:
“Sometimes, it might feel like you're not making progress, but you might just be missing a critical piece of information. Don't give up unless you understand why you want to change direction before you do it.” —Matthew Perkins
Imagine a world where our beauty products come from the sea, not the land. Could kelp farming be the answer to reducing pressure on terrestrial agriculture while providing sustainable ingredients for our skincare? As we face growing environmental challenges, this innovative approach might just be the wave of the future we've been waiting for.
Matthew Perkins is the CEO and founder of Macro Oceans, a California-based startup transforming seaweed into low-carbon biomaterials. With a background in agriculture and a passion for sustainability, Matthew is pioneering the use of kelp in beauty products and beyond.
Tune in as Justine And Matthe talk about sustainable harvesting, clinical trials for kelp-derived ingredients, the challenges of green chemistry, expanding beyond skincare to packaging, and the future of bio-based materials in the beauty industry.
Meet Matthew:
Matthew Perkins is the CEO and founder of Macro Oceans, a California-based startup that's revolutionizing the beauty and materials industries through innovative use of kelp. With a background in agriculture and previous experience in the digital ag space, Matthew is leveraging his expertise to transform seaweed into sustainable, low-carbon biomaterials.
His vision extends beyond beauty products, aiming to build a kelp economy that replaces petrochemicals in everyday materials. Matthew's entrepreneurial journey is marked by persistence, a commitment to sustainability, and a drive to create high-performance, environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional products.
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Episode Highlights:
02:17 Macro Oceans: Inspiration and Initial Challenges
10:23 Navigating Consumer Reception and Market Impact
18:02 Lessons Learned: Before Abandoning a Project
23:42 The Impact of Food-Based Ingredients on Beauty
27:00 The Way to Move Faster
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Clean Beauty Series
Episode Description:
“I'm excited to see what gets tested. There is an endless supply on this planet of products or sources that have not been tested yet. And I think there are entrepreneurial companies starting to find the next efficacious ingredient.” —Tamar Kamen
The intersection of food and beauty is redefining the future of skincare, as innovative brands harness the power of natural, edible ingredients to nourish skin from the inside out. From upcycled coffee grounds to hydroponic-grown botanicals, the beauty industry is undergoing a delicious transformation.
Tamar Kamen is an independent product developer in the beauty industry with over 20 years of experience, bringing her wealth of knowledge and passion for clean, sustainable formulations to the forefront of the conversation.
Tune in as Justine and Tamar talk about the rise of transparency and consumer education, the challenges and costs of sustainable packaging, the evolution of clean beauty, the innovations shaping the future of the industry, and more
Meet Tamar:
Tamar Lara Kamen is an award-winning beauty industry expert with a proven track record in product development and marketing. As a HERO PRODUCT MAKER and Beauty Industry Consultant, Tamar has collaborated with renowned brands such as Herbivore, Dune Suncare, Alpyn, Lion Pose, Glowbar, BoldHue, and Knesko. With a Bachelor of Arts in American Studies from Columbia University, Barnard College, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role.
Tamar's expertise spans product development, start-ups, new brand development, clinical skincare, consumer studies, pharmaceuticals, and more. She has held key positions, including Vice President of Product Development at Topicals, where she oversaw product development, education, marketing, and regulatory compliance. Tamar is also a member of WE ARE THE BOARD, contributing her insights and leadership to the beauty industry.
In addition to her professional achievements, Tamar is dedicated to animal welfare, volunteering as a foster mom, adoption counselor, and dog handler for Best Friends Animal Society and Mayor's Alliance for NYC's Animals. Her passion for innovation, strategy, and brand development makes her a sought-after consultant and fractional executive in the beauty industry.
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Episode Highlights:
02:17 Transparency and Consumer Education
06:47 Challenges and Cost of Sustainable Packaging
10:03 Consumer Thresholds and Product Preferences
16:03 The Role of Food in Clinical Beauty
19:10 Innovations in Upcycled Ingredients
24:02 The Future of Clean Beauty
28:25 Tips for Clean Beauty Founders
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Clean Beauty Series
Episode Description:
“You also need a little bit of luck. You can make decisions, and they can cut both ways— you can make a decision and your brand goes through the roof, and you can make a good decision but it just didn't work and you can't recover from it. So you have to stick around long enough for luck to happen too. You just have to be patient.” —Kelly Kovack
The lines between wellness and beauty continue to blur, as innovative brands harness the power of functional ingredients and cutting-edge biotech to redefine what it means to look and feel our best. As the industry evolves, navigating the clean beauty landscape has become a minefield of misinformation and greenwashing, underscoring the need for transparency and scientific rigor. Yet, amidst the challenges, a new generation of experts and entrepreneurs are paving the way for a more sustainable, efficacious future.
Kelly Kovack is the founder and CEO of BeautyMatter. With over two decades of experience in the beauty and wellness space, she is a respected thought leader known for her insights on the business of beauty.
Tune in as Justine and Kelly dive deep into the impact of food on the beauty industry, the rise of biotech and clean beauty, the role of education, the future of expert-backed brands, the importance of ensuring legal issues in brand innovation, the importance of patience and perseverance, and more.
Meet Kelly:
Kelly launched BeautyMatter in the Fall of 2016 with the firm belief that in a fast-moving world, information is knowledge, but context matters. And more importantly, innovation comes from the cross-pollination of industries and expertise. She set out to use her experience building brands and scaling businesses to offer a new perspective and holistic approach to B2B content that filled a void in the beauty industry.
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Episode Highlights:
02:04 Ingestible Beauty
08:17 Historical Context of Food and Beauty
12:13 Biotech in Beauty
20:04 Lawsuits and Legal Threats in Product Innovation
29:36 The Future of Clean Beauty
33:39 Doctor-Made Products and Brand Innovation
37:53 The Timeline of Building a Product
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