In this episode I am joined by Alex Watson, co-founder of Renais—a premium gin crafted from upcycled grape skins sourced from his family's renowned vineyard in Chablis, France. Built alongside his sister, Emma Watson, Renais blends innovation with tradition to redefine sustainability in spirits. Alex shares the challenges of creating a brand that honors their family heritage, milestones like their UK launch, and their mission to craft a gin that’s as refined as the wine it comes from. Make...

In this episode I am joined by Ryan Vesler, founder of Homage, building a brand that transforms nostalgia into iconic apparel, celebrating pop culture, sports history, and the moments that bring us together. Since its inception, Homage has become a cult favorite, known for its vintage-inspired designs and premium quality. With partnerships spanning major sports leagues and cultural icons, Ryan shares the story of turning a passion for storytelling into a thriving apparel brand that resonates...

In this episode I am joined by Woodie Hillyard, Co-Founder and CEO of W, co-founded by Jake Paul, a disruptive personal care brand redefining men’s grooming. Launched nationally in Walmart in June 2024, W broke records by becoming Walmart’s best launch in its Emerging Brands category, surpassing seven figures in its first month. With influencer-driven campaigns and accessible pricing, W is revolutionizing body care with products like body sprays, washes, and hair care essentials, aiming to...

In this episode I am joined by Priyanka Jain, founder and CEO of Evvy, transforming women’s health by building the largest dataset on the vaginal microbiome to address and close the gender health gap through precise, data-driven diagnostics. With its innovative testing, Evvy empowers women with deeper health insights and sets a higher standard of care that is empathetic, personalized, and research-based. Evvy's impact extends to advocacy, exemplified by initiatives like Equal Research Day—an...

In this episode I am joined by Tim Fung, founder and CEO of Airtasker, the platform that connects people with skilled local taskers to get more done. Tim shares Airtasker’s journey, from launching in Australia in 2012 to expanding into the UK in 2018 and most recently, the US in 2023. Now with 3 million taskers and 4.3 million tasks completed worldwide, Airtasker has seen remarkable growth, including a 306% year-over-year increase in US task completions. Tim also discusses Airtasker’s unique...

In this episode I am joined by Renata Black, founder of EBY, a brand committed to both innovation in intimate apparel and women’s empowerment worldwide. Renata shares how EBY began as more than a clothing line, pioneering a subscription model that has now sold over 1 million products. With each purchase, EBY funds microloans for women entrepreneurs, creating a ripple effect of support. Partnering with Venus Williams, EBY has gained recognition as one of Fast Company’s 2023 “Brands that...

In this episode I am joined by Luke Milton, former professional Australian rugby player and founder of Training Mate, the fitness brand that blends HIIT with mental well-being and social connection. Luke’s approach, inspired by the Australian concept of 'mateship,' has attracted celebrity clients like Khloe Kardashian and Rebel Wilson. With 6 studios in Los Angeles, 2 in Dallas, and 4 more opening soon, Training Mate is redefining fitness. Make sure to check out training Mate at:...

In this episode I am joined by Shirah Benarde, co-founder of NightCap, who created the drink spiking prevention tool at just 16 after a friend’s harrowing experience. By 17, she landed one of the fastest deals on Shark Tank, partnering with Lori Greiner. NightCap has since sold over 500,000 units in more than 40 countries, amassed a 600K social media following, and won TIME Magazine's Best Inventions award. Shirah also advocates for safety awareness globally, with NightCap now featured in...

In this episode I am joined by Dragons' Den judge Maria Hatzistefanis, CEO and Founder of Rodial, a high-end skincare and beauty brand. Launched in 1999, Rodial quickly gained attention for its science-driven approach to luxury beauty, focusing on targeted skincare solutions such as anti-aging, firming, and brightening. Maria’s vision was to create products that blend innovation with visible results, using advanced ingredients to address specific skin concerns. With global recognition and a...

In this episode I am joined by Rachel Sanders, CEO and Founder of Rootine, science-backed, personalized health solutions like fast-acting adaptogen drink mixes and smart multivitamins, designed to improve sleep, stress, focus, and overall wellness. Make sure to check out Rootine at: https://rootine.co   Sign up for Starting Small University to join our interviews LIVE and ask questions: https://startingsmallmedia.org/startingsmalluniversity Visit Starting Small Media:...

In this episode I am joined by Kevin McCarthy, CEO of UNREAL Snacks, making addicting chocolate snacks without the unnecessary sugar. Over the last 10 years, UNREAL has grown into a national brand available in over 35k locations, including Whole Foods Market, Costco, Sprouts, Kroger, Publix (and too many regional markets to name), as well as online at Thrive Market, Amazon and www.unrealsnacks.com. They've launched innovative and delicious new snacks, but the purpose today is still the same –...

In this episode I am joined by Jason Karp, Founder and CEO of HumanCo, a next-generation family of trusted brands that make your favorite foods better. Jason’s health and wellness journey began in his early twenties after being diagnosed with several autoimmune diseases and an incurable, degenerative eye disease that threatened to leave him blind by the age of 30. Against all odds, and through a fanatical commitment to making changes to his food and lifestyle, Jason cured himself through...

In this episode I am joined by Anshul Rathi, Founder and CEO of Certify, a healthcare provider management company that takes an API-first approach to fixing a broken system -- essentially Certify reduces the time it takes for health systems and health plans to onboard doctors, nurses, etc. from months to minutes. Make sure to check out Certify at: https://www.certifyos.com   Sign up for Starting Small University to join our interviews LIVE and ask questions:...

In this episode I am joined by Alex Douzet, co-founder and CEO of Pumpkin®, the highest-rated pet insurance provider on Google as of January 2024, and one of the fastest growing pet insurance and wellness brands in the U.S. Alex is a serial entrepreneur and three time founder with a 20-year career of disrupting industries, scaling businesses, and building ‘people-first’ companies where employees grow and thrive. Prior to Pumpkin, he spent five years as CEO and Co-founder of Ollie, a next-gen,...

In this episode I am joined by Simon Sacal, CEO of Solely, a vertically integrated clean fruit snack company that diverts over 1.6 million pounds of fruit waste a month. Solely is the fastest-growing natural fruit snack brand in the U.S., with consumers purchasing nearly $100 million worth of products in the last five years. Simon transformed Solely from a small operation in Mexico to a thriving brand sold in over 30,000 stores across the U.S. Solely is projected to achieve over 70%...

In this episode I am joined by Rob Schutz , Co-Founder of Ro and Snagged.com. Rob started TWO +$1B companies and now spends his time hunting premium domains. Rob is also the co-founder of Ro(man), the DTC health company last valued at $7B, and employee #7 + former VP of Growth at Bark(box), where he helped grow the company from $0 to a $100M in run rate. Rob started Snagged to help entrepreneurs, startups and established businesses track down and buy premium domain names––a market soon to be...

In this episode I am joined by Roy Nesi, Founder of ROAR Organic, delivering Complete Hydration products with replenishing electrolytes packed into every bottle. Roly Nesi founded ROAR Organic in 2014. His goal was to create a great-tasting sports beverage that was also a lifestyle brand for active people. After an exhausting year distributing bottles from the back of a van, Roly pivoted from a sports drink to a premium functional hydration beverage. Under Roly’s pivot, ROAR has carved a...

In this episode I am joined by Dr. Dionne Baker, Founder of DeeBee's Organics, all-natural SuperFruit Freezie Pops & fruit-filled treats. With a Ph.D. in maternal-fetal toxicology, her research focused on the effects of chemical exposure during pregnancy on fetal development. When her youngest child struggled to find snacks he could enjoy like other kids, Dionne was inspired to create fun, joyful snacks made with Organic fruit. Recognizing the profound impact of food choices on...

In this episode I am joined by Kathryn Bricken, Founder of Doughlicious, award-winning gluten-free, dairy-free, & vegan, ready to bake cookie dough & gelato bites. From an early age, Kathryn Bricken had a passion for baking and understood how food had a way of bringing people together and making memories. Kathryn moved to London with her family and started baking American-style cookies for bake sales and school events, and to her surprise, received tremendous praise. In 2014, Kathryn...

In this episode I am joined by Kim Le, Co-Founder of Prime Roots, taking on the plant-based meat industry, one deli counter at a time. Prime Roots has spent the last seven years mastering the craft of growing Koji and slicing it to sandwich-ready perfection without the cholesterol, nitrates, antibiotics, hormones, and preservatives. The brand has created koji-ham, koji-turkey and koji-pepperoni to solve every deli craving. You can find Prime Roots freshly sliced behind deli counters in...

Founded only 8 years ago, HexClad is now one of the fastest growing cookware brands in the world, growing more than 100% YOY nearly every year since its inception in 2017, and is backed by partner Gordon Ramsay. The HexClad Culinary Council includes notable chefs across the globe like Nancy Silverton, Dominique Crenn, Paul Ainsworth and Natsuko Shoji, and devoted celeb fans include Oprah, Halle Berry, Eva Longoria, Cameron Diaz, Kylie Jenner, Hailey Beiber, and Tan France. This year, HexClad...

In this episode I am joined by Ashley Gould, Founder of Âme Atendre™. Âme Atendre™, translating to “tend to the soul” in French, captures their mission: to cultivate meaningful connection through thoughtfully designed tableware. They believe in the power of open and curious conversations, especially across differences, to deepen our human bonds and well-being. Their collections elevate everyday gatherings, fostering moments of reflection, understanding, and connection that elevate and enrich...

In this episode I am joined by Tom Spier, Founder of BFG Partners, a venture capital firm specializing in early-stage consumer products including the likes of OLIPOP, Mid-Day Squares, Athletic Greens, Vacation, and more. As of spring 2024, they just announced the activation of their third fund with commitments already approaching 70% of the $125 million target fund size. Make sure to check out BFG Partners at: https://www.bfgpartners.com/   Visit Starting Small Media:...

In this episode I am joined by Quaid Walker, Founder of Bezel, a marketplace for authenticated luxury watches with +$400M in listings from Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Cartier, and more. Along with that, they've raised $10M from John Legend, Steve Aoki, Kevin Hart, J Balvin, Michael Ovitz and BoxGroup. With Bezel, you can easily browse for watches on the Bezel app, chat with their watch experts about specific watches on the platform, and rest assured that every watch sold on Bezel...