#0252 - Carrie Barber - Make Beauty 💄

This week we’re sitting down with Carrie Barber of MAKE Beauty. Carrie navigated her career with some of the most influential brands in beauty, with roles at top companies such as Sephora, Augustinus Bader, Bloomingdales and VIOLET GREY, establishing herself as part of the industry’s new guard of tastemakers. Carrie harnesses the advancements of biotechnology and formulates each product with sustainable botanical materials, lab engineered natural ingredients, and skin-compatible synthetics that go beyond the concept of clean. MAKE products are formulated using botanical and botanically derived ingredients and tested synthetic ingredients.

This episode’s key highlights:

Learn about Carrie's journey to create MAKE Beauty and understand the brand's unique strategies that contribute to its lasting impact in the beauty industry.

Explore Carrie's shift from working with major beauty brands to becoming an entrepreneur. Learn about the challenges and victories that led her to forge her path.

Discover how Carrie conquered dyslexia, turning it into a strength in her entrepreneurial journey. Explore the mindset and support systems that empowered her success.

Dive into what lies ahead for MAKE Beauty, exploring upcoming developments and strategies. Learn about the envisioned steps for growth and success in the brand's future.

#0251 - Cyndi Bray - Wad-Free (as seen on Shark Tank 🦈)

This week, we're featuring Cyndi Bray, the creator of Wad-Free, as seen on Shark Tank!

Wad-Free is a wad preventer that eliminates tangled, twisted, and balled-up laundry. Cyndi invented Wad-Free to help laundry-doers fight the battle against the dreaded sheet-wad. One year after launching Wad-Free, Cyndi was featured on ABC’s Shark Tank and landed a deal with Mr. Wonderful himself, Kevin O’Leary.

On this episode, we'll cover:

How Cyndi went from being a Shark Tank fan to appearing on the show.

The secret behind Wad-Free’s explosive success.Whether Cyndi had a particular Shark in mind before her appearance on the show.

How she developed and launched her product all by herself, in the middle of a pandemic!

This episode was sponsored by Riverside:
Sign up today using StartupToStorefront for 15% OFF -- https://creators.riverside.fm/StartupToStorefront

#0250 - Standard Self Care I Hannah Minardi & Austin Wiberg

In 2022, Austin Wiberg and Hannah Minardi, college friends turned business partners, saw a gap in the ever-growing personal care space. Austin and Hannah met almost 10 years ago and, after working on various projects over the years together, they launched Standard Self Care with the goal of creating high-performance personal care products that have formulas you could have the highest confidence in.

At the age of 20, Hannah founded With Seven, a socially conscious consulting firm uniting companies like Nike, HiyoTarget, Waterdrop Revolve, and Hot Pilates with the social causes that matter most to today’s generation of conscious consumers. She drew on this extensive consulting experience when she partnered with her longtime friend and business partner, Austin Wiberg, who developed his entrepreneurial acumen at top lifestyle eCommerce brands such as Suja Juice and Talentless. Integrating their expertise across industries and looking to optimize every facet of their daily routine, Hannah and Austin joined forces to formulate Standard Self Care. This streamlined personal care line, a streamlined personal care line that focuses on product efficacy & ingredient transparency above all else.

There’s no shortage of ‘clean’ beauty brands infiltrating your Explore Page, but if your products don’t create lasting results in your skin, you’ll return to your tried-and-true routine. That’s why Hannah and Austin created Standard Self Care: a concentrated line of 3 cosmeceutical products that outperform your conventional lineup. Always Bioactive, Non-Toxic, Vegan, Paraben-Free, Cruelty-Free, Fragrance-Free, Silicone-Free, and designed with the highest Standards to optimize your self-care practice and upgrade your quality of life.

#0249 - SOMOS | Miguel Leal - The Future of Mexican Cooking at Home

Welcome to this weeks episode, recorded using Riverside, your all-in-one online podcast and video studio. 

This week’s guest is Miguel Leal, Cofounder and CEO of SOMOS. Miguel created SOMOS alongside his friends Rodrigo Zuloaga and Daniel Lubetsky after coming to the United States and being disappointed with the options for creating truly delicious Mexican meals at home. Discover why the market for cooking Mexican food at home is projected to grow to 30 billion dollars in the next five to ten years. Join us as we discuss the importance of cooking Mexican cuisine and why it is becoming as popular as Italian food. As consumers begin to spot the brand’s brightly colored packaging (inspired by Mexican alebrijes) of all non-GMO plant-based entrees (all microwavable in 90 seconds), rices, beans, chips, and salsas in stores, Miguel hopes they will also discover a Mexico far more diverse than rice and beans.

In this episode you’ll learn:

The story behind starting a CPG brand.

How Mexican food surpassed Italian during COVID.

The 30 Billion Dollar Mexican cooking market.

The idea behind Juntos Market: A Fusion of Asian and Latin American Cuisine.


This episode was sponsored by Riverside:

Sign up today using StartupToStorefront for 15% OFF -- sign up now 

#0248 - Hyperice | Jim Huether

Welcome to our conversation with Jim Huether, CEO of Hyperice. Join us as we delve into the company's incredible growth, from $10 million to $24 million in just 24 months. In this episode, we'll cover: 

The impact of maximizing TV exposure.

Jim Huether's strategies for navigating the challenges of being a CEO.

The pivotal role of the Hypervolt in Hyperice's remarkable success.

Over a short duration in 2020, Hyperice struck league-wide partnerships with the NFL, MLB, NBA, PGA Tour, UFC and US Soccer. Chief rival Therabody inked deals with the NWSL and ATP Tour. Both companies also scooped up numerous team partnerships and star athlete ambassador relationships.

The three-year agreement Hyperice had with the NFL has now lapsed, meaning it is no longer the exclusive sideline supplier, although it has built up significant brand loyalty among the players. And part of the original arrangement was an investment in Hyperice from 32 Equity, the NFL investment vehicle.

#0247 - Dutch | Joe Spector - Revolutionizing Pet Telehealth

Welcome to our interview with Joe Spector of Dutch, the premier direct-to-consumer pet telehealth company dedicated to revolutionizing pet telemedicine. Joe's journey from fleeing Uzbekistan as a young Jewish refugee to the mission of Dutch is a true testament to the American dream. In this episode, we will delve into:

  • Joe's inspiring escape from Uzbekistan as a Jewish refugee at the tender age of 7.

  • The profound influence of Joe's grandfather's business on his commitment to making healthcare more accessible.

  • Dutch's impactful initiatives in bringing life-changing care to pets nationwide.

Dutch is on a mission to revolutionize telemedicine for pets (just how Hims, One Medical, and Better Health have changed telemedicine for humans) through affordable and accessible healthcare plans. It is founded by the former CoFounder of Hims & Hers, Joe Spector, who has an incredible story that is a testament to the American dream.

With the state of California just recently making veterinary telehealth legal as of January 1 by passing AB 1399, Dutch is the preeminent expert in the business of pet telehealth which is quickly becoming a national topic. 

#0246 - Curie | Sarah Moret's Path to $20 Million - as seen on Shark Tank

In this episode, you'll discover the inspiring story of Sarah Moret, founder of Curie, who turned frustration into success. From creating a performance-based deodorant formula to expanding into a body care line, Sarah's journey is filled with challenges and triumphs, including her appearance on Shark Tank. Join us as we delve into the entrepreneurial spirit and the transformative power of Shark Tank. In this episode you'll discover:

  • The inspiring origin of the name Curie.

  • The transformative impact of Shark Tank on her business.

  • The evolution of Curie's hero product into a body care line.

Use STARTUP20 for 20% your next order from Curie! 

#0245 - Cowboy Drifter - Chuck Carrington & Michael Lange

Join us for an exclusive conversation with Chuck Carrington and Michael Lange as they unveil the behind-the-scenes of 'Cowboy Drifter'.

Uncover:

🎬 Innovative guerrilla filmmaking tactics that breathed life into the story.

🎞️ The art of resourcefulness in unleashing creativity within budget constraints.

🎥 Harnessing musical talent to craft a captivating soundtrack that embellished the narrative.

About the movie: Can a man find redemption when he's never placed any value on his own life? When Caskie Jones goes searching for a father he hasn't seen in thirty years he gets more than he bargained. Will it be enough to win back those he loves?

#0244 - George Gascon - Los Angeles County District Attorney

Currently, Gascon is campaigning for reelection in 2024. To quote a recent speech given by the DA: “This campaign is not about me, this is a community movement. This is about looking at the criminal justice system of the 21st Century not with a rearview mirror but looking forward. Reform is the collective work of people, both in our community and in the legal system -attorneys as well those who are being impacted, victims and accused. We’re fully committed to fighting for our shared values: investing in community health and safety while ending the death penalty, no longer prosecuting children as adults, and holding law enforcement and big corporations accountable.”

In this enlightening episode, you’ll gain insight into:

The truth about crime rates as we dispel misconceptions.

The potential of mental health beds as a solution to housing insecurity.

Gascon’s passionate journey to make a difference in his community as both a police officer and a prosecutor.

#0243 - Bezel - Quaid Walker ⌚

Step into the watch enthusiast's paradise at Bezel - where luxury meets legacy. Unveil a world of timekeeping opulence with a $400+ million collection, accompanied by a bespoke concierge experience that redefines support and quality assurance.

In this episode you’ll learn about:

🕰️ Bezel's Revolutionizing Partnerships:
   - Pioneering collaborations reshaping the watch industry
   - Redefining standards and unlocking new realms of possibility

⏳ Unwavering Client Trust:
   - Prioritizing trust through transparency and excellence
   - Fostering enduring relationships built on integrity and dependability

⏱️ Meticulous In-House Authentication:
   - Ensuring authenticity through a meticulous, precision-driven process
   - Elevating each timepiece to the pinnacle of craftsmanship and assurance

#0242 - Orange County Soccer Club ⚽ - Daniel Rutstein

Get ready for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Orange County Soccer Club with Daniel Rutstein! Discover how this trailblazing professional soccer team in Orange County is setting a new standard for sports and community engagement. 

In this episode, we unpack the strategies and initiatives that drive OCSC's success:

⚽  Building a passionate and fan-focused community: Learn how OCSC fosters a vibrant and inclusive community around the love of soccer, and the impact it has on the organization's growth and success.

⚽ The fascinating story behind the gnome and how it became their fastest selling non-apparel item.

⚽  Exploring groundbreaking fan engagement strategies and the bold decision to put a percentage of the club up for sale: Gain insights into OCSC's innovative approach to fan involvement, and the forward-thinking move to offer fans a stake in the club.

#0241 - Little Spoon - Ben Lewis 👶🏽 🥄

Step into the world of innovation as we sit down with Ben Lewis, the founder of Little Spoon. When they launched, their tagline was 'your baby’s food shouldn’t be older than your baby’ - a mantra that has shaped their product. Discover the remarkable advances Little Spoon has made, breaking a century-old mold, and revolutionizing clean, healthy options from infancy to the big kid years.

On this episode you’ll learn:
👶🏽 How baby food had not changed in 100 years when they started.
🥄 The power of selling Little Spoon direct to consumer.
🍼 The innovation behind Little Spoon’s products.

#0240 - Momentous - Jeff Byers

Join us as we sit down with Jeff Byers of Momentous. Listen as we talk about how they are constantly raising the bar to deliver the best products and how they have built the most dynamic and advanced network of experts in the field of human performance. Momentou products are the result of work with some of the brightest minds in human performance, including Dr. Andrew Huberman, using the latest research. They use the highest-quality ingredients, and every single product is rigorously tested by independent third parties to ensure they deliver their promise to bring you the best.

In this episode you’ll learn:

🏈 How Jeff’s NFL experience gave him access to the best knowledge and innovation available.
 💤 The importance of increasing your quality of sleep.
* How Momentous is advocating for long term brain health.

#0239 - Modern Animal 🐾 - Steven Eidelman & Dr. Christie Long (Round 2)

This year’s Spotify wrapped revealed that the Modern Animal was our top episode of the year. This week, they return, to catch up on everything that has changed and developed since we last spoke. Following on from our viral episode, join the conversation as we get an overview of this past year’s transformative chapter in the veterinary space. With an anticipated shortage of 15,000 veterinarians by 2030 as many as 75 million pets could be left without access to veterinary care. So a new assembly bill, AB 1399, represents more than just an opportunity to modernize veterinary care; it is a crucial step towards safeguarding continued care for all our beloved pets, an essential need that became starkly apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this episode you’ll learn:

🐾 How chief medical officer Christie is driving legislative changes in the state in order to expand access to care. (AB 1399)

🐾 Modern Animal’s learnings in scaling from 6 to 16 clinics.

🐾 How the veterinary industry has changed in the last year since we first spoke. 

🐾 The role technology plays in supporting doctors in providing the best possible care.