How Passion and Resilience Power Startup Growth

Kyle Marinkovich is the Founder and CEO of Northern Diversified Solutions, which specializes in hemp-derived functional specialty ingredients and emulsions. Before founding Northern Diversified Solutions, he held leadership roles at Cargill, Inc., where he focused on commercial development of food-ingredient solutions. With over two decades of experience in ingredient science, Kyle serves on Minnesota's cannabis advisory council and contributes to evolving regulatory and innovation efforts in the industry.

In this episode…

Building a business from scratch takes more than a bold idea; it demands grit, creativity, and a willingness to leap into uncertainty. How can a first-time founder navigate the transition from a comfortable corporate role to entrepreneurship while managing risk and purpose simultaneously?

Kyle Marinkovich, an experienced leader in the ingredient and hemp industries, believes that curiosity and conviction can turn anxiety into opportunity. He emphasizes the importance of managing risk with a clear safety net, surrounding yourself with mentors who have walked in your shoes, and leading with passion that outlasts early adrenaline. According to Kyle, resilience, clarity, and purpose drive sustainable growth.

In this episode of Growth + Exit, Susan Kearney hosts Kyle Marinkovich, Founder and CEO of Northern Diversified Solutions, to discuss his transition from corporate executive to entrepreneur. Kyle shares how he raised capital and built investor trust, the lessons he learned from scaling in a new industry, and the personal habits that keep him grounded as a leader.