The Story of a Brand Show

In this episode of The Story of a Brand Show, I sit down with Lauren Kleinman, Founder of Dreamday and Co-founder of Quality Media.

Lauren shares her journey from working at Ritual and Scopely to building not just one, but two thriving agencies that are reshaping how brands approach PR, affiliate, and paid media. Her story is rooted in curiosity, courage, and a clear vision for how the media landscape is evolving.

What stood out ...

When it comes to building lasting health and wellness brands, few people have as much lived experience as Raza Bashir.

As Chief Innovation Officer at Iovate Health Sciences International, Raza has spent nearly two decades turning cutting-edge science into products that make a real difference in people’s lives. From MuscleTech to Hydroxycut, his fingerprints are on some of the most influential supplement brands of our time.

In thi...

I had such a powerful and eye-opening conversation with Lisa Curtis, Founder & CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods. 

Lisa shared her incredible journey that began in the Peace Corps in Niger, where she first discovered moringa, a nutrient-packed “tree leaf” that transformed her health.

What started as a simple act of self-care in a rural village has grown into Kuli Kuli Foods, a pioneering superfoods brand that now partners with thousands of...

I had a truly meaningful and inspiring conversation with Jenny Yue, Co-Founder of Ohme Foods.

Jenny shared how her personal health journey, such as losing 50 pounds, rediscovering fitness, and building confidence through small daily wins, became the spark that inspired her to create Ohme. 

What began as a New Year’s resolution to start every morning with a healthy breakfast has now evolved into a colorful, family-friendly snack b...

I had the chance to sit down with Steve Booher, the founder and CEO of Always Full, and what an inspiring conversation it was.

Steve’s entrepreneurial journey spans decades, from walking away from a “lifetime” corporate job to building multiple companies across engineering, manufacturing, and ag-tech. Along the way, he learned hard lessons about trust, cash flow, and resilience. And now, he’s bringing all of that experience into ...

From the Archives: Back in May 2024, I had the pleasure of sitting down with John Molloy, Co-founder and CEO of Memo Paris, to explore the fascinating world of fragrance and the art of memory it evokes. 

John shared his journey from fashion to perfumery, the courage it took to leave a corporate path, and how he and his wife, Clara, built Memo Paris around the idea of capturing places, emotions, and memories through scent. What sto...

I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Angus Rittenburg, Co-Founder and CEO of WYNK, to explore one of the fastest-growing trends in the beverage industry: low-dose THC drinks.

Angus shared his incredible journey from engineering at Tesla and SpaceX to launching a scrappy startup with a vision for healthier, more social alternatives to alcohol. What struck me most was how much of WYNK’s story is about holding onto a visi...

I had such a powerful and heartfelt conversation with Cara Dumaplin, the CEO & Founder of Taking Cara Babies. 

Cara shared her deeply personal journey—from her background as a neonatal nurse and wife of a pediatrician to her own struggles with sleep deprivation as a new mom. What I loved most about this interview is how Cara took her hardest moments, the valleys of her life, and turned them into seeds that grew into a mission to h...

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Cynthia Sakai, Founder & CEO of EvolveTogether, and this conversation was both inspiring and deeply human. 

Cynthia shared how her journey from jewelry design to launching a wellness-focused essentials brand began during the pandemic's chaos.  What started with masks for frontline workers quickly grew into a mission-driven company rooted in connection, intentional design, and products that m...

I had such an inspiring conversation with Noelle O’Connor, the founder of Tan Organic and Skin Magic.

From building one of the cleanest sunless tanning brands in the world to creating a multi-use balm that families can trust, Noelle’s story is packed with passion, resilience, and purpose. She opened up about the early struggles of running high-end spas during the recession, the pivotal moment when Simon Sinek helped her discover h...

I had such an inspiring conversation with Luna Aziz, the CEO & Founder of Legendairy Milk. 

What started as her personal struggle with breastfeeding and milk supply has grown into a mission-driven brand that supports women through every stage of life—from trying to conceive to postpartum and beyond. 

Luna’s story is rooted in resilience, family support, and a deep commitment to women’s health. Her candid honesty about motherhood ...

I had such a fascinating conversation with Anthony Boldin, Founder of LiveComplete.

This isn’t just another protein brand; what Anthony and his team are building could truly change how we think about food, nutrition, and even the future of plant-based eating. What struck me most was his passion, not just for creating a product, but for creating a platform that delivers “no compromises, sacrifice nothing.”

We delved into the scien...

I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Lolita Sanders, Founder of Umthi. 

From the very first moment, it was clear how deeply personal her mission is—Umthi isn’t just a skincare brand, it’s rooted in family, culture, and the wisdom passed down through generations. 

Lolita shared how her journey began with her grandmother’s teachings and how she’s transformed that legacy into a brand that blends tradition with modern wel...

I had such a great time talking with Dario Phillips, Co-founder of Slowtide. What started as a simple idea—a better beach towel—has grown into a lifestyle brand that’s as much about art and culture as it is about function. 

Dario shared how Slowtide turned a category often overlooked into something exciting, combining creativity, collaboration, and sustainability in a way that truly resonates with today’s consumer.

What really st...

I loved this conversation with Clive Sher, President & Co-founder of Little Bellies. 

As a parent myself, I’ve heard many brands talk about “organic” or “better-for-you” snacks, but I’ve never heard anyone break it down the way Clive did. From the very start of our chat, I could tell how thoughtful and intentional he and his team are about what goes into their products.

Their mission goes beyond just offering snacks; it’s about ...

I had such an inspiring conversation with Lorraine Corcoran, Founder & CEO of Nyrah Beauty.  Her journey into skincare was deeply personal, sparked by her own search for products that truly worked for her sensitive skin. 

What began as frustration turned into a passion for formulating clean, effective solutions that honor both the science of skincare and the integrity of natural ingredients. Lorraine’s story is a reminder that som...

I had such a fascinating conversation with Olivia Landau, Co-founder & CEO of The Clear Cut. 

What started as her passion for educating people about diamonds has evolved into a thriving modern brand that’s revolutionizing the way couples shop for engagement rings. Olivia shared how she went from being a gemologist and content creator to running a direct-to-consumer company that blends education, transparency, and trust at the hear...

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Meredith Mills-Merritt, Founder of The Original Southside, and this was such a fun and refreshing conversation, literally. 

From the very first sip of her canned cocktail, I was blown away by how crisp, light, and perfectly balanced it tasted. What really struck me, though, was how much heart and thoughtfulness went into every detail of this brand, from the family recipe it was inspired by t...

When I think of founder stories that move me to my core, Octavia Morgan’s journey is right at the top. 

In this episode, I sit down with Octavia Morgan, CEO and Creative Director of Octavia Morgan, to discuss building a fine fragrance brand rooted in intention, courage, and community. From her early mornings in meditation to the emotional moment a customer cried after finally finding a scent she could wear, this is a conversation ...