Predicting The Turn w/ Dave Knox

When Gene Oh studied abroad in Seoul as a Brown University senior, he discovered something that would change his career trajectory: jelly sticks that protect your health when drinking alcohol. These products dominate Korea's billion-dollar alcohol aid market, yet remain virtually unknown in the United States. As Co-Founders of day–guard, Oh and his partner Felix Lee are now bridging that gap, bringing Korean wellness culture to...

For decades, Keurig has been synonymous with convenient at-home coffee brewing, revolutionizing how millions of Americans start their day. Yet despite being a household name in coffee makers, the brand has never sold its own coffee—until now. Christine van den Broeck, Vice President, Keurig Brand Marketing at Keurig Dr Pepper, is leading the charge with the launch of Keurig Coffee Collective, a premium coffee line crafted by intern...

Blake Mycoskie built TOMS Shoes into a $650 million empire, pioneered the "buy-one-give-one" model that revolutionized social enterprise, and made over 40 of his first employees multimillionaires. Yet three years after selling the company to focus on family, he found himself in a dark place—depressed, isolated, and questioning whether financial success could ever feel like enough. Today, he's channeling that hard-won ...

In an era when many consumer brands chased venture capital and rapid expansion, Andrew Benin, CEO and Co-Founder of Graza, took a different path. Since launching in 2022, his olive oil brand has become known for its distinctive squeeze bottle packaging and methodical approach to growth, prioritizing product quality and strategic partnerships over instant gratification. Benin's journey from cooking at Gramercy Tavern to building wh...

When most organic food brands faced pressure to sell

to multinational corporations, Arjan Stephens and his family chose a different path. As President of Nature's Path Organic Foods, Stephens has helped steer the company his parents founded 40 years ago to become one of the last major independent organic brands in North America. Under his leadership, the company has not only resisted acquisition offers but has built a $40 milli...

How can a century-old family tradition from Greece successfully disrupt the competitive U.S. snack aisle. I sat down with OLYRA President and CEO Yannis Varellas to discuss his fascinating journey transforming a fifth-generation flour mill into a modern consumer brand. He details his approach to market entry, the distinction between Amazon and D2C strategies, and how his vision started with a single shipping container filled with G...

Ever wondered if your bathroom routine could be a little more... luxurious? Charlie Siciak, co-founder of goodwipes is leading a charge to transform the traditionally unglamorous toilet paper category into a vibrant, beauty-inspired experience. In this interview, Charlie delves into goodwipes' unique brand-building strategies, innovative experiential activations like the Porta Palace, and the balance of e-commerce and retail in the...

The journey from a booming pancake empire to a new venture in protein-packed pretzels is not straightforward, but for Cameron Smith, it's a path paved with intentional growth and invaluable lessons. In this interview, the co-founder of Kodiak Cakes and now founder of Kindling discusses his strategic approach to building a brand, disrupting categories, and the evolving landscape of health-conscious snacking. He shares insights on c...

What began as a personal quest to drink less has blossomed into a pioneering force in the non-alcoholic beverage industry. In this interview, JW Wiseman, founder of Curious Elixirs, shares the decade-long journey of his brand, from kitchen experiments to navigating market shifts and shaping the future of social drinking. We sat down to discuss the evolution of his innovative elixirs, unique marketing strategies, and the unconventio...

In a crowded beverage market dominated by sugary, traditional options, Halfday is carving a new path with its prebiotic-infused iced teas. I sat down with co-founder Mike Lombardo to hear the story behind the brand's creation and growth, starting from a personal health journey to a successful product on shelves nationwide. In this interview, we dive into Halfday’s origin story, its innovative approach to flavor and health, and how ...

Suja Life, once a pioneer in the cold-pressed juice industry, has undergone a significant transformation under the leadership of CEO Maria Stipp. Shifting from a single brand to a "house of brands," Suja has expanded its portfolio to include innovative products like Vive Organic wellness shots and Slice, a better-for-you soda. In this interview, Stipp shares insights on Suja's growth, the company’s strategic approach to acquisition...

What if the secret to building a nationally recognized food brand started with nothing more than an ice cream scooper and a dream? That’s exactly how Chris Kirby, founder of Ithaca Hummus, turned a farmers market side hustle into one of the fastest-growing brands in the refrigerated dips category. In this interview, I sat down with Chris to discuss how he scaled from a tiny kitchen to national grocery shelves, the unconventional st...

Breakfast is a daily ritual, but for years, the options on US grocery store shelves were uninspiring—until Belgian Boys entered the scene. Led by Anouck Gotlib and her husband Greg, the brand has transformed the way Americans enjoy breakfast with authentic, European-inspired waffles and pancakes. In this interview, CEO Anouck Gotlib shares how Belgian Boys grew from a side hustle into a category-defining brand now found in 12,000 s...

Building a business around safer, non-toxic home goods isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessity. That belief drove Jordan Nathan to launch Caraway in 2019, starting with ceramic non-stick cookware as a healthier alternative to traditional Teflon-coated pans. Since then, the brand has expanded into bakeware, food storage, and other home essentials, all while staying true to its mission of eliminating toxic materials from everyday product...

In the rapidly evolving world of hospitality, technology and innovation are driving major shifts, and few understand this transformation better than Mathew Focht. As a co-founder of Emerging, a fund focused on tech-driven concepts in hospitality, Focht brings decades of expertise to the table. In this interview, he shares his insights on the future of "eatertainment," the evolving role of technology, and what it takes to identify a...

In a world where personalized experiences are increasingly central to consumer satisfaction, Ben McKean has built Hungryroot into a leader in the personalized grocery service industry. McKean, who founded the company in 2015, shares his journey from a traditional packaged food business to a cutting-edge, AI-driven platform that tailors grocery shopping to customers’ goals and preferences. In this interview, McKean discusses the piv...

From founding the controversial alcoholic beverage Four Loko to becoming a leading entrepreneur in the better-for-you space, Chris Hunter has navigated an unconventional path to success. Now at the helm of Koia, a brand known for its plant-based protein drinks, Hunter has applied his entrepreneurial spirit to a new industry focused on health and wellness. In this interview, Hunter reflects on the lessons learned from his past ventu...