The Story of a Brand

CommerceFocused Media, Inc.
The Story of a Brand

Welcome to The Story Of A Brand Show. Hear the unique entrepreneurial journeys of 1000+ Consumer Brand founders. We tap into the doubts, failures, wins and inspirations that come with building Consumer Brand startups in extremely competitive times. Whether you own a brand or work for one, you will learn from our guests as they share the building blocks of their brand’s evolution. Who knows, you may even discover a few new products that become faves.

  1. The Zero Proof - From Blog to Brand: Building a Non-Alcoholic Empire

    1 DAY AGO

    The Zero Proof - From Blog to Brand: Building a Non-Alcoholic Empire

    In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Sean Goldsmith, Co-founder and CEO of The Zero Proof, a trailblazer in the non-alcoholic beverage space.  Sean shared his journey of turning a personal decision to abstain from alcohol into a thriving business that’s reshaping how people socialize and enjoy beverages without compromise. We explored the rise of non-alcoholic options, the challenges of building a marketplace and brand, and how Sean’s team makes premium non-alcoholic drinks accessible and exciting. Whether you’re curious about non-alcoholic trends or interested in entrepreneurial insights, this episode is a must-listen! Key Moments in the Podcast: * How Sean’s decision to stop drinking inspired The Zero Proof’s creation and mission. * The challenges of building a marketplace for curated non-alcoholic products. * How The Zero Proof helps customers find their perfect drink through innovative curation and education. * Insights into the growing non-alcoholic beverage industry and its impact on social habits. * Sean’s advice for entrepreneurs: focus on unit economics, gross margin, and scaling smartly. 💡 Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode and learn how The Zero Proof is leading the way in this exciting category. Whether you’re a non-drinker or just curious about the possibilities, this conversation offers something for everyone. For more on The Zero Proof, visit: https://thezeroproof.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.  Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today’s Sponsors: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, Expand into the US market, Create an omnipresent and omnichannel footprint, Optimize customer journeys, Build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above.  SARAL - The Influencer OS for Brands: https://storybrandoffer.com/ SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Try it risk-free with an extended 14-day trial, exclusively for The Story of a Brand Podcast listeners. Start today! Visit the link above.

    1h 1m
  2. Shaklee - How Shaklee is Revolutionizing Community-Driven Health

    2 DAYS AGO

    Shaklee - How Shaklee is Revolutionizing Community-Driven Health

    In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Roger Barnett, Chairman and CEO of Shaklee, a company that has been transforming health and wellness for over 65 years. Roger shared his incredible journey of acquiring and growing Shaklee, his dedication to purpose-driven business, and how Shaklee’s innovative approach to prevention is changing lives globally. We dove into his vision of creating a sustainable business that not only provides superior products backed by clinical proof but also empowers communities to live healthier and more fulfilling lives. This conversation is packed with insights into leadership, innovation, and the impact of building a purpose-driven brand. Key Moments in the Podcast: * The personal story that led Roger to focus on prevention and health as a lifelong mission. * How Shaklee’s community-driven business model delivers better health outcomes and fosters lasting connections. * The importance of clinical proof and quality in Shaklee’s products, from personalized nutrition to eco-friendly home solutions. * Roger’s vision for the future of health, including the role of cellular health and personalized solutions. * Advice for entrepreneurs on building long-term value and creating businesses that align profit with purpose. 💡 Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode to discover how Shaklee is making a difference in people’s lives and leading the way in health and wellness innovation. You don’t want to miss this inspiring conversation! For more on Shaklee, visit: https://us.shaklee.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.  Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today’s Sponsors: Compass Rose - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand Increase customer lifetime value, Expand into the US market, Create an omnipresent and omnichannel footprint, Optimize customer journeys, Build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above.   Shopline - An All-in-One Commerce Solution for Brands: https://www.us.shopline.com/story Shopline is offering a complimentary three-month trial when you schedule a demo. Seamlessly manage multi-channel sales, create user-friendly websites, and drive conversions with targeted marketing. Ready to streamline operations and accelerate your business? Visit our unique link.

    57 min
  3. Genexa - How Two Dads Took on Big Pharma to Create Change

    DEC 12

    Genexa - How Two Dads Took on Big Pharma to Create Change

    I had an amazing conversation with David Johnson, the CEO and Co-founder of Genexa, a brand that's revolutionizing the pharmaceutical industry with clean, effective medicine. David’s journey is one of resilience and purpose, fueled by his passion for providing families with better options. From building the first organic-certified over-the-counter medicines to tackling the giants of the pharmaceutical world, his story is both inspiring and practical.  If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to disrupt an industry while staying true to your values, this episode is for you. Key Moments in the Podcast: * How two dads with no background in pharmaceuticals decided to clean up the medicine aisle. * The challenges of replacing artificial ingredients with clean, natural alternatives while maintaining FDA standards. * Why Genexa products are now found in major retailers like Walmart, CVS, and Whole Foods. * The importance of building a people-focused brand that listens to its customers. * David’s advice for entrepreneurs facing big challenges is to stay focused, be passionate, and always remember why you started. 💡 Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode and learn how Genexa proves that medicine can be clean, effective, and better for everyone. You won’t want to miss this conversation! For more on Genexa, visit: https://www.genexa.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.  Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today’s Sponsors: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.    Augmentum Media - Influencer Marketing for Consumer Brands: https://www.augmentum-media.com/story What secret do fast-growing Health and Wellness brands like Xtendlife, Nourished, and Hunter & Gather share? They all outsource their influencer marketing to the experts at Augmentum. Augmentum is offering "The Story of a Brand Show" listeners a 30-minute consulting session AND a personalized influencer strategy plan built by their experts for you to implement either with them or in-house. Visit the link above to learn more.

    1h 3m
  4. Omorovicza - Transforming Ancient Healing Waters Into Modern Skincare

    DEC 11

    Omorovicza - Transforming Ancient Healing Waters Into Modern Skincare

    In today’s episode of The Story of a Brand Show, I’m excited to share the remarkable journey of Stephen de Heinrich de Omorovicza, Co-founder and one of the visionaries behind Omorovicza. This episode delves into the intersection of history, science, and luxury skincare. Stephen shares how his family’s legacy inspired a groundbreaking approach to beauty.  From the thermal baths of Budapest to award-winning innovations, Stephen brings us a story rich with tradition and cutting-edge science. Here are some highlights from our conversation: * A Family Legacy Unearthed: Discovering his family’s ties to Budapest’s famous thermal baths and their role in shaping the brand. * The Healing Power of Water: How unique minerals from Hungarian thermal baths inspired the patented Healing Concentrate™. * Starting from Scratch: Overcoming the challenges of launching a skincare brand with no industry experience. * Navigating Retail and Digital Spaces: Lessons learned from building a global presence in an evolving market. * The Role of Joy in Skincare: Why creating moments of happiness is at the heart of the brand’s mission. Join us in listening to this inspiring episode as Stephen shares his passion for skincare, the science behind his products, and the transformative journey of Omorovicza. 🎧 For more on Omorovicza, visit: https://www.omorovicza.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.  Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today’s Sponsors: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand Increase customer lifetime value, Expand into the US market, Create an omnipresent and omnichannel footprint, Optimize customer journeys, Build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above.   Shopline - An All-in-One Commerce Solution for Brands: https://www.us.shopline.com/story Shopline is offering a complimentary three-month trial when you schedule a demo. Seamlessly manage multi-channel sales, create user-friendly websites, and drive conversions with targeted marketing. Ready to streamline operations and accelerate your business? Visit our unique link.

    1h 1m
  5. Compass Rose Ventures - Turning  CPG Founder's Anxiety into Agility

    DEC 11

    Compass Rose Ventures - Turning CPG Founder's Anxiety into Agility

    Rose says, “Let's go in and stress test your ability to scale. That's step one. Because you may think you have it all buttoned up, but really we like to sit at the intersection of the vision, the action that you're doing, and the motion and the momentum you're actually creating. And are they all aligned, and are they going to allow you to grow and scale?”   Today, we interview Rose Hamilton, Founder of Compass Rose Ventures. The Compass Rose Ventures team brings 20+ years of experience in growing consumer brands from concept to successful exits.    They are dedicated to helping CPG founders and investors launch, optimize, and scale brands offering just the right balance of insight, experience, rigor and hands-on support.   We discussed:    * What she’s grateful for * Her origin story and background   * Her experience at Pet360 and Vitamin Shoppe * The challenges that brands face today * The cure for rising customer acquisition cost: Community * Why she believes that founders need a “Fierce Bias Towards Action” * Her advice for brand founders and operators * Why strategy is about making the right choices * Why the first thing she does when working with brands is a “Stress Test” * Who she works and what that engagement looks like * And so much more…    Join Ramon Vela and Rose Hamilton as we break down the inside story of Compass Rose Ventures on The Story of a Brand.   For more on Compass Rose Ventures, visit: https://compassroseventures.com/   Subscribe and listen to the podcast on all major apps. Simply search for “The Story of a Brand” on your favorite podcast player.   *   This episode is brought to you by Sendlane.   Here’s the deal: I have a gift for you from our primary sponsor — Sendlane. They’re giving away their online course eCommerce Academy - Email & SMS Marketing!   This course gives you the step-by-step playbook to drive more revenue and retention with email & SMS. This is typically a $500 package, but for our listeners, it’s entirely FREE when you get started with your FREE 14-day trial of Sendlane.    When you do, chat with their support team and let them know you’re one of our listeners to get full access to hours of course content that will help you make email marketing your #1 growth engine.   Visit https://storybrandgift.com to get the details, sign up for a free trial and get your gift!

    1 hr
  6. Little Saints - Ditch the Alcohol, Keep the Fun: A New Way to Sip

    DEC 10

    Little Saints - Ditch the Alcohol, Keep the Fun: A New Way to Sip

    I had the pleasure of sitting down with Megan Klein, the founder and CEO of Little Saints, a brand redefining how we think about social drinking.  Megan shares everything from her early days towing a mint-green trailer around Detroit to perfecting her recipes to building a brand rooted in mindfulness and purpose. What stands out in this episode is Megan’s deep thoughtfulness—not just in how she creates Little Saints’ products but also in how she approaches life and business.  We dive into the challenges of launching a brand during the pandemic, the science behind functional mushrooms and adaptogens, and the cultural shift towards more mindful drinking.  Whether you’re curious about the non-alcoholic movement or love hearing about entrepreneurial journeys, Megan’s story will inspire you. In this episode, you’ll learn: * The story of driving a mint green vending trailer around Detroit to get feedback from real people. * How mindfulness and meditation shaped the founder’s journey and helped her tackle self-doubt. * The unique role of scent, mushrooms, and adaptogens in creating Little Saints’ signature flavors. * The challenges of traditional distribution and the pivot to a direct-to-consumer model. * Why non-alcoholic drinks are a cultural shift in how we socialize. * How Little Saints is making non-alcoholic cocktails feel as exciting and social as their alcoholic counterparts.   Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to this episode and discovering how one brand is reshaping what it means to drink socially. You’ll come away inspired, entertained, and maybe even eager to try a Little Saints cocktail for yourself! For more on Little Saints, visit: https://littlesaints.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.  Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today’s Sponsors: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, Expand into the US market, Create an omnipresent and omnichannel footprint, Optimize customer journeys, Build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above.  SARAL - The Influencer OS for Brands: https://storybrandoffer.com/ SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Try it risk-free with an extended 14-day trial, exclusively for listeners of The Story of a Brand Show Podcast. Start today! Visit the link above.

    1h 5m
  7. Mission Craft Cocktails - Real Ingredients, Real Purpose: The Cocktail Reinvention

    DEC 6

    Mission Craft Cocktails - Real Ingredients, Real Purpose: The Cocktail Reinvention

    In today’s The Story of a Brand Show episode, I interviewed Marcin Malyszko, the passionate and innovative Co-founder behind Mission Craft Cocktails.    Marcin’s story is a testament to the power of friendship, persistence, and purpose. With his co-founder, Amit Singh, Marcin is reimagining the cocktail experience, blending exceptional quality with a mission to give back.    Their journey is one of grit, creativity, and community impact, making this episode a must-listen for entrepreneurs and cocktail enthusiasts alike.   Here are some highlights from our conversation:   From DIY to Double Gold: How two best friends turned a COVID hobby into an award-winning brand.   The 5% Pledge: Why Mission Craft Cocktails donates 5% of all sales to local food banks—and the lives it’s impacting.   Crafting Perfection: The two-year journey to develop their lineup of full-strength, shaker-quality cocktails.   Scaling with Heart: Lessons learned from launching and growing in a challenging alcohol industry landscape.   Building a Legacy Brand: Staying true to their mission while creating innovative and unforgettable cocktails.   Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to this inspiring episode as Marcin shares the story behind Mission Craft Cocktails, their unwavering commitment to quality, and their goal to fund one million meals by next year. 🎧   For more on Mission Craft Cocktails, visit: https://missioncocktails.com/   If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.    Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.    Your support helps us bring you more content like this!   *   Today’s Sponsors:   Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/   Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, Expand into the US market, Create an omnipresent and omnichannel footprint, Optimize customer journeys, Build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above.    SARAL - The Influencer OS for Brands: https://storybrandoffer.com/   SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Try it risk-free with an extended 14-day trial, exclusively for The Story of a Brand Podcast listeners. Start today! Visit the link above.

    1h 1m
  8. VMI Sports Nutrition - Building a Nutrition Brand With Grit and Innovation

    DEC 5

    VMI Sports Nutrition - Building a Nutrition Brand With Grit and Innovation

    In today’s episode of The Story of a Brand Show! Today, I interviewed Tom Reilly, the passionate and innovative Co-founder, President, and partner behind VMI Sports Nutrition. Tom’s journey is a masterclass in grit, creativity, and staying true to his mission of delivering high-quality, performance-driven supplements. From humble beginnings to becoming a trusted name in the sports nutrition space, Tom shares how he’s navigating challenges while staying deeply connected to his community and customers. Here are some highlights from our conversation: * Building a Brand with Purpose: How gratitude, persistence, and a clear vision fueled Tom’s entrepreneurial journey. * Solving Real Problems: The story behind ProtoLyte, a protein product that addresses digestion and hydration needs. * Lessons in Resilience: Overcoming financial struggles, personal sacrifices, and staying committed to product quality. * Finding Your Niche: The importance of starting with a focused audience and growing organically from there. * Innovation That Matters: Redefining customer-centric innovation with functional, effective, and value-driven products. Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to this inspiring episode as Tom shares his hard-earned lessons, the philosophy behind VMI Sports Nutrition, and his unwavering commitment to improving his customers' lives. 🎧 For more on VMI Sports Nutrition, visit: https://www.vmisports.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.  Plus, don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today’s Sponsors: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.    Augmentum Media - Influencer Marketing for Consumer Brands: https://www.augmentum-media.com/story What secret do fast-growing Health and Wellness brands like Xtendlife, Nourished, and Hunter & Gather share? They all outsource their influencer marketing to the experts at Augmentum. Augmentum is offering "The Story of a Brand Show" listeners a 30-minute consulting session AND a personalized influencer strategy plan built by their experts for you to implement either with them or in-house. Visit the link above to learn more.

    1h 6m
4.9
out of 5
131 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Story Of A Brand Show. Hear the unique entrepreneurial journeys of 1000+ Consumer Brand founders. We tap into the doubts, failures, wins and inspirations that come with building Consumer Brand startups in extremely competitive times. Whether you own a brand or work for one, you will learn from our guests as they share the building blocks of their brand’s evolution. Who knows, you may even discover a few new products that become faves.

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