The Story of a Brand

CommerceFocused Media, Inc.
  • 4.9 (133)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED DAILY
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. Smart Apron - The Apron That Works as Hard as You Do

    1D AGO

    Smart Apron - The Apron That Works as Hard as You Do

    Ever wonder why restaurant aprons haven’t changed in a hundred years?  In this episode, I sat down with father-son duo Kevin and Kieran Hoy of Smart Apron to discuss how they’re transforming a tired, overlooked product into a modern-day solution for food service workers and beyond. What started with a stitched-up fanny pack has become a functional, durable, and smartly designed product used by everyone from restaurant servers to Nike inventory teams. We dive deep into how they’ve bootstrapped their business, navigated manufacturing challenges, and used customer feedback to build a better product. From high school business projects to Amazon reviews, Smart Apron proves that listening to your customers and staying consistent can lead to real innovation. Key Moments in This Episode: 🧵 How a restaurant shift inspired the very first Smart Apron 🚧 The 10-year pause—and what brought it back to life 🎯 Why real-world feedback fuels their design process 💡 Turning a niche product into a multi-industry solution  📦 Scaling a lean, family-run business from Amazon to national retailers Join me, Ramon Vela, for this inspiring conversation about resilience, reinvention, and why solving a small problem can lead to something big.  For more on Smart Apron, visit:  https://thesmartapron.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.  Goode Health: https://www.goodehealth.com/ If you have a family history of heart disease, listen up.  Now, you can reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke by simply eating more polyphenols, the powerful plant nutrients found in fruits and veggies. Goode Health designed and put them all in a tasty superfood shake and conducted a clinical study!  Users of Goode Health had a significant improvement in heart health in just 2 weeks!  Visit goodehealth.com today and use promo code STORY30 for 30% off now!

    1h 8m
  2. Hemp Heros - How to Build a Wellness Brand Your Pets Will Love

    2D AGO

    Hemp Heros - How to Build a Wellness Brand Your Pets Will Love

    What does it take to build a premium wellness brand in one of the world's most regulated, misunderstood, and competitive industries?  In this episode, I sit down with David Hartigan, Founder and CEO of Hemp Heros, to talk about the real story behind his mission-driven CBD and functional mushroom company. From managing MMA fighters to becoming one of the few B Corp-certified hemp brands, David shares how a single moment of belief changed his life and how he's paying it forward through his business. David takes us behind the scenes of launching into the U.S. market, setting up U.S.-based manufacturing, creating pet products that win hearts (and tails), and building multiple brands with integrity. He's also inspired by his mother’s health journey with a new mushroom line. He’s proof that success follows when you lead with quality and purpose. 🔑 Key Moments in This Episode: 💡 The surprising story of how an MMA sponsorship sparked a business idea 🧪 Why cold-pressed hemp is the game-changer in CBD products 🐾 How pets became their biggest product category and why they’re focusing on it in the U.S. 🌱 From B Corp to seed-to-shelf: how Hemp Heros stands out in a crowded market 🇺🇸 The bold move to manufacture in the U.S. and launch with purpose-built packaging Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to this inspiring and informative conversation with David Hartigan about passion, perseverance, and premium wellness done right.  For more on Hemp Heros, visit  https://hempheros.com/ For more on Blynk, visit https://www.blynkdrinks.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 10m

  3. 3D AGO

    VitaWild - No Sugar, No Guilt—Just Good Hydration

    What happens when two creative minds, a thriving agency founder and a comedian-turned-creator, team up to launch a better-for-you hydration brand?   You get VitaWild—a deliciously clean and thoughtfully formulated hydration and immunity blend that’s winning hearts (and taste buds).  In this episode, I sit down with Jacques Spitzer and James Schrader, co-founders of VitaWild, to talk about their passion for product integrity, building brands with intention, and why they refused to cut corners in making something their families—and yours—can feel good about drinking. They open up about the actual cost of doing things right, the power of storytelling in CPG, and how they’re using their creative roots to build something truly impactful. Key Moments in This Episode: 💧 Why taste, transparency, and trust are non-negotiables 🏗️ Lessons from building brands like Dr. Squatch (and how it shaped VitaWild) 🌱 Creating a daily hydration & immunity product with no sugar and no shortcuts 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Why their kids are the ultimate taste-testers 📦 Making sustainable choices, even when they cost more Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to this entertaining and inspiring episode—packed with insights, laughs, and a lot of heart.  For more on VitaWild Hydration, visit https://vitawild.co/ For more on Raindrop Agency, visit https://raindrop.agency/ For more on James Schrader, visit https://jamesschrader.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.    Saral - The Influencer OS: https://www.getsaral.com/demo SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Request a live demo today. Let the SARAL team know you're a The Story of a Brand Show podcast listener to get an extended free trial! Visit the link above.

    1h 5m
  4. Spritzal Cookie Company - How a Family Recipe Became a Retail Hit

    MAR 21

    Spritzal Cookie Company - How a Family Recipe Became a Retail Hit

    What do you get when you combine a great-grandmother’s Swedish cookie recipe, a mother-daughter duo, and a lot of grit?   You get Spritzal, a clean-label cookie brand disrupting the cookie aisle with shortbread bites made from real, simple ingredients. In this episode, I sit down with Taylor Walker, COO and Co-founder of Spritzal, to talk about how a family recipe evolved into a brand that’s winning over retailers, shoppers, and sweet tooths alike. Taylor shares the 10-year journey of building Spritzal, from hand-pressing cookies in a home kitchen to scaling manufacturing and launching with major retailers. We also talk about what it takes to stand out in a crowded category and the power of resilience, belief, and, of course, butter. Key Moments in This Episode: 🍪 How a family recipe turned into a national cookie brand 📦 The big pivot: from clamshell packaging to resealable bags 🛒 Getting into retail: what buyers really want 📈 Bootstrapping, burnout, and the decision not to quit 🥇 Why clean ingredients and smart branding win shelf space Join me, Ramon Vela, as we listen to this heartfelt and inspiring conversation with Taylor Walker as we explore what makes Spritzal cookies and this brand unique.  For more on Spritzal, visit:  https://spritzal.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.    Saral - The Influencer OS: https://www.getsaral.com/demo SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Request a live demo today. Let the SARAL team know you're a The Story of a Brand Show podcast listener to get an extended free trial! Visit the link above.  Today’s Highlighted Brand: Goode Health: https://www.goodehealth.com/ If you have a family history of heart disease, listen up.  Now, you can reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke by simply eating more polyphenols, the powerful plant nutrients found in fruits and veggies. Goode Health designed and put them all in a tasty superfood shake and conducted a clinical study!  Users of Goode Health had a significant improvement in heart health in just 2 weeks!  Visit goodehealth.com today and use promo code STORY30 for 30% off now!

    51 min
  5. Ooso - A Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Tea Inspired by Natural Wine

    MAR 21

    Ooso - A Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Tea Inspired by Natural Wine

    What happens when two passionate entrepreneurs set out to reinvent the non-alcoholic drinking experience?  In this episode, I sit down with Oliver Spring and Sophia Racciatti, Co-Founders of Ooso, to discuss their journey of creating a sparkling tea inspired by natural wine. From late-night kitchen experiments to landing on retail shelves, they share how they built a brand that brings complexity, sophistication, and design-forward thinking to the non-alcoholic space. Oliver and Sophia dive into the challenges of launching a beverage brand, the importance of great branding, and why consumer education is key to success in the growing non-alcoholic market. Key Moments in This Episode: ✅ The Spark Behind Ooso – How a personal lifestyle shift led to a brand idea. ✅ From Idea to Market – The year-long journey of formulation and brand building. ✅ Retail Strategy & Challenges – What it takes to get on store shelves. ✅ Why Packaging Matters – The role of branding in consumer adoption. ✅ The Future of Non-Alcoholic Beverages – Trends shaping the category. Join me, Ramon Vela, for this insightful and inspiring conversation with Oliver and Sophia as we explore the future of better-for-you beverages! For more on Ooso, visit:  https://drinkooso.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand 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.  Today’s Highlighted Brand: Goode Health: https://www.goodehealth.com/ If you have a family history of heart disease, listen up.  Now, you can reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke by simply eating more polyphenols, the powerful plant nutrients found in fruits and veggies. Goode Health designed and put them all in a tasty superfood shake and conducted a clinical study!  Users of Goode Health had a significant improvement in heart health in just 2 weeks!  Visit goodehealth.com today and use promo code STORY30 for 30% off now!

    1h 10m
  6. Winx Health - Revolutionizing Reproductive Care: One Product at a Time

    MAR 18

    Winx Health - Revolutionizing Reproductive Care: One Product at a Time

    Women’s health should be accessible, judgment-free, and rooted in real solutions, but that hasn’t always been the case.  In this episode, I sit down with Jamie Norwood, Co-founder of Winx Health, to discuss how her brand is challenging outdated norms, improving access to essential products, and leading the charge in reproductive and vaginal health. From over-the-counter emergency contraception to at-home testing, Winx Health is redefining how women take control of their well-being. Jamie shares the challenges of breaking into retail, the impact of misinformation on women’s health, and why proactive education is just as important as the products themselves. Key Moments in This Episode: ✅ Why Women’s Health Needs More Transparency – Breaking down stigmas and outdated norms. ✅ The Road to Retail – What it takes to get women’s health products on store shelves. ✅ Myth-Busting & Misinformation – How confusion prevents women from getting the care they need. ✅ At-Home Testing & Telehealth – The future of accessible, judgment-free healthcare.   ✅ Building a Mission-Driven Brand – Lessons in advocacy, resilience, and business growth. Join me, Ramon Vela, for this powerful and necessary conversation with Jamie Norwood as we explore the future of women’s health!  For more on Winx Health, visit:  https://hellowinx.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 omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.  Saral - The Influencer OS: https://www.getsaral.com/demo SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Request a live demo today. Let the SARAL team know you're a The Story of a Brand Show podcast listener to get an extended free trial! Visit the link above.

    1h 4m
  7. Wove - The 10% Luck, 90% Preparation Rule for Going Viral

    MAR 14

    Wove - The 10% Luck, 90% Preparation Rule for Going Viral

    Jewelry isn’t just about sparkle—it’s about storytelling, sentiment, and capturing life’s most meaningful moments.   In this episode, I sit down with Simone Kendle, CEO of Wove, to discuss how this brand redefines the fine jewelry experience with custom designs, technology, and a personal touch. From engagement rings to viral moments, Simone shares how Wove is making luxury jewelry more accessible, personal, and deeply meaningful. Simone also discusses the strategy behind Wove’s recent viral success, the importance of operational excellence, and how the brand is scaling without losing its custom-first approach. Key Moments in This Episode: ✅ From Engagement Rings to Everyday Jewelry – How Wove expands beyond bridal.   ✅ The 10% Luck, 90% Preparation Rule – The truth behind viral moments.   ✅ Scaling Customization – How Wove balances handcrafted quality with technology.   ✅ The Power of Personalization – Why consumers want more than off-the-shelf jewelry.   ✅ Leading a Brand with Intentionality – Simone’s journey from startup marketing to CEO. Join me, Ramon Vela, as we listen to this insightful and inspiring conversation with Simone Kendle and explore the future of custom fine jewelry! For more on Wove, visit https://wovemade.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave  The Story of a Brand Showa 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.    Saral - The Influencer OS: https://www.getsaral.com/demo SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Request a live demo today. Let the SARAL team know you're a The Story of a Brand Show podcast listener to get an extended free trial! Visit the link above.  Today’s Highlighted Brand: Goode Health: https://www.goodehealth.com/ If you have a family history of heart disease, listen up.  Now, you can reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke by simply eating more polyphenols, the powerful plant nutrients found in fruits and veggies. Goode Health designed and put them all in a tasty superfood shake and conducted a clinical study!  Users of Goode Health had a significant improvement in heart health in just 2 weeks!  Visit goodehealth.com today and use promo code STORY30 for 30% off now!

    1h 6m
  8. FullWell - What to Know Before You Conceive

    MAR 12

    FullWell - What to Know Before You Conceive

    What if prenatal and reproductive health went beyond pregnancy?  In this episode, I sit down with Ayla Barmmer, Founder & CEO of FullWell, to discuss the critical role of nutrition in fertility, pregnancy, and overall reproductive wellness for both women and men.  As a registered dietitian and integrative health expert, Ayla shares how evidence-based formulations, transparency, and education are changing the landscape of prenatal and fertility supplements. Ayla opens up about the science behind essential nutrients, why preconception health matters, and the industry-wide gaps FullWell is solving. Key Moments in This Episode: ✅ Beyond Prenatals: Why reproductive health isn’t just for pregnancy. ✅ The Three-to-Six-Month Rule: How nutrition before conception shapes lifelong health. ✅ Trust & Transparency in Supplements: What to look for in high-quality vitamins. ✅ Why Men’s Fertility Matters: The often-overlooked role of male reproductive health. ✅ Building FullWell: How Ayla turned clinical expertise into a mission-driven brand. Join me, Ramon Vela, as we listen to this insightful, science-backed conversation with Ayla Barmmer and explore the future of reproductive wellness!  For more on FullWell, visit https://fullwellfertility.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 11m
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    4.9
    out of 5
    133 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.

    Information

    • Creator
      CommerceFocused Media, Inc.
    • Years Active
      2018 - 2025
    • Episodes
      1.3K
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © Copyright 2020 - CommerceFocused Media - All Rights Reserved
    • Show Website
      The Story of a Brand

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