Episodes

Melissa Hartwig Urban, co-founder/CEO of Whole30, explained why she describes the lifestyle program as an “experiment” and why she is staunchly opposed to the idea of moderation. She also discussed the selective process for brands to become “Whole30 approved,” why she spends the majority of time at work messaging with members of her community, and why she decided to open up about past challenges in her life.

Alex Day, co-founder of trendsetting cocktail bar Death & Co., spoke about his thoughtful approach to innovation and branding. He also explained why articulating the brand’s style is an “ongoing process,” why the Death & Co. considers itself a content creator as much as a bar, and why it never “follows trends out of fatigue.”

Greg Vetter, the co-founder/CEO of organic dressing brand Tessemae’s, spoke about the huge wins and unexpected losses from his first decade in business. He also explained why his “positively intense” approach is not for everyone, the dangers of bad employees and advisors, and why he believes that “the key to this game is surrounding yourself with people that you really trust.”

In this week’s episode, GoodBelly CEO Alan Murray explained the roles that ambition and leverage played into his first CEO job, how observing others helped frame his own leadership style, and why hanging out by the coffee machine is key to understanding company dynamics. He also discussed how GoodBelly has honed in on its core consumers and what elicited its partnership with General Mills.

Influential natural foods entrepreneur and investor Steve Hughes reflected upon his roles as the founder of Boulder Brands and co-founder of investment firm Sunrise Strategic Partners. As part of our conversation, he explained why he believes the funding environment for natural CPG brands is “capitalism at its absolute best,” and what he sees as the most exciting development for the industry.