Episodes

In an interview included in this episode, Karr opened up about Guayaki and its origins, how the brand creates evangelists for yerba mate, how viewing time as “an illusion” allowed him to align his personal and professional lives, why he considers the company to be “a reforestation vehicle,” and its unique approach to distribution and hiring.

As part of our interview, Jelly Belly president/CEO Lisa Rowland Brasher discussed how the company’s focus on creating unique experiences for its consumers has contributed to its evolution into an iconic candy brand. She also discussed how “better for you” and functional varieties fit into the portfolio and recounted how one disastrous flavor that never made it to market turned out to be quite useful down the line. This episode is presented by Flavorman, the beverage architects.

Stew Leonard’s president/CEO Stew Leonard Jr. spoke about the company’s focus on customer interaction and how it has helped create a unique and high-quality shopping experience. He also discussed the evolution of the chain’s food offerings and how it selects brands for its stores, its efforts to stay on top of current food trends, his perspective on leadership, and how Stew Leonard’s is planning for the future.

In this highlight episode culled from interviews with six innovators, leaders and entrepreneurs who joined us on Taste Radio during the first half of 2019, we explore the role that innovation plays several for category-leading brands. Our guests include Vita Coco co-founder Mike Kirban, Lifeway Foods CEO Julie Smolyansky, Justin’s founder Justin Gold, Sailor Jerry Rum and Hendricks Gin creator Steve Grasse and WTRMLN WTR co-founder Jody Levy.

Nutrabolt CEO Doss Cunningham explained why focusing on premium as the guiding principle of the company’s business strategy was key to its development and that of its anchor brand, C4. He also discussed the mission and focus of his venture capital firm LivWell Ventures and the lessons he hopes to impart to brand owners within its portfolio. This episode is presented by Flavorman, the beverage architects.