read receipt

this week on read receipt, i sit down with dami zeke, the founder of innerwork, a wellness brand born out of her personal health struggles and a mission to make supplements healthier and more accessible. dami's journey—from overcoming intense challenges to building a second business with unwavering faith and resilience—offers inspiration for anyone navigating setbacks. her story proves that with determination and intention, you can rebuild stronger.

lauren scott dovey is the founder and creative force behind heat healer, a wellness brand that's turning heads with products like the sauna blanket and lymphatic drainage wearables. in this episode, lauren talks about growing her business from sydney, australia, to a global stage, her intentional approach to product development, and the balance of intuition and data in decision-making. whether you're a wellness enthusiast or an aspiring entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with insights.

julianna's journey is one of reinvention. from starting her nail polish brand fresh out of college to pivoting into the booming world of nail art stickers, she's built a business that blends creativity with connection. in this episode, julianna dives into what it's like to bootstrap a dtc brand, her decision to ditch wholesale, and the joy of creating art-driven products that resonate with her audience.

john thorp and buzz turned an ordinary water bottle into an extraordinary innovation with aeroflow, the first portable sparkling water system. in this episode, they discuss their unique approach to product development, overcoming regulatory challenges, and creating a sustainable product that's both practical and planet-friendly. from scrappy beginnings to building their own manufacturing facility, this is a story of resilience, creativity, and redefining what's possible in hydration.

quilt is bringing innovation to one of the most overlooked aspects of modern living: heating and cooling. lizz shares how her team is leveraging cutting-edge technology, government incentives, and thoughtful branding to make heat pumps the go-to choice for sustainable, efficient home comfort. with a focus on customer experience, quilt is reshaping the hvac industry, turning climate action into a practical, stylish upgrade.

haley weidenbaum, founder of everhem, walks us through her journey from an overwhelmed interior designer to the innovative entrepreneur behind a custom window treatment company. learn how she and her husband bootstrapped the business, developed a customer-focused model, and balanced scaling operations while maintaining craftsmanship. discover the surprising challenges of running a hybrid e-commerce and service-based business, and haley's strategies for staying connected to her customers and the design world.

on today's episode of *read receipt*, sean sits down with jennie yoon, the visionary behind kinn, to explore her journey from the corporate world to crafting timeless jewelry. jennie shares how a life-altering event became the catalyst for pursuing her entrepreneurial dreams. from navigating the early days of her business to scaling a growing team, jennie reflects on the highs and lows of her path. the discussion touches on resilience, the power of storytelling in branding, and what it means to create a lasting legacy.

james barry, founder of pluck, joins sean to talk about the surprising benefits of organ meats and how he's turning them into a pantry staple. they discuss the challenges of scaling a mission-driven food business, the importance of making health effortless, and why authenticity and community-building are critical in today's entrepreneurial landscape.

this episode dives into the story behind made in, a cookware company disrupting the kitchenware industry with a blend of heritage and innovation. founders chip malt and jake kalick share how they leveraged their complementary skills to create a brand that serves both home cooks and professional chefs. learn how authenticity, product quality, and a chef-first mindset turned their idea into a culinary powerhouse.

in this episode, sean chats with alison evans, co-founder of sayso, the brand reinventing cocktails with its tea bag innovation. alison dives into her journey from harvard business school to launching a completely new product category in mixers. hear about the challenges of scaling manufacturing, growing a brand in retail, and why the espresso martini may be your next go-to drink at home.

in this episode, sean sits down with sophia karbowski and austin patry, co-founders of real z, to explore their journey from college students running food trucks to scaling a successful packaged snack brand. they share insights on creating a viral product, leveraging retail placement for growth, and why staying lean keeps them focused on profitability.

in this episode, éliou founders duda and cristy share their journey from running a miami-based creative agency to launching a luxury jewelry and lifestyle brand. with handmade products, celebrity endorsements, and a no-shortcuts attitude, the pair reveal their growth from side hustle to serious business—all while keeping operations fully in-house.

nicolas travis, the founder of allies of skin, shares the remarkable story behind building a skincare empire with a purpose. this conversation dives into the challenges of creating a global team, the lessons of overcoming personal trauma, and why heartfelt storytelling is at the core of his brand's success.

sean speaks with alannah connealy , founder of raena, on the origins of her brand, inspired by her family's hormone health struggles. they discuss her pivot from twitter to hormone healthcare, building a brand from scratch, and the entrepreneurial grit that brought raena to life. alannah shares the ups and downs of transitioning from service to product-based growth and her journey to building raena as a trusted hormone health brand.

In this episode, jake shares his journey from tiktok creator to cpg founder, discussing how he built an engaged community before launching his brand, his approach to product development, and why he's choosing to reformulate despite current success. the conversation explores the intersection of social media, direct-to-consumer business, and product innovation.

n this episode, Suzanne shares her journey from advertising creative director to clean beauty founder. She discusses the evolution of her brand's identity, the challenges of building an intentional wellness company, and her unique perspective on growth and creative leadership. The conversation explores the intersection of beauty standards, wellness, and authenticity in brand building.

join us as evah shares her journey from fashion design to creating a groundbreaking towel brand. learn how her background in product design and textiles led to the development of a revolutionary towel that combines antimicrobial properties with skin-friendly materials. she discusses the challenges of launching during the pandemic, building an international brand from australia, and balancing entrepreneurship with family life.    

kathrin hamm, founder of bearaby, shares her transition from working at the world bank to creating a revolutionary weighted blanket company. she discusses the challenges of product development, bootstrapping, and scaling a business, as well as the rewards of entrepreneurship and the importance of maintaining a beginner's mindset even as the company grows. 

taylor and millie, co-founders of stakt, discuss their journey from college friends to successful entrepreneurs. they share insights on developing their innovative fitness mat, bootstrapping their company, appearing on shark tank, and their plans for expanding the stakt brand beyond their initial product. 

phantila phataraprasit, co-founder of sabai, discusses her journey from law school to launching a sustainable furniture brand. she shares insights on sabai's eco-friendly practices, the challenges of starting a furniture company, and how they're revolutionizing the industry with their repair and resale programs. 

mike, co-founder of windmill, discusses the journey of creating a modern air conditioning brand. he shares insights on product development, fundraising challenges, and marketing strategies in a competitive industry. the conversation covers windmill's growth from a small startup to a recognized player in the ac market, exploring topics such as team structure, profitability goals, and future expansion plans. 

takeaways:  • jenny funded freja using profits from her successful dropshipping business  • she focused heavily on paid advertising from the start, unlike many other brands  • jenny kept freja a secret for the first 2-3 years, even from friends  • her approach was very data-driven, focusing on what customers want rather than personal preferences  • she's now transitioning to focus more on organic growth, pr, and building a long-term brand  • jenny advocates for entrepreneurs to get hands-on experience before delegating tasks  • she plans to expand internationally and launch new product lines in the coming years   chapters:  00:00 - jenny's background and start in e-commerce  08:01 - transitioning from dropshipping to launching freja  12:30 - focus on paid advertising and marketing strategy  23:17 - keeping freja a secret and building without ego  25:30 - shifting focus to product development and brand building  27:26 - future plans for international expansion and new product lines  31:23 - jenny's approach to work and productivity  36:02 - building a community and mentoring other entrepreneurs  47:37 - working with family and factory relationships in china   

alexandra, co-founder of foile, discusses her journey from the fashion industry to creating a sustainable skincare brand. she shares insights on product development, the challenges of custom packaging, and how running sauna studios laid the foundation for foile. the conversation covers foile's commitment to sustainability, their unique approach to retail, and their vision for the future of skincare. 

michael lupo, founder of flewd, discusses his journey from working in corporate beauty to creating a revolutionary stress-relief brand. he shares insights on product development, the science behind stress, and the challenges of building a direct-to-consumer business in a new category.

jennifer and alice, co-founders of kindred black, discuss their transition from corporate fashion to launching a sustainable beauty brand. they share insights on eco-friendly production, working with artisan glassblowers, and the challenges of scaling a sustainable business. 

in this episode of read receipt, we sit down with sophia moradi, the multi-faceted entrepreneur behind avalon surgery center and sōm skin. sophia opens up about balancing multiple businesses, from ambulatory care to innovative skincare. she shares how her family's immigrant background fuels her drive, and why sticking to your vision is crucial when launching a brand. discover how sophia and her mother are revolutionizing skincare with exosome technology, and get inspired by their fearless approach to business. 

amy, founder of dear brightly, discusses her journey from software engineer to skincare entrepreneur. she shares insights on building a telehealth platform for prescription retinoids, going through y combinator, and scaling a business while balancing growth and profitability.

zeke bronfman, co-founder of the absorption company, discusses the launch and rapid growth of his innovative supplement brand. he shares insights on building a viral community, leveraging celebrity partnerships, and developing cutting-edge supplement technology. zeke also reflects on lessons learned from his previous beverage startup and how they informed his current venture. 

michael lupo, founder of flewd, discusses his journey from working in corporate beauty to creating a revolutionary stress-relief brand. he shares insights on product development, the science behind stress, and the challenges of building a direct-to-consumer business in a new category. 

 jenelle manzi  shares her journey from professional ballerina to founder of get golden, an energy bar company. she discusses balancing her dance career with entrepreneurship, overcoming a major injury, and how her experiences as a dancer shaped her approach to business and product development. 

eddie and calvin, founders of walden, share their entrepreneurial journey from creating a meditation-focused lifestyle brand to launching an innovative electric vehicle company. they discuss their approach to product design, brand building, and the challenges of scaling multiple businesses while maintaining quality and authenticity. 

ally dayon, founder of cliik, discusses his transition from real estate to launching an innovative food storage brand. he details the process of developing the product, building a team, and bringing a fresh perspective to a traditional category. the conversation covers brand identity, manufacturing challenges, and cliik's rapid growth in both direct-to-consumer and retail channels. 

lisa goodman, founder of good skin clinics, discusses her journey from medical dermatology to creating a unique approach to aesthetic treatments. she  hares insights on the challenges of scaling a quality-focused business, the importance of long-term results, and her mission to educate both clients and practitioners about holistic, science-based approaches to aging gracefully. 

justin hai, founder of a revolutionary cortisol-management supplement, discusses the importance of cortisol balance for sleep, hormonal health, and overall wellbeing. he shares his journey from diverse business experience to creating a product that's changing lives, particularly for those dealing with menopause and stress-related issues. 

julie westervelt, founder of sleep crown, discusses her journey from yoga teacher to sleep product innovator. she shares the inspiration behind her over-the-head pillow, the company's organic growth, and her commitment to quality and customer connection. julie offers insights into sleep crown's manufacturing process, marketing strategies, and the importance of authenticity in business. 

hilary dubin and caroline shumway, childhood friends and co-founders of jones, discuss their journey creating a modern nicotine cessation company. they share insights on their product development process, the challenges of entering the pharmaceutical space, and how their app-based community support is changing the game for those trying to quit vaping. 

lune, the founder of monday muse, discusses her journey from the netherlands to london, her personal struggle with cystic acne, and how it led to the creation of monday muse. with a background in hospitality management and brand management, lune delved into skincare formulation to create effective, clean skincare products. she shares the challenges of starting and scaling a beauty brand, the importance of organic growth, and her vision for the future of monday muse.

Justin, founder of Active Skin Repair, shares his journey from working in healthcare documentaries to creating a revolutionary first aid product. After moving to San Diego for surfing, Justin discovered hypochlorous acid, a molecule used in hospitals. Recognizing its potential for everyday use, he developed a natural, non-toxic first aid spray.Initially, Justin launched the product in surf shops and outdoor stores, targeting athletes and adventurers. However, the brand took off when they pivoted to marketing towards health-conscious moms through influencer partnerships. Justin discusses the challenges of breaking into the traditional first aid market, the importance of protecting their Amazon presence, and how joining forces with their supplier company accelerated growth. 

in this episode, sean donovan interviews sally kim, founder of crushed tonic, a collagen supplement brand born out of a personal need to heal from severe burns. sally shares her journey from working in finance to becoming an entrepreneur, discussing how she discovered the benefits of collagen and turned her findings into a successful business. she talks about the organic growth of crushed tonic, the importance of high-quality ingredients, and her vision for the future. sally also touches on the emotional aspects of her journey, including the impact of personal loss and the importance of staying true to her mission.

in this episode, sean donovan interviews the founder of modern picnic, a brand that offers stylish and sustainable lunch solutions for women. she shares her journey from working at macy's to creating modern picnic, driven by a personal need for a chic lunchbox. despite challenges in manufacturing and design, her determination and strategic press coverage helped her grow the brand. she discusses the impact of her shark tank appearance, the shift towards organic growth, and her focus on wholesale and retail distribution. her story is one of passion, perseverance, and innovation.

in this episode, sean donovan interviews roderick de rode, founder of spinn, a groundbreaking coffee technology company. roderick shares his journey from the netherlands to los angeles, inspired by a unique patent for a centrifuge-based coffee maker. spinn's mission is to brew perfect coffee while minimizing waste, utilizing cutting-edge technology and a marketplace for artisanal roasters. roderick discusses the complexities of developing a hardware product, the challenges of finding the right manufacturing partners, and the strategic decisions that have led to spinn's success. this episode provides valuable insights into innovation, sustainability, and the entrepreneurial spirit behind spinn.

JJ Martin, founder of La DoubleJ, shares her inspiring journey from working in marketing at Calvin Klein and journalism at Harper's Bazaar to creating a vibrant fashion brand in Milan. La DoubleJ is known for its bold prints and joyful approach to fashion and home decor. JJ discusses the evolution of La DoubleJ, the importance of creativity and spirituality in her work, and the challenges of building a fashion brand in a competitive market. The conversation explores her entrepreneurial experiences, the development of La DoubleJ's products, and her vision for the future. 

In this episode, sean donovan interviews ev bousis, founder of enhanse, a brand dedicated to revolutionizing men's personal care. ev shares his background, including his greek roots, upbringing in chicago, and global experiences in fashion with his husband, peter dundas. he discusses the inception of enhanse, emphasizing the need for practical and accessible skincare products for men. ev highlights the strategic decision to launch enhanse on amazon, making high-quality skincare easily available. the conversation covers the importance of listening to advisors, the challenges of launching a new brand, and the lessons learned from his entrepreneurial journey. ev's passion for improving men's grooming routines shines through, offering listeners valuable insights and inspiration. 

loren brill, ceo of sweet loren's, shares her inspiring journey of starting a company that provides delicious, better-for-you cookie dough. after overcoming hodgkin's lymphoma at the age of 22, loren turned her health challenges into a passion for health and wellness, leading her to create sweet loren's. she discusses moving from new york to los angeles, the importance of consumer feedback, and the challenges of scaling her business. loren also highlights her commitment to creating products that cater to various dietary needs, including gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free options. the conversation explores loren's entrepreneurial spirit, her dedication to making a positive impact, and the future of sweet loren's. 

in this episode of read receipt, rocky xu, founder of rocky's matcha, shares his journey from working at nike in shanghai to launching his own matcha brand in los angeles. rocky discusses his global experiences, the challenges of starting a business during the pandemic, and the inspiration behind rocky's matcha. he highlights the importance of community engagement through pop-ups, the impact of cultural experiences on his brand, and his commitment to bringing high-quality matcha to a broader audience. the conversation delves into the unique aspects of matcha production, the entrepreneurial lessons rocky has learned, and his vision for the future of rocky's matcha.

marc farrell, founder of ten to one rum, shares his inspiring journey from trinidad and tobago to creating a brand that redefines rum. with a background in chemical engineering from mit and business degrees from cambridge and harvard, marc's experiences include consulting at bain & company, a stint in private equity, and working with howard schultz at starbucks. marc discusses his entrepreneurial ventures, including a previous sports and media business, and the pivotal moments that led to the creation of ten to one. he emphasizes the importance of quality, authenticity, and community in building his brand, and shares insights into the challenges and opportunities in the spirits industry.

 to research, education, and providing accessible 

on today's episode of read receipt, join us as we explore the innovative world of gethai with its ceo, leah stigile. learn how gethai is transforming everyday showers into luxurious, eco-friendly spa experiences, and the journey of securing a groundbreaking $6 million investment for this unique venture.

in this episode of the podcast, we have the pleasure of introducing katina montanos, the dynamic founder behind the transformation of costa rina. what started as a humble bottle of greek olive oil has blossomed into a thriving wellness-oriented lifestyle brand. katina has traversed an incredible journey, and today, we delve into her remarkable experiences, including collaborating with visionary founders, steering businesses towards prosperous exits, and the profound inspiration that ignited the costa rina venture.

on this episode of read receipt, i'm thrilled to have the opportunity to chat with the remarkable denise woodard, the driving force behind partake foods. join us as we delve into her unwavering dedication to creating delectable treats that cater to various allergies, the bedrock of her pioneering brand, and the vital discussions shaping the current landscape of the food industry.

today on read receipt, i have the pleasure of sitting down with the visionary karl shevick, the mastermind behind earth foam and sleep on latex. karl is dedicated to creating natural bedding essentials with sustainability at the forefront. join us as we delve into his entrepreneurial journey, his commitment to fair trade practices, his unwavering focus on customer satisfaction, and his insights into the future of the online mattress industry.