The Irresistible Factor

“Challenges are opportunities. I mean, to me, I don't see them as setbacks.” And talk about taking on challenges. This ambitious co-founder is on a mission to create a strong brand in what has become a highly commoditized category. Meryl Farr, Co-Founder and Owner of 4Sisters Rice intends to make rice the star of the plate. Meryl and her sisters are a family of farmers with deep roots in agriculture. Meryl credits her success to some truly harsh criticism from a Walmart buyer. That difficult meeting caused her to rethink the name and packaging of the product, and 4Sister's Rice was born. Just in time for Covid. And as difficult as that was, it turned out to be lucky for them. They launched when staples like rice were flying off the shelves like toilet paper. They were meeting a need that they didn't even know existed. Their distribution gains were fast and furious. They found themselves constantly pivoting to meet the demand of the market, the challenges of the supply, and the massive responsibility of keeping employees safe. Meryl's inspiring attitude towards these challenges paved the way for the successful launch of 4Sisters Rice. Listen to her tell the story of the obstacles they faced, the importance of a positive mindset, what it's like to work with her four sisters, and so much more! Here's what you won't want to miss from our conversation: - The story of how a meeting with a buyer at Walmart forced them to rethink their entire brand - A 30-day rebrand - Why tough critics are the key to success - What it's like to be a woman in the male-dominated agriculture industry - The importance of supporting American farmers

“...I think for me, it's just an expression of creativity, it's an expression of innovation. I think that, like you said, there's almost no choice. When you feel that passionate about something, there is no other option. So, through building this company, I have done it very slowly, very intentionally.” Many founders start with the end goal of building a famous brand and/or a profitable one to sell. Today's guest, Caitlin Cash, Founder of Kinship Milk Tea says it's not about the end game. It's about what she will learn, accomplish, and build during the exciting and challenging journey of starting her own brand. And I think she means it:) Her inspiration for creating Kinship started while teaching English in Thailand. On her way to school, she would stop at 7-Eleven and grab herself a milk tea, something we didn't have here in the States. After returning to Austin and looking for milk tea, she realized there was a need in the market. This episode covers everything from the story behind the name, the rationale behind intentionally slow growth and distribution, and the supportive nature of the CPG community. She also gives fantastic advice for aspiring entrepreneurs like why slow and steady wins the race and how to find creativity through entrepreneurship.

Embarking on a decade-long journey marked by triumphs in branding and relationship building, Danielle Kidney brings her wealth of experience to our conversation. As the Founder of the Creative Pack LLC, an agency specializing in early-stage Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) brands, Danielle distinguishes herself in a competitive landscape by infusing her agency with a relationship-focused and detail-oriented ethos. In our conversation, Danielle reflects on the dynamic shifts within the industry, especially in the wake of the post-pandemic era. Delving into the core of The Creative Pack's mission, Danielle offers founders advice that she has learned through her impressive 10 year background as a founder herself. Discover how Danielle believes that getting help and expertise from agencies can help a brand grow and take the right steps in their business. We get to hear why Danielle says getting branding right is so important even when brands don't think they can spend the money. Gain insights into the challenges encountered by CPG brands and learn from the common missteps Danielle has keenly observed. This week's podcast is full of amazing advice to learn from. Give it a listen.

Join me for this weeks podcast, where we explore the stories behind extraordinary brands and the communities that surround them. In this episode I had the pleasure of speaking with Megan Klein, the visionary Founder and CEO of Little Saints, a very special nonalcoholic cocktail brand with the added benefit of functional mushrooms.. Megan shares the inspiration behind Little Saints, a venture born out of a desire to spread the love of nature and her desire to have a truly great alcohol alternative. She takes us through the meticulous process of creating the brand, from conceptualization to deciding what to make and how to market it.

This week I got to re-interview Taylor Grant, the Co-Founder of Tribini Ready-to-Drink espresso martinis. We spoke last year in August when they were just about to launch and I'm excited to share the story of their first 18 months in business. In this episode, you'll get to hear about what it was like to start a brand in a challenging category (aren't they all?). Taylor and his team had a very clear vision on how the brand was going to launch (DTC) and what their path to success and profitability was and as expected, it wasn't what they expected. They were quickly forced to either Pivot or give up. I'm sure you know they didn't give up and the story of how they handled the initial disappointment and subsequent shifts is filled with valuable learnings and lots of inspiration. Don't miss hearing Taylor talk about • The Pivot from DTC to having to find their own distribution • How and when they decided they needed to expand their team • What jobs a founder should really expect to do • Why a little friendly competition is actually a good thing. I am excited to share the optimism and openness which appear to be part of Taylor's DNA. Have a listen.

Joining us today on The Irresistible Factor is Lori Levine, CEO and Co-Founder of Scott's Protein Balls. In this episode, Lori tells her inspiring story about how her struggle with breast cancer in 2017 led to her launching a brand. After conquering breast cancer, she realized that it was time to regain control of what she ate and how she took care of herself. At age 52 she was determined to get into the best shape of her life. Her nutritionist called the protein bar aisle “the walk of shame” as they are packed with sugar, soy, and preservatives. That caused Lori and her husband Scott to look for an alternative snack. Lori wanted a quick grab-and-go snack that was as nutritious as it was and tasty. Her husband Scott started experimenting with recipes that were clean, low in sugar, and delicious – all the things that protein bars weren't. In this episode you'll hear how Scott's Protein Balls grew from a family snack to a thriving brand. This episode will give you hope and also perspective. You'll also hear: How to keep a positive mindset through the highs and lows and turning hardships into opportunities Their partnership with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation The challenges and rewards of finding the right employees that are aligned with your mission

Welcome to another episode of The Irresistible Factor. Today, we are joined by one of the most special guests I've had on the show. Ava Faustini is the 14-year-old founder of 1023 Gelato. Ava's story is beyond incredible. She started the brand as we were coming out of COVID because her parents told her she needed to get out and do something. Most 12-year-olds would have found friends to hang out with, but not this inspiring young lady. She decided to start a brand of dairy-free gelato. Find out what inspired her and how she navigates the challenging start-up CPG world, all while being a full-time student and varsity athlete. This episode is jam-packed with incredibly inspirational pearls of wisdom from a remarkable young woman, who proves you start a business at any age. You'll also hear: • What inspired Ava to start her business at such a young age • What kind of help her family provides • The most exciting and challenging aspects of being a 14-year-old entrepreneur • How Ava manages her time with her business and school schedules • Ava's advice for other founders

“I do believe [that] you're [only] as limited as you think you are.” This short yet powerful quote is from today's incredibly inspiring guest, Alan Cohen, the Founder and CEO of Kokomio - the coconut beverage unlike anything you've ever experienced. Alan is a powerful entrepreneur and an incredible human being whose values serve his business and family. I'm not exaggerating when I say after our interview, you'll feel like you've just been through an awesome and inspiring therapy session! Alan speaks a lot about our internal dialogue and how it can be extremely limiting and keep us from living up to our full potential. Alan talks about how to push past the negative thoughts, how to turn problems into opportunity, and how leaning into vulnerability and discomfort can pave the way for incredible growth opportunities. We also discuss what inspired him to found Kokomio and what sets the brand apart from others in the category. I promise you won't want to miss this one because his words of wisdom are so profound that you're bound to want more! You'll get amazing business advice and also invaluable life advice. In this episode you'll hear: -The importance of your internal dialogue and why how you view yourself will determine your fate -How to change your perspective and see problems as opportunities -Why Alan never says no to an opportunity -How being grateful and treating people with respect and love can translate into your own success

Revolutionizing the non-alcoholic beverage world, our guest today is blazing through this niche market with a quality product and an incredible tenacity. You'll want to hear this interview with Molly Fedick, the Founder of Buzzkill Wines, on this episode of The Irresistible Factor. Molly shares her journey in creating a non-alcoholic wine for those who love the experience and taste of drinking without the consequences. In our conversation, she opens up about her path to becoming a founder, her experiences in fundraising, and her beliefs on the current trend of holding onto your cash at all costs. Molly talks candidly about her lack of experience and when that helped and hurt her on the journey to creating a successful brand. She also talks about the significant challenges she faced, including navigating capital raising as a woman entrepreneur. Be sure not to miss out on this insightful episode. Start listening now! In this episode you'll hear: How Molly went from working in the tech start-up world at Hinge to becoming a CPG entrepreneur The importance of being vulnerable and talking openly about your challenges Setting rules and boundaries as a founder How she approaches marketing

In this episode, you'll meet Luigi Marulo, one of the men behind the most delicious, premium pasta brands I've ever tried (and I've tried them all)! I had the pleasure of meeting Luigi at the Fancy Food show in New York. After recording this podcast episode with him, Luigi invited me to visit his pasta factory in Naples, Italy and it turned out to be one of the most profound experiences this crazy job has led me to. Before the podcast, I decided to try Marulo pasta for myself. I was initially a bit skeptical of its premium price, however, I was quickly won over by the taste and texture. Luigi attributes the excellence of their pasta to their use of ancient superior durum wheat, 100% Italian ingredients, and meticulous artisanal drying processes. And all of that is true. I saw it with my own eyes. The factory was pristine and organized and the ingredients and the process were beautiful. But what truly sets Pastifico Marulo apart is the love and passion that go into every step of the process. Every detail of the process and every ingredient they use has been carefully considered and was beautifully explained on our tour. There is a respect for the food, the land, and the meal, that I don't know if most would appreciate without hearing it straight from Luigi. After the tour, Luigi treated my daughter and I to a delightful lunch at his family's beach club where we sampled incredible pasta dishes. Luigi generously offered to drive us back to Naples where we were staying, with 8 boxes of pasta in tow. That pasta was carried by hand on 6 trains and one plane from Naples to Cinque Terre and then to Milan before making its way to my home. I learned a lot that day, but I felt even more. Many people say you have to “try it” to really get it. That has never felt more true to me. Yes, This is a blog about a founder. And also, a thank you for the reminders about what matters in our industry and more importantly, our lives.

“I don't ask any more for permission, I'd rather just apologize after.” This is the motto of our extraordinary and energetic guest on this week's episode of The Irresistible Factor, Joseph Zeppilli, the ultimate rule breaker. Joseph's knack for bending the rules, getting creative, and thinking way outside the box has catapulted his company, Bad Monkey Popcorn, into a nationally recognized brand in an astonishingly short timeframe. Joseph admits there may be better products out there, but he knows no one else has a brand quite like theirs. Listen to hear about the insane risk they took on the show Dragons' Den (the Canadian version of Shark Tank) and why after they got an incredible offer, they turned it down! Learn about the crazy tactics they employed to get their product into the mouths of consumers, how he scored an incredible partnership with Disney, and the creative marketing strategy behind avoiding the snack aisle. This episode is filled with amazing stories, tons of passion, and invaluable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. In this episode you'll hear: - How Joseph went from a successful job in finance to selling popcorn to teenagers at music festivals ‌ - The story of how they closed a deal on Dragons' Den before they even auditioned ‌ - Why they give away thousands of bags away daily across 5 countries ‌ - The challenges and benefits that come with partnering with Disney

Most conventional wisdom would say not to line-extend too soon and certainly not to extend to other categories without a highly successful product launch. But Katina Mountanos, the CEO of Kosterina, chose her own path. Katina started with a single sourced, high quality Greek olive oil and quickly added other flavors, a line of balsamic vinegars and truly delicious fruit flavored vinegars. But that wasn't enough for her. Her vision, to create a healthy lifestyle brand with olive oil as the star, in the U.S., mirrors her experience in Greece. That vision quickly led her to add skin care products to a relatively new brand. So what made her believe it was going to work? Her inspiration was observing her friends and family in Greece. They stay out late, eat good food, and have a glass of wine every night at dinner and are healthy and happy. In contrast, her American friends resort to extreme diets and intense workouts. She knew there was a real opportunity to bring this lifestyle to the U.S. market. Listen to hear more about her journey and find out how she's managed through the operation complexities, the naysayers, and the uncharted territories of bringing her vision to life. You'll hear about: How she gets consumers to buy multiple products when she hasn't completely scaled her hero olive oil line. Getting the right distribution with multiple skus. The challenge of educating consumers across multiple platforms and categories.. This is an episode you won't want to miss! Use code “Irresistible Factor” for 15% off through Kosterina's website. I'm literally obsessed with their stuff - I know you'll be too!

Imagine you finally take that leap, buy a company, and days later, your entire factory burns down, and you lose everything. That happened to today's incredible guest, and it didn't stop him. Join us for an inspiring episode of The Irresistible Factor as we delve into the remarkable journey of Tony Rivas and his brand Chifles, one of the world's oldest Hispanic snack brands. Tony's long relationship with Chifles started because his father (a Cuban immigrant) was a distributor for Chifles. Eventually, Tony had the opportunity to acquire the brand he loved from the original founders. Only four months after the acquisition, a devastating fire destroyed the company's only factory. Tony quickly lost everything he and his father had worked so hard for. But Tony never thought about giving up. In this riveting interview, he reveals that the fire turned out to be a blessing in disguise, prompting a positive shift in their business model that would redefine success. In this episode, you'll also hear: - How he overcame an unforeseeable event that would have caused most to give up - Challenges Chifles is facing as it expands to new regions - How Tony manages to keep their velocities consistent as the company grows. - Valuable advice to aspiring entrepreneurs. Don't miss this extraordinary episode, where Tony shares his incredible journey of resilience and growth!

“I always like to say that [Nuts for Cheese] was a really happy accident. I don't think I knew what I was getting into. I'm glad I didn't because it's been an amazing journey.” Kristi is thrilled to have Margaret Coons, Founder and CEO of Nuts for Cheese, on the latest episode of The Irresistible Factor. Nuts for Cheese is a premium vegan cheese brand that sells really high quality products ranging from cheeses and butters to their newest addition, cream cheese spreads. Margaret was only 24 when she founded her company at a local farmer's market in London, Ontario. She was an English major with a love for vegan cooking, and despite lacking any business experience, she dove headfirst into building her dream venture. Being unaware of the full spectrum of challenges that come with starting a business can make it easier to make the scary leap to founder. Margaret thinks that naïveté combined with her unique viewpoint might have been a good thing. What Margaret did understand was hard work. After long days at her restaurant job, she'd go home, grab her cashews, and bring them back to the restaurant kitchen, where she'd perfect her cheeses until 4 in the morning! She never dreamt that her brand would become a nationwide sensation that is now sold in over 4,000 stores across North America. It just goes to show that passion and determination can lead to incredible accomplishments. In this episode Margaret explains how they managed 50% year over year growth with ZERO funding. Margaret talks about the challenges she's experienced thus far like education marketing, cash flow, being a woman in business, and her fear of public speaking. Margaret also shares some words of wisdom for founders at the beginning of their journey, like the importance of surrounding yourself with great advisors, how to block out the noise, and the significance of authenticity. From raising capital, to social media, to goals for the future, and so much more. This episode has it all so be sure to tune in now!

Starting a business is no easy feat. We hear a lot about people's success stories, but not enough about their intense challenges and failures, and more importantly, the invaluable lessons they have learned. On Today's episode of The Irresistible Factor, Kristi's guest August Vega bravely opens up about the struggles she faced with the very well-known company she founded, MALK Organics. Being a first-time entrepreneur, she quickly learned that it was an intense, cut-throat industry that required a lot of money to stay in a level playing field. August talks about the many challenges of being a leader in the CPG food space like fundraising and the intense competition. When the pandemic hit, it became almost too much for her to handle. Their fundraise was overdue, their books were in bad shape, and every single day was about survival. After eight challenging years, August made the brave decision to leave MALK Organics to prioritize caring for her child over caring for the business. August felt like she really needed to evaluate what was truly important and meaningful in her life. And for her, caring for her child took priority over the business, so she made the difficult but necessary decision to walk away completely. Since August decided to leave, she has paved a new and exciting life for herself that she is far happier with. Today, August is talking about the valuable lessons she learned from MALK Organics and how she is continuing to kick ass in the food and beverage world. She is a board member at Miyoko's Creamery and a Fractional CEO of MommaStrong, a fitness app designed to help you be healthy and reach your goals realistically. Although things didn't work out with MALK, August took the invaluable lessons she learned through starting her company and paved a new path for herself that is far more fulfilling. Tuning in, you'll hear about her abundant career in the food and bev industry, and how she keeps things exciting with her multifaceted and unlimited career interests. Stick around to the end where she shares some wise words of advice for business owners just starting out about having a good team, being financially disciplined, and trusting your gut. You don't want to miss out on this one!

Today Kristi is joined by the incredible and inspiring Nina Tickaradze on today's episode of The Irresistible Factor. Today is World Refugee Day, and Kristi is honored to have had the opportunity to talk to Nina about her inspiring mission and is thrilled to have this podcast air on such a special day. Nina is the founder of NADI, an all-natural, organic, delicious drink made with rosehip from her native country of Georgia. Nina's real reason for starting her company was her mission to assist displaced Georgian refugees by providing them with employment opportunities to help them get back on their feet. Through the launch of NADI, Nina has helped hundreds of families rebuild their lives through her business and continues to make a profound impact on the lives of so many refugees. It was important, especially to Nina, for this blog and podcast to drop today as it is World Refugee Day, an important reminder of the urgent need to address the very real struggle of refugees around the world. Nina's mission behind this brand was driven by her genuine desire to create jobs for refugees rather than promoting a product, although she does have a really awesome juice with so many health benefits. In a world that can seem to have lost its way at times, Nina serves as a crucial testament to inherent goodness that still exists. She reminds us that when people unite to support each other, the impact can be truly transformative. In today's episode you'll hear all about Nina's awesome journey, all while keeping a very important full-time job (yes, you read that right!). She also shares how they managed to pivot after realizing who their real customers are, and why she is committed to having a relationship with every single distributor. Lastly, she tells us about the importance of a truly supportive community of entrepreneurs. This inspiring episode is full of goodness and passion and serves as a gentle reminder that there is always opportunity to make an impact.

“We're not family-friendly, you can't say the word vagina and so we fought very hard to push through those, those boundaries and just a few weeks ago actually had a billboard in Time Square run that said, “We love healthy vaginas” and that was a really big one for us…” This is an episode Kristi is really excited about they talk about the challenges of marketing a subject matter that not everyone is comfortable talking about - women's sexual health. Today, she is joined by Monica Cepak, the CMO of Wisp, a women's healthcare company. Wisp is the largest provider of sexual and reproductive tele help services in the country, offering everything from same-day prescriptions for common vaginal infections to more taboo subjects like various forms of contraception and medication abortion services where it's legal. With the current state of reproductive rights, taboo words, and a lack of access and awareness, women's health can be a very difficult sphere to navigate, especially as a business. Monica passionately delves into the dynamic landscape of women's health and reproductive care and tells us how she is fearlessly navigating the polarizing topics of women's sexual health. She unveils the intricate challenges that lie within advertising in this category, all while competing with big pharmaceutical companies with massive budgets. She also talks about how their creative work uses humor to cut through the noise of tough subject matters. Monica leaves us with Wisp's long-term goals envisioning revolutionary breakthroughs in the realm of female sexual pleasure and exploring verticals such as fertility, post-partum, and menopause. To all of our female listeners, I strongly encourage you to listen to this important and thought-provoking episode, and share with your female friends!

“We've had some opportunities in places that we had to say, “You know what? Not yet.” You know, we'll come back in a few years when we're ready to make that step because we want to make sure that we can support our customers and that you know, their customers are seeking a product like ours, right?” Today on the Irresistible Factor Podcast, Kristi is joined by Claudio LoCascio, the CEO and President of Mochidoki. Mochidoki has been around for about seven years, looking to elevate the mochi ice cream experience. Mochidoki makes premium ice cream-filled mochi that is portion-controlled, low-calorie, and easily made vegan. Their diverse flavors range from black sesame to vegan leche to habanero chocolate (yum!). Not only do they taste amazing, but they look gorgeous too. During their conversation, Claudio tells us how before he joined the team, they were growing predominately through food service. His job was to take the brand to the next level and make it a consumer-facing household name. We dig into the challenges of being in multiple different channels– like supply chain logistics, varying cost structures and separate marketing strategies. And of course, he leaves us with some crucial entrepreneurial advice – make time to manage your emotions and celebrate your wins. This is an episode you won't want to miss!

“I knew I wanted to meet farmers as often as I could. I wanted to learn from them, and I wanted to buy cocoa beans directly from them without a broker, without a distributor. I've done that in every bean buy I've ever made in the last 16 years.” Kristi is honored to have Shawn Askinosie as a guest on this week's episode of The Irresistible Factor. Shawn quit his prosperous job as a criminal defense lawyer to follow his passion of making chocolate from scratch. His passion led him to invest his life savings into starting one of the first craft chocolate companies in the U.S. - Askinosie Chocolate. Shawn tells us about his transformative experience in the Amazon learning about bean-to-bar-chocolate and how it inspired the way he sources his beans (directly from smallholder farmers). He explains that working closely with cocoa farmers is what really sparked his passion. In this episode, Shawn shows us that you don't need to have it all figured out before you can use your company to do good for others. Askinosie Chocolate has funded millions of school lunches for children in need, started a charity in Tanzania, and put thousands of kids through their Chocolate University Program. Additionally, Shawn explains the importance of understanding where you are with cash flow every week, putting together an advisory board, and why as an entrepreneur, you need to have some level of of humility. Tune in to hear all about Shawn's inspiring journey and the heart behind his mission.

“We're four years in and we have consistently been acting as if we are way further ahead than we are. We've just been caught up in internal growth which is really unhealthy when you're not seeing commercial success and when you don't even know if you have product market fit, who's your customers. “ Today's guest, Sorosh Tavakoli, has big dreams of reducing the world's carbon footprint and putting an end to climate change. When he decided he wanted to start another company, he knew that he wanted the business model to be fully aligned with that goal. This led him to start Stockeld Dreamery, a brand of vegan cheese that currently features a plant-based cream cheese. Interestingly, even though they only have distribution in 2 bagel shops in NYC, Sorosh managed to raise quite a bit of capital before the economy caused the capital raising belt to tighten. Being in the very early stages of the business, Sorosh tells us about the challenges of starting a company and speaks incredibly frankly about their biggest mistake so far – raising too much early capital growing the company prematurely. At the moment, Stockeld Dreamery is a relatively big team with a very small distribution footprint. Sorosh talks about his plans to navigate this imbalance. Tune in for Sorosh's advice for entrepreneurs wanting to start plant-based brands and learn all about one of the newest (and most delicious) entries in sustainable plant-based cheese!

In honor of all of Kristi's new subscribers, she is bringing back one of her most dynamic interviews, Nick Saltarelli, the Co-Founder of Mid-Day Squares. Nick was one of our very first guests and since that conversation, his company has grown tremendously. Today, Mid-Day Squares is selling around 50,000 bars per day and is number 1 in their category! Have a listen and there's no way you won't be inspired by what he has to say and more importantly, what his team has been able to achieve in a relatively short time. There is also tons of great advice for entrepreneurs. Here's a little bit of his story: In our conversation, Nick shared how he is building his chocolate empire at lightning speed and working his way toward his goal of $100 million in revenue. "When you go into ultra-competitive saturated markets,” he told me, “it's harder to fuck up than going after niche markets, but — here's the big caveat — it requires real innovation. You cannot go into a saturated market without having a product that's 10x better than everything else.” Nick and Kristi dive into some of the disruptive things he's doing in the category and some of the valuable lessons he learned from his previous entrepreneurial ventures. This is a must-listen if you want to hear tips and tricks on what it takes to build a brand of the future.

“…The world doesn't need more stuff. Better packaging or a prettier can is not an answer, it's not a solution. What is the problem that currently exists in the world that your product is solving? That should be number one.” On today's episode of The Irresistible Factor, Kristi is thrilled to be joined by powerhouse Alison Cayne, CEO and Founder of Haven's Kitchen. Alison's passion for sustainability and cooking led her to open her own cooking school in the Flatiron district of New York, Haven's Kitchen. Haven's Kitchen aimed to make cooking less stressful and more enjoyable, and quickly became one of the most beloved cooking schools in NYC. Shortly after, Alison realized she could reach a larger audience by selling her popular sauces in pouches. While not an easy undertaking, Alison saw a need and Haven's Kitchen went from a cooking school to a brand-new category of fresh sauces that is now a staple in many homes. Alison's incredible sauces elevate any home cooked meal, including flavors like herby chimichurri, gingery miso, and red pepper romesco. Alison tells us about how she got national Whole Foods distribution the very first week of the pandemic, and how her key mission has driven her company to major successes. Alison also speaks about the many challenges she faces every day while producing a fresh product. Lastly, she goes into detail about her belief that finding a group of people who truly love your product is far more important than going viral on TikTok. This episode is packed with amazing advice for early-stage founders. Don't miss out!

"What we don't need is more sustainable Doritos. We need total transformative solutions and this is a mechanism that I think can do that, and that's why I'm running in this direction because we need to do it.” In this week's episode of The Irresistible Factor, we welcome Outlaw Ventures CEO, Anthony Corsaro. Anthony tells us about how his autoimmune disease and his upbringing in a fresh produce family distribution business led him to his passion of using food as a tool to improve the well-being of ourselves and our planet. Anthony recently started his own venture fund and is investing in early-stage food and agriculture businesses. In this episode, we talk about how he started Outlaw Ventures, and why he believes the best way to do anything in life is to just start doing it, and learn along the way. Anthony tells us how he evaluates prospective brand partners, his challenges around raising capital, and how he is navigating the daunting task of finding a partner that complements his own skill sets. We also talk about why founders are being asked to show more profitability upfront, and the importance of “trifurcating” things when evaluating the potential success of a business by analyzing the investment, the business, and the team separately. Lastly, we talk about Anthony's thoughts on controlled farming, synthesized proteins, and the successes and failures of the plant-based movement. This is an episode you won't want to miss!

“The growth that we've had and the response we've had to Chia Smash really speaks to the fact that I think consumers and grocery store buyers have really been looking for innovation in this category.” Today's guests on The Irresistible Factor have quite an unusual brand development story, with their product evolving naturally from a home recipe to a side hustle, and ultimately a serious (and successful!) full-time business. Anna Peck and Steve Ford are the Co-Founders of the superfood jam brand, Chia Smash, which is categorically (excuse the pun) disrupting its category. Chia Smash is the first of its kind – made with only 4 simple ingredients, naturally sweetened with dates, and packed with superfoods. It is the only jam with no added sugar or preservatives and if that wasn't enough, they are upcycled certified. In this episode, we learn about the origin of the brand and how Chia Smash was first developed in their very own kitchen. Anna and Steve tell us about their fundraising journey, budget-friendly marketing strategies, and the importance of making your product by hand at first if possible. Lastly, we hear about what resulted in their efficient scale-up as well as their plans to expand. Tune in to hear much more of this couple's inspiring entrepreneurial journey!

On today's episode of The Irresistible Factor, Kristi is joined by Kimmi Wernli. Kimmi is the President and Owner of The Crazy Richard's Peanut Butter Company, and her passion for peanuts runs deep! Growing up, she saw firsthand how their family business created incredible products from the humble peanut. From candied nuts to healthy spreads, there was something for everyone. In addition to her dedication to the peanut, Kimmi is also a passionate advocate for peanut farmers and serves as a U.S. peanut ambassador for the National Peanut Board. In today's conversation, we hear from Kimmi about why she is so excited to talk about peanuts as a sustainable product, and the wonderful developments she has seen in the health food industry over the past decade. Kimmi unpacks her decision to merge her father's two brands (Krema and Crazy Richard's), despite the many difficulties inherent to this process. Kimmi also shares some of the biggest challenges the company has had to overcome during her tenure, including the hacking of their social media accounts and a major supply chain issue. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on business, health foods, sustainability, and the importance of aligning your business with your core values!

Today on the Irresistible Factor, Kristi has an incredibly inspiring guest, Kenshiro Uki, president of North America and Europe of one of her new favorite companies, Sun Noodle Ramen. Sun Noodle makes easy-to-prepare (at home), fresh Ramen. Kenshiro is on a mission to bridge the cultures of Japan and the U.S. by in essence, creating a new category, restaurant quality Ramen at home. Kenshiro's father started the Sun Noodle brand 42 years ago on the island of O'ahu, Hawaii after moving there from Japan. The brand started by serving premium noodles to the best ramen restaurants and chefs throughout Hawaii, and have since worked with the best ramen shops in the food service industry. The brand has just recently expanded into the CPG world by creating fresh ramen kits so that people can create a truly amazing bowl of ramen they can enjoy in their own home. Kenshiro talks about some of their awesome collaborations with iron chef Morimoto and chef David Chang of Momofuku, and why collabs like this can be a win-win for everyone involved. Kenshiro also tells us about the challenges of transitioning from food service into a consumer brand. He shares some of the incredible advice he's gotten from mentors and thought partners that were critical to his success. One of Kristi's favorite pieces of advice is around the opportunity a negative customer experience can be, if you handle it right. This episode is a must-listen with tons of advice every entrepreneur should hear. Lastly, if you are a Ramen lover and haven't tried this product, you're going to want to get your hands on this one!

“[Bachan's] instantly filled that purpose bucket for me. I had really big ambitions and I wanted to show my daughters what can be done in this life if you're passionate about something and you work really hard for it.” On this episode of The Irresistible Factor, you'll hear the story of how a multi-generational family recipe turned into a national brand that grew from 1.5 million in revenue to 6.5 million in just about a year! Justin Gill is the Founder and CEO of Bachan's, a Japanese barbeque sauce brand with flavors such as hot and spicy and yuzu. Bachan is a Japanese American term of endearment for grandmother. Justin named his company after his own Bachan, who taught him how to make the sauce when he was a kid. Justin and his family would make big batches of the sauce and pass out bottles of it to clients in their family's landscape business, making it “a local legend”. Everyone loved it so much that he knew one day he had to bring it to the market. Justin talks about the importance of their ingredients and the tough conversation that could have taken him down, but instead fueled his commitment to his incredibly high standards as their tagline proclaims: “Our ingredients matter.” We also spend time digging into his latest challenge, transitioning from operator to CEO, and his careful, thoughtful innovation process. He shares Kristi's belief that over-innovating and distributing too quickly is dangerous for brands. Tune in to hear more about Justin's incredible story of the already soaring Japanese Barbecue Sauce that is Bachan's!

“You just sit down and you're like, “Why am I doing this?” and then there's other times where you understand the overall mission and you are creating jobs and you are feeding families and you're doing something that's so much greater than whatever problem is on your screen, right? I think that that's an important framework …” Kristi is delighted to have David Habib, Founder and CEO of Yo Mama's Foods on this episode of The Irresistible Factor. Yo Mama's is a brand on a mission to bring people delicious, healthy food made with only the ingredients mom has in her pantry. His claim to fame started with a delicious tomato sauce, and now includes a variety of pasta sauce flavors, along with salad dressings and other condiments like ranch, ketchup, and buffalo sauce. David took the ultimate risk-founding a company with no prior experience or knowledge of the CPG industry. He learned quickly (and sometimes expensively) but through the process, was able to find the right people and the right partners that believed in him and supported his brand. You'll hear what motivated him to take the plunge and leave his corporate job to launch a business at only 24 years old, and his difficult yet exciting journey thus far. David tells us about challenges around finding manufacturers who believed in the brand, why they now own all of their supplier relationships, and how they have managed to build the right economics and infrastructure to create sustainable long-term growth all without any outside funding. Stick around until the end to hear the tools David uses to cope with the stresses of being an entrepreneur, and why he believes it is so important to build creative time into your schedule. Tune in to hear all of this and more from an inspiring young guest!

“Something that I think any company can do better on, is creating that kind of performance culture around always looking to maximize and optimize. That only happens if you're getting feedback on your work.” On today's episode of The Irresistible Factor, Kristi is sitting down with Colin Schilling, the Co-Founder and CEO of Schilling Cider. Schilling Cider is the second largest producer of cider in the nation by volume, but that isn't their biggest claim to fame. What really makes Schilling stand out from its competitors is its commitment to sustainability and a people-first company culture. Colin quit his first (and only) corporate job after less than six months to start producing the very first canned cider in the United States. Over the past ten years, they have failed fast, made some big pivots and seen huge success. In this episode, Colin shares the story of Schilling Cider, from making beverages for fun on his family's farm during his childhood, to creating a successful company with culture that is best-in-class. Colin shares the mistakes he's made with distributing too broadly early on, and some lessons he has learned along the way. Even more interestingly, Colin also shares why he is actively trying to slow down growth and take a breath – yes, you heard that right! Schilling Cider is doing things differently from almost everyone else in the beverage space; tune in to hear how!

“...Only create a company if you're creating a solution to a problem that exists, but the solution doesn't already exist. It's really difficult for investors to get excited if what you're bringing to the market is already out there, and it's only slightly different.” Kristi is thrilled to be joined by Steve Molino, Principal of Clear Current Capital on this episode of The Irresistible Factor. Clear Current Capital is a publicly funded, specialized venture capital firm making early-stage growth and impact investments in the US plant-based food and cell-cultivated meat space. Steve joins us to discuss the importance of innovation in the plant-based space, the exciting applications of precision fermentation, and the power of brand storytelling. He also offers some insight into the kinds of companies that Clear Current Capital invests in and shares his thoughts on what makes a great founder. With prior experience at leading mission-driven venture capital firms, as well as in the financial services and strategy consulting spaces, Steve has a wealth of expertise to share. Be sure to tune in to learn more about how Steve and Clear Current Capital are catalyzing sustainable change in the food system and how you can play a part in driving that mission forward.

“I was dismayed at the low-quality, unsafe, ugly products in the pet industry, particularly compared to [other consumer categories]. So, I set out on a mission to create a premium lifestyle brand for pets.” Kristi is excited to be talking to Zel Crampton, Founder and CEO of Diggs on this episode of The Irresistible Factor. Zel is an industry leader in the pet space and is best known for his award-winning Revol Dog Crate. Inspired by his love for dogs and dismayed by the poor quality, unsafe, and unappealing products available, Zel set out to create a premium lifestyle brand for pets focused on thoughtful design and innovation – think Yeti for pets! Diggs started with their famous dog crate, and have since built a lifestyle brand around it, now offering products like leashes, dog carriers, and crate training aids. In this episode, Zel shares his experience with Kickstarter and why he believes it's more of a market-testing tool than a fundraising tool. We also discuss the importance of focusing on the quality of your product, and the benefits of qualitative versus quantitative research. Tune in to receive some key insights and advice from the founder of one of the fastest-growing brands in the pet product industry.

“When you look at the underlying root causes of poor health, diet-related diseases make up over 75% of that. So why aren't we addressing the problem at the source: diet?” Kristi had a blast talking to Samantha Citro Alexander – Co-Founder of Bitewell on this episode of The Irresistible Factor. Samantha's mission is to revolutionize the way we think about food by providing access and information about healthy and nutritious food to as many people as possible. Bitewell provides companies and their employees a way to encourage healthier eating (and ultimately better health) through personalized eating plans and insurance subsidies for doing so. Through the Bitewell app employees can order food from a large selection of meals that benefit their individual health needs. Kristi and Samantha talk in depth about things like the benefits employers will reap by making their employees' health a priority. They also talk about the truly individualized process they've created, and most importantly how they had to change their business model in order to survive! Samantha has incredible energy and a positive attitude towards challenges and stresses she (and most entrepreneurs) encounter, the biggest of which was a complete shift in their original business model which started as a direct to consumer play. Samantha also gives excellent advice to founders about how not to be their own worst enemy and why it is critical to delegate the things you're best at (yes, you read that right).

“My goal is for [Pippy Sips] to become the status quo and that women expect something sleek, reliable, and safe for their breastmilk storage and cooling.” Kristi is pumped to be speaking to a friend of hers, Amberlee Venti on this episode of the Irresistible Factor. Amberlee is the Co-Founder and CEO of a FemTech brand that Kristi loves, Pippy Sips. Their mission is to create products that make pumping easier and more accessible to all breastfeeders. Their flagship product, “Maia” is an award-winning storing, cooling, and monitoring device for breastmilk. As a brand that just recently launched, Amberlee shares what her journey has looked like over the past five years to get to where she is today, and how the SKU accelerator program (which is where Amberlee and I met) supported her through the pre-launch phase. We also discuss Amberlee's experience as a female founder in FemTech, and she provides advice for navigating a male-dominated industry. If you're a female founder looking for some guidance, this one's for you!

Kristi is thrilled to speak to David Delcourt on today's episode of The Irresistible Factor. David's approach to entrepreneurship is to create everyday magic in people's lives. Through problem-solving, passion, and curiosity, David has founded various companies, the latest two of which he is currently running full time; Seed Ranch Flavor Co., a brand that carries delicious sauces and seasonings, and Grown As*, a vegan mac and cheese brand. Alongside the flavor magic of Seed Ranch hot sauce or a Grown As* mac and cheese, consumers have the added benefit of knowing that these products have both health and environmental benefits. Every product is 100% plant-based and made with real ingredients. Tune into this episode to hear David's challenges in scaling two brands simultaneously, the ways in which the brands overlap, and how they are turning their customers into their tribe. David also shares some valuable advice for entrepreneurs that is a first on this podcast, like how to attain emotional balance, and the importance of starting a Roth IRA. Don't miss out!

“Everyone is branding themselves proudly as a better-for-you brand and that confused us. We want to be a genuinely good-for-you brand.” On today's episode of The Irresistible Factor, Kristi is sitting down with passionate foodie and health and wellness entrepreneur, Austin Patry. Austin is the Co-Founder of Rollin' n' Bowlin' and Realsy. Austin, along with his business partner Sophia, found themselves rolling around TCU's campus serving açai bowls in a food truck, which inspired their business name: Rollin' n Bowlin'. Shortly after they got their first brick-and-mortar on TCU's campus, and now they currently have locations on eight college campuses. During COVID, when they weren't able to make any revenue from their on-campus locations, Austin took the opportunity to expand the business and started to launch in grocery stores, DTC, and even launched a whole new product, Realsy - packaged dates filled with nut butter. Listen in as Austin shares how he entered the CPG world and scaled his new business, Realsy, with the help of SKU. He also talks about how they found investors and raised capital to support their dream of providing people with healthy and nutrient-dense foods. This is an episode you won't want to miss!

“I had no expertise. Everything I know about [CPG], I learned in the past few years, but what I had was a desire to bring this community together so they would help each other. That was where it all started.” Kristi has a very special guest on today's episode of The Irresistible Factor, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of DFW CPG, Richard Riccardi. In this episode, Richard and Kristi speak about the importance of building a robust community of collaborators and champions. Richard is an early-stage food company board member, investor, and active mentor and connector in the Dallas and Austin CPG communities. Richard has a great passion for people, food, and businesses, and he invests capital and more importantly, his own resources into early-stage food and beverage companies. While most entrepreneurs focus on building a community of shoppers, Richard believes that a community of like-minded founders is equally important because he believes that no one succeeds alone. Join Kristi and Richard as they discuss how to develop meaningful relationships with mentors and advisory board members, and the ways that you can benefit from joining a local community like DFW CPG. This is an informative and highly valuable episode for CPG founders and anyone in the food and beverage industry, so be sure to tune in!

“We feel doing events helps drive the product to a broader audience, but also builds that lifestyle around the brand. We're building that persona of what it means to be a Popadelics consumer.” Marilyn Yang, the Co-Founder and CEO of Fun-Gal Snacks (the parent company of Popadelics) is doing things a little differently – on a mission to create not only a CPG brand, but also a lifestyle brand. On today's episode of The Irresistible Factor, Marilyn and Kristi talk about why she has decided to take an untraditional approach to starting Popadelics. Marilyn launched Popadelics in April of this year, alongside her life partner and business partner, Mike Casali. They were two mushroom lovers who desperately wanted to find a mushroom chip during the pandemic. Marilyn did not want to raise outside capital. She was determined to fund the company herself in order to retain full control over her vision. But she did need support, that's where Rodeo CPG (a favorit Irresistible Factor Guest) came in. Marilyn tells us how Rodeo, a start-up CPG consultancy was instrumental in bringing their flavors to life, and supporting them with R&D and supply chain manufacturing. Tune in for some unconventional advice you won't want to miss!

“We looked into what it would take for us to work with one of the incumbent wholesale traditional distributors that are dominating the space for Natural Foods distribution and CPG. It was just a nightmare ahead of us. There was no transparency, everybody we talked to said it was a necessary evil if we wanted to scale nationally, but they're going to squeeze you for every dollar that you're worth.” Kristi is thrilled to be joined by Larissa Russell, Co-Founder and CEO of Pod Foods, on this episode of The Irresistible Factor. Larissa and her Kickstarter cookie company were among hundreds of thousands of emerging brands that were trying to reach their consumers in retail, but had hit a major roadblock – it was obvious that the wholesale distribution system was not set up for brands like hers and many others. So instead of pursuing their original brand, Larissa and her Co-Founder set off to create something entirely different, a new model for distribution – Pod Foods. Pod Foods facilitates retail management for smaller brands by getting rid of the middle man and providing an online platform for the B2B marketplace, allowing small businesses to have more control over their distribution. You'll hear how Pod Foods manages a brand's position in the marketplace, helps with end-to-end logistics, and provides radical transparency to help brands make decisions while cultivating good relationships. Growing a CPG business is no easy feat but Pod Foods aims to make it easier, smoother, and maybe even more enjoyable!

“Of course, you have to fight for your right. Beastie Boys said that, right? You got to fight for your right every single day. I think the people who rest on their laurels, die, especially in consumer because it is so competitive. And if you found something that works, there's going to be 10 people after that the next year or 20 the year after that, and so on and so forth.” Joining Kristi today on The Irresistible Factor is Daina Trout – passionate nutritionist, Co-Founder and Chief Mission Officer of one of her favorite brands, Health-Ade Kombucha. When Diana met her husband, he was told he had to be on medicine for life due to extreme gut issues. Diana was able to heal him entirely with a daily fermented food. Daina quickly learned about the power of fermented foods, specifically, Kombucha. This is what inspired Daina to start Health-Ade alongside her husband and best friend, Vanessa. Their goal was to create the highest quality, best tasting, and most functional kombucha in the market. Today, even among 200 (most of them new) kombucha brands, Health-Ade remains at the top. Daina talks about how every single small decision she made about the brand was intentional (the name, the shape of the bottle, etc.) and has kept them relevant and desirable in a now extremely saturated market. Daina also emphasizes the importance of being aware of competition, but remaining authentic and true to your brand's values as a formula for success and keeping consumers engaged. Tune in for some valuable advice from a pioneer in the health and wellness world.

“We're seeing a massive increase in consumers' desires to seek out sustainable products when they're shopping — we're appealing to this new consumer that's not just seeking something that's good for them, but it's also good for the planet.” Joining Kristi today on The Irresistible Factor is the CEO and Co-founder of Riff, Paul Evers. Riff is a purpose driven brand of cold-brewed coffee and energy drinks with an incredible focus on sustainability. Paul talks about their new and exciting energy drink – Riff Energy Plus – the very first carbon-neutral energy drink in the country. Riff Energy Plus is brewed from cascara – the fruity pulp that surrounds the coffee bean that is turned into upcycled fruit juice concentrate. (yes, coffee is actually a fruit!) Paul and Kristi discuss the massive challenges of being a newcomer in the energy drink industry and the distribution challenges that come along with that. They also discuss their very unique approach to raising capital. Stick around to the end to hear some important business advice from Paul. “Nothing incredible comes to bear if it isn't working against conventional wisdom and broad assumptions.” When you're done listening, head over to letsriff.com and check out Riff Energy Plus! Paul is giving our listeners a generous 25% off your first order by using the code “irresistible” at checkout.

“...Our packaging has to be really on point and say exactly what we do and then the shortest amount of time possible, so we've worked really hard on that too. We've tried to make our packaging extremely clear, concise, and persuasive so that for that split second when you have a consumer up near the register and sees your product, they know exactly what it does. Kristi is delighted to be joined by the CEO of More Labs, Josh Groff, on Today's episode of The Irresistible Factor. More Labs is a dietary supplements company that makes small shot-sized drinks to elevate your daily performance. Josh talks all about their first and most popular Sku, Morning Recovery; a liver detox supplement that helps to neutralize the toxins in your body, keeping you feeling fresh the next day after drinking. Josh joined More Labs three and a half years ago and has brought tons of knowledge and experience to the table. Josh has been in the beverage business for 17 years working with both big and small brands, and has experience in everything from finance to marketing, to sales, and management. Josh and Kristi discuss More Labs' move to retail, and how they're growing by showcasing their products at events, concerts, resorts, and hotels. They also talk about the challenge of regulations around using the word “hangover” on their packaging, and how they were able to refine and tweak their messaging to be wildly clear and concise in order to get their message across.

“We want to keep things close to home, we want to have oversight over the franchise locations as if they were corporate locations. We're a small brand, we're growing fast. Each door that opens is a subset of our brand and we're going to treat it like it's our own.” Kristi is thrilled to be joined by Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Mighty Quinn's Barbecue, Micha Magid, on today's episode of The Irresistible Factor. Mighty Quinn's is an authentic barbecue restaurant that likes to keep things old school, while sourcing the best quality ingredients. Mighty Quinn's started as a corporate-owned brick-and-mortar brand in the East Village of New York City, and has since grown into a reputable franchise, and a category leader in fast casual barbeque. Micha speaks about how in just 6 years, Mighty Quinn's has expanded to be an international brand with national media presence and features in the Food Network and the New York Times. Kristi and Micha dive into the many elements of their business that led to their success, and why it is important to know who you are, play to your strengths, and “stay in your own lane”. They also talk about the CPG side of things, and how Micha and his team are leaning into this new exciting opportunity to get their barbeque sauces and rubs on the shelves of retailers.

“What we try to do is work with entrepreneurs to create a good ‘moment' of force to help them with these early stages of being an entrepreneur and a founder. [It's] not an easy journey and it's nice to have a partner to be able to go through it with them. That's what I aspire to do.” On today's episode of The Irresistible Factor, Kristi is excited to be joined by Clint Chao, Co-Founder of Moment Ventures; an early-stage technology venture capital firm based out of Palo Alto, California. Moment Ventures invests in companies and entrepreneurs who are building next-generation technology solutions to help with things like distribution, logistics and managing, and getting products on the shelves of a wide range of retailers. One of the innovative companies Moment Ventures has invested in is Pod Foods. Pod Foods uses software technology to help early-stage brands with the challenging process of distribution. They are now helping thousands of brands get on store shelves through cutting-edge software. Clint tells us about his vision to reimagine work across every industry (including food and CPG) through the use of technology, and some of the exciting transformations he hopes to see over the course of the next decade. This is an episode you won't want to miss!

Founded in 2005, NuFACE is the global leader in at-home microcurrent beauty devices and skincare products. With 17 years of driving expertise in microcurrent technology, the brand has seen consistent growth and in 2021 surpassed $150 million in retail sales. Yet they still have to keep reinventing themselves. In this episode of The Irresistible Factor, Kristi sits down with CEO Jessica Hanson and Co-Founder Tera Peterson to talk about the highs and lows of steering a female-led family business with such a deep history. They take a look at the brand's focus on education, innovation, and community and find out how Jessica and Tera are approaching some of the unique challenges that come with the territory in the emerging beauty tech space. Through category-defining products, proven results, endorsements from skincare professionals, and celebrity clientele, NuFACE has gained a growing base of loyal customers. If you want to know more about the value of partnership, user-driven innovation, and utilizing social media platforms to market and educate consumers, you won't want to miss this inspiring conversation with NuFACE executive powerhouses, Jessica Hanson and Tera Peterson. “We don't look outside. We only look at ourselves. Yes, we know what everybody else is doing, just because it's fascinating, [but we] don't base innovation off of what they're doing.”

Movements take time, especially when they're taking place in an industry as large and as broken as the U.S. healthcare system. Hint Health is focused on supporting the direct primary care movement. They're on a mission to help dismantle the insurance fee-for-service infrastructure and replace it with a model that provides as many people as possible with access to high-quality and affordable healthcare. Hint Health supports doctors that don't accept insurance through the technology and tools they need to be successful. In this episode of The Irresistible Factor, Zak shares with us his journey that led him to the healthcare industry and ultimately co-founding Hint Health. He speaks about the approach to entrepreneurship which has allowed his business to thrive, and what has kept him motivated to persevere despite the many hurdles that come with a goal as gigantic as changing our broken healthcare system. “Direct primary care is really like a Toyota. It's a fantastic value. It's solid. It's awesome. I think that's where, if you can get this for $50 a month, or $60 a month, or $70 a month, that's pretty affordable. Especially if you're saving more than that elsewhere, because you're now reorganizing the rest of the plan around this type of care model. To me, the scale comes from affordability and quality.”

Do you really know what's in your pet's food? On today's episode of The Irresistible Factor I am joined by Haley Russell, the Founder and CEO of Chippin Pet. Haley has set out to disrupt the pet food industry. She launched a brand of high quality pet nutrition that is powered by planet friendly protein (think insects, invasive species, and algae). She started with treats and is about to launch food. “When it comes to pet nutrition, I couldn't find something that was high quality, tasty, and better for the planet, so I decided to make it.” Haley's inherent entrepreneurial qualities combined with her high degree of consciousness around food led her to create this incredibly innovative brand. Chippin isn't just another pet food brand; it's a brand that is revolutionizing an industry in desperate need of disruption, while also benefiting the planet. Haley and I discuss how she determined what ingredients are the best sources of protein for our pets, how she educates pet owners, and how she's going about creating awareness. We also talk about the importance of testing your product and making sure it is exactly right before going all in.

“My goal is to really know how we can provide something that everyone can benefit from; from the insights, from the technology and services.” Kristi is excited to be joined by Sherry Zhang, Molecular Biologist and Founder of GenoPalate, on this week's episode of The Irresistible Factor. GenoPalate is a leading data-driven personalized nutrition platform that utilizes genetic and non-genetic information factors that are important to an individual's metabolic health. Sherry is paving the way to change the way people approach their own health, by spreading awareness of this new, individualistic approach to nutrition. “...Until several years back, there wasn't a way to link your own genetic code, your personalized nutritional needs, with your health through food. That's kind of the problem we're trying to solve.” Sherry and Kristi talk about why a one size fits all approach to solving an individual's health concerns doesn't work and why personalized nutrition is the way of the future. We also talk about how advanced science and technology differentiates them from other testing services.

“Don't ever start a food business that you're not insanely passionate about. Because [nothing is] going to justify the hours and the difficulty that you're going to go through starting a food business and building a food business if you're not super passionate about it.” Today's guest is incredibly passionate about health, sustainability, and delicious lobster! Ben Conniff is the Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Luke's Lobster, an incredible chain of lobster shacks and a grocery line dedicated to producing traceable, sustainable seafood. Twelve and a half years ago, Ben met his business partner, Luke, on Craigslist while looking for a restaurant job. Luke was working in finance, but had previously been a lobsterman and was passionate about starting a Maine-Style lobster shack in New York. Ben was immediately all in and they opened their first restaurant only 30 days later. Their goal for the business was simple: make amazing food, treat people well, and enjoy themselves. They did just that and more.. Ben believes it is the real story of Luke and his family's background in the lobster industry that created the high levels of trust and transparency among their consumers, and of course the delicious lobster, that led to their customers wanting more and more. Kristi and Ben dive into their rapid restaurant expansion and their decision to start a grocery line. We also talk about the importance of educating the consumer and why sustainability is critically important for any new business. “It is a situation where if you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem, particularly if you're in the food industry.”

“Doubt and fear creep in every single day and you have to block it out, you have to manage it, you have to tackle it because if you think you can, you really can. And if you think you can't, then you can't.” Kristi is thrilled to be sharing this inspiring podcast with Ashley Thompson, Co-Founder and CEO of Mush in this episode of The Irresistible Factor. Mush is a brand of plant-based ready to eat overnight oats that come in a variety of flavors like chocolate, coffee coconut (my favorite), peanut butter, and many more. Ashley went from working in finance in a beautiful office on Wall Street to literally pitching tents and selling overnight oats at farmers markets in Southern California. She is a strong believer in what you eat impacts how you feel, think, and do, and she wanted to tackle a major problem – our physical and mental health in the U.S. Ashley knew she wanted to create a brand that created accessible healthy food. Ashley is all about mindset. She never stopped to think about why it may not work, in fact, she thought there was no way this can't be done. And she was right, mush now has distribution in 11,000 doors with iconic retailers like Whole Foods and Costco. Ashley and Kristi discuss how the business has grown and changed, the challenges of scaling the company, and her approach to investments and boot-strapping. She also talks about the importance of growth and building a solid company before getting carried away with innovation, and the importance of using your resources wisely. “It's amazing that harnessing creativity in content and messaging is really powerful and using common sense when it comes to spending resources and marketing. Those are two of the biggest takeaways I've learned in the journey of trying to get the product off the shelf.”

If [you're] seeing something is not working, don't just cross your fingers and hope it is going to change. Get up, turn, keep going.” Kristi is so excited to be joined by Margaret Wishingrad, Co-Founder and CEO of Three Wishes – a better-for-you cereal brand. Margaret and her husband own an advertising agency in NYC which inspired her to create her own brand. Margaret saw a true need in the market for a healthier cereal option. There were 3 things (wishes) she wanted to change about cereal – high protein, low in sugar, and gluten and grain free. In today's episode of The Irresistible Factor, Margaret shares how she believes having a delicious product is the most important part of a successful brand. Margaret spent 2 years developing her product to make sure it was absolutely perfect before launching by getting lots of people involved in taste testing her product – in fact, during Covid, she actually did drive through taste tests from her driveway! “Good branding can only get you so far, but the product and what's inside is really the key.” Building a brand is never easy, but if you've identified a problem worth solving and you stick to your mission, it pays off. Margaret has some fascinating insights into the challenges of having a brand versus working on a brand and shares some of the lessons she's learned along the way. Margret shares tips on getting retailers invested in your product, successfully running an omnichannel business, and how to always be a few steps ahead! Most importantly, how to push through challenges, and never give up! “Never give up. Eventually, it pays off.”

“Numbers are the backbone of a company, whether you know it or not.” If you're starting a business, you know finances are more important now than ever before. That is why Kristi is so excited to share this interview with Vincent Biscaye of Step Two Advisors. Vincent started his career in investment banking as a commodity trader. He then took a leap of faith and became an entrepreneur, leading him to eventually start his own consulting firm – Step Two. Step Two offers affordable help to CPG start-ups in business planning, finances, investor relations, and fundraising. Vincent is also a Co-Founder of BeyondSKU New York – a northeast accelerator for CPG brands, where brands work with mentors who are experts in their field. Vincent and the BeyondSKU team are dedicated to helping start-ups thrive, as evidenced by having graduated 16 companies! In this episode, Kristi and Vincent talk about his transition from a finance life to that of an entrepreneur, and just how important having a solid financial plan is for a successful brand. They also talk about the power of mentorship and advice. “If founders can understand the word, not the word but the power to really calculate that runway, I think, and constantly re-evaluating their runway, if you're ahead of that, you're going to really put all the chances on your side.”