The Story of a Brand Show

"Our products are made to such a high standard they kind of speak volumes on their own." - David Hartigan, CEO & Founder In this episode, I sit down with David Hartigan, Founder and CEO of Hemp Heros, to talk about the real story behind his mission-driven CBD and functional mushroom company. From managing MMA fighters to becoming one of the few B Corp-certified hemp brands, David shares how a single moment of belief changed his life and how he's paying it forward through his business. ?? Key Moments in This Episode: ?? The surprising story of how an MMA sponsorship sparked a business idea ?? Why cold-pressed hemp is the game-changer in CBD products ?? How pets became their biggest product category and why they’re focusing on it in the U.S. ?? From B Corp to seed-to-shelf: how Hemp Heros stands out in a crowded market ???? The bold move to manufacture in the U.S. and launch with purpose-built packaging ???? Podcast Episode Link in Comments!???? If you enjoy our founder and brand features, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review. Don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify. Your support helps us bring you more content like this! This episode is brought to you by Compass Rose Ventures and SARAL - The Influencer OS! #founders #founderstories #brands #entrepreneurship #cbd #hemp #bcorp

"Alcohol is the only drug on the planet where people think that if you don't use it, you have a problem." - Mike Pilkington, Founder KEY Sparkling Water This clip is from my interview with Mike Pilkington, CEO and C-founder of KEY Sparkling Water, where we discuss how they are challenging the status quo with real ingredients, crafted carbonation, and a bold new approach to branding. Mike shares insights on building a brand that stands out in a crowded market, the shifting culture around alcohol, and why knowing your core consumer is key to long-term success. ???? Podcast Episode Link in Comments!???? If you enjoy our founder and brand features, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review. Don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify. Your support helps us bring you more content like this! This episode is brought to you by Compass Rose Ventures and SARAL - The Influencer OS! #founders #founderstories #brands #entrepreneurship

"We use 100 percent real butter, no seed oil, no palm oil, no artificial anything. Just real fun flavors. So that's where we stand as a brand today." - Taylor Walker, Co-founder In this episode, I sit down with Taylor Walker, COO and Co-founder of Spritzal Cookie Company , to talk about how a family recipe evolved into a brand that’s winning over retailers, shoppers, and sweet tooths alike. Taylor shares the 10-year journey of building Spritzal, from hand-pressing cookies in a home kitchen to scaling manufacturing and launching with major retailers. Key Moments in This Episode: ?? How a family recipe turned into a national cookie brand ?? The big pivot: from clamshell packaging to resealable bags ?? Getting into retail: what buyers really want ?? Bootstrapping, burnout, and the decision not to quit ?? Why clean ingredients and smart branding win shelf space ???? Podcast Episode Link in Comments!???? If you enjoy our founder and brand features, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review. Don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify. Your support helps us bring you more content like this! This episode is brought to you by Compass Rose Ventures and SARAL - The Influencer OS! #founders #founderstories #brands #entrepreneurship

"We wanted to create something delicious that makes you feel better the next day and create a net positive health benefit." In this episode, I sit down with Oliver Spring and Sophia Racciatti, Co-Founders of OOSO Sparkling Tea, to discuss their journey of creating a sparkling tea inspired by natural wine. From late-night kitchen experiments to landing on retail shelves, they share how they built a brand that brings complexity, sophistication, and design-forward thinking to the non-alcoholic space. Key Moments in This Episode: ? The Spark Behind Ooso – How a personal lifestyle shift led to a brand idea. ? From Idea to Market – The year-long journey of formulation and brand building. ? Retail Strategy & Challenges – What it takes to get on store shelves. ? Why Packaging Matters – The role of branding in consumer adoption. ? The Future of Non-Alcoholic Beverages – Trends shaping the category. ???? Podcast Episode Link in Comments!???? If you enjoy our founder and brand features, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review. Don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify. Your support helps us bring you more content like this! This episode is brought to you by Compass Rose Ventures and Augmentum Media! #founders #founderstories #brands #entrepreneurship

Packaging can make or break a CPG brand. And sometimes, the smallest tweaks lead to the biggest wins. When Rosa Li, Founder & CEO of wildwonder, switched from glass bottles to cans, it was a game-changer ?? "This opened up a whole new channel for us. Once we transitioned to cans, we were able to grow our e-comm business." So, why did this shift make such a big difference? ?? More approachable – Cans feel more casual and convenient, while glass bottles can feel too formal or delicate. ?? Higher purchase frequency – Consumers may hesitate to drink multiple glass bottles, but cans? Easy to grab, easy to stock, easy to drink. ?? Retail advantage – A distinct can shape and format helped the brand stand out in a crowded category. Packaging isn’t just about looks—it’s a growth lever that influences sales, distribution, and consumer behavior. The right tweak can open new sales channels, increase velocity, and reshape your entire retail strategy. Have you ever picked up a product just because the packaging caught your eye? Tag a brand that’s getting it right in the comments! ?? #CPG #BrandStrategy #ConsumerTrends #PackagingDesign #Ecommerce #RetailGrowth #DTC #Marketing #ScalingBrands ??: wildwonder

There's only one website worth scrolling...Every episode is a MASTERCLASS in ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND BRAND BUILDING, and every episode is a new product to discover! Thank you to all our guests for trusting us to share your story. Visit: www The Story of a Brand dot com Link in comments!

"At-home testing gives people the power to take control of their health without unnecessary hurdles or judgment." - Jamie Norwood In this episode, I sit down with Jamie Norwood, Co-founder of Winx Health (formerly known as Stix), to discuss how her brand is challenging outdated norms, improving access to essential products, and leading the charge in reproductive and vaginal health. From over-the-counter emergency contraception to at-home testing, Winx Health is redefining how women take control of their well-being. Jamie shares the challenges of breaking into retail, the impact of misinformation on women’s health, and why proactive education is just as important as the products themselves. Key Moments in This Episode: ? Why Women’s Health Needs More Transparency – Breaking down stigmas and outdated norms. ? The Road to Retail – What it takes to get women’s health products on store shelves. ? Myth-Busting & Misinformation – How confusion prevents women from getting the care they need. ? At-Home Testing – The future of accessible, judgment-free healthcare. ? Building a Mission-Driven Brand – Lessons in advocacy, resilience, and business growth. ???? Podcast Episode Link in Comments!???? If you enjoy our founder and brand features, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review. Don’t forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify. Your support helps us bring you more content like this! This episode is brought to you by Compass Rose Ventures and SARAL - The Influencer OS! #founders #founderstories #brands #entrepreneurship #reproductivecare

Breaking Down a Viral Moment: Marketing Genius Is Industry Agnostic ?? In CPG, we talk a lot about seizing the moment—but this lesson goes beyond our industry. When Taylor Swift was spotted wearing a custom bracelet from Wove, it wasn’t just a lucky break. It was a masterclass in strategic marketing execution that any brand—CPG or otherwise—can learn from. "We had a 10-day window to get that bracelet to Chiefs Stadium, then hopefully to Travis Kelce, in time for him to give it to Taylor Swift for Christmas. And so we did the work. My team rallied." – Simone Kendle, CEO of Wove. This wasn’t just about getting a product into the right hands. It was a step-by-step playbook in brand positioning, influencer marketing, and retail execution. Here’s what that preparation looked like: ? Hyper-fast product development – Anticipating the moment and ensuring the product was ready to meet it. ? Influencer & PR outreach – Strategically placing the story in the right hands before the buzz even started. ? Social media readiness – Prepping assets, messaging, and engagement strategies to amplify the moment in real-time. ? Retail & site optimization – When the attention hit, they weren’t scrambling. Their site and fulfillment were primed to convert. This industry-agnostic marketing case study reinforces a fundamental truth: The brands that win aren’t just lucky. They’re ready ?? What’s a brand you’ve seen successfully capitalize on a viral moment? Tag them below! ?? #Marketing #BrandGrowth #GoingViral #CPGMarketing #Leadership #Ecommerce #StartupGrowth #MarketingStrategy #InfluencerMarketing #CPG #TaylorSwift ?? credit: Wove

?? What happens when two creative minds obsessed with brand storytelling decide to launch a CPG brand? You get VitaWild Hydration, a daily hydration and immunity powerhouse that’s changing the game. I sat down with Jacques Spitzer and James Schrader, the co-founders of VitaWild Hydration, to dive into: ? How a casual conversation turned into a business idea that solves a major gap in hydration ? The surprising truth about what’s inside your favorite electrolyte drinks ?? ? Why taste, transparency, and trust are at the heart of everything they do This episode is packed with insights for founders, marketers, and brand-builders alike. Stay tuned. It's dropping soon! ????? In the meantime, visit vitawild dot co #VitaWild #CPG #Entrepreneurship #BrandBuilding #Hydration

One of the toughest conversations I’ve had with a founder? Telling them their brand wasn’t differentiated enough to win. This founder had passion, years of product R&D, and a deep belief in their mission. But when I asked: ?? “Why would a consumer choose you over the competition?” …there wasn’t a clear answer. That was a hard moment—but also an opportunity. We dug into the market, analyzed the competition, and gathered consumer insights. Where were they blending in? What actually drove purchase decisions? What was missing in the category? At first, it was a tough reality check. But after refining their value proposition, sharpening their messaging, and adjusting their product offering… everything changed. Sometimes, the hardest truths to share are the most valuable for growth. What’s the most unexpected or unconventional way you’ve seen a brand stand out? Tag them below—let’s discuss! #CPG #BrandStrategy #Differentiation #RetailGrowth #ConsumerInsights #GrowthMindset