Unstoppable | A Conversation With Change Makers

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Hannah Cheng, Co-Founder and CEO of Mimi Cheng’s — the cult-favorite dumpling brand on a mission to bring family recipes to the world in a fresh, modern way. What began in 2014 as a small New York City dumpling shop, inspired by Hannah and her sister Marian’s mom’s recipes, has grown into a thriving brand with restaurants, ready-to-eat Taiwanese meals, and soon frozen dumplings launching nationwide at Whole Foods in Fall 2025.In our conversation, Hannah shares her journey from JP Morgan’s trading floor to running one of NYC’s most beloved dumpling spots, and how she balanced Wall Street with entrepreneurship during the early years. We dive into what has allowed Mimi Cheng’s to thrive for over a decade in a notoriously tough industry, why staying self-funded and self-operated has been key, and what it takes to expand from restaurants into CPG. Hannah also opens up about building a business with her sister, her favorite collaborations, the lessons she’s l

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Marguerite Adzick, Founder & CEO of Addison Bay — the women’s activewear brand blending polished style with high performance. A former Division I athlete, Marguerite launched Addison Bay in 2018 to solve a problem she knew firsthand: activewear that could keep up with the demands of real life, not just the gym.In our conversation, Marguerite shares how she built Addison Bay from idea to nationally recognized brand, how she found white space in one of the most crowded categories in retail, and the bold bets that helped her stand out. We also talk about navigating the challenges of launching while pregnant, landing features in Vogue, Forbes, and The Today Show, and her vision for making Addison Bay a household name.Whether you’re an activewear enthusiast, a brand builder, or a founder looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Now on The Kara Goldin Show. Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on Th

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Joe Nicchi, Founder and CEO of CVT Soft Serve — the Los Angeles–based brand that turned a classic chocolate-vanilla twist into a cultural phenomenon. What started with a single soft serve truck in 2014 has grown into a beloved brand with multiple trucks, retail locations, and packaged pints that bring the CVT experience to even more fans. Along the way, Joe made national headlines when he pushed back on influencer freebie culture with his now-viral “influencers pay double” policy, reinforcing the authenticity that has defined CVT from the beginning.In our conversation, Joe shares how he went from acting to entrepreneurship, what it’s really like to build a food business from a truck on the streets of LA, and the bold bets he’s made to grow CVT into an enduring brand. We talk about scaling beyond food trucks, the challenges of breaking into retail, and what it takes to carve out space in an ice cream market dominated by giants. Joe also opens up about th

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Tim Manschot, Founder and CEO of NOWATCH — the world’s first screenless wearable reimagining how we engage with technology. Instead of pulling you into endless notifications and distractions, NOWATCH blends cutting-edge biosensing with timeless, sustainable design to help you build resilience, recover faster, and live with more intention.In our conversation, Tim shares the personal health journey that pushed he and his co-founder to commit to building a company rooted in neuroscience, mindfulness, and meaning.We dive into what “compassionate technology” really means, how real-time stress prediction can change daily life, and the challenges of creating a whole new category in wellness wearables. From product design to consumer behavior to the future of intentional tech, this episode is filled with insights for founders, innovators, and anyone curious about how technology can support presence instead of distraction.Whether you’re a founder, a wellness adv

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Indie Lee, Founder of Indie Lee Skincare — the clean beauty brand built on resilience, transparency, and a mission to empower healthier living. Indie’s journey began in 2008, when she was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumor that doctors believed was environmentally derived. After surviving surgery, she turned her awakening into action, creating her own skincare formulas at home and eventually launching Indie Lee Skincare in 2010.In our conversation, Indie shares how she transformed her personal health crisis into a movement that helped shape the clean beauty industry, what it took to bring her kitchen-made formulas to market, and how the brand has evolved over the past 15 years. We talk about the challenges of pioneering clean beauty before it was mainstream, how she defines “clean” today, and the lessons she’s learned as a mission-driven founder balancing wellness, science, and growth. Indie also opens up about her most pivotal founder moment

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Sammy Kestenbaum, Co-Founder and CEO of PRETZELIZED — the snack brand pioneering a whole new category by combining pretzels with other classics to create two favorites in one. What started with the idea for a pretzel-meets-pita-chip hybrid has quickly grown into a national brand, now found in over 15,000 doors across the country with products like oven-baked Pretzel Crackers and twice-baked Pretzel Pita Chips.In our conversation, Sammy shares the inspiration behind PRETZELIZED, how he and his team carved out white space in the brutally competitive snack aisle, and what it takes to convince retailers to back a brand-new snack format. We talk about scaling fast, standing out against industry giants, and the bold bets he’s making to grow PRETZELIZED into a household name. Sammy also opens up about the challenges of launching something new, the lessons he’s learned from building other iconic snack brands, and his vision for the future of snacking.Whether yo

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Mark Brooks, Co-Founder and CEO of Brainiac — the science-driven snack brand on a mission to close the brain nutrition gap and give families better options that fuel brilliance. With most Americans consuming less than 20% of the Omega-3s and choline needed for optimal brain health, Mark and his team are changing that with kid-favorite snacks powered by the BrainPack®, their proprietary blend designed to support memory, mood, focus, and adaptability.In our conversation, Mark shares the inspiration behind launching Brainiac, the personal journey he and his Co-Founder Jonathan Wolfson went through as dads that sparked the idea, and how they built the brand alongside pediatricians, neuroscientists, and nutritionists. We dive into the science of brain nutrition, the challenges of educating parents in a crowded food space, and what it takes to grow a mission-driven brand into national distribution at Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, and beyond. He also gives us

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Mike Adair, Founder of Red’s — the premium frozen food brand on a mission to reinvent the frozen aisle with clean, convenient, and crave-worthy options. What began with a simple idea and a nod to his beloved dog Red has grown into the largest premium frozen burrito and breakfast sandwich brand in the country. Red’s is now a staple in grocery stores nationwide, delivering real food made with fresh-baked tortillas, non-GMO ingredients, antibiotic-free meats, and cage-free eggs.In our conversation, Mike shares how Red’s went from a small startup to a national category leader, the bold bets he made on clean ingredients before it was trendy, and why bringing manufacturing in-house was a game-changing move. We explore the realities of competing with legacy giants in the freezer aisle, how frozen food can actually drive sustainability by reducing food waste, and what it takes to balance rapid growth with relentless quality. Mike also opens up about the toughes

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Debbie Mullin, Founder & CEO of Copper Cow Coffee — the premium Vietnamese coffee brand on a mission to modernize and elevate the traditional Vietnamese coffee experience for U.S. consumers. What began as an idea to merge her Vietnamese heritage with a commitment to ethical sourcing and innovative design has grown into the leading Vietnamese coffee brand in America. Copper Cow is now a national favorite, found in over 3,000 retail doors including Target, Whole Foods, Costco, and H-E-B, and beloved for its signature single-serve pour overs, bold flavors, and all-natural creamers.In our conversation, Debbie shares how she built Copper Cow from the ground up, the challenges of educating U.S. consumers about Vietnamese coffee, and how she positioned the brand to stand out in a crowded coffee market. We talk about her bold bets on design, direct farmer partnerships in Vietnam, and why she believes Vietnamese coffee is poised to take off globally. Debbie

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Xeba Zareie, Founder of Preme — the gut health brand making daily digestion support simple, science-backed, and actually doable for even the most sensitive stomachs. What started in her Dallas kitchen has become a line of low-FODMAP prebiotic powders and drink mixes, co-developed with a functional medicine doctor, that are redefining what gut care looks like.Before launching Preme, Xeba spent years battling chronic gut issues with little relief from conventional medicine. After discovering functional medicine and the power of a low-FODMAP diet, she set out to create products that not only worked for her but could help countless others struggling in silence. Today, Preme stands out for its transparency, third-party testing, and clean sourcing — offering the only FODMAP-friendly prebiotic beverage on the market. Xeba opens up about the highs and lows of starting a wellness CPG brand, why she chose to focus on prebiotics over probiotics, and the lessons she’

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by FX Rouxel, Founder and CEO of Gardyn — the smart indoor gardening brand reimagining how we grow and eat food at home. Gardyn empowers anyone to grow fresh, nutrient-rich produce year-round with no green thumb required. Using patented Hybriponics® technology, AI-powered plant care, and optimized LED lighting, Gardyn delivers 8–10 pounds of produce monthly — enough to feed a family of four — all from just 2 square feet of space.Before launching Gardyn, FX was training for an Ironman when he noticed his energy plateauing despite following a healthy diet. He realized that much of the “fresh” produce he ate had lost nutritional value during long transit times. Drawing on his background in clean energy, automation, and AI, he created Gardyn as a more sustainable, nutrient-dense, and convenient alternative to the modern food system. Since then, Gardyn has been named one of TIME’s Best Inventions, recognized as one of TIME’s Top Greentech Companies, and honored b

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Van Hong, Co-Founder of Mint Tools — the professional hair tool brand designing high-performance, ergonomic styling tools built with stylists in mind. Mint was founded by two best friends who combined over 40 years of beauty industry experience and electrical engineering expertise to solve a major gap in the market: salon tools weren’t designed for the people actually using them. Today, Mint’s line of curling irons, blow dryers, and brushes deliver salon-quality results with comfort, safety, and durability at the forefront.Before launching Mint, Van spent years as a stylist himself, constantly frustrated with tools that were heavy, clunky, and unreliable. Pairing that experience with his co-founder’s technical background, the two reimagined what professional styling tools could be. From salon demos to consumer feedback, Mint has built a reputation for innovation, transparency, and products that last. Van opens up about the process of testing new tools in

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Samantha Gold, Founder and CEO of Motette—the fast-growing children’s clothing brand redefining modern parenting with stylish, ultra-soft bamboo essentials and built-in sun protection. In less than a year, Motette has scaled 300% month-over-month, landed in more than 35 U.S. boutiques without a showroom, and earned features in Forbes, Fox News, and countless “editor favorite” roundups.Before launching Motette, Samantha served as CEO of Elizabeth James the Label, where she grew the women’s clothing brand into an eight-figure business. Today, she’s bringing that same scrappy, strategic mindset to Motette—building with lean systems, intentional growth, and a focus on redefining what’s possible in children’s fashion. She opens up about the hidden costs of scaling, how she decides what not to do, and the mindset shifts that keep her moving forward as a founder.Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or someone curious about what it really takes to build a fast

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Luna Aziz, Founder and CEO of Legendairy Milk—a wellness brand born from her own journey through the unfiltered realities of new motherhood. After struggling with low milk supply and reacting badly to fenugreek, Luna turned to research and cultural traditions to create effective, fenugreek-free lactation support blends. Starting in her backyard, she crafted what she couldn’t find on store shelves—and in doing so, sparked a movement that now supports women through every hormonal chapter of life, from trying to conceive to postpartum, perimenopause, and beyond.In our conversation, Luna shares the deeply personal story behind Legendairy Milk and how she transformed a personal struggle into a thriving, mission-driven business. We talk about the power of community, the role of science and ancient wisdom in her formulations, and how she’s rewriting the conversation around women’s health. She opens up about scaling a brand in a crowded supplement market, buildin

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Cara Dumaplin, Founder of Taking Cara Babies—a trusted education company dedicated to helping parents navigate the challenges of infant and toddler sleep. A neonatal nurse, certified pediatric sleep consultant, and mom of four, Cara has built a global community of millions through her research-backed, compassionate approach that empowers families to thrive. Her courses, resources, and now physical products, like her newly launched swaddles, offer practical tools that nurture both babies and parents.In our conversation, Cara shares her journey from years in the NICU to creating one of the most respected brands in the parenting space. We talk about the inspiration behind Taking Cara Babies, the evolution from education to product development, and the strategies she’s used to scale a mission-driven brand while staying authentic to her values. Cara opens up about the challenges and joys of entrepreneurship, how she balances building a business while raising f

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Steve Magami, Co-Founder and CEO of Fruitist—the fast-growing fruit brand shaking up the grocery aisle and redefining what it means to snack healthy. What started as a bold idea to treat fruit like a branded CPG product has become a billion-dollar global company, with $400M in revenue over the last year and distribution in more than 12,500 stores across the U.S.Steve shares the gritty details of what it really took to scale Fruitist—from controlling the entire supply chain to solving for flavor consistency in fresh fruit. We talk about why most people underestimate the power of brand in commoditized categories, how he built trust in an industry that historically lacked it, and why Fruitist isn’t just a fruit company—it’s a systems company.If you’re curious how to build a breakout brand in an overlooked space, or what it takes to scale a values-driven business with real operational complexity, this conversation is full of takeaways. Now on The Kara Goldi

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Lara Henderson, Founder and CEO of PURE MAMA — a naturally luxurious skincare brand redefining body care for pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. Inspired by her own search for high-quality, pregnancy-safe products during her first pregnancy, Lara saw a clear gap in the market and set out to create something better. After more than two years of research and development, PURE MAMA launched in 2021 and quickly became the leading premium pregnancy skincare brand in New Zealand and Australia — selling out within months, growing over 1600% in its first year, and making history as the first of its kind to be stocked by prestige beauty giant MECCA.In our conversation, Lara shares the story behind PURE MAMA’s rapid rise, including how she scaled the brand internationally with launches in Erewhon, Nordstrom, Revolve, and Goop. We talk about the lessons she’s learned about product development, brand building, and retail partnerships — as well as the challenges of bal

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Lilly Ghalichi, CEO and Founder of Lilly Lashes—an incredible company focused on all things lashes, from pioneering 3D lash designs to creating luxurious styles that flatter every eye shape and occasion. Since launching in 2013, Lilly Lashes has become a global beauty powerhouse with a celebrity following and a reputation for inclusivity, innovation, and quality.In our conversation, Lilly shares her journey from practicing law to launching a category-defining beauty brand, the inspiration behind creating the 3D lash concept, and how she built a loyal fanbase in an ultra-competitive market. We talk about the challenges of scaling a luxury product, the role social media has played in her brand’s growth, and the lessons she’s learned from launching multiple companies in the beauty space. She opens up about balancing business with motherhood, the importance of staying authentic, and what it takes to keep innovating when you’re already at the top of your categ

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Stephen Williamson, Co-Founder and CEO of Forager Project—the family-owned, organic, dairy-free creamery crafting premium yogurts, milks, and creamers from cashews and coconuts. Founded in 2013 with his stepson, JC Hanley, Forager Project was born from a bold mission: to flip the dairy model so plants make up 85% of global consumption instead of just 15%.Before launching Forager Project, Stephen served as Chairman and CEO of Odwalla, helping grow the brand into a $400 million fresh juice leader before its acquisition by Coca-Cola. Guided by a deep commitment to organic ingredients, sustainability, and his “soil to soul” philosophy, Stephen is reshaping what dairy can mean for people and the planet.In our conversation, Stephen shares how his experiences at Odwalla influenced Forager’s creation, why he bet early on building his own manufacturing plant, and the strategies that helped scale the brand to over 10,000 stores nationwide. We also dive into the cha

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Linda Wang, Founder and CEO of Karuna Skin and Avatara—two purpose-driven skincare brands inspired by her personal journey and cultural heritage. Karuna pioneered Asian-style sheet masks in the U.S., bringing effective, ingredient-led treatments to a market that had never seen anything like it. With Avatara, Linda created a clean, dermatologist-tested skincare brand designed for tweens, teens, and beyond—offering safe, fun, and affordable products now found at Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods nationwide.In our conversation, Linda shares her journey from retail buying for major fashion brands to becoming a beauty industry innovator. We talk about the inspiration behind both Karuna and Avatara, how she identified untapped opportunities in the skincare market, and the strategies that helped her brands stand out in competitive categories. She opens up about the challenges of scaling in mass retail, the importance of consumer education, and how she balances in