Unstoppable | A Conversation With Change Makers

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Vincent Branchesi, Co-Founder of Grimoire—a modern skincare brand blending biotech innovation with inclusive, design-forward products. With a background in brand strategy and experience design, Vincent has taken all he learned from corporate and startup worlds to build something entirely different.Grimoire isn’t your typical personal care brand. It’s built for real life—focused on performance, clarity, and what your skin actually needs after long days, late nights, and real-world stressors. Vincent shares the behind-the-scenes of launching the brand, why he believes modern skincare needed a serious reset, and how Grimoire is delivering both efficacy and soul.We talk product development, storytelling, leadership, and what it takes to cut through in a crowded market while staying true to your vision. If you're building a brand, rethinking what self-care looks like, or just love a story about doing things differently—this one’s for you. Now live on The Kara

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Danny O’Malley, Founder and President of Before the Butcher—the plant-based meat company that’s changing how America eats. After a successful career in the food industry, including a senior role at Beyond Meat, Danny launched Before the Butcher in 2017 with a bold vision: to make plant-based meat more diverse, more accessible, and just as craveable as the real thing.Since then, Before the Butcher has introduced one of the largest portfolios of plant-based meat alternatives in the industry, spanning everything from burgers and sausage to pulled pork and chicken. Danny has also led the charge on affordability with Mainstream by Before the Butcher, the first plant-based meat priced competitively with traditional meat—breaking new ground in the industry.In our conversation, Danny shares his founder journey, the big lessons from scaling in a fast-growing but often misunderstood category, and how he's built a brand rooted in trust, transparency, and innovation.

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Jordan Nathan, Founder and CEO of Caraway—the design-forward, non-toxic home goods brand that has redefined modern cookware. What started in 2019 with a waitlist of over 150,000 has quickly scaled into one of the fastest-growing home brands of the last decade. From bakeware to tea kettles, Caraway is leading the charge in cleaner, safer kitchen essentials—with serious style.In our conversation, Jordan shares how a personal experience with Teflon toxicity inspired the brand, how Caraway built massive consumer trust from day one, and what it takes to scale a mission-driven product in a competitive market. We also discuss the evolution from DTC to omnichannel, the role of social media in brand storytelling, and why he’s thinking far beyond the kitchen when it comes to what’s next.If you’re curious about brand-building, the future of home goods, or how to turn pain into purpose—this episode is packed with insight. Now live on The Kara Goldin Show. Are you int

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Lorissa Link, Founder of LK™ snacks—the first and only meat snack brand free from the Top 9 allergens, making high-protein, delicious snacks that everyone can safely enjoy.Inspired by her son’s severe food allergies, Lorissa set out to create an allergen-free meat snack brand that didn’t compromise on taste or quality. What started as a deeply personal mission has grown into a brand reshaping the meat snack category, delivering products free from added sugar, gluten, preservatives, and unwanted additives.In our conversation, Lorissa shares how she turned a personal challenge into a purpose-driven business, the unglamorous work it took to launch, and what it means to stay values-driven while scaling in a competitive industry. We also dive into how she educates consumers in a legacy category, what she’s learned about building trust, and how she balances taste with clean ingredients in product development.Whether you’re a founder, a brand builder, or someo

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Martha Barra, Owner of Barra of Mendocino and Redwood Valley Cellars—a pioneer in organic winemaking with a story that spans decades of grit, growth, and unwavering values. Alongside her late husband, Charlie Barra, Martha helped turn a single vineyard into a thriving, vertically integrated wine business with more than 350 acres of certified organic grapes, two acclaimed wine brands (BARRA of Mendocino and Girasole Vineyards), and a 2.8 million gallon custom crush facility serving wineries across Northern California.In our conversation, Martha shares what it’s really taken to lead in a legacy industry, the early decision to farm organically before it was popular—or even profitable—and how she’s weathered market shifts, changing consumer expectations, and personal loss to keep the business thriving. We dive into the value of patience, the hard truths about the organic wine market, and how Martha continues to innovate while staying rooted in tradition. If

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Michael Jacobson, CEO of French Florist—the Los Angeles-based floral brand that has transformed from a single struggling shop into a $9.5M+ powerhouse poised for national franchise expansion. Michael is on a mission to disrupt the floral industry with a blend of creativity, operational excellence, and a commitment to customer experience.In our conversation, Michael shares what it took to transform French Florist, from the unsexy but critical work behind the scenes to building a brand that puts feelings and customer experience first. We dive into the systems and mindset shifts needed to scale a family business, the power of storytelling in a traditional industry, and why focusing on values before revenue has driven French Florist’s success.Whether you’re a founder looking to reinvent a legacy business, a brand builder wanting to understand operational excellence with heart, or someone who loves hearing about bold transformations—this episode is packed wi

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Daryl-Ann Denner, Co-Founder and Creative Director of nuuds—the elevated basics brand redefining what comfort and confidence look like. From high school chemistry teacher to influencer to nine-figure founder, Daryl-Ann’s story is a masterclass in listening to your audience, trusting your gut, and building something that truly fits.We dive into her journey from fashion blogger to CEO, how she built a loyal community of over two million followers, and why she created nuuds to offer high-quality, flattering staples for real bodies—not fit models. Daryl-Ann shares what it was like launching a brand as a mom of three, the product development lessons she learned the hard way, and what it takes to scale a business with heart and intention.Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a creator looking to launch a brand, or someone curious about what it really takes to build trust and community at scale—this conversation is packed with insights you don’t want to miss.Now liv

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Sameer Mehta, Co-Founder and CEO of Smash Kitchen—the bold, better-for-you pantry brand on a mission to clean up the condiment aisle. Alongside his co-founders, Sameer is bringing flavor, fun, and function to everyday staples with organic, non-GMO ingredients and serious brand attitude.In our conversation, Sameer shares how his experience helping launch Casper and co-founding the pet brand Jinx shaped his journey into food. We dive into how this unlikely trio came together, why they chose condiments as their entry point, and what it takes to build a brand that disrupts legacy categories while staying mission-aligned. From storytelling and design to authenticity and clean ingredients, Sameer offers a behind-the-scenes look at building a brand that’s as craveable as it is purpose-driven.Whether you’re a food lover, a brand builder, or someone curious about reimagining everyday essentials—this episode is packed with flavor and insight. Now on The Kara Gold

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Tapasya Bali, Founder and CEO of 100 Cal Snacks—a functional food brand redefining what it means to snack with purpose. After a successful career on Wall Street and a personal health crisis fueled by stress and burnout, Tapasya made a powerful pivot. She created 100 Cal Snacks to offer portion-controlled, gut-friendly products designed to support the gut-brain connection and promote real, lasting wellness.With a background in wellness entrepreneurship and a passion for helping others heal through food, Tapasya shares the story behind the brand, how she’s combining adaptogens with real ingredients, and what makes her approach different from so many “better-for-you” snacks on the shelf. We dive into how she’s building with both science and soul, and why 100 Cal Snacks is about more than just calories—it’s about empowerment.If you’re interested in functional food, purpose-driven entrepreneurship, or transforming a personal challenge into a greater mission,

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Maria Weaver, Founder and CEO of XO Maria Louise—a bold new jewelry brand rooted in the power of reinvention, intention, and individuality. After an impressive 30-year career leading media, entertainment, and tech giants including HBO, Showtime, and Warner Music Experience—where she doubled revenue during her tenure as Global President—Maria made the courageous leap into entrepreneurship.In our conversation, Maria shares why she walked away from the corporate world at the height of her career to build something deeply personal. We explore the philosophy behind XO Maria Louise, how she turned life’s pivots into fuel, and why she believes starting over is a superpower. Maria also discusses the mindset shifts that guided her transition, the importance of legacy and community, and how her brand is creating space for women to express themselves unapologetically.If you’re navigating a transition, building a values-led brand, or simply love stories of bold rei

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Kegan Fisher, Co-Founder and CEO of Frank Darling—the fine jewelry brand reimagining the engagement ring experience with modern design, ethical sourcing, and custom craftsmanship. What began in a Brooklyn apartment in 2017 has grown into a nationally recognized brand with showrooms across New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, and Washington, D.C.—and even more to come.In our conversation, Kegan shares how her background in industrial design and advanced manufacturing helped shape Frank Darling’s signature customer-first experience. From digital ring quizzes and try-at-home kits to one-on-one design consultations and local artisan craftsmanship, Frank Darling makes designing your dream ring seamless, personal, and transparent. We also dive into how the brand is expanding into other fine jewelry categories, why ethical sourcing and local production matter more than ever, and what it takes to innovate in a legacy-driven industry.If you’re into entr

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Heather Terry, Founder and CEO of GoodSAM Foods—the farmer-first snack brand flipping the traditional CPG playbook on its head. With a just-closed $9 million Series A, raised primarily from Latin American investors who understand regenerative agriculture, Heather is proving that it’s possible to scale a values-driven business without compromising your mission.In our conversation, Heather shares the lessons she learned the hard way about taking misaligned money—and why she’d rather go out of business than do it again. We dive into how she brought investors to the farms to meet smallholder growers face-to-face, why most food investors are missing the point, and how GoodSAM is creating a new model that’s good for people, good for farmers, and good for the planet. From fundraising and transparency to supply chain transformation and climate action, Heather offers a powerful look at what it takes to build a regenerative brand that lasts.Whether you’re a found

On today’s episode, Kara welcomes Michael Fedele, Founder and CEO of Throne SPORT COFFEE, a bold new player redefining the future of functional coffee. After helping take BODYARMOR from a $1M brand to over $1B in retail sales, Michael is back to disrupt another category—this time, merging performance, recovery, and caffeine in a way that’s never been done before.Michael shares the story behind Throne SPORT COFFEE, how he teamed up with superstar Patrick Mahomes, and what it takes to build trust, scale a brand, and win shelf space in today’s crowded beverage landscape. From lessons learned at BODYARMOR to the rise of better-for-you drinks and building around athlete authenticity, this episode is packed with takeaways for entrepreneurs, brand builders, and anyone chasing big, bold ideas.Don’t miss it! Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, which is now in the Top 1% of Entrepreneur podcasts in the world? Let me know by contacting me at karagoldin@gmail.com. You can also find m

Hi everyone, and welcome back to The Kara Goldin Show! Today’s guest is someone who literally wrote the book on how one tiny-ass button changed the whole damn world. I’m joined by Martin Reeves, Chairman of the BCG Henderson Institute and co-author of LIKE: The Button That Changed the World.You’ve tapped it. You’ve chased it. You’ve felt the dopamine hit. But what’s the real story behind the “like” button? In this episode, Martin and I dive deep into the origins of the iconic thumbs-up, how it became the foundation of today’s attention economy, and the unexpected ripple effects it’s had on business, mental health, and even artificial intelligence. We talk about how this seemingly simple feature changed the way we measure validation, shaped entire industries, and taught us what not to overlook when launching innovation in a tech-saturated world.If you’re curious about the intersection of psychology, business, and technology—and how small signals can drive massive behavior—you won’t want to miss this one. Now o

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Cynthia Sakai, Founder and CEO of evolvetogether—the personal care brand making waves for its beautifully designed, clean, and high-performing daily essentials. With a mission to create products that connect people, community, and the planet, evolvetogether is proving that luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand.In our conversation, Cynthia shares her journey as a serial entrepreneur and how she’s redefining what it means to scale a brand with purpose. We dive into the early days of product development, the non-negotiables behind her clean and sustainable formulas, and the strategy behind evolvetogether’s rapid growth in both DTC and retail. She opens up about staying authentic in a category crowded with greenwashing, how she approaches storytelling that cuts through the noise, and what it takes to build real trust with consumers.Whether you’re a brand builder, product founder, or someone who appreciates intentional design and high-impact entreprene

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Allyse Cirillo, Founder and CEO of Saint Jō Skincare—a brand rewriting the rules of clean beauty. After over a decade in corporate product development, Allyse saw the gaps firsthand: too many brands using questionable ingredients or overpromising with underwhelming formulas. She knew there had to be a better way.So she built it.

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Jiajia Sollers, Founder and CEO of Matter of Monday—a modern skincare line built for real life. Jiajia’s journey is anything but traditional: from CFO of a billion-dollar hedge fund to first-time beauty founder, she’s bringing a totally fresh lens to skincare.Her “why”? Stress, fatigue, and blue light were wreaking havoc on her skin—and she knew she wasn’t alone. So she built a brand with high-performance, portable products for high-performance people.We talk about what it really takes to pivot careers, create a standout product in a crowded space, and launch with intentionality in an industry where buzzwords often outpace impact. Jiajia also shares how her upbringing in China and her time on Wall Street gave her a unique advantage as a founder.If you’re into skincare, entrepreneurship, or stories about betting on yourself—this one’s for you. Now live on The Kara Goldin Show. Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, whic

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Jeff Shardell, Founder and CEO of Humble Brands—the clean personal care brand that’s redefining what “natural” can (and should) be. From deodorants that actually work to sustainability initiatives that go far beyond the label, Jeff has built Humble into a trusted name at Whole Foods, Erewhon, and thousands of other retailers across the country.Before founding Humble, Jeff was a Silicon Valley veteran—part of the early team at Google and co-founder of Gloss.com, which sold to Estée Lauder. But it was a radically different chapter of life that sparked the idea for Humble: a decade spent storm chasing and reconnecting with the basics. That journey led him to start making clean, effective deodorant out of his kitchen—and the rest is history.We talk about why Jeff left tech to start over, what it really takes to build a brand from scratch in the crowded wellness space, and how a simple formula with four ingredients launched a national movement. He shares how

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Monica Rich Kosann, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of her namesake jewelry brand, Monica Rich Kosann—a luxury brand known for creating jewelry that empowers women to tell their stories. What began with vintage lockets and antique cigarette cases has grown into a collection carried in over 150 stores across the country, including Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman, and beloved by celebrities like Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Lopez, and Taylor Swift.In our conversation, Monica shares her journey from being a sought-after portrait photographer to building one of the first luxury jewelry brands to achieve B Corp certification. We dive into the inspiration behind her iconic modern lockets, how she scaled a purpose-driven company, and why sustainability, craftsmanship, and storytelling are at the core of her business. Monica also shares what it’s like working alongside her husband, building a legacy brand, and empowering customers through meaningful design.If

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by David Wolfe and Jamie Diamonstein, the powerhouse duo behind Tiami Sleep—a new luxury mattress brand redefining what great sleep really feels like. With over 60 years of combined experience, including co-founding Leesa Sleep and helping pioneer the direct-to-consumer model in the sleep category, these two know a thing or two about building brands that resonate.David and Jamie share the story behind Tiami’s launch—including their bold decision to offer just one perfected mattress, and why simplicity, performance, and design are at the heart of everything they do. With a strategic partnership with Design Within Reach, Tiami is already making waves in the luxury space. We talk about what it means to evolve (not just disrupt), how they cracked the code on making a mattress that works for every sleeper, and the big lessons they’ve learned from building brands with staying power. They also dive into their mission to support sleep equity and mental health, how