How I Built This with Guy Raz nutpods: Madeline Haydon
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May 13, 2024 
Madeline Haydon, founder of nutpods, shares her journey from a $30,000 Kickstarter campaign to a leading plant-based coffee creamer brand available in 15,000 stores. She highlights the unique hurdles she faced as a pregnant woman of color with no food industry experience and how she navigated investor skepticism. Haydon also discusses the emotional challenges of entrepreneurship, the technical aspects of product development, and the importance of community support and representation for underrepresented founders.
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Escape from Saigon
- Madeline Haydon's family fled Saigon in 1975 with 30 minutes' notice.
- Her father translated for the U.S. military, and her mother, a skilled sharpshooter, held a command position.
Parents' Struggles and Inspiration
- Haydon's parents worked hard to make ends meet in the U.S. after fleeing Vietnam.
- Her mother's low wage inspired Haydon to pursue an MBA at Seattle University.
The Birth of nutpods
- Haydon's desire for a healthy, tasty, non-dairy creamer stemmed from personal need during pregnancy.
- This frustration, coupled with her husband's encouragement, sparked the idea for nutpods.