Founder Feature: Sam Lejfer of Lucky Day

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Caitlin Bricker speaks with Sam Lejfer, founder of Lucky Day, a brand in the frozen dessert category unlike you've ever seen. Lucky Day produces organic, dairy-free ice cream made without common allergens, refined sugars, gums, or seed oils—offering a thoughtful alternative for health-conscious and ingredient-aware consumers.

Sam shares the personal health journey that inspired the creation of Lucky Day, detailing how severe food allergies and a commitment to wellness shaped the brand’s core values. He also discusses the operational challenges of launching an allergen-friendly product, including the decision to manufacture in-house and to use home-compostable, plastic-free packaging.

They also explore the realities of startup growth, the importance of maintaining product integrity, and how fear, discipline, and a mission-driven approach continue to guide Sam’s leadership.

Gain insights into market trends in clean-label food, strategies for sustainable packaging, and the value of scaling with intention rather than speed. Listen now!

Listen in as they share about:

• Manufacturing & Production
• Sustainability & Packaging
• Ingredients & Health Consciousness
• Business Philosophy & Strategy
• Retail, Distribution & Market Presence
• Founder Experience: Fear, Ego & Resilience
• Community & Support

Episode Links:

Website: https://eatluckyday.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lejfersamuel/ 

Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.

Show Links:

• Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)
• Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)
• Follow @startupcpg
• Visit host Caitlin's Linkedin 
• Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com
• Episode music by Super Fantastics
  
  

If you’re ready for the new standard for business banking,
Head to www.rho.co/startupcpgto learn more.