From Waldorf School to Startup | Michael Robinov on Food & Finding Purpose in the Story

In this episode of The Say More Podcast, co-hosts Eleanor Turner and Isabelle Steichen sit down with Michael Robinov, co-founder and CEO of Farm to People, a radically local food company reshaping how New Yorkers connect with farmers, chefs, and their own kitchens.

We explore:

• The joyful spark behind Farm to People’s inception—and why creative ideas often emerge from moments of ease

• What Waldorf education taught him about autonomy, imagination, and holistic thinking—and how it shaped his approach to business and life

• Growing up in NYC, dropping out of Tisch, and trusting intuition over credentials

• Why regenerative farming and local food systems aren’t just buzzwords—they’re central to Michael’s purpose

• What it’s really like to build a business with your father and your partner (spoiler: it’s messy, meaningful, and deeply rewarding)

• How customer feedback drives innovation—and why listening is Michael’s north star

• The role travel played in launching FTP, and why it still fuels his creativity

• Whether an IPO or a national expansion is on the horizon—and what’s next for Farm to People

Michael’s story is a reminder that purpose-driven business can be scrappy and wildly impactful.

Book/podcast recs:

• Acquired: Deep dives into iconic companies that broke the mold—like Costco, Nike, and Berkshire Hathaway. Michael Robinov loves how it showcases businesses that were aberrations of their time, yet built on enduring principles.

• Think Again by Adam Grant A guide to rethinking assumptions, embracing curiosity, and staying mentally flexible—especially relevant for leaders building adaptive, values-driven companies.

• No Rules Rules by Reed Hastings & Erin Meyer A behind-the-scenes look at Netflix’s radical culture of freedom and responsibility. A masterclass in rejecting convention and scaling through trust and innovation.

• No-Excuses Management by T.J. Rodgers A lesser-known but powerful book on building high-performance teams through clear targets, bonus structures, and metric-driven accountability. Rodgers’ approach blends hard business fundamentals with entrepreneurial grit.

Connect with Michael on Instagram

Follow FtP on Instagram and online

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