The Story of a Brand Show

In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Gropper, CEO & Co-Founder of Repurpose, whose purpose-driven mission truly inspired me. From surviving a life-changing moped accident to questioning why we use forever-lasting materials for five-minute products, she shares how her passion for sustainability has turned into a movement to redesign everyday essentials from plants rather than plastic. What I loved most about this conversation is how honest she is about the realities of building sustainable products — the cost, the manufacturing challenges, the misconceptions, and the grit it takes to keep going. Her story is a reminder that with the right design, intention, and team, we can create healthier products for our homes and the planet. Key Moments From the Episode: * A near-fatal accident that reshaped her purpose and commitment to impact. * The flawed logic behind single-use plastics and the question that sparked a new approach. * How everyday products can be made from sugarcane fiber, cassava, corn, and bamboo. * The hard truth about sustainable manufacturing and why affordability is still a hurdle. * Tracking impact: over 700 million pieces of plastic replaced. If you care about better materials, planet-friendly innovation, or the real journey behind building a sustainable brand, join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode. You'll enjoy this conversation. For more on Repurpose, visit: https://repurpose.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review. Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify. Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: Saral - The Influencer OS: https://www.getsaral.com/demo SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Request a live demo today. Let the SARAL team know you're a The Story of a Brand Show podcast listener to get an extended free trial! Visit the link above.

In this episode, I sit down with Coulter Lewis, the founder behind Sunday—a brand that's reinventing how we care for our little piece of the earth. Our conversation begins with gratitude and the early days of Sunday, when it was nothing more than a wild idea and a few people willing to believe in him. Coulter shares how those early moments of vulnerability, uncertainty, and unexpected support shaped the company's foundation and helped him stay grounded as the mission took form. From there, we dive into Sunday's evolution—how satellite imagery, soil tests, and hyperlocal environmental data inform personalized lawn, garden, and pest plans for millions of homeowners. Coulter walks me through the massive environmental impact of lawn care, the shift in climate patterns, the rise of pests, the challenges of retail expansion, and the bold leap into AI-powered guidance. What comes through is the heart of Sunday: empowering people to steward their land with confidence, ease, and far fewer toxins. Key Highlights * How early supporters believed in Sunday before a product even existed—and why that early trust was essential for Coulter to take the leap. * The staggering scale of lawns in the U.S.—the third largest "crop"—and why conventional care uses five times more pesticides than industrial farms. * How Sunday uses satellite data, soil analysis, and a database of 350,000 soil samples to give homeowners real-time, personalized guidance for their yards. * The impact of climate change on lawns—new pests, shifting grass varieties, extreme weather—and how Sunday adapts plans to keep customers supported. * Sunday's growth into retail (Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Ace, and soon Costco) and how AI now powers deeper insights, smarter recommendations, and more meaningful customer support. If you're passionate about sustainability, curious about how tech can transform lawn and garden care, or simply love hearing from founders building mission-driven companies, then join me, Ramon Vela, as we listen to this episode. Coulter's journey is filled with honesty, innovation, and a clear belief that homeowners can make a meaningful difference—one yard at a time. Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. For more on Sunday, visit: https://www.getsunday.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review. Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify. Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: Saral - The Influencer OS: https://www.getsaral.com/demo SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Request a live demo today. Let the SARAL team know you're a The Story of a Brand Show podcast listener to get an extended free trial! Visit the link above.

In this episode, I sit down with Dez Price, the co-founder and CEO of BN3TH, a brand that has completely reimagined what comfort means from the waist down. What starts as a casual conversation about gratitude quickly turns into an honest look at entrepreneurship—its highs, lows, and the people who show up in the moments that matter. Dez opens up about resilience, building relationships with intention, and why the journey is always about people first, even before product or revenue. From there, we dive into the origin story of BN3TH—how two friends, a kitchen table, and an old pair of Calvin Kleins led to a patented pouch technology now beloved by athletes, adventurers, and everyday guys who simply want to feel more comfortable. We talk about the early days of hustling and handing out samples, the challenge of building a category no one sees, the realities of scaling in a volatile supply chain, and the company's long-term commitment to quality, sustainability, and comfort. Dez's story is raw, relatable, and full of lessons for any founder navigating uncertainty and growth. Key Highlights * How gratitude and the support of people around him helped Dez navigate the toughest entrepreneurial moments—and why great relationships sit at the center of BN3TH's success. * The origin of BN3TH's patented pouch technology and how it solves a problem most men didn't even realize they had. * The early breakthrough moment when athletes and friends tested prototypes and confirmed the comfort was unlike anything they'd worn before. * How word of mouth, experiential sampling, and authentic community relationships fueled the brand long before e-commerce took off. * The biggest operational challenges today—from tariffs to forecasting to changing consumer behavior—and how BN3TH navigates them through strong vendor partnerships and meticulous production planning. If you love hearing stories about founders who build with heart, resilience, and a relentless commitment to quality, this episode is a must-listen. Dez's journey shows what's possible when you pair innovative thinking with deep respect for the people who help bring a brand to life. Join me, Ramon Vela, as we explore the evolution of BN3TH—from a simple idea to a global comfort brand redefining men's essentials. Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. For more on BN3TH, visit: https://www.bn3th.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review. Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify. Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: 1 Commerce: https://1-commerce.com/story-of-a-brand Scaling a DTC brand gets harder the bigger you grow, especially when you're stuck selling on just one channel. While you're focused on day-to-day ops, your competitors are unlocking marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart, and even retail shelf space—and capturing customers you're missing. That's where 1-Commerce comes in. They help high-growth brands expand beyond their sites, handle end-to-end fulfillment, and scale through a revenue-share model that means they only win when you do. As a Story of a Brand listener, you'll get one month of free storage and a strategy session with their CEO, Eric Kasper.

In this episode, I sit down with Emma Stallworthy, the inspiring founder behind Your Reformer. Her story begins with a deeply personal fertility journey that led her to reevaluate how she moved, how she managed stress, and ultimately how she cared for her body. Through Pilates—specifically reformer Pilates—she found physical healing, nervous system balance, and a sense of calm that became life-changing. That experience not only transformed her health, but also sparked the idea for a more accessible, at-home Pilates solution grounded in real emotional connection and everyday life needs. As we talk, Emma shares how the practice supported her through pregnancy, postpartum recovery, anxiety, back pain, major life transitions, and the hectic realities of parenting and entrepreneurship. She also reveals how she and her husband grew the business from an idea into a global brand—tackling logistics, e-commerce, manufacturing, B2B expansion, and launching in the U.S. market. What comes through most is her passion for movement, her belief in carving out time for self-care, and her commitment to helping people live healthier, more balanced lives—no matter their season of life. Key Highlights * How infertility, IVF, anxiety, and burnout led Emma to reformer Pilates—and how the practice helped her regulate her nervous system and finally conceive. * Why reformer Pilates supports a wide range of people—from beginners to athletes, from those with injuries to those navigating postpartum recovery, back pain, mobility challenges, or stressful careers. * The moment Emma realized there was a massive demand for at-home Pilates during lockdown, and how that insight shaped the Your Reformer concept. * The evolution of the business: logistics, e-commerce learning curves, expansion into B2B, launching internationally, and their "Kaizen" philosophy of continuous 1% improvements. * How Your Reformer supports beginners with orientation classes, health-professional-led programs, and a robust on-demand library that meets people in every stage of life. If you've ever struggled to find balance, movement, or a moment of calm in your day, this conversation will resonate deeply. Emma's story is powerful, relatable, and full of insight—whether you're navigating fertility challenges, juggling parenting, looking to stay active as you age, or simply wanting to improve your mental and physical well-being. Join me, Ramon Vela, as we explore how Your Reformer is helping people reclaim their health, their calm, and their confidence—one deliberate, mindful movement at a time. Tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. For more on Your Reformer, visit: https://yourreformer.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review. Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify. Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: Color More Lines: https://www.colormorelines.com/get-started Color More Lines is a team of ex-Amazonians and e-commerce operators who help brands grow faster on Amazon and Walmart. With a performance-based pricing model and flexible contracts, they've generated triple-digit year-over-year growth for established sellers with annual revenue over $5 million. Use code "STORY OF A BRAND" and receive a complimentary market opportunity assessment of your e-commerce brand and marketplace positioning.

In this episode, I sit down with Katia Rudnick, the founder of Katia Designs, whose jewelry brand has become a powerful source of inspiration, empowerment, and emotional connection for thousands of women. What begins as a simple moment in a yoga class becomes a life-changing whisper from the universe—one that leads Katia to discover her purpose, unlock her creativity, and build a brand that helps women feel strong, centered, and connected to themselves. Katia's story is a reminder that sometimes the things meant for us don't arrive as loud breakthroughs—they arrive as subtle nudges, intuitive sparks, and moments we choose to follow. Her journey from pop-up markets to a thriving, emotionally resonant jewelry business shows just how deeply people crave meaning, intention, and reminders of their own inner strength. Key Highlights * How a meditative moment in a yoga class sparked the creation of Katia Designs and awakened a new sense of purpose in Katia's life. * The early pop-up market experiences that gave Katia the encouragement, validation, and "transfer of belief" she needed to keep creating. * How her patented magnetic clasp design allows each necklace to be worn multiple ways—making her jewelry both meaningful and innovative. * Why her pieces are more than accessories—they are emotional tools, reminders, and energetic vessels that help women navigate both everyday life and life's hardest moments. * The astonishing loyalty of her customers, many of whom collect her pieces and treat them as part of their daily rituals of empowerment. If you're someone who loves mission-driven brands, meaningful products, or founder stories rooted in personal transformation, you won't want to miss this conversation. Join me, Ramon Vela, as we listen to how Katia Designs went from a whisper to a thriving brand—and how its message-driven pieces continue to inspire and strengthen women every day. Tune in to the full episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to shows. For more on Katia Designs, visit: https://katiadesigns.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review. Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify. Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: Saral - The Influencer OS: https://www.getsaral.com/demo SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Request a live demo today. Let the SARAL team know you're a The Story of a Brand Show podcast listener to get an extended free trial! Visit the link above.

In this episode of The Story of a Brand Show, I sit down with the incredible twin sisters and co-founders of LouLou Lollipop, Angel Kho and Eleanor Lee. From the very beginning, their story pulled me in—the handmade Etsy shop days, walking store to store in Vancouver with nothing but belief and a few samples, and the moment a total stranger at a Las Vegas trade show validated everything they had been working toward. What struck me most was how deeply personal their journey is. Every product, every print, every decision is rooted in lived experience as moms trying to solve real problems for other parents. What unfolded in our conversation was an honest look at resilience, creativity, community, and the emotional reality of building a brand from scratch. Whether it was the joy of their "donut teether" taking off, the surprise of being contacted by a Nordstrom buyer, or their thoughtful approach to safety and sustainability, their passion is unmistakable. And hearing how their early supporters—from strangers to shop owners—helped shape the business reminds us that small acts of kindness can change everything. Here are some of the key moments from the episode: * The emotional impact of early validation—from a competitor at their first trade show and from the first boutique willing to take a chance on them. * How a simple, personal frustration as new moms sparked the idea for their first product: a safe, functional, beautiful teething necklace. * The role of pop-up markets, Etsy, and early Instagram collaborations—especially a pivotal moment when Thrifty Littles amplified their brand. * The unforgettable milestone of getting contacted by a Nordstrom buyer…and the disbelief that turned into their first major retail partnership. * Their thoughtful product evolution—from silicone teethers to award-winning sleep bags and meticulously designed muslin swaddles with playful, artful prints. Join me, Ramon Vela, as we listen to the full episode to hear the heartfelt, real, and inspiring journey behind LouLou Lollipop—and discover why their story resonates so strongly with parents around the world. For more on LouLou Lollipop, visit: https://louloulollipop.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review. Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify. Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: 1 Commerce: https://1-commerce.com/story-of-a-brand Scaling a DTC brand gets harder the bigger you grow, especially when you're stuck selling on just one channel. While you're focused on day-to-day ops, your competitors are unlocking marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart, and even retail shelf space—and capturing customers you're missing. That's where 1-Commerce comes in. They help high-growth brands expand beyond their sites, handle end-to-end fulfillment, and scale through a revenue-share model that means they only win when you do. As a Story of a Brand listener, you'll get one month of free storage and a strategy session with their CEO, Eric Kasper.

In this episode of The Story of a Brand, I sit down with Christopher Wu, Co-founder & CEO of Paper Culture, a company that has quietly—and consistently—been redefining what sustainable, beautifully designed paper products can look like. From day one, Paper Culture has stood at the intersection of modern design and deep environmental responsibility, long before sustainability became a cultural talking point. What moved me most was hearing the origin story: four founders, a six-page website, no automation, and the sheer grit it took to hand-typeset every order until two or three in the morning—all fueled by a mission they believed in. Throughout our conversation, Christopher shares the early chaos, the lessons learned from starting during the Great Recession, and the unwavering North Star that kept the brand alive for 17 years. We talk about the power of design, why sustainability should never require a sacrifice in quality, and how physical products—like holiday cards, photo books, and personalized gifts—remain meaningful in an increasingly digital world. Paper Culture doesn't just sell cards; they sell connection, joy, and a chance to make a small but real impact on the planet. Key Moments From the Episode * The gratitude moment that started it all: Christopher remembers friends and family working late into the night during their first holiday season—unpaid—simply because they believed in the mission and wanted to help. * Starting during the 2008 recession: With a wedding, a new home, a baby on the way, and no venture funding, the team built a fully bootstrapped brand by embracing long-term horizons and reduced competition. * Where design meets sustainability: Paper Culture was born from the idea that consumers shouldn't have to choose—great design and climate-friendly choices can and should coexist. * Their mission as a true North Star: After 17 years, fighting climate change continues to be the company's guiding objective, driving everything from materials to processes to planting over a million trees. * The lasting power of physical products: Even in a digital world, a holiday card or personalized gift still stands out—and reconnects people in a way screens can't. Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode. If you love brands grounded in mission, craftsmanship, and real human connection, you're going to enjoy this conversation. Christopher's story is a reminder that business longevity comes from purpose, not hype—and that even the smallest choices we make as consumers can leave a meaningful imprint on the planet. Tune in and discover the world of Paper Culture. For more on Paper Culture, visit: https://www.paperculture.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review. Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify. Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: Color More Lines: https://www.colormorelines.com/get-started Color More Lines is a team of ex-Amazonians and e-commerce operators who help brands grow faster on Amazon and Walmart. With a performance-based pricing model and flexible contracts, they've generated triple-digit year-over-year growth for established sellers doing over $5 million in annual revenue. Use code "STORY OF A BRAND" and receive a complimentary market opportunity assessment of your e-commerce brand and marketplace positioning.

In this episode, I sit down with someone whose inner strength and personal reinvention truly moved me: Angelica Fuentes, Founder & CEO of NOWFUL. From navigating profound personal challenges to building a wellness system rooted in clarity, self-love, and deep inner work, Angelica shares a journey that is both inspiring and practical. Her story begins with a simple but life-altering moment of gratitude and self-awareness at age 19 — a moment that sparked a lifelong path toward inner connection. Throughout our conversation, Angelica opens up about the masks we all wear, the pain we numb rather than face, and how her 40-year journey of self-discovery eventually led to the creation of NOWFUL: a complete mind-body-spirit wellness system. What struck me most is how each product — from the mushroom complex to the sleep cream to the affirmation cards — directly reflects what she relied on to survive some of the darkest moments of her life, including losing everything at age 52 and rebuilding from the ground up. Key Moments From the Episode * The moment that changed everything: At 19, a friend challenged Angelica's sadness, opening the door to decades of inner work and self-awareness. * Shedding masks and facing the truth: Angelica shares how she confronted emptiness, fear, and a lifetime of expectations placed on her as a woman in a traditional Mexican family. * How NOWFUL was born: Each product in the NOWFUL system comes from practices she used to survive everything from leadership stress to life-altering loss — including losing her businesses, her assets, and nearly her daughters in a 24-hour period. * The power of ritual: Angelica explains why tiny, consistent habits are the foundation for resilience, clarity, and courage — and how they helped her rebuild her life at 52 and launch a new company at 62. * Inside the NOWFUL system: From a 10-mushroom complex to a grounding essential oil, magnesium sleep cream, and smart affirmation cards linked to CBT — Angelica walks through how each piece helps reconnect you to your inner strength. Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode. If you've ever felt stressed, disconnected, overwhelmed, or simply unsure of your next step, you will find so much wisdom and strength in this conversation. Angelica's story is a reminder that everything we need already lives within us — we just need the right rituals to awaken it. Tune in to hear her powerful journey and learn more about the NOWFUL system. For more on NOWFUL, visit: https://nowfuljourney.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review. Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify. Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: Saral - The Influencer OS: https://www.getsaral.com/demo SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Request a live demo today. Let the SARAL team know you're a The Story of a Brand Show podcast listener to get an extended free trial! Visit the link above.

When you think about transformation in beauty, few stories are as fascinating as the one unfolding at Rodan + Fields. In this episode, Rose Hamilton, CEO of Compass Rose Ventures, sits down with Anncy Rowe, Chief Commercial Officer, who is leading the company through one of the most ambitious reinventions in the industry — evolving from a billion-dollar direct-selling brand into a modern omni-channel powerhouse. Anncy's background includes some of the most iconic names in beauty — Maybelline, Garnier, and IT Cosmetics — and she's now using that experience to bridge legacy and innovation at Rodan + Fields. What struck me most about Anncy's leadership is her ability to balance conviction and curiosity. She's fiercely protective of the brand's DNA — its female-founded roots, dermatology-driven credibility, and loyal consultant community — while introducing fresh storytelling, modern retail partnerships, and a bold "Love What You See" campaign that redefines clinical luxury for today's consumer. Here are a few highlights from our conversation: * Purpose Meets Reinvention: How Rodan + Fields is blending its heritage of women-led dermatology with a new omni-channel model that meets consumers wherever they shop — from consultants to DTC to Ulta. * Clinical Luxury, Redefined: The brand's unique formulation philosophy — "no more, no less" — and why restraint, not volume, is the most powerful form of innovation. * Storytelling with Conviction: Anncy's approach to brand transformation is rooted in founder DNA, purpose, and authenticity rather than chasing trends. * Female-Founded Advantage: How being the #1 female dermatologist-founded skincare brand is both a point of pride and a call to elevate more women in science and leadership. * Culture as the Growth Engine: Inside the company's transformation — from hiring and leadership mindset shifts to building agility, clarity, and confidence across teams. Join us in listening to this episode to hear how Anncy Rowe and the Rodan + Fields team are proving that legacy and reinvention can coexist beautifully — and that true transformation starts with purpose, people, and belief. For more on Rodan & Fields, visit: https://www.rodanandfields.com/en-us/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review. Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify. Your support helps us bring you more content like this!

When you've been in eCommerce long enough, you start to see the cycles — the rise of new platforms, the decline of others, and the constant search for what's next. In this episode, I sit down with Neal Goyal, SVP at PostPilot, to talk about how he's helping brands rediscover one of the most powerful, proven, and now AI-enhanced channels out there: direct mail. Neal shares how PostPilot is turning mail into a data-driven, performance-marketing channel for modern brands — one that's not only defensible against AI disruption, but also amplified by it. What I loved most about this conversation is Neal's clarity and conviction about where commerce is headed. He's seen the evolution of digital saturation, rising acquisition costs, and "tech bloat" — and he believes the brands that will win are those who balance smart automation with authentic connection. PostPilot is doing just that, helping brands cut through the digital noise, drive measurable results, and build stronger customer relationships with physical mail — reinvented for today's marketers. Here are a few highlights from our conversation: * AI Meets Direct Mail: How PostPilot uses data and automation to make direct mail as dynamic and trackable as digital. * Defensible Channels: Why direct mail remains one of the few marketing channels that AI can't replace — but can help scale. * The Meta for Mail: How PostPilot is creating an acquisition engine that behaves like a digital ad platform, with the intimacy of print. * Performance That's Measurable: How brands can track incrementality, integrate with Klaviyo, and optimize ROI in real time. * Culture and Customer Obsession: The story behind PostPilot's founders and why customer service is their ultimate growth advantage. Join me, Ramon Vela, as we listen to the episode to hear how Neal and the PostPilot team are reinventing an old-school medium for the modern era — proving that, in a world dominated by digital, real connection still delivers. For more on PostPilot, visit: https://www.postpilot.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review. Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify. Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: Saral - The Influencer OS: https://www.getsaral.com/demo SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Request a live demo today. Let the SARAL team know you're a The Story of a Brand Show podcast listener to get an extended free trial! Visit the link above.