The Story of a Brand

This episode is brought to you by Compass Rose Ventures  and SARAL  - The Influencer OS for Brands In this episode, Ramon Vela interviews Ian Yung, Senior VP of Revenue at Tonal. We take you on a journey through Ian’s career shift from the automotive industry to the cutting edge of fitness technology.  Below are the key takeaways from our conversation: * His transition from a traditional industry to a fast-paced tech environment and the lessons learned along the way. * How understanding your customer’s needs is pivotal in creating meaningful connections and successful business strategies. * Tonal’s digital weight training system and how Ian likens it to Apple’s ecosystem * How Tonal uses data to tailor resistance and provide a personalized workout experience. * Why resistance training is the cornerstone for long-term health management. * How Tonal is revolutionizing this space with data-driven insights. * How investing in one’s physical health early to reap benefits in later years. * How Tonal caters to performance-oriented individuals through its suite of features like data analytics, community support, scientific coaching, and personalized resistance training * And so much more! Join Ramon Vela and Ian Yung as we break down the inside story of Tonal on The Story of a Brand. For more on Tonal, visit: https://www.tonal.com/ Remember to follow the show for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of business and wellness. * Today’s Sponsors: Compass Rose - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/ Compass Rose works with founders and executive teams to help identify issues and opportunities and work with you to operationalize the brand so you can grow and scale profitably, raise funds, innovate, and more. Visit for more information.  SARAL  - The Influencer OS for Brands: http://storybrandoffer.com/ Claim an "exclusive onboarding" offer for the listeners of The Story of a Brand Show. The Saral Team will work directly with you and offer weekly check-ins and 1:1 consulting until you succeed. Visit using our unique link.

This episode is brought to you by Compass Rose Ventures  and SARAL  - The Influencer OS for Brands Today, host Ramon Vela interviews Rob Fried, CEO of ChromaDex and maker of Tru Niagen®.  ChromaDex is the global authority on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), focusing on the science of healthy aging.  The ChromaDex team, including world-renowned scientists, works with independent investigators from esteemed universities and research institutions around the globe to uncover the full potential of NAD+. A vital coenzyme found in every cell of the human body, NAD+ declines with age and exposure to other everyday stressors, making NAD+ a contributor to age-related changes in health and vitality.  ChromaDex is the innovator behind Tru Niagen®, its growing suite of clinically proven, top-selling NAD+ boosting supplements helping people transform the way they age worldwide.  Setting the benchmark as the gold standard in scientific rigor, quality, and transparency, Tru Niagen features patented nicotinamide riboside (NR), the most efficient and superior quality NAD+ boosting supplements available. Tru Niagen is backed by two Nobel Prize Winners, 30+ human clinical studies, and 300+ published scientific studies, and has been accepted by the world’s most rigorous regulatory bodies. Highlights: * His history in the entertainment business and producing movies * Business lessons, including his “Principles of Success: CHE and ACE” * What does Tru Niagen® do? * How NAD is vital for mitochondrial function and energy metabolism * The main ingredient in Tru Niagen® * Why NAD is fundamental to life * How Tru Niagen® enables the body to do what it's supposed to do * The applications for Tru Niagen® * When to take Tru Niagen® * Healthspan versus lifespan? * Vitamins versus Tru Niagen®? What gives your cells actual energy? * When do your NAD levels increase after taking Tru Niagen®? * Rob's personal experience with taking the supplement Tru Niagen® * What people are saying about Tru Niagen® * How to know if Tru Niagen® is working * And so much more…  Join Ramon Vela and Rob Fried as we break down the inside story of ChromaDex on The Story of a Brand. For more on ChromaDex, visit: https://www.chromadex.com/ For more information on Tru Niagen®, visit: https://www.truniagen.com/ Discount code: If you want to sample Tru Niagen 300mg 30 count subscription, you can get a 15% discount here. Simply use promo code: RAMON15   Or Click Here https://www.truniagen.com/truniagen-300mg/?utm_source=Story+of+a+Brand&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=Interview&utm_term=truniagen Subscribe and listen to the podcast on all major apps. Search for “The Story of a Brand” on your favorite podcast player. * Today’s Sponsors: SARAL  - The Influencer OS for Brands: http://storybrandoffer.com/ Claim an "exclusive onboarding" offer for the listeners of The Story of a Brand Show. The Saral Team will work directly with you and offer weekly check-ins and 1:1 consulting until you succeed. Visit my unique link. 

This episode is brought to you by Compass Rose Ventures  and SARAL  - The Influencer OS for Brands Today, host Ramon Vela interviews Jason Ryder, Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Oobli. Oobli makes seriously sweet proteins changing the world, one bite at a time.  Sweetness from protein—not sugar—is the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for! They’re good for your body and the planet, but their fantastic taste will keep you coming back. It’s gut-friendly, diabetic-friendly, all flavor, no compromise win we all deserve. Try their NEW Sweet Tea with only 7 grams of sugar—no weird stuff.  Highlights: * Jason's Gratitude Story * Climate, Food, and Health are joined at the hip * Jason’t Aha moment when he realized his mission in life * What are Sweet Proteins? * Why aren't more people using Sweet Proteins? * Why did you choose beverages, and what other products are coming? * Connecting the Climate to our sugar problem. * How can we solve problems across climate, food, and health when we're sick? * Are Sweet Proteins and your products diabetic-friendly? * Building a consumer-facing company has been more challenging than the science * A review of the sweet teas and chocolates available from Oobli * And so much more…  Join Ramon Vela and Jason Ryder as we break down the inside story of Oobli on The Story of a Brand. For more on Oobli, visit: https://oobli.com/ Subscribe and listen to the podcast on all major apps. Search for “The Story of a Brand” on your favorite podcast player. * Today’s Sponsors: SARAL  - The Influencer OS for Brands: http://storybrandoffer.com/ Claim an "exclusive onboarding" offer for the listeners of The Story of a Brand Show. The Saral Team will work directly with you and offer weekly check-ins and 1:1 consulting until you succeed. Visit my unique link. 

This episode is brought to you by Compass Rose Ventures  and SARAL  - The Influencer OS for Brands Today, Ramon Vela interviews Gara Post, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of The NOW. The NOW, a new concept massage boutique, has quickly become LA's hottest new wellness destination for locals and globe-trotting influencers alike.  The NOW reinvents the way people think about and experience massages by creating a luxury service in an accessible and affordable manner in an inspiring environment. Highlights: * The NOW gives you the gift of presence * Live in the now is one of their brand truths * The origin story of The Now * The Now decides to Franchise * Opening their first location during the pandemic * Guest experience is critical, so you have to love people * Ramon: Testimonial about The NOW * Reconnect through the healing benefits of massage * Massages could help with emotional tension as well * Benefits of the Copper Brush * The NOW 5 Star experience * The Journey room and aha moment * How their partnerships build brand awareness. * How people can become a The NOW Franchise * And so much more…  Join Ramon Vela and Gara Post as we break down the inside story of The NOW on The Story of a Brand. For more on The NOW, visit: https://thenowmassage.com/ Subscribe and listen to the podcast on all major apps. Search for “The Story of a Brand” on your favorite podcast player. * Today’s Sponsors: SARAL  - The Influencer OS for Brands: http://storybrandoffer.com/ Claim an "exclusive onboarding" offer for the listeners of The Story of a Brand Show. The Saral Team will work directly with you and offer weekly check-ins and 1:1 consulting until you succeed. Visit my unique link. 

This episode is brought to you by Compass Rose Ventures  and SARAL  - The Influencer OS for Brands Today, host Ramon Vela interviews Alice Zhang, Founder of myPocketCFO. myPocketCFO is the new intelligent finance management platform for growing eCommerce and omnichannel consumer brands.  It delivers real-time auto-bookkeeping, analytics, monthly reconciliation, and CFO advice all in one place.  Unlike traditional accounting firms that charge by the hour and deliver siloed services, myPocketCFO ingests all your transactional data daily to automatically generate financial statements that allow you to collaborate with business partners to make critical decisions at a straightforward subscription price. Highlights: * Her Gratitude Story * Why, if you don't understand the numbers, you're doomed * Jeff Bezos's quote on business cycles as waves * Economic Forecast for the 2024-2025 calendar year * Talking interest rates, commercial real estate refinancing, rolling recessions * Investor's Advice for Founders * For Founders, why it's time to focus on “value creation” * Value creation Explained * What is Accumulated Return or Discounted Cash Flow? * Cost of Capital and Resetting Your Thinking Around Resources * The Cost of Capital Concept Explained * Financial concepts and metrics startup brands should use to measure Value * Using Growth and "Traction" as Financial Metrics for Startups * Explaining the Efficiency of Capital and Marketing Efficiency Return * Why Numbers Should Carry Meaning for Founders * Your Financials Tell The Life Story of Your Brand * Founders should ask, “What does my ideal P&L look like? * Case Study: How you reverse engineer your P&L * And SO. MUCH. MORE Join Ramon Vela and Alice Zhang as we break down the inside story of myPocketCFO on The Story of a Brand. For more on myPocketCFO, visit: https://www.mypocketcfo.com/ Subscribe and listen to the podcast on all major apps. Search for “The Story of a Brand” on your favorite podcast player. * Today’s Sponsor: SARAL  - The Influencer OS for Brands: http://storybrandoffer.com/ Claim an "exclusive onboarding" offer for the listeners of The Story of a Brand Show. The Saral Team will work directly with you and offer weekly check-ins and 1:1 consulting until you succeed. Visit my unique link. 

This episode is brought to you by Tidio and SARAL - The Influencer OS Join host Rose Hamilton, Founder of Compass Rose Ventures, as she sits down with Andrew Laudato, Chief Operating Officer of The Vitamin Shoppe, to discuss the fascinating evolution from a technologist to a retail leader.  In this episode, we’ll discover the innovative strategies The Vitamin Shoppe is employing to navigate the retail landscape amidst technological advances and evolving consumer behaviors. Key Themes: Customer-Centric Philosophy: * Andrew emphasizes the critical importance of always putting the customer first. * Discussion on adopting a multi-channel retail approach to serve customers where they are. Embracing Technological Partnerships: * Insight into The Vitamin Shop’s partnerships with Instacart and DoorDash to improve accessibility and convenience for customers. * Leveraging technology for efficient supply chain management. Education and Employee Training: * The company’s commitment to educating customers about its products. * Importance of thorough training for employees to maintain a consistent and knowledgeable shopping experience. Personalized Marketing and Data Privacy: * The balance between using customer data for personalized marketing and ensuring privacy and security. Sustainable and Quality-Focused Industry Practices: * Discussion on the vitamin industry’s focus on sustainability and quality. * How The Vitamin Shop aligns with environmentally conscious practices. Career Development Insights: * Andrew advises pursuing varied experiences and passions before settling into a career path. * Retail as a foundation for developing management and leadership skills. The Concept of Composable Commerce: * Explore The Vitamin Shop’s move towards “composable commerce” and its implications. * The challenges and uncertainties of long-term planning in a rapidly changing retail environment. Episode Highlights: * Andrew’s personal career journey and lessons learned transitioning from tech to retail. * How multi-channel retailing and online platforms are revolutionizing the shopping experience. * The importance of training and knowledge in empowering employees and satisfying customers. * A deep dive into how personalization and privacy intersect in modern marketing practices. * Insights into the future of retail and how to prepare for shifts in the industry. Call to Action:  Andrew Laudato encourages listeners to consider how technology and consumer habits shape a brand’s shopping experiences and the importance of sustainability and quality in product choices. Thank you for tuning in to our latest episode.  Remember to subscribe to “The Story of a Brand Show” on your favorite podcast player for more conversations with industry leaders and to stay updated on the latest trends in consumer brands, retail, and beyond! For more on The Vitamin Shoppe, visit: https://www.vitaminshoppe.com/ * Today’s Sponsors: Tidio - Customer Success Tool for Shopify Brands: http://www.tidio.com/story My listeners can start using Tidio AI chatbots for free and upgrade at any time with an exclusive 20% discount. See how Tidio helps your store grow. Visit my unique link.   SARAL - The Influencer OS for Brands: http://storybrandoffer.com/ Claim an "exclusive onboarding" offer for the listeners of The Story of a Brand Show. The Saral Team will work directly with you and offer weekly check-ins and 1:1 consulting until you succeed. Visit my unique link. 

This episode is brought to you by Tidio and SARAL. Today, Ramon Vela interviews Nigel Thomas, Founder of David to Goliath. A newsletter that documents his comeback from near suicide to building a 100,000 community in public and interviewing the best underdogs of this generation. Highlights: * Gratitude Story: 100,000 in revenue * Some people never accomplish their life's mission or goal * Nigel's mission & purpose * Life is About Constant Practice * Nigel: Struggling with a Purpose is how we find happiness - Part 1 * Nigel: Struggling with a Purpose is how we find happiness - Part 2 * Learning from others Who Have Experience * Why community is the solution to the problem * Overcoming your fears starts with gratitude * Running at 6 am to fight depression * Dark Knight Rises, making the jump away from fear, and why David to Goliath Newsletter exist * And so much more Join Ramon Vela and Nigel Thomas as we break down the inside story of David to Goliath on The Story of a Brand. For more on David to Goliath, visit: https://davidtogoliath.com/ Subscribe and listen to the podcast on all major apps. Search for “The Story of a Brand” on your favorite podcast player. * Today’s Sponsors: Tidio - Customer Success Tool for Shopify Brands: http://www.tidio.com/story My listeners can start using Tidio AI chatbots for free and upgrade at any time with an exclusive 20% discount. See how Tidio helps your store grow. Visit my unique link.   SARAL - Your Influencer Assistant Tool for Brands: http://storybrandoffer.com/ Claim an "exclusive onboarding" offer for the listeners of The Story of a Brand Show. The Saral Team will work directly with you and offer weekly check-ins and 1:1 consulting until you succeed. Visit my unique link. 

This episode is brought to you by Tidio and SARAL. Today, host Rose Hamilton, Founder and Principal Advisor of Compass Rose Ventures interviews Alvie Faulkenbery IV, Founder and El Presidente of Alvies.   They are on a mission to make boots and flip-flops your footwear of choice. They believe with a good pair of each, you can go almost anywhere and do almost anything. In this episode, we dive deeply into lessons learned from building the brand from start-up to scale… in the competitive footwear category. We’ll discover how the customer experience has been vital to growing Alvies as a mission-based brand – both online and experiential. Highlights: * Driven by customer experience, Alvies places a great emphasis on capturing customer information and carefully managing channels of distribution, which was learned very early in the business * Alvie shares how he’s kept just the right balance of people, processes, and systems to allow the mission and quality to scale as the company grows * The secret of marketing success lies in building partnerships with artists and collaborations that introduce the Alvies name to new customers. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships and word of mouth to grow the business. * Alvie reveals the latest expansion for the brand through Boot Parties, taking the airstream concept on the road to bring boots to people for special events like bachelor parties, birthday parties, and more * Highlighting the importance of leveraging other categories like hospitality to find innovative ways to build the customer experience * How Alvie manages the balance between work and life as a busy entrepreneur who is leading a business through growth * Learn some key takeaways from 2023 that Alvie is excited to take into 2024 and more! Join Rose Hamilton and Alvie Faulkenbery IV as we break down the inside story of Alvies on The Story of a Brand. For more on Alvies, visit: https://www.alvies.com/ Subscribe and listen to the podcast on all major apps. Search for “The Story of a Brand” on your favorite podcast player. * Today’s Sponsors: Tidio - Customer Success Tool for Shopify Brands: http://www.tidio.com/story My listeners can start using Tidio AI chatbots for free and upgrade at any time with an exclusive 20% discount. See how Tidio helps your store grow. Visit my unique link.   SARAL - Your Influencer Assistant Tool for Brands: http://storybrandoffer.com/ Claim an "exclusive onboarding" offer for the listeners of The Story of a Brand Show. The Saral Team will work directly with you and offer weekly check-ins and 1:1 consulting until you succeed. Visit my unique link. 

Today, we have a special episode. We announce and discuss our “New Strategic Alliance” with Compass Rose Ventures! I’m joined by Rose Hamilton, Founder and Principal Advisor of Compass Rose. We discuss the challenges facing brands in 2024, how this strategic alliance addresses those challenges, and other changes to The Story of a Brand Show. Highlights: * Why Compass Rose Ventures * What’s stopping brands from moving forward * The SWAT Team approach * Taking a holistic view of a brand * The two reasons why I started the show * Making 1 + 1 = more than 2 * Getting the fundamentals right * Brands: what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger * Seeking clarity in decision-making * Growing from Founder to CEO * Communication as a driver of a brand’s growth * Why mission-based brands build from within * And more…           Join Ramon Vela and Rose Hamilton as we break down the inside story of The Story of a Brand in 2024. For more on Compass Rose Ventures, visit: https://compassroseventures.com/ Subscribe and listen to the podcast on all major apps. Search for “The Story of a Brand” on your favorite podcast player.

This episode is brought to you by Tidio and SARAL. Today, in our partner series feature, our host, Ramon Vela, interviews Andrew Christison, Co-Founder of Retencity. Retencity works closely with eCommerce, retail, and mobile app brands to build purposeful lifecycle programs that stand out. Whether email + SMS, onsite list growth, push, in-app messaging, or all of the above, they manage programs for optimal ongoing growth. Retencity has also pledged a portion of its revenues and equity towards the planet and collective good. Highlights: * Andrew’s Gratitude Story * Deciding That Now Was the Best Time to Start An Agency. * Learning From His Work With Large Brands * Why Onsite List Growth Is So Important! * How Retencity Helps Brands With List Growth * How Privacy Concerns Changed Email & Digital Marketing * How to Market Effectively In A World Full of Privacy Regulations * Email Tactics for Brands Part 1 * Email Tactics for Brands Part 2 * How Retencity is Unique in the Email Agency World * How to Turn Your Current Tech into Your Brand's Superpower * Why It's So Hard for Brands to Run Email Strategy & Programs * Email or SMS? Which One Should You Ask For First? * How Retencity is Addressing Societal Problems With 1 Percent For The Planet          Join Ramon Vela and Andrew Christison as we break down the inside story of Retencity on The Story of a Brand. For more on Retencity, visit: https://www.retencity.com/ Subscribe and listen to the podcast on all major apps. Search for “The Story of a Brand” on your favorite podcast player. * Today’s Sponsors: Tidio - Customer Success Tool for Shopify Brands: http://www.tidio.com/story My listeners can start using Tidio AI chatbots for free and upgrade at any time with an exclusive 20% discount. See how Tidio helps your store grow. Visit my unique link.   SARAL - Your Influencer Assistant Tool for Brands: http://storybrandoffer.com/ Claim an "exclusive onboarding" offer for the listeners of The Story of a Brand Show. The Saral Team will work directly with you and offer weekly check-ins and 1:1 consulting until you succeed. Visit my unique link.