The Story of a Brand

In today’s episode of The Story of a Brand Show, I’m excited to share the remarkable journey of Stephen de Heinrich de Omorovicza, Co-founder and one of the visionaries behind Omorovicza. This episode delves into the intersection of history, science, and luxury skincare. Stephen shares how his family’s legacy inspired a groundbreaking approach to beauty.  From the thermal baths of Budapest to award-winning innovations, Stephen brings us a story rich with tradition and cutting-edge science. Here are some highlights from our conversation: * A Family Legacy Unearthed: Discovering his family’s ties to Budapest’s famous thermal baths and their role in shaping the brand. * The Healing Power of Water: How unique minerals from Hungarian thermal baths inspired the patented Healing Concentrate™. * Starting from Scratch: Overcoming the challenges of launching a skincare brand with no industry experience. * Navigating Retail and Digital Spaces: Lessons learned from building a global presence in an evolving market. * The Role of Joy in Skincare: Why creating moments of happiness is at the heart of the brand’s mission. Join us in listening to this inspiring episode as Stephen shares his passion for skincare, the science behind his products, and the transformative journey of Omorovicza. 🎧 For more on Omorovicza, visit: https://www.omorovicza.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: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand Increase customer lifetime value, Expand into the US market, Create an omnipresent and omnichannel footprint, Optimize customer journeys, Build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above.   Shopline - An All-in-One Commerce Solution for Brands: https://www.us.shopline.com/story Shopline is offering a complimentary three-month trial when you schedule a demo. Seamlessly manage multi-channel sales, create user-friendly websites, and drive conversions with targeted marketing. Ready to streamline operations and accelerate your business? Visit our unique link.

Rose says, “Let's go in and stress test your ability to scale. That's step one. Because you may think you have it all buttoned up, but really we like to sit at the intersection of the vision, the action that you're doing, and the motion and the momentum you're actually creating. And are they all aligned, and are they going to allow you to grow and scale?”   Today, we interview Rose Hamilton, Founder of Compass Rose Ventures. The Compass Rose Ventures team brings 20+ years of experience in growing consumer brands from concept to successful exits.    They are dedicated to helping CPG founders and investors launch, optimize, and scale brands offering just the right balance of insight, experience, rigor and hands-on support.   We discussed:    * What she’s grateful for * Her origin story and background   * Her experience at Pet360 and Vitamin Shoppe * The challenges that brands face today * The cure for rising customer acquisition cost: Community * Why she believes that founders need a “Fierce Bias Towards Action” * Her advice for brand founders and operators * Why strategy is about making the right choices * Why the first thing she does when working with brands is a “Stress Test” * Who she works and what that engagement looks like * And so much more…    Join Ramon Vela and Rose Hamilton as we break down the inside story of Compass Rose Ventures on The Story of a Brand.   For more on Compass Rose Ventures, visit: https://compassroseventures.com/   Subscribe and listen to the podcast on all major apps. Simply search for “The Story of a Brand” on your favorite podcast player.   *   This episode is brought to you by Sendlane.   Here’s the deal: I have a gift for you from our primary sponsor — Sendlane. They’re giving away their online course eCommerce Academy - Email & SMS Marketing!   This course gives you the step-by-step playbook to drive more revenue and retention with email & SMS. This is typically a $500 package, but for our listeners, it’s entirely FREE when you get started with your FREE 14-day trial of Sendlane.    When you do, chat with their support team and let them know you’re one of our listeners to get full access to hours of course content that will help you make email marketing your #1 growth engine.   Visit https://storybrandgift.com to get the details, sign up for a free trial and get your gift!

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Megan Klein, the founder and CEO of Little Saints, a brand redefining how we think about social drinking.  Megan shares everything from her early days towing a mint-green trailer around Detroit to perfecting her recipes to building a brand rooted in mindfulness and purpose. What stands out in this episode is Megan’s deep thoughtfulness—not just in how she creates Little Saints’ products but also in how she approaches life and business.  We dive into the challenges of launching a brand during the pandemic, the science behind functional mushrooms and adaptogens, and the cultural shift towards more mindful drinking.  Whether you’re curious about the non-alcoholic movement or love hearing about entrepreneurial journeys, Megan’s story will inspire you. In this episode, you’ll learn: * The story of driving a mint green vending trailer around Detroit to get feedback from real people. * How mindfulness and meditation shaped the founder’s journey and helped her tackle self-doubt. * The unique role of scent, mushrooms, and adaptogens in creating Little Saints’ signature flavors. * The challenges of traditional distribution and the pivot to a direct-to-consumer model. * Why non-alcoholic drinks are a cultural shift in how we socialize. * How Little Saints is making non-alcoholic cocktails feel as exciting and social as their alcoholic counterparts.   Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to this episode and discovering how one brand is reshaping what it means to drink socially. You’ll come away inspired, entertained, and maybe even eager to try a Little Saints cocktail for yourself! For more on Little Saints, visit: https://littlesaints.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: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, Expand into the US market, Create an omnipresent and omnichannel footprint, Optimize customer journeys, Build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above.  SARAL - The Influencer OS for Brands: https://storybrandoffer.com/ SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Try it risk-free with an extended 14-day trial, exclusively for listeners of The Story of a Brand Show Podcast. Start today! Visit the link above. 

In today’s The Story of a Brand Show episode, I interviewed Marcin Malyszko, the passionate and innovative Co-founder behind Mission Craft Cocktails.    Marcin’s story is a testament to the power of friendship, persistence, and purpose. With his co-founder, Amit Singh, Marcin is reimagining the cocktail experience, blending exceptional quality with a mission to give back.    Their journey is one of grit, creativity, and community impact, making this episode a must-listen for entrepreneurs and cocktail enthusiasts alike.   Here are some highlights from our conversation:   From DIY to Double Gold: How two best friends turned a COVID hobby into an award-winning brand.   The 5% Pledge: Why Mission Craft Cocktails donates 5% of all sales to local food banks—and the lives it’s impacting.   Crafting Perfection: The two-year journey to develop their lineup of full-strength, shaker-quality cocktails.   Scaling with Heart: Lessons learned from launching and growing in a challenging alcohol industry landscape.   Building a Legacy Brand: Staying true to their mission while creating innovative and unforgettable cocktails.   Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to this inspiring episode as Marcin shares the story behind Mission Craft Cocktails, their unwavering commitment to quality, and their goal to fund one million meals by next year. 🎧   For more on Mission Craft Cocktails, visit: https://missioncocktails.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:   Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/   Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, Expand into the US market, Create an omnipresent and omnichannel footprint, Optimize customer journeys, Build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above.    SARAL - The Influencer OS for Brands: https://storybrandoffer.com/   SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Try it risk-free with an extended 14-day trial, exclusively for The Story of a Brand Podcast listeners. Start today! Visit the link above. 

In today’s episode of The Story of a Brand Show! Today, I interviewed Tom Reilly, the passionate and innovative Co-founder, President, and partner behind VMI Sports Nutrition. Tom’s journey is a masterclass in grit, creativity, and staying true to his mission of delivering high-quality, performance-driven supplements. From humble beginnings to becoming a trusted name in the sports nutrition space, Tom shares how he’s navigating challenges while staying deeply connected to his community and customers. Here are some highlights from our conversation: * Building a Brand with Purpose: How gratitude, persistence, and a clear vision fueled Tom’s entrepreneurial journey. * Solving Real Problems: The story behind ProtoLyte, a protein product that addresses digestion and hydration needs. * Lessons in Resilience: Overcoming financial struggles, personal sacrifices, and staying committed to product quality. * Finding Your Niche: The importance of starting with a focused audience and growing organically from there. * Innovation That Matters: Redefining customer-centric innovation with functional, effective, and value-driven products. Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to this inspiring episode as Tom shares his hard-earned lessons, the philosophy behind VMI Sports Nutrition, and his unwavering commitment to improving his customers' lives. 🎧 For more on VMI Sports Nutrition, visit: https://www.vmisports.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: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.    Augmentum Media - Influencer Marketing for Consumer Brands: https://www.augmentum-media.com/story What secret do fast-growing Health and Wellness brands like Xtendlife, Nourished, and Hunter & Gather share? They all outsource their influencer marketing to the experts at Augmentum. Augmentum is offering "The Story of a Brand Show" listeners a 30-minute consulting session AND a personalized influencer strategy plan built by their experts for you to implement either with them or in-house. Visit the link above to learn more. 

In today’s episode of The Story of a Brand Show, I had the pleasure of speaking with Morgan Cros, the creative mind behind Original Duckhead.  Morgan’s journey is one of resilience, innovation, and sustainability. From a serendipitous moment during a rainy day to creating a unique and environmentally conscious brand, Morgan shares how she turned a classic accessory into a product with purpose and style. Here are some highlights from our conversation: * A Rainy Day Revelation: How a broken umbrella sparked the idea for a stylish and sustainable brand. * Reimagining an Everyday Item: Transforming the humble umbrella into a fashion-forward accessory with a mission. * Challenges in Manufacturing: Overcoming hurdles to find the right partners and materials for eco-friendly production. * Building a Brand Through B2B: Growing the business by collaborating with over 1,000 retailers worldwide. * Sustainability at the Core: Incorporating recycled materials and aiming for a circular economy in every product. Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to this fascinating episode as Morgan shares her journey of building a brand that combines functionality, sustainability, and style. 🎧 For more on Original Duckhead, visit: https://originalduckhead.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: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand Increase customer lifetime value, Expand into the US market, Create an omnipresent and omnichannel footprint, Optimize customer journeys, Build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above.   Shopline - An All-in-One Commerce Solution for Brands: https://www.us.shopline.com/story Shopline is offering a complimentary three-month trial when you schedule a demo. Seamlessly manage multi-channel sales, create user-friendly websites, and drive conversions with targeted marketing. Ready to streamline operations and accelerate your business? Visit our unique link.

On this episode of The Story of a Brand Show, I speak with Tania Boler, Founder and President of Elvie, a company transforming women's health through radical, female-first technology. Tania shared her inspiring journey, from working in global health nonprofits to founding a company tackling taboo topics in women’s health with innovative, beautifully designed products. We explored her path to disrupting entrenched norms, the importance of creating products that truly solve problems, and the challenges of leading in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Tania’s story is filled with resilience, purpose, and the drive to empower women globally. Here are some key takeaways from our conversation: * Tania’s journey from nonprofit work to launching Elvie inspired by her passion for solving overlooked women’s health issues. * How Elvie revolutionized the breast pump market with discreet, wearable designs, giving women more freedom and choice. * The role of addressing taboos in women’s health and making these conversations more mainstream. * Tania’s lessons on raising capital, building a business, and knowing when to step back as CEO. * Insights into Elvie’s innovative product development process, grounded in listening to real women’s needs. Join me, Ramon Vela, for this insightful episode as Tania Boler shares how Elvie empowers women through technology and changing lives. You don’t want to miss this one! For more on Elvie, visit: https://www.elvie.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: Compass Rose Ventures- Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand Increase customer lifetime value, Expand into the US market, Create an omnipresent and omnichannel footprint, Optimize customer journeys, Build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above.   Shopline - An All-in-One Commerce Solution for Brands: https://www.us.shopline.com/story Shopline is offering a complimentary three-month trial when you schedule a demo. Seamlessly manage multi-channel sales, create user-friendly websites, and drive conversions with targeted marketing. Ready to streamline operations and accelerate your business? Visit our unique link.

In today’s episode of The Story of a Brand Show! Today, I interviewed Denis Asamoah, the dynamic co-founder behind FORVR Mood.  Denis takes us behind the scenes of building a lifestyle brand with purpose, heart, and innovation. Denis shares his journey of grit, resilience, and creative problem-solving in the entrepreneurial world, from collaborating with his wife, Jackie Aina, to scaling the business from candles to fine fragrances. Here are some highlights from our conversation: * From Idea to Execution in 3 Months: How FORVR Mood launched during the pandemic with rapid success. * Lessons in Growth: The challenges of scaling operations and learning from mistakes with inventory and logistics. * The Power of Alignment: Why authenticity and purpose drive lasting customer connections. * Mindful Leadership: How Denis incorporates mindfulness to navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. * Building a Community: The role of the Self Care Club and giving back to the FORVR Mood family. Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to this inspiring episode as Denis shares the lessons, challenges, and wins behind FORVR Mood’s success. 🎧 For more on FORVR Mood, visit: https://forvrmood.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: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, Expand into the US market, Create an omnipresent and omnichannel footprint, Optimize customer journeys, Build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above.  SARAL - The Influencer OS for Brands: https://storybrandoffer.com/ SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Try it risk-free with an extended 14-day trial, exclusively for The Story of a Brand Podcast listeners. Start today! Visit the link above. 

In today’s episode of The Story of a Brand Show, I had the honor of interviewing Jenn Chiba, Founder and CEO and visionary entrepreneur of House of Lashes, who turned her passion for beauty into a thriving business. From her roots as the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants to building a globally recognized lash brand, Jenn’s journey is a testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of belief. Her dedication to creating high-quality, innovative products has set House of Lashes apart in the beauty industry. Here are some highlights from our conversation: * The Magic $5,000 Loan: How Jenn’s mother, a hardworking immigrant, believed in her vision and kickstarted her journey. * Innovation as a Core Value: How Jenn revolutionized the lash industry with iconic styles and cruelty-free products. * Empowering Women: The transformative power of lashes and how they build confidence and self-expression. * Overcoming Challenges: Balancing entrepreneurship, motherhood, and personal growth while staying true to her mission. * Building with Integrity: Why Jenn insists on quality, ethical sourcing, and listening to her loyal community. Join us in listening to this inspiring episode as Jenn shares her journey of turning passion into purpose, proving that belief and hard work can create something truly iconic. 🎧 For more on House of Lashes, visit: https://houseoflashes.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave  The Story of a Brand Showa 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: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand Increase customer lifetime value, Expand into the US market, Create an omnipresent and omnichannel footprint, Optimize customer journeys, Build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above.   Shopline - An All-in-One Commerce Solution for Brands: https://www.us.shopline.com/story Shopline is offering a complimentary three-month trial when you schedule a demo. Seamlessly manage multi-channel sales, create user-friendly websites, and drive conversions with targeted marketing. Ready to streamline operations and accelerate your business? Visit our unique link.

In today’s episode of The Story of a Brand Show, I speak with Karen Bonnici, the creative mind behind Dreamighty.  Karen’s story is one of resilience, innovation, and boundless creativity. From making handcrafted gifts for her nieces and nephews to launching a patented, multifunctional blanket, Karen has combined her love for storytelling with her entrepreneurial spirit to create a brand that inspires confidence and imagination in both kids and adults. Here are some highlights from our conversation: * Turning Ideas into Impact: How a simple gift idea became a patented innovation loved by families everywhere. * Overcoming Life’s Challenges: Karen shares her journey through personal hardships, including financial struggles, divorce, and a breast cancer diagnosis, and how Dreamighty became her beacon of hope. * The Power of Licensing: Lessons learned from taking her product into national retail through strategic partnerships. * Crafting a Multifunctional Favorite: The story behind Dreamighty’s unique blend of comfort and utility in a blanket. * Empowering Through Storytelling: How Karen’s background as a professional storyteller fuels her mission to inspire others to dream big. Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to this heartfelt episode as Karen shares her journey of resilience, creativity, and unwavering determination to make a difference. 🎧   For more on Dreamighty's Official Site, visit: https://dreamighty.com/ Find them on Amazon. 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: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, Expand into the US market, Create an omnipresent and omnichannel footprint, Optimize customer journeys, Build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above.  SARAL - The Influencer OS for Brands: https://storybrandoffer.com/ SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Try it risk-free with an extended 14-day trial, exclusively for The Story of a Brand Podcast listeners. Start today! Visit the link above.