Say More

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 Thank you to our sponsors, Amelia Risk - get a Free audit by signing up through their site - and to The Big Favorite - Take 15% off your first order with code: SAYMORE15 The Big Favorite IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠@thebigfavorite⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠@thesaymorepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ / Follow us on Tiktok ⁠⁠⁠⁠@thesaymorepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ Isabelle’s IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@theplantiful⁠⁠⁠⁠ El’s IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@the_elturner

In this episode of Say More, Eleanor and Isabelle sit down with Babba Rivera—founder of the award-winning clean hair care brand Ceremonia, former Uber exec, and a trailblazing Latina entrepreneur reshaping the beauty industry. Babba shares her remarkable journey from growing up in Sweden’s immigrant neighborhoods to launching a purpose-driven brand rooted in heritage, wellness, and authenticity. This conversation is a masterclass in manifesting bold moves, dismantling limiting beliefs, and building businesses that reflect your highest values. What we covered in this episode: Growing up in Sweden with Chilean immigrant parents How Babba navigated language barriers, cultural identity, and early ambition Her leap from Uber Sweden to NYC—and the mindset behind big life decisions The power of authenticity and how passion creates unexpected opportunities Why generosity and helping others are central to her leadership philosophy The insight that sparked Ceremonia: “Hair care” vs. styling products Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship with 4 kids What success feels like now—and how it aligns with her values Links & Resources Ceremonia on IG and online – Babba’s clean hair care brand https://www.instagram.com/myceremonia/?hl=en Follow Babba on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/babba/?hl=en TV show rec: Common Side Effects The Tao of Founders by Guillaume Racine Thank you to our Sponsors: Amelia Risk - ⁠⁠https://ameliarisk.com/⁠⁠ The Big Favorite - ⁠⁠thebigfavorite.com⁠⁠ get 15% off your first order with code: SAYMORE15 The Big Favorite IG ⁠⁠⁠@thebigfavorite⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on IG ⁠⁠⁠@thesaymorepodcast⁠⁠⁠ / Follow us on Tiktok ⁠⁠⁠@thesaymorepodcast⁠⁠⁠ Isabelle’s IG: ⁠⁠⁠@theplantiful⁠⁠⁠ El’s IG: ⁠⁠⁠@the_elturner

In this transformative episode, Lorna Davis—former CEO of Danone North America and trailblazer of the B Corp movement—invites us into a conversation about what it really means to lead, live, and grow through the lens of radical interdependence. From her upbringing in South Africa to her global career across seven countries and five continents, Lorna shares why she believes that heroism is outdated—and that meaningful change depends on our willingness to rely on one another. This isn’t just about leadership. It’s about building lives, organizations, and societies that thrive on trust, empathy, and purpose. TED Talk, A Guide to Collaborative Leadership: https://www.ted.com/speakers/lorna_davis Books: It's That Simple, Mavis Karn; Raising Hare, Chloe Dalton; Memorial Day, Geraldine Brooks; Consolations, David White; Eckhart Tolle’s work Please support the Rhino's at Care For Wild: https://careforwild.co.za/ Thank you to our Sponsors:Amelia Risk - ⁠https://ameliarisk.com/⁠ The Big Favorite - ⁠thebigfavorite.com⁠ get 15% off your first order with code: SAYMORE15 The Big Favorite IG ⁠⁠@thebigfavorite⁠⁠ Follow us on IG ⁠⁠@thesaymorepodcast⁠⁠ / Follow us on Tiktok ⁠⁠@thesaymorepodcast⁠⁠ Isabelle’s IG: ⁠⁠@theplantiful⁠⁠ El’s IG: ⁠⁠@the_elturner

In this engaging conversation, Jeni Britton, the founder of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream and Floura, shares her transformative journey from an art student to a creative entrepreneur. She discusses the importance of intuition in business decisions and the need to embrace failure as a learning tool. Jeni emphasizes the balance between motherhood and entrepreneurship, offering insights on how her unconventional childhood shaped her bold approach. Additionally, she explores the innovative world of fiber in food systems, making a case for its significance in wellness.

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Zoe Paknad, the visionary founder of Goldune, as we delve into the world of sustainable retail. Discover Zoe's inspiring journey in creating a company that makes sustainability approachable and accessible. She shares the triumphs and challenges of her mission to transform consumer habits and offers insights into the future of eco-friendly products, and reveals what she’s up to today with First Rodeo and more!Zoe’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-paknadZoe’s substack First Rodeo: https://1strodeo.substack.com/Thank you to our sponsor dash.fi !Dash.Fi provides businesses with a card product that allows you to scale your advertising campaigns: Daily limits up to $3M a day Flawless card authorisation due to our Mastercard backing. Up to 3% cashback on all of your digital advertising spend. 3% cashback and 5.3% APY. Net 60 card to extend payment terms at 1% fee Thank you also to our sponsor, The Big Favorite!The Big Favorite provides simple, versatile, and plastic-free pima cotton base layers that empower you to prioritize you. The Big Favorite website: https://thebigfavorite.com/The Big Favorite IG: @thebigfavoriteFollow us on IG @thesaymorepodcast / Follow us on Tiktok @thesaymorepodcastIsabelle’s IG: @theplantifulEl’s IG: @the_elturner

Eva Goicochea, the founder of Maude, shares her transformative journey from healthcare to pioneering a modern sexual wellness brand. She discusses the mission-driven ethos behind Maude and the challenges of launching a business in a saturated market. Eva emphasizes the importance of personal ethics and societal impact, particularly in promoting gender equity. The conversation also delves into challenging societal norms around motherhood, advocating for personal choice and fulfillment over conventional expectations.

Today, we have the pleasure of hosting David Fudge, a visionary entrepreneur and co-founder of Aplós, the trailblazing non-alcoholic spirit brand that's redefining social drinking. With a background as one of the first hires at Bonobos, David brings a wealth of experience in brand building and innovation to the table. At Aplós, he's on a mission to create sophisticated, mood-boosting beverages that offer the same social experience without the alcohol. Join us as we dive into David's journey, the challenges of launching a disruptive brand, and the lessons he's learned along the way.Aplos Website: https://www.aplos.world/Aplos IG: https://www.instagram.com/aplos.world/David IG:  https://www.instagram.com/davidfudge/Famous Party in the USA music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ezfk7s1NyYThank you to our sponsor dash.fi !Dash.Fi provides businesses with a card product that allows you to scale your advertising campaigns: Daily limits up to $3M a day Flawless card authorisation due to our Mastercard backing. Up to 3% cashback on all of your digital advertising spend. 3% cashback and 5.3% APY. Net 60 card to extend payment terms at 1% fee Thank you also to our sponsor, The Big Favorite!The Big Favorite provides simple, versatile, and plastic-free pima cotton base layers that empower you to prioritize you. The Big Favorite website: https://thebigfavorite.com/The Big Favorite IG: @thebigfavoriteFollow us on IG @thesaymorepodcast / Follow us on Tiktok @thesaymorepodcastIsabelle’s IG: @theplantifulEl’s IG: @the_elturner

Join Erica Anderson and Ingrid Nilsen, co-founders of The New Savant, as they delve into their transformative journeys from tech and beauty to the fragrant world of artisanal scents. They discuss launching their brand during a pandemic, the significance of creativity and community, and the deep cultural connections to fragrances from their childhood. The duo also reflects on balancing romance with business, the power of advocacy in tech, and the importance of self-awareness in personal and professional growth.

Today we welcome Ryan Babenzien on the show. He’s a visionary entrepreneur who has revolutionized not one, but two industries. First, he took the footwear world by storm with Greats, the first digitally native sneaker brand, which he successfully sold to Steve Madden. Now, he’s making waves in the beauty and wellness sector with Jolie Skin, a brand that’s redefining how we think about water purity and its impact on our skin and hair. Ryan’s journey from managing clients at ICM Partners to founding and scaling two groundbreaking companies is nothing short of remarkable. In this episode, we’ll dive into his entrepreneurial journey, the challenges he’s faced, and who Ryan, the human, is behind all the successes.Jolie website: https://jolieskinco.com/Jolie IG account: https://www.instagram.com/jolieskinco/Ryan’s IG account: https://www.instagram.com/ryanbbabenzienThank you to our sponsor dash.fi!Dash.Fi provides businesses with a card product that allows you to scale your advertising campaigns: Daily limits up to $3M a day Flawless card authorisation due to our Mastercard backing. Up to 3% cashback on all of your digital advertising spend. 3% cashback and 5.3% APY. Net 60 card to extend payment terms at 1% fee Thank you also to our sponsor, The Big Favorite!The Big Favorite provides simple, versatile, and plastic-free pima cotton base layers that empower you to prioritize you.The Big Favorite website: https://thebigfavorite.com/The Big Favorite IG: @thebigfavoriteFollow us on IG @thesaymorepodcast / Follow us on Tiktok @thesaymorepodcastIsabelle’s IG: @theplantifulEl’s IG: @the_elturner

Welcome to the Say More podcast! In our first episode, we dive into our personal backgrounds: El’s journey from fashion to co-founding Argent and launching The Big Favorite in 2020, and Isabelle’s path from tech to food, culminating in the creation of Lupii in 2019. This episode is a candid exploration of what drives us, the challenges we’ve faced, and how we’ve overcome them. We also discuss the inspiration behind starting the Say More Podcast, focusing on the “why” behind entrepreneurial success. Join us for an exciting first season with inspiring guests who embrace vulnerability and honesty.The Big Favorite website: https://thebigfavorite.com/The Big Favorite IG: @thebigfavoriteFollow us on IG @thesaymorepodcast / Follow us on Tiktok @thesaymorepodcastIsabelle’s IG: @theplantifulEl’s IG: @the_elturnerThank you to our sponsor dash.fi !Dash.Fi provides businesses with a card product that allows you to scale your advertising campaigns: Daily limits up to $3M a day Flawless card authorisation due to our Mastercard backing. Up to 3% cashback on all of your digital advertising spend. 3% cashback and 5.3% APY. Net 60 card to extend payment terms at 1% fee