Startup to Storefront

Today on Startup to Storefront, we’re diving into the story of Nicole and Brent Slone, the San Diego couple behind Above Board Liqueurs, the award-winning brand that is reinventing what cocktails can be. What started in Nicole’s kitchen has now become a movement: sugar-free and low-sugar liqueurs that deliver all the flavor without the guilt. Together, Nicole and Brent are challenging a stagnant spirits industry, proving that health-conscious and indulgent do not have to be opposites. In this episode, we cover the leap from passion project to thriving business, the ups and downs of launching a startup with your spouse, and how Above Board is carving out a whole new category for the modern, health-focused consumer. This is the story of disrupting an industry one cocktail at a time and building a brand that is truly Above Board. On this week’s episode of Startup to Storefront you’ll learn: How Nicole and Brent Slone are revolutionizing the spirits industry with sugar-free and low-sugar liqueurs that don’t compromise on taste The challenges and rewards of building a company as a husband-and-wife team Why modern consumers are demanding healthier cocktails and how Above Board is leading the charge Nicole and Brent share the journey behind Above Board Liqueurs, the San Diego brand that is crafting a healthier cocktail experience and reshaping how we think about indulgence.

On today’s episode of Startup to Storefront we’re sitting down with Ayeshah Abuelhiga, the founder of Mason Dixie, the brand making comfort food clean and convenient. In 2014, she set out to prove that biscuits, breakfast sandwiches, and waffles could be crave-worthy without cheap ingredients or scary chemicals. As a first-generation American, Ayeshah grew up watching her immigrant parents serve quality comfort food at their small carry-out restaurant and convenience store. Years later, after leaving her big corporate job, she opened a restaurant of her own that had mile-long lines and sold out daily. Those same customers inspired her to package her biscuits, starting with nothing more than frozen dough, a vacuum sealer, and an ice chest. Today, Mason Dixie is on grocery shelves nationwide, still driven by the same mission: to make the food you crave with real ingredients you can feel good about. On this week’s episode you’ll learn: How strippers and nurses unexpectedly helped Mason Dixie decide to serve fried chicken earlier than planned. What it takes to win the People’s Choice Award for Best Biscuit Snacks. How Mason Dixie scaled from restaurant to consumer, achieving 500% growth along the way. So butter that biscuit and indulge in the Mason Dixie story with Ayeshah Abuelhiga right now on Startup to Storefront.

Today on Startup to Storefront, we’re sitting down with Brian Nolan, a lifelong entrepreneur and the co-owner of Darren & Phillip, a purpose-driven pet brand known for its premium matching apparel for dogs and their humans. Before launching Darren & Phillip in the U.S., Brian co-founded and led multiple successful ventures, including BookOutdoors, acquired by Hipcamp, and Sellbrite, acquired by GoDaddy. He holds a business degree from USC’s Marshall School of Business and is also a proud member of the Academy of Magical Arts at the Magic Castle in Hollywood. Darren & Phillip began in Australia in 2016 and in 2024 Brian and his wife Cris brought the brand to the U.S. Now based in Denver, Colorado, Darren & Phillip continues its mission to bring comfort to dogs and joy to the people who love them. Every purchase helps rescue dogs get adopted into safe, loving homes through donations to non-profit rescue organizations around the world. Brian’s story is one of building businesses with both purpose and passion, and today we’ll dive into how he’s turning matching pajamas into a global movement.  

Today’s guests are Kimberly Lau and Linda Young, co-founders of Project ReWear, a sustainable kids’ clothing brand proving that profitability and purpose can go hand in hand. Kim spent 24 years in wealth management. Linda built her career in fashion retail and thrifting. Coming from different industries, they joined forces to fix what fast fashion broke. Together, they saw bins overflowing with barely worn clothes and families overwhelmed by the waste, and knew there had to be a better way. So they started Project ReWear, a mission-first marketplace where every item has purpose and every shopper helps drive change. They are not here to sell hangers. They are here to shift habits. Today, Project ReWear is a thriving preloved children’s clothing retailer with a boutique in Thousand Oaks, a growing e-commerce presence, and a loyal community of conscious consumers. Through Project Landfill, they rescue high-quality clothing from thrift stores, estate sales, and excess inventory to keep garments in circulation and out of landfills. With their #LAStrong initiative, they are transforming upcycled fashion into wildfire relief, proving business can be a force for good. In this episode, Kimberly and Linda share how to spot market gaps, balance profitability with purpose, and scale a mission-driven brand in a competitive industry. We talk about the realities of career reinvention, what it takes to run an inventory-based business, and why the future of retail lies in the circular economy.

Today on Startup to Storefront, we are diving into one of the most overlooked growth channels for restaurants and local businesses: Google Maps. Most business owners do not realize how much their Google Business Profile impacts foot traffic, reservations, and real-world sales. While many focus on social media and ads, the smartest brands are dominating Google Maps and seeing real results. Joining us is Evan Oder, founder of Map Labs, the number one Google Maps marketing software for multi-location businesses. Evan has helped thousands of brands climb to the top of search results without spending big on ads. On this week’s episode, you’ll learn: How to enhance your Google listings using AI and SEO without trying to trick Google The future of search and how Google Maps and ChatGPT are reshaping discovery Why stunning photos on your Google Business Profile can attract real customers Why Google Maps is becoming the future of local search for restaurants and small businesses How Google’s ranking factors prioritize engagement, and why it is key for your SEO strategy As a special bonus, Evan is offering a 3-month free trial of Map Labs software and a complimentary Google Business Profile audit. You can access the offer through the link in bio. If you own a restaurant, manage a local business, or want to understand the future of digital discovery, this is an episode you do not want to miss.

Today’s guest is Aaron Gatti, founder of Brami, the fastest growing pasta brand in the U.S. Aaron’s story begins on a small farm in southern Italy, where he spent childhood summers with his grandparents. Not by choice, but because his parents couldn’t afford childcare back in the States. It was there he discovered the lupini bean, a Mediterranean superfood once used to fuel Roman warriors and the same ingredient his grandmother credits for helping her survive World War II. Years later, that inspiration became Brami, a pasta made in the mountains of Molise, Italy, using just two ingredients: durum wheat semolina and lupini bean flour. No shortcuts, no over-processing — just premium Italian tradition with modern nutritional benefits. While most alternative pastas in the U.S. are ultra-processed and nutritionally empty, Brami stands out by going back to the source. With a vertically integrated supply chain, they control everything from milling to storage, delivering quality you can taste and trust. The result? Brami has grown 1,404 percent year over year and is now sold in over 5,000 stores nationwide, outpacing legacy brands like Goodles, Rummo, and Rao’s. On this week’s episode you’ll learn: • Why better for you pasta doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor, and how Brami lets you taste Italy every day • The secret to a healthy, one pot Italian meal that’s as easy as it is nutritious • What makes Italian food feel so satisfying, and how Brami captures that with a twist • How the lupini bean went from family secret to venture backed superfood • How Brami scaled in retail and increased sales by 40 percent at Whole Foods

On this week’s episode of Startup to Storefront, we sit down with Iggy Rodriguez, whose career spans the intersection of sports, entertainment, and business. From leading partnerships at the LA Dodgers and Therabody to helping scale VIP platforms like Velocity Black and Kapow, Iggy has spent years negotiating deals with teams, leagues, and luxury brands. Now, as Senior Director at OneTeam Partners, he helps brands tap into athlete name, image, and likeness across the NFLPA, MLBPA, MLSPA, and more. On this episode you’ll learn: • What it really takes to get on and stay on The Bachelor and Bachelorette • How casting for reality TV works behind the scenes and what producers aren’t telling you • The emotional cost of chasing fame and attention online • Why your dating life changes after national TV • How Iggy’s career path evolved from sports partnerships to licensing powerhouse Plus, Iggy shares how he gives back — fostering dogs in LA and mentoring Special Olympics athletes.

We’re sitting down with Daniel Bennett, a Los Angeles based digital creator and Head of Creative at his own media agency. Daniel has led social strategy for some of the biggest names in entertainment and gaming, including Grammy-winning artists like Diplo and Dillon Francis, as well as global brands like Call of Duty. But what really sets Daniel apart is his ability to blend storytelling and strategy in a way that resonates deeply with today’s audiences. While he’s made his mark behind the scenes of major campaigns, Daniel has also built a personal brand that’s taken off. His relatable content about the chaos of your twenties — from the awkwardness of dating to the ups and downs of friendship — has struck a nerve, earning him over 200,000 followers in just 60 days. His growth has been rooted in one key principle: consistency. In this episode, we dive into what it means to build a sustainable creative career in the ever-evolving digital landscape. We explore how the role of a social media manager has become as vital as a lawyer or a CFO, how Daniel transitioned from agency work to building a brand of his own, and what it takes to stay ahead in the creator economy. On this week’s episode you’ll learn: How consistency became Daniel’s secret weapon for growth What it actually takes to hit 200K followers in 60 days Why creators and brands alike need to rethink how they view social media roles How Daniel took lessons from agency life and applied them to his consulting work What’s coming next in the future of content creation and why storytelling still wins  

From the Track to the Tumbler: How Off Hours Is Redefining Bourbon for the Modern Drinker This week on Startup to Storefront, we’re diving into the story behind Off Hours Bourbon, the brand that’s rewriting the bourbon playbook. No smoky rooms, no old school gatekeeping, just a fresh take on a timeless spirit. Founded by Jake Ireland, Off Hours blends California cool with Midwest roots, creating a whiskey that’s approachable, design forward, and made for today’s consumer. With national retail expansion, a growing following, and standout partnerships including their new collaboration with La Colombe, Off Hours is setting a new standard in spirits. We break down the brand’s rise, their mixology competition for bartenders across the country, and the strategy behind appealing to a new wave of bourbon drinkers. On this episode, you’ll learn: Why Gen Z is shifting the alcohol industry and how legacy brands are struggling to keep up How Off Hours and La Colombe are teaming up for a nationwide bartender competition What it takes to build a bourbon brand that actually resonates with a younger audience Why Off Hours leans into downtime, personal moments, and a more modern take on whiskey culture What makes high proof bourbon and rye different and how to taste them How Whole Foods style thinking is shaping female focused bourbon strategies

This Week on Startup to Storefront: Caroline D’Amore aka Pizza Girl from growing up in her family’s iconic pizza restaurants to launching her own organic sauce line, Caroline D’Amore has always been surrounded by dough and hustle. In this episode, Caroline shares how she turned the nickname Pizza Girl into a nationally recognized brand. From selling out her countertop pizza ovens in just two weeks to opening her first “pink and mortar” store in Venice Beach, she’s redefining what it means to build a modern food empire with bold branding, fearless storytelling, and a whole lot of marinara. On this episode, you’ll hear: How Caroline went from reality TV to real business The viral product that changed everything overnight Why Pizza Girl is about more than just food Her mission to put women back at the center of the culinary conversation.