We delve into the journey of Tom First, founder of Nantucket Nectars & Culture Pop. Discover the challenges and triumphs of building a beloved brand, the importance of authenticity in product development, and the lessons learned from navigating the beverage industry. Tom shares his experiences from the early days of creating a juice company that redefined the market to the strategic decisions that led to its success. Learn about the critical moments that shaped Nantucket Nectars, the philosophy behind making a product to be proud of, and the personal and professional dynamics of co-founding a business. Tom also discusses his new venture, Culture Pop, and how it continues his passion for creating innovative and healthy beverages.Sponsors:RampIQBar - AmazonChapters:[00:00:00] Brand Building Challenges  [00:00:34] Meet the Hosts  [00:02:00] Introducing Sponsors  [00:02:45] Welcome Tom First  [00:04:00] Culture Pop Origins  [00:06:30] Early Business Lessons  [00:08:00] Nantucket Nectars Beginnings  [00:10:45] Defining Soda and Seltzer  [00:15:00] Early Business Challenges  [00:17:30] Competing with Big Brands  [00:20:00] Building a National Brand  [00:21:45] Importance of Storytelling  [00:24:00] Key Decisions in Business  [00:27:00] Impact of Selling Business  [00:31:00] Moving Beyond Nectars  [00:34:00] Investor Dynamics  [00:37:30] Post-Nectars Ventures  [00:43:00] Developing Culture Pop  [00:49:00] Market Positioning  [00:52:30] Raising Capital  [00:54:00] Future of Functional Soda  [01:00:00] Advice for Entrepreneurs  [01:02:00] Building a Strong Team  [01:05:00] Personal Impact of Business  [01:07:00] Defining Success TodayABOUT THE HOSTS:Will Nitze is the Founder & CEO at IQBAR - America's leading "brain + body" nutrition startup. With minimal funding, Will has taken IQBAR from zero locations and zero in revenue in 2018 to 10,000+ doors and a projected $50 million in sales in 2024.Joe Lemay founded Rocketbook with business partner Jake Epstein. After being featured on “Shark Tank”, where the sharks passed on a chance to invest – Joe would go on to grow Rocketbook and sell it to BIC for 40 million dollars just three years later.Connect with Tom:Culture Pop: https://drinkculturepop.com/X: https://x.com/drinkculturepopLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-first-532ab55/

Mike Beckham, co-founder and CEO of Simple Modern, shares his transformative journey from nonprofit missionary to leading a $250M drinkware brand. He discusses the significance of mission-driven entrepreneurship and how a commitment to giving 10% of profits shapes company culture. Beckham delves into the balance between personal contentment and business growth, the challenges of rapid scaling, and the competitive landscape of the drinkware market. His insights on ethical business practices and strategic relationships provide a fresh perspective on achieving success.

Peter Rahal, co-founder of RXBAR, shares insights on product development and entrepreneurship. Topics include early challenges shaping his drive, the origin of RXBAR, scaling without external funding, legendary rebranding, selling to Kellogg's, launching David Protein, and the importance of embracing failure in business.

In this episode of Eating Glass, we sit down with Anne Mahlum, founder of Back on My Feet and SolidCore. Anne shares her incredible journey from growing up in North Dakota with an addict father, to starting a running club for the homeless, and ultimately building a nationwide fitness empire. Discover how Anne’s personal struggles fueled her drive to create impactful businesses, and learn the secrets behind scaling and maintaining a successful company. Tune in to hear about her unique approach to community building, overcoming challenges, and her vision for the future.Chapters:[00:00:00] Anne's Early Life and Challenges[00:00:11] Podcast Introduction[00:01:40] Ramp Sponsorship[00:02:40] Anne's Background[00:04:15] Starting a Running Club[00:06:00] Scaling Back on My Feet[00:07:52] Discovering Pilates and SolidCore[00:09:55] Early Stages of SolidCore[00:11:00] Building Community in Fitness[00:12:15] Nonprofits vs. For-Profits[00:13:30] Marketing and Brand Niches[00:15:15] Retention and Success Metrics[00:16:30] Brick and Mortar Challenges[00:18:45] Scaling and Geographic Expansion[00:21:00] Vertical Integration and Innovation[00:23:00] Community Building Strategies[00:25:30] Trust and Customer Relationships[00:27:15] Fitness Trends and Resilience[00:31:00] Selling a Company[00:35:15] Taking Money Off the Table[00:39:00] Money and Success Philosophy[00:43:00] Future Aspirations and Advising[00:47:45] Selling to Private Equity[00:52:15] Problem Solving and Leadership[00:56:00] Rapid Fire Questions[01:00:15] Episode Wrap-UpABOUT THE HOSTS:Will Nitze is the Founder & CEO at IQBAR - America's leading "brain + body" nutrition startup. With minimal funding, Will has taken IQBAR from zero locations and zero in revenue in 2018 to 10,000+ doors and a projected $50 million in sales in 2024.Joe Lemay founded Rocketbook with business partner Jake Epstein. After being featured on “Shark Tank”, where the sharks passed on a chance to invest – Joe would go on to grow Rocketbook and sell it to BIC for 40 million dollars just three years later.Connect with Anne:Website: https://www.annemahlum.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annemahlum/?hl=enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-mahlum/

Will Nitze, the founder and CEO of IQBar, shares his inspiring journey from a dissatisfied software employee to the helm of a leading nutrition company. He emphasizes the importance of operational excellence and calculated risk-taking for rapid scaling. Will discusses innovative fundraising strategies that allow founders to maintain control while minimizing dilution. His contrarian approach to hiring and team dynamics, along with insights on leveraging LinkedIn for organic growth, reveals the personal and strategic elements behind IQBar's success.

Chris Hunter, of Four Loko & Koia, shares his wild entrepreneurial journey. From the meteoric rise and regulatory battles of Four Loko to launching the plant-based protein drink Koia, Chris gets personal about the challenges of building businesses in highly regulated industries. He discusses lessons learned from tumultuous business partnerships, the decision to vertically integrate, and how personal growth and reflection have shaped his leadership style. Chris also opens up about his upbringing and how it instilled the grit and resilience needed to overcome entrepreneurial adversity. Tune in for a candid conversation on the realities of building iconic beverage brands.Chapters [00:00:00] - Introduction[00:02:58] - Chris Hunter's Background and Companies (Phusion Projects and Koia)[00:05:04] - How Success Has Changed Chris[00:12:56] - Chris's Early Years and Troubled Past[00:16:39] - Grit and Resilience in Entrepreneurship[00:17:46] - Navigating Identity as the "Four Loko Guy"[00:21:36] - Lessons Learned from Business Partnerships[00:29:26] - Operating in Highly Regulated Markets[00:33:57] - Challenges of the Ready-to-Drink Beverage Industry[00:36:20] - The Decision to Vertically Integrate[00:40:51] - The Koia Journey: Vision and Evolution[00:44:51] - Humility, Ego, and Confidence in Entrepreneurship[00:50:45] - Harnessing Emotions as Entrepreneurial Fuel[00:58:28] - The Role of Coaches, Peer Groups, and Psychedelics in Personal Growth[01:03:11] - Writing a Candid and Personal Book[01:11:17] - Rapid Fire Questions[01:14:16] - ConclusionABOUT THE HOSTS:Will Nitze is the Founder & CEO at IQBAR - America's leading "brain + body" nutrition startup. With minimal funding, Will has taken IQBAR from zero locations and zero in revenue in 2018 to 10,000+ doors and a projected $50 million in sales in 2024.Joe Lemay founded Rocketbook with business partner Jake Epstein. After being featured on “Shark Tank”, where the sharks passed on a chance to invest – Joe would go on to grow Rocketbook and sell it to BIC for 40 million dollars just three years later.Connect with  Chris:Chris' Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1963678028?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_PY8TMGHWK9J8Q4ARPF1WKoia: https://drinkkoia.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-hunter-890a2315/

Sean Riley, CEO and co-founder of Dude Wipes, shares the story of how he and his friends started the company from their apartment with the goal of creating a better way to wipe. He discusses the challenges of bootstrapping the business, building the bold and irreverent Dude Wipes brand, and scaling the company to over $150 million in revenue. Sean dives into topics like viral marketing, focus and saying no, hiring, company culture, and his long-term vision for Dude Wipes. An insightful and entertaining look at building an iconic CPG brand.[00:00:00] - Intro and Origin Story[00:04:21] - Starting Dude Wipes[00:08:12] - Bootstrapping Out of Necessity[00:11:10] - Founder Dynamics and Goals[00:13:00] - Developing the Dude Wipes Brand[00:18:25] - Hiring Consultants vs Employees[00:23:15] - Dude Wipes Company Culture[00:25:11] - Word of Mouth Marketing[00:28:46] - Making Butt Wipes Fun[00:31:13] - Brand Positioning and Moats[00:33:00] - Evolving Brand and Gender Dynamics[00:36:56] - Defining the Dude Wipes Enemy[00:39:30] - Personal Branding Benefits[00:42:51] - Building to Sell vs Cash Flow[00:48:00] - Acquisition Interest and Market Trends[00:52:06] - Focusing on the Core Business[00:57:45] - Rapid Fire Questions[01:04:56] - Wrap UpABOUT THE HOSTS:Will Nitze is the Founder & CEO at IQBAR - America's leading "brain + body" nutrition startup. With minimal funding, Will has taken IQBAR from zero locations and zero in revenue in 2018 to 10,000+ doors and a projected $50 million in sales in 2024.Joe Lemay founded Rocketbook with business partner Jake Epstein. After being featured on “Shark Tank”, where the sharks passed on a chance to invest – Joe would go on to grow Rocketbook and sell it to BIC for 40 million dollars just three years later.Connect with Sean Riley:DUDE Wipes: https://dudewipes.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spriles/

In this episode of Eating Glass, we dive into the rollercoaster journey of Chris Savage, co-founder and CEO of Wistia, as he takes us behind the scenes of building a successful video marketing platform from scratch. From failed viral ideas, living on a shoestring budget to discovering product-market fit and growing a loyal customer base, Chris shares the ups and downs of bootstrapping a tech company in the early days of online video. Tune in for valuable insights on pivoting, marketing strategies, and the power of perseverance in the face of entrepreneurial challenges. Don't miss this inspiring story of turning a passion for video into a thriving business.Chapters:00:00:00 - Intro 00:02:56 - Motivations for starting a company00:05:18 - Early failed ideas and pivots00:11:04 - Surviving on a shoestring budget00:16:50 - Building a simple solution for customers 00:20:35 - Raising angel money00:22:29 - Navigating 200800:24:02 - Marketing strategies and content creation00:26:40 - Growing the team and revenue00:33:48 - Personal content creation00:37:12 - Keeping creativity alive00:41:40 - Balancing family and work00:43:00 - Dealing with burnout and stress00:49:43 - Trial and error as the best strategy 00:52:07 - Avoiding boredom00:57:27 - The Next Decade01:02:56 - Rapid-fire questions01:13:13 - Wrap-upABOUT THE HOSTS:Will Nitze is the Founder & CEO at IQBAR - America's leading "brain + body" nutrition startup. With minimal funding, Will has taken IQBAR from zero locations and zero in revenue in 2018 to 10,000+ doors and a projected $50 million in sales in 2024.Joe Lemay founded Rocketbook with business partner Jake Epstein. After being featured on “Shark Tank”, where the sharks passed on a chance to invest – Joe would go on to grow Rocketbook and sell it to BIC for 40 million dollars just three years later.Connect with Chris Savage:Chris' Podcast: https://wistia.com/series/talking-too-loudWistia Website: https://wistia.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cjsavageX: https://twitter.com/csavageInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/csavage

Pete Maldonado, co-founder and co-CEO of CHOMPS, shares his inspiring journey from financial struggles to establishing a successful meat snack brand. He discusses the importance of resilience and innovation, especially during challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation covers bootstrapping versus raising capital, the significance of finding product-market fit, and the necessity of trusting instincts amid uncertainty. Pete also redefines success by prioritizing personal fulfillment and family time over mere financial gain.

Ever dream of taking a wild product idea and turning it into a $50 million exit? Your co-host (and today's guest) Joe Lemay did just that with Rocketbook.His initial idea was an app to digitize whiteboards in real-time. When that didn't pan out, Joe pivoted hard - creating the Rocketbook, a reusable notebook you could literally microwave to erase and reuse. This wacky "microwave to erase" gimmick went viral on Kickstarter, raising over $1 million. But actually manufacturing the microwavable notebooks was a nightmare...Hear the full story of constant pivots, huge challenges, and 24/7 hustle behind this wild entrepreneurial journey.00:00:00 - From Engineer to Entrepreneur00:03:50 - The Whiteboard App00:09:15 - Pivoting to Notebooks00:13:25 - Going Viral: Microwave to Erase00:19:20 - $1 Million in Pre-Sales00:22:20 - Manufacturing Nightmares00:26:45 - Surviving by a Thread00:30:10 - Shark Tank Roast00:31:25 - A Wipeable Wonder00:33:20 - Crowdfunding Kings00:38:15 - Word-of-Mouth Magic00:41:30 - Brick & Mortar Struggles00:44:50 - Exploring Exit Options00:53:50 - Selling to Bic: The $50 Million Deal00:56:40 - Post-Exit Life01:00:05 - Rapid Fire01:04:50 - Wrapping UpABOUT THE HOSTS:Will Nitze is the Founder & CEO at IQBAR - America's leading "brain + body" nutrition startup. With minimal funding, Will has taken IQBAR from zero locations and zero in revenue in 2018 to 10,000+ doors and a projected $50 million in sales in 2024.Joe Lemay founded Rocketbook with business partner Jake Epstein. After being featured on “Shark Tank”, where the sharks passed on a chance to invest – Joe would go on to grow Rocketbook and sell it to BIC for 40 million dollars just three years later.Connect with Joe Lemay:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lemayjoe/X: https://twitter.com/lemayjoeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lemayjoe/?hl=en