Unstoppable | A Conversation With Change Makers

On today’s episode, we welcome Samantha Diamond, Founder and CEO of Bird&Be, the modern fertility brand making evidence-backed, inclusive care accessible to both women and men. After facing her own experiences with PCOS and pregnancy loss, Samantha set out to disrupt a dated, gendered industry — creating a brand that merges science, empathy, and accessibility.Hear how Samantha scaled Bird&Be into an eight-figure, subscription-first business that’s redefining access to fertility care — including reaching thousands of customers in fertility “deserts” across the country. This fall, Bird&Be is expanding into 300+ Ulta Beauty stores, becoming the first fertility brand to bring male-focused products to the beauty aisle.In this episode, Samantha opens up about how her personal journey inspired Bird&Be, what it takes to build trust in such a sensitive and science-driven category, and how the brand is cutting through misinformation with evidence-based innovation. We also dive into her lessons in leader

On today’s episode, Kara welcomes Hannah Perez, Co-Founder of SEEQ — the protein brand shaking up the supplement aisle with its clear, refreshing take on traditional protein drinks. With a vision to create something that felt more like a fruit juice than a chalky shake, Hannah and her co-founder launched SEEQ out of their apartment and quickly built a brand that’s gone viral on social media and found its way onto major retail shelves.Hannah shares the early days of SEEQ, how she helped pioneer the clear protein category, and how bold branding, community-building, and an obsessive focus on product experience helped them stand out in a crowded wellness space. We dive into her founder journey, her evolving leadership role, and what it takes to turn a niche idea into a breakout CPG brand. Whether you're in CPG, fitness, or dreaming up your next big idea — this episode is full of insights and inspiration. Don’t miss it! Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, which is now in the T

On today’s episode, Kara welcomes Gabi Day, Founder and CEO of Bright Body, the sustainable beauty brand redefining what “clean” really means. Bright Body combines modern science with Ayurvedic-inspired botanicals to create refillable skin, hair, and baby care products that are safe, effective, and truly sustainable. Every formula is crafted to meet stricter safety standards, packaged in glass and aluminum, and designed with a closed-loop refill system to reduce waste and protect the planet.Gabi shares how she built Bright Body from the ground up — scaling sustainably without outside funding, earning high customer loyalty, and setting a new standard for transparency in clean beauty. We dive into her philosophy on balancing purpose with profitability, what it takes to stand out in a crowded industry, and how thoughtful systems can drive real growth. From product formulation to leadership lessons, this episode is full of insights for founders, beauty lovers, and anyone passionate about building with integrity.

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Nicolas Jammet, Co-Founder and Chief Concept Officer of Sweetgreen, the mission-driven restaurant brand redefining fast food with fresh, crave-worthy meals. Nicolas and his co-founders launched Sweetgreen in 2007, opening their very first location in Georgetown just three months after graduating college. What started as a single salad shop has grown into a nationally recognized brand with hundreds of locations and a loyal following, all built on a vision of making healthy food accessible and transparent.In our conversation, Nicolas shares how Sweetgreen nearly ran out of money in the early months, the turning point that showed him the concept could scale, and how he’s balanced innovation with operational rigor. We dive into the role of technology in shaping Sweetgreen’s growth, the challenge of scaling culture across hundreds of restaurants, and how the brand continues to stay ahead in a crowded marketplace. Nicolas also reflects on the toughest leaders

On today’s episode, Kara welcomes Katya Eckert, Founder & CEO of A DOMANI, the emerging brand pioneering cooling sleepwear for women going through hormonal changes. Katya’s inspiration came from her own postpartum experience, when she was blindsided by night sweats and frustrated by the lack of elegant, high-quality solutions on the market. Determined to create something better, she set out to build sleepwear that was not only functional but also luxurious and beautiful.In this conversation, Katya shares her journey from a 15-year career in institutional finance to building a science-backed DTC brand. We talk about the white space she saw in the sleepwear category, how she developed A DOMANI’s innovative fabrics and silhouettes, and what it takes to create products that solve real problems for women while staying true to luxury and design. This episode is packed with insights for founders, innovators, and anyone passionate about building brands that challenge the status quo. Don’t miss it! Are you interes

On today’s episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we welcome Mark Rampolla, Founder of ZICO Coconut Water and author of An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Freedom. Mark introduced coconut water to the U.S. market, scaled ZICO into a global brand, and sold it to Coca-Cola for over $200 million. Years later, he bought ZICO back — and today, he’s leading it into its next chapter while also helping entrepreneurs rethink success and freedom.Mark shares the inside story of building and selling ZICO, why he decided to buy it back, and what feels different about running it now. He also dives into the core themes of his new book, An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Freedom — from why so many entrepreneurs aren’t truly free, to how success actually starts with freedom, to the daily practices and inner work that help founders reclaim their lives while building great companies. Packed with powerful insights and actionable takeaways, this episode is a must-listen for founders, leaders, and anyone chasing a vision of success that also leaves roo

On today’s episode, Kara welcomes Deborah Pagani, Founder of Deborah Pagani and Deborah Pagani Beauty. A celebrated hairstylist, jewelry designer, and now beauty entrepreneur, Deborah has spent decades shaping luxury across industries — from working with icons like Prince and Cyndi Lauper, to sparking the French pin revival with her cult-favorite hair accessories, to designing fine jewelry sold at Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman.Most recently, she launched Deborah Pagani Beauty, a luxury haircare line years in the making. Self-funded and born out of her vision to merge indulgence with performance, Deborah created clean, high-performing formulas anchored by an addictive signature fragrance and packaged in glass bottles worthy of display. In this conversation, she shares how her career journey prepared her to disrupt multiple categories, the white space she saw in the crowded haircare industry, and what it takes to build unapologetic luxury without compromise. This episode is packed with insights for founders, cre

On today’s episode, Kara welcomes Angela Caglia, Founder and CEO of Angela Caglia Skincare, the luxury brand pioneering human stem cell-derived technology in regenerative aesthetics. With over 30 years of experience as a celebrity esthetician, Angela has treated some of the world’s most iconic faces and is now leading a new era in anti-aging skincare through groundbreaking, science-backed innovation.Angela shares the story of how she built her namesake brand to bridge high-performance results with clean, ethical formulations. We dive into the breakthrough Cell Forté Collection, what Human-Derived Stem Cell (HDSC™) Technology really means, and how regenerative beauty is changing the conversation around skin longevity. From the lessons she’s learned in building a science-first brand, to how she’s educating consumers in a crowded category, to what’s next for Angela Caglia Skincare, this episode is filled with insights for founders, beauty enthusiasts, and innovators everywhere. Don’t miss it! Are you interested

On today’s episode, Kara welcomes Doss Cunningham, Chairman and CEO of Nutrabolt, the powerhouse behind consumer-loved brands like C4 Energy, Cellucor, and XTEND. Over the last 20 years, Doss has led Nutrabolt to become the largest independently-owned active health and wellness portfolio in the world, trusted by athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and millions of consumers around the globe.Doss shares the story of how Nutrabolt scaled from a single sports nutrition brand into a global performance wellness company. We dive into the rise of C4 as one of the fastest-growing energy drinks in the U.S., why Gen Z is reshaping the wellness space, and how athlete partnerships with stars like Saquon Barkley, CJ Stroud, and even investor Kevin Hart are fueling the brand’s cultural momentum. From building sustainably while staying private, to fostering a mission-driven culture, to creating a one-of-a-kind Austin HQ that reflects the company’s vision—this episode is packed with lessons for entrepreneurs, brand builders, and l

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Indie Lee, Founder of Indie Lee Skincare — the clean beauty brand built on resilience, transparency, and a mission to empower healthier living. Indie’s journey began in 2008, when she was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumor that doctors believed was environmentally derived. After surviving surgery, she turned her awakening into action, creating her own skincare formulas at home and eventually launching Indie Lee Skincare in 2010.In our conversation, Indie shares how she transformed her personal health crisis into a movement that helped shape the clean beauty industry, what it took to bring her kitchen-made formulas to market, and how the brand has evolved over the past 15 years. We talk about the challenges of pioneering clean beauty before it was mainstream, how she defines “clean” today, and the lessons she’s learned as a mission-driven founder balancing wellness, science, and growth. Indie also opens up about her most pivotal founder moment

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Lauren Gropper, Founder and CEO of Repurpose — the compostable household goods brand that’s changing the way we think about single-use products. What started with a vision to replace wasteful plastics with plant-based alternatives has grown into a national movement, with Repurpose products now found in over 20,000 retail locations including Target, Costco, Kroger, and Whole Foods. From compostable cups, plates, and cutlery to bamboo paper towels and BPA-free wine cups, Repurpose is proving that sustainability can be simple, stylish, and affordable.In our conversation, Lauren shares how her early career in sustainable design and an eye-opening stint consulting in Hollywood inspired the launch of Repurpose. We talk about what it’s like to pioneer a new category, the challenges of educating consumers without overwhelming them, and how she’s built a mission-driven brand that has already replaced more than 727 million pieces of plastic. Lauren also opens up

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Matt Maroone, Co-Founder and CEO of Silver Mirror Facial Bar — the fast-growing skincare brand redefining what facials look like in today’s busy world. Silver Mirror delivers results-driven treatments designed to fit seamlessly into modern lifestyles, blending expert estheticians, clinical technology, and a welcoming environment that’s as educational as it is empowering.In our conversation, Matt shares his journey from the music industry to beauty entrepreneurship, the leap of faith in bootstrapping Silver Mirror’s first location, and how he and co-founder Cindy Kim carved out a new space between luxury spas and clinical dermatology. We talk about shifting consumer perception to make facials a consistent routine, building a membership model that drives loyalty, and the challenges of scaling into new markets like NYC, DC, and Miami. Matt also opens up about his leadership philosophy, the risks he’s taken along the way, and his vision for where Silver Mir

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Hannah Cheng, Co-Founder and CEO of Mimi Cheng’s — the cult-favorite dumpling brand on a mission to bring family recipes to the world in a fresh, modern way. What began in 2014 as a small New York City dumpling shop, inspired by Hannah and her sister Marian’s mom’s recipes, has grown into a thriving brand with restaurants, ready-to-eat Taiwanese meals, and soon frozen dumplings launching nationwide at Whole Foods in Fall 2025.In our conversation, Hannah shares her journey from JP Morgan’s trading floor to running one of NYC’s most beloved dumpling spots, and how she balanced Wall Street with entrepreneurship during the early years. We dive into what has allowed Mimi Cheng’s to thrive for over a decade in a notoriously tough industry, why staying self-funded and self-operated has been key, and what it takes to expand from restaurants into CPG. Hannah also opens up about building a business with her sister, her favorite collaborations, the lessons she’s l

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Marguerite Adzick, Founder & CEO of Addison Bay — the women’s activewear brand blending polished style with high performance. A former Division I athlete, Marguerite launched Addison Bay in 2018 to solve a problem she knew firsthand: activewear that could keep up with the demands of real life, not just the gym.In our conversation, Marguerite shares how she built Addison Bay from idea to nationally recognized brand, how she found white space in one of the most crowded categories in retail, and the bold bets that helped her stand out. We also talk about navigating the challenges of launching while pregnant, landing features in Vogue, Forbes, and The Today Show, and her vision for making Addison Bay a household name.Whether you’re an activewear enthusiast, a brand builder, or a founder looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. Now on The Kara Goldin Show. Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on Th

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Joe Nicchi, Founder and CEO of CVT Soft Serve — the Los Angeles–based brand that turned a classic chocolate-vanilla twist into a cultural phenomenon. What started with a single soft serve truck in 2014 has grown into a beloved brand with multiple trucks, retail locations, and packaged pints that bring the CVT experience to even more fans. Along the way, Joe made national headlines when he pushed back on influencer freebie culture with his now-viral “influencers pay double” policy, reinforcing the authenticity that has defined CVT from the beginning.In our conversation, Joe shares how he went from acting to entrepreneurship, what it’s really like to build a food business from a truck on the streets of LA, and the bold bets he’s made to grow CVT into an enduring brand. We talk about scaling beyond food trucks, the challenges of breaking into retail, and what it takes to carve out space in an ice cream market dominated by giants. Joe also opens up about th

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Tim Manschot, Founder and CEO of NOWATCH — the world’s first screenless wearable reimagining how we engage with technology. Instead of pulling you into endless notifications and distractions, NOWATCH blends cutting-edge biosensing with timeless, sustainable design to help you build resilience, recover faster, and live with more intention.In our conversation, Tim shares the personal health journey that pushed he and his co-founder to commit to building a company rooted in neuroscience, mindfulness, and meaning.We dive into what “compassionate technology” really means, how real-time stress prediction can change daily life, and the challenges of creating a whole new category in wellness wearables. From product design to consumer behavior to the future of intentional tech, this episode is filled with insights for founders, innovators, and anyone curious about how technology can support presence instead of distraction.Whether you’re a founder, a wellness adv

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Indie Lee, Founder of Indie Lee Skincare — the clean beauty brand built on resilience, transparency, and a mission to empower healthier living. Indie’s journey began in 2008, when she was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumor that doctors believed was environmentally derived. After surviving surgery, she turned her awakening into action, creating her own skincare formulas at home and eventually launching Indie Lee Skincare in 2010.In our conversation, Indie shares how she transformed her personal health crisis into a movement that helped shape the clean beauty industry, what it took to bring her kitchen-made formulas to market, and how the brand has evolved over the past 15 years. We talk about the challenges of pioneering clean beauty before it was mainstream, how she defines “clean” today, and the lessons she’s learned as a mission-driven founder balancing wellness, science, and growth. Indie also opens up about her most pivotal founder moment

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Sammy Kestenbaum, Co-Founder and CEO of PRETZELIZED — the snack brand pioneering a whole new category by combining pretzels with other classics to create two favorites in one. What started with the idea for a pretzel-meets-pita-chip hybrid has quickly grown into a national brand, now found in over 15,000 doors across the country with products like oven-baked Pretzel Crackers and twice-baked Pretzel Pita Chips.In our conversation, Sammy shares the inspiration behind PRETZELIZED, how he and his team carved out white space in the brutally competitive snack aisle, and what it takes to convince retailers to back a brand-new snack format. We talk about scaling fast, standing out against industry giants, and the bold bets he’s making to grow PRETZELIZED into a household name. Sammy also opens up about the challenges of launching something new, the lessons he’s learned from building other iconic snack brands, and his vision for the future of snacking.Whether yo

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Mark Brooks, Co-Founder and CEO of Brainiac — the science-driven snack brand on a mission to close the brain nutrition gap and give families better options that fuel brilliance. With most Americans consuming less than 20% of the Omega-3s and choline needed for optimal brain health, Mark and his team are changing that with kid-favorite snacks powered by the BrainPack®, their proprietary blend designed to support memory, mood, focus, and adaptability.In our conversation, Mark shares the inspiration behind launching Brainiac, the personal journey he and his Co-Founder Jonathan Wolfson went through as dads that sparked the idea, and how they built the brand alongside pediatricians, neuroscientists, and nutritionists. We dive into the science of brain nutrition, the challenges of educating parents in a crowded food space, and what it takes to grow a mission-driven brand into national distribution at Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, and beyond. He also gives us

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Mike Adair, Founder of Red’s — the premium frozen food brand on a mission to reinvent the frozen aisle with clean, convenient, and crave-worthy options. What began with a simple idea and a nod to his beloved dog Red has grown into the largest premium frozen burrito and breakfast sandwich brand in the country. Red’s is now a staple in grocery stores nationwide, delivering real food made with fresh-baked tortillas, non-GMO ingredients, antibiotic-free meats, and cage-free eggs.In our conversation, Mike shares how Red’s went from a small startup to a national category leader, the bold bets he made on clean ingredients before it was trendy, and why bringing manufacturing in-house was a game-changing move. We explore the realities of competing with legacy giants in the freezer aisle, how frozen food can actually drive sustainability by reducing food waste, and what it takes to balance rapid growth with relentless quality. Mike also opens up about the toughes