Behind The Barcode

In this episode, David, co-founder of MaryRuth Organics, shares the inspiring story of he started MaryRuth and has scaled it to over 500,000 points of distribution and has been profitable since day one. What started as a small venture with David and MaryRuth has now blossomed into a thriving CPG brand that brings high-quality vitamins and supplements to people everywhere.

David takes us behind the scenes, detailing how a simple idea for a liquid vitamin transformed into a household name, all while staying rooted in their family's commitment to wellness and care. He also shares how Kabbalah and spiritual practices in business have transformed his life. He leads seminars around the world and is one of the most sought after spiritual and business development coaches to CEOs, founders, athletes, etc.

Tune in for a glimpse into the hustle, heart, and family values that fueled MaryRuth Organics' meteoric rise and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

Follow David on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidghiyam/

Shop MaryRuth Organics: https://www.maryruthorganics.com/

Join us in this episode of Behind the Barcode as we chat with Steve, the founder and CEO of Papa Steve's.

Discover how Steve’s passion for health and fitness led him from stocking his protein bars at Whole Foods himself to growing an international brand with a devoted following. Learn about the unique challenges of scaling a CPG business, navigating the modern retail landscape, and fostering customer loyalty in a rapidly changing market.

Dive into the inspiring story of how a small vision turned into a protein bar powerhouse.

Shop Papa Steve Bars: https://papasteves.com/

Follow Papa Steves on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/papasteves/

In this episode of Behind the Barcode, we chat with Kristin Charbo, co-founder and CEO of Glonuts, to unravel the inspiring story of how a side project turned into a beloved health-conscious brand.

Originally intended as a snack for their wellness-focused coffee shop, Kristen and Grover’s gluten-free, sugar-free donuts unexpectedly became a hit at local farmers markets. Hear how they navigated the transition from homemade batches to full-scale retail distribution, producing over 100,000 donuts in their first year from their home kitchen.

Discover the pivotal moments, challenges, and lessons learned as they scaled Glonuts into a budding CPG company.

Follow Glownuts on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eatglonuts/?hl=en

In this episode of Behind the Barcode, we chat with Michael Brandt, the founder and CEO of Ketone-IQ, the innovative brand behind the first ketone shots designed to help you tap into natural energy without sugar, caffeine, or artificial stimulants.

Michael shares his biohacking journey, his fascination with ketones, and how he turned a scientific concept into a revolutionary product that's now available in stores.

Join us as we discuss the benefits of ketones, the science behind Ketone-IQ, and how their fermentation process brings clean energy to your body—without the jitters or crash of traditional energy drinks. Plus, we dive into the challenges of scaling a startup in the wellness industry and the future of biohacking.

Get ready for a deep dive into the world of high performance energy and how Ketone-IQ is helping people stay in ketosis, increase performance, and improve mental clarity.

Follow Ketone-IQ on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ketoneiq/?hl=en

Shop Ketone-IQ: https://ketone.com/

In this episode of Behind the Barcode, we’re joined by Jay and his mother, Asha, the dynamic duo behind AshaPops, a brand that's bringing plant-based superfoods inspired by ancient Indian traditions to the U.S. market.

What started as a simple snack made from popped water lily seeds to help Asha sleep, turned into a thriving business, beginning at local farmers' markets. Learn how their passion for healthy eating and community transformed AshaPops into a popular, nationwide snack brand, now seen in airports and grocery stores everywhere.

With their signature energy and warmth, Jay and Asha share their inspiring journey, their innovative flavors, and how they’re spreading the joy of guilt-free snacking.

Follow AshaPops on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ashasuperfoods/?hl=en

Shop AshaPops: https://ashapops.com/

Join us for an exciting episode of Behind the Barcode as we chat with Emma, co-founder of Stellar Eats, a brand that’s transforming the way we bake with better-for-you mixes.

Emma shares her inspiring journey from a corporate sales job to co-founding a company that fills a gap in the gluten-free, grain-free, and paleo-friendly baking market. Learn how she and her co-founders, Stella and Michelle, pivoted from a meal delivery service to creating convenient, healthy baking mixes made with real ingredients—solving the problem of expensive specialty items that often go unused.

Emma also dives into their mission of breaking free from diet culture and making delicious, guilt-free baking accessible to everyone. If you're passionate about healthy eating or curious about entrepreneurship in the food industry, this episode is a must-listen.

Follow Stellar Eats on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/stellar.eats/?hl=en

Shop Stellar Eats: https://stellareats.com/en-us

Follow Emma on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kulas_kitchen/?hl=en

In this new episode of Behind the Barcode, we sit down with Summer Stewart, the inspiring co-founder and CEO of Kamana, the first-ever roasted mesquite coffee alternative available in the U.S.

Join us as Summer shares her journey from concept to creation and introduces us to the incredible world of mesquite, an ancient desert superfood that’s packed with fiber, protein, adaptogens, vitamins, and minerals that she discovered in South Africa.

Mesquite is naturally caffeine and acid-free, providing a smooth and subtly sweet coffee experience with notes of cacao, cinnamon, and nutmeg—without the jitters or stomach discomfort.

If you’re curious about new and healthier alternatives to your daily coffee, this is the episode for you! Summer also delves into the rich history of mesquite, how it’s used in different cultures, and the innovative roasting process that gives Kamana its unique taste, as well as manufacturing the product overseas.

Tune in to learn more about this revolutionary coffee substitute and discover why Kamana is poised to become your new favorite beverage!

Follow Kamana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drinkkamana/?hl=en

Shop Kamana: https://www.kamana.co/

Follow Summer on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summer_stewart/?hl=en

In this episode of Behind the Barcode, we sit down with Zeke, co-founder of The Absorption Company, to explore how they are transforming the world of supplements by focusing on one critical issue: bioavailability. Zeke shares the inspiring journey that led him and his co-founders, Nate, Ian, and Nikki, to create a line of supplements designed to maximize the absorption of nutrients.

Tired of spending money on supplements that didn’t seem to work, the team did extensive research and discovered that less than 15% of the active nutrients in most supplements are actually absorbed by the body. This sparked their mission to solve this widespread problem. Now, with their proprietary technology, The Absorption Company is creating products that improve absorption rates by 500-600%, ensuring your body gets the most out of every dose.

In this episode, Zeke explains the science behind their supplements, from nutrient synergy to the careful selection and pairing of ingredients that boost efficacy. If you’ve ever wondered whether your supplements are really working or are curious about the latest innovations in bioavailability, this episode will give you key insights into the future of nutritional health.

Tune in to discover how The Absorption Company is reshaping the supplement industry.

Follow The Absorption Company on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/absorb.more/

Shop Absorption Company here: https://www.absorbmore.com/

In this lively episode of Behind the Barcode, we chat with Leah and Yasaman, the dynamic co-founders of Good Girl Snacks, creators of the viral Hot Girl Pickles. Leah and Yasaman share the story behind their booming brand, which started as a playful idea between friends and quickly grew into a social media sensation that's shaking up the pickle industry.

Leah, with a background in marketing and communications, and Yasaman, with expertise in art history and finance, both felt unfulfilled in their corporate jobs. Their shared love for pickles and a series of TikTok videos led them to realize a gap in the market for a "cool" pickle brand. What began as a joke soon turned into a full-fledged business, as they envisioned a brand that would stand out with provocative marketing and bold flavors.

In the episode, they discuss the early days of Good Girl Snacks, how they transitioned from corporate life to entrepreneurship, and the unique challenges of building a brand with your best friend. Leah and Yasaman also delve into their shared roots in Geneva, their creative synergy, and the moment they decided to take the leap and turn their fun idea into a thriving business.

Join us as Leah and Yasaman take us behind the scenes of their journey, sharing insights on innovation, friendship, and what it takes to succeed in the competitive world of snacks. If you're a foodie, an entrepreneur, or someone wanting to learn more about the CPG industry this episode is not to be missed!

Follow Good Girl Snacks on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodgirlsnacks/

Shop Good Girl Snacks: https://goodgirlsnacks.com/

In this heartfelt episode of Behind the Barcode, we welcome Lauren Montgomery, the inspiring founder of Monty’s, a brand known for its clean and simple plant-based dairy essentials. Lauren shares her incredible journey from a personal passion to creating Monty’s, a line of vegan cream cheese and butter made from the purest ingredients.

Lauren opens up about the deep connection she has with her brand, which she named after her last name, Montgomery. Driven by the need for a clean, delicious, and plant-based alternative to traditional dairy products, Lauren crafted Monty’s products with just a few simple ingredients, including cashews, cultures, and sea salt. Her dedication to quality and simplicity has made Monty’s a beloved brand among those seeking healthier, plant-based options.

Throughout the episode, Lauren discusses the challenges and rewards of intertwining her personal identity with her business, sharing how her passion and purpose have shaped every aspect of Monty’s. She reflects on the common thread among many founders—creating something that resonates deeply with their soul, not just as a business, but as a personal mission.

Join us as Lauren reveals the story behind Monty’s, offering a glimpse into the world of plant-based dairy and the heart and soul that drive her to create products that not only taste great but also align with her values.

Follow Monty’s on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montysnyc?igsh=MWQ1ZGUxMzBkMA==

Follow Lauren on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefulllaurenmonty?igsh=MWQ1ZGUxMzBkMA==

Shop Monty’s: https://livemontys.com/