Bora talks to Kelley Thornton, founder & CEO of Tiege Hanley, who reveals the fascinating journey of building a successful men's skincare brand from the ground up.

Perfect for aspiring brand builders and entrepreneurs, this episode offers invaluable insights into:

1. Identifying market opportunities: Learn how Kelley spotted a gap in the men's skincare market and leveraged it to create a thriving business.

2. Product development strategies: Discover the importance of working with experts (like chemists) to create high-quality, effective products that keep customers coming back.

3. Brand positioning: Understand how Tiege Hanley's focus on being "uncomplicated, guiding, and friendly" sets them apart in a crowded market.

4. Subscription model economics: Gain insights into the financial advantages of a subscription-based business and how to make it work.

5. Marketing tactics: Explore effective channels like YouTube and TikTok, and learn how to collaborate with content creators to reach your target audience.

6. Scaling challenges: Hear about the hurdles Tiege Hanley faced while growing from 5,000 to over 500,000 customers across 108 countries.

7. Economic insights: Get Kelley's perspective on current market conditions and how they affect consumer behavior in the personal care industry.

Whether you're looking to start your own brand or grow an existing one, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiring stories that will help you navigate the complex world of direct-to-consumer business. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from a true industry innovator!

Bora chats with Lukas Derksen, co-founder of Freaks of Nature, as he shares the remarkable journey of creating a groundbreaking sunscreen brand alongside surfing legend Kelly Slater.

What you'll learn in this episode:

1. The origin story of Freaks of Nature, born from a personal need during a family relocation to Nicaragua

2. How the team identified a gap in the market for outdoor athlete-focused skincare products

3. The scientific approach to product development, including the importance of the skin microbiome

4. The challenges of creating a 100% mineral sunscreen with optimal performance and sensory experience

5. The rigorous testing process, involving 52 formula iterations and feedback from professional athletes

6. Insights into building a brand identity that resonates with the outdoor athlete community

7. The unexpected hurdles faced during launch, including website blacklisting and packaging issues

8. Strategies for multi-channel distribution in today's competitive market

9. The importance of authentic collaborations with athletes and influencers

10. Future innovations in outdoor-focused skincare, including bug repellents and odor control

Key takeaways for brand builders:

- The power of identifying and solving a specific consumer need

- The importance of extensive product testing and iteration

- How to leverage scientific expertise to create truly innovative products

- Strategies for building credibility within niche communities

- The challenges and rewards of prioritizing sustainability in product development

- The value of a multi-channel approach in today's retail landscape

Whether you're a skincare enthusiast, outdoor adventurer, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode offers valuable insights into the creation of a cutting-edge brand that's changing the game in sun protection and skin health.

Bora talks to Tim Sharif, the founder of 310 Nutrition who takes us on an entrepreneurial odyssey from his early days as a Google advertising affiliate to building a multi-million dollar nutrition brand. Tim shares invaluable insights for brand builders, covering everything from product development to marketing strategies in the ever-evolving e-commerce landscape.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Tim Sharif built 310 Nutrition into a $300 million revenue generating business primarily through their website

• How a simple area code inspired a multi-million dollar nutrition brand

• Secrets to creating clean, great-tasting nutritional products that stand out

• Navigating the evolution of digital marketing from Google ads to influencer partnerships

• Building and nurturing a loyal customer community of over 400,000 members

• Strategies for successfully transitioning from e-commerce to retail shelves

• The art of pivoting and adapting to rapid changes in the business landscape

• Scaling challenges and the importance of maintaining 'founder mode'

• Leveraging AI and data analysis for product development and customer insights

• Balancing passion projects with market-driven opportunities in entrepreneurship

• The financial realities of entering retail spaces, including 'free fills' and distributor relationships

• How to stay competitive by studying and learning from your competition

• The transition from interest-based to machine learning-based advertising

• Strategies for effective influencer marketing and how it's evolved over time

• The importance of founder involvement in customer interactions and community building

• How to use tools like SpyFu for competitive analysis in digital marketing

• The potential of new platforms like TikTok shops for early adopter advantage

• Challenges and strategies for hiring and building an effective team, including offshore options

• The role of standard operating procedures (SOPs) in scaling a business efficiently

• How to leverage ChatGPT and AI for business planning and strategy

• The importance of product iteration and continuous improvement based on customer feedback

In a conversation with Joe Carr, Bora delves into the extraordinary journey of Joe and Serenity Carr, founders of Serenity Kids, a revolutionary baby food brand that's redefining infant nutrition.

From a small startup in 2018 to raising a staggering $58 million in 2024, their story is a masterclass in entrepreneurship, product innovation, and mission-driven business.

Joe Carr takes us behind the scenes of their meteoric rise:

1. The Genesis: Learn how Serenity's "summer of nerddom" - an intensive deep dive into infant nutrition research - uncovered a startling gap in the baby food market. Discover their shock at finding most baby foods were essentially "nutritionally void" fruit purees, leading to their mission to introduce meat and healthy fats into infant diets.

2. Product Development: Follow their journey from experimenting in a co-op kitchen to creating their first hit products - free-range chicken with peas and carrots, and grass-fed beef with sweet potato and kale. Understand the challenges of developing shelf-stable, pouched meat products for infants.

3. Funding Journey: Gain insights into their unconventional fundraising approach, raising pre-seed capital without a finished product - a rarity in the food industry. Learn how they leveraged the "food bubble" and their personal charisma to secure initial investments.

4. Retail Breakthrough: Experience the pivotal moment when Whole Foods called, offering nationwide distribution just months after launch. Understand how this catapulted them from 2,000 to 5,000 store doors in just two years.

5. Marketing Mastery: Uncover their unique marketing strategies, including:

- Leveraging digital ads with a 2.5-3X return on ad spend

- Building a robust online presence that drives both direct-to-consumer and retail sales

- Innovative influencer partnerships, including bringing mommy bloggers on as investors

6. Product Integrity: Learn about their commitment to transparency, including listing individual farms on their website, and how this builds trust with health-conscious parents.

7. Scaling Challenges: Hear Joe's candid discussion on the difficulties of scaling, including supply chain management, maintaining product quality while tripling production, and the complexities of personnel management as they grow from 36 to potentially 100+ employees.

8. Future Vision: Get a glimpse into their plans for the next 3-5 years, including their strategies for maintaining product integrity while dramatically increasing market presence.

This episode is a goldmine for brand builders, offering deep insights into:

- Identifying and filling market gaps

- Developing products with unwavering integrity

- Innovative funding and marketing strategies

- Navigating rapid growth and scaling challenges

- Balancing mission-driven values with business expansion

Whether you're an entrepreneur in the food industry, a marketing professional, or simply fascinated by disruptive business stories, this conversation with Joe Carr offers invaluable lessons on turning a kitchen experiment into a multi-million dollar brand that's changing how we nourish the next generation.

Bora talks to Robbie Salter, co-founder of Jupiter as he reveals how he transformed a personal pain point into a thriving business that's revolutionizing the dandruff and scalp health industry.

From the entertainment world to the beauty sector, Robbie's journey offers invaluable insights for anyone looking to build a distinctive brand in a niche market.

Key takeaways for brand builders:

1. Market Research Innovation: Learn about Robbie's ingenious "fake brand" strategy to validate market demand and gather crucial consumer insights before launch.

2. Product Development in Regulated Industries: Discover the challenges and processes involved in creating proprietary formulations in the health and beauty sector.

3. Branding Strategies for Stigmatized Products: Understand how Jupiter repositioned a traditionally medicinal product as a lifestyle brand, balancing efficacy with appealing aesthetics.

4. Launch Strategies During Crisis: Gain insights into launching a digitally native brand during the COVID-19 pandemic and pivoting to unexpected retail opportunities.

5. Channel Strategy: Explore the decision-making process behind choosing between DTC, Amazon, and selective retail partnerships.

6. Influencer Marketing in Sensitive Niches: Learn about the unique challenges and approaches to influencer partnerships when dealing with stigmatized topics.

7. Competitive Positioning: Understand how to differentiate your brand in a market dominated by legacy players and emerging influencer-led brands.

8. Product Line Expansion: Gain insights into strategically expanding product lines to address adjacent consumer needs while staying true to your core mission.

9. Building Brand Credibility: Discover how Jupiter establishes trust and authority in a scientifically-backed category.

10. Long-term Brand Building vs. Short-term Gains: Learn about the tensions between building a quality-focused brand and competing with fast-moving, influencer-led competitors.

11. Team Management and Scaling: Understand the challenges of resource allocation and team expansion in a growing startup.

12. Future-proofing Your Brand: Get a glimpse into how Jupiter is preparing for future market changes and opportunities.

Whether you're a startup founder, a marketing executive, or a business student, this episode offers a masterclass in building a modern, disruptive brand from the ground up.

Tune in to gain actionable insights that you can apply to your own brand-building journey, regardless of your industry.

Bora chats with Dr. Joseph Antoun, CEO of L-Nutra. They discuss Prolon, a pioneering "fasting mimicking diet" backed by extensive scientific research.

Beyond its health benefits, this conversation offers valuable insights for brand builders on launching and scaling a science-based wellness product.

Key topics discussed include:

Dr. Antoun also shares insights on overcoming skepticism, the importance of long-term vision in product development, and the potential for personalized nutrition in the future. This episode offers a comprehensive look at building a disruptive brand in the competitive wellness industry, emphasizing the power of scientific backing and a mission-driven approach.

Bora chats with Alex Keyan, co-founder of GoPure Beauty, to explore the fascinating journey of building a successful direct-to-consumer skincare brand. Alex shares insights on:

- The inspiration behind GoPure and its mission to bridge the gap between effective and clean skincare

- Balancing premium quality with accessible pricing in the beauty industry

- The challenges of scaling a DTC brand and key lessons learned along the way

- GoPure's approach to product development, combining safe ingredients with active formulations

- The importance of transparency in building customer trust

- Strategies for success on emerging platforms like TikTok Shop

- Leveraging user-generated content and collaborating with authentic creators

- Navigating the dynamics of a husband-wife founding team

- The future of indie beauty brands and GoPure's plans for retail expansion

Alex offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and discusses the company's innovative approach to differentiation in a crowded market.

From supply chain challenges to retail aspirations, this episode provides a comprehensive look at the evolving landscape of clean beauty and e-commerce.

Bora chats with Mark Samuel, the founder of IWON Organics, a company specializing in plant-based protein snacks. Mark shares his transition from being a fitness enthusiast to founding a health-focused snack company, offering valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of the food and beverage industry.

Key topics discussed include:

1. The origin story of IWON Organics and Mark's motivation to fill a void in the savory protein snack market.

2. The choice of pea protein and the importance of organic, sustainable ingredients in IWON's products.

3. The complexities of the food and beverage industry, including distribution, product innovation, and manufacturing challenges.

4. Mark's approach to balanced nutrition and the 80-20 rule for maintaining a healthy relationship with food.

5. The product development process, including flavor selection and the importance of consumer preferences.

6. The role of capital in scaling a food brand and Mark's candid insights on fundraising.

7. Strategies for securing retail placement, including IWON's journey to national distribution in Whole Foods.

8. Marketing approaches, with a focus on product demos and micro-influencer partnerships.

9. The debate between perseverance and knowing when to quit in entrepreneurship.

10. Current challenges facing IWON Organics and Mark's personal priorities moving forward.

This episode offers a wealth of knowledge for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those interested in the health food industry.

Mark's honest reflections on the highs and lows of building a brand provide valuable lessons on resilience, adaptability, and the importance of staying true to one's vision while remaining open to change.

Bora chats with Dr. Jonathan Carp, the founder of Miracle Noodle. Dr. Carp shares his fascinating transition from dermatology to the world of nutrition and health-focused food products.

Key topics discussed in this episode include:

Dr. Carp offers valuable insights into the intersection of health, nutrition, and entrepreneurship, discussing how he navigates the ever-changing landscape of dietary trends while maintaining a focus on empowering consumers to take control of their health. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in health-conscious entrepreneurship, food innovation, or the journey from medical professional to successful business owner.

In this episode, Bora dives deep into the world of fertility support with Jake Kent, co-founder of Dandi Fertility. Jake shares the deeply personal journey that led to the creation of Dandi, a groundbreaking startup at the intersection of physical products and digital health services for fertility care.

Key topics explored in this episode include:

This episode offers a fascinating look at how personal experience, empathy, and innovation can come together to create meaningful solutions in healthcare. Whether you're interested in fertility, startups, or the intersection of physical and digital health, Jake Kent's story with Dandi is sure to inspire and inform.