By Lauren Hodgen
5
99 ratings
The podcast currently has 140 episodes available.
Julia Perez is the Chief Marketing Officer at OWYN (Only What You Need), the premium plant-based nutrition brand behind the #1 plant-based protein shake in the U.S. With a decade of experience in high-growth, healthier-for-you food and beverage startups, her passion for fitness and wellness have come to fruition with OWYN, where she’s helped fuel omnichannel expansion and continued to bridge the gap between consumer-friendly appeal and the medical field. Julia has carved a niche as a self-proclaimed “intrapreneur” in the food and beverage industry, playing a pivotal role at high-growth brands that have since successfully exited to two strategic acquirers, Core Water in 2018 to Keurig Dr. Pepper ($535M) and recently, OWYN in 2024 to Simply Good ($280M.)
IG juliaperezzz | liveowyn
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SKU is a trailblazing consumer product accelerator based in Austin, TX.
SKU provides an ecosystem that creates lasting change in CPG by providing all the resources founders need to accelerate the growth of their brands. SKU’s world-class program is driven by a community of the nation’s top CPG leaders, successful founders and industry experts. Their intensive programs offer best-in-class education, hand-picked teams of mentors and access to retailers and investors, all dedicated to building brands that change lives.
IG skuatx | sku.is
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A McKinsey consultant turned into a cheesemaker, Ilay is out to make labneh a thing as the co-founder and CEO of BEZI. She began her career as a financial services consultant at McKinsey and was sponsored by the firm to pursue her MBA at Columbia Business School in New York. During her time at Columbia, Ilay fell in love with the city, built her community through dinner parties at her home, known as Cafe Ilay, and completed her "business school summer internship" at a Mediterranean farm, milking cows and sheep, and learning to make cheese from scratch.
Despite her passion, Ilay unfortunately lacked the courage to launch her own cheese company at the time and returned to McKinsey’s New York office to become an Engagement Manager.
After her promotion, Ilay left McKinsey to help launch Getir’s (the parent company of FreshDirect) US operations, where she spent 2.5 years overseeing merchandising, commercial, and marketing departments. It was during this period that she met her co-founder, Hasan, the heir to one of Turkey’s largest cheesemaking families.
After working together for a year and hitting it off, Ilay and Hasan decided to make labneh a thing by creating BEZI and launching it first in their beloved New York after 1 year of working behind the scenes.
IG eatbezi | eatbezi.com
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Semira Nikou is the co-founder and CEO of Better Sour, a new sour candy startup celebrating global, heritage rich flavors with a commitment to healthier, low-sugar ingredients. Better Sour's flavors are inspired by the tart fruits the co-founders grew up eating as the daughters of Iranian immigrants raised in Hawai'i. Semira was previously a practicing attorney, most recently as a senior associate at a leading law firm in Washington, DC, where she advised clients on international trade and sanctions compliance.
IG eatbettersour | bettersour.com
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Laura Markewicz, Founder & CEO: Former advertising executive, entrepreneurship award winner, and second-time founder with 20 years of experience building brands and growing businesses.
Lotza is a non-alcoholic sparkling citrus punch (to mix or enjoy solo) that aims to enhance what we enjoy about alcohol and combat its negative effects on our bodies. We've removed all the bad stuff found in other drink mixers and alcoholic beverages, and added in "lotza" the good stuff... mood-boosting adaptogens, hydrating electrolytes, and vitamins to support next-day recovery.
IG getlotza | getlotza.com
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Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
B.T.R. NATION founder Ashley Nickelsen was inspired to create a truly clean snack while serving as the main caretaker for both of her parents as they battled rare forms of cancer.
On a mission to create the snacks that were never available to her family, Ashley leveraged her background in food studies and biochemistry to the kitchen, making low-sugar protein bites boosted with plant-based, superfood ingredients.
Today, B.T.R NATION remains dedicated to embodying her parent’s mantra of being bold, tenacious, & resilient. With each purchase.
IG btr.nation | btrnation.com
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Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
Chef Joe Sasto is an acclaimed chef, cookbook author, culinary innovator, and passionate advocate for the art of Italian cuisine. With a background rooted in Michelin-starred kitchens and the rich traditions of his Italian heritage, Chef Joe Sasto is a celebrity chef not only in the culinary world but within the social media landscape as well.
Chef Sasto has a penchant for pushing the boundaries of culinary creativity and has gained widespread recognition for his distinctive approach to cooking and his unwavering commitment to excellence.
Through his work as a chef, educator, and culinary consultant, Chef Sasto continues to inspire and delight food enthusiasts worldwide with his extraordinary talent and infectious passion for all things pasta, food and travel.
www.joesasto.com | IG chef.joe.sasto | TikTok chef.joe.sasto.
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citrusdiaries.com | [email protected]
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Debbie Mullin is the Founder and CEO of Copper Cow Coffee. Inspired by her Vietnamese-American heritage and brought to life using her experiences at the World Bank improving supply chains to reduce poverty in developing countries, Copper Cow was founded in 2016 out of Debbie’s sister’s garage to support sustainable farming practices in Vietnam, the world’s second-largest coffee exporter after Brazil. Copper Cow proudly partners with local Vietnamese farmers by investing in organic farming education, agricultural infrastructure and the supply chain, and investing over $100,000 to date and paying farmers 2x the market rates –– all for a cup you can truly feel good about drinking. Copper Cow is also part of the 2% of women-owned companies with venture funding.
IG coppercowcoffee | coppercow.com
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I’m so excited to share with you this week’s conversation with Crystal of Bowlcut. She is taking a refreshed look at beloved Asian sauces to ride the wave of the need for lower sodium, plant-based options. We discuss the importance of community and how she’s seen the benefits while growing up in her parent’s restaurant to now while starting Bowlcut. I learned so much from this conversation and it served as a great reminder to trust my gut.
Founded in 2021, Bowlcut is the first and only Asian American sauce brand that is focused on reducing sodium and sugar. Today, the brand's portfolio includes Chili Crisp, Char Siu BBQ, & more!
IG getbowlcut | thebowlcut.com
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Michael Tashman is the Founder and CEO of Churn Foods, the butter brand combining the finest grass-fed European-style butter with the highest quality ingredients. He entered the culinary world starting as a line cook while playing football at The University of Miami, and went on to attend both Japanese and French culinary schools.
In 2020, Tashman launched Churn bringing a fresh, innovative take on butter to the American market. Churn’s butter offers chef crafted tools to home cooks across the US through sweet and savory flavored European-style butters.
IG churnfoods | churnfoods.com
Find Me:
IG + TikTok citrusdiaries.studio
citrusdiaries.com | [email protected]
Create your podcast today! #madeonzencastr
The podcast currently has 140 episodes available.