Groundbreaking

Meet Bella Lam, creator, blogger, and founder of @coconutwhisk, the first coconut sugar-based, 100% vegan, nut-free, and gluten-free baking mix for all to enjoy. Originally a dream that began in her college apartment, the brand is now soaring and flying off shelves across the nation. Every mix purchased comes with a promise of donating another meal to fight food insecurity. In today's episode, we talk to Bella about overcoming fear, recognizing a sustainable opportunity in your work, and how to make people fall in love with your brand as much as you have. Keep up with Bella and Coconut Whisk by following @coconutwhisk and visiting them at coconutwhisk.com.

Continue supporting Groundbreaking by subscribing to the podcast and leaving a review. Want more from FRNDLY? Check out what we're up to by visiting us at frndlymedia.com and following @frndlymedia on all platforms. You can also follow Jake at @jacobwittenberg. Know somebody we should interview or have a thought you'd like to share? Contact the show by emailing [email protected].

Meet Parsa Shahidi, co-founder and COO of Pangissimo, a new sound system who's latest release, SIMO, is changing the way you listen from streaming music to building surround sound anywhere at anytime. The new startup is tackling media giants by raising the volume everywhere, but their story is doing more than making waves. From early pitches to prototype development, Parsa shares the realities of turning a vision into a tangible product, and the lessons he's learned from the milestones along the way. For more from Pangissimo, visit pangissimostudio.com and follow them @pangissimo.

Continue supporting Groundbreaking by subscribing to the podcast and leaving a review. Want more from FRNDLY? Check out what we're up to by visiting us at frndlymedia.com and following @frndlymedia on all platforms. You can also follow Jake at @jacobwittenberg. Know somebody we should interview or have a thought you'd like to share? Contact the show by emailing [email protected].

Meet Christina Snow, co-founder of Heart and Social Media, a new media agency working with small businesses to build their digital brand. With the rise of young entrepreneurship, Christina and her co-founder, Brianna, are working across Washington to assist young creatives like themselves. In the new episode, we discuss the value of digital branding, connecting with others, and being confident in your capability no matter your experience.

Continue supporting Groundbreaking by subscribing to the podcast and leaving a review. Want more from FRNDLY? Check out what we're up to by visiting us at frndlymedia.com and following @frndlymedia on all platforms. You can also follow Jake at @jacobwittenberg. Know somebody we should interview or have a thought you'd like to share? Contact the show by emailing [email protected].

Meet Katie Diasti, Founder of Viv for Your V, an innovative, sustainable, allergy-free alternative to menstrual products. With no plastic, Viv for Your V uses bamboo as a 95% biodegradable alternative to redefine essential period care. The Boston College graduate and entrepreneur shares with us her story of empowerment to change standards and expectations for a more sustainable and friendly future in self care.

Continue supporting Groundbreaking by subscribing to the podcast and leaving a review. Want more from FRNDLY? Check out what we're up to by visiting us at frndlymedia.com and following @frndlymedia on all platforms. You can also follow Jake at @jacobwittenberg. Know somebody we should interview or have a thought you'd like to share? Contact the show by emailing [email protected].

Meet Vanessa Zielinski, a recent UT Austin graduate and co-founder of Class of 2020 Agency, a new group founded by graduates exercising their creative ambitions in a new way. Having traveled and interned across the country, Vanessa preaches resilience to encourage other young creators to find and challenge their passions in new environments. In this week's episode, we discuss the realities of young creatives entering the work force, what ad agencies often get wrong, the growing trend of unconventional career routes, and recognizing self-awareness in an effort to build upon it. Follow Vanessa @nessazee and check out the Class of 2020 Agency at classof2020.agency.

Continue supporting Groundbreaking by subscribing to the podcast and leaving a review. Want more from FRNDLY? Check out what we're up to by visiting us at frndlymedia.com and following @frndlymedia on all platforms. You can also follow Jake at @jacobwittenberg. Know somebody we should interview or have a thought you'd like to share? Contact the show by emailing [email protected].

Meet Chris Sumlin, author and aspiring television writer. His third book, "Halfway Thru My 20s," set for publication later this year, is a follow-up to his first two books on college, life, and the realities of young adulthood. When he's not writing, he's still writing - but this time for TV. With three shows under his belt (and three degrees), Chris is an activist for greater diversity and representation across all entertainment. In this episode, we Chris discusses the value of diverse voices, the highs and lows of writing and publishing, and the steps to put your ambition and goals into gear. Follow Chris at @thechrissumlin and thechrissumlin.com.

Continue supporting Groundbreaking by subscribing to the podcast and leaving a review. Want more from FRNDLY? Check out what we're up to by visiting us at frndlymedia.com and following @frndlymedia on all platforms. You can also follow Jake at @jacobwittenberg. Know somebody we should interview or have a thought you'd like to share? Contact the show by emailing [email protected].

Meet Rachel Leiner, the NYC-based photographer who went from small business to international creative. Starting as a freelance photographer, Rachel learned to build her brand through networking, curating connection, establishing trust, and learning to compromise in creative vision. Her story emphasizes the repercussions of resilience, and what can happen if you tune out the world and instead turn up the volume on your own spirit. Together, we chat all things photography, the value of real-world experience, and working with clients and customers. Continue following Rachel's journey by checking out @rachelleinerphoto and visiting rachelleiner.com.

Continue supporting Groundbreaking by subscribing to the podcast and leaving a review. Want more from FRNDLY? Check out what we're up to by visiting us at frndlymedia.com and following @frndlymedia on all platforms. You can also follow Jake at @jacobwittenberg. Know somebody we should interview or have a thought you'd like to share? Contact the show by emailing [email protected].

Candice Peterkin is the Founder of She is Art, a magazine and cultural space for women of color to elevate and emphasize their voices. Candice's journey begins in school where she recognized an opportunity to build a platform she wished had existed as a resource of her own. Now, she's fundraising across the nation and traveling to share her story of fulfillment and passion. Today, she stops by our show to discuss building confidence and amplifying and clarifying a mission that you see so clearly. Continue following Candice's journey by checking out @candicepeterkin and following @sheisartmagazine. 

Continue supporting Groundbreaking by subscribing to the podcast and leaving a review. Want more from FRNDLY? Check out what we're up to by visiting us at frndlymedia.com and following @frndlymedia on all platforms. You can also follow Jake at @jacobwittenberg. Know somebody we should interview or have a thought you'd like to share? Contact the show by emailing [email protected].

Ezla Lewis is the Houston-based founder of Palacose, a clothing and lifestyle brand that he built from the ground up. After starting corporate, Ezla decided to follow his entrepreneurial passion for fashion, partaking in fashion shows (including NYFW) and traveling the globe. In this episode, we discuss all things branding, how to find your spark, and the value of networking and working with others. Ezla also shares his best creative advice and the feelings of watching your vision become reality. You can follow @ezlalewis and his journey at @palacose and at palacose.com.

Continue supporting Groundbreaking by subscribing to the podcast and leaving a review. Want more from FRNDLY? Check out what we're up to by visiting us at frndlymedia.com and following @frndlymedia on all platforms. You can also follow Jake at @jacobwittenberg. Know somebody we should interview or have a thought you'd like to share? Contact the show by emailing [email protected].

Nia Chantal is the Atlanta-based blogger turned entrepreneur that everybody should be talking about. As an events coordinator for Bumble and recent founder of not one, but two media companies advising and building the knowledge to support future creators, Nia embodies her creative edge and shares with us the best pieces of advice she has for getting off the ground. In our conversation, we discuss the realities of pitching yourself, building events, and making an experience of a brand to emphasize customer and reader loyalty. Connect with Nia by following @niachantal and @ncmag_, and by visiting ncmag.co and thefemmecreative.com.

Continue supporting Groundbreaking by subscribing to the podcast and leaving a review. Want more from FRNDLY? Check out what we're up to by visiting us at frndlymedia.com and following @frndlymedia on all platforms. You can also follow Jake at @jacobwittenberg. Know somebody we should interview or have a thought you'd like to share? Contact the show by emailing [email protected].