Building a successful brand takes more than a great product. It takes showing up, sharing your story, and earning trust, day after day.

Lindsay Pinchuk sits down with Ali Bonar, the co-founder and the CEO of Oat Haus, to talk about turning personal struggles into a business with real impact. After spending years battling an eating disorder, Ali wanted to change how people experience food. That journey led her to create granola butter, the world’s first oat-based spread. Now, Oat Haus products are stocked in over 5,000 stores, including Target and Whole Foods. But getting there wasn’t easy.

Ali shares what it took to bring a completely new product to market, why consistency matters more than overnight success, and how social media became a powerful tool for connection and credibility. She also reflects on her experience on Shark Tank and why not getting a deal turned out to be a blessing.

What does it really take to grow a business in a crowded industry? How do you build trust with customers before they even try your product? Ali’s story offers answers. If you’re an entrepreneur wondering how to stand out and keep going, this episode is for you.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

05:30 Ali’s Journey and Inspiration

09:00 Early Challenges and Development

11:00 Bringing on a Culinary Expert

13:00 Initial Production and Scaling Up

15:30 Marketing and Customer Education

17:00 Leveraging Social Media for Growth

19:00 Authenticity and Building Trust

23:00 The Myth of the Big Break

25:00 Importance of Telling Your Story

27:00 Current Scale and Retail Presence

29:00 The Role of Press and PR

31:00 Shark Tank Experience

35:00 Funding and Investment Strategy

37:00 Profitability and Lean Operations

39:00 Challenges and Realities of Being a Founder

41:00 Marketing to Moms and Schools

Connect with Ali Bonar:

https://www.instagram.com/alibonar

http://www.instagram.com/oat.haus

Get on the Marketing Made Simple Waitlist: https://lindsaypinchuk.myflodesk.com/waitlist

Dear FoundHer Forum: https://www.dearfoundher.com/dear-foundher-forum

Don't forget to follow Lindsay on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsaypinchuk

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

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