Louder Than Green

What happens when a chef decides disposable spoons are boring?

In this episode of Louder Than Green, Aimee sits down with Charlton Becker, founder of Flavorfulz and Charlton Becker Catering, to unpack the real operational side of building a hospitality business that actually stands out.

From scaling handmade edible spoons to managing high-end catering events, Charlton shares lessons on creativity, customer service, resilience, manufacturing, relationship-building, and what it takes to grow a product-based business without losing quality.

This episode covers:

• Scaling a handcrafted food product
• Hospitality operations and customer experience
• Product innovation in food service
• Sustainability without gimmicks
• Relationship-driven growth
• Building a resilient mindset as an entrepreneur

Whether you're in hospitality, food manufacturing, catering, entrepreneurship, or product development, this conversation is packed with practical insight and real-world experience.

Connect with Charlton:
🌐 www.flavorfulz.com
🌐 www.charltonbeckercatering.com

🔗 [email protected]
🔗 www.linkedin.com/in/charlton-becker-2726799/

#HaveYourSpoonAndEatItToo

In this episode of Louder Than Green, Aimee sits down with Rudy Miick, a leadership strategist with 40+ years of experience helping businesses build high-performance teams from the inside out.

They break down why most companies struggle to “find good people,” and why the real issue is often a lack of clarity, structure, and values-driven leadership. Rudy shares practical frameworks for turning culture into a measurable business advantage, improving accountability, and creating teams that actually perform.

You’ll learn:

• Why “good people are hard to find” is a myth
• How to define excellence in a way that drives results
• The difference between managing and coaching
• A simple decision-making framework any team can use
• How to align culture, operations, and performance

If you’re a founder, operator, or leader looking to build a stronger, more effective business, this conversation will challenge how you think about people, culture, and growth.

👉 Listen now and rethink how your business actually runs.

Takeaways

• Values are the foundation of successful businesses.
• Success is measured by client outcomes, not just profits.
• A unique business structure can enhance creativity and performance.
• Defining excellence is crucial for hiring the right talent.
• Paying for performance can motivate employees and improve retention.
• Accountability should be collective, not hierarchical.
• Building a culture of excellence requires ongoing training and support.
• Daily accounting practices can lead to better financial management.
• Values-driven decision-making simplifies complex issues.
• AI integration requires structural adjustments in businesses.

Guest Name: Rudy Miick
Guest Title: Founder

Phone: 720-641-7565

Email: [email protected]

Website: miick.com 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rudy-miick-cmc-fcsi-833a9b2

With over 25 years of experience, Toby Witte, founder of Wittehaus, shares insights into the home-building process, emphasizing the importance of guiding clients through the complexities of creating a home. He discusses the unique approach his firm takes, which includes a thorough diagnostic step before proposals, ensuring clients are well-informed and comfortable throughout the journey. Toby highlights the significance of communication and collaboration with builders and clients alike, aiming to create a positive and enriching experience for everyone involved.

Toby also delves into the challenges of educating clients about sustainable building practices and the misconceptions that often arise from popular media. He explains how his book, "Supersizing Bliss," serves as a resource for clients to better understand the home-building process and the importance of creating spaces that enhance happiness. The conversation touches on the environmental impact of construction, the need for better energy efficiency in homes, and the potential for solar energy to play a significant role in sustainable living. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights into the intersection of architecture, sustainability, and client relationships in the home-building industry.

Takeaways

• "We really become their guide, take them by the hand."
• "It's a house creation process, not just building a house."
• "Communication, communication, communication."
• "We want to allow our clients to be happy."
• "Everything we do is towards that goal of improving lives."
• "The best insulation doesn't change if we don't have a continuous air barrier."
• "You can install solar panels for free with the right financing."
• "We are actively chiseling away at our atmosphere."
• "The construction industry is responsible for 40% of greenhouse gases."
• "Designing a home should be a no-brainer for sustainability."

Guest Name: Toby Witte
Guest Title: Principal

Phone: 704.488.6811

Email:[email protected]

Website: https://www.witteha.us/ 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tobywitte 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/wittehaus/

Toby Witte is the founder of Wittehaus, an award-winning design and build firm creating modern, energy-efficient luxury homes across North and South Carolina and Virginia. With more than 25 years of experience spanning architecture, building science, drafting, and construction, Toby brings a rare end-to-end perspective to residential design and project delivery.

German by upbringing and born in Peru, Toby graduated cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s School of Architecture and previously led design/build companies Dialect Design and Qube11 before founding Wittehaus in 2017. His work has been recognized by the American Institute of Architects and featured by Dwell, Architectural Digest, Forbes, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and more.

Toby is also the author of Supersizing Bliss, a book exploring how our homes shape our happiness, and he regularly shares his expertise through speaking, teaching, and industry leadership, including service with the Green Built Alliance. Outside of work, he is a husband, dad to three daughters, and a proud cat staff member of four.

In this conversation, Jason Freeman, founder and CEO of FarmerDirect, shares insights into the organic food industry, emphasizing the importance of fair trade, sustainable practices, and building strong relationships with farmers. He discusses the challenges of organic certification, the impact of corporate interests on food systems, and the need for a shift towards regenerative agriculture. Jason highlights the significance of transparency in supply chains and the role of consumers in supporting ethical food brands. The discussion also touches on the future of FarmerDirect and the potential for growth in the organic market.

Takeaways

• FarmerDirect is 100% farmer-owned, organic, and domestic fair trade.
• Building relationships with farmers is crucial for success.
• Transparency in supply chains enhances consumer trust.
• Organic certification can be cost-prohibitive for small farmers.
• The integrity of the supply chain is key to brand success.
• Pesticide residues remain a concern in organic farming.
• Sustainable practices can mitigate climate change effects.
• Investing in local farmers can lead to better food quality.
• The food industry is influenced by corporate interests.
• Consumer demand for ethical food is growing.

Name: Jason Freeman

Title: Founder & CEO

Phone: 250-986-9718

Email   [email protected]

Website: https://shop.sprouts.com/store/sprouts/products/42214123-farmer-direct-organic-regenerative-organic-certified-regular-rolled-oats-1-each

Jason Freeman, a longtime leader in the organic and regenerative food movement and the founder and CEO of Farmer Direct Organic.

Jason began his journey in 2002 by co-founding Farmer Direct Co-op, built to solve one core problem in organic agriculture: price transparency and fair access to market for family farmers. That work evolved into a nationally distributed brand that became the first in the United States to be Domestic Fair Trade Certified, 100 percent farmer-owned, and 100 percent certified organic.

He later led the transition of a pool of organic grain farmers to Regenerative Organic Certification, launching the first Regenerative Organic Certified rolled oats into the U.S. and Canadian markets.

Jason is known for challenging the industry on fraud, fairness, and traceability, and for building supply chains that actually work for farmers, not just retailers.

In this episode of Louder Than Green, Aimee Haasteaby interviews Vibha Salgamay, a product designer turned real estate investor and co-founder of Relic Capital Group. Vibha discusses her journey into real estate, focusing on helping first-generation high earners transition from traditional investment strategies to more effective wealth-building methods through real estate syndications. The conversation covers the importance of education, transparency, and understanding personal financial goals, as well as the operational aspects of running a real estate investment firm.

Takeaways

• Vibha emphasizes the need for a roadmap for first-generation high earners.
• The importance of education and transparency in real estate investing.
• Homeownership is not the only path to building wealth.
• Creating a personal definition of freedom is crucial for financial success.
• Networking and community support are vital for new investors.
• Vibha's transition from traditional investments to real estate syndications.
• The significance of understanding risk and debt in wealth building.
• Relic Capital's focus on senior living investments for steady growth.
• The role of technology in streamlining operations and investor relations.
• Vibha advocates for open conversations about finance to empower individuals.

Guest Name: Vibha Salgamay
Guest Title: Managing Partner - (Capital Relationships & Growth)

Email:[email protected]

Website: relikcapitalgroup.com/ 

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vibhasalgamay

Vibha Salgamay is a Managing Partner at Relik Capital Group, leading Capital Relationships & Growth—working with individuals and groups who want to grow their wealth through senior living real estate with a clear, steady approach.
Relik is built around a simple story: the Baby Boomer population is growing, and at the same time there aren’t enough quality senior living communities in many markets. Building new communities is hard and expensive, so supply hasn’t kept pace. That gap can create lasting demand for the right properties over time.
With a background in UX design, Vibha treats investing like designing a great experience: reduce confusion, communicate consistently, and make sure the plan works in the real world—not just on paper. Relik stays focused on risk, especially whether the operator can actually deliver the business plan, so investors aren’t counting on best-case scenarios.
Want to learn more about building long-term wealth through senior living? Schedule a discovery call.

Evan Dreyer discusses the Tahoe Lead Removal Project, a community initiative that successfully removed toxic lead cables from Lake Tahoe. He emphasizes the importance of community engagement, collaboration with government agencies, and the innovative use of AI tools in environmental activism. Dreyer shares insights on organizing grassroots movements, budgeting, and creating actionable strategies for community members looking to address local issues. The conversation highlights the power of collective action and the potential for positive change in environmental efforts.

Takeaways

• The Tahoe Lead Removal Project was a community-driven initiative to remove toxic lead cables from Lake Tahoe.
• Evan Dreyer emphasizes the importance of community engagement and collaboration in tackling environmental issues.
• Using a startup mindset can help grassroots movements effectively organize and execute projects.
• Budgeting and financial planning are crucial for grassroots efforts, but fundraising should not be the primary focus.
• Engaging with government agencies can lead to collaboration rather than conflict, especially when presenting a well-researched plan.
• AI tools can significantly enhance research capabilities and streamline the process of understanding complex regulations.
• Grassroots movements can thrive by focusing on solutions rather than assigning blame to corporations or agencies.
• Creating a clear, actionable strategy is essential for community members looking to address local issues.
• The success of the Tahoe Lead Removal Project demonstrates the power of collective action and community support.
• Evan encourages others to leverage AI and modern tools to facilitate their activism and community efforts.

Name: Evan Dreyer

Title: Lead Organizer, Tahoe Lead Removal Project

Email: [email protected]

Bio: Evan Dreyer was the Lead Organizer for the Tahoe Lead Removal Project, a successful community effort to remove 6+ miles of lead telecommunication cables from Lake Tahoe. He's invested in 50+ startups and operated as Head of Risk & Finance at Tola which exited to Square. Previously he spent 12+ years across investment banking, trading, strategy and risk management at Credit Suisse. He has served on the Board of San Francisco Baykeeper since 2020.

• Initial agency outreach and the follow up this summer.
• Case study Anthropic, showcasing how we used their AI tools in permitting and research. 

In this episode of Louder Than Green, Aimee Haasteaby interviews Noah Miller, an ESG entrepreneur and founder of Roe Impact. They discuss the importance of practical solutions in the ESG space, the challenges businesses face in implementing effective strategies, and the role of data in driving climate solutions. Noah shares insights on team dynamics, operational challenges, and the need for better knowledge sharing within organizations. The conversation emphasizes the significance of measuring impact and the potential for technology to facilitate meaningful change in the climate sector.

Takeaways

• ESG is not just a buzzword; it's a business advantage.
• Practical solutions are essential for meaningful impact.
• The climate crisis requires teamwork and collaboration.
• Data is crucial for making informed decisions in ESG.
• Knowledge sharing is vital for operational success.
• Avoided emissions can be a key metric for climate solutions.
• The future of business is intertwined with climate action.
• Technology can streamline ESG implementation.
• Understanding the commercial implications of climate action is essential.
• Third-party verification of impact is necessary for credibility.

Noah Miller is a founder, ESG strategist, and tech entrepreneur dedicated to helping organizations move beyond sustainability as a checkbox toward real, measurable impact. As the Co-Founder and Chief Advisory Officer of Rho Impact, he leads a team that designs ESG systems, advisory services, and technology tools that cut through the noise — enabling businesses to set clear goals, implement them, and report progress without getting bogged down by complexity or perfection. Before Rho Impact, he led ESG practices in consulting, served as an interim ESG director, and built his experience in social entrepreneurship and nonprofit advisory. Educated in sustainable innovation, community economics, and conflict studies, Noah believes in practical solutions: not where we want to be, but what steps we can take today—for radical change over time.

Guest Name: Noah Miller
Guest Title: Co-Founder, (CAO) & Head of ESG Advisory Services at Rho Impact

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://rhoimpact.com/our
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-miller-0a987154/

In this episode of Louder Than Green, Aimee Haasteaby speaks with Terry Doloughty, a leadership mentor and founder of Boss Consulting. They discuss the critical role of businesses in community sustainability, the importance of mindset shifts for entrepreneurs, and the innovative Landlord Training Program aimed at fostering community-based landlords. The conversation also explores the integration of technology and AI in business practices, emphasizing the need for human connection in the face of rapid technological advancement. Terry shares insights on overcoming fear and shame in business, the significance of planning, and the potential of AI to enhance sustainability efforts.

Takeaways

• Businesses must serve as mentors and examples in their communities.
• Sustainability and profitability can create a cycle of reinvestment.
• Peer-to-peer support among business owners fosters community growth.
• Landlord training can secure intergenerational wealth and knowledge.
• Fear and shame often hold entrepreneurs back from seeking help.
• Mindset shifts from reactionary to planning are crucial for success.
• Sustainability practices can lead to operational changes in businesses.
• Technology can enhance communication and efficiency in business.
• AI has the potential to support sustainable practices if used wisely.
• Human connection remains essential in the age of technology.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Purpose-Driven Business
• 01:53 Terry Doloughty's Journey and Impact
• 04:35 Landlord Training Program: A Community Initiative
• 09:04 Overcoming Challenges: Fear and Shame in Business
• 13:33 Mindset Shifts: From Reaction to Planning
• 17:43 Sustainability in Business Practices
• 22:16 Leveraging Technology for Growth
• 26:50 The Future of AI and Sustainability
• 31:11 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

Guest Name: Terry Doloughty
Guest Title: founder of B.O.S.S. Consulting
Phone: 412-310-8190
Email: [email protected]

Website: https://bossconsulting.biz/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/terry-doloughty-077a016

Terry Doloughty is a leadership mentor, facilitator, and founder of B.O.S.S. Consulting, where he helps entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and executives scale in ways that are human, sustainable, and deeply impactful. With three decades of experience across for-profit and nonprofit sectors, Terry specializes in mindful leadership, system-building, and community-centred facilitation. His work is grounded in helping leaders develop authentic capacity — aligning what they believe, how they lead, and what changes they bring — so their growth benefits both people and purpose.

Viviana Jiménez Torres is a sustainability and innovation strategist specializing in decarbonization, climate resilience, and nature-based solutions. As Director and Technical Lead for Decarbonization at Anthesis Group, she helped global organizations design impactful, future-forward strategies that align profit with purpose.

With a background that spans financial markets, international policy, and conservation, Viviana also advises the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre on technology and innovation, and co-leads Mujeres y Sostenibilidad, a Latin American network amplifying diverse sustainability voices. Her work bridges science, equity, and systems change, bringing both strategic clarity and grounded action to today’s most urgent challenges.

Outside of work, Viviana recharges through dance, scuba diving, cooking, and coral reef restoration.

With a background that spans financial markets, international policy, and conservation, Viviana also advises the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre on technology and innovation, and co-leads Mujeres y Sostenibilidad, a Latin American network amplifying diverse sustainability voices. Her work bridges science, equity, and systems change, bringing both strategic clarity and grounded action to today’s most urgent challenges.

Outside of work, Viviana recharges through dance, scuba diving, cooking, and coral reef restoration.

Guest Name: Viviana Jimenez Torres
Phone: 202-413-3193
Email: [email protected]

Red Mujeres y Sostenibilidad: https://www.mujeresysostenibilidad.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivjimenez

In this conversation, Aimee Haasteaby and Roy Vella discuss the intersection of sustainable business practices, AI integration, and the importance of effective management strategies. They explore how businesses can navigate expectations, the role of AI in enhancing productivity, and the shift from traditional growth metrics to a circular economy. Vella emphasizes the need for execution over ideas in business strategy and highlights the potential of AI to solve pressing climate issues. The discussion also touches on the importance of measuring circularity in business practices and the need for a mindset shift towards sustainability.

Takeaways

• Sustainable business is about how you do it, not just what you do.
• Meetings are often the most expensive organizational asset.
• AI has the potential to solve climate issues by improving energy efficiency.
• Strategy is more about execution than just having ideas.
• The world operates in a closed system, not an open one.
• Circular economy metrics need to be valued in business.
• Augmented imagination can enhance business possibilities through AI.
• Companies must adapt to a circular economy for sustainability.
• Everything we see originated from the earth and will return to it.
• Keeping our waste would change our perspective on sustainability.

Guest Name: Roy Vella
Guest Title: CEO, Next CoLab
Phone: +1-857-277-8483
Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.nextcolab.com/
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/royvella

Other links:  https://bit.ly/3Ip1Dqh

Roy spent most of his career leading growth in fintech organizations, from founding one out of Stanford (that was acquired), then starting 3 new lines of business at PayPal (that is, Merchant Services, Travel and Mobile which sent him to London) to working with a wide array of enterprises large and small throughout EMEA. More details and further background are obviously available at LinkedIn. Now back in the States, he's focused on exponential deeptech (AI/ML, Big Data, Climate, Energy, etc.) ventures, that is, impressive core science that needs help commercializing.