Startup to Storefront

This week on Startup to Storefront: Garrett Markenson, Founder of REVERIE

Over a decade ago, industry-leading hairstylist Garrett Markenson set out to change the way we think about hair. Frustrated by the industry's approach, he created REVERIE—a brand rooted in integrity, innovation, and clean, effective formulas designed to truly nurture hair.

Beyond being a visionary in haircare, Garrett shares how becoming a hairstylist was a liberating, life-changing decision—one that shaped his perspective on creativity, business, and sustainability.

This week, we dive into: Haircare secrets you need to know Garrett's journey to building a brand that disrupts the industry The art of hairdressing & why it's more than just a profession

Tune in to hear how he's redefining beauty, one thoughtful formula at a time.

From Celeb Fashion to Women's Wellness Disruption!

This week on the Startup to Storefront Podcast, we're sitting down with Alexis McClay, a powerhouse entrepreneur and philanthropist who's been redefining industries for over 16 years.

Co-founder of NAVEN, the celeb-loved fashion brand worn by icons like the Kardashians, Taylor Swift, J Lo, and Selena Gomez, Alexis has built a career at the intersection of style, innovation, and purpose. She's collaborated with fashion giants like Revolve and bebe, graced stages like the Forbes Women's Summit, and even earned recognition at the Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Awards.

Now, she's disrupting the $5T wellness industry with KOA LIFE, a revolutionary women's wellness brand bridging the gap between beauty and health. From peptide-infused skincare at CVS and Target to virtual clinics tackling the root causes of aging, Alexis is empowering women to thrive, not just survive.

On this week's episode, you'll learn:

• Why staying true to yourself and rejecting societal expectations can unlock your greatest potential.

• How it's never too late to start your entrepreneurial journey.

• The importance of focus and how prioritizing one goal at a time leads to greater success.

Tune in to hear how Alexis turned personal challenges into entrepreneurial triumphs, what it takes to lead in the beauty and wellness space, and her vision for the future of women's health.

To kick off 2025, we're diving into CANN-uary with a brand that's redefining the way we socialize. Our guest today is Jake Bullock, founder of Cann, the #1 leading THC-infused beverage brand in America. Jake's entrepreneurial journey began with a bold idea: finding a better alternative to alcohol that still brings the fun but ditches the hangover. What started as small-scale experimentation with microdosed cannabis and all-natural ingredients has now grown into a thriving business leading the $1.1B cannabis beverage industry.

Jake has overcome the challenges of launching a disruptive brand, navigating the complex cannabis industry, and educating a market unfamiliar with THC beverages. In less than five years, Cann has become an industry pioneer and market leader, boasting:

🌱 A 50% repeat customer rate.

🌱 THC beverages outselling Chardonnay in Minnesota, the first state to legalize their sale.

🌱 Partnerships with bars and restaurants nationwide, where Cann has become a must-have menu item.

🌱 A global supply chain that has made Cann the #1 exporter of Sicilian Blood Orange Juice.

In this episode, we'll explore the grit and innovation it took to launch Cann in 2019, Jake's entrepreneurial lessons in scaling a disruptive brand, and the exciting future of the cannabis and social beverage industries.

And to celebrate CANN-uary, we're hosting a giveaway! Stay tuned for details—winners will be announced this Friday! Whether you're an entrepreneur, a fan of innovation, or curious about the booming cannabis market, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration. Let's dive in!

This week on Startup to Storefront, we're thrilled to welcome DJ Kaila Troy—an international talent whose career spans music, media, and global influence. As a DJ, Kaila has shared stages with icons like Lil Wayne, Black Eyed Peas, Nelly, Keyshia Cole, and Wyclef Jean, performing in countries across Africa, India, Dubai, France, the UK, China, and more.

With over 100,000 followers on Instagram and collaborations with top brands like Nike, Monster Energy, and Puma, Kaila's influence extends far beyond the turntables. She's been featured in major publications like Radio Times and Irish Mirror, and even made her mark on daytime TV with an appearance on ABC Chicago.

And if she looks familiar, it's because she brought her charisma to millions on Hulu and ITV Network's Love Island UK Season 7.

On this week's episode, you'll discover:

• Kaila's incredible DJ journey

• Her unforgettable Love Island experience

• What's next for Kaila as she continues to elevate her career

This week on Startup to Storefront, we're sitting down with Sonia Hounsell and Joelle Flynn, the dynamic Co-Founders of FunkkOFF!®, the lifestyle brand redefining personal and oral care with their innovative, reusable TeethRefreshers®!

With decades of experience in marketing, entrepreneurship, and invention, these powerhouse women took their game-changing product from concept to Shark Tank success—securing a deal with Robert Herjavec earlier this year. 🦈💼

On this week's episode, you'll learn: • Their experience on Shark Tank: Sonia and Joelle share the behind-the-scenes process of pitching their innovative product to the Sharks, what it was like standing in front of the panel, and how they secured a deal with Robert Herjavec. From preparation to the high-stakes moment, they offer valuable insights into navigating the high-pressure world of reality TV entrepreneurship.

How TV transformed their business overnight: Discover how their appearance on Shark Tank catapulted FunkkOFF!® into the spotlight, resulting in increased sales, brand recognition, and invaluable opportunities.

They dive into the ripple effects of the national exposure and how it changed the trajectory of their company almost immediately.

The journey of building an innovative brand: Learn how Sonia and Joelle combined decades of experience to create a product that disrupted the personal care industry. 🎧

Don't miss this inspiring conversation! Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts.

On this week's episode of Startup to Storefront, we're joined by Denis Asamoah, cofounder of @forvrmood—a brand that has quickly become synonymous with luxury self-care.

Together with his partner, Jackie Aina, Denis set out to create a brand that not only delivers high-quality candles but also represents authenticity, individuality, and inclusivity in the lifestyle space.

Forvr Mood began with a vision to bring joy and comfort into everyday routines. From their carefully curated scents to their premium packaging, the brand has redefined what it means to invest in self-care. But building a brand like Forvr Mood wasn't without its challenges. In this episode, Denis takes us behind the scenes, sharing the ups and downs of their entrepreneurial journey.

Here's what you'll learn:

• How Denis and his team faced and conquered entrepreneurial fears while building a standout brand

• How Forvr Mood sold an incredible 20,000 candles within hours of launching

• How they developed the perfect pricing strategy that balances accessibility with luxury

This is an inspiring conversation about resilience, vision, and creating a brand that lights up lives—literally and figuratively. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or just love a good success story, this episode is for you.

This week on Startup to Storefront, we're joined by Brittney Cook, the founder of Something Sweet Dough. Brittney's story is one of family, resilience, and purpose. What began as a labor of love has grown into a brand known for its rich, brown butter cookie dough that brings joy to kitchens everywhere—all while honoring her late father's legacy.

For Brittney, Something Sweet is more than a business; it's a heartfelt tribute. She and her family have transformed their grief into meaningful action, channeling love and loss into a mission to spread happiness through the universal comfort of cookies. By staying deeply connected to their "why," Brittney's team has made thoughtful decisions to grow their brand strategically, ensuring that every step is rooted in quality and customer connection.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How Brittney built Something Sweet Dough as a tribute to her father's memory

• How her family turned a personal loss into a powerful mission for joy and connection

• Why understanding their customers has been the secret to scaling at the right pace without compromising quality

Get ready to be inspired by Brittney's story—a testament to the power of family, resilience, and the simple magic of cookies that bring people together.

Today, we're thrilled to welcome back Loren Castle, the powerhouse Founder and CEO behind Sweet Loren's. Loren's journey began with a life-changing cancer diagnosis at just 22. Determined to take control of her health, she eliminated processed foods, creating a new lifestyle full of flavor and nutrition. A year later, she was cancer-free and realized her recipes—including her wholesome cookie dough—could help others enjoy delicious food that also felt good. Fast forward to today, Sweet Loren's is the #1 selling natural cookie dough in the U.S., available in nearly 30,000 stores nationwide. The brand has expanded to include pre-cut cookie doughs, breakfast biscuits, and an innovative new line of rolled doughs like puff pastry, pizza crust, and pie crust—all plant-based, non-GMO, and free from the top 14 allergens. On this episode, you'll learn: •How Loren's focus on emotional intelligence became a crucial tool for driving business success, helping her make genuine connections with customers, team members, and partners. • The challenges Loren faced building Sweet Loren's from scratch, from finding the right recipes and manufacturing partners to scaling a brand in a competitive industry, and how she navigated these early struggles. • Loren's inspiring transformation from cancer survivor to creator of healthy, clean treats that bring joy and indulgence to all—without compromise. Join us as Loren shares the latest developments in Sweet Loren's mission to bring joy to everyone, one delicious, uncompromising bite at a time.

This week on Startup to Storefront, we're joined by Vadim Fedotov, whose journey from pro basketball to health tech entrepreneurship is all about resilience and innovation. After enduring four torn ACLs and finding limited proactive health guidance, Vadim set out to change the game with Bioniq—a health optimization company focused on personalized wellness.

On this episode, you'll learn:

• Why traditional medicine often falls short in optimizing health.

• How nutrition is the key to achieving better overall well-being.

• Practical strategies to transform your health and elevate your performance.

• The role of cutting-edge technology in personalizing health solutions.

• Insights into building a successful health tech company from the ground up.

Founded in 2019, Bioniq combines Swiss pharmaceutical-grade quality with advanced AI for hyper-personalized nutritional solutions and is trusted by athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo. With the backing of institutions such as Lanserhof and King's College Hospital, Bioniq is setting a new standard in health and wellness. Tune in to hear Vadim's story of transforming personal challenges into a mission to elevate well-being for all!

On today's episode of Startup to Storefront, we sit down with Woodie Hillyard, the co-founder and CEO of W, the antiperspirant line created in collaboration with Jake Paul. Woodie is a seasoned leader in the Consumer & Retail industries, bringing with him a wealth of experience from his time as Head of eCommerce for Casper and Chief Revenue Officer at Safely, Kris Jenner's safe cleaning products brand. At Safely, he successfully launched and scaled the eCommerce business while securing nationwide placement in major retailers like Walmart and Bed Bath & Beyond. Before his journey building top consumer brands, Woodie worked in private equity and investment banking at Deutsche Bank and TowerBrook. Today, he's here to talk about W's mission to keep you fresh all day long with their antiperspirant that combines sweat protection with skin-nourishing ingredients like Magnesium and Vitamin D, all while leaving out harmful chemicals. Whether you're breaking a sweat or just living your everyday life, W's innovative formula is here to keep you smelling great around the clock. On this episode, you'll learn: • How Jake Paul harnessed the power of AI to break the internet and amplify his brand's reach in ways no one saw coming. • Why bar soap is making a major comeback in the personal care industry and how it's reshaping consumer habits. • How Jake Paul's massive following played a pivotal role in launching W, turning fans into loyal customers and building a brand with unstoppable momentum. Let's dive into Woodie's journey, how W came to life, and what it takes to build a successful brand in the highly competitive world of personal care.