The Story of a Brand Show

Women's health should be accessible, judgment-free, and rooted in real solutions, but that hasn't always been the case.

In this episode, I sit down with Jamie Norwood, Co-founder of Winx Health, to discuss how her brand is challenging outdated norms, improving access to essential products, and leading the charge in reproductive and vaginal health. From over-the-counter emergency contraception to at-home testing, Winx Health is redefining how women take control of their well-being.

Jamie shares the challenges of breaking into retail, the impact of misinformation on women's health, and why proactive education is just as important as the products themselves.

Key Moments in This Episode:

✅ Why Women's Health Needs More Transparency – Breaking down stigmas and outdated norms.

✅ The Road to Retail – What it takes to get women's health products on store shelves.

✅ Myth-Busting & Misinformation – How confusion prevents women from getting the care they need.

✅ At-Home Testing & Telehealth – The future of accessible, judgment-free healthcare.

✅ Building a Mission-Driven Brand – Lessons in advocacy, resilience, and business growth.

Join me, Ramon Vela, for this powerful and necessary conversation with Jamie Norwood as we explore the future of women's health!

For more on Winx Health, visit: https://hellowinx.com/

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Today's Sponsors:

Compass Rose - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/

Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.

Saral - The Influencer OS: https://www.getsaral.com/demo

SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Request a live demo today. Let the SARAL team know you're a The Story of a Brand Show podcast listener to get an extended free trial! Visit the link above.

Jewelry isn't just about sparkle—it's about storytelling, sentiment, and capturing life's most meaningful moments.

In this episode, I sit down with Simone Kendle, CEO of Wove, to discuss how this brand redefines the fine jewelry experience with custom designs, technology, and a personal touch. From engagement rings to viral moments, Simone shares how Wove is making luxury jewelry more accessible, personal, and deeply meaningful.

Simone also discusses the strategy behind Wove's recent viral success, the importance of operational excellence, and how the brand is scaling without losing its custom-first approach.

Key Moments in This Episode:

✅ From Engagement Rings to Everyday Jewelry – How Wove expands beyond bridal.

✅ The 10% Luck, 90% Preparation Rule – The truth behind viral moments.

✅ Scaling Customization – How Wove balances handcrafted quality with technology.

✅ The Power of Personalization – Why consumers want more than off-the-shelf jewelry.

✅ Leading a Brand with Intentionality – Simone's journey from startup marketing to CEO.

Join me, Ramon Vela, as we listen to this insightful and inspiring conversation with Simone Kendle and explore the future of custom fine jewelry!

For more on Wove, visit https://wovemade.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Showa rating and review.

Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.

Your support helps us bring you more content like this!

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Today's Sponsors:

Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/

Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.

Saral - The Influencer OS: https://www.getsaral.com/demo

SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Request a live demo today. Let the SARAL team know you're a The Story of a Brand Show podcast listener to get an extended free trial! Visit the link above.

Today's Highlighted Brand:

Goode Health: https://www.goodehealth.com/

If you have a family history of heart disease, listen up.

Now, you can reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke by simply eating more polyphenols, the powerful plant nutrients found in fruits and veggies.

Goode Health designed and put them all in a tasty superfood shake and conducted a clinical study! Users of Goode Health had a significant improvement in heart health in just 2 weeks!

Visit goodehealth.com today and use promo code STORY30 for 30% off now!

What if prenatal and reproductive health went beyond pregnancy?

In this episode, I sit down with Ayla Barmmer, Founder & CEO of FullWell, to discuss the critical role of nutrition in fertility, pregnancy, and overall reproductive wellness for both women and men.

As a registered dietitian and integrative health expert, Ayla shares how evidence-based formulations, transparency, and education are changing the landscape of prenatal and fertility supplements.

Ayla opens up about the science behind essential nutrients, why preconception health matters, and the industry-wide gaps FullWell is solving.

Key Moments in This Episode:

✅ Beyond Prenatals: Why reproductive health isn't just for pregnancy.

✅ The Three-to-Six-Month Rule: How nutrition before conception shapes lifelong health.

✅ Trust & Transparency in Supplements: What to look for in high-quality vitamins.

✅ Why Men's Fertility Matters: The often-overlooked role of male reproductive health.

✅ Building FullWell: How Ayla turned clinical expertise into a mission-driven brand.

Join me, Ramon Vela, as we listen to this insightful, science-backed conversation with Ayla Barmmer and explore the future of reproductive wellness!

For more on FullWell, visit https://fullwellfertility.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.

Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.

Your support helps us bring you more content like this!

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Today's Sponsors:

Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/

Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.

Augmentum Media - Influencer Marketing for Consumer Brands: https://www.augmentum-media.com/story

What secret do fast-growing Health and Wellness brands like Xtendlife, Nourished, and Hunter & Gather share? They all outsource their influencer marketing to the experts at Augmentum. Augmentum is offering "The Story of a Brand Show" listeners a 30-minute consulting session AND a personalized influencer strategy plan built by their experts for you to implement either with them or in-house. Visit the link above to learn more.

Most sparkling water brands sound the same, look the same, and talk to the same consumer but Mike Pilkington, Co-founder & CEO of Key Sparkling Water, saw an opportunity to do things differently.

In this episode, we discuss how Key Sparkling Water is challenging the status quo with real ingredients, crafted carbonation, and a bold new approach to branding.

Mike shares insights on building a brand that stands out in a crowded market, the shifting culture around alcohol, and why knowing your core consumer is key to long-term success.

Key Moments in This Episode:

✅ Why the Sparkling Water Market Needed a Shake-Up – The story behind Key's unique positioning.

✅ The Power of Real Ingredients – Why Key chose real fruit over "natural flavors" and why it matters.

✅ The Decline of Alcohol & the Rise of Better Alternatives – The cultural shift that's changing drinking habits.

✅ Building a Brand with Intention – Why understanding your consumer on a deep level is the secret to success.

✅ Lessons from Sysco & Death Wish Coffee – What Mike learned from his corporate career and how he applied it to entrepreneurship.

Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to this insightful and energizing conversation with Mike Pilkington as we explore the future of better-for-you beverages and category disruption!

For more on Key Sparkling Water, visit: https://keysparklingwater.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.

Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.

Your support helps us bring you more content like this!

*

Today's Sponsors:

Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/

Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.

Saral - The Influencer OS: https://www.getsaral.com/demo

SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Request a live demo today. Let the SARAL team know you're a The Story of a Brand Show podcast listener to get an extended free trial! Visit the link above.

What if you could naturally support your body's appetite regulation without injections or synthetic drugs?

In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Kennedy, CEO of Calocurb, to dive into a revolutionary approach to hunger management and GLP-1 activation.

Backed by 14 years of research and $30 million in funding, Calocurb is a clinically tested, plant-based supplement designed to help consumers take control of their cravings and portion size without side effects.

Sarah shares how her personal journey, cutting-edge science, and a mission to transform weight management led to one of the most innovative natural solutions on the market today.

Key Moments in This Episode:

* The Science Behind Natural GLP-1 Activation – How Calocurb helps reduce hunger, cravings, and calorie intake.

* A New Approach to Weight Management – Why controlling hormonal hunger signals is more effective than willpower alone.

* Coming Off GLP-1 Injectables? – How Calocurb is being used to help people transition off Ozempic and Wegovy.

* Debunking Diet Myths – Why weight management is about more than just "eat less, move more."

* The Future of Health & Nutrition – Where the industry is headed and how Calocurb is leading the charge.

Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to this insightful and empowering conversation with Sarah Kennedy as we explore the future of natural weight management!

For more on Calocurb, visit: https://www.calocurb.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.

Don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify. Your support helps us bring you more content like this!

*

Today's Sponsors:

Compass Rose Ventures- Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/

Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.

Augmentum Media - Influencer Marketing for Consumer Brands: https://www.augmentum-media.com/story

What secret do fast-growing Health and Wellness brands like Xtendlife, Nourished, and Hunter & Gather share? They all outsource their influencer marketing to the experts at Augmentum. Augmentum is offering "The Story of a Brand Show" listeners a 30-minute consulting session AND a personalized influencer strategy plan built by their experts for you to implement either with them or in-house. Visit the link above to learn more.

In today's episode, I sit down with Yash Chavan, the founder of Saral, to talk about what's changed in influencer marketing, what's working right now, and how brands can build long-term, authentic partnerships with influencers.

We dive into the evolution of the influencer space, why attention is the new currency, and how brands can stop wasting money on the wrong influencer deals. Yash breaks down his game-changing strategy—one that flips the script on traditional influencer marketing and helps brands build a sustainable, scalable pipeline of real advocates. If you're serious about growth, this episode is packed with must-know insights!

Key Moments in This Episode:

* The Attention Economy – Why getting the right kind of attention matters more than ever.

* Building Your Influencer "Secret Society" – The three-layer strategy that separates successful brands from the rest.

* The New Way to Pay Influencers – How brands can de-risk partnerships and only invest in proven creators.

* Common Mistakes to Avoid – Why follower count means nothing without real influence.

* The Future of Influencer Marketing – How AI, authenticity, and trust will shape the next wave of brand partnerships.

Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to this insightful episode with Yash Chavan as we uncover the real strategies behind influencer marketing success! 🎧

For more on Saral, visit: https://www.getsaral.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.

Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.

Your support helps us bring you more content like this!

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Today's Sponsors:

Augmentum Media - Influencer Marketing for Consumer Brands: https://www.augmentum-media.com/story

What secret do fast-growing Health and Wellness brands like Xtendlife, Nourished, and Hunter & Gather share? They all outsource their influencer marketing to the experts at Augmentum. Augmentum is offering "The Story of a Brand Show" listeners a 30-minute consulting session AND a personalized influencer strategy plan built by their experts for you to implement either with them or in-house. Visit the link above to learn more.

If you love stories of resilience, grit, and entrepreneurial spirit, today's episode is exactly that.

Meet Molly Blakeley, the powerhouse founder of Molly Bz Cookies, who went from being a single mom with just $150 to her name to building a nationally recognized brand. Molly's journey is nothing short of inspiring—full of hustle, creative problem-solving, and an unstoppable mindset.

We talk about the highs and lows of building a business, from baking cookies in her kitchen to landing in major retailers like Costco and Walmart. Molly shares the behind-the-scenes hustle, the power of saying "yes" before you figure it out, and how she turned obstacles into stepping stones for success. If you've ever wondered what it takes to build a brand from the ground up, this episode is for you!

Key Moments in This Episode:

* The $150 Gamble – How Molly turned her last bit of money into a booming cookie business.

* From Food Truck to National Brand – The creative way she tested and validated her cookie concept.

* Bold Moves & No Limits – Why asking, taking risks, and ignoring self-imposed limitations led to her big break.

* The Walmart Open Call Success – How Molly's hustle landed her two golden tickets and an exclusive Walmart cookie.

* Lessons in Entrepreneurship – Her insights on rejection, mindset, and pivoting to keep growing.

Join us in listening to this incredible episode with Molly Blakeley as she shares the highs, the lows, and everything in between in building Molly Bz Cookies!

For more on Molly Bz Cookies, visit: https://mollybz.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.

Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.

Your support helps us bring you more content like this!

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Today's Sponsors:

Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/

Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.

Augmentum Media - Influencer Marketing for Consumer Brands: https://www.augmentum-media.com/story

What secret do fast-growing Health and Wellness brands like Xtendlife, Nourished, and Hunter & Gather share? They all outsource their influencer marketing to the experts at Augmentum. Augmentum is offering "The Story of a Brand Show" listeners a 30-minute consulting session AND a personalized influencer strategy plan built by their experts for you to implement either with them or in-house. Visit the link above to learn more.

In this episode, Rose Hamilton, Founder of Compass Rose Ventures, sits down with Pete Maldonado and Rashid Ali, Co-founders and Co-CEOs of CHOMPS, the fastest-growing food brand in the U.S.

From humble beginnings to over $500 million in retail sales, Pete and Rashid have built a brand redefining the snacking industry with high-quality, healthy, and delicious meat snacks.

What I love about this conversation is how Pete and Rashid dive into the lessons they've learned, the mistakes they've made, and the strategies that have fueled their success. Whether you're a founder, a business leader, or someone passionate about entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with valuable insights and actionable takeaways.

Key Moments in This Episode:

* Building from Scratch: How Pete and Rashid leveraged their complementary skills and a deep understanding of their customers to build a loyal community around CHOMPS.

* Focus on Brand Awareness: Why keeping brand awareness ahead of distribution has been their key to scaling successfully while maintaining customer loyalty.

* Lessons in Resilience: How bootstrapping through challenges—like raising $1 million in a weekend to fund a Trader Joe's order—helped them grow sustainably.

* Innovation with Simplicity: The power of focusing on a core product lineup while introducing customer-driven innovations like pantry packs to meet evolving needs.

* The CHOMPian Culture: How Pete and Rashid maintain their original values and foster a strong company culture, even as their team and operations scale rapidly.

Join us in listening to this insightful episode where Pete and Rashid share the secrets behind CHOMPS' incredible growth and their mission to create a better-for-you brand that resonates with consumers. Let's dive into their journey and learn how to build a purpose-driven and wildly successful business. Enjoy the show!

For more on CHOMPS, visit: https://chomps.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.

Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.

Your support helps us bring you more content like this!

*

Today's Sponsors:

Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/

Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.

Augmentum Media - Influencer Marketing for Consumer Brands: https://www.augmentum-media.com/story

What secret do fast-growing Health and Wellness brands like Xtendlife, Nourished, and Hunter & Gather share? They all outsource their influencer marketing to the experts at Augmentum. Augmentum is offering "The Story of a Brand Show" listeners a 30-minute consulting session AND a personalized influencer strategy plan built by their experts for you to implement either with them or in-house. Visit the link above to learn more.

From the archive: This episode was originally recorded and published on May 26, 2022. Our interviews on The Story of a Brand Shows are meant to be evergreen, and we do our best to confirm that all offers and URLs in these archive episodes are still relevant.

In this episode of The Story of a Brand, I interview Anthony Ciavirella, Co-founder of Manmade.

Anthony and his co-founders are redefining men's essentials with a focus on quality, simplicity, and authenticity. From leaving their finance careers to perfecting their products, their story is filled with grit, innovation, and a relentless drive to create something extraordinary.

In this episode, we explore what it takes to build a product-driven brand, the journey of creating boxer briefs and socks that truly deliver on quality, and how TikTok and customer feedback became game-changers for their growth. Anthony's passion and insights into entrepreneurship will leave you inspired and ready to take action.

Key Moments in This Episode:

* From Finance to Fashion: How four best friends left their corporate careers, locked themselves in a cabin, and came out with a plan to build a legacy brand.

* The Power of Listening: Why calling over 1,000 customers and gathering feedback was critical to perfecting their products.

* TikTok Success Story: How leveraging trends and authentic storytelling on TikTok helped the brand gain viral attention and organic growth.

* Redefining Men's Essentials: The attention to detail behind Manmade's products, including their innovative "drop-top fly" boxer briefs and no-slip socks.

* Commitment to Sustainability and Quality: The challenges and rewards of creating premium products without cutting corners or compromising values.

Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to this fascinating episode as Anthony takes us behind the scenes of building a purpose-driven brand that puts men's wellness first without the BS. Enjoy the show!

For more on Manmade, visit: https://us.manmadebrand.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.

Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.

Your support helps us bring you more content like this!

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Today's Sponsors:

Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/

Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.

Augmentum Media - Influencer Marketing for Consumer Brands: https://www.augmentum-media.com/story

What secret do fast-growing Health and Wellness brands like Xtendlife, Nourished, and Hunter & Gather share? They all outsource their influencer marketing to the experts at Augmentum. Augmentum is offering "The Story of a Brand Show" listeners a 30-minute consulting session AND a personalized influencer strategy plan built by their experts for you to implement either with them or in-house. Visit the link above to learn more.

In this episode of The Story of a Brand Show, I interview Tom Binder, Co-founder of The Real Cereal Co.

From leaving a comfortable job to investing in a self-owned facility to a deep commitment to simple, clean ingredients and sustainability, this story is one of grit, big dreams, and redefining what breakfast cereal can be.

Whether you're a founder, a food enthusiast, or simply someone who loves a good story about innovation and values-driven entrepreneurship, this conversation is for you.

Key Moments in This Episode:

* The Power of Family Support: How Tom's family believed in his vision and supported him through the rollercoaster of building a brand from the ground up.

* Revolutionizing Cereal: Why The Real Cereal Co. is challenging the status quo by creating products with just one or two simple, clean ingredients.

* Going All In: Tom explains why investing in a dedicated manufacturing facility early on was key to staying true to the brand's values.

* Balancing Risk and Vision: "Go big or go home" is Tom's motto, and he shares how taking calculated risks has driven the company's growth.

* Eco-Friendly Innovation: The importance of sustainable packaging and why The Real Cereal Co. is committed to reducing environmental impact.

Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to this insightful episode as Tom Binder takes us behind the scenes of building a brand that's setting new standards in the food industry.

Check out The Real Cereal Co. at realcereal.com and find out where you can try their delicious and healthy cereals. Let's dive in!

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.

Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.

Your support helps us bring you more content like this!

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Today's Sponsors:

Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/

Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, Expand into the US market, Create an omnipresent and omnichannel footprint, Optimize customer journeys, Build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above.

SARAL - The Influencer OS for Brands: https://storybrandoffer.com/

SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Try it risk-free with an extended 14-day trial, exclusively for The Story of a Brand Podcast listeners. Start today! Visit the link above.