In this lively episode of Behind the Barcode, we chat with Leah and Yasaman, the dynamic co-founders of Good Girl Snacks, creators of the viral Hot Girl Pickles. Leah and Yasaman share the story behind their booming brand, which started as a playful idea between friends and quickly grew into a social media sensation that's shaking up the pickle industry. Leah, with a background in marketing and communications, and Yasaman, with expertise in art history and finance, both felt unfulfilled in their corporate jobs. Their shared love for pickles and a series of TikTok videos led them to realize a gap in the market for a "cool" pickle brand. What began as a joke soon turned into a full-fledged business, as they envisioned a brand that would stand out with provocative marketing and bold flavors. In the episode, they discuss the early days of Good Girl Snacks, how they transitioned from corporate life to entrepreneurship, and the unique challenges of building a brand with your best friend. Leah and Yasaman also delve into their shared roots in Geneva, their creative synergy, and the moment they decided to take the leap and turn their fun idea into a thriving business. Join us as Leah and Yasaman take us behind the scenes of their journey, sharing insights on innovation, friendship, and what it takes to succeed in the competitive world of snacks. If you're a foodie, an entrepreneur, or someone wanting to learn more about the CPG industry this episode is not to be missed! Follow Good Girl Snacks on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodgirlsnacks/ Shop Good Girl Snacks: https://goodgirlsnacks.com/

In this heartfelt episode of Behind the Barcode, we welcome Lauren Montgomery, the inspiring founder of Monty’s, a brand known for its clean and simple plant-based dairy essentials. Lauren shares her incredible journey from a personal passion to creating Monty’s, a line of vegan cream cheese and butter made from the purest ingredients. Lauren opens up about the deep connection she has with her brand, which she named after her last name, Montgomery. Driven by the need for a clean, delicious, and plant-based alternative to traditional dairy products, Lauren crafted Monty’s products with just a few simple ingredients, including cashews, cultures, and sea salt. Her dedication to quality and simplicity has made Monty’s a beloved brand among those seeking healthier, plant-based options. Throughout the episode, Lauren discusses the challenges and rewards of intertwining her personal identity with her business, sharing how her passion and purpose have shaped every aspect of Monty’s. She reflects on the common thread among many founders—creating something that resonates deeply with their soul, not just as a business, but as a personal mission. Join us as Lauren reveals the story behind Monty’s, offering a glimpse into the world of plant-based dairy and the heart and soul that drive her to create products that not only taste great but also align with her values. Follow Monty’s on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montysnyc?igsh=MWQ1ZGUxMzBkMA== Follow Lauren on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefulllaurenmonty?igsh=MWQ1ZGUxMzBkMA== Shop Monty’s: https://livemontys.com/

Brian Rubenstein is the founder of Brand Expansion Group, Inc., a sales agency headquartered in Los Angeles, which focuses on growing better-for-you and eco-friendly brands at retail. With nearly two decades of success under its belt, the company has seen exponential growth. With a strong vision for the future, Brian also supports, either by investing or advising, early stage clean label CPG companies that are disrupting major product categories and helping us live longer, healthier lives. Brian enjoys practicing breathwork, yoga, meditation, hiking, traveling and is a huge foodie. He became a certified kundalini yoga instructor back in 2013 and on his time off he loves sharing this ancient technology which transformed his life. www.brandexpansiongroup.com @brian_rubes

In this deeply personal episode of Behind the Barcode, we meet David, the founder of Zimms Organics, renowned for its high-quality olive oil and unique high-frequency hip hop music. Join us as David shares his transformative journey from a high-stress consulting career to confronting a life-threatening health crisis that reshaped his path forever. David's story begins with sudden illness and hospitalization, leading to a diagnosis of Crohn's disease. Faced with the daunting reality of lifelong medication, David embarked on a quest to understand the deeper connections between health, diet, and chronic illness. His search for healing led him to discover the potent anti-inflammatory properties of olive oil, sparking the creation of Zimms Organics. Throughout the episode, David discusses the challenges of navigating the medical system, the insights he gained from his professional background in consulting, and how these experiences informed his approach to wellness and entrepreneurship. This episode not only explores the origins of Zimms Organics but also delves into how personal adversity can lead to a profound understanding of health and inspire a business that helps others. Tune in to hear how David's determination to find a natural path to health led to the development of products designed to promote wellness and how his personal journey influences his business philosophy. Follow Zimms Organics on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zimmsorganics/ Follow Zimms Organics on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zimmsorganics Follow David on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dzimm333/ Shop Zimms Organics: https://zimmsorganics.com

Join us on this episode of Behind the Barcode as we sit down with Ardi, the passionate founder of Ardi’s Eats and Sweets, known for some of the best grass-fed burgers in Los Angeles. Dive into Ardi's compelling story of how a childhood necessity turned into a lifelong passion for food and entrepreneurship.In this heartwarming episode, Ardi shares his journey from working in a pizza store as a young immigrant to falling in love with the mystique of American fast food. His early fascination with the industry shaped his future ventures, leading him to create a brand that prides itself on originality and quality. From homemade ketchup to homemade bread, Ardi’s commitment to crafting unique culinary experiences sets Ardi’s Eats and Sweets apart. Discover how Ardi's personal history and his deep-seated love for culinary creativity inspired him to not only recreate but elevate everyday fast food into something extraordinary. Whether it’s the sauces, the bread, or the desserts, everything at Ardi’s Eats and Sweets is uniquely their own, offering a taste that can't be found anywhere else. Tune in to hear how Ardi's blend of cultural influences and entrepreneurial spirit led him to build a distinctive food brand that offers more than just nourishment—it offers a story. Perfect for food lovers and aspiring entrepreneurs alike, this episode explores the intersections of identity, passion, and the culinary arts.

In this new episode of Behind the Barcode, we sit down with Lex, the trailblazing founder of Lexington Bakes, and delve into his remarkable journey across diverse industries and ventures. With a background as a brand designer and strategist at Johnson & Johnson for a decade, Lex brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective to the table. Today, Lex shares the story of his entrepreneurial spirit, from launching a magazine right out of college to building a design marketplace and starting a queer activism apparel brand. Each venture reveals layers of his passion for design, social issues, and creating meaningful conversations through products. Despite the challenges, including a severe injury and facing backlash for his activism, Lex’s resilience and commitment to his values stand out. Join us as we uncover the unique insights Lex gained from his diverse experiences and how they shaped his approach to product packaging and branding in the consumer packaged goods industry. This episode is a deep dive into the importance of packaging, the power of resilience, and the impact of aligning your career with your passions. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a designer, or someone interested in social entrepreneurship, Lex’s journey offers inspiring lessons on navigating challenges and making a significant impact through thoughtful branding and product development. Tune in to explore the intersections of creativity, identity, and entrepreneurship with Lex on Behind the Barcode. Follow Lexington Bakes: https://www.instagram.com/lexingtonbakes/ Shop Lexington Bakes here: https://lexingtonbakes.com Follow Lex on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexevan Following Behind the Barcode on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthebarcodepod/ Shop French Squirrel: https://frenchsquirrel.com Shop Akasha Superfoods: https://www.akashasuperfoods.com

Join us in this episode of Behind the Barcode as we sit down with Forbes Fisher, a seasoned CPG founder, product formulator, and industry operator. Forbes shares his dynamic journey from driving trucks to shaping the landscape of consumer packaged goods across various sectors. In this episode, Forbes recounts how he pivoted from real estate to launching a national ice cream brand during the 2008 financial crisis. He delves into his experiences with Canopy Foods, where he was instrumental in private label manufacturing for giants like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, and even becoming the domestic supplier for Rao’s pasta sauce. Forbes's extensive background also includes working with beverage companies, and helping launch brands on a direct-to-consumer platform before transitioning them to wholesale. Forbes's story is a masterclass in versatility and adaptation within the CPG industry. Whether it's formulating food or plant-based protein meals, or advising up-and-coming hot sauce brands, his insights are invaluable for anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes of product development and market strategies. Tune in to discover how Forbes's expertise and innovative approaches have made a significant impact on the CPG sector, get inspired by his journey of continuous evolution and success in a competitive market.

In this new episode of Behind the Barcode, join us as we sit down with Darren Viscount, the Senior Category Manager at Bristol Farms, who shares his inspiring journey of community engagement and personal growth in the retail industry. Having moved extensively across the United States, from North Carolina to Los Angeles, Darren discusses how what led him to seek a deeper connection with his professional community and the importance of transparency in today’s retail environment. Darren opens up about his experiences working with vendors and brands, emphasizing the value of personal stories behind the professional roles. He also shares his aspirations of starting his own venture, inspired by the entrepreneurs he meets. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in the stories of resilience and community building in the retail sector.

Join us on this episode of Behind the Barcode as we dive into an enthralling story of entrepreneurship and passion with Erika, the founder of Kefirlab. Discover how a rich family history of biohacking and wellness, combined with personal health challenges, inspired Erika to revolutionize the traditional kefir market. In this conversation, Erika shares her journey from experimenting with homemade health foods in her youth to transforming these experiments into a thriving business. This episode is packed with insights for anyone interested in starting their own CPG product, as Erika opens up about the trials, learnings, and ultimate successes of launching a business that's both a personal passion and a benefit to consumers. Discover the power of listening to customer feedback in shaping a product's journey and how Erika and her team have used this to market the health benefits of their kefir effectively.

Today, we're thrilled to have a very special guest, Mario, the youthful and dynamic founder of Stellace, a consumer-good initiative in deep sleep exploration. In this episode, Mario shares his unique experience as a student founder balancing academia and entrepreneurship. After creating his first six-figure venture at just 12 years old, Mario set out to Los Angeles to decide what his next project would be. Jumping around venture to venture, he became enamored by the power of sleep and dreams and has decided to go all-in on healing the world.  He provides an intriguing glimpse into the creation of Stellace, which he describes not just as another sleep supplement, but as a unique product category on its own. We also delve into the challenges and triumphs of engaging with audiences on platforms like TikTok. Join hosts Anna and Sydney as they discuss with Mario how he navigated the startup landscape while attending USC, and his plans for future ventures beyond Stellace. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone fascinated by the grit and creativity of young entrepreneurs, especially those making waves in the health and wellness sectors. Tune in to hear more about Mario’s journey and get inspired by his determination and innovative approach to business and product development. Whether you’re an aspiring founder, a student with a business idea, or simply curious about the new generation of entrepreneurs, this episode will offer valuable insights and motivation. Find Stellace: @stellace stellace.com Find Mario: @a.puzzo