Unstoppable | A Conversation With Change Makers

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Samantha Gold, Founder and CEO of Motette—the fast-growing children’s clothing brand redefining modern parenting with stylish, ultra-soft bamboo essentials and built-in sun protection. In less than a year, Motette has scaled 300% month-over-month, landed in more than 35 U.S. boutiques without a showroom, and earned features in Forbes, Fox News, and countless “editor favorite” roundups.Before launching Motette, Samantha served as CEO of Elizabeth James the Label, where she grew the women’s clothing brand into an eight-figure business. Today, she’s bringing that same scrappy, strategic mindset to Motette—building with lean systems, intentional growth, and a focus on redefining what’s possible in children’s fashion. She opens up about the hidden costs of scaling, how she decides what not to do, and the mindset shifts that keep her moving forward as a founder.Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or someone curious about what it really takes to build a fast

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Luna Aziz, Founder and CEO of Legendairy Milk—a wellness brand born from her own journey through the unfiltered realities of new motherhood. After struggling with low milk supply and reacting badly to fenugreek, Luna turned to research and cultural traditions to create effective, fenugreek-free lactation support blends. Starting in her backyard, she crafted what she couldn’t find on store shelves—and in doing so, sparked a movement that now supports women through every hormonal chapter of life, from trying to conceive to postpartum, perimenopause, and beyond.In our conversation, Luna shares the deeply personal story behind Legendairy Milk and how she transformed a personal struggle into a thriving, mission-driven business. We talk about the power of community, the role of science and ancient wisdom in her formulations, and how she’s rewriting the conversation around women’s health. She opens up about scaling a brand in a crowded supplement market, buildin

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Cara Dumaplin, Founder of Taking Cara Babies—a trusted education company dedicated to helping parents navigate the challenges of infant and toddler sleep. A neonatal nurse, certified pediatric sleep consultant, and mom of four, Cara has built a global community of millions through her research-backed, compassionate approach that empowers families to thrive. Her courses, resources, and now physical products, like her newly launched swaddles, offer practical tools that nurture both babies and parents.In our conversation, Cara shares her journey from years in the NICU to creating one of the most respected brands in the parenting space. We talk about the inspiration behind Taking Cara Babies, the evolution from education to product development, and the strategies she’s used to scale a mission-driven brand while staying authentic to her values. Cara opens up about the challenges and joys of entrepreneurship, how she balances building a business while raising f

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Steve Magami, Co-Founder and CEO of Fruitist—the fast-growing fruit brand shaking up the grocery aisle and redefining what it means to snack healthy. What started as a bold idea to treat fruit like a branded CPG product has become a billion-dollar global company, with $400M in revenue over the last year and distribution in more than 12,500 stores across the U.S.Steve shares the gritty details of what it really took to scale Fruitist—from controlling the entire supply chain to solving for flavor consistency in fresh fruit. We talk about why most people underestimate the power of brand in commoditized categories, how he built trust in an industry that historically lacked it, and why Fruitist isn’t just a fruit company—it’s a systems company.If you’re curious how to build a breakout brand in an overlooked space, or what it takes to scale a values-driven business with real operational complexity, this conversation is full of takeaways. Now on The Kara Goldi

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Lara Henderson, Founder and CEO of PURE MAMA — a naturally luxurious skincare brand redefining body care for pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond. Inspired by her own search for high-quality, pregnancy-safe products during her first pregnancy, Lara saw a clear gap in the market and set out to create something better. After more than two years of research and development, PURE MAMA launched in 2021 and quickly became the leading premium pregnancy skincare brand in New Zealand and Australia — selling out within months, growing over 1600% in its first year, and making history as the first of its kind to be stocked by prestige beauty giant MECCA.In our conversation, Lara shares the story behind PURE MAMA’s rapid rise, including how she scaled the brand internationally with launches in Erewhon, Nordstrom, Revolve, and Goop. We talk about the lessons she’s learned about product development, brand building, and retail partnerships — as well as the challenges of bal

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Lilly Ghalichi, CEO and Founder of Lilly Lashes—an incredible company focused on all things lashes, from pioneering 3D lash designs to creating luxurious styles that flatter every eye shape and occasion. Since launching in 2013, Lilly Lashes has become a global beauty powerhouse with a celebrity following and a reputation for inclusivity, innovation, and quality.In our conversation, Lilly shares her journey from practicing law to launching a category-defining beauty brand, the inspiration behind creating the 3D lash concept, and how she built a loyal fanbase in an ultra-competitive market. We talk about the challenges of scaling a luxury product, the role social media has played in her brand’s growth, and the lessons she’s learned from launching multiple companies in the beauty space. She opens up about balancing business with motherhood, the importance of staying authentic, and what it takes to keep innovating when you’re already at the top of your categ

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Stephen Williamson, Co-Founder and CEO of Forager Project—the family-owned, organic, dairy-free creamery crafting premium yogurts, milks, and creamers from cashews and coconuts. Founded in 2013 with his stepson, JC Hanley, Forager Project was born from a bold mission: to flip the dairy model so plants make up 85% of global consumption instead of just 15%.Before launching Forager Project, Stephen served as Chairman and CEO of Odwalla, helping grow the brand into a $400 million fresh juice leader before its acquisition by Coca-Cola. Guided by a deep commitment to organic ingredients, sustainability, and his “soil to soul” philosophy, Stephen is reshaping what dairy can mean for people and the planet.In our conversation, Stephen shares how his experiences at Odwalla influenced Forager’s creation, why he bet early on building his own manufacturing plant, and the strategies that helped scale the brand to over 10,000 stores nationwide. We also dive into the cha

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Linda Wang, Founder and CEO of Karuna Skin and Avatara—two purpose-driven skincare brands inspired by her personal journey and cultural heritage. Karuna pioneered Asian-style sheet masks in the U.S., bringing effective, ingredient-led treatments to a market that had never seen anything like it. With Avatara, Linda created a clean, dermatologist-tested skincare brand designed for tweens, teens, and beyond—offering safe, fun, and affordable products now found at Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods nationwide.In our conversation, Linda shares her journey from retail buying for major fashion brands to becoming a beauty industry innovator. We talk about the inspiration behind both Karuna and Avatara, how she identified untapped opportunities in the skincare market, and the strategies that helped her brands stand out in competitive categories. She opens up about the challenges of scaling in mass retail, the importance of consumer education, and how she balances in

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Vincent Branchesi, Co-Founder of Grimoire—a modern skincare brand blending biotech innovation with inclusive, design-forward products. With a background in brand strategy and experience design, Vincent has taken all he learned from corporate and startup worlds to build something entirely different.Grimoire isn’t your typical personal care brand. It’s built for real life—focused on performance, clarity, and what your skin actually needs after long days, late nights, and real-world stressors. Vincent shares the behind-the-scenes of launching the brand, why he believes modern skincare needed a serious reset, and how Grimoire is delivering both efficacy and soul.We talk product development, storytelling, leadership, and what it takes to cut through in a crowded market while staying true to your vision. If you're building a brand, rethinking what self-care looks like, or just love a story about doing things differently—this one’s for you. Now live on The Kara

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Danny O’Malley, Founder and President of Before the Butcher—the plant-based meat company that’s changing how America eats. After a successful career in the food industry, including a senior role at Beyond Meat, Danny launched Before the Butcher in 2017 with a bold vision: to make plant-based meat more diverse, more accessible, and just as craveable as the real thing.Since then, Before the Butcher has introduced one of the largest portfolios of plant-based meat alternatives in the industry, spanning everything from burgers and sausage to pulled pork and chicken. Danny has also led the charge on affordability with Mainstream by Before the Butcher, the first plant-based meat priced competitively with traditional meat—breaking new ground in the industry.In our conversation, Danny shares his founder journey, the big lessons from scaling in a fast-growing but often misunderstood category, and how he's built a brand rooted in trust, transparency, and innovation.

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I’m joined by Jordan Nathan, Founder and CEO of Caraway—the design-forward, non-toxic home goods brand that has redefined modern cookware. What started in 2019 with a waitlist of over 150,000 has quickly scaled into one of the fastest-growing home brands of the last decade. From bakeware to tea kettles, Caraway is leading the charge in cleaner, safer kitchen essentials—with serious style.In our conversation, Jordan shares how a personal experience with Teflon toxicity inspired the brand, how Caraway built massive consumer trust from day one, and what it takes to scale a mission-driven product in a competitive market. We also discuss the evolution from DTC to omnichannel, the role of social media in brand storytelling, and why he’s thinking far beyond the kitchen when it comes to what’s next.If you’re curious about brand-building, the future of home goods, or how to turn pain into purpose—this episode is packed with insight. Now live on The Kara Goldin Show. Are you int

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Lorissa Link, Founder of LK™ snacks—the first and only meat snack brand free from the Top 9 allergens, making high-protein, delicious snacks that everyone can safely enjoy.Inspired by her son’s severe food allergies, Lorissa set out to create an allergen-free meat snack brand that didn’t compromise on taste or quality. What started as a deeply personal mission has grown into a brand reshaping the meat snack category, delivering products free from added sugar, gluten, preservatives, and unwanted additives.In our conversation, Lorissa shares how she turned a personal challenge into a purpose-driven business, the unglamorous work it took to launch, and what it means to stay values-driven while scaling in a competitive industry. We also dive into how she educates consumers in a legacy category, what she’s learned about building trust, and how she balances taste with clean ingredients in product development.Whether you’re a founder, a brand builder, or someo

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Martha Barra, Owner of Barra of Mendocino and Redwood Valley Cellars—a pioneer in organic winemaking with a story that spans decades of grit, growth, and unwavering values. Alongside her late husband, Charlie Barra, Martha helped turn a single vineyard into a thriving, vertically integrated wine business with more than 350 acres of certified organic grapes, two acclaimed wine brands (BARRA of Mendocino and Girasole Vineyards), and a 2.8 million gallon custom crush facility serving wineries across Northern California.In our conversation, Martha shares what it’s really taken to lead in a legacy industry, the early decision to farm organically before it was popular—or even profitable—and how she’s weathered market shifts, changing consumer expectations, and personal loss to keep the business thriving. We dive into the value of patience, the hard truths about the organic wine market, and how Martha continues to innovate while staying rooted in tradition. If

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Michael Jacobson, CEO of French Florist—the Los Angeles-based floral brand that has transformed from a single struggling shop into a $9.5M+ powerhouse poised for national franchise expansion. Michael is on a mission to disrupt the floral industry with a blend of creativity, operational excellence, and a commitment to customer experience.In our conversation, Michael shares what it took to transform French Florist, from the unsexy but critical work behind the scenes to building a brand that puts feelings and customer experience first. We dive into the systems and mindset shifts needed to scale a family business, the power of storytelling in a traditional industry, and why focusing on values before revenue has driven French Florist’s success.Whether you’re a founder looking to reinvent a legacy business, a brand builder wanting to understand operational excellence with heart, or someone who loves hearing about bold transformations—this episode is packed wi

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Daryl-Ann Denner, Co-Founder and Creative Director of nuuds—the elevated basics brand redefining what comfort and confidence look like. From high school chemistry teacher to influencer to nine-figure founder, Daryl-Ann’s story is a masterclass in listening to your audience, trusting your gut, and building something that truly fits.We dive into her journey from fashion blogger to CEO, how she built a loyal community of over two million followers, and why she created nuuds to offer high-quality, flattering staples for real bodies—not fit models. Daryl-Ann shares what it was like launching a brand as a mom of three, the product development lessons she learned the hard way, and what it takes to scale a business with heart and intention.Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a creator looking to launch a brand, or someone curious about what it really takes to build trust and community at scale—this conversation is packed with insights you don’t want to miss.Now liv

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Sameer Mehta, Co-Founder and CEO of Smash Kitchen—the bold, better-for-you pantry brand on a mission to clean up the condiment aisle. Alongside his co-founders, Sameer is bringing flavor, fun, and function to everyday staples with organic, non-GMO ingredients and serious brand attitude.In our conversation, Sameer shares how his experience helping launch Casper and co-founding the pet brand Jinx shaped his journey into food. We dive into how this unlikely trio came together, why they chose condiments as their entry point, and what it takes to build a brand that disrupts legacy categories while staying mission-aligned. From storytelling and design to authenticity and clean ingredients, Sameer offers a behind-the-scenes look at building a brand that’s as craveable as it is purpose-driven.Whether you’re a food lover, a brand builder, or someone curious about reimagining everyday essentials—this episode is packed with flavor and insight. Now on The Kara Gold

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Tapasya Bali, Founder and CEO of 100 Cal Snacks—a functional food brand redefining what it means to snack with purpose. After a successful career on Wall Street and a personal health crisis fueled by stress and burnout, Tapasya made a powerful pivot. She created 100 Cal Snacks to offer portion-controlled, gut-friendly products designed to support the gut-brain connection and promote real, lasting wellness.With a background in wellness entrepreneurship and a passion for helping others heal through food, Tapasya shares the story behind the brand, how she’s combining adaptogens with real ingredients, and what makes her approach different from so many “better-for-you” snacks on the shelf. We dive into how she’s building with both science and soul, and why 100 Cal Snacks is about more than just calories—it’s about empowerment.If you’re interested in functional food, purpose-driven entrepreneurship, or transforming a personal challenge into a greater mission,

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Maria Weaver, Founder and CEO of XO Maria Louise—a bold new jewelry brand rooted in the power of reinvention, intention, and individuality. After an impressive 30-year career leading media, entertainment, and tech giants including HBO, Showtime, and Warner Music Experience—where she doubled revenue during her tenure as Global President—Maria made the courageous leap into entrepreneurship.In our conversation, Maria shares why she walked away from the corporate world at the height of her career to build something deeply personal. We explore the philosophy behind XO Maria Louise, how she turned life’s pivots into fuel, and why she believes starting over is a superpower. Maria also discusses the mindset shifts that guided her transition, the importance of legacy and community, and how her brand is creating space for women to express themselves unapologetically.If you’re navigating a transition, building a values-led brand, or simply love stories of bold rei

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, I sit down with Kegan Fisher, Co-Founder and CEO of Frank Darling—the fine jewelry brand reimagining the engagement ring experience with modern design, ethical sourcing, and custom craftsmanship. What began in a Brooklyn apartment in 2017 has grown into a nationally recognized brand with showrooms across New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, and Washington, D.C.—and even more to come.In our conversation, Kegan shares how her background in industrial design and advanced manufacturing helped shape Frank Darling’s signature customer-first experience. From digital ring quizzes and try-at-home kits to one-on-one design consultations and local artisan craftsmanship, Frank Darling makes designing your dream ring seamless, personal, and transparent. We also dive into how the brand is expanding into other fine jewelry categories, why ethical sourcing and local production matter more than ever, and what it takes to innovate in a legacy-driven industry.If you’re into entr

On this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we’re joined by Heather Terry, Founder and CEO of GoodSAM Foods—the farmer-first snack brand flipping the traditional CPG playbook on its head. With a just-closed $9 million Series A, raised primarily from Latin American investors who understand regenerative agriculture, Heather is proving that it’s possible to scale a values-driven business without compromising your mission.In our conversation, Heather shares the lessons she learned the hard way about taking misaligned money—and why she’d rather go out of business than do it again. We dive into how she brought investors to the farms to meet smallholder growers face-to-face, why most food investors are missing the point, and how GoodSAM is creating a new model that’s good for people, good for farmers, and good for the planet. From fundraising and transparency to supply chain transformation and climate action, Heather offers a powerful look at what it takes to build a regenerative brand that lasts.Whether you’re a found