In Episode 17, James and Sean talk shop with Brooks Powell, Founder & CEO of the #1 alcohol-related health & wellness product, Cheers. We cover: -Launching health & wellness products that are early in their clinical evidence life cycle -The science behind the product, why it works, and what the average alcohol consumer gets wrong biologically -The value of building "in the open" and how a founder-led content marketing strategy can unlock retail distribution -Chronicling his experience from Shark Tank from application to vetting to pitching before the Sharks and how it created a sales surge -The power of manifesting your goals and building a company culture around that Brooks packs a punch with his genuine disposition and deep knowledge of his brand and the science behind it.

In Episode 16, James and Sean flip the script and James interviews Sean about founding the Zevo brand and his time in the P&G Ventures studio. Sean is the co-founder and President of Cincy Brands (a CPG operating company), Co-host of BrandBusters, and Co-Founder of the Zevo Brand. Sean spent a decade at Procter & Gamble in Brand Management - leading brands like Iams pet food and Old Spice deodorant. He was the former CMO of Amify (sold to Cart.com). Sean has worked as an executive for private equity and venture capital-backed CPG and eCommerce businesses. In this episode, we discuss: 1. The leap from leading established brands like Old Spice at Procter & Gamble to founding the Zevo brand within P&G Ventures. 2. How Sean identified the insect control category as ripe for disruption and the challenges of launching a brand within a large, risk-averse corporation. 3. The importance of consumer education and feedback, and how early product hurdles were overcome to build a successful brand. 4. Zevo’s strategic retail launch, starting with an exclusive partnership with Home Depot, and expanding to Target and Walmart by aligning distribution with brand awareness. 5. Key lessons on the entrepreneurial mindset needed to succeed in a big company, the value of mentorship, and staying curious in the face of challenges. Sean shares invaluable insights on navigating corporate innovation, offering practical advice for anyone looking to launch a new brand, especially within a large organization.

In Episode 15, James and Sean dive deep with Dr. Steven Goudy, the founder of the innovative babycare brand, Dr. Noze Best, and Director of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ENT) and Vice Chairman of Research of Otolaryngology at Emory University School of Medicine. We discuss: -The journey from being a world-renowned pediatric otolaryngologist (ENT) to founding a CPG brand centered on improving upper respiratory health in children. -How personal experiences with his own children and patients sparked the key insight to create a hospital-grade nasal suction device. -The importance of listening to repeated consumer needs and transforming those insights into actionable product solutions. -The challenges and learning curve of entering the ecommerce space without a traditional business background. -How he built a board of advisers and hired an external CEO to make the company successful. -Leveraging TikTok and other social platforms for educational content, building brand authenticity, and engaging with parents. -The critical role of mentorship, the psychological resilience needed in entrepreneurship, and the value of systems like the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). -The unique difficulties in fundraising for a child-focused CPG brand and the importance of finding the right investors aligned with your mission. -How Dr. Noze Best is expanding beyond online sales into brick-and-mortar distribution while maintaining its commitment to content and education-first marketing. Dr. Goudy shares invaluable insights on balancing a demanding medical career with entrepreneurship, offering practical advice for anyone looking to start a brand, especially in the challenging CPG sector.