The Irresistible Factor

In this episode of The Irresistible Factor, Kristi talks with Josh Rogers, Founder and CEO of Ancient Drinks, to explore how he turned frustration with sugary sports drinks into a groundbreaking beverage brand inspired by history’s first hydration formulas. Drawing on his background in branding and product development, Josh reveals the challenges of launching a health-focused brand in the crowded beverage market and the unwavering tenacity it takes to stay true to a mission of integrity and innovation.  Josh shares his journey of creating Ancient Drinks, from brewing recipes in his kitchen that are rooted in real ancient health practices. With a clear focus on values and strategy, Josh dives into why starting with a strong brand foundation (a sometimes tough investment for a start-up) is absolutely critical. They also dig into how being a “polarizing” brand can help a brand stand out in a crowded category. Tune in for a conversation packed with inspiration, expert advice, and actionable insights for aspiring CPG entrepreneurs. Here’s what you won’t want to miss: * The importance of starting with a solid brand foundation to guide every decision  * Just how important having a mission and staying true to it is, even when cost-cutting is tempting.  * Josh’s insights on navigating the competitive beverage market and why not being a brand for everyone is key to success. * Ancient Drinks’ innovative plans for product expansion, including new SKUs, “Power Dust” powders, and customizable flavor boosters. * Josh’s advice for founders: Believe deeply in your vision, filter advice carefully, and focus on learning and scaling with purpose.

"The biggest challenge is really getting through these gatekeepers who don’t understand our culture." In this episode of The Irresistible Factor, I sit down with Bricia Lopez, Co-Founder of I Love Michelada, to explore her inspiring journey from growing up in her family’s Oaxacan restaurant in Los Angeles to building a thriving michelada brand. Raised in the restaurant business, Bricia was immersed in food culture from a young age, but it wasn’t until customers began requesting to buy the restaurant’s signature michelada mix that she saw an opportunity. Along with her brother, Fernando, she turned their family recipe into a business. Bricia recounts how they went from filling tequila bottles with their homemade mix to launching I Love Michelada, now available in major retailers. In this conversation, she shares the challenges and triumphs of transitioning from restaurant owners to CPG entrepreneurs. We dive into the obstacles Bricia faced, including navigating distribution hurdles, supply chain issues, and educating retailers on a product that was still unfamiliar to many. She also discusses her focus on expanding I Love Michelada’s offerings and building a strong community around the brand. Here’s what you won’t want to miss: * How Bricia and Fernando transitioned from running a restaurant to building a CPG brand. * The importance of creating systems to support business growth. * Bricia’s vision for expanding I Love Michelada’s reach while staying true to its cultural roots. Join us as Bricia offers valuable insights into building a brand that not only represents her culture but also brings the joy of micheladas to fans across the country!

"I wanted more in life, meaning a purpose. why am I getting up in the morning?" In this episode of The Irresistible Factor I sit down with Kathrin Henon, Founder and CEO of Planet-Bake. Kathrin shares her unique journey from being in the fashion industry  to launching a health-conscious dessert brand that offers sugar-free, gluten-free, and vegan doughnuts.  Kathrin is no stranger to being a founder. Her journey kicked off in New York’s luxury fashion scene, where she launched her own label. But as the industry evolved and her passion for something more meaningful grew, she made a bold pivot to something else she loved, food. Spotting a chance to help local pastry chefs thrive, she created a marketplace to help them sell their creations.  When the pandemic struck, Kathrin’s business hit a wall. But as the saying goes, every cloud has a silver lining, and from the challenges of the COVID shutdown, Planet-Baked was born. In this episode,  Kathrin shares her journey of bootstrapping and highlights how many entrepreneurs often overlook the critical step of understanding their profit margins from the start. We also discuss the challenges of starting a business, how her experience in fashion translates to her current role as a food founder, and her exciting plans for expanding Planet-Bake’s product line. Here’s what you won't want to miss! * How Kathrin transitioned from fashion to food, using design skills to create dessert * How hands-on marketing and direct customer feedback drive the brand’s success * How Kathrin aims to expand into more nutrition-rich dessert options across the U.S

"My fascination with food was from a place of fear rather than love. It was obsessive, toxic, and stressful." For many founders, their journey into entrepreneurship starts with passion, a great idea, or the dream of disrupting an industry. But for Ali Bonar, the founder and CEO of Oat Haus, it began with a deeply personal struggle—her battle with multiple eating disorders. Her journey of healing and rediscovery ultimately led her to create Oat Haus, the first-ever oat-based Granola Butter, which is now shaking up the food industry. What began as a kitchen experiment in 2017 became a business in 2018 when Ali launched Oat Haus online. But it wasn’t just the unique product that set Oat Haus apart—it was Ali’s honest, raw storytelling. Openly sharing her recovery journey on Instagram, she connected deeply with others who had faced similar struggles, building an engaged and loyal community around her brand. In this episode, Ali talks about the unconventional ways she reached out to retailers and investors, her view on the current state of influencer marketing, and how quick and limited flavor drops drive marketing. Kristi and Ali also talk about how being a founder can feel lonely and how Ali navigates prioritizing her mental health as an entrepreneur.  Not only is Ali an incredible entrepreneur, she is an inspiration and role model for many women. I can’t wait for you guys to hear this one!   You’ll also hear: * Why oats are the perfect neutral canvas for innovative flavors  * How Oat Haus transitioned from DTC to major retailers like Whole Foods and Target  * Ali’s business and personal goals for the next 5 years  * What it means to create work-life balance * Why documenting your journey is a great idea

“I always say it’s kind of like building an airplane while it’s in the air.”       In this episode of The Irresistible Factor Whitney shares her inspiring journey of transitioning from a career in the fashion industry to launching a food brand driven by her family’s health needs. Despite her knack for baking, Whitney faced significant challenges in creating recipes that were keto, gluten-free, and sugar-free—and still delicious.  From failed test batches to finding the perfect ingredient combinations, Whitney discusses the trial and error of product development. She also highlights the strategic lessons learned from her fashion background and the complexities of scaling a food brand in a competitive market. Tune in for a candid conversation on perseverance, the value of CPG community, and the realities of building a better-for-you food company from the ground up. We also touched on: - What it means to build a foundation  before scaling  - Challenges with cash flow and sustaining growth  - Her natural aversion to financials and how she’s overcoming it - Why you shouldn’t be afraid to pivot and “shake things up”  - Where she envisions her products in the next 5-10 years