Plantas Pod: Bold Strategies for Visionary Entrepreneurs

A Conversation with Denise Woodard, Founder and CEO of Partake Foods

Join Daniella as she sits down with Denise Woodard, Founder and CEO of Partake Foods, to discuss her inspiring entrepreneurship journey. Denise opens up about the highs and lows of starting a CPG business, sharing pivotal lessons on branding, customer service, and product innovation. Learn how she navigated the complex world of fundraising and scaled her startup, all while championing diversity and inclusion for Black and Brown entrepreneurs in CPG. This episode is a treasure trove of insights on leadership, mentorship, and the dynamic growth of a purpose-driven food company. EPISODE KEY MOMENTS: * The founding story of Partake * Entrepreneurship challenges and learning curve * Early lessons from starting a CPG business * Fundraising and growth for a food startup * Consumer insights and product innovation * Diversity and inclusion in the food industry Where to connect with Denise on the internet: Website [https://partakefoods.com/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/partakefoods/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisegwoodard/] Plantas Pod Credits Host: ⁠⁠Daniella Allam⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellaallam/] Producer: ⁠⁠Jacqueline Smith⁠⁠ [https://www.thevibrantvida.me/] ⁠⁠Plantas Strategy website⁠⁠ [https://www.plantasstrategy.com/] For episode transcripts, go to the Plantas Pod website ⁠⁠here [https://www.plantasstrategy.com/season-2] If you have any feedback or questions about the podcast, email ⁠info@plantasstrategy.com [info@plantasstrategy.com]

A Conversation with Maddie Hamman, Co-founder and Director of Marketing, PACHA

In this episode, Daniella sits down with Maddie Hamann, who transitioned from a PhD in oceanography to founding an organic buckwheat bread company focused on regenerative agriculture, PACHA. Maddie shares her journey from academia to entrepreneurship, highlighting her passion for sustainability and how she and her partner overcame initial hesitations to launch their business. They discuss the marketing challenges, the importance of sustainable packaging, and their persistence in securing Whole Foods distribution. The conversation also covers the significance of regenerative agriculture, the impact of buckwheat as a cover crop, and the difficulties of educating consumers about the benefits of sustainable practices. Maddie emphasizes the need to align values with actions and the potential for big brands to lead in consumer education about regenerative farming. EPISODE KEY MOMENTS: * Transitioning from academia to entrepreneurship. * PACHA's focus on regenerative agriculture and sustainable practices. * Launching a business with multiple co-founders during the pandemic. * Overcaming marketing challenges and lack of foundational knowledge. * Securing production facility and Whole Foods distribution with improved product. * Compostable packaging and aligning with sustainability mission. * Buckwheat's role as a regenerative cover crop. * The challenges of educating consumers on regenerative agriculture benefits. Where to connect with Maddie on the internet: Website [https://violasheritagebreads.com/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/violas_heritage_breads/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeleine-hamann-06b95347/] Plantas Pod Credits Host: ⁠⁠Daniella Allam⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellaallam/] Producer: ⁠⁠Jacqueline Smith⁠⁠ [https://www.thevibrantvida.me/] ⁠⁠Plantas Strategy website⁠⁠ [https://www.plantasstrategy.com/] For episode transcripts, go to the Plantas Pod website ⁠⁠here [https://www.plantasstrategy.com/season-2] If you have any feedback or questions about the podcast, email ⁠info@plantasstrategy.com [info@plantasstrategy.com]

A Conversation with Carla Briggs, Founder and CEO of Viola's Heritage

In this episode, Daniella sits down with Chef Carla Briggs, Founder and CEO of Viola's Heritage, a business celebrating the contributions of people of color in the culinary world with high-quality bread. Carla shares her entrepreneurial journey from leaving the baking industry due to carpal tunnel syndrome to starting a bread business during the pandemic. She discusses growing her business from a side hustle to a full-fledged bakery by filling a market gap for healthy, locally-made bread and integrating New Orleans’s vibrant cultural heritage into her products. Carla also highlights the challenges of scaling a business as a woman of color, including financial constraints and managing growth, and shares her experience overcoming imposter syndrome. The conversation underscores the importance of creativity, taking risks in entrepreneurship, and sharing the untold stories of people of color in the food industry. EPISODE KEY MOMENTS * The story of how Viola's came into existence * The culinary contributions of people of color * Showcasing cultural heritage in food innovation * Scaling challenges as a woman of color * Overcoming impostor syndrome and financial barriers * Balancing long-term vision with present needs Where to connect with Carla on the internet: Website [https://violasheritagebreads.com/] | Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/violas_heritage_breads/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-briggs-a33798132] Plantas Pod Credits Host: ⁠⁠Daniella Allam⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellaallam/] Producer: ⁠⁠Jacqueline Smith⁠⁠ [https://www.thevibrantvida.me/] ⁠⁠Plantas Strategy website⁠⁠ [https://www.plantasstrategy.com/] For episode transcripts, go to the Plantas Pod website ⁠⁠here [https://www.plantasstrategy.com/season-2] If you have any feedback or questions about the podcast, email ⁠info@plantasstrategy.com [info@plantasstrategy.com]

A Conversation with Lauren Haynes, Founder and CEO of Wooden Spoon Herbs

In this episode, Daniella sits down IRL with Lauren Haynes, Founder and CEO of Wooden Spoon Herbs. A trained herbalist and 3rd generation entrepreneur, Lauren shares her entrepreneurial journey starting with the genesis of her brand at a farmers market in 2014. She recounts her early experiments with herbal products and how she expanded from local sales to a national presence, recently securing a significant distribution deal with Whole Foods. Lauren discusses how she has evolved and grown as a leader alongside her business, emphasizing the support, resources, and mentorship that have been critical to her success. She highlights the challenges and opportunities of building a successful herbal supplement brand, including the need for a clear vision, focusing on products that truly matter to consumers, and connecting to a deeper 'why' beyond just making money. EPISODE KEY MOMENTS * Wooden Spoon Herb early days * Experimenting with products and gathering consumer feedback * Brand growth and distribution partnership with Whole Foods * Product development and refinement * Making herbal products accessible * Fundraising for a natural products business * Scaling a brand Where to connect with Lauren on the internet: Wooden Spoon Herbs website [https://woodenspoonherbs.com/] - Find them at a Whole Foods near you via this store locator [https://woodenspoonherbs.com/pages/store-locator] Wooden Spoon Herbs Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/woodenspoonherbs/] Lauren Haynes [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-haynes-053a52195/] PLANTAS POD CREDITS: Host: ⁠⁠Daniella Allam⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellaallam/] Producer: ⁠⁠Jacqueline Smith⁠⁠ [https://www.thevibrantvida.me/] ⁠⁠Plantas Strategy website⁠⁠ [https://www.plantasstrategy.com/] For episode transcripts, go to the Plantas Pod website ⁠⁠here [https://www.plantasstrategy.com/season-2] If you have any feedback or questions about the podcast, email ⁠info@plantasstrategy.com [info@plantasstrategy.com]

A Conversation with Lisa Curtis, Founder & CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods

In this episode, Daniella sits down with Lisa Curtis, CEO and Founder of Kuli Kuli Foods to discuss her journey as a social entrepreneur. Lisa shares how she learned about moringa’s benefits in West Africa and was inspired to bring it to the US market, overcoming challenges such as investor skepticism and low awareness of the plant’s benefits. Lisa highlights the importance of early consumer research and leading with product benefits even as a mission-driven company. Lisa also discusses the importance of sustainable sourcing and farmer relationships, and Kuli Kuli's plans to introduce new products and promote other sustainable drought-tolerant crops beyond moringa. She reflects on the company's growth from a startup to a multimillion-dollar business, and offers sound advice for entrepreneurs: be strategically small, tell your story effectively, and take care of yourself to avoid burnout. EPISODE KEY MOMENTS: * The story of how Lisa founded Kuli Kuli * Introducing moringa to the US market * Early consumer research and leading with product benefits * Strategic partnerships with retailers like Costco and Walmart * Fundraising $11 million for Kuli Kuli * Sustainable sourcing and farmer relationships * Brand strategy and effective storytelling * Navigating supply chain disruptions * Starting small and avoiding burnout as an entrepreneur Where to connect with Lisa on the internet: Kuli Kuli ⁠Website⁠ [www.kulikulifoods.com] | ⁠Lisa Curtis [www.lisamariecurtis.com] Use code PLANTAS for 20% off (First time customers only) PLANTAS POD CREDITS: Host: ⁠⁠⁠Daniella Allam⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellaallam/] Producer: ⁠⁠⁠Jacqueline Smith⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.thevibrantvida.me/] ⁠⁠⁠Plantas Strategy website⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.plantasstrategy.com/] For episode transcripts, go to the Plantas Pod website ⁠⁠⁠here⁠ [https://www.plantasstrategy.com/season-2]. If you have any feedback or questions about the podcast, email ⁠⁠info@plantasstrategy.com⁠ [info@plantasstrategy.com]