From Prison to Purpose: Troy Alexander on the Power of Radical Self-Accountability

The Business of Longevity with Anastasia Ganias

Food can nourish more than the body. It can rebuild a life. In Episode 11 of Deal Flow Diaries, we sit down with Anastasia Ganias, actress, entrepreneur, and founder of Fancy Peasant, the modern Mediterranean longevity brand redefining pantry staples through the lens of wellness, ritual, and ancestral wisdom. Known for roles in Dexter, True Blood, and Desperate Housewives, Anastasia left Hollywood after her father became ill. Following his passing, she began sharing her Greek family recipes online as a way to process grief and reconnect with her roots. What started as a deeply personal act of healing unexpectedly evolved into Fancy Peasant, a fast-growing lifestyle and pantry brand inspired by the Blue Zone traditions of her father's village in Greece. Today, Fancy Peasant has built a devoted community, landed in retailers like Erewhon, and is bringing Mediterranean longevity principles into modern kitchens through olive oil, pantry essentials, and a philosophy centered on simple daily rituals. Join us as we talk about: * How grief, family, and Greek tradition unexpectedly became the foundation of a business * Building Fancy Peasant during COVID with no marketing budget and no master plan * Why founders have to fall in love with problem-solving and learn to embrace uncertainty * The realities of fundraising, self-doubt, and overcoming limiting beliefs while scaling a company * Blue Zones, longevity habits, and why the most powerful health tools may already be in your kitchen Whether you're building a business, navigating reinvention, or simply curious about the intersection of wellness, storytelling, and entrepreneurship, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful companies aren't built from a business plan. They're built from purpose. Follow Anastasia & Fancy Peasant: Website [https://fancypeasant.com/] Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/stores/FancyPeasant/page/0EF7AB8B-D9E1-454F-990B-C02A85748115?lp_asin=B0BZDXTTP3&ref_=ast_bln&store_ref=bl_ast_dp_brandLogo_sto] Youtube  [https://www.youtube.com/@fancypeasant] Instagram: @fancy_peasant [https://www.instagram.com/fancy_peasant/], @fancypeasantpantry [https://www.instagram.com/fancypeasantpantry/] IMDb (Anastasia Ganias Gellin) [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3038015/ ] Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2550318/fan_mail/new] Questions and comments; reach out to us at inquiries@dealflowdiariespodcast.com [inquiries@dealflowdiariespodcast.com] Find out more about the dealflowdiariespodcast.com [https://dealflowdiariespodcast.com ]  To stay up to date with Deal Flow Diaries and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram [ https://www.instagram.com/dealflowdiaries ], TikTok, [https://www.tiktok.com/@dealflowdiaries ] and on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@DealFlowDiariesPodcast]. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deal-flow-diaries/id1848428478] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/45BTH0XNnrClfYGXt0avfh] or where ever you get your podcasts. Recorded at The Newsstand Studios [https://www.rockefellercenter.com/newsstand-studios/] at Rockefeller Center [https://www.instagram.com/rockefellercenter/]. Thank you for listening.

From Hedge Funds to Household Innovation with Maria Cabral Menezes

In Episode 10 of Deal Flow Diaries, we sit down with Maria Cabral Menezes, founder of WashWise, to explore how one overlooked operational pain point became a scalable business opportunity. Maria shares how her experience navigating hospitality, entrepreneurship, and systems-building led her to create a company designed to modernize and optimize one of the most essential—but least glamorous—parts of the human experience.  From building operational infrastructure to understanding the psychology of service, this conversation offers a candid look at what it takes to create a business rooted in efficiency, resilience, and customer trust.  Join us as we talk about:  *  Why some of the best business opportunities come from solving operational problems others ignore  * Building a hospitality-focused company where systems, consistency, and execution matter as much as branding  * The realities of entrepreneurship, including risk-taking, persistence, and learning to adapt quickly under pressure  * How technology and data can transform traditional service industries  * Maria’s perspective on leadership, scaling thoughtfully, and creating long-term value through operational excellence  * Whether you’re a founder, investor, or someone fascinated by how successful businesses are built behind the scenes, this episode offers practical insights into identifying inefficiencies and turning them into opportunity.  Deal Flow Diaries continues to bring you thoughtful conversations with founders, operators, and dealmakers shaping the future across industries.  Follow Maria Cabral Menezes & WashWise:  Instagram: @mariacabralmenezes [https://www.instagram.com/mariacabralmenezes/], @getwashwise [https://www.instagram.com/getwashwise/] Website [https://washwise.com/password] Tiktok: @washwise [https://www.tiktok.com/@washwise/]   Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2550318/fan_mail/new] Questions and comments; reach out to us at inquiries@dealflowdiariespodcast.com [inquiries@dealflowdiariespodcast.com] Find out more about the dealflowdiariespodcast.com [https://dealflowdiariespodcast.com ]  To stay up to date with Deal Flow Diaries and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram [ https://www.instagram.com/dealflowdiaries ], TikTok, [https://www.tiktok.com/@dealflowdiaries ] and on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@DealFlowDiariesPodcast]. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deal-flow-diaries/id1848428478] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/45BTH0XNnrClfYGXt0avfh] or where ever you get your podcasts. Recorded at The Newsstand Studios [https://www.rockefellercenter.com/newsstand-studios/] at Rockefeller Center [https://www.instagram.com/rockefellercenter/]. Thank you for listening.

Building a Global Fitness Brand from Scratch with Nicoline Roth

High performance today is not just about intensity. It is about intelligence, longevity, and building systems that actually sustain growth. In Episode 9 of Deal Flow Diaries, we sit down with Nicoline Roth, founder of NRTHRN Strong, to unpack how she is redefining modern fitness through a distinctly Scandinavian lens.  Nicoline shares the story behind NRTHRN Strong, a Copenhagen-born concept built around a patented machine designed to replicate the full-body benefits of cross-country skiing, one of the most effective and efficient workouts in the world. What began as a discovery during COVID quickly evolved into a vertically integrated business spanning equipment manufacturing, studio experience, and programming, now expanding from Europe to the U.S. with a flagship in New York and a breakout launch in the Hamptons.  From building a brand in a saturated market to navigating international expansion, this conversation offers a clear, candid look at what it actually takes to scale a performance-driven business today without losing identity, discipline, or control.  Join us as we talk about:  * Building a differentiated fitness concept and why uniqueness matters more than market saturation  * The realities of launching a business and the power of network-building and community  * Why execution, not just the idea, determines long-term success  * The trade-offs of scaling, franchising, and maintaining brand integrity  * The role of discipline, routines, and mental strength in building both a company and a life  Whether you are a founder, building a business, or simply interested in how modern wellness brands are built, this episode delivers a grounded perspective on discipline, growth, and the systems behind sustainable success.  Deal Flow Diaries, where strategy meets execution, and the real stories behind building something meaningful are told without filters.  Follow Nicoline and NRTHRN Strong:  IG: @nicolineroth [https://www.instagram.com/nicolineroth/], @nrthrnstrong [https://www.instagram.com/nrthrnstrong]  Website [https://www.nrthrnstrong.com/]  Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2550318/fan_mail/new] Questions and comments; reach out to us at inquiries@dealflowdiariespodcast.com [inquiries@dealflowdiariespodcast.com] Find out more about the dealflowdiariespodcast.com [https://dealflowdiariespodcast.com ]  To stay up to date with Deal Flow Diaries and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram [ https://www.instagram.com/dealflowdiaries ], TikTok, [https://www.tiktok.com/@dealflowdiaries ] and on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@DealFlowDiariesPodcast]. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deal-flow-diaries/id1848428478] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/45BTH0XNnrClfYGXt0avfh] or where ever you get your podcasts. Recorded at The Newsstand Studios [https://www.rockefellercenter.com/newsstand-studios/] at Rockefeller Center [https://www.instagram.com/rockefellercenter/]. Thank you for listening.

From Prison to Purpose: Troy Alexander on the Power of Radical Self-Accountability

Transformation doesn’t start with opportunity, it starts with accountability. In this episode of Deal Flow Diaries, we sit down with Troy Alexander, founder of T363 Skin, to unpack a journey that begins in a prison cell and evolves into building a purpose-driven brand rooted in discipline, identity, and self-respect. Troy shares how 18 months in isolation became the foundation for his philosophy on mental toughness, systems over motivation, and radical ownership. From studying human behavior behind bars to becoming a fashion journalist and cultural strategist advising global brands, his path challenges conventional ideas of success and reinvention. We explore the creation of T363 Skin, a brand inspired by Troy’s past and built for the future, redefining how men approach self-care, confidence, and personal standards. This conversation goes beyond skincare. It is about identity, discipline, and the decisions that shape a life. Join us as we talk about: * How self-accountability can completely reshape your trajectory * Turning adversity into clarity, discipline, and purpose * Identifying overlooked markets and building a brand from lived experience * The role of mentorship, networking, and service in unlocking opportunity * Why self-respect and daily habits are the true drivers of confidence and success Whether you are building a company, rebuilding your life, or redefining your standards, this episode offers a powerful reminder that transformation starts within. This is Deal Flow Diaries: real stories, hard truths, and the mindset behind what it actually takes to build something meaningful. Follow Troy Alexander & T363 Skin: Instagram: @thetroyalexander [https://www.instagram.com/thetroyalexander/], @t363skin [https://www.instagram.com/t363skin] Website [https://t363skin.com/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/troyalexandert363/] Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2550318/fan_mail/new] Questions and comments; reach out to us at inquiries@dealflowdiariespodcast.com [inquiries@dealflowdiariespodcast.com] Find out more about the dealflowdiariespodcast.com [https://dealflowdiariespodcast.com ]  To stay up to date with Deal Flow Diaries and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram [ https://www.instagram.com/dealflowdiaries ], TikTok, [https://www.tiktok.com/@dealflowdiaries ] and on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@DealFlowDiariesPodcast]. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deal-flow-diaries/id1848428478] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/45BTH0XNnrClfYGXt0avfh] or where ever you get your podcasts. Recorded at The Newsstand Studios [https://www.rockefellercenter.com/newsstand-studios/] at Rockefeller Center [https://www.instagram.com/rockefellercenter/]. Thank you for listening.

From Unsellable to Unstoppable: Jason Saft on the Art of Selling a Home

People do not buy square footage. They buy a future version of themselves.  In this episode of Deal Flow Diaries, we sit down with Jason Saft, founder of Staged to Sell Home, to unpack how design functions as a powerful form of visual marketing and why the right presentation can change the outcome of a deal. With a background in real estate and over $3 billion in transactions influenced by his work, Jason approaches staging not as decoration, but as problem solving grounded in data, buyer psychology, and execution.  Jason shares how his business was built by listening closely to what buyers were actually saying and translating that feedback into action. From struggling listings that sat on the market for years to record-setting sales that went into contract in days, he explains how small, strategic changes can unlock significant value without the need for full renovation.  Join us as we talk about:  * Why staging is best understood as a visual marketing strategy rather than interior design  * How listening to buyer feedback becomes a data set that drives real estate decisions  * The early days of building Staged to Sell Home⁠, from air mattresses to full-scale inventory  * Turning unsellable properties into high-performing assets through targeted, cost-effective changes  * The mindset shift from aesthetics to ROI and how to measure success through days on market and price achieved  Jason also opens up about the personal side of building a business, including overcoming self-doubt, taking risks without a traditional safety net, and finding clarity during the pandemic that ultimately led him to fully commit to his vision.  Whether you are a broker, developer, investor, or homeowner, this episode offers a clear look at how perception shapes value and why the smallest details often have the biggest financial impact.  Follow Jason Saft & Staged to Sell Home:  Website [https://www.stagedtosellhome.com/] IG: @jasonsaft [https://www.instagram.com/jasonsaft], @stagedtosellhome  [https://www.instagram.com/stagedtosellhome] Questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you...send us a text! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2550318/fan_mail/new] Questions and comments; reach out to us at inquiries@dealflowdiariespodcast.com [inquiries@dealflowdiariespodcast.com] Find out more about the dealflowdiariespodcast.com [https://dealflowdiariespodcast.com ]  To stay up to date with Deal Flow Diaries and get all the behind-the-scenes content, follow us on Instagram [ https://www.instagram.com/dealflowdiaries ], TikTok, [https://www.tiktok.com/@dealflowdiaries ] and on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@DealFlowDiariesPodcast]. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deal-flow-diaries/id1848428478] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/45BTH0XNnrClfYGXt0avfh] or where ever you get your podcasts. Recorded at The Newsstand Studios [https://www.rockefellercenter.com/newsstand-studios/] at Rockefeller Center [https://www.instagram.com/rockefellercenter/]. Thank you for listening.