From Kitchen Creations to Selling in 2,800 Stores Nationwide | Julie Podolec | Co-Founder of The Modern Pop

Julie Podolec turned a homemade frozen fruit bar for her son into a national brand sold in 2,800 stores, including Whole Foods, Costco, and Target. As the co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of The Modern Pop, she’s built a business that blends healthy indulgence with fearless growth. We talk about how she went from a push cart in Laguna Beach to negotiating with major retailers, why LinkedIn is her secret networking weapon, and how being bold has opened doors she never expected. Julie’s energy is contagious, her advice is practical, and her story is a reminder that joy and grit can build something extraordinary. Chapters: 00:00 From homemade treat to national brand 01:20 Launching The Modern Pop in Laguna Beach 03:00 Early days with a push cart 05:15 Selling at local farmers markets 07:00 Landing in Whole Foods and Costco 09:45 Scaling to 2,800 stores nationwide 11:30 Networking fearlessly on LinkedIn 13:15 The role of boldness in business growth 15:00 Balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood 17:30 Lessons learned from the CPG industry 19:00 Building a purpose-driven company 21:30 Maintaining quality at scale 23:15 Expanding into new retail channels 25:00 Finding joy in the hustle 27:00 Advice for aspiring food entrepreneurs The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices