Healthy HeartBeets

In this episode, I’m joined by Julian Figaretti and HongChing Cheung, the co-founders of Healthy HeartBeets, a Pittsburgh-based startup offering a nutritious beet powder blend made with hemp and chia seeds. The two share the story of how their paths crossed and how a shared passion for health and food innovation evolved into a full-fledged business. Julian reflects on his early ventures into food product development—starting with homemade recovery drinks and beet bars tested on whitewater rafters in Ohiopyle. Inspired by family roots in the restaurant industry, a background in business and entrepreneurship at WVU, and personal health benefits from beet products, he began experimenting during the pandemic. His first solo effort hit roadblocks, but the spark reignited when HongChing entered the scene. HongChing brings a marketing and food-savvy background, having worked at restaurants like Pusadee’s Garden and creperies, as well as doing freelance work at Iron City Boulders. Her analytical mind and love for food aligned perfectly with Julian’s vision. Initially helping with the website and digital visibility, she soon dove deeper into the business after experiencing the product herself and feeling a renewed sense of purpose. Together, they tackled the challenges of product development—nailing down shelf life, production logistics, and finding a shared kitchen space at Fulton Commons. Their partnership flourished through programs like the food business incubator and accelerator, where they gained critical insights into sales, operations, and scaling their brand. They even won a pitch competition and appeared on another podcast, marking milestones in their journey. Now, Healthy HeartBeets is available in stores, at farmers markets like Bloomfield, and online—with recipes and ideas on how to incorporate the product into everyday meals. The duo reflects on how they balance their different working styles (HongChing the planner, Julian the reactor) and look ahead with double the flashlights—metaphorically speaking—lighting the way through the startup tunnel. From homemade samples in brown paper bags to navigating the wholesale market, Julian and HongChing share a story of creativity, resilience, and the joy of building something meaningful, one scoop of beet powder at a time. Music in this episode includes: Theme song: With Bowl and Spoon, written and performed by Paul Labrise and Friends Background music: Firmament by Kevin MacLeod, Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Intermission: Lose Yourself by Drew Banga