Innovator Insights

What if the real reason food spoils so fast, and even blood storage is limited, comes down to something simple: oxygen?In this episode of Innovator Insights, Henrik Johansson speaks with Bruce Roesner, founder of Green Life Tech, about how controlling oxygen exposure could extend the life of everything from fresh produce to blood.Bruce explains how his work in RFID technology led to a broader discovery: oxygen is a key driver of decay in organic materials. That insight evolved into a platform that can extend shelf life by 3–5x in food systems, while also showing promising results in medical applications like blood preservation.The conversation also explores the reality behind food waste, why most groceries are already partway through their usable life before you buy them, and how simple supply chain delays have massive downstream effects.Finally, Bruce shares what it takes to build deep-tech hardware, raise capital through repeated rejection, and why persistence matters more than perfect timing.Key themes: oxygen control, food waste, shelf life extension, blood preservation, persistence in entrepreneurship

In this episode of Innovator Insights, Kathy Kempff shares how a single trip to Kenya transformed her perspective on purpose, philanthropy, and education. Inspired by the story of a young girl who simply wanted the chance to learn, Kathy founded Moja Tu, a nonprofit providing one-to-one educational scholarships that empower children to break the cycle of poverty.Kathy opens up about the lessons she has learned building technology-enabled startups, scaling nonprofit programs, and creating a sponsor experience that goes far beyond traditional donations. From video calls and personalized letters to immersive sponsor trips, Moja Tu connects people in the U.S. with students in Kenya in ways that create lasting relationships and tangible impact.She also discusses the power of alumni giving back, innovative approaches to fundraising, and why understanding the human side of every organization, whether nonprofit or for-profit, is key to meaningful change.Whether you are passionate about entrepreneurship, education, or making a difference, Kathy's journey is a reminder that even one connection can create exponential impact.🎧 Listen to hear how Moja Tu turns sponsorship into lifelong relationships, changing lives on both sides of the globe.

Griff Jaggard, co-founder and CEO of FireDisc Cookers, joins us to share how a gifted plow disc and a few buddy trips turned into a nationally distributed portable outdoor cooking brand.Griff talks about starting with no consumer product experience, landing their first retail deal with Buc-ee's, building a product tough enough to stop a .357 Magnum, and learning from the founders of YETI.He also gets real about the impact of tariffs on small businesses, the shift to direct-to-consumer, building a passionate customer community on Facebook, and why the best advice he can give founders is: don't go at it alone, and don't quit.

How do you turn a personal hack into a philosophy that shapes entrepreneurship and land insights from 18 founders along the way? Jeffrey Chernick and Alex Gitter, co-authors of High Five Energy, didn’t just write a book, they distilled years of founder wisdom into 33 actionable insights. In this episode, they reveal the unfiltered truth about what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur, from impossible moments that seem like luck to the unconventional “high-five” method that helped them manifest goals and navigate setbacks. In this episode, we coverHigh-Five Energy: How a simple physical gesture became a grounding tool to connect intention with action and unlock real-world results, from apartment leases to major business deals. The Founder Flow: Why every entrepreneur is “one conversation away” from life-changing opportunities and how knowing who to pitch matters more than pitching everyone. Impossible Moments and Serendipity:True stories of founders running out of money, facing tariffs, and almost losing everything yet somehow finding a breakthrough. Creative Problem-Solving:How thinking differently and iterating relentlessly, whether building a book or launching a startup, creates a competitive edge. Lessons from the Legends:Insights from iconic founders across industries showing that the path to impact is rarely linear and often full of unexpected pivots. Tune in for a masterclass on resilience, creativity, and turning intention into action the High Five Energy way.

What happens when a father-son conversation at the kitchen table resurfaces an old invention and accidentally creates an entirely new product category?In this episode of Innovator Insights, Henrik Johansson sits down with Devon Wilson, Founder and CEO of RV Snap Pads, a Calgary-based company that makes what Devon calls "shoes for your RV." These snap-on pads, made from recycled semi-truck tires, provide grip, stability, and protection for RV leveling systems, replacing the old solution of wood blocks and loose plastic.Devon shares how the idea started with his father, one of the original inventors of the iconic orange leveling blocks that RVers have used for over 30 years. After a rough experience that pushed the family out of that original venture, a kitchen table conversation reignited the idea, and Devon ran with it. The first prototype was built on a shoestring budget just to see if, as Devon puts it, "anybody quite frankly gave a damn."They did. Feedback from early RV owner groups was overwhelmingly positive, revealing unexpected benefits like vibration dampening that stabilized entire motorhomes. From there, Devon built the product line almost entirely by listening to customers, adding new SKUs only when waitlists hit critical mass.But the road hasn't been smooth. Devon is candid about cycling through six or seven contract manufacturers, the whiplash of COVID-era demand they couldn't fulfill, over-correcting with too much inventory, and the constant tension between growth and operational stability. Now, with two strong manufacturing partners and nearly 6 million pounds of recycled rubber kept out of landfills, the company is finally ready to hit the gas, with big-box retail conversations on the horizon.Whether you're bootstrapping a physical product, navigating supply chain chaos, or wondering how to build a brand that customers genuinely love (they have a customer on their seventh set of Snap Pads), this episode is packed with real-world lessons on resilience, customer obsession, and knowing when to push forward versus when to stabilize.

How do you go from selling 13 bikes in year one to building a global brand with over $180 million in revenue?Mathias Ihlenfeld, founder of Woom Bikes, didn’t start with a massive VC check. He started with a side hustle while working as a consultant, building the business at night and on weekends. In this episode, Matthias reveals the unvarnished truth about scaling a physical product company—from the terrifying cash flow crunches that left him unable to fix his own dishwasher, to the "zero to one" SEO marketing hack that exploded his sales.In this episode, we cover:The Side Hustle Strategy: How Matthias managed a consulting career by day and built a global bike brand by night to extend his runway.The "Dishwasher Moment": The reality of 300% YoY growth, where revenue is high but cash is gone—leading to maxed-out credit cards and liquidated retirement funds.The SEO Growth Hack: How Matthias went from 13 sales to 1,500 by reverse-engineering what "concerned parents" typed into Google.Brand vs. Amazon: Why avoiding Amazon early on and focusing on fanatical customer service (including founder cell phone calls) created a "love brand".Navigating Risk: Lessons from a product recall and why entrepreneurs should "over engineer" safety compliance.Tune in for a masterclass on bootstrapping, resilience, and customer obsession.

What does it take to turn a scientific concern into a household name?Join us as we sit down with Kevin Broderick, the entrepreneur behind Think Baby and Think Sport. Raised in a household of scientists and inventors, Kevin combined his background in biophysics and epidemiology with a passion for entrepreneurship to solve a massive consumer problem: toxic chemicals in everyday products.In this episode, we discuss:The Power of Experience: Why a mentor advised Kevin to work at startups, mid-sized firms, and major corporations like Dell before launching his own enterprise.The "Little Black Book": Kevin’s method of recording every idea, from digitized bathtubs to parachutes for planes, and how it shaped his thinking.Mission-Driven Growth: How focusing on the safety mission—specifically creating BPA-free baby bottles—accidentally led to building a great company.Guerilla Sales Tactics: The "West Coast Tour" where Kevin and his head of sales drove from San Diego to Vancouver, averaging 6 to 10 meetings a day to get products on shelves.Navigating the Exit: Why Kevin chose a lower acquisition offer to ensure his brand’s mission and product safety remained intact under new ownership.The Next Frontier: Kevin’s current work with Trixie (sustainable, waterless beauty) and Atomico (vitamin-infused water with a STEM-education focus)."We were on a mission... we weren't going to worry about building a great company or selling it down the road... if we stayed focused on the mission, we might accidentally build a great company."

What does it take to build a profitable, purpose-driven company without venture capital?In this episode of Innovator Insights, Henrik Johansson sits down with Dan Dicker, Founder & CEO of Circular, to unpack a 23-year journey of building a design-led business rooted in sustainability, long before the circular economy became mainstream.Dan shares how his background at Dyson shaped his approach to product design, why dyslexia became a hidden entrepreneurial advantage, and how Circular grew organically from a backyard shed into a global leader in reusable and returnable drinkware.You’ll also hear a deep dive into Circular’s Tap & Reuse system, an RFID-powered platform designed to eliminate single-use cups by making reuse seamless, habit-forming, and measurable. From consumer psychology to return-rate data, Dan explains why systems, not guilt, drive real behavior change.Key themes covered:Why organic growth beat venture funding for CircularDesigning products from waste materials, before it was trendyHow constraints fuel innovationThe psychology behind reuse vs. depositsBuilding technology around physical products to unlock scaleWhy failure isn’t just acceptable, it’s essentialIf you care about product innovation, sustainability, or building a business that lasts, this episode is packed with insight.If you care about product innovation, sustainability, or building a business that lasts, this episode is packed with insight.

Patrick Bishop didn’t start with a pitch deck. He started with a truckload of agave straws, and a decision to bet on himself. In this episode, Patrick, Founder & CEO of Reroute Americas and Reroute AI, shares how a sustainability insight turned into a fast-growing hospitality supply business, and why inefficiencies in restaurant inventory management pushed him to build an AI platform from scratch. We talk about:Why sustainable products don’t have to cost moreHow a hurricane wiped out 40% of the business, and forced a pivotWhat hospitality gets wrong about inventory, forecasting, and wasteHow AI can reduce over-ordering while improving ESG reportingThe moment Reroute shifted from distribution company to tech companyA candid look at building in a legacy industry, and redesigning systems most people accept as “just how it works."

Patrika Alis Cheston joins Innovator Insights to break down a topic every founder needs but few talk about: how to market products that aren’t naturally “sexy.” From legal tech to compliance tools to infrastructure no one ever sees, Patricia has built a career turning complex, overlooked, or “boring” offerings into memorable, experience-driven campaigns. In this conversation, she shares how brands can stand out by focusing less on funnels and more on how people feel when they interact with you. We dig into:Why experiential marketing works even for the driest industriesHow to create emotional relevance for technical productsThe danger of over-focusing on features instead of the human problemThe rise of authentic, human-led marketing in an AI-saturated landscapePatricia’s journey through startups, agency life, and women in techHow democratized entrepreneurship is reshaping access and opportunityWhether you're building a tech platform, a hardware product, or a service company, Patricia’s insights will help you rethink how your brand shows up, and why the experience around your product might matter more than the product itself.

Jeff Norling’s entrepreneurial path didn’t start in a boardroom, it started in the kitchen. After years of running family-named cafés across Minnesota, Jeff took the leap into consumer goods, launching Outset, a brand that redefined grilling accessories for specialty retailers.Today, as founder of Henning Lee, he’s building a product company rooted in craftsmanship, personal connection, and staying small by design. In this episode, we explore:How Jeff transitioned from hospitality to hard goods, and found his nicheWhy deep factory relationships are a competitive advantage in modern manufacturingThe hard truth about tariffs and the unpredictability they bring to small businessWhy he believes founders shouldn’t build brands on “rented land”A story of reinvention, resilience, and the art of relationship-driven growth.

From dropping out of music school to building a multi-brand powerhouse, Michael Sirpilla’s journey is a masterclass in resilience and reinvention.In this episode of Innovator Insights, Michael shares how Society Brands scaled through disciplined execution, smart acquisitions, and an unshakable focus on data-driven decisions.We discuss:Why obsession (not balance) fuels successThe mindset shift from employee to founderHow to build long-term brand equity beyond AmazonWhat it means to “let the results decide”Why consistency beats talent in entrepreneurshipA candid look at what it really takes to build, scale, and sustain in today’s competitive consumer space.

Andrew Ackerman has seen startups from every angle, as a founder and investor.In this episode of Innovator Insights, Andrew joins Henrik Johansson to share the frameworks, stories, and lessons that shape successful founders, and the painful truths behind those who fail. You’ll hear: 🔗 Why startups are like chains, not ropes, and how one weak link can break everything 📉 The “three dimensions of pain” every product must solve to be fundable 🧠 Why storytelling sticks better than advice when mentoring founders 💵 How to validate assumptions with nothing but a spreadsheet and $100 in Facebook ads 📚 The journey behind his new book The Entrepreneur’s Odyssey, and how he turned years of startup lessons into a story that teaches better than a manual ever could A must-listen for entrepreneurs, investors, and anyone looking to understand what really makes or breaks a startup. 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, Pandora, YouTube, Audible, and iHeartRadio.

What does it take to turn a scrappy idea into a global wellness business?In this episode of Innovator Insights, Henrik Johansson sits down with Sebastian Mierau, co-founder of Healthy Global and CEO of Clearlight Saunas. Sebastian shares his unconventional path, from struggling in school with dyslexia, to testing his first business idea by selling saunas online before he even had any in stock, and even living in a van to make it work. We explore:How scrappiness and resilience fueled Sebastian’s entrepreneurial journeyWhy great products can sometimes “sell themselves”The future of wellness technology, from red light therapy to cold plunges and digital gamificationThe crucial role of team and culture in building a lasting businessThis is a conversation about persistence, innovation, and finding the right mix of passion and practicality to create products that truly impact people’s lives.Tune in and discover how Sebastian turned obstacles into opportunities, and why he believes the obstacle is the way.

How does an investigative journalist become the CEO of a fast-growing, venture-backed retail disruptor?In this episode of Innovator Insights, Shraysi Tandon, former business reporter and director of the award-winning documentary Invisible Hands, shares her journey from uncovering child labor in global supply chains to launching KidC, a sustainable e-commerce platform tackling the $1 trillion returns crisis in the U.S.We discuss:The undercover work that changed her perspective on business foreverHow she turned a shocking warehouse discovery into a viable, scalable businessWhy storytelling is the most underrated CEO skillThe importance of building from first principles before scalingHow Kidsy is flipping the script on discount retail and sustainabilityIf you’ve ever wondered how to turn an “aha” moment into a movement, or how to lead without a traditional industry background, this episode is packed with insights.

What do you get when you mix sharp business instincts with a pun-based brand name? In this episode of Innovator Insights, we’re joined by Colin McIntosh, the founder of Sheets & Giggles, a company that disrupted the sleepy bedding category with humor, heart, and hustle. Colin shares how he turned a joke into a crowdfunding success story, his lessons from being fired (three times), and why not tying your identity to your startup might be the healthiest business advice out there. We dive into:Building a business from a half-watched Jonah Hill movieHow humor can differentiate in a boring categoryColin’s 4 rules for a great brand nameThe $284K crowdfunding campaign that launched Sheets & GigglesLessons in price testing, brand building, and startup resilienceHis latest AI-powered venture: SheetsResume.com This is a no-BS conversation on failure, creativity, and finding joy in the entrepreneurial grind.

How do you scale a family business into a thriving B2B powerhouse while staying true to your values? In this episode of Innovator Insights, I sit down with Todd Steinberg, owner and founder of Plush in a Rush, to hear how he turned a small Dallas-based distributorship into a $5M operation known for custom teddy bears, loyal customers, and genuine heart. Todd shares how he inherited the business, modernized it with e‑commerce and email flows, and balanced bold experimentation with a deep commitment to family and work‑life harmony. From handling tariffs and scaling Shopify to crafting a brand story that resonates, this conversation is packed with real lessons for entrepreneurs.

How do you launch a new product brand into retail, before it even exists? In this episode of Innovator Insights, we sit down with Jim and Melissa Schifman, co-founders of Project Hive Pet Company, to unpack their unconventional go-to-market journey: launching a full line of toys and treats into retail before COVID hit, and before they’d even completed manufacturing. We explore:Why they skipped the DTC-first playbook and went straight to mass retailThe challenges of making sustainable products in the U.S., and why they insisted on doing it anywayHow their mission to save bees is embedded into every product designWhat it’s really like to build a company with your spouse Whether you’re a product founder, retail operator, or mission-driven entrepreneur, this conversation will challenge your assumptions about what it takes to get from idea to shelf.

What do sweaty warehouses, spreadsheets, and side projects have in common? They all shaped Jagath Narayan’s journey from a curious coder in India to the founder and CEO of Ordoro, a software platform that powers the operations behind successful e-commerce brands. In this episode, Jagath shares how he:Validated Ordoro’s idea by working in a literal Texas warehouseBuilt the MVP before raising a single dollarFound his technical co-founder at an entrepreneur speed dating eventUses customer conversations to guide every product iteration We also dive into the mindset shifts required for entrepreneurship, the pitfalls of similar-skillset founding teams, and why getting your hands dirty is often the only way to uncover real opportunities. Whether you're launching your first startup or scaling a SaaS business, Jagath’s story is a masterclass in scrappy execution, lean learning, and staying relentlessly curious.

Getting your product on retail shelves is only half the battle, the real challenge is staying there.In this week’s episode of Innovator Insights, we sit down with Yohan Jacob, founder of Retailbound and former buyer for giants like OfficeMax and Sears. With over 30 years of experience on both sides of the desk, Johan shares hard-earned wisdom on what it really takes to succeed in retail, from pitch decks to pricing strategy to sell-through velocity. We cover:The 3 reasons most brands fail in retail (and how to avoid them)Why “getting on the shelf” means nothing without a marketing planThe budget breakdown every brand should know before launching into retailHow to pick the right retailers based on your category, price point, and brand DNA If you're planning to scale from DTC to retail, or just want to avoid costly mistakes, this episode is your roadmap.

What happens when a classically trained artist becomes a three-time tech founder? In this episode of Innovator Insights, we sit down with Dana Loberg, founder of MovieLaLa, MojiLaLa, and Leo AR, to explore her unlikely journey from painting and copywriting to leading cutting-edge ventures in augmented reality. Dana shares:Why burnout in corporate America pushed her toward entrepreneurshipThe importance of choosing the right co-founder (and how she found hers)How she spotted the trend of camera-first content years before AR went mainstreamHer advice for first-time founders raising capital without a deck We also dive into her vision for Leo AR—what’s coming in 2025, the role AI will play, and how she's testing spiritual AI companions in India. This episode is a must-listen for any founder navigating uncertain paths, creative pivots, or frontier technologies.

What happens after you exit a company you built from the ground up? In this episode of Innovator Insights, we talk to Connor Tomkies—founder of DelegateIt, Embark Vet, and Support Ninja (an Inc. 500 company). After bootstrapping and selling Support Ninja, Connor found himself in an unexpected identity shift. Instead of slowing down, he pivoted—launching a podcast, investing through Operator Equity, and building a 300-member entrepreneurial community with one goal: helping founders navigate growth and what comes after.We explore:The reality of low-margin vs. high-margin businessesBootstrapping through typhoons, pandemics, and scaleWhy the awkward teenage phase of a business is the toughestHow Connor’s Made It Podcast and Entrepreneur Cooperative were bornHis take on fulfillment, ambition, and rediscovering purpose post-exit If you’re building, scaling, or thinking about life after a startup—this is a must-listen.

What does it take to successfully sell your online business—and why should you plan your exit from the very start? In this episode, we sit down with Blake Hutchison, CEO of Flippa, the world's leading marketplace for buying and selling online businesses. Blake shares his entrepreneurial journey—from bootstrapping newsletters and specialty marketplaces to scaling e-commerce giants and eventually becoming CEO at Flippa.Discover critical insights into what makes online businesses truly valuable to buyers, common pitfalls to avoid when preparing for an exit, and why your price expectations should reflect reality, not hype. Blake also pulls back the curtain on the evolving landscape of digital M&A, including the rise and fall of aggregators, and what it takes to achieve a premium valuation in today’s competitive market.If you've ever thought about selling your business—or you're just getting started—this episode provides practical advice to maximize your value, manage expectations, and navigate the complexities of selling your company.🔑 Key Topics Covered:Blake’s journey from founder to CEO at Flippa, including valuable lessons from his own entrepreneurial venturesHow to realistically price and position your business for saleWhy financial health and operational clarity can make or break your exitInsights into the changing landscape of online business acquisitionsThe surprising growth of alternative assets like newsletters and YouTube channels on Flippa🎙️ Featuring: Blake Hutchison, CEO of Flippa📈 Listen now to discover how to build—and exit—a successful online business, and why planning early makes all the difference!

Is there a better way to validate your next big idea than showing it to real customers—before you go all in? In this episode, we sit down with Justin Chen, co-founder and CEO of PickFu, the user-testing platform empowering thousands of entrepreneurs to make data-driven decisions on everything from book covers to brand packaging. Justin takes us behind the scenes of building a global SaaS business—bootstrapped and fully remote—from a modest PayPal button to serving top e-commerce and gaming giants.Discover how PickFu is transforming the product development cycle, helping founders avoid costly mistakes, and enabling teams to pivot fast by crowd-testing early concepts. Justin also reveals the unexpected ways authors, enterprise marketers, and indie brands tap into consumer feedback to revolutionize their launches. If you’ve ever wrestled with whether your idea has real market potential, this conversation is your crash course in rapid-fire validation, team building, and the power of “just shipping” your MVP.🔑 Key Topics Covered:Why friends-and-family feedback often misses the mark—and what to do insteadThe evolution of PickFu from side hustle to global user-testing forceHow data-driven decision-making saves time, money, and sanityStrategies for testing your product across different markets and demographicsWhat it really means to build a fully remote, globally distributed team🎙️ Featuring:Justin Chen, Co-founder & CEO of PickFu📈 Listen now to learn how smart validation can fast-track your product—and why one small test can save you from a world of mistakes!

What does it really take to revolutionize spine surgery? Sometimes, it’s more than a brilliant concept—it’s about surviving the impossible. In this episode, we sit with Alyssa Huffman, the visionary CEO behind ALLUMIN8 and Ortho Med Solutions. Alyssa shares her journey from overcoming a traumatic brain injury and personal setbacks to spearheading “therapeutic hardware,” a breakthrough approach that could forever change orthopedic and spinal care.Discover how 3D-printed implants and bone marrow integration could drastically reduce revision surgeries and infections. Alyssa also dives into the hurdles of taking on “Big Ortho,” navigating healthcare’s complex group purchasing organizations, and raising capital in a market flooded by AI. Whether you’re a MedTech entrepreneur, a healthcare professional, or simply fascinated by innovation against all odds, Alyssa’s story proves that grit and vision can spark industry-wide transformation.🔑 Key Topics CoveredOvercoming catastrophic personal adversity on the path to innovationThe science and promise of “therapeutic hardware” in spine surgeryNavigating hospital GPOs and challenging market incumbentsFundraising amid shifting investor priorities in the MedTech space🎙️ Featuring:Alyssa Huffman, CEO of ALLUMIN8 & Ortho Med Solutions📈 Watch now and learn how one revolutionary idea could redefine spine surgery—and what it truly means to bet on yourself!

What really happens when you sell your startup? It's not always champagne and private jets. In this episode, Adam Rosen shares his raw and unfiltered journey as an entrepreneur. From starting a business straight out of college to navigating the emotional and financial highs and lows of selling his company.Discover the unexpected challenges of building a tech startup, the reality of exits that don’t make headlines, and why execution always trumps ideas. Adam also dives into the art of cold emailing, scaling a business, and his secrets to building sustainable growth in competitive industries.If you're an entrepreneur, startup founder, or dream of building a business, this conversation is packed with lessons you can’t afford to miss.🔑 Key Topics Covered:The surprising truth about selling your companyWhy cold email is still king for lead generationHow to thrive as a digital nomad while scaling a businessThe importance of Finance Fridays for long-term success🎙️ Featuring: Adam Rosen, founder of the Email Outreach Company (EOC Works)📈 Watch now and gain insights that could change the way you think about entrepreneurship!