Read Receipt

In this episode of Read Receipt, Sean sits down with Michelle Arnau, co-founder and co-CEO of Mimikai, the first plant-based insect repellent proven to match DEET and Picaridin without the toxic chemistry.Michelle traces an unlikely path to founder: Wells Fargo commercial real estate workouts, a Kellogg MBA, twelve years at Method scaling it from unprofitable startup to an SC Johnson acquisition, then co-founding the clean pet care brand Rowan before winding it down. When a college friend introduced her to Stephanie Watson, who had spent years fighting the EPA to register undecanone, a compound from wild tomato plants and the first new repellent active in twenty-five years, she got on a plane to Australia the next week.She gets into the launch strategy behind a category-first product: why they led with Credo and REI before chasing mass shelf space, how they used velocity and repeat over door count, why she turned down a major retailer this year, and what it looks like to build with investors who back the long game over short-term revenue.Tune in for an honest look at building a regulatory moat, knowing a category cold before entering it, and what it takes to finally change an aisle your dad used as a kid!

In this episode of Read Receipt, Sean sits down with John Scheer, co-founder and chief creative officer of Herman-Scheer, a strategic branding agency focused on healthcare, self-care, and wellbeing since 2010.John traces the 15-year arc from knocking on doors with a duct-taped WordPress site to a 21-person agency that doubled in a year. He gets into the breakthroughs that turned a scrappy shop into a real business: splitting roles with co-founder Chapin Herman, niching down into health and wellness, and bringing in a strategist, Allison, to back the creative work with real data.It's an honest look at getting your process dialed, doing the work before you know how, why you launch a brand to grow into rather than a single product, and giving yourself room to breathe while the business keeps growing.Tune in for a candid conversation on building a branding agency the slow, deliberate way.Chapters:00:00 - Cold open00:39 - Brand self-ID: what Herman-Scheer is01:00 - Moving to Northeast Ohio, going fully remote04:00 - Starting right out of college07:00 - The first video and knocking on doors in LA11:00 - The breakthrough: splitting roles with Chapin14:00 - Niching into health, self-care, and wellbeing17:00 - Adding data and insight, bringing in Allison22:00 - The shape of the team today28:00 - Account directors as the real differentiators33:00 - Clients that come back, and the case-study lag39:00 - The branding process, step by step45:00 - How AI fits into the work48:00 - The longer-term vision for the agency51:00 - Room to breathe while the business grows53:00 - Close

In this episode of Read Receipt, Sean checks back in with Katina Mountanos, founder and ceo of Kosterina, the greek olive oil and wellness brand betting the mediterranean diet belongs in every american pantry. two and a half years after her first appearance, she walks through how Kosterina grew from olive oil and vinegar into olive-oil shots, jarred olives, and a retail footprint across whole foods, target, walmart, sprouts and h-e-b. she gets into the walmart inbound that put their drinkable vinegars in 4,300 doors, why she runs the company on operational excellence, the brutal working-capital math of retail growth, and how she's building a founder brand on tiktok and substack. plus siete as her north star, the polyphenol case for early-harvest olive oil, and why a timeless brand also has to be timely.

In this episode of Read Receipt, Sean sits down with Cayla O'Connell Davis, co-founder and CEO of Subset, the organic cotton underwear brand rethinking what goes into your most-worn layer.Cayla bootstrapped Subset in one of the toughest categories to fund, buying inventory five to six months ahead and launching with just four styles. One of them, the high-rise brief, got written up by Vogue and became a cult favorite that carried the brand out of the gate.She gets into the scrappy, human side of growth: a first-of-its-kind program that takes back and recycles your old underwear, handing out free undies on the streets of New York, Galentine's Day roses with a buyback card, and why she markets an unseen product more like a perfume brand. Along the way she shares hard-won lessons on doing the unscalable things on purpose, and protecting time to stay creative several years in.Tune in for an honest look at building a mission-driven brand through organic cotton, grassroots marketing, and a refusal to grow the easy way!For 20% off Subset, use code READRECEIPT. Chapters:00:00 - Cold open00:36 - What Subset is01:00 - The family-run factory in India03:00 - Bootstrapping an expensive category04:24 - Launching with four styles and the Vogue high-rise brief07:26 - The first 16,000-unit order09:02 - Would she launch with PR today?10:40 - The take-back recycling program13:35 - Recycling as acquisition, then Trashie and SuperCircle16:40 - What's driving new growth now17:30 - Giving away underwear on the streets of New York18:00 - Cotton vs synthetics: the health case22:06 - The "ask me about my underwear" sign28:32 - Galentine's roses and being a fun brand31:30 - World-building for a product you can't see33:33 - Getting flagged as adult content in paid ads34:56 - New-media marketing: just be yourself39:14 - Protecting time to stay creative42:34 - Close

In this episode of Read Receipt, Sean sits down with Stephanie Farsht, CEO and co-founder of Small Wonder, the luxury waterless hair care brand built on a powder-to-lather format that activates fresh in the shower.Stephanie's path to founder wasn't conventional. She spent 16 years at Target in innovation and strategy, then eight years teaching entrepreneurship at Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management, before teaming up with two co-founders to reinvent hair care around a simple idea: potent ingredients work best freshly activated, not sitting in water for months.She gets honest about the messy middle, the pre-dosed pod experiment that flopped with 100 testers, the bottle that clogged after two weeks, and why she still emails customers herself when they cancel. Along the way she shares hard-won lessons on product obsession, failing fast, raising on your own timeline, and building a mission-driven brand in a category most investors are walking away from.Tune in for an inside look at building a category-defining brand through relentless iteration, customer intimacy, and a refusal to ship anything less than the best product possible! Chapters:00:00 - Cold open01:38 - Target, then teaching at Kellogg08:40 - The powder-to-lather idea11:01 - Becoming a CEO she never planned to be13:00 - Two years of R&D through COVID16:43 - Self-funding, no fixed timeline18:01 - The pod experiment that flopped23:09 - Designing the patented Wonder Bottle25:24 - Doubt, failure, and identity31:57 - Why the founder still does customer service39:46 - Revenue, raising, and the road to retail46:45 - Time is what kills companies48:05 - All or nothing: a billion-dollar mission

In this episode of Read Receipt, Sean sits down with Nico Varano, CEO of SweatHouz, the contrast therapy franchise redefining recovery through private sauna, cold plunge, and vitamin C shower experiences.Nico's path to CEO wasn't conventional. After starting his career in finance and private equity, he discovered SweatHouz while training for a charity boxing match and became the brand's first franchisee. After rapidly scaling his own studios, he was tapped to lead the company as CEO.Today, SweatHouz operates more than 100 locations across 25 states and has become one of the fastest-growing wellness franchises in the country. Nico shares lessons on franchising, customer retention, operational excellence, hospitality, and why the future of recovery isn't about flashy experiences, it's about building habits people return to week after week.Tune in for an inside look at scaling a category-defining wellness brand while balancing leadership, fatherhood, and the pursuit of sustainable growth! Chapters: 00:00 — Meet Nico VaranoNico shares his background in finance, private equity, and his family's restaurant business.02:00 — Discovering SweatHouzHow training for a charity boxing match led Nico to contrast therapy and ultimately franchise ownership.03:36 — Becoming the First FranchiseeAcquiring and growing the Assembly Row location in Boston.04:28 — The SweatHouz Business ModelMemberships, private suites, margins, and creating a scalable wellness business.09:55 — Building a Habit, Not an EventThe philosophy behind customer retention and long-term wellness behavior.14:22 — Franchising at ScaleHow SweatHouz supports franchisees while maintaining brand consistency.26:55 — What's Next for SweatHouzLoyalty programs, wearable integrations, and the company's future growth plans.32:55 — Entrepreneurship, Fatherhood, & LeadershipNico reflects on balancing business growth with family life.35:20 — Final ThoughtsThe future of recovery, hospitality, and building lasting businesses. Takeaways:Nico transitioned from private equity to becoming SweatHouz's first franchisee before ultimately stepping into the CEO role.SweatHouz has grown from a single studio in 2019 to more than 100 locations across 25 states.The company focuses on building “a habit, not an event” through recurring wellness routines.Memberships drive nearly half of the company's revenue and are critical to long-term retention.SweatHouz's private suite model differentiates it from many group-based recovery concepts.Strong hospitality and customer experience remain central to the brand's growth strategy.Franchising can accelerate growth when operators are empowered and included in decision-making.Technology, loyalty programs, and habit tracking will play a major role in the company's next chapter.Scaling a business requires balancing operational excellence with maintaining the core customer experience.Entrepreneurship and parenthood both require intentionality, flexibility, and making time for what matters.

matt wan and joshua desabris—co-founders of set and previously momentous—join sean to unpack how set is reimagining nicotine pouches as tools for focus and performance. they explore how creatine shifted from a “gym bro” staple to a mainstream supplement, and how set is aiming to do the same for nicotine. along the way, they break down what went wrong at momentous, what they’re doing differently this time, and why discipline, deep customer insight, and ruthless focus are the secret sauce.

this week, read receipt features casey, founder of hakea, a swimwear brand designed for those who crave style and functionality. casey discusses her journey from working as a graphic designer to building a brand that aligns with her vision for life: dynamic, adventurous, and connected to the ocean. she shares the importance of taking risks, why balancing creativity and practicality is critical, and how embracing bold ideas can be the ultimate key to success.

on this episode of read receipt, i chat with joe, founder of cured nutrition, a company redefining health and wellness through natural supplements. joe’s journey began in aerospace engineering but took a sharp turn after a life-changing moment with a therapist. now, seven years into his entrepreneurial career, he’s built a multimillion-dollar brand while navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. joe shares insights on overcoming personal struggles, focusing on what truly matters, and staying resilient in the face of challenges.

this week on read receipt, i sit down with dami zeke, the founder of innerwork, a wellness brand born out of her personal health struggles and a mission to make supplements healthier and more accessible. dami’s journey—from overcoming intense challenges to building a second business with unwavering faith and resilience—offers inspiration for anyone navigating setbacks. her story proves that with determination and intention, you can rebuild stronger.

lauren scott dovey is the founder and creative force behind heat healer, a wellness brand that’s turning heads with products like the sauna blanket and lymphatic drainage wearables. in this episode, lauren talks about growing her business from sydney, australia, to a global stage, her intentional approach to product development, and the balance of intuition and data in decision-making. whether you're a wellness enthusiast or an aspiring entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with insights.

julianna’s journey is one of reinvention. from starting her nail polish brand fresh out of college to pivoting into the booming world of nail art stickers, she’s built a business that blends creativity with connection. in this episode, julianna dives into what it’s like to bootstrap a dtc brand, her decision to ditch wholesale, and the joy of creating art-driven products that resonate with her audience.

john thorp and buzz turned an ordinary water bottle into an extraordinary innovation with aeroflow, the first portable sparkling water system. in this episode, they discuss their unique approach to product development, overcoming regulatory challenges, and creating a sustainable product that’s both practical and planet-friendly. from scrappy beginnings to building their own manufacturing facility, this is a story of resilience, creativity, and redefining what’s possible in hydration.

quilt is bringing innovation to one of the most overlooked aspects of modern living: heating and cooling. lizz shares how her team is leveraging cutting-edge technology, government incentives, and thoughtful branding to make heat pumps the go-to choice for sustainable, efficient home comfort. with a focus on customer experience, quilt is reshaping the hvac industry, turning climate action into a practical, stylish upgrade.

haley weidenbaum, founder of everhem, walks us through her journey from an overwhelmed interior designer to the innovative entrepreneur behind a custom window treatment company. learn how she and her husband bootstrapped the business, developed a customer-focused model, and balanced scaling operations while maintaining craftsmanship. discover the surprising challenges of running a hybrid e-commerce and service-based business, and haley's strategies for staying connected to her customers and the design world.

jennie yoon, founder of kinn, shares her remarkable journey from corporate safety to entrepreneurial success. from learning the ropes at a startup to launching her own brand, she delves into the power of storytelling, staying close to customers, and what it takes to scale with intention. listen in for her strategies on community building, balancing growth with purpose, and lessons learned from launching a flagship store.

james barry, founder of pluck, joins sean to talk about the surprising benefits of organ meats and how he’s turning them into a pantry staple. they discuss the challenges of scaling a mission-driven food business, the importance of making health effortless, and why authenticity and community-building are critical in today’s entrepreneurial landscape.

this episode dives into the story behind made in, a cookware company disrupting the kitchenware industry with a blend of heritage and innovation. founders chip malt and jake kalick share how they leveraged their complementary skills to create a brand that serves both home cooks and professional chefs. learn how authenticity, product quality, and a chef-first mindset turned their idea into a culinary powerhouse.

in this episode, sean chats with alison evans, co-founder of sayso, the brand reinventing cocktails with its tea bag innovation. alison dives into her journey from harvard business school to launching a completely new product category in mixers. hear about the challenges of scaling manufacturing, growing a brand in retail, and why the espresso martini may be your next go-to drink at home.

in this episode, sean sits down with sophia karbowski and austin patry, co-founders of realsy, to explore their journey from college students running food trucks to scaling a successful packaged snack brand. they share insights on creating a viral product, leveraging retail placement for growth, and why staying lean keeps them focused on profitability.

in this episode, éliou founders duda and cristy share their journey from running a miami-based creative agency to launching a luxury jewelry and lifestyle brand. with handmade products, celebrity endorsements, and a no-shortcuts attitude, the pair reveal their growth from side hustle to serious business—all while keeping operations fully in-house.

nicolas travis, the founder of allies of skin, shares the remarkable story behind building a skincare empire with a purpose. this conversation dives into the challenges of creating a global team, the lessons of overcoming personal trauma, and why heartfelt storytelling is at the core of his brand's success.

sean speaks with alannah connealy , founder of raena, on the origins of her brand, inspired by her family’s hormone health struggles. they discuss her pivot from twitter to hormone healthcare, building a brand from scratch, and the entrepreneurial grit that brought raena to life. alannah shares the ups and downs of transitioning from service to product-based growth and her journey to building raena as a trusted hormone health brand.

In this episode, jake shares his journey from tiktok creator to cpg founder, discussing how he built an engaged community before launching his brand, his approach to product development, and why he's choosing to reformulate despite current success. the conversation explores the intersection of social media, direct-to-consumer business, and product innovation.

n this episode, Suzanne shares her journey from advertising creative director to clean beauty founder. She discusses the evolution of her brand's identity, the challenges of building an intentional wellness company, and her unique perspective on growth and creative leadership. The conversation explores the intersection of beauty standards, wellness, and authenticity in brand building.

join us as evah shares her journey from fashion design to creating a groundbreaking towel brand. learn how her background in product design and textiles led to the development of a revolutionary towel that combines antimicrobial properties with skin-friendly materials. she discusses the challenges of launching during the pandemic, building an international brand from australia, and balancing entrepreneurship with family life.    

kathrin hamm, founder of bearaby, shares her transition from working at the world bank to creating a revolutionary weighted blanket company. she discusses the challenges of product development, bootstrapping, and scaling a business, as well as the rewards of entrepreneurship and the importance of maintaining a beginner's mindset even as the company grows. 

taylor borenstein and millie blumka, co-founders of stakt, discuss their journey from college friends to successful entrepreneurs. they share insights on developing their innovative fitness mat, bootstrapping their company, appearing on shark tank, and their plans for expanding the stakt brand beyond their initial product. 

phantila phataraprasit, co-founder of sabai, discusses her journey from law school to launching a sustainable furniture brand. she shares insights on sabai's eco-friendly practices, the challenges of starting a furniture company, and how they're revolutionizing the industry with their repair and resale programs. 

mike, co-founder of windmill, discusses the journey of creating a modern air conditioning brand. he shares insights on product development, fundraising challenges, and marketing strategies in a competitive industry. the conversation covers windmill's growth from a small startup to a recognized player in the ac market, exploring topics such as team structure, profitability goals, and future expansion plans. 

takeaways:  • jenny funded freja using profits from her successful dropshipping business  • she focused heavily on paid advertising from the start, unlike many other brands  • jenny kept freja a secret for the first 2-3 years, even from friends  • her approach was very data-driven, focusing on what customers want rather than personal preferences  • she's now transitioning to focus more on organic growth, pr, and building a long-term brand  • jenny advocates for entrepreneurs to get hands-on experience before delegating tasks  • she plans to expand internationally and launch new product lines in the coming years   chapters:  00:00 - jenny's background and start in e-commerce  08:01 - transitioning from dropshipping to launching freja  12:30 - focus on paid advertising and marketing strategy  23:17 - keeping freja a secret and building without ego  25:30 - shifting focus to product development and brand building  27:26 - future plans for international expansion and new product lines  31:23 - jenny's approach to work and productivity  36:02 - building a community and mentoring other entrepreneurs  47:37 - working with family and factory relationships in china   

alexandra, co-founder of foile, discusses her journey from the fashion industry to creating a sustainable skincare brand. she shares insights on product development, the challenges of custom packaging, and how running sauna studios laid the foundation for foile. the conversation covers foile's commitment to sustainability, their unique approach to retail, and their vision for the future of skincare. 

michael lupo, founder of flewd, discusses his journey from working in corporate beauty to creating a revolutionary stress-relief brand. he shares insights on product development, the science behind stress, and the challenges of building a direct-to-consumer business in a new category.

jennifer and alice, co-founders of kindred black, discuss their transition from corporate fashion to launching a sustainable beauty brand. they share insights on eco-friendly production, working with artisan glassblowers, and the challenges of scaling a sustainable business. 

in this episode of read receipt, we sit down with sophia moradi, the multi-faceted entrepreneur behind avalon surgery center and sōm skin. sophia opens up about balancing multiple businesses, from ambulatory care to innovative skincare. she shares how her family's immigrant background fuels her drive, and why sticking to your vision is crucial when launching a brand. discover how sophia and her mother are revolutionizing skincare with exosome technology, and get inspired by their fearless approach to business. 

amy, founder of dear brightly, discusses her journey from software engineer to skincare entrepreneur. she shares insights on building a telehealth platform for prescription retinoids, going through y combinator, and scaling a business while balancing growth and profitability.

zeke bronfman, co-founder of the absorption company, discusses the launch and rapid growth of his innovative supplement brand. he shares insights on building a viral community, leveraging celebrity partnerships, and developing cutting-edge supplement technology. zeke also reflects on lessons learned from his previous beverage startup and how they informed his current venture. 

 jenelle manzi  shares her journey from professional ballerina to founder of get golden, an energy bar company. she discusses balancing her dance career with entrepreneurship, overcoming a major injury, and how her experiences as a dancer shaped her approach to business and product development. 

eddie cohen and calvin lien, founders of walden, share their entrepreneurial journey from creating a meditation-focused lifestyle brand to launching an innovative electric vehicle company. they discuss their approach to product design, brand building, and the challenges of scaling multiple businesses while maintaining quality and authenticity. 

ally dayon, founder of cliik, discusses his transition from real estate to launching an innovative food storage brand. he details the process of developing the product, building a team, and bringing a fresh perspective to a traditional category. the conversation covers brand identity, manufacturing challenges, and cliik's rapid growth in both direct-to-consumer and retail channels. 

lisa goodman, founder of good skin clinics, discusses her journey from medical dermatology to creating a unique approach to aesthetic treatments. she  hares insights on the challenges of scaling a quality-focused business, the importance of long-term results, and her mission to educate both clients and practitioners about holistic, science-based approaches to aging gracefully. 

justin hai, founder of a revolutionary cortisol-management supplement, discusses the importance of cortisol balance for sleep, hormonal health, and overall wellbeing. he shares his journey from diverse business experience to creating a product that's changing lives, particularly for those dealing with menopause and stress-related issues. 

julie westervelt, founder of sleep crown, discusses her journey from yoga teacher to sleep product innovator. she shares the inspiration behind her over-the-head pillow, the company's organic growth, and her commitment to quality and customer connection. julie offers insights into sleep crown's manufacturing process, marketing strategies, and the importance of authenticity in business. 

hilary dubin and caroline vasquez huber, childhood friends and co-founders of jones, discuss their journey creating a modern nicotine cessation company. they share insights on their product development process, the challenges of entering the pharmaceutical space, and how their app-based community support is changing the game for those trying to quit vaping. 

lune, the founder of monday muse, discusses her journey from the netherlands to london, her personal struggle with cystic acne, and how it led to the creation of monday muse. with a background in hospitality management and brand management, lune delved into skincare formulation to create effective, clean skincare products. she shares the challenges of starting and scaling a beauty brand, the importance of organic growth, and her vision for the future of monday muse.

Justin, founder of Active Skin Repair, shares his journey from working in healthcare documentaries to creating a revolutionary first aid product. After moving to San Diego for surfing, Justin discovered hypochlorous acid, a molecule used in hospitals. Recognizing its potential for everyday use, he developed a natural, non-toxic first aid spray.Initially, Justin launched the product in surf shops and outdoor stores, targeting athletes and adventurers. However, the brand took off when they pivoted to marketing towards health-conscious moms through influencer partnerships. Justin discusses the challenges of breaking into the traditional first aid market, the importance of protecting their Amazon presence, and how joining forces with their supplier company accelerated growth. 

in this episode, sean donovan interviews sally kim, founder of crushed tonic, a collagen supplement brand born out of a personal need to heal from severe burns. sally shares her journey from working in finance to becoming an entrepreneur, discussing how she discovered the benefits of collagen and turned her findings into a successful business. she talks about the organic growth of crushed tonic, the importance of high-quality ingredients, and her vision for the future. sally also touches on the emotional aspects of her journey, including the impact of personal loss and the importance of staying true to her mission.

in this episode, sean donovan interviews the founder of modern picnic, a brand that offers stylish and sustainable lunch solutions for women. she shares her journey from working at macy's to creating modern picnic, driven by a personal need for a chic lunchbox. despite challenges in manufacturing and design, her determination and strategic press coverage helped her grow the brand. she discusses the impact of her shark tank appearance, the shift towards organic growth, and her focus on wholesale and retail distribution. her story is one of passion, perseverance, and innovation.

in this episode, sean donovan interviews roderick de rode, founder of spinn, a groundbreaking coffee technology company. roderick shares his journey from the netherlands to los angeles, inspired by a unique patent for a centrifuge-based coffee maker. spinn’s mission is to brew perfect coffee while minimizing waste, utilizing cutting-edge technology and a marketplace for artisanal roasters. roderick discusses the complexities of developing a hardware product, the challenges of finding the right manufacturing partners, and the strategic decisions that have led to spinn's success. this episode provides valuable insights into innovation, sustainability, and the entrepreneurial spirit behind spinn.

JJ Martin, founder of La DoubleJ, shares her inspiring journey from working in marketing at Calvin Klein and journalism at Harper's Bazaar to creating a vibrant fashion brand in Milan. La DoubleJ is known for its bold prints and joyful approach to fashion and home decor. JJ discusses the evolution of La DoubleJ, the importance of creativity and spirituality in her work, and the challenges of building a fashion brand in a competitive market. The conversation explores her entrepreneurial experiences, the development of La DoubleJ's products, and her vision for the future.