The Kara Goldin Show

On today’s episode, we welcome Monica Nassif, Founder of Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day and author of I Bottled My Mother — a brand that proves even the most overlooked categories can be completely reimagined if you’re willing to challenge what everyone else accepts as “good enough.” What started as a simple idea—to make cleaning products that actually smelled good, felt good, and worked—turned into a category-defining brand that disrupted a $30 billion industry. Not bad for something most people never thought twice about. In this episode, Monica breaks down what it really takes to see opportunity where others don’t—and have the conviction to act on it. We get into building emotional connection in unlikely places, why failure is often the real teacher, and how instinct—not just data—can shape breakthrough brands. She also shares the deeply personal story behind her new book, I Bottled My Mother, and how family, resilience, and perspective shaped not just her life—but her leadership. If you care about building something meaningful, navigating both success and failure, or learning how to think differently about opportunity—this one’s worth your time.   Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, which is now in the Top 1% of Entrepreneur podcasts in the world? Let me know by contacting me at [email protected]. You can also find me @‌KaraGoldin on all networks.   To learn more about Monica Nassif, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day and I Bottled My Mother:https://www.monicanassif.comhttps://www.instagram.com/themonicanassif/https://www.linkedin.com/in/monica-nassif-686876335/   Sponsored By: Acorns - Head to Acorns.com/KARA or download the Acorns app to get started. Dell - Find technology built for the way you work at Dell.com/DellPCs Cash App - For a limited time, new customers can get $10 added to their balance. Use code CASHAPP10 when you sign up, and send at least $5 to a friend in the first two weeks. Download Cash App Today: https://click.cash.app/ui6m/0s6pfdl7 #CashAppPod Merit Beauty - Meritbeauty.com to get your free signature makeup bag with your first order. Physician's Choice - Go to Amazon or PhysiciansChoice.com and use code PCPODCAST10 for 10% off your entire order Chime - Join the millions who are already banking fee-free today. Head to Chime.com/KARAGOLDIN. LinkedIn Jobs - Head to LinkedIn.com/KaraGoldin to post your job for free.   Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/837

What does it take to start a company at 20 years old — and scale it into a platform used by tens of millions before selling it for hundreds of millions? On today’s episode, we welcome David Rusenko, Founder and former CEO of Weebly — one of the earliest platforms to make it possible for anyone to build a website without coding. Long before “no-code” became a movement, David and his co-founders set out to simplify the internet for small businesses and entrepreneurs. After joining Y Combinator in its early days, they built Weebly into a company with over 350 employees, hundreds of millions in revenue, and more than 50 million users worldwide — ultimately leading to its $365 million acquisition by Square. In this episode, David shares the real story behind building Weebly from a college project into a global platform, including the scrappy early days, the challenges of scaling a team and culture, and the evolution of his leadership as CEO. We dive into the realities of hypergrowth, what it takes to maintain human connection while scaling, and the lessons learned from serving millions of small business owners. David also opens up about the acquisition process — how the deal with Square came together, what it felt like to sell, and the emotional and psychological transition that comes after stepping away from something you’ve built for years. If you’re interested in early-stage hustle, scaling a company, navigating an exit, or what founders don’t talk about after the deal closes — this episode is for you. Tune in now on The Kara Goldin Show.   Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, which is now in the Top 1% of Entrepreneur podcasts in the world? Let me know by contacting me at [email protected]. You can also find me @‌KaraGoldin on all networks.   To learn more about David Rusenko:https://www.linkedin.com/in/drusenkohttps://x.com/drusenkohttps://www.instagram.com/davidrusenko/   Sponsored By: LinkedIn Jobs - Head to LinkedIn.com/KaraGoldin to post your job for free. Warby Parker - Get 15% off + Free Shipping when they buy 2 or more pairs of prescription glasses at WarbyParker.com/KARAGOLDIN OneSkin - For a limited time, try OneSkin with 15% off using code KARAGOLDIN at OneSkin.co/KARAGOLDIN   Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/836

On today’s episode, we welcome Allyson Mandelbaum, Founder & CEO of Shady Lady — a women’s hat brand redefining fit, function, and confidence by designing hats specifically made for women. After spending over 20 years as a reality TV producer, Allyson made a bold career pivot at 40 to solve a problem she personally experienced: hats simply didn’t fit women properly. What started as a frustration turned into a mission-driven brand focused on better design, comfort, and helping women feel confident in what they wear. In this episode, Allyson shares what it’s like to start over later in your career, how she validated a product idea with no prior experience in fashion or business, and the lessons she learned from expanding too quickly early on. We also talk about why “unisex” design often misses the mark, how to build a brand around a specific unmet need, and the importance of staying focused on your core product. Plus, Allyson opens up about balancing entrepreneurship with family life, trusting your instincts, and why it’s never too late to build something meaningful. A must-listen for founders, career pivoters, and anyone looking to turn a simple idea into a powerful brand.   Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, which is now in the Top 1% of Entrepreneur podcasts in the world? Let me know by contacting me at [email protected]. You can also find me @‌KaraGoldin on all networks.   To learn more about Allyson Mandelbaum and Shady Lady:https://www.shopshadylady.comhttps://www.instagram.com/shop_shadylady/https://www.linkedin.com/in/allyson-mandelbaum-13322977/https://www.facebook.com/p/Shady-Lady-100047634133154/   Sponsored By: LinkedIn Jobs - Head to LinkedIn.com/KaraGoldin to post your job for free. AT&T Business - Switch to AT&T Business at business.att.com Pipedrive CRM - Get more leads and grow your business. Go to Pipedrive.com/kara and get started with a 30-day free trial. Square - Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/karagoldin   Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/835

On today’s episode, we welcome Melisse Shaban, CEO of Aramore — a longevity science company redefining how we approach aging through cellular health. With decades of experience building and scaling science-driven brands, Melisse is now leading Aramore at the intersection of biotech, skincare, and supplements, with a mission to move beyond surface-level beauty and address aging at its source. In this episode, Melisse breaks down the science behind NAD+ and why it’s becoming such a powerful conversation in both wellness and skincare. She shares what most people misunderstand about aging, how to separate real innovation from marketing hype, and why the future of skincare lies in supporting how our cells function—not just how our skin looks. We also dive into what it takes to bring complex science to consumers in a clear and trustworthy way, how Aramore is approaching both topical and internal solutions, and what’s next for the longevity category. A must-listen for founders, operators, and anyone curious about the future of beauty, wellness, and aging—and how science is reshaping all three.   Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, which is now in the Top 1% of Entrepreneur podcasts in the world? Let me know by contacting me at [email protected]. You can also find me @‌KaraGoldin on all networks.   To learn more about Melisse Shaban and Aramore:https://www.aramore.comhttps://www.instagram.com/aramoreskincare/https://www.instagram.com/melisseshaban/https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisse-shaban/   Sponsored By: Upwork - Visit Upwork.com right now and post your job for free. LinkedIn Jobs - Head to LinkedIn.com/KaraGoldin to post your job for free. 1-800-Flowers - Visit 1800Flowers.com/KARAGOLDIN to claim your Double Roses offer before they're gone! Dell - Find technology built for the way you work at Dell.com/DellPCs RULA - Go to Rula.com/KARAGOLDIN for convenient therapy that’s covered by insurance.   Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/834

Can one personal frustration — and a simple question — actually lead to changing an entire industry standard? On today’s episode, we welcome Bryan Boches, CEO and Co-Founder of Safe Catch — the only seafood company in the world that tests every single fish for mercury. What started as a deeply personal moment — when Bryan’s pregnant wife was told to eliminate tuna from her diet due to mercury concerns — quickly turned into a much bigger realization: why wasn’t anyone solving this problem at scale? Instead of accepting the status quo, Bryan set out to fix it. After developing breakthrough proprietary technology capable of screening every fish for mercury, he approached major seafood companies — and was met with resistance. So he did what great founders do: he built his own brand. Today, Safe Catch is in over 19,000 retail locations, setting a new benchmark for transparency, safety, and accountability in seafood. In this episode, Bryan shares what it really takes to challenge a legacy industry, the uphill battle of introducing higher standards into an established supply chain, and why incumbents often resist meaningful change. We discuss the science behind mercury testing, how to educate consumers without creating fear, and what it means to build trust in a category where transparency hasn’t always been the norm. Bryan also opens up about the realities of scaling a mission-driven business, navigating retailer relationships, and staying committed when others won’t follow. If you’re interested in building with purpose, disrupting entrenched industries, or turning a personal problem into a scalable solution — this episode is for you. Tune in now on The Kara Goldin Show. Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, which is now in the Top 1% of Entrepreneur podcasts in the world? Let me know by contacting me at [email protected]. You can also find me @‌KaraGoldin on all networks.   To learn more about Bryan Boches and Safe Catch:https://www.safecatch.com/https://www.instagram.com/safecatchfoods/https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanboches/   Sponsored By: LinkedIn Jobs - Head to LinkedIn.com/KaraGoldin to post your job for free. AT&T Business - Switch to AT&T Business at business.att.com Bombas - Go to Bombas.com/KARA and use code KARA for 20% off your first purchase Stamps.com - Go to Stamps.com and use code kara to get sixty days risk-free!   Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/833

Can personal safety evolve from a reactive alert system into a proactive, AI-driven platform — and reshape how we think about independence and care? On today’s episode, we welcome Chia-Lin Simmons, CEO of LogicMark — a company transforming from a traditional medical alert provider into a modern, connected care platform built around prevention, prediction, and everyday peace of mind. LogicMark is redefining what it means to feel safe, combining wearable devices, mobile apps, and AI-powered insights to support not just seniors, but anyone seeking greater control over their personal safety. As the population ages and millions of families navigate the growing demands of caregiving, LogicMark is focused on building solutions that are intuitive, accessible, and deeply human. Under Chia-Lin’s leadership, the company has expanded beyond hardware into a broader ecosystem designed to empower independence, reduce caregiver burden, and bring smarter, more responsive technology into the home and daily life. In this episode, Chia-Lin shares how she’s leading the company’s transformation into an AI-enabled platform, what it takes to innovate in a highly regulated and deeply personal category, and why empathy is a critical driver of product development in health tech. We also discuss the rise of the “silver tsunami,” the expanding definition of personal safety across demographics, and how technology can realistically support both users and caregivers in meaningful ways. If you’re interested in the future of health tech, the evolving care economy, or what it takes to reinvent a legacy company for a modern world — this episode is for you. Tune in now on The Kara Goldin Show. Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, which is now in the Top 1% of Entrepreneur podcasts in the world? Let me know by contacting me at [email protected]. You can also find me @‌KaraGoldin on all networks.   To learn more about Chia-Lin Simmons and LogicMark:https://www.logicmark.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/chia-lin-simmons/   Sponsored By: LinkedIn Jobs - Head to LinkedIn.com/KaraGoldin to post your job for free. AT&T Business - Switch to AT&T Business at business.att.com Intuit QuickBooks Payroll - Start using QuickBooks Payroll today at Quickbooks.com/workforce   Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/832

This week, Andrew Moses talks with Kara Goldin. Kara is the founder of Hint, the leading unsweetened flavored water brand loved by millions. In 2004, Kara was addicted to diet soda—sometimes drinking 10 cans a day. One day, she decided to quit diet soda and started drinking water. She began slicing fruit to add to her water and turned that idea into one of the most successful beverage companies in history. Kara has been named to Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs list, and her book 'Undaunted' is a Wall Street Journal bestseller. This conversation focuses on the power of persistence, staying authentic, and how to create your own opportunities. To learn more about Andrew Moses:https://www.everybodypullsthetarp.com/https://twitter.com/andrewhmoseshttps://www.instagram.com/AndrewMoses123 Sponsored By:AuraFrames - Visit AuraFrames.com and get $45 off Aura’s best-selling Carver Mat frames by using promo code KARA at checkout.LinkedIn Jobs - Head to LinkedIn.com/KaraGoldin to post your job for free. Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/ireplay-andrew-moses-2

In this captivating episode of James Brackin IV's The You Can Too Podcast, we journey alongside Kara Goldin through her transformative life story. James kicks off the conversation by exploring Kara's childhood and early influences, setting the stage for an intimate exploration of the experiences that shaped her path from a budding tech enthusiast to a visionary entrepreneur. The dialogue unveils the pivotal moments and mentors that inspired Kara to make the leap into entrepreneurship, alongside candid discussions about the challenges of overcoming doubts and the skepticism of naysayers. Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, which is now in the Top 1% of Entrepreneur podcasts in the world? Let me know by contacting me at [email protected]. You can also find me @‌KaraGoldin on all networks. To learn more about James Brackin IV and The You Can Too Podcast:https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/james-brackinhttps://www.instagram.com/jamesbrackiniv/https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-brackin-iv-506069216/https://twitter.com/Jamesbrackiniv Sponsored By:ShipStation - Get a 60-day free trial at ShipStation.com/KARA. Thanks to ShipStation for sponsoring The Kara Goldin Show!Shopify - Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at Shopify.com/karaGrammarly - Head to Grammarly.com/enterprise to learn more about Grammarly Enterprise-ready AI. Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/ireplay-youcantoo-2