Ben Goodwin of OLIPOP on Reimagining Soda, The Science of Gut Health, and Creative Formulation

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Consensus in Conversation

Conor Gaughan

96 episodes

3 weeks ago

Welcome to Consensus in Conversation, a new podcast hosted by Conor Gaughan where we talk to innovators and entrepreneurs who have built great businesses and careers that do well while doing good. A rich life is so much more than a unicorn start-up going public. The true unicorns are those living fulfilling lives doing what they love AND making it to their kid’s games. This podcast is an opportunity to talk to inspiring leaders, job creators, innovators, and problem solvers – people across the country who are making the world a better place and more sustainable place, while successfully making good money. Join the conversation and enjoy a new episode every Thursday!

All content for Consensus in Conversation is the property of Conor Gaughan and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Ben Goodwin of OLIPOP on Reimagining Soda, The Science of Gut Health, and Creative Formulation

Consensus in Conversation

55 minutes 16 seconds

1 year ago

Ben Goodwin of OLIPOP on Reimagining Soda, The Science of Gut Health, and Creative Formulation

A favorite soda can be a huge part of people’s identity – roughly half of the American population drinks at least one soda on a daily basis – which is why OLIPOP is completely reimagining the soda industry with its healthier, prebiotic, low sugar alternative that tastes as good – if not better – than its traditional counterparts.

Ben Goodwin has spent his entire career building the beverage industry and business skills needed to conjure great tasting flavors from great-for-you ingredients. Ben is not only OLIPOP’s co-founder, CEO, and formulator, but also a huge reason why the innovative B Corp Certified startup’s bright-colored cans are already in stores across the country.

At just 20 years old, he helped ferment (launch) a kombucha company, later founded and worked as lead formulator for kefir-based probiotic soda brand Obi, and then launched OLIPOP in 2017 with co-founder David Lester.

Hear Ben share OLIPOP’s “15-year overnight success story,” the science behind the benefits of prebiotics vs probiotics, and his lifelong quest to disrupt the soda behemoths with a sustainable, healthy alternative – which IS still a soda!

Episode Highlights

00:00 Ben Goodwin on creating functional soda

00:54 Conor Gaughan introduces Ben and OLIPOP

04:42 Rough upbringing, passion for health, and dropping out of college

11:23 Founder mythologies, key habits, and first beverage formulation

17:57 Learning to tinker, microbiology, and building a first beverage brand

25:51 What is OLIPOP, the 3rd wave of soda, and making healthy taste good

32:13 First 4 flavors, scaling to stores nationwide, and the science of microbiomes

44:40 B Corp Certification, doing good and doing well, and defining positive impact

52:52 Where to learn more (and find the closest store with OLIPOPs near you!

53:41 End credits

If you liked this, listen next to our episode with Joey Zwillinger of Allbirds