This week, our host Kristin Taylor flips the script and goes solo answering one of the most asked questions from her inbox:
“How did you start Mom Juice?”
What started as a last-minute guest cancellation turned into one of the most raw and transparent episodes we’ve ever dropped. Kristin shares the full journey from blogging during college and planning galas at 20 in Charlotte,NC to building KT Winery and getting Mom Juice into Target, Total Wine, and Safeway.
Whether you’re an early-stage founder, brand builder, or someone sitting on a big idea you haven’t acted on yet; you’re going to want to tune in
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- How Kristin went from dreaming of writing romance novels (guess her pen name) to launching a wine company
- The exact steps she took to start KT Winery and develop the Mom Juice brand
- What it really costs to build a product-based business without outside funding
- How she landed a pitch with Target and got Mom Juice on shelves
- Why starting small but thinking big is the key to sustainable growth
- What founders should know before white labeling or launching a CPG brand
- The emotional toll of building and the gut-check moments that keep you going
🔥 Mic-Drop Moment:
"It’s never not felt right; even when I was crying on the closet floor."
Who This Episode Is For:
- Founders in the early stages of building
- CPG entrepreneurs navigating retail and distribution
- When everything is just so hard and so demanding
- VCs looking to understand underdog founder journeys
- Brand builders balancing creative vision with cash flow realities
Links + Resources:
- Follow Kristin on IG → @kristin.taylor
- Follow the podcast → @morethanthehypepodcast
- Learn more about Mom Juice → momjuicewine.com
🎧 Like what you hear?
Make sure to:
✅ Rate + review the show
✅ Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts
✅ Share this episode with a founder friend who needs to hear it
More juice, less fluff. This is More Than the Hype. 🍷
In this episode of More Than the Hype, host Kristin Taylor sits down with Jaclyn Tracy, founder and CEO of SISTAIN, to talk about building a values-driven, nontoxic home goods marketplace. From curating clean, design-forward products to fighting greenwashing and leading with education, Jaclyn shares the real challenges and wins of growing a mission-based business in a confusing wellness space. Whether you're a founder, CPG enthusiast, or curious consumer, this episode dives deep into consumer trust, product sourcing, sustainability strategy, and why nontoxic living matters more than ever.
How Jaclyn turned frustration with the wedding registry process into a business idea
The difference between greenwashing and real sustainability — and how to spot it
How SISTAIN verifies every product for safety, transparency, and ethics
Why cookware, cutting boards, and candles should be your first swaps
What it takes to scale a marketplace without a tech background
The science behind microplastics and why “fragrance” is a red flag
Jaclyn Tracy is the founder and CEO of SISTAIN, a modern marketplace for nontoxic, sustainable home goods. With a background in marketing and a passion for conscious living, she created SISTAIN to make safer, ethically made products easier to access—without sacrificing style or performance. Jaclyn’s work is rooted in deep research, community care, and a belief that better choices at home can lead to a better world.
Follow her work: Instagram: @jactracy Website: thesistain.com Email: Jaclyn.Tracy@thesistain.com
Loved this episode? Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to More Than the Hype wherever you listen. Share it with a founder friend, wellness-minded parent, or anyone ready to clean up their home without the overwhelm.
Join our newsletter for the latest episodes, founder insights, and the best in modern CPG and clean living.
What You’ll Learn:Guest Bio:Subscribe + ShareStay in the Loop
In this episode of More Than the Hype, host Kristin Taylor sits down with Paige Parker, founder and CEO of Happenstance Whiskey, to talk about building Nashville’s only 100% woman-owned whiskey brand. From her early days in marketing at Anheuser-Busch to hand-blending a cabernet-style bourbon that’s now award-winning, Paige opens up about the grit, vision, and unshakable belief it takes to carve a space in a male-dominated industry.If you’re a founder, beverage industry hopeful, or someone building a premium CPG brand from scratch, this episode is packed with lessons on branding, fundraising, flavor development, and how to make every drop count in a complex three-tier system.What You’ll Learn:- Why 40% of bourbon drinkers are women—and still wildly underserved- How Paige identified a market gap and used it to launch Happenstance- The story behind developing a premium flavor profile from scratch- What “liquid to lips” marketing really means (and why it works)- The realities of funding, licensing, and scaling in the alcohol industry- How to build community and brand loyalty from day oneGuest Bio:Paige Parker is the founder and CEO of Happenstance Whiskey, Nashville’s only 100% woman-owned whiskey company. With a background in marketing, a sommelier certification, and a passion for spirits, Paige has created a bourbon brand that’s modern, approachable, and built for today's whiskey drinker—especially women who’ve been overlooked in the space for too long.Follow Her Work:Instagram: @happenstancewhiskeyWebsite: happenstancewhiskey.comSubscribe + ShareLoved this episode? Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to More Than the Hype wherever you listen. Share it with a founder friend, CPG builder, or whiskey lover who’s ready to build something bold.Stay in the LoopJoin our newsletter to get the latest episodes, founder tips, and CPG trends straight to your inbox.
In this episode of More Than The Hype, host Kristin Taylor sits down with Anna Zesbaugh who is the powerhouse founder of Hooch Booch and Corpse Reviver; to talk about what it takes to launch and grow a successful beverage brand. From turning a pandemic furlough into a full-fledged alcohol and wellness brand, to landing Corpse Reviver on the shelves of Walmart, Anna shares the gritty truth, business pivots, and branding strategies that helped her disrupt an entire category.
You'll hear how Anna:
Launched a hard kombucha brand with just nine months of prep
Created cocktail-inspired wellness drinks that resonate with modern consumers
Navigated regulation chaos and consumer confusion with clear branding
Shut down her first brand by choice to scale what worked
Got into Sprouts, Erewhon and Walmart through cold pitching and smart retail strategy
Whether you're in CPG, an aspiring entrepreneur, or just obsessed with cool founders shaking up their industry, this one’s for you.
Turning a furlough into a functional beverage business
What it really takes to create an alcohol brand
The power of packaging and experiential branding
Why education matters more than marketing
How to know when it’s time to shut down a brand
Getting onto shelves at Sprouts, Walmart, and beyond
Balancing wellness and alcohol in product strategy
Anna Zesbaugh Founder of Hooch Booch & Co-Founder of Corpse Reviver Website: drinkhoochbooch.com Instagram: @anna.zezzers | @drinkhoochbooch | @drinkcorpsereviver
Kristin Taylor Founder of Mom Juice | Host of More Than The Hype Instagram: @kristin.taylor Podcast IG: @morethanthehypepodcast
Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow founder or beverage nerd. Don’t forget to grab your Corpse Reviver at Sprouts or drinkcorpsereviver.com!
🔥 Topics Covered:👤 Guest:💬 Connect with Host:🔗 Stay in the Loop:
In this powerful episode of More Than the Hype, host Kristin Taylor sits down with Emily Scorgie — PR strategist, content creator, and founder of Babble PR — for an unfiltered conversation on brand building, motherhood, and the real story behind media exposure.
Emily opens up about her journey from nonprofit work to launching her own PR agency while raising two kids under two — and why she walked away from traditional career paths to create something that actually fits her life. From influencer marketing truths to why your founder story matters more than ever, this episode is a masterclass in modern-day brand storytelling.
If you’re a CPG brand, mom entrepreneur, or business owner wondering when (and how) to invest in PR — this is your go-to guide.
🔥 What You'll Learn:
What makes a brand truly press-worthy in today’s crowded market
Why authentic founder stories drive more media than product launches
The hidden costs of daycare and how it sparked Emily’s leap into entrepreneurship
Real talk on influencer pricing, earned vs. paid media, and sample shipping strategy
How Emily structures PR packages for startups without big agency budgets
🧠 Memorable Moments: “PR should be proactive, not reactive. It’s about telling your story daily.” “I quit my dream job at 12 weeks pregnant — because I knew what mattered more.” “If you seem too perfect, you’re not relatable. The ugly stuff is your power.”
👤 Guest Info:
Emily Scorgie
Founder, Babble PR
Website: babblepr.com
Instagram: @letsbabble
✨ Stay Connected:
Follow host Kristin Taylor on Instagram
Learn more about More Than the Hype
Sip smart with Mom Juice
What happens when a creative strategist-turned-founder decides she’s done waiting for permission and builds a clean-label wine company from the ground up? You get KT Winery — now stocked in Target, Total Wine, and soon, first-class on international flights.
In this episode, More Than the Hype host Kristin Taylor sits down on the other side of the mic for a special bonus interview with Greta Okomo of Collaborative Change. From quitting corporate to funding a dream with her 401(k), Kristin gets radically honest about ownership, identity, and the cost of building while underestimated.
Who It’s For:
→ Early-stage founders & brand builders
→ CPG operators & DTC dreamers
→ Women raising capital or scaling solo
→ VCs ready to invest in untapped markets
→ Anyone who’s had to fight for their own seat at the table
What We Cover:
🧃 The business of wine: how KT Winery scaled from kitchen table to national retail
💰 Fundraising while underestimated — and knowing when to walk away
🧠 Why therapy is a founder tool, not a luxury
⚡ The myth of going “full time” and what real scaling looks like
💥 How to protect your vision from people who don’t respect it
🔥 Mic Drop Moment:
“They held our wine hostage to ‘teach us a lesson’... I moved every dollar out the next week.”
Links + Resources: → KT Winery — shop wines + sign up for the non-alc drop → Follow Kristin on IG: @kristin.taylor | @ktwinery | @momjuicewine → Learn more about She’s Got the Juice — September 5-6 in Denver, CO
🎧 Listen Now: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Anywhere you tune in
In this powerful episode of More Than the Hype, host Kristin Taylor sits down with Paige Goss — Founder and CEO of Point Solutions Group — to talk real numbers, raw challenges, and how she built a $10M+ tech and defense contracting business from scratch, without a technical background.
From moving cross-country while her wife was pregnant with twins to breaking into a male-dominated industry, Paige shares her no-BS perspective on what it really takes to scale, hire, and build a company culture that lasts. Plus, she dives deep into what makes a business “sexy”, and how she chooses the female-led startups she invests in.
This episode is packed with value for entrepreneurs, especially women navigating leadership in high-growth industries. If you’ve ever wondered what grit, growth, and building with purpose really look like—this one’s for you.
🔥 What You'll Learn:
How Paige grew a $10M+ tech company without writing a line of code
The power of financial fluency for women entrepreneurs
Why culture is more than ping pong tables and happy hours
Paige’s investment strategy and why she bets on women
How to stay sane while building and leading at scale
“EBITDA is sexy. And profitable businesses should be celebrated.”
“If you tell me I can’t do it, I’m probably going to do it.”
“You don’t build culture with a budget — you build it by being real.”
Paige Goss
Stay Connected:
Follow host Kristin Taylor on Instagram
Learn more about More Than the Hype
Sip smart with Mom Juice
In this episode of More Than the Hype, host Kristin Taylor sits down with Aasiyah Abdulsalam, founder of The Renatural, to talk about building one of the most innovative beauty-tech brands of our time. From launching with the viral Wig Fix to developing a patent-pending wig made by custom-built machines, Aasiyah breaks down the grit, strategy, and deep customer connection it takes to scale in the beauty space.
Suppose you're a founder, CPG enthusiast, or beauty brand builder. In that case, this episode is packed with real talk on IP protection, scrappy product development, waitlist strategies, and how to turn loyal customers into brand advocates.
What You’ll Learn
How Aasiyah turned a customer pain point into a viral product
The power of pre-orders, pitch events, and word-of-mouth growth
Why patenting isn’t the same as protecting your product — and how to do both
Guest Bio:
Aasiyah Abdulsalam is the founder of The Renatural, a beauty-tech brand revolutionizing the wig industry. She’s a self-taught product developer, IP strategist, and visionary who’s redefining what beauty innovation looks like through technology, empathy, and customer-first design.
Follow her work:
Subscribe + Share
Loved this episode? Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe to More Than the Hype wherever you listen. Share it with a founder friend, beauty brand builder, or anyone dreaming big with limited resources.
Stay in the Loop
Join our newsletter to get the latest episodes, founder tips, and CPG trends straight to your inbox.
What happens when a luxury event planner who’s managed over $100M in experiences decides to build software? You get Partytrick — the tech platform making brand events smarter, more scalable, and ROI-driven.In this episode, Virginia Frischkorn joins me to talk about reinventing the event space, what most brands get wrong about in-person experiences, and how Partytrick is helping brands, ambassadors, and founders host with ease - and data.Who It’s For:- Founders and brand builders- CPG marketers- Event planners & community leads- VCs investing in consumer infrastructure- Anyone tired of “influencer trip energy” and craving real communityWhat We Cover:- The shift from high-touch events to scalable, tech-powered experiences- How to actually measure event ROI and sponsorship value- Lessons from raising capital and building as a solo founder- Why micro-events over mega-trips- Systems, SOPs, and scaling service with heartMic Drop Moment:"People bounce between 8 and 20 tools to plan one event - that’s just stupid."Links & Resource:Virginia Frischkorn on LinkedInPartytrick - join the waitlistFollow Virginia on IG:
🚀 The $100 Investment Revolution: Why Angel Investing Isn’t Just for the 1% Anymore
Start up investing isn’t just for the millionaires in Silicon Valley anymore. As someone who’s raised $1.3M in investment from Angel Investors and Funds - I wanted to peel the layers back on democratizing Startup investingand how it’s changing the game for founders
In this episode of More Than the Hype, I sit down with Jonny Price, President of WeFunder, the leading investment crowdfunding platform AND the crowdfunding my company, Mom Juice has used not once but twice. With a background in nonprofit leadership, strategy, and a lifelong passion for expanding access to capital, Jonny has helped thousands of founders raise millions through community-powered roundsfor just $100.
✨ What You’ll Learn:
Why $100 investments can be life-changing—for both founders and backers
The difference between accredited and non-accredited investors (and why it matters)
How WeFunder is leveling the playing field for women, BIPOC, and underserved founder
What a “liquidity event” is and how investors might get paid back
Why raising money on platforms like WeFunder should be a no brainer.
How founders can turn customers into brand ambassadors and loyal investors
Jonny’s thoughts on the next big trends in startup capital and community ownership
🔥 Resources & Mentions:
WeFunder – where anyone can invest in startups they love
Kiva.org – nonprofit microlending platform where Jonny previously worked
Superhuman – email tool both Jonny and I Jonny swears by for productivity
Capital Dept – fundraising support agency run by Maria Springer (capitaldept.com)
The Logan Bartlett Show – podcast recommended by Jonny (featuring Matt Mochary)
Companies mentioned: Substack, Poppy, LifeLabs, Pirouette, Oakland Roots, Chattanooga FC
📚 Books Worth the Hype (and Not):
✅ Zone of Genius concept (from Matt Mochary podcast—Jonny’s best business advice)
❌ White Lotus (Jonny's hot take: "Beautiful, but too slow")
👉 Subscribe & Review: If this episode hit home for you, share it with your people and drop us a review. Your support means the world 💛
📲 Follow Kristin Taylor & More Than the Hype
🎙️ Connect with Jonny Price
🚀 From Viral Brands to Mental Burnout: What It Really Takes to Build a Business What happens when your product goes viral… and then gets knocked off three weeks later? What’s the real cost of chasing the hype—and what’s waiting on the other side of burnout?
In this episode of More Than the Hype, host Kristin Taylor sits down with Janet Gwen, the founder and creative director behind Janet Gwen Designs, a Charlotte-based brand known for aesthetic tech accessories and dreamy home decor made for modern homebodies.
Janet gets real about building a top-rated product empire from her high school bedroom, rebranding through multiple business phases, and ultimately choosing purpose over pressure. Now a performance marketer overseeing 20+ brands, she shares why she walked away from her company at its peak and what she's learned about creating with intention in the age of content chaos.
✨ What You’ll Learn:
Why going viral isn’t always the dream—and how it can destroy your brand
The truth about product-based businesses post-COVID (it’s not cute)
What performance marketing really means—and why creative is king
How BookTok resurrected Barnes & Noble and created a reading revolution
Why “just start” is bad advice if you’re in a regulated industry
The danger of chasing external validation (aka Forbes 30 Under 30 gone very wrong)
🔥 Resources & Mentions:
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo
Financial Feminist by Tori Dunlap
BookTok trends & Kindle Unlimited
Midjourney – AI tool for creators
The downfall of meme coins like $HAWT and what creators need to know
📚 Books Worth the Hype (and Not): ✅ Everything is Figureoutable – a mantra AND a method ❌ Some of Joe Dispenza’s work – vibes alone don’t pay the rent
👉 Subscribe & Review: If this episode hit home for you, share it with your people and drop us a review. Your support means the world 💛
📲 Follow Kristin Taylor & More Than the Hype
🎙️ Connect with Janet Gwen
🚀 Taking Black-Owned Brands to the Next LevelHow does a Black-owned winery land on American Airlines? How do you build the right network to make your biggest business dreams happen? In this episode of More Than the Hype, Kristin Taylor sits down with Kelly Ifill, the founder of Guava, a digital banking platform designed for Black entrepreneurs.Kelly spills all the details on how she helped KT Winery secure its spot on American Airlines, why networking is everything, and how she raised $2.5M in venture funding in an industry that often overlooks Black founders.✨
What You’ll Learn:How Kelly helped secure the American Airlines deal for KT Winery
The power of networking and why your connections = your net worth
What investors really look for when funding Black entrepreneurs
The reality of pivoting a startup and keeping investors on board
Kelly’s top business lessons (spoiler: Know your pitch, and move fast!)
🔥 Resources & Mentions:
Guava – Digital banking for Black entrepreneurs
KT Winery – Now served on American Airlines!
Black Ambition – Funding for Black & Latinx entrepreneurs
Hillman Talk on TikTok – Where business meets culture
Book Recommendation:
Build (by Tony Fadell)
👉 Subscribe & Review: If this episode inspired you, leave a review and share it with your people!📲
Follow Kristin Taylor & More Than the Hype
Instagram: @MoreThanTheHypePodcast
Facebook: @morethanthehypepodcast
In this episode of More Than The Hype, host Kristin Taylor sits down with her co-founder and fellow powerhouse, Macie Mincey, for their first-ever podcast together. From pumping bags and postpartum pitches at Target HQ to becoming one of fewer than 150 Black women to raise over $1M in venture capital — they break down what it really takes to build a wine company that’s more than just pretty labels and alcohol content.
🍷 Inside the episode:
The real story behind Mom Juice and how the name chose them
What it’s like to pitch a major retailer just weeks after giving birth
Vulnerability, bad credit, and building a sexy, scrappy brand with substance
Why women and moms are NOT a niche — and the $330B market that's proving it
How to become an investor in Mom Juice (yes, you can own a piece!)
What’s next: She's Got the Juice, NA wine drops, rich auntie collabs & more
💸 Want to invest? Join the movement:
Minimum investment: $100. Perks included.
Ownership matters.
Meet the Guest: Macie Mincey
Website: www.momjuicewine.com www.maciemincey.com
Social: @maciemincey on all platforms
Bio: Macie Mincey is an entrepreneur, investor, and former finance professional who transitioned from her career at Wells Fargo to the startup world. As the co-founder of Mom Juice and host of the OnlyMoms Podcast, she focuses on empowering women, particularly moms, by blending motherhood and entrepreneurship with a relatable, fun approach. She is also an active member of Golden Seeds, the discerning group of investors funding high-potential, women-led businesses, and a board member of the Keith YMCA in Charlotte, NC. Macie aims to inspire financial empowerment and shares her expertise through consulting and coaching.
📲 Stay connected:
Visit us: ktwinery.com
💌 Join our newsletter: Stay updated on events, wine drops, and exclusive perks.
🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate & review – it helps way more than you know!
🚀 Imposter Syndrome? You Don’t Have It.Imposter syndrome is often painted as an unavoidable challenge, especially for women and people of color. But what if it’s not actually yours to carry? In this solo episode, host Kristin Taylor breaks down the truth behind imposter syndrome, why it's a societal construct, and how preparation, mindset, and community can help you step into your power.From power poses to strategic preparation, Kristin shares her personal tactics for crushing self-doubt and showing up with confidence in high-stakes environments. Plus, hear how successful women like Fawn Weaver and Morgan DeBaun have challenged this limiting belief and reframed the conversation.✨ What You’ll Learn:Why imposter syndrome isn’t your problem—it's a cultural narrativeHow preparation can eliminate doubt in any situationTactical confidence-building exercises (hello, Superman pose!)The importance of transparency in business and mentorship00:00 Overcoming Impostor Syndrome00:28 Welcome to More Than The Hype00:49 Kristin's First Solo Episode01:14 The Viral Instagram and TikTok Post01:34 Insights from Fawn Weaver and Morgan Debon02:49 Personal Experiences with Impostor Syndrome03:28 The Role of Nurture and Society05:07 Practical Tips to Combat Impostor Syndrome07:19 The Power of Preparation09:09 Empowering Women in Business10:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts🔥 Resources & Mentions:- Fawn Weaver, Uncle Nearest - https://www.instagram.com/fawn.weaver/?hl=en- Morgan DeBaun, Blavity, AfroTech - https://www.instagram.com/morgandebaun/- Monique Rodriguez, Mielle Organics - https://www.instagram.com/exquisitemo/?hl=en- Melissa Butler, The Lip Bar - https://www.instagram.com/melissarbutler/?hl=en👉 Subscribe & Review: If this episode resonated with you, leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear it.This episode is brought to you by KT Winery Inc. 📲 Follow Kristin Taylor & More Than the HypeInstagram: @kristin.taylor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinthines/Newsletter: https://morethanthehype.beehiiv.com/Instagram: @morethanthehypepodcast Facebook: @morethanthehypepodcast
This podcast is brought to you by KT Winery Inc.
📲 Follow Kristin Taylor & More Than the HypeInstagram: @kristin.taylor LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinthines/Newsletter: https://morethanthehype.beehiiv.com/Instagram: @morethanthehypepodcast Facebook: @morethanthehypepodcast