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.

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.