Ari Raz is a distinguished entrepreneur and executive in the natural foods industry, renowned for his leadership and innovative contributions.

Before joining The Coconut Cult in August 2021, Ari co-founded Once Upon a Farm, a company specializing in cold-pressed baby food, where he held the positions of CEO and later President from 2015 to 2021. Once Upon a Farm is currently on a $250M revenue run rate and valued at over $1B.

His tenure was marked by significant growth and the establishment of the brand as a trusted name in children's nutrition.

Under Ari's leadership, The Coconut Cult has grown from a $2.7M annual revenue business to a $36M revenue run rate actual and $57M revenue run rate if capacity existed to fill all orders.

His strategic vision continues to propel The Coconut Cult toward new heights in the plant-based yogurt market.

He is also the President of Naturally San Diego, a nonprofit organization and business network that fosters sustainability and responsible business practices, stimulates conscious growth, supports entrepreneurship, and develops leadership in the San Diego natural products community.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ari Raz and His Journey

01:01 Inspiration from Family and Early Experiences

05:45 The Birth of Once Upon a Farm

10:51 Branding and Marketing in the Food Industry

15:09 The Role of Jennifer Garner in Once Upon a Farm

24:12 Commitment to Growth

26:00 Navigating Leadership Transitions

28:42 The Impact of COVID-19 on Business

30:51 Manifestation and Intuition in Entrepreneurship

33:54 Building Naturally San Diego

40:22 Personal Biohacks for Entrepreneurs

48:05 Mindfulness and Global Awareness

Contact Ari Raz:

president@naturallysandiego.org

https://naturallysandiego.org/

https://thecoconutcult.com/

Contact Liesl Bernard:

liesl@kalonstaffing.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/

www.leadingforwellness.com

In this inspiring episode, Liesl Bernard interviews Susan Buckwalter Hartman, co-founder of Recoup Beverage, discussing her journey from corporate marketing to entrepreneurship, the unique aspects of Recoup's products, and the personal stories that inspired their creation.

They explore the challenges of building a brand in a competitive beverage market, balancing family life with entrepreneurship, and the future plans for Recoup, including their recognition in the industry and commitment to regenerative organic practices.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Recoup Drinks and Susan's Background

02:12 The Leap to Entrepreneurship

04:07 What Sets Recoup Apart

09:10 The Unique Ingredients of Recoup

12:42 Challenges in Building a Brand

15:48 Balancing Entrepreneurship and Family Life

18:46 Future Plans for Recoup

22:37 Recognition and Industry Impact

Contact Susan Buckwalter Hartman:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-buckwalter-hartman-704a19a/

https://www.instagram.com/recoupwellness/

https://www.recoupwellness.com/

Connect with Liesl Bernard:

liesl@kalonstaffing.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/

www.leadingforwellness.com

Madelyn Hadley is the founder of Madly Hadley, a San Diego-based innovative plant-based food brand. With a background as a private chef focused on plant-based cooking, she worked closely with naturopathic doctors and their patients to create delicious, health-conscious meals. Motivated by a passion to make her chef-quality, vegan, soy-free, and gluten-free recipes accessible to a wider audience, she launched Madly Hadley in 2021. The brand is known for its popular products like coconut bacon bits and cashew Parmesan, which are available nationally in Sprouts and nationally in Whole Foods Market and other natural grocers. Madelyn's mission is to transform familiar foods into healthier, environmentally friendly versions that delight consumers while supporting wellness and sustainability.

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In this inspiring episode, Liesl Bernard sits down with Madelyn Hadley, the dynamic CEO of a thriving vegan snack brand, to explore her path from personal shopper at Whole Foods to trailblazing entrepreneur. Madelyn opens up about the leap of faith that took her from grocery aisles to launching her own line of plant-based products—driven by passion, purpose, and a deep commitment to wellness.

She shares the challenges and lessons she’s faced breaking into the competitive food industry, offering honest insights on everything from sourcing ingredients to scaling a startup. She also dives into her creative process—how she approaches product development, packaging design, and building a brand that truly resonates with today’s conscious consumer.

Madelyn discusses the strategies she’s used to connect with customers, build a loyal following, and spread the message that healthy, flavorful food can be for everyone—no matter your dietary choices. This episode is full of practical advice, authentic stories, and empowering takeaways for anyone looking to turn their vision into reality.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey Begins: From Personal Shopper to CEO

03:05 Creating Vegan Alternatives: The Inspiration Behind the Products

05:57 Overcoming Challenges: Lessons from the Food Industry

09:01 Vision for the Future: Expanding Offerings and Market Reach

11:55 Mindset and Personal Practices: Staying Grounded as an Entrepreneur

15:05 Creative Expression: The Art Behind the Brand

18:06 Building a Team: From Solo Entrepreneur to Collaborative Efforts

21:01 Marketing Strategies: Spreading the Word About Vegan Products

24:06 The Broader Impact: Making Plant-Based Eating Accessible to All

26:51 Connecting with the Community: Engaging Customers and Investors

Connect with Madelyn Hadley:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelyn-hadley-29542394/

https://www.madlyhadley.com/

https://www.instagram.com/madlyhadleymagic/

Connect with Liesl Bernard:

liesl@leadingforwellness.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/leading-for-wellness/

www.leadingforwellness.com