Sonya Gafsi Oblisk sits down with Ali Bonar, founder of Oat Haus, who transformed her personal struggle with an eating disorder into a mission to create joy-filled, allergen-free food. Ali shares her remarkable journey, from hand-filling jars in her home to building a dedicated manufacturing facility and landing coveted shelf space at Whole Foods Market. With raw honesty, Ali reveals how her past shaped her unique approach to entrepreneurship and continues to shape Oat Haus’s future. In this episode, learn how the Oat Haus founder’s persistence broke through countless “no’s” to create: A food brand disrupting the spread aisle with a fun, school-friendly alternative A leadership philosophy rooted in prioritizing mental health A commitment to high-quality ingredients without compromise This episode serves up equal portions of inspiration and practical wisdom for anyone interested in food innovation, conscious entrepreneurship or transforming personal challenges into purposeful business ventures. Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Don't forget to like and subscribe to hear more conversations spotlighting innovation, perseverance, and meaningful impact. The information provided on this episode is for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. It is essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment. The content on this episode is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The views, opinions, and claims expressed by guests in this podcast episode are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Whole Foods Market, its parent company, subsidiaries, or affiliates. This content is for informational purposes only.
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29:25
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29:25
Beyond The Board - Perfect Snacks
In this episode of Beyond the Board, Whole Foods Market Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer Sonya Gafsi Oblisk sits down with Leigh Keith, Co-Founder and Chief of Brand at Perfect Snacks. In their conversation, Sonya and Leigh discuss the company’s remarkable journey, from its humble beginnings in a converted school bus to becoming a pioneer in the refrigerated bar category. Leigh shares details about her family's incredible story and the company's evolution, including: Her father's early career in the 1960s as Vice President for fitness legend Jack LaLanne and the bold decision to take his family of 13 children on the road in a school bus. How her father developed the original Perfect Bar recipe during their travels, and how his subsequent cancer diagnosis inspired the siblings to transform it into a thriving business. Starting the company at age 19 and navigating its growth over two decades, all while maintaining the brand's core values and accessibility. Their innovative approach to keeping Perfect Bar affordable despite industry-wide cost increases, ensuring the product remains close to its original price point even 20 years later. Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Don't forget to like and subscribe to hear more conversations spotlighting innovation, perseverance, and meaningful impact. The following podcast episode contains opinions, commentary, and information that have not been independently fact-checked or verified. The views expressed by the host(s) and any guests do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcast, Whole Foods Market or affiliated entities. Listeners are encouraged to conduct their own research on topics discussed and should not rely solely on the information presented in this episode as a basis for making decisions. This podcast is intended for entertainment and informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice on any subject matter.
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42:19
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42:19
Beyond The Board - Dr. Bronner
In this episode of Beyond the Board, Whole Foods Market SVP of Merchandising Alyssa Vescio sits down with David Bronner, Cosmic Engagement Officer of Dr. Bronner’s. David shares the fascinating history of his family's iconic soap company, from its origins in 19th-century Germany to becoming a counterculture favorite and mission-driven brand. During their conversation, David gets candid about his personal journey and the company, including: Dr. Bronner's innovative supply chain projects around the world, challenges they've overcome and initiatives like the Purpose Pledge to elevate conscious business practices. How Dr. Bronner's lives its values while growing as a global brand. The brand’s commitment to ethical sourcing, regenerative organic agriculture and social causes – including donating millions to charities. Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Don’t forget to like and subscribe to hear more conversations spotlighting innovation, perseverance, and meaningful impact.
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28:02
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28:02
Beyond The Board - Fly By Jing
In this episode of Beyond the Board, Whole Foods Market CEO Jason Buechel sits down with Jing Gao, founder and CEO of Fly By Jing, for a fascinating conversation about transforming Chinese cuisine and food culture. Jing shares her remarkable journey from global nomad to culinary entrepreneur, including how her personal quest for identity led to creating one of the fastest-growing food brands. This conversation offers insights into how Fly By Jing is revolutionizing perceptions of Chinese food and making a lasting impact on the culinary landscape. Jing explains how a jar of chili sauce can help evolve food culture through: The brand's unique approach of being "not traditional but personal" Exploring the historical context of Chinese restaurants in America Jing's mission to expand minds and palates through authentic flavors A strong commitment to sustainability Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Don’t forget to like and subscribe to hear more conversations spotlighting innovation, perseverance and meaningful impact.
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25:44
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25:44
Beyond The Board - Avaline
In this episode of Beyond the Board, Avaline co-founder Katherine Power joins Whole Foods Market's Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer Sonya Gafsi Oblisk for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship and innovation in the wine industry. Katherine shares her journey from the fashion and beauty world to revolutionizing the wine market alongside co-founder Cameron Diaz. Discover how a personal quest for ingredient transparency in wine led to the creation of Avaline, a brand at the forefront of the clean wine movement. Key topics include: The science behind organic winemaking, from farming practices to final product The impact of additional sulfites in wine production Early entrepreneurial lessons learned from Katherine's grandmother and her path to becoming an influential businesswoman Gain valuable insights into what it takes to innovate and build a successful business as Katherine candidly discusses her experiences and challenges. This episode is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs and wine enthusiasts alike. Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Don’t forget to like and subscribe to hear more conversations spotlighting innovation, perseverance, and meaningful impact. The views, opinions, and claims expressed by guests in this podcast episode are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Whole Foods Market, its parent company, subsidiaries, or affiliates. This content is for informational purposes only.
Beyond the Board is a new podcast storytelling series that spotlights different guests — from founders of major brands to up-and-coming suppliers as well as community leaders and policy makers — all working to nourish people and the planet. New episodes will be released regularly, featuring conversations about innovation, perseverance and meaningful impact on food and agriculture. The podcast will feature a rotating cast of hosts from Whole Foods Market's leadership team, including CEO Jason Buechel, Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer Sonya Gafsi Oblisk and Senior Vice President of Merchandising Alyssa Vescio.
New Zealand