Honest Ecommerce

Co-founded in 2012 by Ryan Emmons, his cousin Alex Preston, a Hawaiian artist and game designer, and friend Matt Meyer, Waiākea Hawaiian Volcanic Beverages is a premium beverage company from Hilo, Hawai‘i, offering volcanic water, sparkling water, and coffee, crafted with deep respect for the land, its people, and the responsibility that comes with both. Rooted in sustainability, Waiākea is setting a new standard for CPG, blending exceptional taste with conscious practices. From their certified B Corp status and proprietary 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, OceanPlast®, to their community-driven Kōkua Initiative nonprofit, Waiākea is changing the way we hydrate. Inspired by the founders' long-standing work with clean water and education non-profits, the concept for Waiākea was to move away from singular profit and towards a triple bottom line model (circular packaging, sustainable sourcing, and commitment to the community). Their water embodies that mission with an experience that’s natural alkaline pH, 100% BPA & PFA Free, packed with electrolytes & minerals, light, crisp, and refreshingly clean. In This Conversation We Discuss: Resources: Subscribewaiakea.com/linkedin.com/in/ryan-emmons-8709871b/intelligems.io/klaviyo.com/honestelectriceye.io/connect If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Julian Tcherassi is the founder of Magiktea, the first USDA Organic & Wildlife Friendly certified palo azul tea brand in the world. Under his leadership, Magiktea has grown from a small independent startup into a nationally recognized wellness brand, now available in over 1,000 health food stores nationwide. Passionate about natural remedies and sustainability, Julian started Magiktea with the mission to share sustainably sourced palo azul so that everyone can enjoy Mother Nature's most magical tea. In This Conversation We Discuss: Resources: Subscribemagiktea.com/linkedin.com/in/julian-serrano-tcherassi-97a891156/klaviyo.com/honestintelligems.io/electriceye.io/connect If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Eliah Thanhauser is the Co-Founder and CEO of North Spore, a company dedicated to making mushroom cultivation accessible to all. Since its inception in 2014, they’ve grown from a small operation in a garage in Maine to a vertically integrated manufacturer and a national leader in mycological supplies. Eliah’s journey began with a passion for sustainable agriculture and a desire to empower individuals to grow their own food. At North Spore, Eliah and his team provide high-quality mushroom cultivation products and education, supporting everyone from home growers to commercial farmers.​ Beyond business, he’s committed to environmental stewardship, advocating for better public access to Maine's shorelands and exploring innovative ways to integrate fungi into sustainable practices. In This Conversation We Discuss: Resources: Subscribenorthspore.com/linkedin.com/in/eliah-thanhauser/intelligems.io/storetester.com/ If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Irene Chen is the Co-Founder and Partner at Parker Thatch, a role she has held for over 24 years. Her top skills include Brand Development, Fashion, and Social Media. Before co-founding Parker Thatch, Irene served as the Director of Product Development for Donna Karan. She is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles. Matthew Grenby is the Partner and Co-Founder of Parker Thatch, a position he has held for over 24 years. His expertise lies in Strategy, Start-ups, and Entrepreneurship. Prior to Parker Thatch, he was a Vice President at Castling Group, where he led UX and design to launch online divisions for major brands, and a Data Scientist at Intel, developing novel data visualizations. He holds an MBA from Columbia Business School, an MS from the M.I.T. Media Lab , an MS in Graphic Design from ArtCenter College of Design , and an AB in English from Harvard University. In This Conversation We Discuss: Resources: Subscribeparkerthatch.com/linkedin.com/in/irene-chen-16b16823/linkedin.com/in/matthewgrenby/intelligems.io/ electriceye.io/connect https://wwwklaviyo.com/honestIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Kate Voyten is a seasoned business leader with over 20 years of experience revitalizing small brands and stagnant businesses. She started her career at Procter & Gamble, working first in operations and eventually moving into brand management, where she ran businesses across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. Her consumer-centric approach to innovation and commercial strategies, combined with her operational expertise, has helped transform businesses across consumer goods, automotive, and healthcare categories. Some of her favorite challenges include relaunching the iconic $500 million Herbal Essences brand and returning it to profitable growth, spearheading the digital transformation and omnichannel strategy for the Hertz loyalty program, and building the OneTouch diabetes business in retail and e-commerce. Today, Kate is the Chief Commercial Officer at Cadence OTC, where she is leading the effort to bring the next generation of oral contraceptives over the counter—expanding access to safe, affordable birth control for millions of women across the U.S. Kate is passionate about developing people and building partnerships that deliver meaningful business transformations. She earned both her BS and MS from Carnegie Mellon University. In This Conversation We Discuss: Resources: Subscribecadenceotc.com/linkedin.com/in/katherine-voytenelectriceye.io/connectIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Laura Andersen is the owner and managing director of AlumiTubs. Made to handle it all, AlumiTubs is made to last for generations. Obsessively designed to outperform and outlast, it's the classic cedar hot tub, upgraded for a lifetime of performance. AlumiTubs is 100% Canadian handcrafted from materials made to stand the test of time. It’s perfect for the backcountry or the backyard, with flex heating for 365 days of use, wherever you find your escape. With 1000s in the wild since 2001, AlumiTubs are home to Canada, now available for properties across the globe. Where artistry, craftsmanship, and considered design intersect, the AlumiTubs wood fired, electric and hybrid hot tubs come in 3 sizes with endless heat options, advanced filtration for at-home use, a 50% bigger firebox and 3 layers of insulation for less smoke, less water, and nothing wasted along the way. It is not an average hot tub, AlumiTubs is guaranteed to get hot and stay hot, no matter how cold it is outside. Bringing people and those they share it with, closer to nature. AlumiTubs was made for more of the good stuff. In This Conversation We Discuss: Resources: Subscribealumitubs.com/linkedin.com/in/lauraandersendigitalmarketing/discover.taboola.com/honest/nextinsurance.com/honestelectriceye.io/connectIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Rima Mattok is the Director of Demand Generation at Taboola, where she leads the global acquisition and engagement strategy of Realize, a performance advertising platform focused on driving measurable results for brands. With a background in user engagement, Rima brings a deep understanding of audience behavior and conversion optimization—experience that shapes her approach to helping marketers scale efficiently across channels. In This Conversation We Discuss: Resources: Subscribetaboola.com/realize.com/linkedin.com/in/rima-sherman-mattok-93282739/If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Monica Rich Kosann is an internationally recognized fine jewelry brand based in New York. Rooted in the idea that every woman has a story to tell, the collection encompasses lockets, rings, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings that inspire and empower the wearer. The eponymous label was founded in 2004 by Designer and Chief Creative Officer Monica Rich Kosann–member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America–as an extension of her passion for fine art photography and storytelling. She runs the company with her husband Rod, who serves as CEO. A Certified B Corporation working to meet the highest standards of quality and excellence, Monica Rich Kosann crafts sustainable heritage pieces that are made ethically and responsibly. The brand is sold in over 120 retailers across the country, has three free standing stores - two in New York and one at Somerset Collection in Troy, a shop at Bergdorf Goodman and a robust direct-to-consumer business. Designed using 18K Yellow Gold and Sterling Silver, Monica Rich Kosann designs precious gemstones and diamonds to ensure quality that lasts from generation-to-generation as modern heirlooms. A favorite with celebrities, Monica Rich Kosann pieces have been worn by incredible women throughout the years including Kelly Clarkson, Allison Williams, Sarah Jessica Parker and Gisele Bundchen. In This Conversation We Discuss: Resources: youtube.com/c/HonestEcommerce?sub_confirmation=1monicarichkosann.comlinkedin.com/company/monica-rich-kosannlinkedin.com/in/rodkosanndiscover.taboola.com/honestwww.nextinsurance.com/honestelectriceye.io/connectIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Matt Ezyk has decades of experience building, scaling and leading digital commerce technology and strategy at some of the most innovative companies in the world. Matt serves as Senior Director of Engineering, Ecommerce at Hanna Andersson which is a leading direct-to-consumer premium children's apparel and lifestyle brand. Prior to joining Hanna Andersson, he led digital at Pet Supermarket with oversight of product and engineering. Additionally he served as Director of Functional Architecture and Director of PMO at RafterOne (f/k/a PixelMedia) with operational oversight of teams working with iconic brands like Skechers and LL Bean. Matt also served in progressive leadership roles at Accenture, Merkle (f/k/a LiveArea) and several startups working with hundreds of global brands like Uniqlo, Disney, Revlon, Tapestry and many more. Matt brings to retailers and DTC brands a deep expertise in developing and implementing diverse end-to-end commerce strategies. In This Conversation We Discuss: Resources: Subscribehannaandersson.com/linkedin.com/in/mezykdiscover.taboola.com/honest/nextinsurance.com/honest/electriceye.io/connectIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Robert Khachatryan is the founder and CEO of Freight Right Global Logistics, a Los Angeles–based international freight forwarder. A lifelong entrepreneur, Robert began his business journey at age nine selling newspapers on the streets of Yerevan. A member of the Board of Advisors at USC’s Randall R. Kendrick Global Supply Chain Institute, Robert founded Freight Right in 2007 during the global financial crisis with a vision to modernize freight forwarding through technology and execution excellence. Today, Freight Right is recognized as a leading innovator in logistics and a trusted launch partner for emerging supply chain technologies. Robert’s insights have been featured in Bloomberg, Forbes, the Journal of Commerce, FreightWaves, and the Los Angeles Times, and he has spoken at leading industry events including TPM, FreightTech, and the USC Supply Chain Summit. In This Conversation We Discuss: Resources: Subscribefreightright.com/linkedin.com/in/khachatryanrobertIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Dima Zelikman is the Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Founder of Unbound Merino, where he leads brand strategy, growth marketing, and creative direction. With a focus on simplicity, versatility, and performance, he has helped shape Unbound Merino into a global travel clothing brand trusted by customers in over 100 countries. As CMO, Dima drives the vision of the “Pack Less. Experience More.” movement. Building a brand that inspires and empowers travelers to live and explore with freedom. In This Conversation We Discuss: Resources: Subscribeunboundmerino.com/discover.taboola.com/honest/nextinsurance.com/honest/electriceye.io/connectIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Kendal McMullen is passionate and data-driven with a knack for turning insights into impactful omnichannel strategies. From analyzing consumer behavior to optimizing cross-channel marketing, she thrives on making data work to connect authentically at scale. In This Conversation We Discuss: Resources: Subscribeglobalhealing.com/linkedin.com/in/kendal-mcmullendiscover.taboola.com/honest/nextinsurance.com/honest/electriceye.io/connectIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Anna Brakefield’s story begins on her family’s cotton farm in North Alabama, where she grew up surrounded by the rhythms of agriculture and the values of hard work, stewardship, and tradition. Her father, Mark Yeager, instilled in her a deep appreciation for the land and the premium cotton it produced—lessons that would later inspire a business built on craftsmanship and sustainability. After earning a degree in graphic design and marketing from Auburn University, Anna pursued a career in advertising in New York and Nashville. Though she thrived in the corporate world, her roots kept calling her back home, planting the seed for what would become Red Land Cotton. In 2016, Anna and her father launched Red Land Cotton with a mission to bring American-made, farm-to-home textiles to market. Armed with her marketing expertise and a passion for storytelling, she shaped the company’s identity, ensuring that each product—crafted from the cotton grown on their farm—embodied quality, authenticity, and Southern heritage. As Red Land Cotton continues to flourish, Anna balances entrepreneurship with family life, finding inspiration in the land that started it all. Her journey is a testament to the power of honoring one’s roots while embracing the possibilities of growth and innovation. In This Conversation We Discuss: Resources: Subscriberedlandcotton.com/linkedin.com/in/anna-brakefield-94389734discover.taboola.com/honest/nextinsurance.com/honest/electriceye.io/connectfreightright.com/honestIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Andrew is a self-proclaimed tragic sneaker fan and proven brand builder. After nearly a decade of leading multiple marketing functions at Google, Andrew and two of his colleagues embarked on a mission to build the world’s fairest hype commerce platform. As CEO, Andrew leverages his marketing expertise and first-hand fandom experience to drive this mission forward. After launching just over a year ago, EQL has managed more than 10,000 high-heat launches in 15 markets. When not helping culture-making brands get their goods into the hands of real fans, Andrew can be found spending time with his wife and three children, and dressing younger than he should. In This Conversation We Discuss: Resources: Subscribeeql.com/au.linkedin.com/in/andrew-lipp-7b291722If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Dan Abel Jr. is the Chief Chocolate Officer of two beloved St. Louis-based companies: Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company and Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier. Dan occasionally goes by another nickname: “Willy Wonka of the Midwest.” But no matter what you call him, he’ll never forget his roots. Dan is a 2nd Generation Chocolatier & son of the founder of Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company. Along with his two siblings, Dan oversees the operations of both Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company and Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier. Manufacturing, distribution, national sales channel and product development are the key areas to Dan’s focus. Currently the Abel family is expanding its manufacturing facility, adding a bar and a café – and Dan is very instrumental in the construction management and development of both concepts while continuing to push growth. Dan is married with three children –enjoys playing golf, gardening with his young children and spending time with his family. In This Conversation We Discuss: Resources: Subscribechocolatechocolate.com/bissingers.com/linkedin.com/in/dan-abel-jr-15541765discover.taboola.com/honest/nextinsurance.com/honest/electriceye.io/connectfreightright.com/honestIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Christine Monaghan is a builder of growth engines and a weaver of stories, helping brands scale from startup chaos to sustainable success. She blends storytelling with systems, tech with brand, and strategy with hands-on execution to deliver results that last. In This Conversation We Discuss: Resources: Subscribealmondcow.co/linkedin.com/in/christine-monaghandiscover.taboola.com/honest/nextinsurance.com/honest/electriceye.io/connectfreightright.com/honestIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Michelle Songy is a serial entrepreneur and the Founder of Press Hook, a platform that helps brands get media coverage through a hybrid model of earned, affiliate, and paid press opportunities. Prior to Press Hook, Michelle founded and sold Cake Technologies to American Express. She’s passionate about making PR more accessible and transparent for small businesses, especially mission-driven consumer brands. Press Hook is used by 1,000+ companies— from early-stage startups to category leaders— to connect directly with journalists, newsletters, and podcasts that drive real product discovery. In This Conversation We Discuss: Resources: Subscribepresshook.com/linkedin.com/in/michellesongyIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Elina Panteleyeva is the founder of Dood Woof, a 7-figure brand built specifically for Doodle dog breeds. After getting laid off, she bootstrapped her business from $0 to 7 figures in 15 months with no prior Ecommerce experience, no team and no outside investors. outside funding. Elina scaled fast by focusing on niche product-market fit, building a raving fan base, and using scrappy organic marketing to drive Amazon and TikTok Shop growth. Now, she helps other founders grow and scale their eCommerce brands profitably by building a brand that serves a specific group of people. In This Conversation We Discuss: Resources: Subscribedoodwoof.com/instagram.com/doodwoofco/?hl=endiscover.taboola.com/honest/nextinsurance.com/honest/electriceye.io/connectfreightright.com/honestIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Jennifer is the Director of DTC, Martech, and Digital Compliance at OLLY, a Unilever-owned vitamin/supplement brand, and a seasoned eCommerce veteran based in the Bay Area. She specializes in building digital marketing programs, profitable eCommerce stores, and seamless customer experiences. Her expertise includes advanced Martech ecosystems, customer data platforms (CDPs), marketing automation, and ensuring compliance with global privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA. Jennifer’s skills span web development, UX/UI design, inventory management, logistics, and omni-channel retailing. In This Conversation We Discuss: Resources: Subscribeolly.com/linkedin.com/in/jennifer-peters-3bbb6220discover.taboola.com/honest/nextinsurance.com/honest/electriceye.io/connectfreightright.com/honestIf you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Scott Desgrosseilliers is the founder and CEO of Wicked Reports, a leading first-party marketing attribution platform for high-growth eCommerce brands. With over a decade of experience analyzing billions in ad spend, Scott helps marketers cut through the noise to find what’s really driving ROI. He’s the creator of the 5 Forces System, a proven framework that turns messy marketing data into clear, confident decisions. Before Wicked Reports, Scott led and consulted on database and process management applications at Motorola, Quest Diagnostics, Breck Shampoo, Ovaltine, the Hong Kong 911 department, and Apartments.com. When not leading Wicked Reports, Scott can be found in Marblehead Massachusetts playing pickleball, meditating, or on the boat with the family. In This Conversation We Discuss: Resources: Subscribewww.wickedreports.com/www.linkedin.com/in/scottd71/If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!