The Harvest Growth Podcast

Hosted by Jon LaClare

Business Entrepreneurship

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Episodes

290

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Listen to inspirational stories from successful inventors and entrepreneurs as our host, Jon LaClare, founder of Harvest Growth, leads interviews targeted at helping aspiring inventors and market-leading entrepreneurs alike. If you’d like to see how Harvest Growth can help grow your product business, click below.

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60 recent

September 7, 2026Episode 29422 min

How Authentic Storytelling Helped a New Autism Therapy Center Grow Fast

In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with physician and Sirica Center founder Uli Chettipally to explore how his family’s personal experience with autism inspired a new approach to therapeutic support—and how authentic, mission-driven storytelling helped the center attract immediate interest. Uli’s daughter, Siri, was diagnosed with autism at three years old. As he studied which activities helped her remain regulated, focused, and engaged, he discovered the significant role that physical movement could play in her daily life. Those experiences eventually inspired Sirica Center, which combines virtual reality, video gaming, controlled sensory experiences, and whole-body exercise to make therapy more immersive and enjoyable. Uli explains why support can become especially difficult to access as children with autism reach adolescence and adulthood. Sirica Center is working to fill that gap with experiences designed to encourage movement, engagement, and an improved quality of life—particularly for individuals who cannot communicate through speech. The conversation also reveals an important marketing lesson for any mission-driven founder. Long before opening the center, Uli consistently shared his family’s story, educated people about the problem, and built an online community around the mission. That transparency created trust and anticipation, helping the first Sirica Center fill quickly and develop a waiting list. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: How Uli’s daughter inspired the creation of Sirica Center Why physical exercise became an important part of Siri’s daily life How virtual reality, gaming, and whole-body movement can make therapy more engaging The growing support gap for teenagers and adults with autism Why limited access to trained professionals remains a major challenge How technology could make therapeutic experiences more widely accessible Why educating your audience before launching can build anticipation How personal storytelling creates trust around a mission-driven business The importance of recognizing and respecting the intelligence of every person with autism And so much more! If you’re building a mission-driven business, introducing an unfamiliar solution, or looking for a more authentic way to connect with your audience, this episode demonstrates how personal purpose, consistent education, and community building can turn an ambitious idea into genuine demand. To learn more about Uli Chettipally and Sirica Center, visit SiricaTX.com or SiricaCenter.com . You can also connect with Uli on LinkedIn. Do you have a brand you’d like to launch or grow? Visit HarvestGrowth.com to book a free consultation and learn how our team has helped generate more than $2 billion in product sales.

September 2, 2026Episode 29226 min

Mark Cuban Told Him to Walk Away From Walmart—Here’s Why

In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Nic Lamb, professional big-wave surfer and founder and CEO of IceBeanie, to explore how a devastating surfing accident inspired a breakthrough consumer product. After falling from a 70-foot wave in Nazaré, Portugal, Nic suffered a serious concussion and months of migraine headaches. Frustrated with holding bags of ice against his head, he developed IceBeanie—a wearable compression cold-therapy product designed to provide convenient cooling relief. Nic shares how he launched with an imperfect first product, listened closely to customer feedback, and continually improved the design. That process eventually brought IceBeanie to Shark Tank , where Mark Cuban invested in the company. Following the episode, the brand generated nearly seven figures in sales in a single day—but that sudden success also triggered a series of major operational challenges. From a hacked email server and a fulfillment center shut down by a historic storm to walking away from a Walmart offer on Mark Cuban’s advice, Nic explains how resilience, focus, and courage helped him keep the company moving forward. He also reveals why founders should master one product and one sales channel before chasing their next opportunity. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: How a 70-foot-wave accident inspired the creation of IceBeanie Why an imperfect minimum viable product can be the best place to start How customer feedback helped Nic improve the product through seven iterations What Mark Cuban contributed beyond the exposure of Shark Tank Why IceBeanie walked away from a major Walmart opportunity How the company survived a hacked email server and fulfillment shutdown Why founders should focus on one product and one sales channel first How big-wave surfing prepared Nic for the fear and uncertainty of entrepreneurship Why courage is essential when building and scaling a business And so much more! If you’re developing a new product, navigating a business crisis, or struggling to stay focused while scaling, this episode offers an inspiring and practical look at what it takes to keep moving forward when everything seems to go wrong. Want to learn more about Nic and IceBeanie? Visit IceBeanie.com or search for IceBeanie on Amazon. Do you have a brand you’d like to launch or scale? Visit HarvestGrowth.com to book a free consultation and learn how our team has helped launch hundreds of brands that have generated more than $2 billion in revenue.

August 31, 2026Episode 29128 min

She Used 17 Credit Cards to Build a Multimillion-Dollar Supplement Brand

In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Sylvia Ortiz, founder and CEO of MacroLife Naturals, to share how she transformed 250 bottles, 17 credit cards, and an unwavering belief in her product into a business that has generated millions of dollars in revenue. Sylvia’s entrepreneurial journey began during one of the most difficult periods of her life. After losing her mother and husband while facing a serious health crisis within her family, she decided to create MacroGreens—a nutritional greens supplement developed with holistic nutrition expert Dr. Edward Wagner. With no established customers and no traditional bank willing to finance an unfamiliar product category, Sylvia relied on resourcefulness, careful financial planning, and relentless persistence to get started. She explains how chiropractors became her first customers, why product samples helped MacroLife Naturals earn trust, and how she built demand through independent retailers and Whole Foods before approaching major distributors. Sylvia also shares how a professional business plan eventually helped her move beyond credit cards and secure traditional bank financing. Beyond the numbers, this conversation explores the mindset required to survive the difficult early years of entrepreneurship. Sylvia reveals the three principles that guided her journey—persistence, preparation, and positive thinking—and explains why helping people live healthier lives remains more important to her than revenue. If you’re launching a consumer product, building a supplement brand, or trying to grow without outside investors, this episode offers an inspiring look at what can happen when a founder combines a meaningful mission with the determination to keep moving forward. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: How Sylvia launched MacroLife Naturals with only 250 bottles Why she used 17 credit cards to finance the company’s early growth How she found her first customers through an existing professional network Why sampling remained one of MacroLife Naturals’ strongest marketing strategies How building demand with independent retailers opened the door to larger distributors The importance of creating a professional business plan before approaching banks Sylvia’s three principles for overcoming entrepreneurial challenges How personal experiences can create confidence in a product and its mission Why persistence and preparation matter more than having the perfect background How focusing on helping customers can fuel long-term business growth And so much more! Want to connect with Sylvia? Visit MacroLifeNaturals.com to explore MacroGreens, Miracle Reds, and the complete line of MacroLife Naturals products. You can also follow MacroLife Naturals on Facebook and Instagram for weekly health tips. Do you have a brand you’d like to launch or scale? Visit HarvestGrowth.com to book a free consultation and learn how our team has helped launch and grow hundreds of consumer brands, generating more than $2 billion in revenue.

August 26, 2026Episode 29029 min

This Simple Medical Device Solves a Problem Everyone Overlooked

In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Chris and Jason Abboud, co-founders of Pressure on Wounds, to discuss how they developed an entirely new approach to bleeding control—and what it took to bring their patented invention to market. The idea began when a dialysis nurse described having to manually apply pressure to patients’ wounds for at least 15 minutes after treatment. Because these patients are often older, have sensitive skin, and take blood-thinning medications, stopping the bleeding can be especially challenging. Chris, a mechanical engineer and inventor, immediately began developing a bandage that could apply constant, targeted pressure automatically. Chris and Jason share how they tested early prototypes in a dialysis clinic, refined the product through repeated iterations, and solved the challenge of combining textiles, plastic components, gauze, and adhesives into something simple enough for anyone to use. By proving the product in one of the most difficult bleeding-control environments, they created what marketers call a “torture test”—demonstrating that a product capable of solving an extreme problem can also handle more common situations. The conversation also explores the business behind the invention. Chris and Jason explain how live demonstrations at trade shows helped them validate the product, improve their messaging, earn support from experienced first responders and military professionals, and form a strategic partnership with another exhibitor. They also reveal how much work remains after a product is finished—from packaging and product photography to Shopify, Amazon, social media, trade-show materials, and other essential launch assets. If you’re developing an original product, testing a new idea, or preparing to launch a brand, this episode offers valuable lessons about identifying real problems, validating difficult use cases, improving through customer feedback, and building the marketing infrastructure needed to reach the market successfully. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: How a dialysis nurse inspired the creation of Pressure on Wounds Why constant, targeted pressure can be more effective than applying pressure manually How Chris and Jason validated the concept through real-world testing Why testing against the most difficult use case can strengthen your marketing The challenges of combining textiles, plastics, gauze, and adhesives How repeated prototyping helped simplify the final product Why an effective product demonstration can communicate value instantly How trade-show conversations helped refine the brand’s messaging Why fellow exhibitors can become valuable customers and strategic partners The hidden work required between completing an invention and launching it How Harvest Growth helped accelerate the brand’s path to market And so much more! Want to learn more about Pressure on Wounds? Visit PressureOnWounds.com or search for Pressure on Wounds on Amazon to explore its pressure strips, pressure wraps, and first-aid solutions. Do you have a product you’d like to launch or scale? Visit HarvestGrowth.com to book a free consultation and learn how our team has helped launch hundreds of products and generate more than $2 billion in sales.

August 24, 2026Episode 28929 min

How Bivo Grew 70% Through Storytelling, Events, and Retail

In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Carina Hamel, co-founder of Bivo, to reveal how the company transformed a familiar plastic cycling bottle into an innovative stainless steel product—and built a rapidly growing brand around it. Carina shares how Bivo worked with a former NASA engineer to solve one of its biggest product-development challenges: creating a lightweight metal bottle that delivers water quickly without being squeezed. The resulting design gives cyclists cold, clean-tasting water through a simple high-flow system that customers often find easier to use than traditional plastic bottles. Beyond the product, Carina explains how customer feedback shaped Bivo’s messaging, product features, and marketing strategy. Through approximately 70 in-person events across the country, the team discovered an underserved audience of everyday cyclists who care more about enjoying the ride than competing at the highest level. The conversation also explores Bivo’s pivotal transition from push marketing focused on immediate sales to pull marketing built around authentic storytelling. That shift helped increase blog readership by 650% in one year, with approximately one-third of website visitors now engaging with the company’s stories. Carina also breaks down how Bivo expanded into independent retailers, built a network of 35 sales representatives, supported retail staff, protected wholesale relationships, and turned tariff uncertainty into international growth opportunities. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: How Bivo engineered a high-flow stainless steel cycling bottle Why customer feedback can uncover unexpected selling points What in-person events reveal that online analytics cannot How Bivo identified an underserved audience within the cycling industry Why storytelling outperformed product-focused push marketing How Bivo increased its blog readership by 650% The strategy behind building a network of 35 independent sales representatives Why product sampling helps retail employees become brand advocates How to balance direct-to-consumer sales with wholesale partnerships How Bivo responded to tariffs by expanding internationally The brand-building strategy that helped the company grow 70% If you’re developing a consumer product, expanding into retail, or trying to build a more sustainable marketing strategy, this episode offers practical lessons on listening to customers, creating authentic content, and turning product users into passionate advocates. Want to learn more about Bivo? Visit DrinkBivo.com , find Bivo on Amazon, or look for its stainless steel cycling bottles at your local bike shop. Do you have a product you’d like to launch or scale? Visit HarvestGrowth.com to book a free consultation and learn how our team has helped generate over $2 billion in product sales.

August 19, 2026Episode 28842 min

How Pretty Thai 10X’d Amazon Sales Without 10X’ing Ad Spend

In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Robert Strong, co-founder and Head Saucier of Pretty Thai, to uncover how a food truck recipe grew into a successful sauce brand selling more than 5,000 bottles per month on Amazon. Robert shares how Pretty Thai began as an Austin food truck called Pretty Thai for a White Guy, where an unexpected request from a late-night customer inspired Thai nachos that eventually appeared on national television. More importantly, listening closely to customers led Robert and his wife to begin bottling their sauces and later create the Thai peanut sauce that became the number-one product in its Amazon category. The conversation explores how Pretty Thai moved beyond slow eCommerce growth by investing in professional Amazon content, properly optimizing its listings, targeting the right keywords, and carefully balancing paid advertising with organic growth. Robert explains how the brand increased sales from approximately 500 to more than 5,000 bottles per month without increasing its advertising spend at the same rate. Robert also offers an honest look at Amazon Vine, the importance of choosing the right products for review programs, and why Amazon may be more effective than a direct-to-consumer website for certain lower-priced products. Beyond the business strategy, Robert shares the deeply personal story of his son, Palmer, and how that experience gave Pretty Thai a greater purpose. Through the Palmer Nicholas Foundation, Robert and his family support families with children facing serious medical challenges through meals, financial assistance, hospital programs, and meaningful experiences. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: How Pretty Thai evolved from an Austin food truck into a national sauce brand Why listening to customers can reveal your best product opportunities How Robert created Amazon’s number-one Thai peanut sauce The listing content and keyword strategies that helped Pretty Thai grow How the brand increased monthly sales from 500 to more than 5,000 bottles Why Amazon can outperform a Shopify website for lower-priced products How to balance Amazon advertising with profitable organic growth When Amazon Vine can help a product—and when it may hurt How the Palmer Nicholas Foundation supports families in the fight Why a deeper purpose can provide lasting motivation for entrepreneurs If you’re building a consumer product, trying to improve your Amazon sales, or looking for sustainable ways to scale without sacrificing profitability, this episode offers practical lessons from a founder who transformed customer feedback, strategic marketing, and personal purpose into meaningful growth. To learn more about Robert and explore Pretty Thai’s chef-crafted sauces, visit PrettyThaiBrand.com or search for Pretty Thai on Amazon. To learn more about the Palmer Nicholas Foundation or support its work with families facing serious childhood medical challenges, visit PalmerNicholasFoundation.org . Do you have a product you’d like to launch or scale? Visit HarvestGrowth.com to book a free consultation and learn how our team has helped launch and grow hundreds of brands, generating more than $2 billion in product sales.

August 17, 2026Episode 28734 min

How Ecoslay Went From 0 to 1,000 Orders in 15 Days—and Built a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Adria Marshall, founder of Ecoslay, to reveal how an unexpected product idea grew into a multimillion-dollar haircare brand without sacrificing quality, sustainability, or its handmade roots. Ecoslay began when Adria, a software engineer struggling to find the right products for her curly hair, started experimenting with natural ingredients from her local farmers market. After she sent her handmade flaxseed gel to a YouTube creator, the product went viral—taking Ecoslay from zero to 1,000 orders in fewer than 15 days. Adria explains how her engineering background helped her approach product development and business growth as a series of problems to solve. She also shares why she refused to let contract manufacturers change her formulas, how Ecoslay scaled its handmade production, and how its memorable food-inspired product names helped create a cohesive, recognizable brand. The conversation also explores Ecoslay’s multichannel strategy across its direct-to-consumer website, Amazon, wholesale, Google, Meta, SEO, and organic social media. Adria explains how Amazon supports product discovery while the company’s website allows Ecoslay to own its customer relationships, personalize future marketing, and generate repeat purchases through its recycling and rewards programs. Adria also reveals how each advertising platform contributes differently to the business. Amazon consistently generates a return on ad spend above four, Google Search averages around three, and Meta produces a less-direct but important impact on organic traffic, website sales, and Amazon performance. She explains why accurate attribution matters, why retargeting is just as important as prospecting, and why looking only at a platform’s reported ROAS can obscure its true value. Finally, Adria shares the video content that performs best for Ecoslay: concise, product-in-use demonstrations that show the product’s texture, application process, and final results. She also explains why trusted salon professionals are becoming more effective than traditional influencers—and how she protects her personal time through morning routines, scheduled self-care, exercise, faith, and firm boundaries around her weekends. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: How Ecoslay generated 1,000 orders in fewer than 15 days How an engineering mindset can help founders solve business problems Why Adria rejected contract manufacturing and kept production handmade How memorable product names and cohesive branding increase customer connection What Ecoslay has learned by working directly with local farmers How the company’s B Corp values, volunteer work, and community hiring support long-term growth Why Ecoslay treats Amazon as a product-discovery channel How recycling and rewards programs move customers toward the company’s website The different roles of Amazon, Google Search, Meta ads, SEO, and organic social media Why retargeting campaigns are as important as customer-prospecting campaigns How more accurate attribution leads to better advertising decisions Why product demonstrations outperform static advertising Why salon professionals can be more credible than traditional influencers How Adria protects her personal time while leading a team of more than 20 employees If you’re building a consumer product brand, managing multiple sales channels, or trying to scale without compromising what makes your product special, this episode offers practical lessons from a founder who has successfully navigated more than a decade of growth. Want to connect with Adria? Visit Ecoslay.com to explore Ecoslay’s handmade haircare products for wavy, curly, coily, and kinky hair. Do you have a brand you’d like to launch or scale? Visit HarvestGrowth.com to book a free consultation and learn how our team has helped generate over $2 billion in product sales.

August 12, 2026Episode 28631 min

How a Family Maple Syrup Brand Scaled to 18,000 Retail Stores

In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Steve Anderson, president of Anderson’s Maple Syrup, to explore how his family transformed a small farming operation into a nationally distributed brand available in nearly 18,000 retail locations. Founded in 1928, Anderson’s Maple Syrup has remained a family-run business for nearly a century. Steve shares how the company expanded from delivering syrup to local stores in a van to working with major retailers such as Kroger, Albertsons, Safeway, and H-E-B. One of the company’s biggest turning points came when Steve hired a hungry, growth-focused sales broker. Anderson’s was already available in approximately 3,000 to 4,000 stores, but Steve credits this relationship with helping the brand secure roughly 15,000 additional retail locations. He explains why finding the right salesperson, broker, agency, or growth partner can completely change the trajectory of a business. Steve also reveals how Anderson’s differentiated itself in a category where retailers often view competing products as interchangeable. By emphasizing its 100% American-made syrup and using a unique bottling process that preserves freshness and flavor, the company created clear reasons for buyers and consumers to choose its brand. The conversation also explores the operational challenges of running a seasonal business. Steve explains how Anderson’s plans an entire year of inventory around a short maple harvest, maintains trusted relationships with independent producers, and balances supply, cash flow, storage, and demand without running out of product. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: How Anderson’s Maple Syrup grew from a local family operation to nearly 18,000 retail locations The sales relationship that helped the brand secure approximately 15,000 additional stores Why hiring a hungry, growth-focused partner can transform a business How Anderson’s broke into major national grocery chains Why clearly communicating your product’s differentiation is critical How one additional production step created a noticeable advantage in freshness and flavor How Anderson’s plans inventory around a short and unpredictable harvest Why long-term supplier relationships can become a competitive advantage How maple sap travels from the tree to the grocery store shelf Why direct-to-consumer growth requires the right fulfillment infrastructure How NASCAR partnerships became part of the company’s retail sales strategy How a family business preserves its quality and values across multiple generations And so much more! If you’re building a consumer product, pursuing retail distribution, or looking for the right partner to accelerate your growth, this episode offers valuable lessons from a family business that has continued evolving for nearly 100 years. Want to learn more about Steve and Anderson’s Maple Syrup? Visit AndersonsMapleSyrup.com to explore their products and learn more about the company’s story. Do you have a brand you’d like to launch or scale? Visit HarvestGrowth.com to book a free consultation and learn how our team has helped generate over $2 billion in product sales.

August 10, 2026Episode 28532 min

How Product Sampling Grew a Food Brand From 13 to 5,000+ Stores

In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Joan MacIsaac, founder of Effie’s Homemade, to reveal how strategic product sampling, customer feedback, and steady retail expansion helped grow the brand from just 13 stores to more than 5,000 locations. Joan shares how her mother’s traditional Nova Scotia oatcake recipe became the foundation of a nationally distributed food brand. She explains why Effie’s focused on building a distinct product niche, expanding through new flavors, and working with specialty cheese shops before pursuing larger retailers such as Whole Foods and Kroger. The conversation explores why sampling has been one of Effie’s most effective marketing strategies, with 5% to 7% of the company’s production dedicated to samples. Joan explains how sampling not only drives purchases but also creates valuable conversations with customers—revealing the exact language brands should use in their packaging and marketing. Joan also offers an honest look at the challenges of retail distribution, including distributor fees, billbacks, promotional deductions, unsold inventory, and the risks of expanding into too many warehouses too quickly. Her advice is simple: grow organically, review every agreement carefully, and never expect a distributor to market your product for you. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: How Effie’s Homemade grew from 13 stores to more than 5,000 Why product sampling can drive both sales and customer research How customer feedback transformed Effie’s packaging and messaging Why finding a clear niche makes product-line expansion easier How to grow organically through specialty retailers The distributor fees and contract terms every founder should review Why expanding too quickly can leave products expiring in warehouses How online sampling can introduce your brand to new audiences Why brands must work directly with retailers to support sell-through And so much more! If you’re building a food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods brand, this episode offers practical lessons for improving your product marketing, navigating retail distribution, and scaling without losing control of your business. Want to learn more about Joan and Effie’s Homemade? Visit EffiesHomemade.com to explore their full collection of crisp, buttery, lightly sweet biscuits. Do you have a brand you’d like to launch or scale? Visit HarvestGrowth.com to book a free consultation and learn how our team has helped generate more than $2 billion in product sales.

August 5, 2026Episode 28429 min

How to Scale a Mission-Driven Brand Without Sacrificing Profit

In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Angelica Ford, founder of Fueled by AF, to explore how she transformed homemade protein snacks into a growing food brand with a mission extending far beyond the products themselves. Angelica began making high-protein, low-sugar snacks while training for an Ironman. She combined that passion with her experience as an adaptive personal trainer to create Chicago’s first adaptive manufacturing plant, providing meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. But Angelica is clear about one important lesson: you can’t have philanthropy without profitability. She explains why mission-driven companies must maintain high standards, build efficient systems, and grow sustainably if they want to create a lasting impact. Her inclusive workforce has helped make the company 28% more efficient, maintain virtually zero employee turnover, and build a waitlist of 94 people seeking employment. The conversation also explores how Fueled by AF expanded through Amazon and retail, including why certain products perform better online, how convenience stores can offer emerging brands an advantage over crowded grocery aisles, and how networking and accelerator programs helped Angelica add more than 100 retail locations. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: How Angelica turned homemade Ironman snacks into a growing food brand Why profitability is essential for building a sustainable mission-driven business How inclusive hiring made Fueled by AF 28% more efficient Why Angelica maintains the same standards for every employee How better systems can help employees with different abilities succeed Why Fueled by AF waited to launch on Amazon and focused on the right products The key differences between marketing through Amazon and physical retail Why convenience stores can outperform grocery stores for emerging snack brands How networking and accelerator programs helped secure more than 100 retail locations How AF Manufacturing Group helps small food brands move from the kitchen to larger-scale production If you’re building a purpose-driven company, expanding a consumer product brand, or trying to balance meaningful impact with sustainable growth, this episode offers practical guidance for creating a business that can help more people as it becomes more profitable. Want to connect with Angelica? Visit FueledByAFSnacks.com to explore Fueled by AF’s protein bites and premium nut butters. For questions about small-batch food manufacturing, formulation, packaging, or scaling production, contact hello@afmanufacturinggroup.com. Do you have a product you’d like to launch or scale? Visit HarvestGrowth.com to book a free consultation and discover how the Perfect Launch Blueprint can help clarify your audience, messaging, offer, and marketing strategy before you invest heavily in advertising.