Episodes

Entrepreneurship Shawn Kwek Entrepreneurship Shawn Kwek

S9 Ep39: The Entrepreneur’s Plate: Reimagining Food’s Potential for Sustainability with Ashwin Cheriyan

Balancing convenience, health, and sustainability can be challenging, but Thistle is proving it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, Justine and Ashwin Cheriyan, co-founder and CEO of Thistle, shares how his journey from corporate law to food innovation led to a mission-driven company that delivers delicious, planet-friendly meals. Discover how Thistle blends health, sustainability, and entrepreneurship to make nutritious eating effortless.

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Entrepreneurship Shawn Kwek Entrepreneurship Shawn Kwek

S9 Ep37: Beyond the Basket: The Secret Ingredient to Building a Regenerative Community with Wen-Jay Ying

In an age of impersonal online interactions, the power of face-to-face relationships and supporting local businesses has never been more important. Tune in as Justine and Wen-Jay share insights on traditional and online marketing strategies, operational models, the evolution of the local food movement, overcoming common entrepreneurial challenges, reflections on closing the business, and building community and customer relationships.

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Entrepreneurship Shawn Kwek Entrepreneurship Shawn Kwek

S9 Ep36: The Secret Ingredient to Food Biz Success: A Shared Kitchen with a Side of Networking with Djenaba Johnson-Jones

Djenaba Johnson-Jones, founder of Hudson Kitchen, has built a thriving ecosystem that supports over 60 food businesses, helping them navigate the challenges of the CPG and meal prep industries. In this conversation, Justine and Djenaba dive into the power of shared kitchens, the impact of community-driven growth, and the essential resources that can help food entrepreneurs thrive.

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Entrepreneurship Shawn Kwek Entrepreneurship Shawn Kwek

S9 Ep19: Graze the Day: Sustainable Secrets from a Sixth-Generation Ranching Family with Mandy Schmidt

Healthy soil leads to healthy animals, which in turn leads to nutrient-dense, sustainable food. This cyclical relationship holds the key to a more resilient food system. Mandy Schmidt is a 5th generation rancher at Marin Coast Ranch, where she and her family have been raising grass-fed livestock for over 30 years.




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Entrepreneurship Shawn Kwek Entrepreneurship Shawn Kwek

S9 Ep16: Fabric of Change: Conscious Gifting Meets Sustainable Wrapping with Monica O’Neil and Cindy Estes

Monica O'Neil and Cindy Estes, the co-founders of Rapt GiftWrap, have answered this call with their innovative and eco-friendly solutions. Monica and Cindy have combined their expertise to create a reusable fabric gift wrap that not only reduces waste but also offers a stylish and practical alternative to traditional wrapping paper.



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Entrepreneurship Shawn Kwek Entrepreneurship Shawn Kwek

S9 Ep12: Rethinking the Foundations: Sustainable Alternatives to Traditional Building Products with Gregory Wilson

Many of the building materials we use in our homes and workplaces can pose serious health risks. From toxic chemicals like formaldehyde to hazardous plastics, these materials can negatively impact indoor air quality and overall well-being. Gregory Wilson is a serial entrepreneur and the founder of HempWood®, a company revolutionizing the building industry with its eco-friendly, carbon-negative flooring solutions.

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Entrepreneurship Shawn Kwek Entrepreneurship Shawn Kwek

S9 Ep8: Rethinking the Grain: Regenerative Approach to Sustainable Rice with Caryl Levine and Ken Lee

Rice is the staple food for over half the world's population, providing essential nutrients and sustaining livelihoods. As the co-founders of Lotus Foods, Caryl Levine and Ken Lee have dedicated over three decades to promoting rice biodiversity, empowering smallholder farmers, and championing sustainable agriculture.

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Entrepreneurship Shawn Kwek Entrepreneurship Shawn Kwek

S9 Ep3: Voices from the Field: Grassroots Strategies to Empower Farmers and Ensure Food Security with Rosalinda Guillen

Farming is the backbone of our communities, yet too often, the hard-working men and women who toil in the fields are overlooked and undervalued. Community to Community (C2C), founded by Rosalinda Guillen, is a pioneering organization that empowers farm workers and immigrant communities to lead the charge in building a more sustainable, equitable, and community-driven food system.


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