Gardyn: FX Rouxel

After building a career in AI and tech, FX Rouxel set out to solve a massive problem: how to grow real food at home—without soil, land, or waste. He launched Gardyn, a direct-to-consumer hydroponic system that lets anyone grow fresh produce indoors with minimal effort and zero green thumb. Since launch, Gardyn users have grown over 3.5 million pounds of food, saved 60 million gallons of water, and eliminated 1.9 million pounds of food waste—all from their own kitchens. In this episode, FX shares how he turned a simple idea into one of the most innovative companies in home agriculture—and how technology can actually bring us closer to nature, not further from it. Make sure to check out Garden at: https://mygardyn.com   Check out my new book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kRKGTX Sign up for Starting Small University to join our interviews LIVE and ask questions: https://startingsmallmedia.org/startingsmalluniversity Visit Starting Small Media: https://startingsmallmedia.org/ Subscribe to exclusive Starting Small emails: https://startingsmallmedia.org/newsletter-signup   Follow Starting Small: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingsmallpod/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Startingsmallpod/?modal=admin_todo_tour LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/cameronnagle

Co-founders Karl Pfluger, Paul Anderson, and Arlyn Davich teamed up with actor Cole Hauser to acquire a 25-year-old roastery in San Angelo, TX. Since launching in October 2023, they’ve served 250,000+ customers, claimed 10,000+ five-star reviews, and donated over 60,000 cups to veterans, first responders, teachers, and nurses. By September 2024, they secured their first national rollout, appearing in 1,700+ Walmart stores, and partnered on a custom “Cowboy Coffee Kit” with Stetson. In 2025, they added seasoned retail and brand leaders to the team to scale their omni‑channel presence. In this episode, they go deep on how they built a premium, purpose-driven American coffee brand in less than two years—and why serving those who serve remains their north star. Make sure to check out Free Rein Coffee at: https://freereincoffee.com/   Check out my new book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kRKGTX Sign up for Starting Small University to join our interviews LIVE and ask questions: https://startingsmallmedia.org/startingsmalluniversity Visit Starting Small Media: https://startingsmallmedia.org/ Subscribe to exclusive Starting Small emails: https://startingsmallmedia.org/newsletter-signup   Follow Starting Small: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingsmallpod/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Startingsmallpod/?modal=admin_todo_tour LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/cameronnagle  

After 22 years at Bose, N.B. Patil left with the IP behind their discontinued Sleepbuds—and turned it into the most funded sleep product in Indiegogo history. He co-founded Ozlo with no brand, no marketing engine, and no team—just conviction that this product still had life. They raised $10M, shipped to 40+ countries, won Best of CES, and built a loyal customer base that actively shapes the product. This is how a former engineer brought a dead product back to life—and built one of the most trusted names in sleep tech. Make sure to check out Ozlo at: https://ozlosleep.com/   Check out my new book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kRKGTX Sign up for Starting Small University to join our interviews LIVE and ask questions: https://startingsmallmedia.org/startingsmalluniversity Visit Starting Small Media: https://startingsmallmedia.org/ Subscribe to exclusive Starting Small emails: https://startingsmallmedia.org/newsletter-signup   Follow Starting Small: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingsmallpod/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Startingsmallpod/?modal=admin_todo_tour LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/cameronnagle  

In this episode, I'm joined by Cameron Forbes of Forbes Functions, a full-service event planning agency known for creating stylish, story-driven events for top brands, creators, and private clientsCameron launched Forbes Functions during the pandemic as a creative side hustle while working in finance. Now 26, she’s become one of the most in-demand event producers in the luxury space, known for designing modern, editorial-style experiences. In the past year alone, her company has seen a 250% YOY revenue increase, with 40–50 events annually and multiple six-figure projects on the calendar for 2025.  Cameron’s eye for strategy extends to social, where Forbes Functions has grown 173.7% across Instagram and TikTok thanks to behind-the-scenes storytelling and a founder-led POV. With a 30% repeat client rate and a presence in NYC, the Hamptons, and Florida, Cameron is the go-to for clients who want events that are both personal and photogenic. She also leads an all-women under-30 team, fostering a mentorship-first culture. Make sure to check out Forbes Functions: https://www.forbesfunctions.com/   Check out my new book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kRKGTX Sign up for Starting Small University to join our interviews LIVE and ask questions: https://startingsmallmedia.org/startingsmalluniversity Visit Starting Small Media: https://startingsmallmedia.org/ Subscribe to exclusive Starting Small emails: https://startingsmallmedia.org/newsletter-signup   Follow Starting Small: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingsmallpod/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Startingsmallpod/?modal=admin_todo_tour LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/cameronnagle  

Emily Hosie spent over a decade inside some of the biggest names in off-price retail—Saks Off 5th, Holt Renfrew, and TJX—before launching REBEL, the first curated marketplace for open-box baby and home goods. After a year of being turned away by brands unwilling to admit the waste, REBEL secured major partners—and then a defining moment came. Bed Bath & Beyond and buybuy BABY filed for bankruptcy, and REBEL was tapped to process the returns. Overnight, volume surged and the tech had to scale fast. Today, REBEL processes 70,000 SKUs a week and operates a 300,000 sq. ft. facility in North Carolina. They’ve saved over 25 million pounds of product from landfill—all while becoming a go-to platform for Gen Z and millennial consumers looking for trusted brands at up to 50% off. Make sure to check out REBEL: https://fromrebel.com   Check out my new book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kRKGTX Sign up for Starting Small University to join our interviews LIVE and ask questions: https://startingsmallmedia.org/startingsmalluniversity Visit Starting Small Media: https://startingsmallmedia.org/ Subscribe to exclusive Starting Small emails: https://startingsmallmedia.org/newsletter-signup   Follow Starting Small: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingsmallpod/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Startingsmallpod/?modal=admin_todo_tour LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/cameronnagle  

Mike Lombardo didn’t come from food and bev. He was a college student, Army National Guard soldier, and drummer chasing big ideas. But when his high school swim teammate Kayvon began managing ulcerative colitis by mixing prebiotic tea, everything changed. The two co-founders started bottling it out of a brewery in New Jersey—selling to one Whole Foods, cold-brewing by hand, and making just $18K in their first year. Then COVID hit, and they scrapped everything. In 2021, they relaunched as Halfday: a better-for-you iced tea with 3–5g of sugar, 8g of prebiotic fiber, and branding that reimagined the Arizona and Snapple classics they grew up on. They pitched their first retail account from a hospital bed, filled their first PO with 60,000 cans in six weeks, and packed boxes themselves to make it happen. One press article brought in $10K in DTC sales overnight. Now, Halfday is stocked nationwide, building a brand that stands out in one of the most competitive categories in CPG. Make sure to check out Halfday: https://drinkhalfday.com/   Check out my new book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kRKGTX Sign up for Starting Small University to join our interviews LIVE and ask questions: https://startingsmallmedia.org/startingsmalluniversity Visit Starting Small Media: https://startingsmallmedia.org/ Subscribe to exclusive Starting Small emails: https://startingsmallmedia.org/newsletter-signup   Follow Starting Small: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingsmallpod/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Startingsmallpod/?modal=admin_todo_tour LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/cameronnagle  

Berk Bahceci left a career in antitrust law in Washington, D.C., to build something deeply personal. Born in Turkey and raised around olive groves, Berk saw a massive blind spot in the U.S. market: despite being one of the top producers in the world, Turkish olive oil had no brand recognition on American shelves. So, he built one from scratch. In this episode, Berk shares how he vertically integrated Heraclea—from grove to bottle—and became the world’s first Fair Trade certified olive oil company. We talk sourcing, scaling without a single customer, and why flavored oils like garlic and lemon are flying off shelves. Make sure to check out Heraclea: https://heraclea.co   Check out my new book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kRKGTX Sign up for Starting Small University to join our interviews LIVE and ask questions: https://startingsmallmedia.org/startingsmalluniversity Visit Starting Small Media: https://startingsmallmedia.org/ Subscribe to exclusive Starting Small emails: https://startingsmallmedia.org/newsletter-signup   Follow Starting Small: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingsmallpod/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Startingsmallpod/?modal=admin_todo_tour LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/cameronnagle  

From a nearly $50k debt to a multi-million dollar company, Blake Garrett, founder of Aceable, didn’t follow the usual path. In this episode, Blake shares how his background in accounting and ERP consulting led him to create Aceable, a company that’s reshaping how we learn essential skills like driving and real estate licensing. What began with a simple idea—gamifying education—has grown into a must-have tool for millions across the U.S. Make sure to check out Aceable: https://www.aceable.com/   Check out my new book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kRKGTX Sign up for Starting Small University to join our interviews LIVE and ask questions: https://startingsmallmedia.org/startingsmalluniversity Visit Starting Small Media: https://startingsmallmedia.org/ Subscribe to exclusive Starting Small emails: https://startingsmallmedia.org/newsletter-signup   Follow Starting Small: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingsmallpod/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Startingsmallpod/?modal=admin_todo_tour LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/cameronnagle  

In this episode of Starting Small, we’re joined by JW Wiseman, founder of Curious Elixirs, a booze-free craft cocktail company that’s changing the way people think about non-alcoholic drinks. JW started Curious Elixirs in 2015 while running a marketing agency, driven by a personal desire for complex cocktails without the hangover. He talks about how his fascination with cocktails and his experience in hospitality led him to create a line of drinks infused with adaptogens and designed to provide the same bold, adventurous flavors as traditional cocktails. From bootstrapping the brand to achieving over $47 million in revenue, JW shares the journey of building a product in the growing sober-curious market and the challenges of growing without outside investors. Make sure to check out Curious Elixirs: https://curiouselixirs.com   Check out my new book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kRKGTX Sign up for Starting Small University to join our interviews LIVE and ask questions: https://startingsmallmedia.org/startingsmalluniversity Visit Starting Small Media: https://startingsmallmedia.org/ Subscribe to exclusive Starting Small emails: https://startingsmallmedia.org/newsletter-signup   Follow Starting Small: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingsmallpod/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Startingsmallpod/?modal=admin_todo_tour LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/cameronnagle  

In this episode of Starting Small, we’re joined by Charlie Weisman, founder of Staff, a brand that's redefining the most overlooked items in our homes. Staff started with a plunger—yes, a plunger—designed to be bold, colorful, and functional, a far cry from the bland utility items most of us keep hidden away. Charlie takes us back to the initial spark of inspiration during the pandemic, when he looked at his bathroom plunger and thought, "Why can’t everyday essentials be fun and playful?" Charlie shares his process of bringing this vision to life, from early sketches and prototypes to finding the right manufacturers. He walks through the challenges of launching a product in a highly competitive market with no VC backing, using organic press and social buzz to build momentum. Make sure to check out Staff: https://meetyourstaff.co   Check out my new book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4kRKGTX Sign up for Starting Small University to join our interviews LIVE and ask questions: https://startingsmallmedia.org/startingsmalluniversity Visit Starting Small Media: https://startingsmallmedia.org/ Subscribe to exclusive Starting Small emails: https://startingsmallmedia.org/newsletter-signup   Follow Starting Small: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startingsmallpod/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Startingsmallpod/?modal=admin_todo_tour LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/cameronnagle   Thank you to this episodes mid-break sponsor, Galastellar. Looking to elevate your space with lighting that makes a statement? GalaStellar offers a curated collection of luxury indoor lighting—from elegant chandeliers to sleek pendant lamps and modern wall fixtures. Their designs are perfect for transforming your home or venue into something extraordinary. I've personally used their pendant bar light as a statement piece and have been impressed with their quality and service. If you're in the market for lighting that blends style with sophistication, check out GalaStellar.com.