This week, I spoke to Salman Azhar, an advisor, co-founder, or investor in over 120 startups. Azhar is heavily involved in the Duke community, serving as a faculty member and Executive in Residence at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, and previously served as the Managing Director of Duke Angel Network

In this episode, I spoke with Gail Jennings about her decades-long journey creating a spice brand, ‘King’s Pepper’ (winner of 2022 Scottie Awards), based on a centuries-old West African recipe. Mainly growing her business during her retirement years, she serves as an inspiration to remind us to follow our passions despite age. First working in the film industry, she started her spice business in the 1980s, went through many ups and downs, and finally reimagined 'King's Pepper' in the 2000s once retiring. 

We discuss everything from emerging food trends and supply chain mishaps, to the influence of family, kids, and retirement on life, personal growth, and happiness.

In this episode, I spoke with Zoey Best on how she opened a non-alcoholic alternative bar based in Durham, North Carolina. Her brand, Da Kine's Kava, sells products made with the psychoactive Kava plant originating from Oceania.

In addition to the challenges of starting a business, we discuss topics such as growing up off the beaten path, pivoting from marine biology to being a business owner, finding work-life balance in entrepreneurship, the history of Kava and misinformation about it, the experience of starting a brand with a significant other, and more.