On today’s episode, we welcome Allyson Mandelbaum, Founder & CEO of Shady Lady — a women’s hat brand redefining fit, function, and confidence by designing hats specifically made for women. After spending over 20 years as a reality TV producer, Allyson made a bold career pivot at 40 to solve a problem she personally experienced: hats simply didn’t fit women properly. What started as a frustration turned into a mission-driven brand focused on better design, comfort, and helping women feel confident in what they wear.
In this episode, Allyson shares what it’s like to start over later in your career, how she validated a product idea with no prior experience in fashion or business, and the lessons she learned from expanding too quickly early on. We also talk about why “unisex” design often misses the mark, how to build a brand around a specific unmet need, and the importance of staying focused on your core product. Plus, Allyson opens up about balancing entrepreneurship with family life, trusting your instincts, and why it’s never too late to build something meaningful. A must-listen for founders, career pivoters, and anyone looking to turn a simple idea into a powerful brand.

Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, which is now in the Top 1% of Entrepreneur podcasts in the world? Let me know by contacting me at karagoldin@gmail.com. You can also find me @‌KaraGoldin on all networks.

To learn more about Allyson Mandelbaum and Shady Lady:
https://www.shopshadylady.com
https://www.instagram.com/shop_shadylady/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/allyson-mandelbaum-13322977/
https://www.facebook.com/p/Shady-Lady-100047634133154/

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Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/835

On today’s episode, we welcome Melisse Shaban, CEO of Aramore — a longevity science company redefining how we approach aging through cellular health. With decades of experience building and scaling science-driven brands, Melisse is now leading Aramore at the intersection of biotech, skincare, and supplements, with a mission to move beyond surface-level beauty and address aging at its source.
In this episode, Melisse breaks down the science behind NAD+ and why it’s becoming such a powerful conversation in both wellness and skincare. She shares what most people misunderstand about aging, how to separate real innovation from marketing hype, and why the future of skincare lies in supporting how our cells function—not just how our skin looks. We also dive into what it takes to bring complex science to consumers in a clear and trustworthy way, how Aramore is approaching both topical and internal solutions, and what’s next for the longevity category.
A must-listen for founders, operators, and anyone curious about the future of beauty, wellness, and aging—and how science is reshaping all three.

Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, which is now in the Top 1% of Entrepreneur podcasts in the world? Let me know by contacting me at karagoldin@gmail.com. You can also find me @‌KaraGoldin on all networks.

To learn more about Melisse Shaban and Aramore:
https://www.aramore.com
https://www.instagram.com/aramoreskincare/
https://www.instagram.com/melisseshaban/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisse-shaban/

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LinkedIn Jobs - Head to LinkedIn.com/KaraGoldin to post your job for free.

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Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/834

Can one personal frustration — and a simple question — actually lead to changing an entire industry standard?
On today’s episode, we welcome Bryan Boches, CEO and Co-Founder of Safe Catch — the only seafood company in the world that tests every single fish for mercury. What started as a deeply personal moment — when Bryan’s pregnant wife was told to eliminate tuna from her diet due to mercury concerns — quickly turned into a much bigger realization: why wasn’t anyone solving this problem at scale?
Instead of accepting the status quo, Bryan set out to fix it. After developing breakthrough proprietary technology capable of screening every fish for mercury, he approached major seafood companies — and was met with resistance. So he did what great founders do: he built his own brand. Today, Safe Catch is in over 19,000 retail locations, setting a new benchmark for transparency, safety, and accountability in seafood.
In this episode, Bryan shares what it really takes to challenge a legacy industry, the uphill battle of introducing higher standards into an established supply chain, and why incumbents often resist meaningful change. We discuss the science behind mercury testing, how to educate consumers without creating fear, and what it means to build trust in a category where transparency hasn’t always been the norm. Bryan also opens up about the realities of scaling a mission-driven business, navigating retailer relationships, and staying committed when others won’t follow.
If you’re interested in building with purpose, disrupting entrenched industries, or turning a personal problem into a scalable solution — this episode is for you. Tune in now on The Kara Goldin Show.

Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, which is now in the Top 1% of Entrepreneur podcasts in the world? Let me know by contacting me at karagoldin@gmail.com. You can also find me @‌KaraGoldin on all networks.

To learn more about Bryan Boches and Safe Catch:
https://www.safecatch.com/
https://www.instagram.com/safecatchfoods/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanboches/

Sponsored By:

LinkedIn Jobs - Head to LinkedIn.com/KaraGoldin to post your job for free.

AT&T Business - Switch to AT&T Business at business.att.com

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Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/833