My guest today is Steve Smith, the founder of Tazo Tea, which is arguably the most innovative tea brand in the world. After 22 years in the tea industry building Stash Tea into a nationally recognized brand, Steve sold Stash Tea and started Tazo Tea, making a bet he could reinvent the staid tea category. Steve was so successful that Starbucks bought Tazo Tea five years later for over $8 million. Listen in to hear how he did it, where he got his inspiration, and how he is committed to improving the lives of thousands of people in tea growing communities around the world.

 Tazo Tea founder Steve Smith [27:29m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

My guest today is Grace Welch, the founder of patemm. She is also featured on today’s episode?Ǭ†of?Ǭ†the Oprah Winfrey Show, titled “Mom?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s who Made Millions,” along with Paula Deen and Amsale. Her invention was simple — a round diaper changing pad as opposed to a rectangular one. It?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s hard to believe it hadn?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢t been thought of before. So, let that be a lesson to us all. When we think of a better way to do something, research it and go for it! That is exactly what Grace did. Within?Ǭ†five months of having the idea, she patented it, launched the website, had a thriving business and was meeting with editors of national magazines about her new product. She is a master at public relations. Courteney Cox-Arquette, Gwyneth Paltrow, Brooke Shields and Heidi Klum are just a few of the A-list Celebrity Moms who love her product. And in addition to being on the Oprah Show, she has been featured on The View, as well as in the?Ǭ†Washington Post, the San Francisco Chronicle,?Ǭ†the Boston Globe,?Ǭ†People Magazine, Real Simple, and dozens of other magazines. Tune in to hear how she did it.?Ǭ†

 Patemm founder Grace Welch [22:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Susie Tompkins Buell is one of the most successful women entrepreneurs of all time. She co-founded Esprit, which grew into one of the most recognized global brands with over $800 million in annual sales. From the beginning, Esprit was known for its revolutionary fusion of corporate mission with social responsibility. Gloria Steinem and Earth First! spoke at their corporate functions, employees were given ten hours off each month for volunteer work ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú that translates into three weeks each year, more than many employees get for vacation time. Despite criticism, they were an early sponsor of the AIDS Walk. The Esprit Foundation was created in 1990 to support at-risk youth, AIDS awareness, women?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s issues and the environment. It has since been renamed the Susie Tompkins Buell Foundation but continues to carry the original spirit of innovation and social responsibility by focusing on empowering, educating and promoting leadership among women. Listen in for a glimpse into the mind of this extraordinary woman.

 Susie Tompkins Buell's advice for entrepreneurs [2:27m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 How Susie Tompkins Buell got the idea to start Esprit [3:29m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Focus on socially responsible business [1:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 The importance of allowing entrepreneurs to be flexible and creative [2:23m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 Full interview with Esprit founder Susie Tompkins Buell [23:02m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download