Prior to creating Hast, Elliot worked as a consultant in marketing and branding for agencies and companies such as FutureBrand, Weber Shandwick & Nivea. Elliot has always had a passion for cooking, industrial design, material science, and engineering. Elliot is also a certified Les Mills instructor, a certified trainer, and a nutrition specialist. 

Charlotte Dales (She/Hers) is the Co-Founder and CEO of Inclusively, the workforce inclusion platform empowering employers with accommodation insights, access, training and the support they need to attract and retain previously hidden talent. Charlotte’s cousin Cameron became the first licensed aesthetician in the state of Florida with Down syndrome and after witnessing Cameron’s career fulfillment, she became passionate about replicating her employment success story for disabled talent and started Inclusively. Before launching Inclusively, Charlotte started her career in finance with Deutsche Bank in London working with trading desks around the world. After five years, she left her bank job and co-founded her first company, CAKE Technologies, a mobile payment and reservation application for restaurants and bars which scaled to over 200 restaurants in London and was acquired by American Express. Charlotte’s experience in technology and startups has allowed Inclusively to provide a new technology solution to drive authentic diversity and inclusion in the workplace–helping employers acquire and retain top talent based on job seekers' needed accommodations to build sustainable livelihoods and careers. Under Charlotte’s leadership, Inclusively is proud to be modernizing recruitment by creating structure and transparency around accommodations, benefitting all job seekers. Charlotte graduated from University of Colorado, Boulder and lives in Richmond, Virginia with her husband, daughter, and son.

Amy Chou Granger is Co-Founder and President of M2U NYC. Prior to launching M2U NYC in 2020, Amy had held Director roles with increasing responsibilities at both L’Oréal USA and later The Estée Lauder Companies. With 15+ years of extensive experience in Marketing, Operations, and Strategic Planning for several CPG and beauty conglomerates, Amy has influenced the strategic direction for powerhouse brands including Kiehl’s, Giorgio Armani Beauty, and Michael Kors Beauty.Amy was born and raised in Taiwan. She came to the U.S. to pursue her graduate degree (Amy holds a Master of Engineering degree from MIT). Growing up in Asia, she was not exposed to makeup since most people in Taiwan didn’t wear makeup until they started working full-time. Her first makeup experience was in her mid 20’s when her friend took her to Macy’s and got her a beauty makeover. She recalls that she could hardly recognize herself in the mirror because it was not her style and she didn’t feel comfortable looking like someone else. Makeup trends are different in all cultures. With the launch of M2U, she wants to empower everyone to formulate their own beauty standards. She wants to give people tools to experiment, have fun and create new routines without feeling guilty about overspending."I launched M2Ü NYC after spending over a decade working at L’Oreal USA and The Estée Lauder Companies. Growing up in Taiwan and coming to the U.S. in my 20s, I realized the makeup trends are different in all cultures, but one thing remains the same, that is, people want to feel comfortable with whatever they choose to put on their skin. My goal as an Asian American founder is to create a price inclusive, ingredient driven makeup brand. I feel strongly that every person should be able to enjoy the benefits of high-quality makeup without stressing over the prices.”– Amy Chou Granger, Co-Founder of M2Ü NYC.

Fernanda Gomes is CEO & Co-founder of award-winning clean beauty nail and skin wellness brand: TERRA Beauty Bars & VIBES Beauty. She is a certified and licensed product formulator & cosmetic manufacturer with over a decade of strategic sales, marketing, operations, project management and Clean Beauty Manufacturing experience. Gomes is a motivator with a thorough understanding of goals, B2B / B2C channels and customer relationships, strategy and company metrics. A US Army Veteran that demonstrates competence and poise in any environment, Gomes is inspired by great work, positive social impact, moving the needle and forging great relationships.From beauty, hospitality, destination, technology to consumer goods, Gomes has successfully formulated, launched and managed brands and projects with an ultimate focus on innovation, meaningful connections, consumer engagement, digital and analog experiences.

Alicia is the President and Co-CEO at AspenClean. AspenClean provides all-natural, chemical-free cleaning services that have revolutionized the cleaning industry and changed the way people clean their homes. It was the first detergent to be certified by the EWG. With over 17 years of experience, Alicia specializes in creating a healthier, green alternative to chemical-based cleaning products and services.

I had the idea of Tandem while I was 4 months pregnant. I was constantly lugging around my water bottle but not actually drinking it. Acutely aware of the benefits of drinking water and staying hydrated but I had a hard time constantly drinking plain water. As an avid consumer of flavored waters and sparkling seltzers,  I was searching for an eco-friendly, healthier option, essentially a drink mix so I could cut down on my packaging. However most of the existing drink mixes either had electrolytes (essentially added salt) which required added sugar and sweeteners. I couldn't believe there wasn't a drink mix that didn't have either out on the market! Hence the idea for Tandem.While Tandem is a better-for-you product, I believed we can also be a better-for-the earth and better-for- community company.My inspiration for Slow Ride Instant Coffee happened much the same way, where I knew there had to be a faster way to make delicious coffee. Slow Ride is on a mission to transport you to the highlands of Vietnam where our beans are meticulously grown and harvested, roasted by master Vietnamese coffee roasters and ready to drink in an instant. We strive to use the freshest ingredients, pay workers a living wage, and be supply chain plastic free and carbon negative by 2022. 

Meet Zac Stern, a young visionary with a keen mind in business and love.Earning a coveted spot at the NYU Stern School of Business was just the beginning of Zac's early success. While still in school, Zac interned at UBS, AIG, Stifel, and Rosecliff Ventures. After realizing that he enjoyed the world of startups, he worked full-time as a VC his Senior year at Stern and was promoted to associate upon graduation in 2020. At the same time, Zac founded an angel investment group with three other friends called O-Ventures, which raised over $1M and funded various top companies within the consumer space. While working as a venture capitalist, Zac got to see Innovation firsthand and realized after seeing the 50th pitch deck for a dating app that the matchmaking market was oversaturated. Still, no one was looking at what came after the match. With an ear toward opportunity and a desire to fill an unmet need, Zac went right to work building an app so everyone could have better relationships. Official was born, a next-generation social media app built to help couples have healthier and happier relationships. After being honest with his employer about moonlighting with his project, Zac was congratulated by being flat-out fired. This proved to be a gift, as Official became his sole focus as of October 2020. After being interviewed by the Mayor of Miami and going viral on TikTok, Official's beta crashed from too many people mobbing the platform. After taking the feedback and putting out an MVP In July, the app once again was overrun with over 85k people signing up for the platform In a week., putting the app at #5 within the US on Apple's Lifestyle Charts. The team raised from top Investors such as Global Founders Capital, Gaingels, and various notable angels, bringing the funding to 750k. After a much-awaited hiatus, Official Is back and Is here to redefine what It means to date, and really, what It means to be Official.

Check out our new Corporate Video:https://www.dropbox.com/s/9vzy683jhkuejex/Final%20DelilahHome_Personal_v03.mp4?dl=0Michael Twer – CEO of Delilah Home | Sustainable Business LeaderMichael Twer is the innovative and passionate CEO behind Delilah Home, a brand dedicated to creating luxurious, sustainable home goods that prioritize both the environment and consumer well-being. With a vision rooted in eco-consciousness, Michael has led the company’s growth through a commitment to high-quality, ethically produced products that make a positive impact.Career and Leadership: Under Michael’s leadership, Delilah Home has become known for its eco-friendly linens, including organic cotton bed sheets, towels, and kitchen textiles, crafted from organic hemp and cotton. Michael’s commitment to sustainability has driven the company to adopt environmentally friendly practices throughout its supply chain, from sourcing materials to manufacturing in Portugal, where ethical labor standards and sustainable production processes are upheld.In addition to Delilah Home’s signature products, Michael spearheaded the development of the Drytek line of high-performance towels, made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. This innovation demonstrates his ability to blend sustainability with functionality, meeting consumer demand for high-quality, eco-friendly alternatives.Major Achievements:Successfully expanded Delilah Home into major retail partnerships with Target, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Perigold, and Amazon, showcasing the brand’s appeal to mainstream consumers seeking sustainable products.Developed the Drytek line of towels, gaining attention for its quick-drying, antimicrobial, and compact design, while maintaining Delilah Home’s commitment to using recycled materials.Launched North America's first Take Back Program for towels, allowing customers to return used Drytek towels for repair, donation, or recycling, furthering Delilah Home’s sustainability mission.Partnered with THEMAGIC5, a Shark Tank company, to create custom swim towel accessories for their customer base, expanding Delilah Home’s presence in the sports and swim markets.Industry Expertise and Background: Michael’s deep expertise in sustainable textiles extends beyond his role at Delilah Home. From 2018 to 2024, he served as the Chairman of the Organic Trade Association Fiber Council, where he helped shape the industry’s standards for organic fiber and textiles. His work in this capacity further cemented his reputation as a leader in the movement towards sustainable, ethical manufacturing practices.Entrepreneurial Spirit and Personal Motivation: Michael’s journey with Delilah Home has not been without challenges. The company faced significant struggles, particularly at the start of 2023, but through his resilience and the support of close communities, Delilah Home turned things around, reaching new heights of success. Michael’s entrepreneurial drive is fueled by his passion for creating products that not only serve consumers but also protect the planet for future generations.Community and Inspiration: The inspiration behind Delilah Home is personal to Michael. The brand is named after Delilah, a golden retriever puppy that Michael rescued, who survived an extraordinary 62 days alone in the North Carolina mountains. Delilah’s survival and spirit of perseverance inspired Michael and the community around him, serving as the heart of the brand’s mission to foster care, resilience, and sustainability in every aspect of life.Looking Ahead: As Delilah Home continues to grow, Michael remains focused on expanding the company’s product lines, with plans to launch new offerings such as Drytek Pet Towels and further develop the brand’s presence in the eco-friendly home goods market. He is also actively seeking opportunities to invest in and collaborate with like-minded businesses that share his passion for sustainability.

As a former agency recruiter with a focus on manufacturing and technology, Jenni Morse is inspired by change and by the trailblazing footsteps of her late father. Jenni realized her dream of product-based entrepreneurship with Simpli Press. From there, Made Simpli was born–offering its flagship product Simpli Press for everyday coffee lovers. She now contributes bliss and and ease to the world from her home in Southern California where she resides with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.

Mitch is a creative and sustainability entrepreneur, consultant, educator, and advocate, who believes that profit and planet can share the bottom line. He has a particular interest in solving the single-use dilemma with a design philosophy rooted in turning the ease of single-use into equally convenient reusable solutions. Mitch has successfully founded and lead Bagito, Returnity, and Revolusation, companies that provide consumers and businesses with smart reusable solutions that reduce carbon and primary resource usage and eliminate trash, while saving customers money and enhancing the customer experience. His passion for eliminating single-use has led him to also create and lead the North American division of RePack, an innovative Finland-based reusable shipping packaging service company. His work re-inventing single-use products and packaging as multi-use solutions has led to two utility patents, several awards and being credited with the creation of the concept and term Reusable-as-a-Service (RaaS). Mitch is also the founder and director of Power2Sustain.org, a K-12 environmental literacy project. Mitch started his working career as an elementary school teacher, principal, district administrator and charter school founder. He has a B.A. in International Relations/Political Science from UCLA, an M.A. in Bilingual Multiple Subject Teaching from San Francisco State, an M.A. from Colombia University in Organizational Psychology, and an M.Ed. from Teachers College Colombia in Education Administration. He lives in Santa Cruz, CA with his partner, practices yoga regularly, likes to cook and build stuff out of wood, and tries to get on his mountain bike whenever possible.

Leigh learned early on that sharing a table unites people: it’s a level playing field for everyone. She treats the kitchen as her playground, creating dishes that cultivate togetherness, joy and love. And her queso, more than any recipe, shares that love.Now, Queso Mama is bringing her beloved queso to everyone—so you can share the love with your friends and family.

Jo's background as a history teacher meant that if she was going to build a business, it would have to be one that worked to make the world a better place - as she always felt that teaching does. Seeing first hand how historical and current disinvestment in her west side Chicago neighborhood had legacy effects on the residents and the economy was the inspiration for a savory business model. Starting with the idea that businesses should build communities, not extract from them, Keep It Savory Salt Co works to ensure that our ingredients support small urban farmers and vendors on Chicago's West Side. Each year since inception, she's found a way to build her list of local growers and grocers to ensure she is keep dollars in her neighborhood as long as possible. Jo's also an avid DIY-er, gardener, cyclist, and lover of food and laughter. Although a very decent cook, Jo admits that her partner is the real home chef and grillmaster. Jo's favorite place is at a dinner party with good friends and a proper cocktail in hand.

Charles Joly is a James Beard Award Winner and lifelong food and beverage professional. The Chicago-native is a certified mixologist who focuses on a balance between the classics and his own seasonal cocktails. With a strong emphasis on knowing the roots of the craft along with a progressive vision for the future, the menus he’s created are a glimpse at mixology in the second golden age of the cocktail.

Andy Nguyen, Co-Founder of MTC Global and Co-Founder and CEO of Rest®, has combined his vast professional business experience as well as deep understanding of the North American consumer to help manufacturers create new online brands for the North American market and beyond.Born in Hong Kong, Nguyen moved to Vancouver, Canada at an early age. He received his Bachelors of Commerce from the University of British Columbia specializing in marketing, logistics and accounting. In 2014 Nguyen moved back to China to experience the incredible growth of the Chinese economy. He has held various positions at large companies including PwC, and co-founded his first company Halloween Craze early on in his career. For six years in Shanghai, he worked in the digital marketing industry helping international brands such as Costa Coffee, LEGO, and HK Disneyland expand their digital footprint in China. He also worked with Chinese brands like Ecovacs to enter international markets.Through Co-Founding MTC and various brands like Rest®, he aims to bring consumers and manufacturers close together to create more robust and consumer-centric products faster and more efficiently.Nguyen lives in Shanghai, China with his family and enjoys cooking, running, traveling and staying on top of the political economy and his favorite North American sports teams. He also appreciates a good DIY project and an entertaining comic.

Tom First launched Culture Pop Soda in June 2020, reinventing what soda should be. Tom co-founded Nantucket Nectars in the 1980s and has spent the last two decades working with emerging beverage brands. He couldn’t ignore the gap in the carbonated soft drink industry any longer and set out to craft a soda that doesn’t skimp on flavor and is just sweet enough. The idea for Culture Pop struck Tom when he tried a sip of his son's mocktail. "I remember the mocktail had sprigs of rosemary with juice, and I'm a beverage guy, so I'm sitting there starring at my son's drink thinking, my gosh, why hasn't anyone done this with a soda?" He knew he was ready to re-enter the ring when he and the founding team unlocked a winning formula by combining organic fruit juices with real, organic herbs & spices to create dynamic, delicious flavors. No need to add the high sugar levels of traditional soda or ultra-sweet substitutes of diet sodas. Culture Pop also contains billions of live probiotics in every can to aid gut health and digestion, which is something Tom is a strong proponent of supporting.

Nate is currently building Revv - the first marketplace for consumers to auction their cars directly to car dealerships.Prior to Revv, he spent 6 years leading & scaling sales teams at BuildingConnected. He was the first non-engineering hire and helped launch multiple product lines within the company, taking them from pre-revenue to multiple millions. He helped grow the team to over 250 people prior to the acquisition by Autodesk in 2019 for $275M.Prior to BuildingConnected, Nate started a company in social commerce for action sports. He also worked in data center acquisitions and development at Digital Realty.Nate lives in New York with his wife, Ellen, and son, Irving. Outside of work he is an avid tennis player, surfer, foodie, and traveler.

Artist Alexa Meade paints on the human body and three-dimensional spaces, creating the illusion that our reality is a two-dimensional painting. As The New York Times describes Alexa’s artwork, “Think of it as a Van Gogh — that is, if one of his paintings were brought to life as a performative protest." Alexa’s art has been exhibited around the world at the Grand Palais in Paris, the Saatchi Gallery in London, the United Nations in New York, Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, and the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC. Her artwork has also been exhibited in space, orbiting the Earth on the history-making SpaceX Inspiration4 mission. She has created interactive installations at Coachella, Cannes Lions, and Art Basel. Alexa painted on the body of Ariana Grande for her iconic “God is a Woman” music video, which has over 350 million views. Her solo show on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills was attended by forty-thousand people throughout its 5-week run. Alexa’s art has been upvoted to the #1 position on the Front Page of Reddit. She has been commissioned by Apple, BMW, and Sony. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Alexa teamed up with LEGO as a Master Builder for their “Rebuild the World” campaign. Collaborating with spacetime researchers, Alexa was the first ever Artist-in-Residence at the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. She has also been Artist-in-Residence at Google, where she worked alongside the engineers advancing Light Field imaging technology. Alexa and her work have been honored with the "Disruptive Innovation Award" from the Tribeca Film Festival. Respected for her thought leadership and non-traditional career path, Alexa has lectured at TED, Stanford, and Princeton. Alexa accepted an invitation to the White House under President Obama. Google Arts & Culture selected Alexa as the face of their “Faces of Frida” campaign, celebrating the legacy of Frida Kahlo and the female artists who are carrying it forward today. InStyle has named Alexa among their "Badass Women." alexameade.com / @alexameadeart

Jeff Call serves as Managing Partner of Bennett Thrasher. He specializes in wealth transfer/estate planning, investment, tax and financial planning for high net worth individuals, entrepreneurs, family business owners and executives. He has significant experience providing financial counsel on income tax, estate and gift tax, investment, insurance, charitable and retirement planning matters. Additionally, Jeff has experience in individual, partnership, S corporation and fiduciary taxation.Prior to joining Bennett Thrasher in 2002, Jeff worked for Arthur Andersen as a Manager in the Private Client Services practice. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and has also earned the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) designation. Additionally, Jeff has passed the Series 65 Uniform Registered Investment Adviser Examination.Jeff has been named to the prestigious Atlanta Magazine Five Star Wealth Manager list for metro Atlanta for eight years. He is a frequent speaker and has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta Business Chronicle, BankRate.com and Accounting Today, and he has written articles for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Business to Business Magazine, Atlanta Business Chronicle, Vistage View and Tax Advisor magazine.

Tasuku Murakami helms the kitchen at Umi, Atlanta’s destination for modern Japanese cuisine. The Michelin-starred chef oversees the menu that unites classic and modern Japanese flavors and has earned Umi accolades from media outlets including The New York Times, Time Out and USA Today. Murakami’s career spans more than 20 years and includes stints in Tokyo, Osaka and Kobe, Japan, as well as Turin, Italy. Murakami came to Umi from New York’s The Lobster Club, a Japanese-style brasserie where he served as executive sushi chef. While in New York, he also was executive sushi chef at the Michelin-starred Tribeca hot spot Sushi Azabu. In Japan, Murakami served as sushi chef at Sushi Kobe in Kobe and Ginza Sushi in Tokyo. In Osaka, he was executive sushi chef and managed nine restaurants for E-ownersfood Inc. and was proprietor for the sushi and Japanese restaurant Dateya, responsible for all areas of the restaurant. Murakami also served as executive chef for Ristorante Tobiko and was sushi chef for Ristorante Arcadia and Tsukiji Sushi Iwa in Turin.

Alexa Meade is a world-renowned artist who invented a style of painting in 3D space that makes the world appear to be a 2D work of art. She is the winner of the “Disruptive Innovation Award” from the Tribeca Film Festival.Alexa has painted immersive art installations in her breakthrough style at Coachella, 29Rooms, Art Basel, and Cannes Lions. She has done collaborations with Ariana Grande, Apple, BMW, and Adidas. A public intellectual, Alexa is a TED speaker, Google Artist-in-Residence, and lectures at Stanford and Princeton.Alexa’s trailblazing NFT art has been auctioned at Sotheby’s, graced billboards from Times Square to Tokyo, and orbited the Earth for three days on a SpaceX rocket. InStyle has named Alexa one of their “Badass Women.”

Meet LiaBorn from her vision, Peppertux Farms continues to grow with her approach to clean living and sustainable manufacturing. She has extensive experience across consumer electronics and automotive before finally taking the leap!'Under her supervision, Peppertux launches numerous high quality products and entered top distributors and retailers around the nation! She is the visionary behind the Peppertux brand and product selection and thrives to keep the brand on the forefront of retail innovation.

A 25-years-in serial entrepreneur, I’ve built, launched, and scaled nearly 70 brands in the last 5ish years as the Chief Builder at JC+CO growth accelerants. Most recently, I acquired the Canadian ethically sustainable kids’ DTC brand, mini mioche, and formalized its position as the best kids clothes on - and for - the planet. We have done this through building partnerships with 1% for the Planet and Climate Neutral Certified, launching our resale marketplace, and producing with true sustainability - not greenwashed sustainability - at the forefront of everything we do.With a methodical approach to hunting for market gaps, I’m delighted by everything from detailed data digging to precise pixel placement, and have a pretty crazy capacity for work. I am all about the pace, and dig the extraordinary magic of making something from nothing. I started my first business at nineteen and sold my second at twenty. I’ve run ventures in consumer products, entertainment, consulting, publishing and advertising, and have always been digitally driven. My award history is heavy with marketing fumes, but I’m most exhilarated by actually doing the work of scaling exceptional, innovative consumer product brands, with the heart of a bootstrappy entrepreneur.I’ve been a business and innovation contributor to numerous publications, and a keynote speaker and panelist at events throughout North America. I’m religious about the Oxford comma, always up for a dark comedy, and still wondering when fetch is going to happen.

Founder and Head Distiller, Kirby Kallas-Lewis, developed a palette and passion for food, wine, and cocktails during his years as an art dealer in Paris, Brussels, New York, and San Francisco. Before finding a passion for distilling, he raised milk goats, created paintings and sculptures while living in Tahiti, worked on Alaskan fishing boats, and ran a gallery in NYC, phew! 

Ayumi Chikamoto, the trailblazing CEO and founder of TokyoTreat, challenges conventional norms in patriarchal Japan. A graduate of Waseda University, Ayumi initially honed her skills at Recruit Co., Ltd, overseeing the planning of a domestic e-commerce business. Inspired by requests from friends abroad for popular Japanese snacks, she founded TokyoTreat in 2015, driven by the global allure of Japanese treats.From humble beginnings on her living room floor, Ayumi's dedication turned TokyoTreat into a sought-after monthly subscription service for Japanese snacks. As a female CEO in a male-dominated industry, she shares her experiences and culture, leading the way for TokyoTreat subscribers worldwide.Beyond her role as a business leader, Ayumi embraces the joys and challenges of motherhood, balancing her role as a working mother of two children. Her journey shows that, even in a society where men typically hold more power, Ayumi is proof that women can succeed as CEOs.

Ayumi Chikamoto, the visionary CEO and founder of TokyoTreat & Sakuraco, is breaking barriers in a still largely patriarchal Japan. In 2015, Ayumi embarked on her journey, sharing beloved Japanese snacks globally through Sakuraco's sister brand, TokyoTreat. However, Ayumi's affinity for the cultural tradition of pairing tea with sweets fueled her desire to explore the deep roots of Japanese snack and afternoon tea culture leading her to create Sakuraco.Ayumi's mission goes beyond mere culinary delights; it bridges the gap between local makers and the global audience, supporting small businesses and fostering cultural exchange. Beyond her role as a business leader, Ayumi embraces the joys and challenges of motherhood, balancing her role as a working mother of two children. Her journey shows that, even in a society where men typically hold more power, Ayumi is proof that women can succeed as CEOs.

As many of you know, Caroline served her first Caramel Cake at my christening in 1982. The power of word of mouth quickly spread the legend of the 7-Layer Caramel Cake across the country and before Mom realized it, she had customers from as far away as Alaska and Hawaii wondering how soon they could get a Caramel Cake! In the beginning, Mom had a baker in South Carolina who would make the cakes, and they would be shipped up on our grandfather's charcoal trucks or picked up during one of our family trips south from Maryland. I remember vividly being in the back of Mom’s car at 4:30 or 5:00 in the morning as we waited to meet the trucks that were carrying the special delivery Caramel Cakes for friends to pick up in Annapolis. Unfortunately, the baker who was helping became ill, and Caroline had to decide whether or not she could continue on with her growing business. As with many questions we have faced throughout the history of Caroline’s Cakes, the answers came from our wonderful customers who kept asking for more cakes! Caroline’s labor of love was a rough start because caramel is so difficult to perfect. I remember coming home from boarding school in the early days of the business and watching in awe as Mom worked and worked to get the icing just right. There were times when it took an hour and a half just to get the icing right for one cake! Despite these hurdles, she was not to be deterred, and her perseverance and dedication to perfection finally conquered and owned the process!After graduating from Hobart College in 2004, I was eager to start my career. I never could have imagined the opportunity that was presented to me when Mom asked if I had an interest in joining the team at Caroline’s Cakes. From the very beginning, I realized how much I would learn from her passion for this business and all of our wonderful customers. Mom instilled in me an appreciation for hard work, creative problem solving, and a love for people. It really is the relationships that we have with our customers that make this business so special, and I am honored to be able to carry on the traditions that Caroline started with her now famous Caramel Cake. Many thanks to all of you for your support over the years. Looking forward to hearing from you soon, and remember, as Caroline always said… “Eat Cake and be happy!”

Dr. Rapaport is a Dermatologist based in Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. He has expertise in non-surgical hair restoration.Dr. Rapaport went to medical school at Emory University in Atlanta Georgia. He has Dermatology Practices in Englewood Cliffs and Old Bridge, New Jersey. He presents seminars on Dermatology and other subjects often. He has practiced Dermatology since 1981.

Eden Laurin is the Co-Founder and CEO of Nyssa, a leading Femtech company whose mission is to bring innovation to women’s healthcare. Her designs have garnered multiple awards, including Amazon’s Force for Good Award, and been named to MoMA’s ‘100 Most Influential Innovations For Women For the Last 100 Years.’ Prior to Nyssa, Eden started The Drinking Fountain, a non-profit that connects brands with communities in need of fresh drinking water. She is a James Beard Award Winner and a former Division 1 NCAA Champion.

Simon Hill, a scientific advisory board member at 38TERA, is a dedicated physiotherapist and nutrition scientist committed to simplifying health and nutrition information. Initially focused on optimal athletic performance, his career path shifted after his father's heart attack, drawing his attention to the role of nutrition in disease prevention. This change led him to earn a Master of Science in Human Nutrition at Deakin University.Simon authored the bestselling book “The Proof is in the Plants,” which advocates a plant-rich diet based on current research. The book debuted as the #1 non-fiction book in Australia, reflecting its significant impact. Additionally, Simon hosts the popular podcast “The Proof,” which has surpassed 40 million listens. The podcast features experts who translate complex research into practical advice on nutrition, sleep, exercise, and relationships. Simon also hosts retreats, teaching attendees how to live a science-based lifestyle that promotes health, happiness, and longevity. Together, his book, podcast, and retreats aim to empower individuals and combat misleading trends in the wellness industry.At 38TERA, Simon collaborates with Dr. Will Bulsiewicz to direct innovation, formulation and science communication. They focus on creating supplements that support a diverse gut microbiome, ensuring these products are easily integrated into daily life for better health through trusted solutions.Through his work with 38TERA, his podcast, and longevity retreats, Simon Hill continues to empower people to live healthier, longer lives by providing reliable, scientifically-backed health and nutrition information.

Hi, I'm Ryan and I'm now a serial entrepreneur. I started Big Bad Decaf with my wife, my former roommate, and our newly found expert roaster. We're on a mission to blow the house down on dull, flavorless decaf. We do this by sourcing the best organically grown beans, ensuring they're naturally decaffeinated, and roasting them to perfection.

Matthew is a film producer who believes that good stories need to be told. He has run several production companies and served as VP of Production and Development for Mili Picture International. He now brings that expertise to operations and fair trade production at Ecodunia.   He joined Ecodunia because the best stories sometimes come to life in the real world. Ecodunia is a good story that has become a great reality.

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Eytan Zias’ career began as a busboy, and he rose through the kitchen ranks in New York City, and then attending culinary school in Arizona. He worked at Craft Bar, Le Cote Basque and Fiamma Osteria in NYC, then moved to Phoenix to help open Fiamma Trattoria at the James Hotel, and stayed to work at Kai, the only 5 Star/5 Diamond property in Arizona. Eytan initially developed an interest in cutlery out of necessity in the kitchen, but quickly found knife-work to be his favorite part of the day, and sharpening to be his way to relax and compose his thoughts. After a ten year cooking career, he opened the Phoenix Knife House in 2007, creating the go-to place for the culinary community and home cooks alike to purchase and learn about knives. In 2014, he relocated to Portland, Oregon with his family and opened a second outpost of Knife House. His two shops contain one of the largest collections of kitchen knives of any independently owned store in the country. During all of this, Eytan was simultaneously pursuing a personal passion for knife making, studying and experimenting with steel properties, blade geometry and traditional forging techniques. He channeled his passion for knives into learning forging techniques and has pursued the art for the last 15 years. With 30 years of experience using, sharpening, selling and making knifes, Eytan is expert in the field. STEELPORT has been the culmination of all of his experience an understanding of the best features a chef would want in their ultimate kitchen tool.“After 25 years of sharpening, using, selling, and making knives, we’ve created the knife that I would want to use for myself.” Eytan Zias, Co-founder and Bladesmith 

As a nutritionist, I've always been fascinated by the connection between what we eat and how we feel. But it wasn't until I faced my own health struggles that I truly understood the transformative power of gut health. Through my journey to overcome my crippling fatigue and autoimmune issues, I discovered that a healthy microbiome is the key to unlocking our body's natural ability to thrive.That's why I founded Goodness Lover—to share this life-changing knowledge with others and provide them with the tools and resources they need to discover the goodness within themselves.We believe that everyone deserves to feel their best, and that starts from the inside out. Join us on this journey to revolutionise your health and well-being, one gut-friendly choice at a time.SARAH OTTOCO-FOUNDER, NUTRITIONIST

A master mixologist and Houston-native, Sean Fitzgerald is passionate about quality cocktails. He started bartending at 18 and soon after, decided to attend EBS (European Bartender School) in Copenhagen to earn a certification in mixology.Sean was always the one to make cocktails at family gatherings and everyone was happy to enjoy the fruits of his labor. He realized that it took so much time to squeeze fresh juice and get the perfect ratio that he wasn't able to spend time enjoying the gatherings he was attending. That's when he started to make batch margaritas to save time. He realized that he could maintain the same quality of the cocktails, while also creating ease of use and the ability to spend time away from the bar. The enthusiasm of everyone who tried his cocktails made him realize that he wanted to spread the wealth and share his mixers with you.Each Elevated Mixer has been carefully crafted and perfected to provide a restaurant-quality cocktail that you can be proud of.