The Kara Goldin Show

823 Kahh Spence: Founder & CEO of Samir Grey

On today’s episode, we welcome Kahh Spence, Founder and CEO of Samir Grey — a luxury fragrance and personal care brand rooted in family, legacy, and emotional connection. After more than a decade shaping culture as a celebrity hairstylist and image architect for artists including Cardi B, Kelly Rowland, Normani, and Victoria Monét, Kahh stepped into a new chapter: building a brand of his own grounded in storytelling, representation, and self-expression. Samir Grey was born from something deeply personal. Inspired by the women who raised him, the brand redefines modern luxury as an accessible act of self-love — offering clean, vegan, cruelty-free fragrance and essentials designed to feel intimate, grounding, and enduring. What began as a creative vision evolved into a mission-driven company that uses scent as a tool for memory, identity, and empowerment — expanding beauty beyond aesthetics into emotional ritual. In this episode, Kahh shares what it takes to move from creative collaborator to founder and CEO, how to translate personal legacy into product, and why leading with authenticity matters more than ever in today’s beauty landscape. We discuss representation, building inclusive brands without performative messaging, navigating doubt as a first-time founder, and redefining success through impact and cultural resonance. A powerful conversation for creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone ready to build boldly from their own story.   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 Kahh Spence and Samir Grey:https://samirgrey.co/https://www.instagram.com/samirgrey.co/https://www.instagram.com/kahhspence/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kahhspence/   Sponsored By: AT&T Business - Switch to AT&T Business at business.att.com QUO - Try QUO for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to Quo.com/karagoldin Square - Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/karagoldin   Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/823

822 Meredith Mills-Merritt: Founder & CEO of The Original Southside

On today’s episode, we welcome Meredith Mills-Merritt, Founder and CEO of The Original Southside — the premium gin-based ready-to-drink cocktail brand redefining what “clean” and “craft” mean in the spirits industry. Inspired by her mom Leah’s beloved gin, lemonade, and mint summer cooler, Meredith transformed a nostalgic family recipe into a fast-growing national brand. With a background in prestige beauty, she approached beverage the way few founders do — with precision around formulation, ingredient transparency, and sensory experience. The result is a 10% ABV cocktail made with certified organic, vegan, gluten-free ingredients, sweetened with 100% sugarcane, and crafted with a proprietary gin distilled in Vermont. Since launching in 2024, The Original Southside has expanded into 20+ markets and landed at retailers like Whole Foods and Total Wine — all while building a bold, vintage-meets-modern brand identity that stands out on shelf and at major cultural events. In this episode, Meredith shares what it takes to break into a heavily regulated, traditionally male-dominated industry, how she defines “premium” in today’s ingredient-conscious world, and the lessons she’s learned scaling quickly without compromising quality. From retail strategy to brand storytelling to mindful drinking, this conversation is a masterclass in turning personal inspiration into a polished, high-growth consumer brand. If you’re interested in the future of mindful drinking, building mission-driven companies, or how founders successfully reinvent themselves, 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 Meredith Mills-Merritt and The Original Southside:https://www.drinksouthsides.comhttps://www.instagram.com/drinksouthsides/https://www.instagram.com/meredithleahmerritt/https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredithleahmills/https://www.linkedin.com/company/theoriginalsouthside/   Sponsored By: AT&T Business - Switch to AT&T Business at business.att.com RULA - Go to Rula.com/KARAGOLDIN for convenient therapy that’s covered by insurance.   Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/822

821 Lauren Stephens: Co-Founder of Dudley Stephens

On today’s episode, we welcome Lauren Stephens, Co-Founder of Dudley Stephens — the cult-favorite apparel brand redefining everyday essentials and making the turtleneck cool again. What began as a reimagined fleece silhouette has grown into a beloved, functional-yet-fashionable brand known for timeless design, versatility, and effortless polish. In this conversation, Lauren shares how focusing on one iconic piece helped build a loyal following, why simplicity can be a powerful differentiator in a crowded fashion market, and what it takes to scale thoughtfully without chasing trends. We talk about building a brand with family, balancing function and fashion, creating wardrobe staples that last, and how intentional storytelling can turn a single product into a movement. A thoughtful episode for founders, creatives, and anyone building something meant to stand the test of time.   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 Lauren Stephens and Dudley Stephens:https://www.dudleystephens.comhttps://www.instagram.com/laurendudleystephens/https://www.instagram.com/dudleystephens/https://www.linkedin.com/company/dudley-stephens/   Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/821

820 Andy Freed: Author of Lead Like the Boss

On today’s episode, Kara welcomes Andy Freed, author of the new book Lead Like the Boss. With more than 30 years of experience leading organizations through growth and transformation, Andy has built his career around a powerful belief: communication isn’t just part of leadership — it is leadership. From coaching CEOs to guiding global coalitions — and serving as Chairman of the Board at Virtual, Inc. — Andy has seen firsthand that strategy succeeds or fails based on how well leaders communicate. In Lead Like the Boss, Andy challenges leaders to rethink how they show up in moments that matter. Drawing inspiration from Bruce Springsteen concerts and decades of executive experience, he introduces practical tools like the “Think, Feel, Do” framework — three questions every leader should answer before any meeting, presentation, or major change initiative. The book reframes leadership as performance — not in a theatrical sense, but in the intentional preparation, sequencing, and presence that shape how messages land. In this episode, Andy shares why leaders underestimate the communication risk of change, how different “flavors” of change require different messaging strategies, and why technology has made communication easier — but often less effective. We discuss the power of recognition, the importance of planning communication like a setlist, and how small, intentional interactions can dramatically shift engagement and alignment inside organizations. Whether you’re leading a company, managing a team, or simply trying to show up with more clarity and impact, this conversation offers actionable insight into how communication can elevate performance at every level. Don’t miss it!   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 Andy Freed and Lead Like the Boss:https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfreed/https://www.instagram.com/afreed29/   Sponsored By: AT&T Business - Switch to AT&T Business at business.att.com Quince - Go to Quince.com/karagoldin for free shipping and 365-day returns Gruns - Save up to 52% off with code GOLDIN at Gruns.co   Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/820

819 Bobby Bitton: Co-Founder & CEO of O Positiv Health

On today’s episode, we welcome Bobby Bitton, Co-Founder & CEO of O Positiv Health — the women’s wellness brand on a mission to turn taboo into mainstream conversation. Inspired by his sister’s struggle with severe PMS and backed by his training as a Stanford nutritionist, Bobby helped launch the first-ever PMS gummy and build what is now the #1 women’s health brand on Amazon, with over 25 million bottles sold. In our conversation, Bobby shares how O Positiv scaled from a bold DTC idea into a national retail powerhouse, why humor and authenticity can coexist with science and credibility, and what it takes to build trust in historically overlooked health categories. We also discuss the role of education and data in shaping modern health brands, sibling dynamics in business, and how tackling stigma can unlock both cultural and commercial impact. A powerful episode for founders, operators, and anyone passionate about building brands that truly serve.   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 Bobby Bitton and O Positiv Health:https://www.opositiv.comhttps://www.instagram.com/opositiv/https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbybitton/   Sponsored By: OneSkin - Try OneSkin with 15% off using code KARAGOLDIN at oneskin.co/KARAGOLDIN Bombas - Go to Bombas.com/KARA and use code KARA for 20% off your first purchase   Check out our website to view this episode’s show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/819