This week, I sat down with Alex Ferzan, co-founder of Manojo Mezcal and founder of ZADDY, creative agitator, and the definition of a career shapeshifter, from the late-90s punk scene to managing bands, to building culture-shifting brands that go way beyond hype.

We get into the real story behind how someone who once toured with hardcore bands ended up helping create some of the most irreverent, unforgettable brand voices in the last decade. Alex breaks down the chaos, luck, timing, and intuition behind building businesses that actually hit, including the wild early days of BABE Wine and what it really takes to create a brand with momentum (hint: it’s not perfection, it’s punk energy).

We talk scrappiness, culture-making, why marketing is “bullshit” but also the whole game, and how to know when you’ve hit that strategic moment where a brand is ready for its next level. Plus, Alex shares the story behind Manojo Mezcal; from Oaxacan lore to thoughtful design decisions, to partnering with world-renowned chef Enrique Olvera to build something that stays true to place, people, and craft.

If you're building a brand, dreaming about your next product, or trying to figure out how the hell to make noise in a crowded space, this episode is stacked with insight you can actually apply.

Tune in for stories about creative risk, real brand building, entrepreneurship that doesn’t look like a LinkedIn post, and why the best ideas usually start with a little chaos.

📲 Follow Alex:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderferzan/

📲 Check out Manojo Mezcal:

Website: https://manojomezcal.com/

📲 Check out ZADDY:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zaddy-llc/

Website: https://www.zaddy.net/

👋 Enjoying Above the Fold?

Keep the insights coming by subscribing to my newsletter, Sunday Postcards. Each week, I share tips, stories, and strategies that help you unlock the secrets to brand success. Written from my experience in the marketing world, it’s your go-to source for staying ahead of the curve. Subscribe at www.sundaypostcards.co and join the community!

Connect with Jess on:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-cervellon

Twitter: x.com/jesscervellon

Instagram: instagram.com/jess.cervellon

This week, I sat down with Patrick Coyne, founder and chief executive of Laoban Dumplings, for a conversation that reminds you why some brands just hit differently. From teaching English in China to running dumpling shops in D.C. to building one of the most exciting frozen food brands in the country, Patrick’s journey is proof that authenticity travels, even into the freezer aisle.

We get into how Laoban went from brick and mortar to CPG during the pandemic, with Patrick and his team hand-packing dumplings and delivering them to local stores, often with the brand’s mascot, Rollie the Chief Dough Officer, riding shotgun and controlling the music.

Patrick breaks down his philosophy on hospitality and why frozen food deserves the same level of care as a restaurant experience. From packaging and cooking instructions to emotional branding and clarity of communication, every detail is intentional. He also shares how the team uses kids’ reactions to Rollie, retailer feedback, and product testing to shape the future of the brand.

We talked about the whitespace in frozen Asian food, why the category has not evolved in decades, and how Laoban plans to change that with items like scallion pancakes, Taiwanese popcorn chicken, bao, and of course dumplings. Patrick also opens up about hard decisions, like pulling a product launch from Whole Foods until it met their standards — a choice that led to an even stronger partnership and their successful bao rollout.

If you love brand building, hospitality, food culture, or founder stories that do not take themselves too seriously, this episode is full of heart, honesty, and plenty of Rollie energy.

📲 Follow Patrick:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-patrick-coyne/

📲 Check out Laoban:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/laoban-dumplings/

Website: https://laobandumplings.com/

👋 Enjoying Above the Fold?

Keep the insights coming by subscribing to my newsletter, Sunday Postcards. Each week, I share tips, stories, and strategies that help you unlock the secrets to brand success. Written from my experience in the marketing world, it’s your go-to source for staying ahead of the curve. Subscribe at www.sundaypostcards.co and join the community!

Connect with Jess on:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-cervellon

Twitter: x.com/jesscervellon

Instagram: instagram.com/jess.cervellon

This week, I sat down with Erin Meskers, Director of Brand at Brami, to talk about what it really means to build a food brand people feel connected to, not just buy from.

We cover brand building, community, and the kind of marketing that makes people slow down and care. Erin shares how her work at Supergoop, Aviva, and Cadence shaped her approach to storytelling, and how those lessons now guide Brami’s mission to bring Italy’s food culture to the U.S.

We get into everything from educating customers about lupini beans and building loyalty through authenticity, to launching at Costco and learning how to scale without losing soul. Plus, Erin opens up about her journey across brand, growth, and retail, and why empathy, curiosity, and care are at the center of every campaign she leads.

If you’re in the business of brand storytelling, community, or CPG growth, this episode will remind you that real connection always wins.

Listen now for insight on marketing, brand experience, and what it takes to create a lifestyle around your product, one that’s built on purpose, not pressure.

Brami is currently hosting community events across the U.S., in New York, Seattle, Chicago, San Diego, and Atlanta.

If you live in one of these cities, DM Erin or Brami to join one of their upcoming experiences.

📲 Follow Erin:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinmeskers/

📲 Check out Brami:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brami/

Website: https://enjoybrami.com/

👋 Enjoying Above the Fold?

Keep the insights coming by subscribing to my newsletter, Sunday Postcards. Each week, I share tips, stories, and strategies that help you unlock the secrets to brand success. Written from my experience in the marketing world, it’s your go-to source for staying ahead of the curve. Subscribe at www.sundaypostcards.co and join the community!

Connect with Jess on:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jess-cervellon

Twitter: x.com/jesscervellon

Instagram: instagram.com/jess.cervellon