Meet the Founders: Louis-Pascal Walsh and Frederick 'Flick' Mooradian of Tequio

What makes a truly exceptional tequila soda? For Louis-Pascal and Frederick, the answer lies in authenticity, starting with the source. That's why they partnered with Guillermo 'Willy' Bañuelos, a third-generation Tequilero whose passion for tradition and flavor infuses every can of Tequio.

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Meet the Founder: Manny Ferreira of Manny’s Ultimate Mixes

What makes a Bloody Mary truly unforgettable? For Manny, the passionate founder of Manny's Ultimate Mixes, the answer lies in a blend of tradition and a touch of mystery.

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Meet the Founders: Daphne Hedley and Diane Wong of Mekhala

Meet Mekhala: a brand built on passion, courage, and the determination of three women. Though they faced the heartbreaking loss of their co-founder Jang, sisters Daphne and Diane are carrying on their shared mission.

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Meet the Founder: Loren Brill Castle of Sweet Loren’s

Sweet Loren’s is inspired by a story of survival. After battling cancer in her early 20s, Loren realized the importance of healthy eating—but she certainly wasn't about to give up her love of sweets! In addition to being vegan and gluten-free, each batch of Sweet Loren’s cookie dough is made entirely from scratch using her own recipes.

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Meet the Founders: Paul Bertolli and Tom Garrity of Fra’ Mani

Say buongiorno to Fra’ Mani! Specializing in Old World Italian sausages, Berkeley-based Fra’ Mani was founded by Paul (an acclaimed chef and cookbook author) and Tom (a food-loving finance lawyer).

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Meet the Founder: Denise Woodard of Partake Foods

Ever feel that pang of worry when reaching for a snack, especially if food allergies are in the picture? For Denise, this wasn't just a hypothetical—it was her family's reality.

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Meet the Founders: Stacey Lee, Sean Lee, and Tiffany Yang of Sweety Ice Cream

Passion, a shared childhood, and a family legacy—these are the ingredients that make Sweety Ice Cream special.

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Meet the Founder: Candice Choi of GEEM

Imagine a childhood filled with the rich, umami flavors of Korean seaweed, transformed into a modern, irresistible snack.

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Meet the Founders: Colby Barr and Ryan O'Donovan of Verve Coffee Roasters

What happens when musicians turn their passion to coffee? You get Verve Coffee Roasters. Founded in 2007, Colby and Ryan built their brand on sustainable practices and direct trade relationships with coffee producers worldwide.

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Meet the Founders: Myles Powell and Zhanna Godkin of Myles Comfort Foods

Myles is a food entrepreneur and aspiring chef who launched his own line of nostalgic, nutritious, and convenient cuisine. Inspired by the soul food of his childhood, Myles Comfort Foods specializes in mac and cheese made with wholesome ingredients, packed with flavor and plenty of protein.

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Meet the Founders: Hannah Pollack and Xavier Meers of Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches

Shortly after falling in love over their shared passion for cooking, chefs Hannah and Xavier combined forces to launch Nightingale Ice Cream Sandwiches. These signature treats are always handmade using 14% butterfat ice cream and freshly baked cookies.

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Meet the Founder: Den Masanori Shirakata of Den’s Tea

Den is a third-generation Japanese tea merchant who is continuing his family’s legacy here in Southern California. In addition to being the founder of Den’s Tea, Den is the President and CEO of Shirakata-Denshiro Shoten—a tea distribution and manufacturing company founded by his grandfather in 1923.

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