Lisa Curtis is the Founder & CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods, the leading brand transforming global superfoods like moringa into lasting impact for your body and the planet. Kuli Kuli’s wellness powders and gummies are sustainably sourced from African women and other smallholder farmers around the world, and are now available in over 11,000 U.S. stores. Lisa began developing Kuli Kuli while serving in the Peace Corps and has grown it into a multi-million-dollar social enterprise. She has been recognized on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list and Inc. Magazine’s Top 100 Female Founders list.

In this episode, Wendi and Lisa discuss:

• How a life-changing Peace Corps experience led Lisa to launch Kuli Kuli Foods
• The challenges of building a superfood brand from scratch with no business background
• The role of crowdfunding and millennial entrepreneurship in bringing bold ideas to life
• The social impact of climate-smart crops like moringa on small farmers and communities
• Scaling sustainably and staying mission-aligned while growing a national brand

Key Takeaways:

• A transformative Peace Corps moment in Niger becomes the unlikely catalyst for Lisa’s discovery of moringa—a nutrient-dense plant that would redefine both her health and purpose.
• Rather than seeking early validation from traditional investors, Lisa turned to the crowd, proving that community belief can fund more than just ideas; it can launch global movements.
• Resilience, for Lisa, isn't fueled by hustle alone; it’s rooted in strict self-care, where sleep, exercise, and nutrition serve as non-negotiable foundations for entrepreneurial stamina.
• When disaster struck—literally—with a wildfire wiping out their only farming partner, the company didn’t fold; it adapted, using the setback as fuel to broaden its global sourcing network.
• In a sea of polished pitches, an unfiltered email from Zimbabwe and a photo with local farmers broke through the noise, revealing how authenticity can open doors where strategy stalls.

“I don’t want to be the only one—I want more brands with transparent supply chains and products that are good for people, communities, and the planet. I’d rather be the flame that sparks the fire than the only one trying to hold the torch alone.” - Lisa Curtis

Connect with Lisa Curtis:

Websites: https://www.kulikulifoods.com/ , https://lisamariecurtis.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisamariecurtis

Connect with Wendi Swanson:

Website: etymongroup.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wendiswanson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557265653368

Email: wswanson@etymongroup.com

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Rob Bier doesn’t just talk about scaling—he’s been in the trenches, building, investing, and coaching companies that have skyrocketed to unicorn and even decacorn status. With 14 years of experience helping start-ups, scale-ups, and founder-led companies build high-performance teams and seamless operations, he knows exactly what it takes to grow without breaking. He’s the author of Smooth Scaling: 20 Rituals to Build a Friction-Free Organization and has seen firsthand what separates the best from the rest.

In this episode, Wendi and Rob discuss:

• Why "us conversations" are critical for scaling high-performance teams
• How friction silently kills productivity and growth inside organizations
• The evolution of leadership from startup chaos to scalable operations
• How AI is revolutionizing meeting productivity and team coaching
• Defining true high-performance teams and why trust matters as much as execution

Key Takeaways:

• True scaling isn’t just about building systems; it’s about cultivating human collaboration across every level of the organization to unlock sustained growth.
• Building high-performance teams hinges not solely on goal achievement but on the deliberate nurturing of trust, synergy, and collective intelligence.
• Hidden beneath the surface of many organizations, friction emerges as an invisible force that silently erodes productivity and, if left unaddressed, ultimately stifles long-term growth potential.
• While AI is revolutionizing meeting effectiveness and feedback mechanisms, it will never replace the irreplaceable — authentic human connection and emotional resonance.
• An important leadership evolution is spotlighted, urging CEOs to shift their focus from obsessing over operational "it" issues to fostering "us" conversations that empower scalable, trust-driven cultures.

“A high-performing team doesn’t just get the job done — it builds trust and creates solutions that are better than any one person could have come up with alone.” - Rob Bier

Connect with Rob Bier:

Website: https://www.robbier.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-bier/

Rob’s Book: https://www.robbier.com/smooth-scaling

Connect with Wendi Swanson:

Website: etymongroup.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wendiswanson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557265653368

Email: wswanson@etymongroup.com

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.