A podcast for entrepreneurs.
Hosted by brother-sister team Jessica Mortarotti & Dominick Mortarotti, Story of a Startup is about sharing the mindsets, approaches– and of course, the stories of startup entrepreneurs. Join Jessica & Dominick in learning and taking inspiration from the stories of their fellow entrepreneurs, as well as sharing updates on the successes and challenges of their own new business venture, in real-time.
Their stories. Their mindset. Their approach.
Frazer Milton, founder of Flying Fish Cannabis, shares his experiences navigating the cannabis market during COVID-19 in an interview with Jessica and Dominick, revealing strategies for success.
11 May 2025TRANSCRIPT
StealthX with Drew Burdick
Jessica (https://www.instagram.com/jessicamortarotti) and Dominick (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominickmortarotti/) interview Drew Burdick (https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewhburdick/) (https://www.thisismoodhouse.com/our-story), founder at StealthX who are a team of anti-consultants— "your SEAL team for quickly launching great digital experiences that create lifelong customers."
Drew discusses his journey from founding and exiting Boxybots, going corporate and the accompanying "golden handcuffs", to returning to his passion and entrepreneurship with a fresh perspective.
6 Apr 2025TRANSCRIPT
Mood House with Cristina Wilson
Jessica (https://www.instagram.com/jessicamortarotti) and Dominick (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominickmortarotti/) interview Cristina Wilson (https://www.thisismoodhouse.com/our-story), who after a successful media career took plunge to launch Mood House (https://www.thisismoodhouse.com/) during the global pandemic. Located in Charlotte, NC, Cristina brings the city a modern way to relax and recharge and create a community that many locals now call home.
10 Mar 2025TRANSCRIPT
Hi-Tech Garbageman
Jessica (https://www.instagram.com/jessicamortarotti) and Dominick (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominickmortarotti/) interview Emin Israfil, an engineer, entrepreneur and co-founder of Rubbish (https://www.rubbish.love/), an AI company that analyzes photos to track, categorize, and manage waste for large-scale facilities. Emin takes us on his startup story and the power of curiosity.
23 Feb 2025
LA Fires & Carmela Ice Cream
Join Jessica and Dominick as Jessica shares her experience navigating the turmoil of the LA Fires. With her business, Carmela Ice Cream, her home, and her family impacted, Jessica reflects on the power of community and tapping into her entrepreneurial spirit.
Explore the businesses we discuss in this episode Carmela Ice Cream (https://carmelaicecream.com/), SUN LOVE (https://thesunlove.com/)
Follow Jessica (www.instagram.com/jessicamortarotti) & Dominick (www.linkedin.com/in/dominickmortarotti)
18 Nov 2024TRANSCRIPT
Saturday Candy with Sockerbit’s Florence Barras
In this episode of Story of a Startup, we sit down with Florence Barras, co-owner of Sockerbit Candy, a pioneering Swedish candy company based in Los Angeles. Florence shares the leap of faith her and husband Stefan had to take to become the first company to import Swedish candy into the U.S., along with the tradition of “Saturday candy” — a cherished Swedish custom of indulging in sweets only on Saturdays.
Dominick, Jessica, and Florence have a conversation about what makes Swedish candy unique, the minimalist and adult-friendly designs of their candy stores, how social media trends have impacted their business, and what it takes to have a successful partnership with a significant other.
4 Nov 2024TRANSCRIPT
The Business of Water with Ravi Kurani (Sutro)
Today we're sitting down with Ravi Kurani, water tech innovator and founder of Sutro, a startup helping keep our water safe. Ravi shares a unique founder story of growing up around the pool business, what he learned about entrepreneurship in his time at NASA, and what it takes to bring a forward-thinking hardware product to market. Plus get insights about securing B2B partnerships, navigating acquisitions, and balancing consumer needs with complex engineering.
Find Ravi at www.instagram.com/ravi.kurani
Learn more about Sutro at www.mysutro.com
Follow Jessica & Dominick
:www.linkedin.com/in/dominickmortarotti (http://www.linkedin.com/in/dominickmortarotti) (http://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-mortarotti-7227b5181)
www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-mortarotti-7227b5181 (http://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-mortarotti-7227b5181)
(http://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-mortarotti-7227b5181)www.instagram.com/dmortarotti (http://www.instagram.com/dmortarotti)
(http://www.instagram.com/dmortarotti)www.instagram.com/jessicamortarotti (http://www.instagram.com/jessicamortarotti) (http://www.instagram.com/carmelaicecream)
www.instagram.com/carmelaicecream (http://www.instagram.com/carmelaicecream)
20 Oct 2024TRANSCRIPT
Culinary, Culturally Rich Travel with Aida Mollenkamp (Founder, Salt & Wind Travel)
Jessica and Dominick speak with Aida Mollenkamp, the founder of Salt & Wind Travel, a food-focused travel experience curator.
In this episode, Aida discusses the challenges and triumphs of building her business, including her approach to curating culinary and cultural adventures for travelers and her commitment to building meaningful connections with local communities. She dives into the importance of mindset in entrepreneurship, the intersection of travel, food, and culture, revealing how overcoming self-doubt and embracing resilience has been crucial in her journey.
We'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us:
hello@storyofastartuppodcast.com (mailto:hello@storyofastartuppodcast.com)
instagram.com/storyofastartuppodcast (http://instagram.com/storyofastartuppodcast)
Follow Salt & Wind Travel:
www.saltandwind.com (http://www.saltandwind.com/)
www.instagram.com/saltandwind (http://www.instagram.com/saltandwind)
Follow Jessica & Dominick:
www.linkedin.com/in/dominickmortarotti (http://www.linkedin.com/in/dominickmortarotti)
www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-mortarotti-7227b5181 (http://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-mortarotti-7227b5181)
www.instagram.com/dmortarotti (http://www.instagram.com/dmortarotti)
www.instagram.com/jessicamortarotti (http://www.instagram.com/jessicamortarotti)
www.instagram.com/carmelaicecream (http://www.instagram.com/carmelaicecream)
6 Oct 2024TRANSCRIPT
SUN LOVE Update: Packaging Insights, Effective Internships, & Elephant Sanctuaries
It's time for another SUN LOVE update! Jessica and Dominick sit down to continue their discussion on the upcoming launch of their own startup, SUN LOVE.
Learn how Jessica and Dominick are utilizing LinkedIn and Pinterest for marketing, the legal side of product packaging, building mutually beneficial internship programs, and why every entrepreneur is familiar with mid-day showers. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned founder, or someone interested in the dynamics of innovation and growth, join us as we build up to the launch of SUN LOVE.
We'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us:
hello@storyofastartuppodcast.com (mailto:hello@storyofastartuppodcast.com)
instagram.com/storyofastartuppodcast (http://instagram.com/storyofastartuppodcast)
Follow Jessica & Dominick:www.linkedin.com/in/dominickmortarotti (http://www.linkedin.com/in/dominickmortarotti)
www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-mortarotti-7227b5181 (http://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-mortarotti-7227b5181)
www.instagram.com/dmortarotti (http://www.instagram.com/dmortarotti)
www.instagram.com/jessicamortarotti (http://www.instagram.com/jessicamortarotti)
www.instagram.com/carmelaicecream (http://www.instagram.com/carmelaicecream)
22 Sept 2024TRANSCRIPT
Metrics, Mentors, & Market Gaps with Five-Time Founder Jesse McMullin
Jessica and Dominick sit down with Jesse McMullin, a serial entrepreneur with an impressive track record of five startups and five successful exits. Jesse shares his unique journey from being a military medic to becoming a transformative figure in a broad range of industries, including healthcare, sports nutrition, and consumer packaged goods.
Learn about Jesse's approach to identifying and solving consumer pain points, leveraging data and ethnography for product innovation, and the importance of understanding human desires in business. Jesse also delves into the complexities of partnerships, offering candid advice on how to choose the right business partners and the pitfalls to avoid.
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned founder, or someone interested in the dynamics of innovation and growth, this episode is packed with actionable insights and thought-provoking moments. Tune in to learn from Jesse’s wealth of experience and discover how you can apply these lessons to your own entrepreneurial journey.
Learn more about Jesse and how to reach him at www.https://jessemcmullin.com/ (https://jessemcmullin.com/)
We'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us:
hello@storyofastartuppodcast.com (mailto:hello@storyofastartuppodcast.com)
instagram.com/storyofastartuppodcast (http://instagram.com/storyofastartuppodcast)
Follow Jessica & Dominick:www.linkedin.com/in/dominickmortarotti (http://www.linkedin.com/in/dominickmortarotti)
www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-mortarotti-7227b5181 (http://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-mortarotti-7227b5181)
www.instagram.com/dmortarotti (http://www.instagram.com/dmortarotti)
www.instagram.com/jessicamortarotti (http://www.instagram.com/jessicamortarotti)
www.instagram.com/carmelaicecream (http://www.instagram.com/carmelaicecream)
8 Sept 2024TRANSCRIPT
The Art of Mindful Branding with Rachel Martin (Founder, Mindful & Good)
Visionary designer and founder of Mindful & Good Rachel Martin joins us for an enlightening conversation about the intersection of design, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. With over 24 years of experience, Rachel has dedicated her career to helping startups and small businesses elevate their brand expression while embracing mindful practices.
We’ll explore how Rachel's background in big advertising agencies shaped her perspective on consumerism and sustainability, how she transitioned from a traditional design role to launching her own freelance business, and her focus on purpose-driven brands that prioritize people and the planet.
Rachel shares invaluable insights on the importance of building strong relationships with clients, the challenges of navigating the current economic climate, and the emerging trends in the world of consumer packaged goods. From the rise of seaweed and mushrooms in food products to the growing demand for non-alcoholic beverages, this episode is packed with actionable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, Rachel's expertise will inspire you to think critically about your brand's mission and the impact it can have on the world. Tune in to learn how to cultivate resilience, embrace sustainability, and foster meaningful connections in your entrepreneurial journey.
Don't forget to check out Rachel's work at https://mindfulandgood.com (https://mindfulandgood.com/) and follow her on social media for more insights into sustainable design and branding.
25 Aug 2024TRANSCRIPT
SUN LOVE: A New Approach to Skincare
Special episode today as Jessica and Dominick introduce the story of their startup SUN LOVE, a holistic skincare brand for sun lovers. In the first of many real-time updates about the progress of the company, you’ll learn about the eureka moment, designing compelling visual branding, the challenges of entering a saturated market, and the unique ingredient at the heart of SUN LOVE: Polypodium leucotomos extract (PLE).
You can check out SUN LOVE here:
Website: https://thesunlove.com/ (https://thesunlove.com/)
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sunloveskincare (https://www.instagram.com/sunloveskincare?igsh=MzAxZWdnc3FvOXAy)
We'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us:
hello@storyofastartuppodcast.com (mailto:hello@storyofastartuppodcast.com)
www.storyofastartuppodcast.com (http://www.storyofastartuppodcast.com/) (http://instagram.com/storyofastartuppodcast)
instagram.com/storyofastartuppodcast (http://instagram.com/storyofastartuppodcast) (mailto:hello@storyofastartuppodcast.com)
Follow Jessica & Dominick:
www.instagram.com/dmortarotti
www.instagram.com/jessicamortarotti
www.linkedin.com/in/dominickmortarotti
www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-mortarotti-7227b5181
www.instagram.com/carmelaicecream
11 Aug 2024TRANSCRIPT
Sweet Success with Valerie Gordon (Founder, Valerie Confections)
Today we're joined by the incredibly talented James Beard-nominated Valerie Gordon, the accomplished chef, chocolatier, and entrepreneur behind the beloved Valerie Confections. Join us as we dive deep into Valerie's inspiring journey—from her early days of baking at just seven years old to building a successful business empire from scratch.
Valerie shares her personal stories of motherhood, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and the importance of maintaining momentum in the face of adversity. You'll hear about the pivotal moments in her career, including the launch of her James Beard-nominated cookbook, her appearances on popular food shows, and the evolution of her brand over the past two decades.
Discover how Valerie turned her passion for baking into a thriving business, the trials and triumphs of navigating the food industry, and her vision for the future. Plus, she offers valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and highlights the significance of supporting independent food businesses.
We'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us:
hello@storyofastartuppodcast.com (mailto:hello@storyofastartuppodcast.com)
www.storyofastartuppodcast.com (http://www.storyofastartuppodcast.com/) (http://instagram.com/storyofastartuppodcast)
instagram.com/storyofastartuppodcast (http://instagram.com/storyofastartuppodcast) (mailto:hello@storyofastartuppodcast.com)
Follow Valerie & Valerie Confections:
https://www.valeriegordon.com
https://www.instagram.com/thevalerieconfections
https://www.instagram.com/thevaleriegordon/
Follow Jessica & Dominick:
www.instagram.com/dmortarotti
www.instagram.com/jessicamortarotti
www.linkedin.com/in/dominickmortarotti
www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-mortarotti-7227b5181
www.instagram.com/carmelaicecream
21 Jul 2024TRANSCRIPT
Creating Sustainable Brands with Eric Henry (CEO, TS Designs)
Jessica & Dominick dive into the world of sustainable apparel with Eric Henry, CEO of TS Designs. Eric shares his journey from his early entrepreneurial days to leading a pioneering sustainable apparel business. Discover how TS Designs has navigated the evolving landscape of the apparel industry, emphasizing the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit.
Eric discusses the challenges and opportunities of maintaining a transparent supply chain, the impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the importance of local manufacturing. He also sheds light on the significant environmental issues tied to the fashion industry, such as the pervasive use of plastics and the problem of fast fashion.
This episode is packed with Eric’s wisdom on building strong business relationships, adapting to industry changes, and his innovative ventures, including the Burlington Beer Works co-op. Tune in to learn from Eric’s experiences and get inspired by his passion for creating a better world through sustainable business practices.
We'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us:
hello@storyofastartuppodcast.com (mailto:hello@storyofastartuppodcast.com)
www.storyofastartuppodcast.com (http://www.storyofastartuppodcast.com/) (http://instagram.com/storyofastartuppodcast)
instagram.com/storyofastartuppodcast (http://instagram.com/storyofastartuppodcast) (mailto:hello@storyofastartuppodcast.com)
Follow Eric & TS Designs:
https://tsdesigns.com/ (https://tsdesigns.com/)
https://www.instagram.com/tsdesignsnc/?hl=en (https://www.instagram.com/tsdesignsnc/?hl=en)
Follow Jessica & Dominick:
www.instagram.com/dmortarotti
www.instagram.com/jessicamortarotti
www.linkedin.com/in/dominickmortarotti
www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-mortarotti-7227b5181
www.instagram.com/carmelaicecream
13 Jul 2024TRANSCRIPT
Building Brass Monkey Ice Cream with Phil Wood
This week we're joined by Phil Wood, founder of Brass Monkey Ice Cream. He talks with Jessica & Dominick about his career as a self-employed travel photographer, the difficulties of scaling a new business, how to pivot when you need to, and what hay flavored ice cream can teach us about innovation in business.
Thanks for listening to Story of a Startup. If you loved it, let us know by subscribing and leaving a review.
We'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us:
www.storyofastartuppodcast.com (http://www.storyofastartuppodcast.com/) (http://instagram.com/storyofastartuppodcast)
instagram.com/storyofastartuppodcast (http://instagram.com/storyofastartuppodcast) (mailto:hello@storyofastartuppodcast.com)
hello@storyofastartuppodcast.com (mailto:hello@storyofastartuppodcast.com)
Follow Brass Monkey, Jessica, & Dominick:
www.instagram.com/brassmonkey.icecream
www.instagram.com/carmelaicecream
www.instagram.com/dmortarotti
www.instagram.com/jessicamortarotti
www.linkedin.com/in/dominickmortarotti
www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-mortarotti-7227b5181
13 Jul 2024TRANSCRIPT
What’s a Startup Entrepreneur? + Founding Carmela Ice Cream
Welcome to Story of a Startup, a podcast for entrepreneurs. In this debut episode, you'll get to know Jessica and Dominick as they discuss the framework of the podcast, the distinction between entrepreneurs and startup entrepreneurs, and the story of Jessica’s own startup— Carmela Ice Cream.
You’ll hear about the challenges, lessons learned, and breakthroughs in the founding of Carmela and takeaway some foundational elements that drive startup success.
Plus get an inside look into what it looks like to start a new business with the first of a series of real-time updates on the progress of Jessica and Dominick’s newest startup, SUN LOVE.
Thanks for listening to the first episode of Story of a Startup. If you loved it, let us know by subscribing and leaving a review.
We'd love to hear from you. Reach out to us:
www.storyofastartuppodcast.com (http://www.storyofastartuppodcast.com/)
instagram.com/storyofastartuppodcast (http://instagram.com/storyofastartuppodcast)
hello@storyofastartuppodcast.com (mailto:hello@storyofastartuppodcast.com)
Socials:
www.instagram.com/dmortarotti
www.instagram.com/jessicamortarotti
www.linkedin.com/in/dominickmortarotti
www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-mortarotti-7227b5181
www.instagram.com/carmelaicecream
Inside a recent episode
Flying Fish Cannabis with Frazer Milton
Published 10 Jun 2025 · Transcript excerpt
[…] I partially grew up in Maine. I will always have a presence here, but I think North Carolina is where I would like to put my roots, my roots down long term. Yeah, well, who knows, we may have a greenhouse for you to sink your teeth into when by the time you get back down here. I'm ready to rip it. […]
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
