Jilea Hemmings isn’t just ahead of the curve — she’s defining it. From pioneering meatless meals before the plant-based boom to transforming food access with AI-driven retail, Jilea is proving that innovation and impact go hand in hand. In this episode, she shares how she navigates resistance to change, the importance of asking the right questions, and why laughter is her secret to sustainable entrepreneurship.

Episode Summary:
Jilea Hemmings, co-founder & CEO of Nourish + Bloom, has spent her career pioneering solutions before the market even realizes it needs them. In this conversation, she shares how her early adoption of trends — from plant-based nutrition to AI-driven retail — has positioned her at the forefront of innovation.

Jilea discusses the power of asking questions and learning from customers, highlighting how initial skepticism can shift when people experience the benefits of new technology firsthand. She breaks down how AI enables Nourish + Bloom to serve communities that big box retailers often ignore, proving that automation can be a force for social good.

Beyond business, Jilea opens up about the role of joy and play in entrepreneurship. She and her husband, Jamie, have built not only a thriving company but also a resilient partnership, grounded in humor and shared purpose. Whether it’s navigating setbacks or celebrating wins (something she admits she needs to do more), Jilea emphasizes the importance of perspective, patience, and asking the right questions. Listen in to learn how Nourish + Bloom is redefining retail, reshaping perspectives, and proving that impact-driven businesses can also be highly profitable.

Key Themes:

• The market and impact opportunity at the intersection of food, retail, and innovation
• Overcoming resistance to change and shifting consumer behavior
• What it means to dare to fail up
• The realities of building a company by community, for community
• The power of laughter and celebrating milestones in business
• Why asking the right questions is an essential leadership and life skill

Resources & Mentions:

• Connect with Jilea Hemmings and Kt McBratney
• Learn more about Nourish + Bloom Market and Technologies, including their Purpose Round
• More information about food access, including terminology and USDA food access data
• Follow Nourish + Bloom on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook
• Subscribe to Founded on Purpose
• Explore other initiatives from Renew VC and follow on LinkedIn for more

Entrepreneurship is rarely a straight path. Walter Ley breaks down how he forged his own, built his own playbook, and learned to trust his instincts as he celebrates his company, Branch, hitting the 1 million user milestone.

Episode Summary:
Walter Ley didn’t follow a prewritten script — he built his own playbook for success with his company, Branch. In this episode, we dive into his journey as a founder, the pivotal moments that shaped his career, and how he navigates the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship. From embracing uncertainty to making bold decisions, Walter shares insights that can help any entrepreneur carve their own path.

Walter and host Kt McBratney discuss bootstrapping and VC funding, the joy and challenges in growing a team, learning from failures, and the different ways we can define success for ourselves. His approach to building a company without a fixed framework provides valuable lessons for anyone looking to break conventional molds and build something truly unique and impactful.

Key Themes & Takeaways:

• How Walter developed his own entrepreneurial framework
• The power of adaptability and trusting your instincts
• Lessons from building a company without a set playbook
• Strategies for navigating uncertainty and making tough decisions
• What hills would Walter and Kt die on? (Hint: they involve alternative milks and punctuation)

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about Branch, including upcoming elections near you
• Connect with Walter Ley and follow Branch on LinkedIn
• Connect with Kt McBratney on LinkedIn and Bluesky
• Subscribe to Founded on Purpose
• Explore other initiatives from Renew VC

What does it take to fully integrate impact into entrepreneurship? Laurie Lane-Zucker has spent decades shaping a new paradigm where business drives measurable social and environmental good.

Episode Summary: In this episode of Founded on Purpose, host Kt McBratney sits down with Laurie Lane-Zucker, founder and CEO of Impact Entrepreneur, a pioneering force in the impact economy. Laurie shares his journey from environmental NGO leadership to spearheading a global community of systems-minded entrepreneurs, investors, and scholars. He discusses the significance of shifting from a single bottom line to a triple bottom line framework, the evolution of the term "impact entrepreneur," and how branding can shape movements. Laurie also reflects on the importance of wisdom traditions in business, the role of community in effecting real change, and why the concept of "healing" is at the core of his purpose. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, investor, or purpose-driven leader, Laurie’s insights will inspire you to rethink success and embrace business as a tool for real impact.

Key Themes & Takeaways:

• Defining the Impact Economy: The shift from profit-only models to sustainable, socially responsible business practices.
• Building a Movement: How the term "impact entrepreneur" became a global identity for change-makers.
• Ancient Wisdom & Modern Impact: The unexpected role of historical and esoteric wisdom traditions in shaping the future of impact-driven entrepreneurship.
• The Power of Community: Why networks, mentorship, and shared knowledge are critical to systemic change.
• Rethinking Success: Beyond Profits to Purpose: Laurie’s perspective on success beyond profits, including long-term systemic transformation.

Mentioned Resources & Links:
• Impact Entrepreneur
• Laurie Lane Zucker’s 2023 Textbook: Sustainability, Business, and Investment Implications
• Orion Magazine
• Wendell Berry’s Works

Connect with Us:

• Connect with Laurie and Impact Entrepreneur on LinkedIn
• Connect with Kt and Renew VC
• Subscribe to Founded on Purpose
• Explore other initiatives from Renew VC