Advice Line with Angie & Dan Bastian of Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP

In this episode of How I Built This Lab's Advice Line, Guy Raz brings back Angie and Dan Bastian, co-founders of Angie's Boom Chicka Pop, to advise three entrepreneurs facing distinct challenges in the food and health tech space. Michelle Pusateri, founder of Nana Joe's Granola, seeks guidance on whether to pursue outside capital without compromising her brand's organic values and mission. Gloria Kolb, CEO of Elida, a medical device company offering a wearable solution for urinary incontinence, struggles with marketing in a stigmatized category and seeks authentic word-of-mouth growth. Eric Poulin, co-founder of Maple Roo, an Australian-based organic, gluten-free sports nutrition brand, asks how to scale against well-funded competitors while maintaining product integrity. The Bastians offer candid, experience-based advice—emphasizing the importance of work-life balance, strategic investor selection, reframing brand narratives, leveraging personal stories, and focusing on organic growth before expansion. They also reflect on their own journey, urging founders to slow down, protect relationships, and prioritize sustainability over relentless hustle.