SHOW / EPISODE

Vanessa Dew: Kombucha Queen's Split from Pharma, Stereotyped in a Boardroom & Her Healthade Journey

Season 1 | Episode 6
52m | Jan 16, 2024

Embark on an inspiring journey with Vanessa Dew as she trades her pharma career for a true calling amidst the lush green world of entrepreneurship. 🍃 In this heartwarming episode of the Durian Pod, Vanessa opens up about the daring leap of faith that led her to co-found Healthade Kombucha, a multimillion-dollar brand that's fermenting success nationwide. Discover how she navigated societal expectations, embraced her Asian American identity, and found the courage to build a business that reflects her passion for health and wellness.

Vanessa's story isn't just about leaving a well-paying job; it's a testament to the power of self-love, seeking solutions in health in an industry that is more about patching the problem than fixing it, the strength drawn from cultural roots, and the resilience required to innovate in the face of uncertainty. From moving glass jars in palettes to steering a kombucha empire, her tale is a must-watch for anyone craving a dose of motivation. Tune in, be moved, and let Vanessa's transformative experience fuel your own dreams. Don't forget to follow the Durian Pod for more episodes that defy the norm and celebrate culinary triumphs, diverse voices, and raw entrepreneurial spirit. #QuittingPharma #TrueCalling #HealthadeKombucha #DurianPod 🌟


#AsianRepresentation #TrueCalling #VanessaDu #VanessaDuInterview #ChineseHeritage


0:00 Intro

1:43 Welcoming Vanessa to the Pod

3:07 Amuse: Truffled Burrata & Kimchi Crema on Focaccia with Smoked Ocean Trout and Graza EVO

5:48 Vanessa's Upbringing as a LA Native

7:47 Life in Encino, Her Mom's Cancer that pushed her to become a Doctor

9:58 David's insight on How Healthcare Used to be vs Now

12:07 Vanessa's Grandmother as a Driving Force in her Life

13:20 Working for a Fortune 50 Company and Changing Her Perspective

14:20 Transitioning from Healthcare...to Healthade

16:30 The Biggest Fears walking into Entrepreneurship

21:00 Vanessa on "Embracing My Chinese Heritage After Rejecting it for 18 Years"

22:40 The growth of Asian Founders in the CPG World, from 20 to Thousands

24:32 Hedy, on Rooted Fare and the Journey she and her Co-Founder Ashley Are On

26:49 How beliefs can help and hinder you

28:11 Embracing Culture & being called an Intern at a Distributor's Warehouse Meeting

30:56 Hedy's PB&J K-12 American vs. Asian Cultural Internal Conflict

33:18 The Favorite Dish: Australian Wagyu Zabuton with Rosalynn Cilantro Scallion Sichuan Chimichurri from Ligma Provisions

36:12 Quitting her pharma jo, buying glass jars at Bed Bath and Beyond and Couponing

38:29 How people affect some of the hardest decisions you have to make

40:02 Surviving the mental battle of F#*& This & Bouncing Back

41:24 Jasper on the growth in 3 years of the Rosalynn Team

42:22 Rolemodels in CPG, if any?

45:11 Vanessa's Mother on Asking Questions

48:08 New and upcoming products at Healthade

49:48 The Final Bite: Hokkaido Scallops with Santa Barbara Uni, Ikura & Torched Iberico Pork Fat from Campo Grande

51:29 Outtro


LISTEN ON:

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-durian-pod/id1709030054

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0IaysKRix5svq0UaNRTVb4


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OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR:

https://www.hexclad.com/


LEARN MORE ABOUT ROSALYNN SUPPER CLUB:

Rosalynn: https://www.rosalynn.co/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/rosalynnsupperclub

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