Erica Bethe Levin, Founder of Globowl, joins me to talk about her entrepreneurial journey—from launching one of Chicago’s first digital publications to helping scale a venture-backed hospitality tech startup, to now leading a mission-driven CPG brand rooted in culture, nutrition, and flavor.

We dive into how Erica went from being a food writer and new mom to building a baby and toddler food brand that’s challenging the status quo. She shares the pivotal moment that sparked the idea for Globowl, what she learned from previous ventures, and how she’s growing a values-driven brand—despite all the complexities of launching a physical product business.

We explore:
✅ The moment she realized baby food in the U.S. was broken—and how other cultures do it differently
✅ How she validated Globowl with real parents before ever launching
✅ The challenges of building a CPG brand from scratch (glass jars, supply chains, allergens, and more)
✅ Why flavor, allergen exposure, and cultural diversity matter so much in early feeding
✅ How she’s building brand trust with minimal budget—using data, retail partnerships, and storytelling

Erica shares honest insights about the highs and lows of solo entrepreneurship, the power of listening to your customers, and how she's building a brand that reflects her values as a mom, founder, and food lover.

👉 Learn more about Globowl: https://globowl.com/

👉 Connect with Erica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-bethe/

Connect with me (Dan Ritzke):
I’m a Fractional CMO who helps FamTech companies position their brand, sharpen their messaging, create marketing strategies that drive growth, and oversee execution to make sure those plans turn into results.

👉 Visit my website: www.danritzke.com

👉 Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ritzke

Apply to be on the podcast or nominate a founder:

👉 Visit my website: www.danritzke.com/podcast

Cindy Abel, Founder of Vescent, joins me to share how her career in tech and decades of experience running a consulting firm—combined with her personal experience as a parent—led to building a mission-driven platform that supports teen girls through mentorship, mental health literacy, and community.

In this episode, we cover her career path, the early warning signs she noticed around social media and mental health, the evolution of Vescent, lessons from launching with limited resources, and how she’s building a platform rooted in impact, safety, and connection.

👉 Learn more about Vescent: www.vescent.co

👉 Connect with Cindy on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiabel

Connect with me (Dan Ritzke):
I’m a Fractional CMO who helps FamTech companies position their brand, sharpen their messaging, create marketing strategies that drive growth, and oversee execution to make sure those plans turn into results.

👉 Visit my website: www.danritzke.com

👉 Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ritzke

Apply to be on the podcast or nominate a founder:

👉 Visit my website: www.danritzke.com/podcast

Sara Mauskopf, Co‑Founder & CEO of Winnie, joins me to share how her background in tech and product leadership at companies like Google, Twitter, and Postmates led to building a fast‑growing marketplace that helps parents find childcare.

In this episode, we cover her career path, what drew her to Silicon Valley, the origin and evolution of Winnie, lessons learned from early pivots, and how she’s scaling a platform that supports both parents and childcare providers.

👉 Learn more about Winnie: www.winnie.com

👉 Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/smausk

Connect with me (Dan Ritzke):
I’m a Fractional CMO who helps FamTech companies position their brand, sharpen their messaging, create marketing strategies that drive growth, and oversee execution to make sure those plans turn into results.

👉 Visit my website: www.danritzke.com

👉 Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ritzke

Apply to be on the podcast or nominate a founder:

👉 Visit my website: www.danritzke.com/podcast