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How We Revolutionized Hydration with Lemon and Water - w/ Yanni Hufnagel | Ep 58
Manage episode 482891209 series 3556322
In this high-energy episode of the Logistics & Leadership Podcast, Justin sits down with Yanni Hufnagel, founder and CEO of Lemon Perfect—a $100 million beverage brand built from just lemons and water. Yanni shares the raw truth of leaving a career in Division I college basketball to start over in the world of CPG, navigating rejection, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of building something extraordinary.
From his early days Googling “how to start a beverage company” to getting Lemon Perfect on shelves at Bristol Farms and earning the backing of investors like Beyoncé and Blake Griffin, Yanni takes us through the wins, the failures, and the identity-shifting moments that shaped his journey. This episode is a masterclass in hustle, vision, and staying resilient when the scoreboard isn’t in your favor.
Whether you’re a founder, athlete, or builder at heart, this conversation will leave you fired up to bet on yourself—again and again.
The Logistics & Leadership Podcast, powered by Veritas Logistics, redefines logistics and personal growth. Hosted by industry veterans and supply chain leaders Brian Hastings and Justin Maines, it shares their journey from humble beginnings to a $50 million company. Discover invaluable lessons in logistics, mental toughness, and embracing the entrepreneurial spirit. The show delves into personal and professional development, routine, and the power of betting on oneself. From inspiring stories to practical insights, this podcast is a must for aspiring entrepreneurs, logistics professionals, and anyone seeking to push limits and achieve success.
Timestamps:
(00:00) - From basketball coach to beverage founder
(02:10) - The aha moment with lemon water
(04:30) - Prototyping Lemon Perfect in his kitchen
(06:45) - When coaching doors closed, entrepreneurship opened
(09:00) - The early failures and near-pivot back to basketball
(11:30) - How 12 stores became a launchpad for growth
(14:00) - Building with fractional teams before hiring full-time
(16:15) - Why Yanni never sold the product—only the vision
(18:00) - The power of relationships and his investor network
(20:00) - Translating coaching culture into company culture
(22:30) - Facing adversity: oxidation issues and rebranding
(25:15) - Lemon Perfect 4.0 and rebuilding consumer trust
(28:45) - Fighting back from failure and regaining momentum
(32:00) - Yanni’s vision for Lemon Perfect’s legacy
Connect with Yanni Hufnagel:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yhufnagel
Instagram: https://yannihufnagel.com/
Website: https://www.instagram.com/yanni/?hl=en
Connect with us!
▶️ Website | LinkedIn | Brian’s LinkedIn | Justin’s LinkedIn
▶️ Get our newsletter for more logistics insights
▶️ Send us your questions!! [email protected]
Watch the pod on: YouTube
61 episodes
Manage episode 482891209 series 3556322
In this high-energy episode of the Logistics & Leadership Podcast, Justin sits down with Yanni Hufnagel, founder and CEO of Lemon Perfect—a $100 million beverage brand built from just lemons and water. Yanni shares the raw truth of leaving a career in Division I college basketball to start over in the world of CPG, navigating rejection, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of building something extraordinary.
From his early days Googling “how to start a beverage company” to getting Lemon Perfect on shelves at Bristol Farms and earning the backing of investors like Beyoncé and Blake Griffin, Yanni takes us through the wins, the failures, and the identity-shifting moments that shaped his journey. This episode is a masterclass in hustle, vision, and staying resilient when the scoreboard isn’t in your favor.
Whether you’re a founder, athlete, or builder at heart, this conversation will leave you fired up to bet on yourself—again and again.
The Logistics & Leadership Podcast, powered by Veritas Logistics, redefines logistics and personal growth. Hosted by industry veterans and supply chain leaders Brian Hastings and Justin Maines, it shares their journey from humble beginnings to a $50 million company. Discover invaluable lessons in logistics, mental toughness, and embracing the entrepreneurial spirit. The show delves into personal and professional development, routine, and the power of betting on oneself. From inspiring stories to practical insights, this podcast is a must for aspiring entrepreneurs, logistics professionals, and anyone seeking to push limits and achieve success.
Timestamps:
(00:00) - From basketball coach to beverage founder
(02:10) - The aha moment with lemon water
(04:30) - Prototyping Lemon Perfect in his kitchen
(06:45) - When coaching doors closed, entrepreneurship opened
(09:00) - The early failures and near-pivot back to basketball
(11:30) - How 12 stores became a launchpad for growth
(14:00) - Building with fractional teams before hiring full-time
(16:15) - Why Yanni never sold the product—only the vision
(18:00) - The power of relationships and his investor network
(20:00) - Translating coaching culture into company culture
(22:30) - Facing adversity: oxidation issues and rebranding
(25:15) - Lemon Perfect 4.0 and rebuilding consumer trust
(28:45) - Fighting back from failure and regaining momentum
(32:00) - Yanni’s vision for Lemon Perfect’s legacy
Connect with Yanni Hufnagel:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yhufnagel
Instagram: https://yannihufnagel.com/
Website: https://www.instagram.com/yanni/?hl=en
Connect with us!
▶️ Website | LinkedIn | Brian’s LinkedIn | Justin’s LinkedIn
▶️ Get our newsletter for more logistics insights
▶️ Send us your questions!! [email protected]
Watch the pod on: YouTube
61 episodes
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