The Compass Rose Podcast

Why are most brands chasing 25-year-olds… when the most powerful consumers are actually over 50?
In this episode of The Story of a Brand, host Rose Hamilton, CEO of Compass Rose Ventures, sits down with Tim Parr, Founder and CEO of Caddis, for a bold and refreshing conversation about building a brand for a demographic the industry has largely ignored.
What unfolds is a story about seeing what others miss. Tim didn’t just launch an eyewear company—he identified a cultural blind spot. While most brands obsess over youth, he built Caddis around the reality that consumers over 50 control enormous purchasing power yet are underserved and often misunderstood.
Key moments from the episode include:
Why the biggest opportunities often exist in “unsexy” categories—and how applying culture can transform them
How Caddis became an anti-anti-aging brand, shifting the narrative from hiding age to embracing it
The importance of building from a strong point of view—and why consumers buy the “why,” not just the product
Why physical retail and real-world experiences are critical for building true lifestyle brands
How constraint—like offering fewer products—can signal clarity, confidence, and brand discipline
This episode is a powerful reminder that the most impactful brands don’t just solve functional problems—they reshape how people see themselves.
Join us in listening to the episode and hear how Tim Parr is challenging one of the biggest assumptions in consumer branding—and building a movement around it.
For more on Caddis visit: https://caddislife.com/
 
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In this episode of The Story of a Brand, host Rose Hamilton, CEO of Compass Rose Ventures, sits down with Sucharita Kodali, Vice President and Principal Analyst at Forrester Research, for a thoughtful and strategic conversation about the forces reshaping modern retail.
The discussion draws on Rose’s experience as an operator inside brands like The Vitamin Shoppe and Nutrafol, where Forrester’s research often informed critical boardroom decisions. Throughout the episode, Rose and Sucharita unpack how retail strategy has evolved—from marketplaces and DTC to retail media and AI—and why leaders today must think beyond growth tactics to understand leverage, channel strategy, and long-term enterprise value.
Key moments from the episode include:
Why brands should approach marketplaces strategically and consider the sequencing of channels when building long-term value
The importance of “e-control”—protecting pricing, distribution integrity, and brand presentation across marketplaces
How retail media networks are becoming structural components of retailer economics
What leaders should understand about AI and generative AI in retail today—and where the hype exceeds reality
Why the most effective research blends data with narrative to create conviction and drive decision-making
This episode offers an inside look at how data-driven insight shapes the biggest strategic decisions in retail and commerce.
Join us in listening to the episode to hear Rose Hamilton and Sucharita Kodali explore the patterns, shifts, and lessons that continue to influence how brands build durable growth in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
For more on Sucharita Kodali and Forrester Research visit: https://www.forrester.com/bold/
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In this episode of The Story of a Brand, host Rose Hamilton, CEO of Compass Rose Ventures, sits down with Lisa Chodnofsky, Chief Brand Officer for Vitamin Shoppe, for a thoughtful and energizing conversation about what it truly takes to steward an iconic brand in today’s evolving wellness landscape.
Throughout the discussion, Rose and Lisa explore the responsibility that comes with leading a heritage retailer in the health and wellness space. The conversation highlights how consumer expectations are shifting, why clarity of purpose matters more than ever, and how brand leadership extends far beyond creative—it’s operational, experiential, and deeply cultural. Lisa shares insight into how Vitamin Shoppe continues to evolve while protecting the trust and credibility that built its foundation.
Key moments from the episode include:
What the role of Chief Brand Officer means within a legacy wellness retailer
How Vitamin Shoppe balances innovation with honoring its core identity
Why trust, education, and in-store experience remain critical in a digital-first world
The importance of cohesive storytelling in connecting with modern wellness consumers
How leadership alignment and mission clarity drive long-term brand equity
This episode is a powerful reminder that enduring brands don’t simply react to change—they evolve intentionally while staying rooted in purpose.
Join us in listening to the episode to hear how Lisa Chodnofsky is helping shape the next chapter of Vitamin Shoppe and what brand leaders can learn from her approach to modern retail and wellness.
For more on Lisa Chodnofsky visit: https://www.vitaminshoppe.com/
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In this episode of The Story of a Brand Show, host Rose Hamilton, CEO of Compass Rose Ventures, sits down for a deeply personal and insightful conversation with her daughter, Lexy Hamilton, a sophomore at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
What begins as a mother-daughter dialogue quickly evolves into a powerful exploration of how the next generation is thinking about identity, decision-making, and the future of business—through the lens of both data and human connection.
Throughout the episode, Lexy brings a fresh yet remarkably grounded perspective on topics ranging from storytelling and finance to AI and brand trust. Drawing from her academic experiences and personal values, she shares how clarity, authenticity, and emotional connection are becoming the most important currencies in modern business—and why the brands that succeed will be those that balance analytical rigor with human understanding.
Key themes explored in this episode include:
How the next generation defines success through values, resilience, and staying true to personal identity—even in challenging environments
Why storytelling and emotional connection are at the core of brand building, and how marketing creates meaning beyond product utility
The concept of “cognitive burden” and why simplifying data into clear, actionable insights is a critical leadership skill
Where AI accelerates decision-making—and where human judgment, context, and empathy remain irreplaceable
What luxury brands teach us about scarcity, storytelling, and creating long-term emotional and financial value
This episode offers a rare and meaningful perspective on how emerging leaders are shaping the future of business, blending data, creativity, and authenticity in new ways.  Join us in listening to the episode and hear how the next generation is redefining what it means to build brands—and lead with clarity, purpose, and trust.
For more on Rose Hamilton visit: https://compassroseventures.com/

In this episode of The Story of a Brand Show, host Rose Hamilton, CEO of Compass Rose Ventures, sits down with Sarah Henry, VP, Head of Content, Influencer, & Commerce at Walmart, for a timely and deeply insightful conversation about how commerce is being reshaped by creators, content, and culture.
The episode weaves together personal history—Rose and Sarah previously worked together at The Vitamin Shoppe—with a forward-looking exploration of how discovery has become the new engine of retail growth.
Throughout the conversation, Rose guides listeners through the industry’s shift from intent-led shopping to discovery-led experiences. Sarah shares how creators now function as trusted guides, how Walmart is building a creator-first commerce platform at massive scale, and why trust, flexibility, and serendipity are essential to modern retail. Together, they unpack what it takes to connect inspiration to purchase in a way that feels human, seamless, and culturally relevant.
Key themes explored in this episode include:
Why social commerce is already shaping consumer behavior and how creators drive modern product discovery
How Walmart approaches creator-first commerce by prioritizing value, trust, and long-term relationships
The concept of “serendipitous discovery” and why creators act as the new shelf space and sales associates
How trend intelligence and social listening inform assortment, content, and commerce decisions
What brands often get wrong when working with creators—and how authenticity and flexibility improve outcomes
This episode offers a clear blueprint for founders, marketers, and retailers navigating the future of commerce.
Join us in listening to the episode to hear how creators, content, and trust are redefining discovery—and why the brands that build ecosystems, not just products, will be the ones that win.
For more on Sarah Henry visit: https://www.walmart.com/
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In this episode of The Story of a Brand Show, host Rose Hamilton, CEO of Compass Rose Ventures, sits down with Greg Horn, President and CEO, Specialty Nutrition Consulting, Inc., and Managing Director and Partner, William Hood and Company for a deep, historical, and forward-looking conversation about the evolution of the health and wellness industry.
Greg is widely regarded as one of the original architects of science-based nutrition, having shaped the category long before functional nutrition, clinical validation, and health data became mainstream.
Throughout the conversation, Rose guides listeners through the pivotal moments that built today’s wellness ecosystem—from early regulatory frameworks and professionalization of supplements to the rise of functional foods, investment networks, and wearable health data. Greg offers a rare, behind-the-scenes perspective on what separates real innovation from marketing noise, and why proof, efficacy, and ecosystem-building remain the true drivers of long-term success in this category.
Key topics explored in this episode include:
The regulatory breakthroughs of the 1990s that enabled trust, transparency, and growth in science-based nutrition
Why clinical proof, bioavailability, and real-world efficacy have always mattered more than hype
The early emergence of functional foods and beverages—and what made true category breakthroughs stand out
How industry institutions like Nutrition Business Journal and Nutrition Capital Network helped professionalize the space and connect founders with capital and expertise
What lies ahead for health and wellness innovation, including wearable data, ingredient technology, and the realities founders face when scaling physical products
This episode offers invaluable context for founders, operators, and investors navigating today’s increasingly sophisticated wellness landscape.
Join us in listening to the episode to gain clarity on where the industry has been, where it’s going, and what it truly takes to build credible, lasting brands rooted in science and trust.
For more on Greg Horn/Specialty Nutrition Consulting, Inc., visit: https://greghorn.com/
For more on William Hood & Company, visit: https://www.williamhoodandcompany.com/
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When you think about transformation in beauty, few stories are as fascinating as the one unfolding at Rodan + Fields.
In this episode, Rose Hamilton, CEO of Compass Rose Ventures, sits down with Anncy Rowe, Chief Commercial Officer, who is leading the company through one of the most ambitious reinventions in the industry — evolving from a billion-dollar direct-selling brand into a modern omni-channel powerhouse.
Anncy’s background includes some of the most iconic names in beauty — Maybelline, Garnier, and IT Cosmetics — and she’s now using that experience to bridge legacy and innovation at Rodan + Fields.
What struck me most about Anncy’s leadership is her ability to balance conviction and curiosity. She’s fiercely protective of the brand’s DNA — its female-founded roots, dermatology-driven credibility, and loyal consultant community — while introducing fresh storytelling, modern retail partnerships, and a bold “Love What You See” campaign that redefines clinical luxury for today’s consumer.
Here are a few highlights from our conversation:
Purpose Meets Reinvention: How Rodan + Fields is blending its heritage of women-led dermatology with a new omni-channel model that meets consumers wherever they shop — from consultants to DTC to Ulta.
Clinical Luxury, Redefined: The brand’s unique formulation philosophy — “no more, no less” — and why restraint, not volume, is the most powerful form of innovation.
Storytelling with Conviction: Anncy’s approach to brand transformation is rooted in founder DNA, purpose, and authenticity rather than chasing trends.
Female-Founded Advantage: How being the #1 female dermatologist-founded skincare brand is both a point of pride and a call to elevate more women in science and leadership.
Culture as the Growth Engine: Inside the company’s transformation — from hiring and leadership mindset shifts to building agility, clarity, and confidence across teams.
 
Join us in listening to this episode to hear how Anncy Rowe and the Rodan + Fields team are proving that legacy and reinvention can coexist beautifully — and that true transformation starts with purpose, people, and belief.
For more on Rodan & Fields, visit: https://www.rodanandfields.com/en-us/

In this episode of The Story of a Brand Show, my co-host Rose Hamilton, CEO of Compass Rose Ventures, sits down with Mike Fata, Founder and past Chairman & CEO of Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods. 
Mike’s story is one of personal transformation fueling a movement. What began with his own health journey, losing weight, regaining strength, and discovering hemp seeds, evolved into co-founding a company that pioneered an entire food category and scaled it all the way to a $419 million strategic exit.
Mike shares how belief, discipline, and governance shaped his entrepreneurial path. From facing stigma around hemp in the early days, to building a trusted brand on quality and education, to evolving his own leadership from founder to CEO to chairman, Mike gives us a masterclass in resilience and scaling with integrity. 
Today, he’s paying it forward as a mentor, investor, and author of “Grow: 12 Unconventional Lessons for Becoming an Unstoppable Entrepreneur.”
Here are some of the key moments from the episode:
How personal health struggles inspired Mike to co-found Manitoba Harvest
The power of storytelling and education in building belief in a new category
Why governance, values, and discipline were non-negotiable guardrails for scaling
The mindset shift required to evolve from founder to CEO to chairman
Why mentorship and continuous improvement remain at the core of his legacy
Join us in listening to the episode and hear how Mike Fata transformed passion into purpose, purpose into a category-defining brand, and now, wisdom into mentorship for the next generation of founders.
For more on Mike Fata, visit: https://www.mikefata.ca/
To buy Mike Fata’s book, “Grow: 12 Unconventional Lessons for Becoming an Unstoppable Entrepreneur,” visit Bookshop.org, Amazon, or wherever you purchase books and audiobooks. 
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When it comes to building lasting health and wellness brands, few people have as much lived experience as Raza Bashir.
As Chief Innovation Officer at Iovate Health Sciences International, Raza has spent nearly two decades turning cutting-edge science into products that make a real difference in people’s lives. From MuscleTech to Hydroxycut, his fingerprints are on some of the most influential supplement brands of our time.
In this conversation, hosted by Rose Hamilton, CEO of Compass Rose Ventures, we delve into the journey of innovation: what it truly entails behind the scenes, why transparency is non-negotiable, and how balancing margins with quality is one of the most challenging yet critical aspects of building a brand.
Raza also shares what inspires his product innovation, lessons from products like Clear Muscle, and his perspective on the fast-changing landscape of consumer wellness.
Here are some of the key moments from the episode:
The early days at Iovate and how a culture of speed and passion shaped innovation
Why storytelling and consumer feedback remain as important as the science behind the product
The Clear Muscle case study—how testing, iteration, and positioning made all the difference
Building consumer trust through transparency, science, and third-party validation
The future of supplements: precision nutrition, peptides, and the rise of consumer “stacks”

In this episode, Rose Hamilton, a powerhouse marketing strategist, CPG advisor, and the founder of Compass Rose Ventures sits down with Ramon Vela on The Story of a Brand Show.
Rose shares an honest, insightful look into what it takes to build, grow, and scale a consumer brand in today’s landscape, from digital-first storytelling to the emotional resilience founders need to survive the chaos of retail and fundraising. This conversation is packed with wisdom earned from years in the trenches, advising some of the most innovative brands in beauty, beverage, wellness, and beyond.
They discuss how founders can become better storytellers, how to establish a robust marketing foundation, and why data is more than just a buzzword - it’s a vital survival tool.
If you’re a founder, operator, investor, or just obsessed with consumer brands, this is the episode for you.
Here are a few key moments from our conversation:
Why modern CPG brands need both marketing gritl and operational grit
How to shift from founder-led storytelling to storyselling
The concept of a “data room for marketing”—and why every brand needs one