Description

Lisa Curtis is the Founder & CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods, the leading brand transforming global superfoods like moringa into lasting impact for your body and the planet. Kuli Kuli’s wellness powders and gummies are sustainably sourced from African women and other smallholder farmers around the world, and are now available in over 11,000 U.S. stores. Lisa began developing Kuli Kuli while serving in the Peace Corps and has grown it into a multi-million-dollar social enterprise. She has been recognized on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list and Inc. Magazine’s Top 100 Female Founders list.

In this episode, Wendi and Lisa discuss:

• How a life-changing Peace Corps experience led Lisa to launch Kuli Kuli Foods
• The challenges of building a superfood brand from scratch with no business background
• The role of crowdfunding and millennial entrepreneurship in bringing bold ideas to life
• The social impact of climate-smart crops like moringa on small farmers and communities
• Scaling sustainably and staying mission-aligned while growing a national brand

Key Takeaways:

• A transformative Peace Corps moment in Niger becomes the unlikely catalyst for Lisa’s discovery of moringa—a nutrient-dense plant that would redefine both her health and purpose.
• Rather than seeking early validation from traditional investors, Lisa turned to the crowd, proving that community belief can fund more than just ideas; it can launch global movements.
• Resilience, for Lisa, isn't fueled by hustle alone; it’s rooted in strict self-care, where sleep, exercise, and nutrition serve as non-negotiable foundations for entrepreneurial stamina.
• When disaster struck—literally—with a wildfire wiping out their only farming partner, the company didn’t fold; it adapted, using the setback as fuel to broaden its global sourcing network.
• In a sea of polished pitches, an unfiltered email from Zimbabwe and a photo with local farmers broke through the noise, revealing how authenticity can open doors where strategy stalls.

“I don’t want to be the only one—I want more brands with transparent supply chains and products that are good for people, communities, and the planet. I’d rather be the flame that sparks the fire than the only one trying to hold the torch alone.” - Lisa Curtis

Connect with Lisa Curtis:

Websites: https://www.kulikulifoods.com/ , https://lisamariecurtis.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisamariecurtis 

Connect with Wendi Swanson:

Website: etymongroup.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wendiswanson

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557265653368 

Email: wswanson@etymongroup.com

Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.