Shows
The Business of You with Rachel Gogos245 | Why Teaching Your Customers Beats Selling to Them With Shizu OkusaMost founders focus on selling their products, but few take the time to teach people why they matter. For Shizu Okusa, that difference has become her biggest advantage in business. A former Wall Street trader turned wellness entrepreneur, Shizu is the founder and CEO of Apothékary–a brand known as "Mother Nature's Pharmacy." What started in her kitchen, mixing herbs like maca and ashwagandha, has grown into a nationwide brand stocked in Ulta, Sprouts, and 500+ stores across the U.S. Shizu's lessons in business will change your approach to connecting with...
2025-11-1836 minThe Business of You with Rachel Gogos245 | Why Teaching Your Customers Beats Selling to Them With Shizu OkusaMost founders focus on selling their products, but few take the time to teach people why they matter. For Shizu Okusa, that difference has become her biggest advantage in business. A former Wall Street trader turned wellness entrepreneur, Shizu is the founder and CEO of Apothékary–a brand known as "Mother Nature's Pharmacy." What started in her kitchen, mixing herbs like maca and ashwagandha, has grown into a nationwide brand stocked in Ulta, Sprouts, and 500+ stores across the U.S. Shizu's lessons in business will change your approach to connecting with...
2025-11-1836 min
Shelf Talks3 Rapid Retail Questions with Shizu Okusa, Founder & CEO of ApothekarySend us a textIn this Shelf Talks Retail Readiness Round, Shizu Okusa, founder and CEO of Apothekary, shares quick but powerful insights every founder should know before stepping into retail.From managing working capital and understanding payment terms, to deeply researching buyers and their priorities, Shizu breaks down what it really takes to make a lasting impression and succeed once your products hit the shelf.Plus, she leaves us with the best piece of founder advice she lives by:“Don’t borr...
2025-10-2803 min
Shelf TalksHow Apothekary’s Shizu Okusa Blends Eastern Traditions with Modern Retail SuccessSend us a textIn this episode of Shelf Talks, host Roberta Townes sits down with Shizu Okusa, founder and CEO of Apothekary, the plant-based pharmacy redefining modern wellness on retail shelves.Shizu shares how she went from working on Wall Street to building a multimillion-dollar wellness brand that blends ancient Eastern medicine with modern health practices. She opens up about her early days running a cold-pressed juice business, her bold pivots, and how Apothekary grew from DTC success to landing on shelves at Sprouts, Ulta...
2025-10-2743 min
Morning MicrodoseLessons From Japanese CultureIn this episode, join Lindsey and Shizu Okusa, founder of Apothékary, for an inspiring dive into the entrepreneurial journey, the power of herbs, and how to prioritize what matters most in life. Want to learn how to maintain a mindful + purposeful approach as a busy founder? This is for you!Morning Microdose is a podcast curated by Krista Williams and Lindsey Simcik, the hosts and founders of Almost 30, a global community, brand, and top rated podcast.With curated clips from the Almost 30 podcast, Morning Mircodose will set the tone for your day, so you c...
2025-10-0810 min
The Big Idea with Elizabeth GoreHow entrepreneurs know when it’s time to pivotGoing from Wall Street to wellness wasn’t easy - but this CEO proves it’s possible.
This week on The Big Idea with Elizabeth Gore, Apothékary CEO and founder Shizu Okusa joins the show to answer the question: How do I navigate a career pivot? Okusa — who got her start working in finance on Wall Street — decided to overhaul her career and pivot to entrepreneurship in the wellness sector. Okusa and Gore discuss what it takes to enter this growing industry and the many pivots she faced personally and professionally on her journey.
Yahoo Fin...
2025-09-1124 min
Almost 30Balance Spiritual Growth + Business Ventures for REAL SuccessIn this episode, join Lindsey and Shizu Okusa, founder of Apothékary, for an inspiring dive into the entrepreneurial journey, the power of herbs, and how to prioritize what matters most in life. Want to learn how to maintain a mindful + purposeful approach as a busy founder? This is for you!Ahead, Shizu helps us redefine success beyond traditional career milestones, emphasizing the importance of cultivating what she calls “eulogy virtues” as much as we work on our “resume virtues.” She also opens up about her spiritual journey and how she’s learned to trust divin...
2025-01-071h 27
Essential Ingredients Podcast033: The Natural Pharmacy: How Holistic Wellness is Redefining Healing and Prevention with Shizu Okusa"I traded my life in WallStreet for the world of WellStreet, and I became an entrepreneur." —Shizu Okusa The wellness industry has experienced a remarkable transformation in recent years, as consumers increasingly seek natural, holistic solutions to address their health and well-being. This shift reflects a broader societal trend towards a more integrative understanding of health, one that recognizes the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and environment. As this intersection continues to evolve, innovative companies are poised to capitalize on this growing market, offering consumers a new generation of wellness products and services that prioritize pre...
2024-08-1331 min
Shopify MastersHow to Start Optimizing Your Company’s Revenue GrowthShizu Okusa left Wall Street in 2013 to launch her own brand, Jrink. After selling it, she created Apothékary, making herbal remedies. Discover the revenue growth tips she’s learned from both companies. To hear more on Apothékary and read show notes click here.
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2024-07-1832 min
Honest Ecommerce269 | Revolutionizing Wellness Industry: The Apothecary Approach with Shizu Okusa - Honest Ecommerce Ep. 269 | with Shizu OkusaShizu Okusa is the Founder & CEO of Apothékary, a plant-based farmacy that couples traditional medicine with modern day ailments, offering natural alternatives to over-the-counter drugs and beauty products. The company was established in 2019 and has since expanded their business beyond the US and now in 22+ countries worldwide. In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:52] Intro[01:39] Transforming No’s into a business idea[02:53] From Aha moment to a wellness journey[03:37] Modernizing Eastern apothecary[04:2] Gathering storefront insights for Ecommerce[05:41] Maximizing data-driven marketing[07:39] Embracing a remote and global team[08:22] The wave of mental wellness trends during COVID[10:24] Seizing the S...
2024-03-1824 min
The Empathy EdgeShizu Okusa: From Wall Street to Wellness: How One Entrepreneur Built Empathy Into Her SuccessI've often said that many entrepreneurs get their business ideas from practicing empathy. From either experiencing a pain point themselves or wanting to solve a pain or provide a benefit to an audience who needs it. Today, we talk to one such start-up entrepreneur, Shizu Okusa, the Founder and CEO of wellness company Apothékary.Today, Shizu shares her entrepreneurial journey from Wall Street to wellness, and how many of her leadership and product philosophies are inspired by her Japanese heritage. We discuss why self-awareness is key for founders to be successful for the lo...
2024-03-1244 min
The Kara Goldin Show469 Shizu Okusa: Founder & CEO of ApothékaryShizu Okusa, Founder and CEO of Apothékary, set out to disrupt synthetic supplements by launching a platform that makes plant-medicine fun and accessible. Combining ancient ritual and modern science, Apothékary’s adaptogenic blends trade chemical ingredients for clean herbal alternatives. Shizu is a force and in our episode she shares so much wisdom and lessons in her journey. You are going to love this episode and I can’t wait for you to hear it. Now on the #TheKaraGoldinShow. Enjoying this episode of #TheKaraGoldinShow? Let me know by clicking on the links below and sending me a q...
2023-11-2942 min
High StakesMarketing Frontiers: Consumer Engagement with Venture Insights (featuring Shizu Okusa and Sahil Rahman) Join us in the final episode of Season 1 of High Stakes as we delve into the vibrant world of Consumer Marketing and GTM strategies. Hear firsthand insights from Shizu Okusa, the visionary behind Apothekary's wellness journey; and Sahil Rahman, the co-founder of Rasa, who's charting new territories in the restaurant industry. Together with host, Paige Soya, they'll shed light on the challenges, innovations, and foresights of today's dynamic venture landscape.
2023-11-1727 min
Most People Don't... But You Do!#110 From Wall Street to Wellness Entrepreneur; Shizu Okusa of ApothekaryToday’s podcast guest is Shizu Okusa, Founder & CEO at Apothékary.
She shares her remarkable journey to seek and find joy and happiness through helping others heal.
Growing up was difficult for her as everything about her was different than others her age in Canada. Her name was unique and hard to pronounce. She looked unlike most of her friends.
Shizu has been able to use that “difference” to her advantage and to the benefit of the world, by using those feelings for motivation.
As she...
2023-10-2742 min
Fitt Insider204. Shizu Okusa, Founder & CEO of ApothékaryToday I'm joined by Shizu Okusa, founder and CEO of Apothékary, a supplements company rooted in East-meets-West wisdom. After exiting her first business in 2019, Shizu set out to disrupt synthetic supplements by launching a platform that makes plant-medicine fun and accessible. Combining ancient ritual and modern science, Apothékary's adaptogenic blends trade chemical ingredients for clean herbal alternatives. In this episode, we discuss Apothékary's East-meets-West ethos. Plus, we talk about bootstrapping growth, expanding into offline experiences, and developing science-backed supplements. In this episode, you'll learn: • What Shizu's learned being a repea...
2023-09-1942 minFitt Insider204. Shizu Okusa, Founder & CEO of ApothékaryToday I'm joined by Shizu Okusa, founder and CEO of Apothékary, a supplements company rooted in East-meets-West wisdom. After exiting her first business in 2019, Shizu set out to disrupt synthetic supplements by launching a platform that makes plant-medicine fun and accessible. Combining ancient ritual and modern science, Apothékary's adaptogenic blends trade chemical ingredients for clean herbal alternatives. In this episode, we discuss Apothékary's East-meets-West ethos. Plus, we talk about bootstrapping growth, expanding into offline experiences, and developing science-backed supplements. In this episode, you'll learn: • What Shizu's learned being a repea...
2023-09-1942 min
How to...with Anne MahlumHow to Be a Human Being, Not a Human Doing with Shizu OkusaIn this episode, we talk to Shizu Okusa, the founder and CEO of Apothékary, a plant-based pharmacy that offers natural alternatives to over-the-counter drugs and beauty products. Shizu shares her entrepreneurial journey in the health and wellness industry, starting with her first company, Drink, which she launched and bootstrapped. We also learn about her passion for angel investing in mostly female-led companies, with a portfolio of ten companies to date. Shizu's upbringing by traditional immigrant parents from Osaka and Tokyo, particularly her father's reminder to stay grounded, is also discussed in relation to her topic, "How To Be a...
2023-05-1141 min
Super ExpanderValues Should Be the Center of Both Your Business and Life with Shizu OkusaWe all place different values on various aspects of our existence, such as economic independence, respect, family, compassion, and so on. Whatever you hold dear identifies you as a person.
Corene is joined in this episode by Shizu Okusa, the founder of Apothekary, to discuss what it took for Shizu to create her business, how value had a major role in the business's success, and how you should be calling people in rather than out. If you are an entrepreneur who is struggling to deal with all of the noise that is associated with the r...
2023-01-1243 min
Kreatures Of Habit PodcastShizu Okusa: Productivity Tips For The Millennial WorkforceShizu Okusa is the Founder & CEO of Apothékary, a plant-based farmacy that couples traditional medicine with modern day ailments, offering natural alternatives to over-the-counter drugs and beauty products. The company was established in 2019 and has since expanded their business beyond the US and now in 22+ countries worldwide.
Shizu started her entrepreneurial journey in the health & wellness industry eight years ago with her first company, JRINK. She launched and bootstrapped the cold-pressed juice brand in 2013 and since scaled and ultimately sold the company to a strategic buyer in 2019. On “the side”, she also angel invests in (mostly) female l...
2022-09-1536 min
Straight To ItEp.33: The Farmacy of The Future with Shizu Okusa, Founder of ApothékaryIn this episode, I interview Shizu Okusa, the CEO and Founder of Apothékary, a new type of medicine that uses herbs and mushrooms to substitute for caffeine, alcohol and even CBD. Shizu founded the company in 2019 after working at Goldman Sachs and building a juice business. We discuss her story, the culture of medicine in the U.S., and her vision for the future of the pharmacy! And use code Explain10 at checkout, or use this link to get 10% off you order. Enjoy!
2022-07-3021 min
THE HEY GIRL PODCASTShizu Okusa on Self-Trust & WellnessAlex sits down with the founder of Apothekary to discuss accessible health and wellness, inner calling, purpose, and trusting our gut. Connect with Apothekary: https://www.instagram.com/apothekaryco/Shop Apothekary: https://apothekary.co/discount/ALEXELLE COME TO THE FINALE SHOW IN DC: https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/explore-by-genre/comedy/2021-2022/hey-girl-podcast-live/______________________________The Hey Girl Podcast is mixed & produced by Wayne Bertram.Connect with Alex on Instagram: @al...
2022-04-1020 min
The Reboot PodcastThe Shoulds of the Past & the Anxieties of the Future (re-release) - with Shizu Okusa & Jerry ColonnaAlong the entrepreneurial journey there comes a time and place for all leaders where we lift our heads from the fog of busyness to find ourselves on an unknown path. Knowing where we are isn't exactly where we intended to be, we look to the past for clues to how we've landed in this spot. For many, this is the integral moment in which we come to realize that our internal and external selves have fallen out of alignment. Our guest on this episode of the Reboot Podcast is Shizu Okusa, Founder & CEO of Wellthy & Co. Feeling stagnant and unsure...
2020-09-241h 00
Find Your Freedom by Detox HouseFarmacy of the Future: Using Adaptogens with Apothekary Founder Shizu OkusaIn this episode, I sit down with Shizu Okusa, former Wall Street Exec and founder of Apothekary and JRINK, and discuss all things adaptogens. Adaptogens are gaining more mainstream popularity as so many people are seeing benefits from incorporating these magical herbs into their daily practice to heal. What you'll learn in this episode: Quick summary of Ayurveda The different Dosha types Overview of adaptogens The right way to use adaptogens Adaptogen Benefits Recommendations for how to incorporate adaptogens into your daily life
2020-03-0738 min
Everyday EnviroEmotional SustainabilityDanielle talks with Jrink and Apothekary founder Shizu Okusa about the path to emotional sustainability, as a prerequisite for championing environmental sustainability.
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2019-12-0200 min
The Reboot PodcastThe Shoulds of the Past & the Anxieties of the Future - with Shizu Okusa & Jerry ColonnaAlong the entrepreneurial journey there comes a time and place for all leaders where we lift our heads from the fog of busyness to find ourselves on an unknown path. Knowing where we are isn't exactly where we intended to be, we look to the past for clues to how we've landed in this spot. For many, this is the integral moment in which we come to realize that our internal and external selves have fallen out of alignment. Our guest on this episode of the Reboot Podcast is Shizu Okusa, Founder & CEO of Wellthy & Co. Feeling stagnant and unsure...
2019-10-151h 00
Foodie and the BeastFoodie and the Beast - July 28 2019Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis.
On today’s show:
• Shizu Okusa, the Founder & CEO of Wellthy & Co, a family of direct-to-consumer wellness brands, including JRINK, a cold-pressed juice subscription company, and Apothékary, a plant-based farmacy disrupting the healthcare space with its line of CBD-infused drinks;
• Dr. Sunyatta Amen, Tea-EO (get it?!) of Calabash Tea & Tonic, whose healthy and, uh, motivating teas include powerful aphrodisiacs such as Love Potion #10 Chai and the Mighty Mandingo Chai;
• Homewood Suites Navy Yard – near Nationals P{ark – is always abuzz during baseball season. We’ll hear all about that a more from Anat Levinson, the h...
2019-07-2850 minFoodie and the BeastFoodie and the Beast - July 28 2019Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis.
On today’s show:
• Shizu Okusa, the Founder & CEO of Wellthy & Co, a family of direct-to-consumer wellness brands, including JRINK, a cold-pressed juice subscription company, and Apothékary, a plant-based farmacy disrupting the healthcare space with its line of CBD-infused drinks;
• Dr. Sunyatta Amen, Tea-EO (get it?!) of Calabash Tea & Tonic, whose healthy and, uh, motivating teas include powerful aphrodisiacs such as Love Potion #10 Chai and the Mighty Mandingo Chai;
• Homewood Suites Navy Yard – near Nationals P{ark – is always abuzz during baseball season. We’ll hear all about that a more from Anat Levinson, the h...
2019-07-2850 min
Cold Pressed TruthJRINK and Apothekary Founder Shizu Okusa - Cold Pressed Truth #3Shizu Okusa is the founder and CEO of Wellthy & Co., JRINK, Apothekary, and Canteen, a new software suite to manage inventory and order fulfillment for a juice company. We spoke in depth about online advertising and marketing, fulfilling online orders, raising money for a juice startup, and more.
Join the Goodnature family at https://goodnature.com .
2019-03-061h 53
Get Found Get FundedGrowth: Challenges of Scaling Jrink & [solidcore]Shizu Okusa, founder of Jrink, and Anne Mahlum, founder of solidcore, discuss how to scale and maintain the right level of intimacy with customers, audiences and the business team.
2018-08-131h 00
Industry NightPurely for the Health of It with JRINKJRINK founder and CEO, Shizu Okusa, is in to talk about her new, experiential pharmacy, the Apothekary, offering herbal solutions to whatever ails people mentally, physically, and emotionally for a full, holistic experience. Headquartered in DC area, JRINK is all-natural health in a bottle – fresh, organic, juiced, plant-based product that tastes good and makes you feel great. By extension, the Apothekary seeks to bridge the gap between traditional and modern medicine, offering herbal solutions to whatever ails you (or us!).
2018-06-1800 min
THE HEY GIRL PODCASTShizu on Jrink + CeremonyAlex sits down with the founder of Jrink Juicery, Shizu Okusa, to discuss being a woman in business, the ebbs and flows of entrepreneurship, and self-care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2018-05-2038 min
Tastemakers PodcastEpisode 34 - Jrink - Shizu OkusaThis is a conversation with the co-founder and CEO of Jrink, Shizu Okusa. Shizu started her career on Wall Street before deciding to make juicing a living. Jrink is a digitally enabled, vertically integrated juice brand with customer experience at the core. They now have 5 tasting shops in Washington DC and a growing on-demand business through their website. Enjoy!
2017-11-2100 minFoodie and the BeastFoodie and the Beast - Aug. 27, 2017Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis.
This week's guests include:
- Shizu Okusa of juice purveyor Jrink, which now offers good-for-you waters as well;
- Ed McIntosh of Tortilladora;
- Veganism advocate Erica Meier on the upcoming VegFest near Nationals Park;
- Cable Smith of LeDroit Park's Royal.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2017-08-2750 minFoodie and the BeastFoodie and the Beast - Aug. 27, 2017Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis.
This week's guests include:
- Shizu Okusa of juice purveyor Jrink, which now offers good-for-you waters as well;
- Ed McIntosh of Tortilladora;
- Veganism advocate Erica Meier on the upcoming VegFest near Nationals Park;
- Cable Smith of LeDroit Park's Royal.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2017-08-2750 min