Guest Highlights:

• Name: Rhonda Kallman
• Title: Founder of Boston Harbor Distillery, co-founder of The Boston Beer Company (maker of Samuel Adams beer).
• Industry Contributions:
• Pioneering figure in the craft beer revolution.
• Recognized as one of the first women to make an impact in the male-dominated beer and spirits industry.
• Current focus on producing unique craft spirits at Boston Harbor Distillery.
• Awards/Recognitions:
• Named among INC Magazine’s “25 Entrepreneurs We Love.”
• Featured in “Beer Wars” documentary.
• Recipient of the Maverick Award from Beer Business Daily.

Episode Themes:

1. Breaking Barriers: Rhonda shares her experiences as a trailblazer for women in the alcohol beverage industry.
2. The Entrepreneurial Spirit: Insights into her journey co-founding Boston Beer Company and creating Boston Harbor Distillery.
3. Resilience and Leadership: How she navigated setbacks, including her battle with the FDA over caffeinated beer and the challenges of launching during 9/11.
4. Craft and Community: The importance of creating innovative products and connecting them to local history and culture.
5. Empowering Women: Advice for aspiring female leaders on building credibility and success in male-dominated fields.

Takeaways:

• Believe in yourself, even when others doubt you.
• Entrepreneurship requires resilience and a willingness to pivot when challenges arise.
• Building something meaningful often comes with personal sacrifices, but it can be deeply fulfilling.
• Leadership involves empowering others—Rhonda is most proud of the inclusive sales team she built at Boston Beer Company.
• Success in business often hinges on passion, differentiation, and a unique value proposition.

Title: Hydration, Sustainability, and Scaling with Purpose: Ralph Marucci of Hydr8

In this episode of What It Takes, host Jamie Seeker welcomes Ralph Marucci, co-founder and CEO of Hydr8, a company revolutionizing hydration and sustainability in the workplace. Ralph shares his entrepreneurial story, beginning with early lessons in equity, transitioning into the medical sales world, and eventually co-founding Hydr8 in 2017 to tackle single-use plastics and deliver cutting-edge hydration solutions.

Ralph discusses how Hydr8 differentiates itself with multi-stage water filtration systems, their commitment to reducing plastic waste, and the innovative Zero Waste Pantry Initiative, which includes sustainable coffee stations, snacks, and eco-friendly disposables. The company is well on its way to achieving its mission to save 1 billion bottles by 2030, with 300 million bottles already eliminated.

Throughout the episode, Ralph highlights the importance of strategic partnerships, scaling through strong hires, and balancing work with personal priorities like family. He offers actionable advice for business owners: establish core values, surround yourself with a trusted team, and focus on long-term growth without sacrificing balance.

This episode is perfect for entrepreneurs and leaders seeking inspiration to grow a purpose-driven, sustainable business while maintaining their work-life balance.

Key Takeaways:

1. Ralph’s Background & Hydr8’s Creation:

• Started in water systems under a venture capitalist at 22 but learned hard lessons about equity.
• Gained valuable experience in medical sales (J&J), then co-founded Hydr8 with his best friend to disrupt the bottled water industry.
• Hydr8 launched in 2017 with a mission to reduce single-use plastics and improve workplace hydration.

1. Hydr8’s Differentiators:

• Advanced Multi-Stage Filtration: Removes contaminants (lead, arsenic, pharmaceuticals, microplastics) and reintroduces essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
• No Plastic Waste: Provides high-quality water without bottles or 5-gallon jugs.
• Hydr8 offers flavored, sparkling, and ice water solutions for businesses.

1. Sustainability Commitment:

• Goal: Save 1 Billion Bottles by 2030; current progress: 300 million bottles saved.
• Hydr8 provides environmental impact reporting: measures CO₂ reduction, trees saved, and plastic diverted from landfills.
• Zero Waste Pantry Initiative:
• Sustainable coffee systems (bean-to-cup, no pods).
• Compostable disposables (PLA, bamboo, sugarcane-based products).
• Single-ingredient healthy snacks with compostable wrappers.
• Bulk snack dispensers to eliminate packaging waste.

1. Pivoting & Scaling the Business:

• Pandemic Pivot: Developed touchless water systems with a foot pedal, catering to essential workers and hospitals.
• Strategic hires (like a coffee guru) allowed Hydr8 to expand its product offerings.
• Grew customer base with major clients like JP Morgan, Kirkland Ellis, and the Brooklyn Nets.

1. Work-Life Balance & Leadership Lessons:

• Ralph emphasizes the importance of work-life balance, coaching his

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

1. Rajeev's journey from student to global business leader.
2. How to overcome cultural barriers when managing international teams.
3. The importance of building trust during mergers and acquisitions.
4. Key strategies for scaling businesses from startup to multimillion-dollar revenue.
5. Why mutual respect and clear outcomes are essential in leadership.
6. How to balance passion and purpose in your career.
7. Practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and leaders looking to expand globally.

Connect with Rajeev Mudumba:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rajeevmudumba
• Podcast: Plan B Success
• Website: Cooey Health

Quotes from the Episode:

• “Treat others the way you’d like to be treated.”
• “Passions evolve, but purpose becomes clearer as you execute every day.”
• “It’s not about warm and fuzzy all the time—business is about making tough decisions with respect and integrity.”

Action Items for Listeners:

1. Check out Rajeev’s podcast Plan B Success for more leadership insights.
2. Reflect on how you build trust and foster respect in your own teams.
3. Apply Rajeev’s strategies to scale your business or navigate global expansion.
4. Share this episode with a colleague or friend who could benefit from these insights.

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