Episode #97: Morgan Lerner and Annie Slabotsky, GoNanas

27 Apr 2026 · 38 min
Episode

27 Apr 2026 · 38 min

0:00

In this episode of Subscribing to Wellness, hosts Daniel Fairman and Rachel Newman interview Morgan Lerner and Annie Slabotsky, the co‑founders of GoNanas. The conversation traces the brand’s journey from its origin in a University of Michigan dorm room, where the founders baked and sold mini loaves of banana bread to local food‑service venues, through the COVID‑19 pandemic pivot to at‑home baking mixes (the “Quarantine Kit”) that went viral and attracted early retail interest from Nordstrom Rack. Listeners learn how the founders transformed a family‑recipe into a vegan, gluten‑free, allergen‑free mix, the iterative flavor‑development process (including the challenges of recreating complex flavors like s’mores), and the evolution of packaging from mason‑jar kits to the current pink‑striped bags. The interview delves into GoNanas’ limited‑edition “drop” model—borrowed from fashion—highlighting successful collaborations (e.g., with Salt & Straw ice cream) and the strategic use of seasonal flavors to drive repeat D2C purchases. The founders compare the dynamics of direct‑to‑consumer versus retail sales, describing in‑store tactics (produce‑aisle placement, demos, shelf‑blocking) and the importance of community‑driven marketing (a full‑time social media manager, 2,500 brand ambassadors, UGC). They discuss operational hurdles such as hiring the right talent for a small, remote team, and outline their target consumer (primarily women 30‑45, moms, and millennial females) and competitive set (Simple Mills, Miss Jones). Finally, they share future ambitions to break into the produce sections of conventional grocery chains (Publix, Albertsons), and personal wellness habits that keep them balanced while scaling the business.

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