Kesha Stickland's mission is clear: to make healthy food accessible and delicious. After a life-changing health crisis, she turned to mushrooms as a powerful tool for healing—and now she's revolutionizing the meat alternative industry. Discover how her journey from software engineer to food innovator is transforming consumer behavior and building healthier communities.

‍Episode Summary:

‍Kesha Stickland, CEO and co-founder of The Mushroom Meat Co., shares her journey from software engineering and consulting to food innovation. Following a severe health crisis and personal journey to recovery, Kesha discovered the healing power of mushrooms. Her commitment to health drove her to develop award-winning beef and pork alternatives using functional mushrooms as the star ingredient.

In this episode, Kesha breaks down the science behind mushrooms, their nutritional power, and why they outperform many meat alternatives in both health benefits and sustainability. She also explores how she's working with farmers to grow mushrooms as a profitable alternative to traditional livestock, unlocking new economic opportunities and utilizing existing supply chains. Throughout the conversation, Kesha opens up about her leadership journey, her role as a visible role model, and how she embraces every learning as a powerful tool for innovation and growth.Listen in to hear how Kesha's dedication to health is driving impactful change in the food industry and what we put in the center of our plates.

‍Key Themes:

• How Kesha Stickland's health journey inspired her to build The Mushroom Meat Co.
• The powerful nutritional benefits of mushrooms and their role in overall health
• Why reducing friction is key for changing consumer behavior, even when health is the motivating factor
• Why Kesha doesn't believe in failure and sees everything as a learning moment
• How a successful career in software, engineering, and consulting translates to her role and strengths as a founder
• Why celebrating wins and finding moments of laughter are key to her success

Links & Resources

• Connect with Kesha Stickland and our host Kt McBratney
• Learn more about Kesha's work with The Mushroom Meat Co.
• Follow The Mushroom Meat Co. on Instagram for chef-driven recipes and more
• Want more founder stories? Subscribe to Founded on Purpose
• Learn more about Renew VC, and follow on LinkedIn to stay in the know

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