UnLost Cause

Millie’s Sipping Broth: Layoff to 2,000 Walmarts. Learn How Llance Kezner Created a New Category

What if losing your job was the best thing that ever happened to you? In this inspiring episode of UnLost Cause, former tech VP Llance Kezner shares how he and his wife Lori—a teacher—turned a home kitchen idea into Millie's Sipping Broth, a product now stocked in nearly 2,000 Walmart stores.
From setbacks like layoffs and manufacturing challenges to viral moments during COVID and a golden ticket from Walmart, Llance opens up about the messy, meaningful path to reclaiming purpose after 40.
This episode is for anyone who feels like their dream might be “too late”—because Llance proves it never is.
02:10 – The kindergarten classroom moment that sparked it all
06:00 – Childhood sales lessons from a Christmas tree lot
10:40 – How his global trade background shaped his resilience
17:15 – The tidal wave of 2009: layoff, loss, and the search for control
21:30 – A garlic accident that led to their first product
26:05 – Pivoting from award-winning garlic to sipping broth
30:50 – Real-world testing at Pike Place Market
38:20 – Why innovation is only half the battle: packaging, pricing & pitch
42:10 – Going viral during COVID thanks to Weight Watchers
48:40 – How Walmart’s Golden Ticket changed everything
54:15 – What keeps Lance grounded—and moving forward
🎯 Like this story? Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to www.unlostcuase.com

Near-Stroke at Christmas. A Year Later? Launching a Travel Business for Women 50+

What happens when a lifelong change maker hits the wall? Stephanie M. Jones shares how a near health crisis forced her to stop giving to everyone else and finally start giving to herself. Her new venture, The Selfish Luxury Traveler, is more than travel, it's about joy, self-care, and rewriting your story after 50.
 👉 If this moved you, please like, share, and subscribe to UnLost Cause.
🎧 Full podcast + newsletter: https://unlostcause.substack.com
📲 Follow Stephanie: @TheSelfishLuxuryTraveler

From Harvard Business School to RevGTM: Kevin Nakao’s Story of Reinventing Joy at Work

Kevin Nakao’s story is one of serial reinvention. From launching a Grammy-nominated record label to leading marketing in startups and now running his own solo consultancy, Kevin’s career is a testament to lifelong learning, humility, and hustle.
In this episode of UnLost Cause, Kevin shares the lessons of choosing joy over title, getting his hands dirty again in his 50s, and why he’s more fulfilled now as a “company of one” than ever before.
⏱️ CHAPTERS03:12 – The impact of non-traditional Asian parents06:45 – First entrepreneurial sparks and childhood role models11:20 – How hustle got him a job at Universal Music17:40 – The startup shift: From record label to tech22:55 – Realizing he didn’t want to be CEO again27:10 – Why freelancing beat corporate leadership32:00 – The financial and emotional planning before the leap37:30 – Pricing lessons as a freelancer41:10 – Company of One: Pros and cons45:15 – AI’s impact on marketing and Kevin’s plan to stay ahead50:40 – Family life, flexibility, and redefining success54:05 – The emotional tax (and freedom) of freelancing58:00 – Advice to those over 40 with simmering dreams1:01:20 – Kevin’s ask to the UnLost Cause community
✅ Like, share, and subscribe to support encore entrepreneurs.🎧 Listen to the full podcast and subscribe on Substack: https://unlostcause.substack.com

Launching BougieGougies.com in Her 60's: Kristin Middleton Inspiring Journey

Kristin Middleton didn’t let age, depression, or detours hold her back. After a rich career in wine and a life-changing health scare, she launched BougieGougies.com — a Seattle bakery reviving the French cheese puff.
This conversation dives deep into courage, reinvention, and the kind of clarity that only comes with time. Kristin's story reminds us: it’s never too late to dream again.
Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro + Kristin’s Early Dream of Entrepreneurship
0:03 – First Brush with Baking & the Magic of Gougères
0:08 – Career Detour: Banking, Wine, and Depression
0:16 – Hitting Reset in Her 60s + Canyon Ranch Turning Point
0:21 – COVID, Recovery, and the Idea That Wouldn’t Let Go
0:26 – Testing Bougie Gougies at Parties (Market Validation)
0:30 – Reading Candace Nelson’s Book: The Deciding Moment
0:33 – Launching Bougie Gougies in her 60's
0:36 – Mental Health, Energy, and Morning Structure
0:41 – The Role of Consultants and Business Support
0:45 – Goop Feature + Holiday Spike + Co-Manufacturing Plans
0:48 – Why Starting Late Can Be a Strength, Not a Weakness
Here is the list of a few books, Podcasts, Business Consultant, and Digital Marketing Consultant Kristin touched on:
Books
-Sweet Success by Candace Nelson https://amzn.to/3EWLF4Z
-The 5AM Club by Robin Sharma https://amzn.to/4k63b5w
-On Brand by Aliza Licht https://amzn.to/43iQNto
-Small Graces: The Quiet Gifts of Everyday Life by Kent Nerburn https://amzn.to/43mkz0k
-Dare to Lead by Brene Brown https://amzn.to/3ETdsmW
 
Podcasts
-Powerful Ladies (Host: Kara Duffy)
-Robin Sharma (for daily inspiration)
-A Touch More (Megan Rapinoe and Sue Bird)
 
Business Consultant: Kara Duffy (Kara Duffy.com)
Digital Marketing Consultant
-Marissa Stahl
-Cherry-Creative.com
 
Public Relations with Food & Beverage Specialty
-Delaney Vetter (Delaneyvettercommunications.com)
📬 Follow the journey on Substack (www.unlostcause.com)  #UnLostCause #EncoreEntrepreneur #ReinventionAfter40 #Gougères #BougieGougies

You Are Not Broken: The Story of Redemption, Justice, and The Black Rose Collective

At age 16, David Heppard was sentenced to life in prison.
He served 24 years.
Today, he’s the co-founder of The Black Rose Collective, helping others heal and reenter society with dignity.
In this powerful episode of UnLost Cause, David shares how a single act of empathy shattered a lifetime of shame, how he rebuilt himself from the inside out, and how he’s using that journey to uplift others.
🔹 Learn how healing—not punishment—creates real change🔹 Why David lived every day like he was getting out tomorrow🔹 What the “8-hour bricklaying” philosophy can teach us all🔹 And how you can help support reentry and justice work in your community
If you’ve ever felt like it’s too late to start over, or that you don’t deserve a second chance — this is the conversation you didn’t know you needed.
🔗 Black Rose Collective: https://theblackrosecollective.org📬 Join the UnLost Cause community: UnLostCause.com
 

Herb Bread, Burnout, and the Bold Leap: Brooke St. Sauver’s Restaurant Dream After 40

At 16, Brooke St. Sauver ignored her mom’s warning and baked herb bread anyway. The loaves rose perfectly—so did her confidence.
Decades later, after climbing the corporate ladder in fashion retail, Brooke hit peak success and peak burnout. Instead of going on vacation, she and her husband sat down and wrote a business plan. That act sparked a second act: two restaurants in Seattle, The Coupe & Flute and The Dandy.
In this inspiring episode of UnLost Cause, Brooke opens up about:
The childhood spark that never left her
How burnout pushed her into purpose
The emotional (and financial) toll of entrepreneurship after 40
Writing a business plan as a turning point
How COVID, budget overruns, and self-doubt didn’t stop her
What it’s like to finally live a dream—and have no regrets
If you’ve ever wondered, “What if I’m too late?”—this episode is proof that you’re not.
🔔 Subscribe to UnLost Cause and hear real stories from people 40+ who turned their “lost causes” into lives they love.

✈️ From Peace Corps to $7M Purpose: Andrew Motiwalla’s Encore Leap with TheGoodLifeAbroad.com

At 45, Andrew Motiwalla could’ve played it safe. Instead, he bet on his dream—and built a travel company generating $7M+ a year.
In this episode of UnLost Cause, we explore Andrew’s unconventional path from Peace Corps volunteer to tech executive to founder of The Good Life Abroad, a community-driven experience helping people 55+ live abroad for a month or more with purpose, joy, and connection.
You’ll hear how Andrew:
Turned a career crossroads into a calling
Tested demand with just $7,000 and no product
Built a loyal customer base with 30% repeat rate and an NPS of 82
Raised capital the right way—by choosing a strategic investor over a syndicate of angels
Whether you’re 40 or 60, Andrew’s story will remind you: the dream you shelved might just become your most meaningful legacy.
🎧 Subscribe, share, and leave a review!🌍 Learn more: https://www.thegoodlifeabroad.com📸 Follow @thegoodlifeabroad on Instagram

🔥 From Trading Floor to Kitchen Door: Brian Staub Reinvents Life at 45

Ever feel like your real dream has been simmering on the back burner?
Brian Staub did.
At 45, he left a successful career in finance, enrolled in culinary school, and fought through setbacks — including the pandemic — to open Haven, a neighborhood restaurant inspired by his childhood kitchen and love of community.
His story is a masterclass in grit, reinvention, and making bold dreams real, no matter your age.
This is the *UnLost Cause* journey of reinvention, resilience, and starting fresh when most people settle in.
💬 If you've ever wondered, “Is it too late to chase a dream?” — this episode is for you.
📍 Learn more about Brian Staub and Haven:
-https://havenuws.com Instagram:
-https://instagram.com/havenuws
 
👥 Join the UnLost Cause Community:
→ Subscribe on Substack: https://unlostcause.substack.com/
 
🔔 Like this episode? Hit subscribe, share with a friend, and drop a comment about your own UnLost Cause.
#CareerPivot #Over40Entrepreneur #UnLostCause #RestaurantOwner #BrianStaub #LifeReinvention

Quitting Finance for Dog Walking without Fear [Veronica Zolotoochin's Journey]

Veronica Zolotoochin spent over two decades in the high-stakes world of finance, working as a bond and stock broker. 
But despite the success, she felt suffocated—disconnected from what truly brought her joy. 
In a bold move, she walked away from corporate life to pursue something that had been a lifelong passion: dogs. 
She bought a small dog-walking business in Salt Lake City called Dog N Butterfly that provides bespoke personal dog care in SLC and Staunton, VA. 
Dogs have been Veronica’s passion throughout her life, and they hold a very special place in her heart.
Her story is about courage, intuition, and embracing a life where passion meets purpose. 

How Victor Huang is Unlocking Entrepreneurship Rights for all with Right to Start

What if starting a business wasn’t just an opportunity—but a right? Victor Huang, founder of Right to Start, is on a mission to remove barriers that hold aspiring entrepreneurs back. In this episode, we explore how policy, community, and advocacy can create a level playing field for all. If you've ever dreamed of building something of your own, this is the conversation for you.