Jan 7, 2026
In this episode of The Story of a Brand Show, host Rose Hamilton, CEO of Compass Rose Ventures, sits down with Greg Horn, President and CEO, Specialty Nutrition Consulting, Inc., and Managing Director and Partner, William Hood and Company for a deep, historical, and forward-looking conversation about the evolution of the health and wellness industry.
Greg is widely regarded as one of the original architects of
science-based nutrition, having shaped the category long before
functional nutrition, clinical validation, and health data became
mainstream.
Throughout the conversation, Rose guides listeners through the
pivotal moments that built today’s wellness ecosystem—from early
regulatory frameworks and professionalization of supplements to the
rise of functional foods, investment networks, and wearable health
data.
Greg offers a rare, behind-the-scenes perspective on what separates real innovation from marketing noise, and why proof, efficacy, and ecosystem-building remain the true drivers of long-term success in this category.
Key topics explored in this episode include:
* The regulatory breakthroughs of the 1990s that enabled trust,
transparency, and growth in science-based nutrition
* Why clinical proof, bioavailability, and real-world efficacy have
always mattered more than hype
* The early emergence of functional foods and beverages—and what
made true category breakthroughs stand out
* How industry institutions like Nutrition Business Journal and
Nutrition
Capital Network helped professionalize the space and connect
founders with capital and expertise
* What lies ahead for health and wellness innovation, including
wearable data, ingredient technology, and the realities founders
face when scaling physical products
This episode offers invaluable context for founders, operators, and
investors navigating today’s increasingly sophisticated wellness
landscape.
Join us in listening to the episode to gain clarity on where the
industry has been, where it’s going, and what it truly takes to
build credible, lasting brands rooted in science and trust.
For more on Greg Horn visit: https://greghorn.com/
For more on Specialty Nutrition Consulting, Inc.,
visit: https://specialtynutrition.com/
For more on William Hood & Company, visit:
https://www.williamhoodandcompany.com/
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