Calling all small business warriors who feel chained to their business! Do you run your business or does your business run you? You’ve poured your blood, sweat and tears into it and it is time to set yourself free. I’m Bobby Mascia – owner of a wealth management firm, family office, manufacturing business, 18 store Dunkin Franchise, and de facto business coach. My goal? To liberate your business— whether it be operationally, prep for a sale, a legacy handover, or self-management. The roadmap to this freedom is something we will uncover together in Business Unchained.” Join me as I learn about fellow entrepreneurs, dissecting their past, present, and future.
About Dr. Jenny Woo
Dr. Jenny Woo is an educator, entrepreneur, and founder/CEO of Mind Brain Emotion, a company incubated at Harvard Innovation Labs that helps children and adults build emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and communication skills. With a Ph.D. in cognitive science and a master’s from Harvard, she has worked in human capital consulting at Deloitte, talent strategy at Cisco, and career coaching at UC Berkeley.
She is the creator of award-winning card games, including 52 Essential Conversations and 52 Essential Coping Skills, used in 50+ countries. Her work has been featured in CNBC, Forbes, FORTUNE, Fast Company, and more.
As a mother of three, Dr. Woo is passionate about helping families and professionals navigate modern challenges, build resilience, and create meaningful connections.
Reference Links:
Mind Brain Emotion Social Media
Dr. Jenny Woo Social Media
Episode Highlights:
What if the key to raising successful, resilient children isn’t about perfect grades or packed schedules—but something far more profound? In a world dominated by social media, academic pressure, and emotional recessions, how do we ensure our kids grow up with the emotional intelligence to thrive?
In this episode of Business Unchained, host Bobby Mascia sits down with Dr. Jenny Woo to discuss her journey from corporate consulting to creating tools that help families and workplaces develop essential human skills.
[07:54] ”When I say village, it doesn’t have to be a lot of people, but you really need that relationship. It could be a partner, a friend, a mentor to just help you stay on track and keep going.” — Dr. Jenny Woo
[09:46] ”We are experiencing an emotional recession. We don’t quite know how to talk to each other anymore.” — Dr. Jenny Woo
Dr. Woo explains how her company creates tools like conversation cards to help families and workplaces build emotional intelligence.
At its core, Dr. Woo’s story is about the power of emotional intelligence, resilience, and the belief that success isn’t just about academic or professional achievements—it’s about building meaningful connections and leading a balanced, fulfilling life.
In this episode:
About Jahaan Ansari
Jahaan Ansari is the co-founder and CTO of Gainful, a company that personalizes nutrition to help people reach their fitness goals. Jahaan studied chemical engineering and computer science at UC Berkeley, where he co-founded Gainful as a college senior with his high school friend Eric Wu. With a passion for health and wellness, Jahaan integrates his technical expertise with innovative fitness solutions, focusing on personalization and science-backed strategies.
In addition to his work at Gainful, Jahaan advocates for mental and physical well-being. He shares his favorite tools and practices, such as personalized workout apps, group fitness classes, cold plunging, and mindfulness techniques, to inspire others to lead healthier lives.
Reference Links:
Jahaan Ansari Social Media
Episode Highlights:
What does turning a dorm room idea into a nationwide success story take? How do you balance bold ambition with the wisdom to say “no” to distractions? And what role does trust—between co-founders, experts, and customers—play in building a brand that lasts?
In the latest episode of “Business Unchained,” host Bobby Mascia sits down with Jahaan Ansari, the co-founder of Gainful, a personalized nutrition brand. Jahaan shares the journey of Gainful from its inception in a college dorm to partnering with major retailers like Target. The discussion covers the challenges and successes faced by the founders, the importance of solid partnerships, and the evolution of the business. The co-founder emphasizes the significance of scientific backing, the scrappy early days, and the critical skill of saying no. The episode also touches on the operational transition as the company scaled and the importance of building a talented, trustworthy team.
(13:49) I remember my friend saying, “You know what’s going to be really funny is when you look back, and you have a billion-dollar company, and you look back at this moment,” and I kind of got goosebumps just talking about that.”- Jahaan Ansari
Gainful’s journey began in a college dorm kitchen, where the co-founders, Jahaan and Eric Ji Sun Wu, handmade the first 50 orders. Despite the lack of FDA compliance in those early days, their determination to create a scientifically-backed product was unwavering. They hired a dietitian from the outset to ensure the nutritional value of their products, providing customers with peace of mind.
(21:00) “I’m so lucky to be working on a business that I’m passionate about, and Gainful is absolutely my baby. It will always be my baby and always be Eric’s baby.”- Jahaan Ansari
As Gainful grew, Jahaan learned the critical skill of saying no. He advises aspiring entrepreneurs that trying to do everything can lead to failure. This lesson was vital in maintaining focus and ensuring the company’s success.
(24:07)”I spent most of my 20s working on Gainful, and it felt like the perfect opportunity to step away and really focus on something else very important to me: finding that partner and someone to enjoy the rest of my life with.”- Jahaan Ansari
A pivotal moment in Gainful’s journey was its partnership with Target, which allowed it to become the first nutrition brand to offer a personalized experience in retail. This opportunity was not a pitch from Gainful but rather an invitation from Target, which recognized the British potential to innovate the supplement aisle.
This episode provides a rich exploration of the entrepreneurial experience, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, which recognizes strategic decision-making in the pursuit of success. Following Jahaan’s insights and actionable advice allows aspiring entrepreneurs to navigate their journeys with greater confidence and clarity.
