On the latest episode of Confessions of a Female Founder, Meghan Sussex sits down with entrepreneur Hannah Mendoza for an affirming conversation. Mendoza, co-founder of Clevr Blends, doesn’t just share how she built a multimillion-dollar latte brand—she reveals how authenticity, timing, and trust can transform a business.

It’s a modern parable of sisterhood, support, and bold ambition. The tone isn’t stiff or corporate. It’s grounded in real connection. Meghan and Hannah sound less like host and guest and more like sisters catching up over a cup of something warm and nourishing.

How a Turmeric Latte Sparked a Movement

Meghan first discovered Clevr Blends during her pregnancy, thanks to a thoughtful gift basket from a friend. One sip of the turmeric latte caught her attention. She checked the label, tracked down the company, and eventually invited Mendoza to her home. The founder arrived in Birkenstocks and a linen jumpsuit. The duchess, watching her shift her feet in and out of her sandals, thought, Could this be my first investment?

It was. And everything changed.

Meghan became the company’s first investor, adviser, and biggest champion. The duchess didn’t just write a check. She put her network behind Mendoza. A few months later, Oprah Winfrey posted a video in her kitchen making Clevr’s Golden SuperLatte. She said it was a gift from “my neighbor M.” The company’s website traffic surged within seconds. They sold out for two months.

What started as a tiny operation selling adaptogenic lattes from a garage exploded into a nationwide brand. But the product wasn’t all that drew Meghan in. It was Mendoza’s energy. Her willingness to be raw, unpolished, and deeply intentional resonated.

Related | Meghan Sussex and Jamie Kern Lima Talk Faith and Rejection

Meghan And Hannah Mendoza Share Sisterhood

This week’s episode feels less like a polished interview and more like a late-night kitchen table conversation. Meghan and Hannah discuss vulnerability in leadership, burnout, hormones, grief, and ambition. They laugh about three a.m. meltdowns and share strategies for staying grounded in high-pressure roles. It’s not just about profit margins. It’s about managing emotions, learning to trust your instincts, and letting go of the need to be perfect.

Meghan is warm, reflective, and fully engaged. She calls the episode “Dolphin Tank”—a gentle riff on Shark Tank—to underscore the nurturing vibe. And at one point, she gets so comfortable that it sounds like she nearly drops the F-word.

What comes through is clear: Meghan genuinely wants Hannah to win. Not because it makes her look good, but because she believes in the mission. That belief is mutual. Mendoza says the experience of growing Clevr with Meghan’s support has been transformational. She calls it a rare kind of partnership rooted in trust and a shared vision of wellness and purpose.

Related | Meghan Sussex and Heather Hasson Say Great Founders Still Get Their Hands Dirty

Leadership That Nourishes and Challenges

Clevr Blends didn’t follow a traditional playbook. Mendoza didn’t have venture capital or industry clout. What she did have was a belief that there was a better way to nourish people—physically and emotionally. That belief fueled late nights, endless product testing, and years of bootstrapping. When Meghan came on board, it wasn’t just capital. It was validation.

Throughout the episode, both women reflect on what it means to lead while female. Mendoza talks about crying in team meetings, navigating hormonal cycles, and the challenge of deciding how vulnerable is too vulnerable. Meghan relates, admitting to moments of self-doubt and anxiety. The message is consistent: leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about showing up with intention, staying curious, and surrounding yourself with people who make you better.

Mendoza’s story is a modern twist on the American dream. She moved from London to California with no plan and no safety net. She found healing, built community, and turned a homemade drink into a multimillion-dollar business. It wasn’t easy. But it was authentic.

Keep listening to Confessions of a Female Founder wherever you get your podcasts—next week’s guest stitched style into scrubs and built a brand worth millions. Who do you think the guest will be?

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