Building a Beverage Brand with Yanni Hufnagel, Founder of Lemon Perfect

In this episode of The Strong New York Podcast, host Kenny Santucci sits down with Yanni Hufnagel, Founder and Executive Chairman of The Lemon Perfect Company, to explore the journey of building one of the fastest-growing beverage brands in America.

Yanni shares the highs and lows of launching Lemon Perfect—a flavorful, zero-sugar lemon water —and what it takes to stand out in the highly competitive beverage industry. From reformulating products and landing major retail partnerships to maintaining resilience through it all, Yanni offers a candid look at the entrepreneurial grit behind his success.

They discuss the health benefits of Lemon Perfect, its mission to revolutionize how America hydrates, and Yanni’s unexpected path from NCAA basketball coach to wellness-driven CEO. With only 10 calories and packed with vitamin C, Lemon Perfect is more than a beverage—it’s a movement.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about hustle, hydration, and the relentless pursuit of greatness.

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message
00:15 Strong New York Event Announcement
00:38 Welcome to the Podcast
00:56 Guest Introduction: Yani Huff Nagel
01:15 Discovering Lemon Perfect
01:36 Challenges in the Beverage Industry
02:55 The Evolution of Lemon Perfect
04:55 Overcoming Setbacks and Reformulation
12:49 Packaging and Market Strategy
28:49 Future Goals and Reflections
30:22 Building a Culture of Retention and Health
30:43 Disrupting the Beverage Industry
32:48 From Basketball Coach to Entrepreneur
36:47 The Challenges of Entrepreneurship
40:28 Celebrity Endorsements and Strategic Partnerships
44:30 Innovation and Future Plans
48:03 Expanding Distribution and Market Reach
56:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts