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 Message00:15 Strong New York Event Announcement00:38 Welcome to the Podcast00:56 Guest Introduction: Yani Huff Nagel01:15 Discovering Lemon Perfect01:36 Challenges in the Beverage Industry02:55 The Evolution of Lemon Perfect04:55 Overcoming Setbacks and Reformulation12:49 Packaging and Market Strategy28:49 Future Goals and Reflections30:22 Building a Culture of Retention and Health30:43 Disrupting the Beverage Industry32:48 From Basketball Coach to Entrepreneur36:47 The Challenges of Entrepreneurship40:28 Celebrity Endorsements and Strategic Partnerships44:30 Innovation and Future Plans48:03 Expanding Distribution and Market Reach56:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts