Episode Details

Justin's Peanut Butter founder Justin Gold joins The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast to reveal how a food processor, a Boulder, Colorado kitchen, and a $281 million exit to a Fortune 500 company all started with one mountain bike ride. Hosts Julie Lokun and Dominick Domasky dig into risk-taking, raising investor capital, letting go as a founder, and why "no" just means "not now."

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast, co-hosts Julie Lokun and Dominick Domasky sit down with longtime friend and natural food industry pioneer Justin Gold, founder of Justin's Peanut Butter. Justin shares the real story behind building a nut butter brand from scratch — no ChatGPT, no roadmap, no investors — into a company acquired by a Fortune 500 giant, and why he later stepped back in to help guide it forward.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• The origin story: How waiting tables in Boulder, Colorado led to the creation of Justin's Peanut Butter
• Why "luck" isn't the full story: Justin's honest take on timing, momentum, and community
• Raising investor capital: How to find the right investors (not just the wealthiest ones) and why an advisory board builds instant credibility
• The "Not Now" framework: Justin's mental trick for turning rejection into a future yes
• Knowing your lane: Why Justin stepped down as CEO of his own company — and what he focuses on instead
• Friendship and entrepreneurship: Dominick Domasky's perspective watching a childhood friend build an empire while he built his own path through Motivation Champs Publishing

Featured Segment: Jules Rules

Julie's signature "best combos of all time" game makes an appearance — Michael Jordan & Scottie Pippen, Siegfried & Roy, and a supply-and-demand mic drop to close it out.

Guest Bio

Justin Gold is the founder of Justin's Peanut Butter, one of the natural food movement's most recognizable brands. Starting with a food processor and a Boulder, Colorado kitchen, Justin built a company that scaled to a landmark acquisition, all while prioritizing employee protection through the deal and staying deeply involved in brand culture and innovation today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who founded Justin's Peanut Butter? Justin Gold founded Justin's Peanut Butter in Boulder, Colorado, starting the company with a food processor before scaling it into a nationally recognized natural food brand.

How much did Justin's Peanut Butter sell for? Justin Gold's company was built into and sold as part of a deal reported at $281 million to a Fortune 500 company.

Is Justin Gold still involved with Justin's Peanut Butter? Yes — while Justin is no longer CEO, he remains active in culture, innovation, quality control, and marketing for the brand.

Links & Resources

• ️ Cre8tive Con: www.cre8tivecon.com
• Motivation Champs Publishing: motivationchamps.com
• Big Better Brand: www.bigbetterbrand.com
• Justin's Peanut Butter: justins.com
• Shop Justin's Products: justins.com/shop

Follow the Show

Instagram: @cre8tivecon

Frequently Asked Questions — Julie Lokun, Dominick Domasky & Cre8tive Con