How a Napkin Doodle Sparked a National Brand with Guest Christina Kalfaian

What started as a family recipe in a Metro Detroit restaurant has become a growing national brand—and the story behind it is just as rich as the flavor. In this episode, Andrea Walker-Leidy welcomes Christina Kalfaian of Papa’s Kitchen to talk about the incredible journey of turning her family’s iconic pink Greek salad dressing into a household name.

From Christina’s father opening his first restaurant at 17, to her own health journey that sparked the vision for bottling their signature dressing, this conversation is full of grit, gratitude, and real-life lessons in entrepreneurship. You’ll hear what it’s like to launch a product during a pandemic, navigate the realities of retail distribution, and raise kids who already know what a write-off is. (Seriously.)

If you're building a brand, managing a family business, or dreaming of bringing your own big idea to life—this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why consistent storytelling matters for product-based businesses
• How Christina turned adversity into innovation
• The behind-the-scenes of getting on store shelves—and staying there
• Practical tips for juggling business, family, and real-life challenges
• Why PR, social media, and storytelling are non-negotiables in today’s market

📍 Listen in for real talk, marketing insight, and a whole lot of inspiration.