E97 Alan Lin: From China to Liquid Salad Hustle

Join us as Alan Lin, a design veteran turned food innovator, shares his wild journey from China’s booming creative scene to launching Liquid Salad, a health food disruptor that hit the market on March 24, 2025. With 12 years of experience design, a knack for turning chaos into opportunity, and a fresh take on greens powder, Allen delivers a story packed with entrepreneurial hustle, cultural flair, and a dash of absurdity. In this episode, Alan unravels his path from studying abroad in Beijing to thriving in China’s “champagne and cocaine” era, only to pivot into founding Liquid Salad—a daily fruit-and-veggie boost that’s as stylish as it is smart. He spills on designing a standout pouch, surviving a 2008 encyclopedia sales gig, and rethinking healthy eating. Whether you’re into startups, food innovation, or epic reinvention tales, Alan’s adventure offers raw insights and unexpected laughs. 🔑 KEY HIGHLIGHTS FROM CHINA TO LIQUID SALAD Alan Lin traces his leap from 12 years in China’s design world—think Apple Store vibes— to launching Liquid Salad, a prebiotic-packed alternative to greens powder, on March 24, 2025. DESIGN MEETS FOOD Learn how Alan’s experience designing holistic brand experiences (Lincoln showrooms!) shaped Liquid Salad’s stunning pouch, aiming to inspire healthy eating through art, not just nutrition. SALAD SECRETS UNPACKED Discover Alan’s perfect salad (chicken, romaine, salsa), Flaviu’s Sweetgreen pick, and Taylor’s Goop Caesar obsession in a tasty icebreaker that sets the tone. ENCYCLOPEDIA SALES INSANITY Alan reveals his 2008 door-to-door grind—begging for basements, living off peanut butter—showing the sales grit that fuels his founder mindset. AI-POWERED CALORIE HACK Alan shares his go-to app, CalAI, an AI calorie tracker that nails macros from a photo, proving tech’s role in his entrepreneurial toolkit. GUIDANCE FOR FOOD FOUNDERS Alan advises aspiring innovators to blend creativity with utility, test how people use your product, and lean into what inspires—fashion, not just food. RESOURCES & LINKS Learn More About Liquid Salad: drinkliquidplus.com Connect with Alan Lin on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alanlin98 Podcast Website: foundersecretspod.com FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Instagram: @foundersecretspod TikTok: @foundersecrets Twitter: @founder_secrets LinkedIn: Founder Secrets Podcast 🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/4h59tyer Spotify: tinyurl.com/4wjb26v8 ⚡ SPONSORED BY DASH Simplify your success with Dash! From CRM management to social media, bookkeeping, and more, Dash provides top-tier remote talent solutions so you can focus on growing your business. Learn more: hirewithdash.com 🔔 DON’T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE! Enjoyed this episode? LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring conversations with world-changing founders.