Meet Sophie Helfend | CEO

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sophie Helfend and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sophie, what is the most important factor behind your success?
I believe success is a combination of both luck and things we can control. For me, the “luck” part is having parents and a family who are unwavering in their support. They encourage me to take risks, tackle big challenges, and always strive for more. They’re also there for me when things don’t go as planned, offering emotional security and a safety net whenever I need it.

The other part of success is the aspect we can control. I can control how many cold emails and calls I make, how often I follow up with customers, how persistent I am in closing deals, and how I show up each day with the mindset that the business is always starting from scratch. I control how I handle myself in negotiations, how I push through long hours or weekends, how quickly I solve problems, and how I bounce back after setbacks.

I’m both my own best friend and my harshest critic, so there’s no one pushing me more than I push myself. Every day presents a new obstacle or challenge, and you have to show up with the belief that you can not only overcome it but also emerge stronger and wiser.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
At The Art of Broth, we’ve always believed that food is more than just nourishment—it’s a celebration of family, tradition, and connection. Our story is rooted in 4 generations of love and a deep respect for the simple, yet profound, joy of sharing a meal together. For four generations, our family has crafted broths using time-honored recipes, passed down and refined over the years. What makes our broths truly special is not just the flavors, but the care and tradition that have gone into every pot, simmering for hours to bring out the richness of the ingredients.

But today’s world is different. People are busier, more health-conscious, and constantly on the go. So, we wanted to create a product that honored that history but also met the needs of today’s consumer. That’s when the idea for gourmet broth in a tea bag was born. We wanted to offer a product that allowed people to experience the comfort and nourishment of traditional broth, but in a convenient, modern format that fits into their hectic lifestyles.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned so far is that the only true failure is giving up. Every entrepreneur faces moments of doubt, struggle, and hardship. There are days when the weight of your dreams feels unbearable, when every step forward seems to be met with two steps back. But what I’ve come to understand is that those are the moments that define us.

Entrepreneurs have a choice every single day: to keep pushing the boulder up the mountain, or to walk away and choose the easier path. And I’ve learned that it’s not the ease of the path that makes the journey worthwhile, but the perseverance it takes to keep moving, even when progress feels impossible.

The climb is steep. It tests your abilities, your patience, and your belief in what you’re building. There are moments when you question whether the vision you have for your business will ever materialize, whether your dreams are too big, too bold, or too audacious. But it’s in those moments, when the boulder feels heavier than ever, that the strength is built—not in the triumphs, but in the struggle itself.

Success doesn’t come in grand gestures or overnight wins—it’s a series of small, sometimes barely noticeable victories that add up over time. It’s the ability to wake up, day after day, and choose to keep going even when the road ahead seems unclear. The magic of entrepreneurship is not that you’ll never fail; it’s that you never stop moving forward, no matter how difficult the climb.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take my best friend on a hike in malibu in the morning, get brunch at Gjusta in venice, go for a bike ride in santa monica. Then we would grab dinner at Market.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents are my greatest support, encouraging me to take risks with the reassurance that they’ll be there if things don’t work out. I’m incredibly grateful for my family, as each member is building their own career and path. With so many entrepreneurs around me, I have a strong support network to learn from, share ideas with, and seek advice when needed.

Website: https://www.theartofbroth.com/

Instagram: @theartofbroth

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiehelfend/

Image Credits
David Medill