John Van Hierden and Jeff Van Hierden built Sambrosa out of a family background in hay farming, turning a homeopathic sleep syrup into a European wellness export gaining traction in the United States. When John and Jeff Van Hierden joined Sean Kelly on the Digital Social Hour, they explained how a personal need for better sleep became a full company.
The conversation covers the ingredients and thinking behind Sambrosa Night Syrup, the experience of working together as family, and the cause the brand supports well beyond its bottom line.
About John & Jeff Van Hierden
John Van Hierden and Jeff Van Hierden are the founders behind Sambrosa, a homeopathic night syrup blending raw honey, seven organic herbs, and a hint of antihistamine to support natural sleep. Their path to the wellness industry started far from it, in hay farming in the Netherlands, before they brought the product to the U.S. market.
Beyond the product itself, the Van Hierdens built Sambrosa around a cause, directing a portion of profits toward the fight against child trafficking, adding a mission-driven layer to their pitch as a natural alternative to synthetic sleep aids.
What John & Jeff Van Hierden and Sean Kelly Talked About
- How John and Jeff Van Hierden turned a family hay farming background into the Sambrosa brand
- What goes into the Sambrosa Night Syrup formula, from raw honey to organic herbs
- Their case for a homeopathic alternative to synthetic sleep aids
- What it's like building and running a family business together
- How Sambrosa's profits go toward supporting the fight against child trafficking
- Their journey bringing a European wellness product into the U.S. market
- Biggest lessons from touring and introducing Sambrosa to new audiences
- Where they see natural sleep support fitting into everyday wellness routines
Why This Conversation Matters
This is a straightforward founder story with an unusual starting point: two former hay farmers building a wellness brand around better sleep. John and Jeff Van Hierden's account of combining a family business with a cause-driven mission gives this episode a different angle than the typical startup story.
▶ Watch the full episode on YouTube
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About Sean Kelly & the Digital Social Hour
Sean Kelly is an entrepreneur and the host of the Digital Social Hour, one of the fastest-growing interview podcasts in the world, where he sits down with entrepreneurs, athletes, creators, and cultural voices for candid, long-form conversations. The show draws over 100 million views a month across platforms. Explore more guest features on SeanKelly.io.
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