Product & Packaging Powerhouse

In this episode of "Product & Packaging Powerhouse," host Megan Young Gamble continues her "WTF! What the TariFfs!" series, discussing the recent and significant impacts of US-imposed tariffs (especially under the Trump administration) on packaging and product costs for beauty, health, and wellness brands. She discusses how increased tariffs on materials like aluminum (notably from Canada and Mexico) and other packaging components are forcing both startups and conglomerates to rethink sourcing, reformulation, and pricing strategies. Megan explains the importance of cross-functional teamwork and adopting agile and SCRUM methodologies to stay nimble in the face of constantly changing regulations. She highlights recent moves by big brands like ELF raising prices and calls for ongoing, intentional conversations among all stakeholders. Key insight: most brands, facing tight margins, will have to pass these increased costs onto consumers. Affiliate & Other Links: [Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie”  [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List  [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call  https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-sessionGot a topic you'd love us to cover? Share your ideas here [link] https://bit.ly/ppptopicform

In the "Product & Packaging Powerhouse" Megan Young Gamble interviews powerhouse guest Cynthia Johnson, Founder and CEO of Cindy J Cosmetic Labs, LLC, who breaks down the power and importance of owning your own cosmetic formulation, both for legacy and legal reasons. Cynthia shares her journey into cosmetic science, the benefits of custom formulations over private labels, and why indie beauty brands should invest in testing, consumer evaluation, and compliance from day one. She introduces her “Cosmetic Concept” planner to help brands map out their product launch journey and discusses her lab's new small-batch manufacturing option to help brands test the market without massive inventory. The conversation also touches on sustainability in formulations, how tariffs impact raw material sourcing, and why beauty entrepreneurs should take ownership seriously if they want long-term growth and credibility in the industry.Affiliate & Other Links: [Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie” [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-session[Powerhouse Guest Cynthia's LINKS]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cynthiajohnson0512/Email Address: cjohnson@cindyjlabs.comCompany Website: https://cindyjlabs.com/Cosmetic concept planner : https://thecosmeticconceptllc.com/products/the-planner-for-product-developmentThe Cindy J Expo : https://cindyjlabs.com/cindy-j-expo/Black Women in Cosmetic Chemistry NGO : https://www.bwiccinc.org/Additional Links -Listen to the podcast on “the Power of Brand Value & Resilience in Procurement” - Rachel Hassall, VP of Procurement @ Harvest Hill Beverage. Listen hereCosmetic software recommended by Cynthia : IthosQuotes: If you don't own the formula, you don't own the brand.Please, please, please do package compatibility. It's imperative.Consumer evaluation is not optional, it's essential.Custom formulation without ownership is like renting your own vision.Your team comes before your accomplishments.Be okay with starting small. You don't need 1,000 units to make an impact.

In this episode of "Product & Packaging Powerhouse," host Megan Young Gamble returns from maternity leave for her first episode with her baby daughter Amaiyah as her co-host. She dives into how the rising tariffs, particularly under President Trump's administration, are massively impacting the cost and availability of goods, especially in the beauty and packaging industries. Megan breaks down the rising tariffs as of May 13, 2025 (with China seeing up to 245%), which in turn affects everything from packaging materials (aluminum, plastics, paperboard) to everyday goods and manufacturing costs. She shares real-world examples of how businesses are having to pivot: reevaluating suppliers, renegotiating contracts, and making tough decisions like layoffs, all to adapt to the new normal of higher costs and supply chain disruption. Megan also gives actionable advice for brands and suppliers, like diversifying suppliers, ordering packaging in advance, considering fractional support and being strategic about launches and pricing.The bottom line: Tariffs are shaking up the entire supply chain and affecting everyone from big brands to startup founders, suppliers, and even regular consumers. Megan encourages listeners to stay agile, rethink strategy, and keep an eye on evolving tariff policiesAffiliate & Other Links: [Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie” [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-sessionGot a topic you'd love us to cover? Share your ideas here [link] https://bit.ly/ppptopicformAdditional podcast episodes mentioned in the episode above:Intersection of Business & Marriage with my Husband - listen hereTwo non-negotiables with Rachel Hassall on Power of Brand Procurement - listen hereQuotes and HooksAs Rapper Fat Joe would say from a rap song, yesterday's price is not today's, and that applies to packaging too.Tariffs aren't just a business issue, they're hitting households, retailers, and supply chains all at once.Beauty brands now need to think like strategists, not just creatives.Aluminum may feel like a sustainability win, but it comes with a 25% tariff hit.We're not just sourcing packaging, we're sourcing resilience.Consumers expect sustainability without sacrificing price or performance. That's the new standard.Diversify your packaging suppliers like you would diversify your financial investments.

In the "Product & Packaging Powerhouse" episode featuring Megan Young Gamble and powerhouse guest Chris Doerr, conversation explores sustainable labeling and packaging technologies. With over thirty years of experience, Chris shares insights on the various types of labels and the shift to sustainable practices. He emphasizes the importance of recycling and offers practical tips on reducing landfill waste through methods like composting, recycling LDPE bags, and leveraging digital technologies such as RFID and NFC to educate consumers. As labels are vital in multiple industries, Chris's expertise provides valuable guidance on incorporating sustainability and technology in packaging.Affiliate & Other Links: [Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie” [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-sessionGot a topic you'd love us to cover? Share your ideas here [link] https://bit.ly/ppptopicform[Powerhouse Guest Chris LINKS]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdoerrprofile/Company Validators for Full-Service Packaging Services : https://www.validatorsllc.comCompany Simplify INC for Print & Packaging Consulting : https://www.validatorsllc.com/products-and-services/simplify-ink/ View Chris Patents U.S Patent #'s: 5,658,648; 6,267,152 B1; and 6,845,581 B2: https://youtu.be/L2Rc8oTOtd8?si=lSO3sNVvdvofbZXWComposting in Atlanta : https://www.compostnow.org/growth/compostnow-compost-services-atlantaQuotes and HooksAfter a while, I realized there's no new technology on the horizon that's gonna replace labels.Less is just smart, and using less and being smart has been around since the beginning of time.Your packaging has to be more than recyclable; it has to actually get recycled.Zero landfill should be the real goal; not just recycling claims.Most people don't know if a label should be removed before recycling, and that's a problem.Just because you use less material doesn't mean it's sustainable.

In this episode of Product & Packaging Powerhouse, host Megan Young Gamble along with guests Brandon Frank, CEO of Pacific Packaging Components, discusses the intersections of packaging, technology, and sustainability. Brandon shares insights on the challenges and changes within the packaging industry, emphasizing the importance of collaboration across the packaging value chain. The conversation covers topics such as recycling complexities, regulatory challenges, and the role of new packaging technologies. Brandon also shares personal anecdotes from his journey in the family packaging business and highlights the importance of sustainable practices both professionally and personally. Listeners are encouraged to take actionable steps, such as separating glass for recycling, to contribute to environmental sustainability.Affiliate & Other Links: [Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie” [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-sessionGot a topic you'd love us to cover? Share your ideas here [link] https://bit.ly/ppptopicform[Powerhouse Guest Brandon's LINKS]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-frank-ppc/Email Address: brandon@ppcpackaging.comCompany Website: www.ppcpackaging.comPackology Podcast: www.packology.ioBicycle Company: www.chaparralcycles.comQuotes and HooksProbably the best way to support, like, the recyclability or the recycling of items is to buy items that have are coming from recycled goods because that creates kind of this pull mechanism.The packaging world is kind of filled with potholes and speed bumps and downed trees just because the winds are horrible out here in California.Your packaging has to be more than recyclable, it has to actually get recycled.The biggest issue with recycling? Most of what we think is recyclable never actually gets recycled.A small change in packaging—like using 50% PCR—can have a massive environmental impact.Mono-material pumps could be the biggest game-changer in packaging recyclability.If we're going to fix recycling, we need collaboration across the entire value chain.

In this episode of Product & Packaging Powerhouse, host Megan Young Gamble interviews Lazar Favors, the CEO of Black Spirits Legacy. Lazar discusses the importance of building a strong consumer base in the spirits industry, emphasizing the power of word-of-mouth and relationship-building. He shares his journey of promoting black-owned spirit brands through events like Taste of Black Spirits and the upcoming Collective Behavior Tour 2025, which aims to highlight over 60 black-owned brands. Lazar also provides insights into creating an effective marketing strategy, focusing on the significance of packaging, community engagement, and the importance of starting locally. The episode highlights the challenges and strategies involved in distributing wine and spirits, emphasizing the need for patience, research, and strong marketing budgets.Affiliate & Other Links: [Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie” [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-sessionGot a topic you'd love us to cover? Share your ideas here [link] https://bit.ly/ppptopicform[Powerhouse Guest Lazar LINKS]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lazar-favors-68626713b/Email id: blackspiritslegacy@gmail.comCompany Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackspiritslegacy/Taste of Black Spirits: “COLLECTIVE BEHAVIOR” TOUR 2025 : Learn more hereEpisode Quotes:Consumers are your most powerful asset. Build relationships, and they'll share your brand everywhere.Own your hometown first. If you can't win locally, how do you expect to go global?A product without a story is just another bottle on the shelf.Don't rush it. A great brand takes time to build. Nail your identity before you hit the market.We need to move collectively; when we build together, we create opportunities for everyone.

In this episode of "Product & Packaging Powerhouse," host Megan Young Gamble discusses the impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the retail and beauty industries. She explains the shifts in DEI strategies among major retailers with the new presidential administration, highlighting companies that are pulling back on initiatives like Amazon, Target, and Walmart, and those continuing efforts like Sephora and Macy's. Megan emphasizes the potential negative impacts of boycotting anti-DEI retailers on brands still working to maintain shelf space and fulfill contracts. She advocates for informed, strategic consumer support of brands, particularly those that are minority-owned, within these retail spaces to ensure business growth and sustainability. Megan underlines the importance of researching and understanding the broader picture to promote positive change and financial stability for businesses and service providers involved.Affiliate & Other Links: [Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie” [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-sessionGot a topic you'd love us to cover? Share your ideas here [link] https://bit.ly/ppptopicformEpisode Quotes:Amazon is now the number one beauty destination that has surpassed Sephora and Ulta due to accessibility and Prime delivery.Boycotting stores might not be the answer—it could hurt DEI-focused brands more than we realize.Brands have worked years to gain shelf space in big-box retailers; pulling support can derail their hard-earned progress.We all are striving for the same thing—growth and awareness—whether as employees or business owners.Having a D2C strategy is essential, but it requires a diligent marketing strategy that may take years to implement.Think about the full picture—boycotting impacts the entire supply chain, from manufacturers to service providers.Let's all take a moment to read, research, and promote positive change in the evolving retail landscape.

In this episode of "Product & Packaging Powerhouse," host Megan Young Gamble discusses 2025 trends and transitions in product development and packaging, especially in the beauty industry. Emphasizing hyper personalization and prejuvenation, Megan highlights how biotechnology and advanced technology are reshaping personalized beauty and skincare. She also stresses the importance of sustainability in packaging and product choices, with tips on how brands and consumers should approach it. She concludes with insights into her company GLC's new mission to become the  leading in beauty operations, accelerating prestige and sustainable products and packaging by the end of 2026.Affiliate & Other Links: [Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie” [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-sessionGot a topic you'd love us to cover? Share your ideas here [link] https://bit.ly/ppptopicformAdditional Resources:Podcast : Kickoff 2025 Trends & Transitions Pt 1 with Megan Young Gamble, PMP®, Chief Project Officer @ GLC. Listen it hereUS Plastic Pact 2.0. Read here Report: Sustainable Beauty and Skincare Market Size. hereEpisode Quotes:Change doesn't come by being comfortable. Big audacious goals require stepping out of comfort zonesPackaging is the very first impression of your brand. It helps with transportation, containment, safety, and promotion.Hyper personalization is about tailoring products specifically to the consumer's needs, made possible by advancements in AI and biotechnologyPrejuvenation focuses on preventing skin damage before it happens, shifting the mindset from repair to proactive care.Sustainability is not just a buzzword. It's about understanding what it means to your brand and your consumers.Biotechnology is marrying science and sustainability, creating lab-grown ingredients like collagen and plant-derived activesConsumers are prioritizing products with holistic wellness benefits, focusing on longevity and gradual results rather than quick fixes.

In this episode of "Product & Packaging Powerhouse," host Megan Young Gamble kicks off 2025, highlighting key trends in beauty and packaging, and her personal and business transitions. She reflects on her journey with the podcast, mentioning how it's part of expanding her company, GLC, into a media division. Megan announces a new company objective for GLC to become the leading beauty operations firm in North America, Canada and Latin America By 2026, along with welcoming a new team member, Baby Gamble, in March 2025. Megan discusses navigating personal changes, such as motherhood, and the importance of being adaptable and agile both in her business and personal life.Affiliate & Other Links: [Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie” [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-sessionGot a topic you'd love us to cover? Share your ideas here [link] https://bit.ly/ppptopicformAdditional Resources:8 Reflections of Starting the Podcast with Megan Young Gamble, PMP®, Chief Project Officer @ GLC. Listen the podcast hereHow Connected Packaging Shapes Sustainability and Traceability with John Dwyer, Smart Packaging Expert at Smurfit Westrock & Maurizio Carano, Innovation & Marketing Director IML @ MCC Label. Listen the podcast hereUS Plastic Pact 2.0. Read here Pantone Color of the year 2025, Mocha Mousse. Read more here Episode Quotes:GLC's Goal: We will become the leading beauty operations firm that is accelerating prestige and sustainable products and packaging to the markets in the USA, Canada, and Latin America by 2026.Change doesn't come by being comfortablene of the things that I have learned as I am transitioning into motherhood, because this is my first child, is to be agile and to definitely be adaptable.We have to be mindful of and think about the circular economy.Smart packaging is taking the spotlight, blending physical and digital elements.Sustainability is the standard, not just for packaging but also in the ways we work.

In this episode of Product & Packaging Powerhouse, host Megan Young Gamble along with guests John Dwyer and Maurizio Carano discuss the evolving landscape of packaging, focusing on essential functions like product protection, aesthetics, sustainability, and traceability. They explore connected packaging, serialization for anti-counterfeiting, and technological advancements to enhance the supply chain and circular economy. The conversation also highlights regulatory impacts, particularly the differences between US and European standards, and the challenges faced by industries. The episode concludes with personal anecdotes from the guests, emphasizing the need for technological solutions to modern packaging challenges.Affiliate & Other Links: [Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie” [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-session[Powerhouse Guest John and Maurizio LINKS]John Dwyer LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnpdywer/ Read about the Smart Tag Case Study here: https://www.westrock.com/-/media/pdf/sustainability/smarttag-recyclability-report-pdf.pdf?sc_lang=en Maurizio Carano LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maurizio-carano-105397b5/Episode Quotes:The common denominator to solve supply chain problems, to help eliminate theft and fraud, is to give each product its own unique identifier that can be traced all the way back to the point of origin.If the packaging is not right, the product will not make it to the shelf. That's the basics.Packaging needs to actually do more than just protect the product. It's about connecting with the environment, consumers, and the supply chain.Traceability has been primarily focused on the supply chain, but now it's being used for anti-theft, anti-diversion, and anti-counterfeiting.Having better visibility and traceability in your supply chain is the only way to mitigate risk and avoid costly recalls.Connected packaging is the next big thing, and it's here. The terrain wasn't fertile before, but now it's growing.There's a treasure of data that can be uncovered at a recycling facility to help our customers meet their ESG goals measurably.

In this episode of "Product & Packaging Powerhouse," host Megan Young Gamble celebrates International Project Management Day by highlighting the crucial work that project managers bring to various industries, particularly in packaging and beauty. She takes listeners through her day-to-day experiences, managing everything from packaging testing to artwork coordination and stakeholder communication. She emphasizes the importance of adaptability, strategic communication, and data-driven decision-making as keys to success in project management. Megan encourages everyone to celebrate both big and small achievements, reminding her audience that we all engage in project management daily and that project managers deserve recognition for their dedication and impact.Affiliate & Other Links: [Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie”  [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List  [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call  https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-sessionRelevant Podcast links: Detour to Destination-A personal journey from Pharmacy to Car Rental to Packaging- Megan Young Gamble , CEO @GLCTransition into Beauty Project Management: Insight on Salary and Skillset- Megan Young Gamble , CEO @GLCThe Power of Brand Value & Resilience in Procurement - Rachel Hassall, VP of Procurement @ Harvest Hill BeverageLife of Packaging Artwork Manager - Christina Troutman, Senior Project Manager @ Veritiv CorporationQuotes:The biggest thing I've learned is being okay with the evolution and understanding that adaptability is key.Communication isn't just about updates – it's about ensuring every stakeholder truly understands and aligns with the project's vision.Saying 'no' when necessary helps set realistic expectations and maintains the project's integrity.Data-driven decision-making enables us to assess timelines, allocate resources, and anticipate risks accurately.Equipping your toolkit with various project management methodologies allows for flexibility in tackling diverse challenges.Project management is like an Olympic sport – it requires strategy, stamina, and the ability to adapt quickly.At the end of the day, make sure that you are still being solution orientedAt the end of the day, you must celebrate your wins.

In this episode of "Product & Packaging Powerhouse," host Megan Young Gamble talks about the importance of textured hair care and education from both consumer and industry perspectives. She shares her personal experiences as a black woman with textured hair, highlighting the cultural significance and evolving market for textured hair care products. Megan discusses the increased availability of these products in major retailers, the need for proper education and training for cosmetologists, and the ongoing efforts to include textured hair styling in beauty curriculums across more states. The episode underscores the importance of inclusive beauty practices and tailored marketing strategies for textured hair, encouraging continued dialogue and education within the industry and community.Affiliate & Other Links: [Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie” [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-sessionEpisode Quotes:Your hair is your crown, and it represents who you are, your personality, and all the things.Textured hair care is not just a want, it's a need for over 65% of the world's population.Having textured hair means versatility—braids, curls, locks, and more. It's a representation of our identity.The importance of texture hair education in cosmetology schools should be non-negotiable, as inclusivity in beauty is needed.Black women are not the only ones with textured hair. Textured hair spans across races, including Caucasian, Indian and Biracial women.Every hairstylist should be equipped to handle textured hair. If 65% of the population has textured hair, it's time for mandatory training across all states

In this episode of "Product & Packaging Powerhouse," host Megan Young Gamble interviews Dustin Smith, the CEO and co-founder of BoldtSmith Packaging Consultants. They discuss the evolution of packaging solutions, emphasizing the importance of data-driven decisions for optimizing packaging, reducing costs, and improving sustainability. Dustin shares insights on working across various industries, from cheese to submarines, and highlights the critical role packaging plays in shipping, product protection, and cost efficiency. The conversation also touches on sustainability, innovation, and balancing professional and personal life as a busy entrepreneur.Affiliate & Other Links: [Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie” [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-session[Powerhouse Dustin Smith Links]Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustin-smith-19436526/ Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/boldtsmith-packaging-consultants/ Website: www.boldtsmithpackaging.com Quotes:Decisions need to be driven by data, especially when you're talking about huge volumes.Packaging optimization isn't just about cutting costs—it's about finding the perfect balance between performance, sustainability, and brand experienceGreen is nice, but net green is nicerIf you don't have data, it doesn't make sense.You can reduce costs and boost sustainability at the same time—it's all about making data-driven packaging decisions.

In this special one-year anniversary episode of the Product and Packaging Powerhouse podcast, host Megan Young Gamble reflects on the podcast's journey, celebrating its launch and success. Joined by powerhouse guests, the episode explores the world of product development and packaging, with insights from industry experts on building successful brands.Key Highlights:SoJohna Bell emphasizes the importance of a strong go-to-market strategy and understanding your target customer. She shares valuable advice on creating intentional products and the necessity of capital in building a successful brand.Camille Corr Chism explores the significance of diversity and inclusion in the packaging industry, sharing her efforts in promoting representation through educational initiatives and industry collaborations.This episode is a celebration of the podcast's impact, showcasing the powerful conversations and connections that have shaped the industry over the past year. Whether you're a startup brand owner or an established business, this episode offers actionable insights to help you succeed in the competitive world of product development and packaging.Affiliate & Other Links: [Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie” [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-sessionMegan's Podcast: Ep.2- [SOLO] Detour to Destination-A personal journey from Pharmacy to Car Rental to Packaging, Megan Young Gamble,CEO @GLC[Powerhouse Guests Social Links]  1.SoJohna Bell, CEO and Founder of Ryze Manufacturing and Logisticshttps://www.ryzeproducts.comhttps://www.instagram.com/ryzeprivatelabelhttp://linkedin.com/in/sojohna-bellhttps://www.facebook.com/ryzeprivatelabelPodcast Episode link: Ep. 4: The recipe for Manufacturing: Packaging, Capital and a Solid Plan, SoJohna Bell, CEO of Ryze Manufacturing & Logistics2.Camille Corr Chism, Owner, Indigo Packaging and Consulting, LLChttps://www.linkedin.com/in/camillecorrchismindigopkg.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/indigopkg/Podcast Episode link : Ep. 8: "Automotive Packaging, Returnable Software & Need for Diversity in Packaging" with Powerhouse Camille Corr Chism, CEO of Indigo Packaging & Consulting, Michigan State University DE&I Manager, TrueFleet Head of Operations.Episode Quotes:Customers don't purchase products; they purchase solutions to their problems - SoJohna BellBuild a community. That's where customer loyalty starts and where your brand will thrive - SoJohna BellSustainability is continuous improvement; it's not a one-size-fits-all approach. - Camille Corr ChismThe packaging industry is vast and growing—there's room for everyone, and we need diverse talent to lead the way. -Camille Corr ChismRegulatory should be one of the key players on your team from the beginning—compliance is non-negotiable. - Megan Young Gamble

This episode marks a significant milestone as we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Product and Packaging Powerhouse podcast. Host Megan Young Gamble reflects on the journey, emphasizing the podcast's impact with over 5,000 downloads, primarily from the US, UK, and Spain. The episode features powerhouse guests discussing key industry insights.Key Highlights:Rebecca Medina, CEO of Talent Cheetah, discusses the benefits of on-demand hiring for project managers, highlighting the platform's efficiency in connecting businesses with the right talent quickly.Julia Willsie, the "Queen of Circularity," talks about the importance of intentionality in packaging design and the evolving challenges in the sales landscape over the last 20 years.Michael Houston, a sustainability consultant, offers a masterclass on the importance of using data to make informed decisions in sustainable packaging.This podcast is all about bringing together industry experts to share actionable insights on product and packaging development, sustainable practices and business growth. As it celebrates its first year, the podcast's focus on authenticity and intentional conversations has created a thriving community that's making a real impact in the industry. Whether you're a startup or an established brand, this podcast offers the guidance and inspiration you need to succeed.Affiliate & Other Links: [Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie” [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-sessionMegan's Podcast: Ep.2- [SOLO] Detour to Destination-A personal journey from Pharmacy to Car Rental to Packaging, Megan Young Gamble,CEO @GLC [Powerhouse Guests Social Links]  1. Rebecca Medina, Founder & CEO @TalentCheetah® Linkedin : https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccarm/Email id: XXXTalentCheetah: https://www.talentcheetah.com/2. Julia Willsie , Senior Sales Executive with Mill Rock PackagingLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliawillsie/Email: XXXJulia's Recommended Book : Selling from the Heart: How Your Authentic Self Sells You!Podcast Episode link : Ep. 22- "The Circular Economy in Packaging: Local Challenges and Global Collaboration" Julia Willsie, Senior Sales Executive with Mill Rock Packaging3. Michael Houston, Packaging & Sustainability Consultant and Co-Founder of Shower PouchLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelrhouston/Email id: XXXShower pouch: www.theshowerpouch.com Podcast Episode link : Ep. 26 - “Sustainability and Cost-Effective Measures in Packaging and Product Development" - ​Michael Houston​, Packaging Sustainability Consultant and EntrepreneurEpisode Quotes:Consumer behavior has shifted drastically in the last two decades, with social media becoming a primary sales channel. - Julia WillsieBeing intentional in packaging design means understanding the product's life cycle and how it impacts both the consumer and the environment. - Julia WillsieSpeed to hire can make or break a project. Our platform allows you to find, vet, and hire top talent in a fraction of the time - Rebecca MedinaIn a rapidly changing workforce, flexibility is key—on-demand hiring allows businesses to adapt without the burden of long-term commitments - Rebecca MedinaData doesn't lie—using it to guide sustainable packaging decisions ensures we're making choices that truly benefit the environment. - Michael Houstan Plastic often gets a bad reputation, but when you look at the numbers, it can actually have a lower carbon footprint than alternatives like aluminum - Michael Houstan 

In this episode of "Product & Packaging Powerhouse," host Megan Young Gamble joins her Husband and Business Partner, Brandon Gamble, discussing the intersection of business and marriage, operating two full time businesses under one household. They emphasize the importance of education, relationship-building, and hard work in entrepreneurship, sharing insights from Brandon's journey with Pallet Pros. The episode talks about pallet industry myths, the value of referrals, and the development of a sustainable business. Brandon also shares details about the Pallet Pros Academy, a coaching course for aspiring pallet business owners. The conversation ends with reflections on balancing work and family life, personal growth, and the evolution of their businesses.Affiliate & Other Links: [Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie” [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-session[Powerhouse Brandon Gamble Links]Pallet Pros: www.palletprosga.comPallet Pros Academy: https://www.palletprosacademy.com/Episode Quotes: In marriage and business, it's not about avoiding mistakes; it's about learning and growing from themDoing good business starts with being a good personYou have to speak life into your partner— because when they win, you win too.Ownership is important; it's not just about running a business, but owning your journey.Service is key—in business, marriage, and lifeIn business, as in marriage, it's all about balance—knowing when to work and when to come home.Enjoy the scenic route—don't rush to the destination; there's beauty in the detours

In this episode Megan reflects on her podcast journey, emphasizing the importance of community, learning from mistakes, and being unapologetically authentic. She acknowledges her team's support, shares personal stories, and encourages listeners to engage with the podcast.[Megan Young Gamble Links]Product & Packaging Powerhouse™ LIVE Celebration on August 14th. Join us here.[AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie”  [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List  [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call  https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-session

In this episode of "Product & Packaging Powerhouse," host Megan Young Gamble and Guest Michael Houston, a packaging sustainability consultant and creator of the Shower Pouch, discuss sustainable packaging, emphasizing the importance of durable and recyclable materials. He discusses the circular economy, consumer education, and the need for brands to prioritize sustainability over greenwashing. Further insights on industry challenges, California vs. Georgia recycling infrastructure, and the shift towards intentional sustainability efforts were shared. The conversation highlights the importance of data-driven sustainability practices and a collective commitment to reducing environmental impact for a zero waste, zero carbon future.[Host Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie” [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-session[Powerhouse Michael Houston Links]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelrhouston/Shower Pouch: www.theshowerpouch.comEmail id: michael.houston@futurebluegroup.com[Additional Resources]Read about CFR 21 : https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/medical-device-databases/code-federal-regulations-title-21-food-and-drugs#:~:text=The%20Code%20of%20Federal%20Regulations,the%20Food%20and%20Drug%20Administration.Episode Quotes:Implement recycled resins and durable components in packaging to boost sustainability efforts and reduce environmental impact.Educate consumers on sustainability initiatives to foster awareness and a commitment to eco-friendly practices. Strive towards a circular economy mindset by designing products for durability, recyclability, and minimal end-of-life impact.If you are a packaging engineer, you should present many options to your business and obviously provide a strong technical rationale and reason to believe why you should go down a certain path.Reducing Environmental Impact of Packaging: Could it be compostable structures? And I'm a fan of looking at compostable materials, especially if it could be, you know, backyard compostable versus, you know, compostable at a manufacturing facility where you have to control certain environmental factors.Sustainable Living: Just educating yourself, understanding, supporting brands that use sustainability as a strong pillar for development and innovation.Reducing Material Waste: How can I provide the consumer experience and the delight that the consumer needs with the least amount of material possible?

In this episode of "Product & Packaging Powerhouse," host Megan Young Gamble discusses various aspects of logistics, e-commerce, and customer experience with guests Roxann Sinclair and Amanda Martyniuk from eShipper. They cover topics such as the impact of Amazon Logistics in Canada, integrating the online and in-store shopping experience, personalized marketing, and the intersection of products, packaging, and logistics. The conversation also touches on targeting customer avatars, unboxing experiences, and the influence of freight audits, and strategic partnerships. The guests provide valuable insights on the importance of providing a seamless customer journey and adapting to evolving omnichannel marketing trends. Amanda also highlights the impact of tariff changes on North American supply chains and the benefits of leveraging eShipper's services. [Host Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie” [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-session[Powerhouse Guest Roxann and Amanda's LINKS]Roxann Sinclair LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxann-s-6957413/Schedule your FREE assessment roxann.sinclair@eshipper.comAmanda MartynuikLinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/amartyniuk/Schedule your FREE assessment amanda@eshipper.comEpisode Quotes:eShipper is essentially your Expedia of shipping.The future of supply chain management: It's a very exciting time to be in this industry. There's lots of changes that are happening.The Importance of Customer Experience for Online Businesses: That delivery experience is really what can make or break that customer their final impression of you as a business. And often it's the logistics that can either make a customer very happy or write a terrible review.When you can save a customer 10% on their shipping and then you can get them another 10% back on their customs, that is net net profit.The Future of E-commerce: I think what we're seeing is kind of a shift into owning more of your own catalog on your own Shopify, Commerce, whatever website that you have and having less on Amazon.Traffic is fantastic but if you're not converting that traffic into an actual shopping cart checkout, you haven't even converted that sale. You don't have revenue in your pocket.

In this episode of "Product & Packaging Powerhouse," host Megan Young Gamble and Powerhouse Guest, Jane Chase discuss the importance of packaging and its impact on the industry. Jane, Executive director of Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP), discusses  the crucial role of packaging, and the benefits of IoPP membership, including networking, mentorship, and staying updated with industry regulations. They also talk about women in packaging, leadership, sustainability, and opportunities for students in the packaging industry. Jane's background in mechanical engineering and her leadership experiences across various top companies highlight the episode, offering valuable lessons in professional growth and industry impact.[Host Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie” [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-session[Powerhouse Guest Jane Chase LINKS]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-chase-0b27937/Email: jchase@iopp.orgIoPP's website: https://www.iopp.orgIoPP's women's virtual happy hour :  https://community.iopp.org/events/event-description?CalendarEventKey=45e2e976-ae6e-4ee7-8b56-018748265338&CommunityKey=7380e9d4-8ab8-4e3e-9439-b6cdc037ed92&Home=%2Fevents%2FcalendarReady to start a new career? Listen Here https://www.iopp.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=4909Episode Quotes:You cannot fix the quality, if you cannot understand their process.Luck is where preparation meets opportunity.In quality, it was either good or bad. You had to figure out what to do with it. I figured I'd go into operations, never do anything bad, save the world, and figure out really quickly if you didn't have good R&D upfront, you were pretty much scorned from the get go.Gender Bias is in the Professional Settings.The biggest thing is finding like minded women that are already in the industry and using them as inspiration. Network. Get out there.Sustainability in Packaging: It covers everything from different ways of recycling to EPR to all of those different things around California plastic waste, greenwashing, and some of the labeling bills that are out there.

In this episode of Product & Packaging Powerhouse, Megan interviews Vicki Strull, a packaging and design consultant with over 25 years of experience. Vicki discusses her career journey and expertise in print and digital design in the packaging world. They discuss the evolution of technology in packaging and misconceptions about packaging design. Vicki emphasizes the importance of integrity in branding and the impact of business terminology on design. The episode also highlights "shady packaging" and insights on the subconscious impact of touch on shoppers' behavior. The conversation underscores the need for intentional design and creativity to inspire, as well as the importance of understanding business jargon in creative professions.[Host Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan Read our Blogs HERE  [ link]  https://www.glcblog.site/ Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTube Join our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-session[Powerhouse Guest Vicki Strull LINKS]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickistrull/Email: vicki@vickistrull.comWebsite: https://vickistrull.comEpisode Quotes:I think that one of their misconceptions is that more on a primary display label is better.Deceptive Packaging: There's something shady about that because I'm thinking I'm getting more than I'm getting because visually I am.The Importance of Brand Purpose: So if they're not in it, you have to and we live our lives this way as well. You know, we have our own core purposes. I also think brands have core purposes.

In this episode of Product & Packaging Powerhouse, host Megan Young Gamble interviews Julia Willsie, Senior Sales Executive with Mill Rock Packaging. Julia Willsie discusses the importance of regional innovation in packaging and the circular economy, emphasizing the need for sustainable and intentional design. The conversation touches on recycling challenges, regulations, and the broader impact of sustainable packaging practices. Megan Young Gamble and Julia Willsie stress the importance of collaboration and continuous learning to drive effective packaging solutions that reduce waste and carbon emissions.[Host Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan Read our Blogs HERE  [ link]  https://www.glcblog.site/ Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTube Join our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-session[Powerhouse Guest Julia Willsie LINKS]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliawillsie/Email: julia.willsie@millrockpkg.comAdditional Resources: Feature in Snack Magazine “Unpacking the Horizon” Odyssey of the Mind : https://www.odysseyofthemind.comJohn Ritter Foundation : https://johnritterfoundation.orgLloyd Steedz Foundation : https://www.loeysdietz.orgEpisode Quotes:And by bringing the right people together to talk about the concerns, that's when true change can happen.Reducing Packaging Waste: I think the reason why the 3 prongs of recycling are reduce, reuse, and recycle is because reduce is most important. So what I recommend to brands is talk to professionals like you, Megan, to packaging engineers, and figure out how to best reduce their current packaging.Innovative Solutions in Corrugated Packaging: The way to be more innovative is to understand the local resources available and then utilizing technologies and materials, whether you're North America, Europe, or Asia.

In this episode of Product and Packaging Powerhouse, Megan Young Gamble interviews Carolina Lopez, CEO and founder of BEJOU Skincare. Carolina shares her inspiring journey from engineering to clean beauty entrepreneurship, emphasizing sustainability, mental wellness, and overcoming challenges with manufacturers. They discuss the importance of reducing environmental impact and consumer confusion around sustainability and clean beauty. Carolina's brand, BEJOU, focuses on holistic wellness and personal growth, embracing the slogan "believably you.[Host Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan Read our Blogs HERE  [ link]  https://www.glcblog.site/ Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTube Join our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-session[Powerhouse Guest Carolina Lopez Links] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bejou.co/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bejou.co?_t=8e2uzFOKLZT&_r=1 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolina-lopez-23aa081a/ Website: https://bejou.co/ Email: carolina@bejou.coEpisode Quotes:Sustainability and Environmental Impact: Sustainability is at the core of our brand. Right? And for me, because I think it's important to define what sustainability is and what it means and, obviously, having a background in engineering, it's reducing, reusing, recycling, and recovering the resources to minimize our environmental impact.Sustainability and Eco-friendly Practices: What certifications do the manufacturer have, and what type of processes are they using to be able to not only just with creating the raw materials or the formulations, but also the packaging. What are they using? Because, right, we also have to take that into account.Becoming a Well-Rounded Entrepreneur: Remember that during the 1st couple of years, you're gonna be handling all these aspects of your business initially, all yourself. So invest time in developing diverse skill sets to avoid being a wannapreneur.Beauty Industry Sustainability: You wanna give the best to your consumers, but, really, what does data actually tell you? Are they actually saying and acting on what they're saying, or is this, kind of, like, not really hand in hand and they have to meet at some point?

Did you know most new podcasts do not make it past episode 3? Well, we made it to EPISODE 20...and more to come!!In this episode, Host Megan Young Gamble, PMP® shares starting the podcast, lessons learned and tapping into the "Mamba Mentality". [Host Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan Read our Blogs HERE  [ link]  https://www.glcblog.site/ Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTube Join our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-sessionBook your exclusive interview on Product & Packaging Powerhouse™ https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/pppinterview

In this episode of Product and Packaging Powerhouse, Megan Young Gamble interviews Rachel Hassall, VP of Procurement at Harvest Hill Beverage Company. Rachel emphasizes the importance of sustainability, regulations, and resilience in procurement. She shares her career journey and insights on building relationships with vendors, aligning sustainability goals, and prioritizing needs in negotiations. Megan Young Gamble highlights the significance of value and partnerships with vendors and suppliers. Rachel encourages saying yes to new opportunities and staying open and emphasizes clear communication of sustainability initiatives to consumers.[Host Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan Read our Blogs HERE  [ link]  https://www.glcblog.site/ Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTube Join our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-session[Powerhouse Guest Rachel Hassall Links] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-hassall/Email: rachel.m.hassall86@gmail.comEpisode Quotes:Be descriptive instead of prescriptive.Building Resilience in Procurement: Resiliency for sure in procurement is the number one thing that people don't value enough or aren't very good at associating dollar values with, because you always, when you're, it all comes back to those dollar signs. So you need to be able to quantify what that resilience can supply you and there's really good ways to do that.Packaging and Value: It's really about what is going to drive value for your business and your consumers.Sustainability in Business: The number one thing in order for your business to succeed and then for your vendors to succeed is to actually know what you want.Ruthless Prioritization in Product Launches: If everything is important, nothing's important, right? And I'm a ruthless Prioritize or like kind of it in life in general, but, if everything is important with your product that you're trying to produce, actually nothing nothing is important and you're gonna find lots of gaps along the way.

In this episode of Product & Packaging Powerhouse, Megan Young Gamble interviews regulatory specialist, Ariana Farina. They discuss FDA regulations, compliance requirements, and the impact of MoCRA in the beauty and cosmetic industry. They emphasize the significance of regulatory specialists in ensuring product safety, SOPs, and compliance. They also touch on state regulations, risk assessment, and the challenges of staying on top of industry regulations. Ariana stresses the need for early preparation and engaging regulatory experts for small businesses.[Host Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan Read our Blogs HERE  [ link]  https://www.glcblog.site/ Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTube Join our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-session[Powerhouse Guest Ariana Farina Links] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariana-farina-1bb39023/“Questions to Ask Regulatory Staff or Consultant” Series on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariana-farina-1bb39023Email address: afarina20@hotmail.comEpisode Quotes:Navigating Labeling Compliance and Product Ingredient Safety: It's better to start now because there's other stuff coming up. This isn't the only stuff.Safer Consumer Products: A lot of people were afraid of this regulation at first because they were thinking, oh, consumers are gonna look at this and go, Oh my gosh. We don't understand this.Navigating Regulatory Compliance: I try to tackle things that people don't know what to ask. They know they want to be compliant. They want to do the right thing, but they just don't know how.Quality Management in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: So they should understand how these are written, how these are put together, or work with somebody that does.

In this solo episode of Product and Packaging Powerhouse, host Megan Young Gamble, discusses recent industry news in the beauty and packaging sectors. She highlights new product launches from brands like Shea Moisture, SKKN by Kim, and Makeup Revolution. She also shares important project management considerations related to product development and packaging. Additionally, she shares insights from a report by Circana about the growth points in the prestige beauty sector for 2024. Megan Young Gamble Links[AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan Read our Blogs HERE  [ link]  https://www.glcblog.site/ Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTube Join our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-session

In this solo episode of Product and Packaging Powerhouse, host Megan Young Gamble, recaps the key events of 2023 and outlines trends for 2024 in the beauty and packaging industry. She shares regulatory changes, including MoCRA and packaging EPR laws, emphasizing the need for compliance and sustainability. Megan discusses how AI in beauty is being utilized, consumer trends, and the key aspects within the prestige beauty category." She highlights the importance of understanding state regulations, infrastructure for recycling, and invites industry professionals to share their knowledge on the show.Megan Young Gamble Links[AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan Read our Blogs HERE  [ link]  https://www.glcblog.site/ Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTube Join our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-sessionSource LinksPackaging Innovations 2023: Making Ecommerce & Sustainability a Package Deal - Inbound Logistics https://www.inboundlogistics.com/articles/ecommerce-sustainability-a-package-deal/ How consumer views on sustainable packaging have evolved https://www.packaging-gateway.com/comment/consumer-views-sustainable-packaging/?cf-view&cf-closed Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-laws-regulations/modernization-cosmetics-regulation-act-2022-mocra Personal Care Products Council https://www.personalcarecouncil.org/ 7 Reasons, and 5 Ways, to Use QR Codes on Your Packs https://www.packagingdigest.com/packaging-design/7-reasons-and-5-ways-to-use-qr-codes-on-your-packs Pantone Color of the year 2024 https://www.pantone.com/color-of-the-year/2024

In this episode, Brad Levin, a packaging professional, joins host Megan Young Gamble to discuss sustainability, packaging challenges, and networking in the industry. They highlight the importance of sustainable packaging, the impact of economic crises on professionals, and the need for a holistic approach to sustainability. Brad shares experiences from his career and emphasizes the value of networking and finding a niche in the packaging industry while encouraging listeners to take action towards sustainability. The episode also covers the significance of sustainable operations, global initiatives, and the profitability of direct-to-consumer marketing.[Host Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://get.castmagic.io/Megan Read our Blogs HERE  [ link]  https://www.glcblog.site/ Subscribe & Access our Video Vault YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTube Join our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brands http://www.getlevelconsulting.comWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-session[Powerhouse Guest Brad Levin Links] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-levin-packaging/Episode Quotes:The Challenge of Sustainable Branding: Whatever step you're taking is better than not taking a step at all.The Power of Networking: It's not who you're talking to. It's who you're talking to knows.The Challenge of Sustainable Branding: Whatever step you're taking is better than not taking a step at all.The Future of Sustainability: I think going forward, you're gonna see this grow in pretty much any industry that's out there. So just because, you know, it's not something that you can touch or feel doesn't mean you're not making a positive effect on the problem.

In this episode, Sandra Pitropia discusses the importance of marketing for compelling campaigns and balancing entrepreneurship. She highlights the challenges of sustainability in packaging and operations, the evolution of diversity and representation in the beauty industry, and the need for larger corporations to capture firsthand consumer data. Sandra also shares insights on the balance between speed, trendiness, consumer demand, and sustainability in the beauty industry, as well as the challenges and opportunities of international expansion. Overall, the episode touches on various aspects of marketing and entrepreneurship in the cosmetic industry.[Host Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI-powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie” Subscribe to our YouTube Channel and see our Video EpisodesJoin our Email List  Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [Powerhouse Guest Sandra Pitroipa Links] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandrapitroipa/Website: https://mycurlid.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mycurlid/Episode Quotes:"The Impact of Small Brands on Larger Companies: The speed at which brands are being launched and products are being put in the market is quite fascinating. The fact that senior leadership is now analyzing small starting brands that nobody would have been concerned about 20 years ago shows the impact these brands have on the strategy of larger companies."Speed to Market Challenges in a Larger Organization: "Yeah. I mean, as you said, like, speed to market in larger organizations is, is a challenge because there are so many processes that have been established, for a very good reason to maintain quality."The Importance of Authenticity in Addressing Diversity and Representation: "If it's not part of the story, let's not do that because it's getting to a point where addressing diversity and representation is becoming very, very challenging for brands to do it authentically, and I feel like they're sometimes struggling to understand what authentic actually means. And Mhmm. It's actually not that hard. It's really not that hard."

In this episode of the Product & Packaging Powerhouse podcast, Leonard Grape, a brand strategist and founder of The Vineyard, shares valuable insights on building and growing an agency. Leonard discusses his journey and mistakes, emphasizing the importance of understanding audience, positioning, and design. He also delved into the significance of strong business acumen, consistency in branding, and effective packaging design. The episode highlights the need for a solid brand foundation, the evolving trends in the market, and the rise of social commerce. Overall, it offers valuable advice and lessons for entrepreneurs and marketers in the product and packaging space, including his 4 Quadrants to Brand Building Framework.[HOST Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank our your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://www.castmagic.io/?via=megan [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie”  [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe to our YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List  [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangamble[Powerhouse Guest Leonard Grape Links](Agency Site) www.thevineyardbc.com (LinkedIn )https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonard-grape-7a197599/(Copywriting) https://happycopyco.com/Brand Start Goes Healthy Podcast on Apple PodcastBrand Start Goes Healthy Podcast on Spotify Episode Quotes & Hooks:The Importance of Positioning in Brand Development: "The 2nd quadrant is very important if brands want to stand out. Positioning is where we take a look at and develop what's gonna be your value proposition statement, what's the value that you're really offering, and how should that be connected with the people's problems or needs."— Leonard Grape [00:30:21 → 00:30:37]Designing a Brand Identity: "I tell my clients and even the market that if you get someone who's gonna work with you and immediately offer you to design something without doing a lot of the strategic work that needs to go through everything else." — Leonard Grape [00:30:41 → 00:31:39]The Importance of Brand Foundations: "While emerging trends are gonna be so important, you wanna make sure that your brand foundation in terms of your principles are really, really set in stone."— Leonard Grape [00:38:53 → 00:38:58]

In this episode of the "Product & Packaging Powerhouse" podcast, host Megan Young Gamble interviews Christina Troutman, a packaging artwork manager. Christina discusses the challenges of the role, the importance of communication, and the need for diversity in the packaging industry. Christina shares insights from her career journey and offers advice on navigating the industry. The episode emphasizes the need for knowledge, transparency, and proactive communication to succeed in managing packaging projects. [Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank our your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie”  [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanager Subscribe to our YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List  [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleLearn about GLC, Packaging & Project execution firm for CPG brandsWork with Me @ GLC, Schedule Discovery Call [Christina Troutman LINKS]LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connect-with-christina/Quotes & HooksFinding Direction in Life: "Just go in a direction. Just go in one direction, and you'll figure out along the way if it's the right path or not."— Christina Troutman [00:07:40 → 00:07:47]The Balancing Act of Meeting Deadlines: "It's very much almost overly about communicating how you have to balance that." — Christina Troutman [00:16:53 → 00:17:00]Finding Success in a Competitive Industry: "Read your read your own packaging stuff. Like, read the back of your, you know, beauty products, the back of your cleaning products, you know, start feeling and touching, you know, the things that you get, start feeling and touching, cutting up your Amazon box to see if you can look through and see the fibers of the corrugate and and, you know, Google, what's what makes this, you know, what com what encompasses this packaging. So just start, like I said, get on your Zoom every day at 10, and just start doing your research and show yourself some grace." — Christina Troutman [00:43:03 → 00:43:36]

In this episode, marketing executive Tara Paton discusses the power of holistic marketing strategies through personalized messaging, market research, and building relationships with customers in the beauty industry. During the conversation, Tara emphasizes the importance of effective packaging, clear target audience, and omnichannel presence that has positive Return on Investment (ROI). She touches on “surprise and delight” marketing approach, thoughts on the metaverse, and the complex nature of sustainability. The episode concludes with a focus on customer acquisition, loyalty programs, and setting long-term goals for success in the competitive market.[Host Megan Young Gamble LINKS][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! Subscribe to our YouTube ChannelJoin our Email List  Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedInListen to Megan x Tara Conversation on Marketing, Money, & Mindset[Powerhouse Guest Tara Paton LINKS]Website: www.tarapaton.comLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarapaton/Listen to Tara x Megan Conversation on Marketing, Money, & MindsetQuotes and Hooks:  Marketing Strategy in the Beauty Industry: "We help them identify growth opportunities. We optimize marketing performance. And ensure that they are doing this all from the standpoint of digging into their customer insights." — Tara Paton [00:01:43 → 00:01:53]Holistic Marketing Strategies: "Depending on where you wanna go, you are going to build your strategy for your company and for your marketing to fit whatever that angle is. That's the most important thing."— Tara Paton [00:03:23 → 00:03:33]Building Customer Loyalty: "You wanna make sure that they are actually becoming a loyal customer purchasing with you over time. That you're actually able to improve your customer lifetime value with them, right, so how much they're spending over that period of time and how valuable they are to you."— Tara Paton [00:06:12 → 00:06:26]Offline Marketing Strategies: "You learn who your customers are. You learn who people are by talking to them and build relationships." — Tara Paton [00:09:44 → 00:11:44]The Shift in Beauty Industry Sales: "For the first time ever, retail growth rate is growing faster than the ecommerce growth rate."— Tara Paton [00:14:40 → 00:14:46]Innovative Retail Strategies: "When you think about it from the perspective of I wanna get in a retail or I'm in retail to offer my customer's options, right, that's what omnichannel is about. Options, and being having a presence everywhere so that your customers, no matter where they are, they're never out of stock of their favorite, sunscreen, or they're never out of stock, or they don't have to worry about, ordering online and, you know, waiting for shipping for 2 days to get their favorite lip gloss. They can pop into target CVS wherever and pick it up."— Tara Paton [00:19:59 → 00:20:29]How to Build Partnerships with Store Associates in Retail: "One of the things that I think is important, especially if your products are in retail, is to build some level of partnership with the store associates...they're the ones that are going to sell you on a product."— Tara Paton [00:24:55 → 00:25:01]The Future of the Metaverse: "I don't know that the universe within these virtual spaces is large enough yet to really provide an ROI that makes sense, but I do understand why these larger companies are entering first because they wanna sort of have that first mover advantage."— Tara Paton [00:31:31 → 00:31:52]The Misuse of Sustainability: "I think it's a misused term. I don't know that we need to stop using it. I think that... there are some folks that are using it appropriately that I think need to educate more on it." — Tara Paton [00:37:11 → 00:37:19]You don't have to be everywhere: “You can grow a brand that is valued at millions and millions of dollars without being everywhere and without doing everything, without having a celebrity influencer without having influencers at all."— Tara Paton [00:40:29 → 00:40:45]

In this episode of "Product & Packaging Powerhouse," Megan Young Gamble, a global project manager in the beauty industry, shares insights on project management salaries and transitioning into the field. Megan emphasizes the importance of networking, making connections, and being open and flexible. Megan discusses salary ranges for project managers and offers a comprehensive report on salaries in different countries. Megan also highlights the transferable skills of project management and provides resources for professionals interested in the field. Overall, Megan shares her personal journey and passion for project management, while offering valuable advice for those looking to pursue a career in the beauty industry.Powerhouse Megan Young Gamble Links[AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie”  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Join our Email List Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedInProject Management: "Project management is bae, It is. We have a really good relationship."— Megan Young Gamble [00:01:39 → 00:01:44]"Project Management Training Programs and Recommendations": "I have some really great project management training programs such as MindSpark, women project management, Black and Brown project management, and other professionals. I will help connect you, k, because you need a project manager in your life and in your company, period. K?"— Megan Young Gamble [00:03:21 → 00:03:38]"Insights from Project Management's Salary Survey, the 12th edition: They surveyed countless people within different countries and positions to see where salaries netted out based on different percentiles."— Megan Young Gamble [00:06:58 → 00:07:00]Salaries in Different Countries: "If you have a country in mind that you wanna look at the salaries, or if you're thinking about pitching to organizations within those countries, this would give you some great insight and also help with expectations from a salary standpoint as well if you're thinking about pitching into these other companies, looking to move to these other countries, etcetera."— Megan Young Gamble [00:07:48 → 00:08:03]"Salary Based upon Industry: 'Within food and beverage, because I've worked on some engagements that are in the food and beverage space, for packaging. And so, for their salary range, it's between 84,000 to 134,000 per year.'"— Megan Young Gamble [00:13:13 → 00:14:19]Transitioning into Project Management: "If you understand the framework, it is very flexible, you're very adaptable, and you can really utilize the same framework in the same processes across all different sectors of the business. So that's what I love about project management."— Megan Young Gamble [00:27:59 → 00:28:14]The Importance of Intentional Networking:: "Having those intentional conversations and being intentional about it, don't think that you could sit there and pick somebody's brain for 15 minutes, and you ain't gonna do no follow-up. If you're not gonna be about it, and take forth action and let those gems help you with cultivating it and understanding how to get into this industry. Please don't waste people's time."— Megan Young Gamble [00:31:47 → 00:31:53]The Many Facets of Project Management: "Project management was all that I was thinking of, but I did not realize that I was doing product management, excuse me, product development management. I didn't realize I was doing packaging management, packaging artwork management because that's a whole specialty in itself. Doing some quality management, supply chain management, and project management utilizes it across all of those sectors that I just mentioned."— Megan Young Gamble [00:33:50 → 00:34:02]"Be open, flexible, and adaptable, and you will ultimately get to that destination at the end of the day."— Megan Young Gamble [00:37:29 → 00:37:35]

In this episode, Cory Connors, infamously known as Corygated®, shares his “detour to destination” journey into the world of packaging. Now, in the industry for over 25 years, Cory shares the power of sustainable packaging ranging from insights, trends, and new regulations in the pipeline. With everyone on the train toward sustainable packaging, Cory emphasizes the importance of focus groups, offers recommendations for Indie startup brands with budget constraints, and stresses the importance of understanding different perspectives in the global packaging industry. Cory is also the Host of Sustainable Packaging Podcast and shares insight on what it takes to start and grow a podcast in a niche industry, and the phenomenal leaders he's had the opportunity to interview to share all things sustainability and packaging.Host Megan Young Gamble Links:[AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! [FREEBIE] Learn about “day in the life” of a Packaging Project Manager → Get our “Starter Packaging PM Freebie”  Subscribe to our YouTube ChannelJoin our Email List  Connect with Megan on LinkedInListen to Megan discuss “Is Beauty Packaging Sustainable? ” on Sustainable Packaging PodcastPowerhouse Cory “Corygated®” Connors Links:Connect with Cory on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-connors/Follow on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@corygatedSubscribe to Sustainable Packaging Podcast Listen to Megan discuss “Is Beauty Packaging Sustainable? ” on Sustainable Packaging Podcast "From Boxes to Sustainable Packaging: 'And it, you know, it makes sense, of course.' Though I started in the industry making boxes, my passion has always been in helping people transition to more sustainable packaging."— Cory Connors 00:01:50Starting a Podcast: "But starting the podcast was an urging from 2 of my friends and several people in the industry, Adam Peek and Evalio Matos, who had podcasts themselves. They said, and we were doing a lot of work together. Promoting certain products and brands and the sustainable packaging industry. And they said, you know, it'd be really good if you had a podcast too because you're always talking about sustainable packaging. It's like, oh, no. I don't wanna do that. That's it. I don't have time for that. Mhmm. And it's just turned into this passion. And I involved my wife and my kids, and they all helped me, with different aspects of it. And It's been fantastic. I'm so glad I took that leap."— Cory Connors 00:05:40The Changing Packaging Landscape: "Packaging has been overdone, over engineered, too large, too many layers, for too long."— Cory Connors 00:08:30The Rise of Sustainable Packaging: "So now what we're seeing is that tipping point where so many people are adopting these new materials, and implementing them, that the costs are coming down. The scale is there now."— Cory Connors 00:11:56States with stringent guidelines "Who's gonna have the strictest rules? Is it gonna be California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado? Who knows? We'll see."— Cory Connors 00:15:56Sustainable Packaging: "We need to figure out what the end consumer will appreciate. We need to think of our product from their perspective. And imagine them opening it and providing that experience for them. And then thinking through how can they recycle this material, or how can they break it down so it's small enough to fit into their bin. Or reuse it, or send it back for reuse. Can we have 0 packaging and 0 waste stores popping up all over the country? Which is exciting. But I would say in particular, if you're a brand listening, think of the full loop of how what's gonna happen. So even if you buy something that you think is sustainable and your consumer can't reuse it or recycle it, is it really that sustainable? And should we do a life cycle analysis of this?"— Cory Connors 00:22:38"Advice for Success: Be authentic. Be yourself. You can't do this passionately, with a false front."— Cory Connors 00:29:30Constantly Learning and Seeking Innovation: "Oh, my. Just like you said, I'm a student. I'm a student every day. I'm learning daily. I am constantly being kindly corrected by my friends, and I appreciate that. I want to. I appreciate you know...so the answer is I learn every day. I enjoy the constant changes in the industry. One of my biggest focuses at Aurora is finding new materials and finding new packaging ideas and concepts. And so I'm constantly pitching new ideas and new new things that are supposed to be more sustainable. Which I truly enjoy. But everybody has a different perspective."— Cory Connors 00:34:10The Importance of Appreciating Cultural Differences: "We need to be patient with each other and appreciate our differences. When talking to people from different geographic areas, we must consider their resources and feasibility"— Cory Connors 00:35:04How to get started in the industry: "I would say, to shadow someone for a day or, reach out to someone who has a job that's similar to the one that you think you want... And I think you'll get real answers because they don't have anything to lose. Cory Connors 00:39:53

In this episode on Product & Packaging Powerhouse, we connect with Camille Corr Chism, diving into the world of automotive packaging. We explore the unique challenges and considerations in designing packaging for the automotive industry, such as ergonomics, returnability, and sustainability. We also discuss the importance of tracking and preventing theft of returnable automotive containers and the role of packaging in lean manufacturing processes. Then, we learn about TrueFleet, new packaging software for returnable and expendable packaging to expedite decision making real-time comparison tools to estimate packaging costs accurately. Finally, Camille, shares her journey in the packaging field and the need for representation and diversity in the industry.[Host Megan Young Gamble Links][AFFILIATE] Ready to crank our your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Join our Email List  Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [Powerhouse Camille Corr Chism LINKS]Connect with Camille on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/camillecorrchismSchedule a Demo of TrueFleet! https://www.TrueFleet.coCheck out Camille's Practice: Indigo Packaging & Consulting Twitter: @indigopkgInstagram: @indigopkgQuotes and HooksThe Journey into Packaging: "I took this packaging class, and this class was so interesting to me. I went to and And it was time for me to declare a major. So I go to the counselor and say, you know, “Tell me more about packaging”. And he said, these are the classes you need, and I was literally in the program without knowing it. That's so that's, like, organic. Like, it was meant to be. Then I did an internship, and I loved it."— Camille Corr Chism [00:04:06 → 00:04:33]The Importance of Packaging in Today's World: "When we went to talk to the students, all mostly chemistry students, and they were like, well, how does packaging interface with chemistry? And then we is exactly what you said, all the polymer science and how the different materials interact."— Camille Corr Chism [00:08:56 → 00:09:09]Lean Manufacturing and the Importance of Automotive Packaging: "But there are actually theft rings out there that will steal these containers, resell the containers, So it's really important to keep track of them."— Camille Corr Chism [00:16:08 → 00:16:16]The sustainability of automotive packaging: "But with automotive, it stays in that loop, and, you know, this type of container will get used. It can get used... I just love the fact that it's sustainable, You were using. You're not, you know, throwing away extra packaging, and it's very intentional because you have to plan ahead of, you know, what type of packaging you're going to use if you're gonna use returnables."— Camille Corr Chism [00:19:24 → 00:19:38]Lean Manufacturing: "Yeah. Hold on. He gets on his radio, and he calls someone immediately to move. Which is the way it should be in lean. Right? You see something, you say something. Everyone is empowered to act on it."— Camille Corr Chism [00:22:43 → 00:22:53]"Optimizing Packaging Costs for Longevity: 'When does it make sense to switch over to returnable from expendable? Because, you know, in the long run, most of the time, expendable wins.'"— Camille Corr Chism [00:34:44 → 00:34:47]The Importance of Representation in the Packaging Industry: "You really need to make sure that you have representation."— Camille Corr Chism [00:42:59 → 00:43:12]Navigating Stereotypes and Gender Bias in the Workplace: "I was called the coffee girl more than once in life, and not Because of the color of my skin, because they thought I should be getting the coffee even if I reported to a VP."— Camille Corr Chism [00:48:14 → 00:48:23]Supporting Black Professionals in Packaging: "I always felt like I was the only person like me in every job I had."— Camille Corr Chism [00:58:30 → 01:01:10]

In this podcast episode, powerhouse guest Corynne Corbett discusses the impact of the beauty industry on black-owned brands and shares insights on how these brands can authentically stand out. With her 20+ years of communication and media experience, she discusses practical tips and strategies for brands. The discussion covers topics such as product testing and compliance, market entry with retailers, funding opportunities, retail challenges, and the importance of representation. Corynne emphasizes the need for strategic planning, clear messaging, and understanding the retail landscape before entering the market. HOST-Megan Young Gamble Links:[AFFILIATE] Ready to crank our your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Join our Email List Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn Powerhouse Corynne Corbett Links:Website https://linktr.ee/startrighthereInstagram:  https://instagram.com/corynnecLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corynnecorbett TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ceetothesquare Listen to Corynne and Megan Young Gamble interview  on Start Right Here Podcast with Corynne CorbettHighlights Quotes and Hooks"Editor's Background and Goals: 'My goal is to help people break in, stand out, and get the tools to move up and succeed in this industry.'"— Corynne Corbett 00:02Representation of Black Beauty in the Fashion Industry: "But within the beauty section, the models were there, but the product was not. So we were fudging a lot of it."— Corynne Corbett 00:05The Influence of Advertisers in Digital Publishing: "Today, I think the pressure editors not the pressure, but one of the concerns editors have is whether there are affiliate links. So even if there's a black brand with a power product they don't have an affiliate link that can be shared, you know, on in the article, the likelihood that they're gonna be covered is less."— Corynne Corbett 00:07Unique Value Proposition: "Don't do something just because someone else is doing it. What are you bringing unique to the market from your perspective?"Clear Messaging and Belief: "It is really important that authenticity, really, really clear messaging that's consistent across all of your packaging, your social, your email, your website, a consistent message. And then a belief that what you're offering is going to give them results or give them will make them feel beautiful."— Corynne Corbett 00:14The Importance of Building Community: "How much do you wanna scale your company?. For other companies, they wanna exit. But we don't always want an exit. So what is your end goal? What is your growth strategy? And how are you building community around your brand? That is gonna be the growth engine that helps your brand grow and scale that community."— Corynne Corbett 00:18Developing a Successful Product: "And then is it you find the chemist that can help you? You do the research ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask questions. Go to, events where people are speaking before you even start. If you can go and gather the information."— Corynne Corbett 00:24Are Retailers doing enough for black and minority owned brands? "Well, we have work to do because, 1st of all, are the retailers doing it because they think the brands are ready? To to be on re retail sales. Do they know how long it's gonna take to get paid? What they have to do to get the what what kind of investment they have to make to get that order to the to the retailer.— Corynne Corbett 00:29Getting ready for Retail: "So when I say go to these conferences to learn, go to workshops, whatever it takes so that you know all of these components, then do that before you make a deal (with retail).— Corynne Corbett 00:31Building a Business: " You have to be committed to build and be committed to any pivots that come your way. And you have to be comfortable with failure because everything is not gonna be what you expect. You know, every outcome is not going to be what you expect."— Corynne Corbett 00:42Supporting Fearless Fund:  "What I think the Fearless Fund needs is like a black billionaire like Robert Smith to put his weight behind their legal fund and start to question some of this other stuff, like hit them back with something else because they're trying to pick us pick us off because it'll bankrupt funds trying to to to amount of defense. Right? So it's a matter of you know, kind of getting some people to help to to fight this because the reason that failure is fun exists is because no one was giving us money."— Corynne Corbett 00:54

In this episode of the Product & Packaging Powerhouse podcast, Megan Young Gamble interviews Nichole Simms, an expert in retail merchandising. Nichole shares valuable insights on how to get your brand into big retailers, negotiate for favorable placement and profit margins, and create a visually appealing homepage to engage customers. She also discusses the impact of packaging on a brand's success, the importance of sustainability, and the power of omnichannel marketing. Nichole's 35 years of experience in the retail industry make her advice invaluable. So, if you want to show up and stand out in the retail world, this episode is a must-listen! HOST-Megan Young Gamble Links:[AFFILIATE] Ready to crank our your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Join our Email List Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn Powerhouse Nichole Simms Links:Website https://www.nicholesimmstheboutiqueexpert.com/Instagram:  @creativessolutuonsLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nichole-simms-1a575414HIGHLIGHT QUOTES & HOOKS:Viral Topic: The Power of Visual Merchandising: Quote: "I really love what visual merchandising can do for a brand for the bottom line." — Nichole Simms [00:03:59 → 00:04:05]The Importance of Branding: "If you're packaging, I can go with the Luxe model. If you're a Luxe candle, you happen to have a certain kind of look to you, a certain kind of color tone, a certain kind of font you have around you. If a certain habit. Even even even the, fragrances that you choose have to have a luxe feel about them. Everything about you has to show up. Luxe has to show a high end."— Nichole Simms [00:08:11 → 00:08:32]"Negotiating Power with Retailers: You wanna, you know, take what you can. Negotiate as much as you can to get a nice space."— Nichole Simms [00:11:46 → 00:11:51]Packaging and Branding: "And just by changing [her packaging], you know, she couldn't do a lot...it was night and day. And that's all she did...whether you're starting with your packaging...Your website has to be on point and showcase. You can spend it. You can do that yourself, or get somebody...and get that website correct...you wanna make sure you do one...it's gonna be packaging and then going into how you can show up online." — Nichole Simms [00:17:51 → 00:17:56]Sustainable Packaging Options: "So those many factors are already on it. So that won't be as hard as you think it will be because if you say, hey, I will eco friendly packaging. They already have it for you. I will eco friendly bottling recycled material. Oh, I already have that for you because they have to." — Nichole Simms [00:21:08 → 00:21:20]Creating Visually Appealing Websites: "You wanna make sure that that home page is visibly appealing, meaning that it catches the eye and engages me. It has a nice mixture of as well as information. You have wonderful photos." — Nichole Simms [00:23:58 → 00:24:09]The Importance of Omnichannel Marketing: "To answer your question, omnichannel is a huge deal. You have to be on the channel. You have to make sure that there's a seamless flow from online and brick-and-mortar and vice versa because, again, customers like to do well. Especially, we offer both actually is better for your brand." — Nichole Simms [00:30:23 → 00:30:30]Negotiating Product Placement: "I wanna make sure, okay, then you're gonna have better lighting when you carry my price. Is actually, I don't ask you, well, this is where your best lighting is in the store. Can I have this lighting? — Nichole Simms [00:35:56 → 00:36:04]Maximizing Brand Visibility: "You wanna make sure that everything lines up to make your brand stand out and actually build your story against the way." — Nichole Simms [00:39:46 → 00:39:53]

In this episode of the Product & Packaging Powerhouse™ podcast, host Megan Young Gamble and powerhouse guest Adrian Fernandez from ESKO Solutions discuss the challenges SMBs face with packaging artwork and the importance of effective artwork management. They highlight the features and benefits of using the online proofing platform, especially the UPC Scanner and side by side revision compare. They emphasize the role of color execution, finding the right partners, and involving the right people in the packaging design process. They recommend using Mox, a software under the ESKO umbrella, to streamline artwork management. A 30-day free trial is available on MOXsoftware.com. Overall, they stress the significance of efficient collaboration and the impact it can have on packaging design success. Be sure to tell them, you learned about Mox from Megan, right here on the Product & Packaging Powerhouse ShowHOST-Megan Young Gamble Links:[AFFILIATE] Ready to crank our your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://www.castmagic.io/?via=megan Subscribe to our YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleListen to “Scale up with Great Packaging”, webinar partnership with GLC x MOX https://moxsoftware.com/blog/webinar-scale-up-packaging  Powerhouse Adrian Fernandez Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/afdezcard/ Get your free 30 day trial at www.moxsoftware.com  (Be sure to tell them, you learned about Mox from Megan, right here on the Product & Packaging Powerhouse Show)Listen to “Scale up with Great Packaging”, webinar partnership with GLC x MOX https://moxsoftware.com/blog/webinar-scale-up-packaging HIGHLIGHT QUOTES & HOOKS:The Importance of Packaging Design and Expertise: "I think having this artwork and the structure management under control is fundamental and, and using experts with the right software, it's a must-have. You know, you don't wanna have to deal with the headache of delays because you're not leveraging what already exists. You wanna spend more time, you know, getting into the next retailer getting into something that is impactful on the shelf from a design standpoint and not just chasing."— Adrian Fernandez 00:14:07The Importance of Color in Packaging: "Color can give you that pop on the shelf. It can give you that consistency of the brand across different flavors...but at the same time, color could be a case of debt if you don't execute it correctly."— Adrian Fernandez 00:19:06The Importance of Asking the Right Questions: "If the designer is not asking this question, there's something off. That would be my way to say, you know, they should be asking, okay, what do you intend to do with this?"— Adrian Fernandez 00:24:29The Advantages of Using a Solid Online Proofer for Packaging: "I mean, over time, this is something that we talk about with different customers, if you're trying to reduce the number of rounds... and this goes back to the point of speed to mark it and also labor efficiency... So those are the 2 things, Megan, I would say you get with a solid online proofer specifically designed for packaging." — Adrian Fernandez 00:30:08

In this episode, Megan Young Gamble interviews SoJohna Bell, CEO of RYZE Manufacturing, an experienced entrepreneur in the beauty industry. They discuss the importance of funding investment, product development stages, and proper testing for your products.  SoJohna shares her personal experiences, including overcoming a negative work environment, healing from grief, alongside  her journey of starting her own business, facing challenges in finding like-minded vendors and chemists, and the need for credibility. She emphasizes the significance of having a comprehensive business plan, marketing strategies, and seeking non-equity campaigns and grants. Expounding on the significance of black-owned hair products, helpful resources for business planning, SoJohna offers advice on product development, emphasizing the importance of precise formulas, vendor information, and encouraging entrepreneurs to be true to themselves, make plans for the future, and seek support.WARNING: In this episode, this is sensitive topic conversation around workplace sexual harassment/assault. Viewer and listener discretion advised.HOST-Megan Young Gamble Links:[AFFILIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://www.castmagic.io/?via=megan Subscribe to our YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List  [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangamblePOWERHOUSE-SoJohna Bell Links:https://www.ryzeproducts.comhttps://www.instagram.com/ryzeprivatelabelhttp://linkedin.com/in/sojohna-bellhttps://www.facebook.com/ryzeprivatelabelOTHER LINKS:If you or someone you know has experienced sexual harassment or assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. You can also chat online at online.rainn.orgLocate your next therapist at www.therapyforblackgirls.comhttps://www.workplacesrespond.org/harassment/ 9-to-5 National Association for Working Women https://9to5.org/HIGHLIGHT QUOTES & HOOKS:The Rise of Black-Owned Beauty Industry: "The woman who started the black beauty industry was Annie Malone. She was a chemist, and started with her own hair care products. And this made a parade that we participated in every year, didn't know that the way that came to be was that she had this building. She had her own manufacturing company. She was producing products. She was selling. I mean, she could 1000 of women on, you know, creating opportunities for them, empowering them, and taking them at that time, it was only washer women jobs and maids. And now she gave them an opportunity to create their own financial future." — SoJohna Bell 00:07:10The Importance of Self-Healing: "If you feel like you can still be in that environment, and it not be something that's gonna weigh on you daily. It's not gonna impact your work because for me, it would. It consumed me. So I knew that in order for me to heal, I had to get out of there."— SoJohna Bell 00:13:0800:14:57Walking Away from Corporate: "I mean, and it's a lot. I mean, I I remember earlier just in my entrepreneurial journey and people would ask, how did you walk away from and what was the deciding factor? And I would always leave that out. You know, I'm just getting to the point that I'm like, you know what? I have to tell my full story for people to really kind of grasp why I did what I did, you know, and would you ever go back? No.— SoJohna Bell 00:16:10Vertical Integration in the Beauty Industry: So one word when I was kinda going through this that just resonated with me was vertical integration. And at the time, I was like, What's vertical integration? What's that? You know, but then I was understanding that this is how the Asians ran their supply business."— SoJohna Bell 00:24:32Building a Business: "If the journey takes longer, but you get to really put in place what your goal and your mission and your vision is, then take it take it longer."— SoJohna Bell 00:28:3000:30:00Overcoming Fear and Learning as You Go: "Do it scared. You'll learn as you go. You'll learn from your mistakes. You won't make that mistake again."— SoJohna Bell 00:44:12

In this episode, Megan Young Gamble acknowledges World Beauty Day and recap news during the month of August 2023.About Megan:Megan Young Gamble, PMP® is a forward-thinking packaging and project management veteran with more than 10 years' of experience transforming mere ideas into consumer product goods for today's leading beauty, wellness, and personal care brands. Known amongst colleagues and clients for her perseverance and “see it through” mentality, Megan The Project ExecutionHER® is the owner and principal consultant of Get Level Consulting, referred to as GLC, where she interprets your company's pain points into custom solutions to execute your project from beginning to end. Megan advocates fiercely on behalf of your company's pre-established goals for a frictionless launch experience and lasting customer impression.THE LINKS[AFFLIATE] Ready to crank our your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://www.castmagic.io/?via=megan Subscribe to our YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleRead our Blog https://www.glcblog.site/

In this episode, Adam Peek discusses the growing interest in sustainable packaging and the importance of understanding the financial and branding implications. He emphasizes the need for packaging to protect products and the planet, while also resonating with consumers. Adam critiques misleading terms and the importance of genuine sales approaches. He shares his passion for stewarding the earth and the fulfillment he finds in the packaging industry. Adam explores the significance of connecting with others in-person and the progress still needed in sustainability.Time Stamps:00:03:04 Real-life connections boost content during COVID.00:05:59 Accidental path led to purposeful packaging industry.00:11:08 Packaging industry essential for transportation and jobs.00:14:46 Passion for Sustainable Packaging00:25:26 Sales is not about manipulation, it's problem-solving.00:29:25 Disconnect from outcome, help others, be intentional.00:32:41 Connect with Adam on social platforms and approach life with abundance.Affliate & Other Links:[AFFLIATE] Ready to crank our your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://www.castmagic.io/?via=megan Listen to Megan on People of Packaging Podcast  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangamble[Guest LINKS]Listen to Adam Peek TedX Talk “The good news about packaging and the hope it offers for the future”  https://youtu.be/-WOBqfJM2lk Website: www.packagingpastor.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adampeek/ Listen to Megan's Interview on People of Packaging Podcast 

In this episode, Megan Young Gamble shares her personal detour journey, eventually finding success in the health, beauty, and wellness industry. She shares her experience in corporate, overseeing product launches and packaging development, starting GLC, and offers advice on project management. Overall, the episode emphasizes Megan's resilience, hard work, and dedication to their craft.About Megan:Megan Young Gamble, PMP® is a forward-thinking packaging and project management veteran with more than 10 years' of experience transforming mere ideas into consumer product goods for today's leading beauty, wellness, and personal care brands. Known amongst colleagues and clients for her perseverance and “see it through” mentality, Megan The Project ExecutionHER® is the owner and principal consultant of Get Level Consulting, referred to as GLC, where she interprets your company's pain points into custom solutions to execute your project from beginning to end. Megan advocates fiercely on behalf of your company's pre-established goals for a frictionless launch experience and lasting customer impression.The Links[AFFLIATE] Ready to crank out your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI-powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://www.castmagic.io/?via=megan  [FREEBIE] Want to Transition into Packaging or Beauty Project Management? Get my "Starter Packaging PM" Guide [link] https://glc.ck.page/thestarterpackagingprojectmanagerSubscribe to our YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangambleNeed a Packaging and Project Execution Team to help execute your product launch with ease? Book a 1:1 insight session [link] https://calendly.com/getlevelconsulting/15-minute-insight-session

 In this episode, Megan Young Gamble introduces the "Product & Packaging Powerhouse" podcast. She highlights the purpose of the podcast, which is to provide valuable insights and trends in product development, packaging, and business. Through engaging discussions with industry experts, listeners will gain knowledge and practical tips to successfully position their products and brands in the marketplace. Expect raw and honest insights and a supportive community of like-minded professionals.[AFFLIATE] Ready to crank our your content in as little as 5 minutes? Use Castmagic, AI powered tool to take your content creation from overwhelmed to overjoyed by saving hours of developing content. Save 20 hours by Signing up today! https://www.castmagic.io/?via=megan  Subscribe to our YouTube Channel [ link] https://bit.ly/GLConYouTubeJoin our Email List [link] https://glc.ck.page/55128ae04b Follow and Connect with Megan on LinkedIn [link] https://linkedin.com/in/megangamble