Podcast appearances and mentions of alejandro velez

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, host Daniel Scharff engages with Nikhil Arora, co-founder of Back to the Roots, an innovative organic gardening company now selling $100M at retail. Nikhil shares the inspiring journey of how he and his co-founder, Alejandro Velez, transformed their initial idea of growing mushrooms from coffee grounds into a successful urban farming business.Nikhil opens up about the various kinds of advice he has received along his startup journey - the good, the bad, and with an overall focus on the perspective founders should have when hearing or giving advice, acknowledging that companies have very different paths, and what works for one person may not work for another. They delve into the essential qualities of resilience, focus, and adaptability in entrepreneurship, emphasizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to building a brand.Nikhil and Daniel explore the complexities of decision-making in the startup world, referencing Jeff Bezos' "one-way" and "two-way" doors framework and contrasting it with Steve Jobs' focus on product innovation. Nikhil opens up about the emotional challenges of entrepreneurship, including the pressures of comparison and the importance of a strong co-founder relationship in sharing the burdens of startup life.Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion filled with valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business owners alike.Listen in as they share about:Background and Origin of Back to the RootsKey Growth StagesChallengesNetworking and SerendipityThe Nature of AdviceFinding Value in ExperiencesThe Role of Trust and CollaborationSusceptibility to Bad AdviceThe Importance of Having a Co-FounderOrganizational Structure and Financial InsightsEpisode Links:Website: https://backtotheroots.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aroranikhil/ Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics

In this episode, Chuck Templeton is joined by Nikhil Arora and Alejandro Velez, co-founders of Back to the Roots, a company that's redefining what it means to be a home gardener. Starting from an unconventional college experiment using coffee grounds to grow mushrooms, their venture has grown into the only end-to-end organic gardening brand, helping to ignite a new generation of sustainability-minded gardeners who are looking for a more rooted relationship with their food.  The duo discusses the significance of deep customer understanding, the art of pivoting in response to challenges, and the non-negotiable commitment to sustainability and transparency that has defined their brand. This discussion offers a realistic look at building a mission-driven business, the challenges encountered, and the perseverance required to stay true to one's values in the competitive retail landscape.Key Topics:Sustainable Innovation as a Market Differentiator: Back to the Roots exemplifies how sustainability can be a viable market strategy that resonates deeply with consumers. Their commitment to peat-free soil and packaging from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic not only sets new industry standards but also appeals to a new generation of gardeners, showcasing the potential for similar innovation-driven growth across various sectors.Compounding Relationships Fuel Growth: The episode highlights how the strategic nurturing of relationships—with suppliers, retailers, and team members—can serve as a catalyst for rapid growth and market penetration.The Power of Simplified Consumer Offerings: By focusing on simplicity in their product line, Back to the Roots has successfully created an end-to-end gardening solution that removes barriers to entry for new gardeners. This lesson in product development stresses the value of consumer-centric design and simplification in fostering user engagement and loyalty.Navigating Entrepreneurial Challenges with a Strong Foundational Partnership: The enduring co-founder relationship at the heart of Back to the Roots provides a blueprint for entrepreneurial resilience. A shared vision and complementary skill sets are critical when facing challenges, making strategic pivots, and achieving sustained profitability.Aligning Business Goals with Broader Missions: Staying true to their North Star has enabled Back to the Roots to weather challenges and continuously adapt to get to where they are today. A clear and compelling mission can guide decision-making, inspire innovation, and attract like-minded customers and partners.Resources:Where to find Back to the Roots products and seed packetsBack to the Roots on How I Built This with Guy RozThis content is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax or investment advice, or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investor or potential investor in any investment vehicle sponsored by S2G Investments, LLC or its affiliates (“S2G Ventures”). Investing involves risk, including the risk of loss. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent the views of S2G Ventures. Specific companies are mentioned herein solely for educational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement of any particular company or investment. Please note that S2G Ventures may maintain investments in the companies mentioned herein. For more important information, please see www.s2gventures.com/disclosures

Exciting News!  This episode features our first member from 1st Air Force, SMSgt Alejandro Velez.Senior Velez is a remarkable individual whose journey embodies the essence of resilience.  From overcoming challenges to achieving remarkable feats, his story is an inspiration to us all.  Get ready to be inspired and empowered by his incredible journey of perseverance and triumph.  Stay tuned for an episode filled with lessons, insights, and a whole lot of motivation! 

All three major averages closed higher, with the Nasdaq posting the largest gain of over 1%, and Jim Cramer is breaking down today's market action. Then, could this natural gas stock provide your portfolio with some serious energy? Cramer's talking to Coterra CEO Tom Jorden. Next, the homebuilders are running despite the Fed's continuing rate hikes and Cramer's going Off The Charts to find out if the group has more room to run. Plus, Cramer's exclusive with Back To The Roots co-CEOs Nikhil Arora and Alejandro Velez.

On Episode 5 of This Is Small Business, Andrea sits down with Back To The Roots co-founders Alejandro Velez and Nikhil Arora to discuss their story of growing from college classmates with a quirky idea to sprout mushrooms out of coffee grounds, into a multi-million dollar garden supply company with a mission to help reconnect a new generation back to food and where it comes from. They produce and distribute easy & fun grow kits to help you get started, or a line of packet seeds if you want to really get your hands dirty. To ground it out, Andrea follows up with Chuck Templeton from S2G Ventures, best known as the founder and former CEO of OpenTable, a long-time entrepreneur who has a deep passion for helping early-stage and emerging entrepreneurs and companies scale their businesses. Chuck is now in league with Back To The Roots as they really start to hit their stride, making the jump from boot-strapping entrepreneurs to a booming medium-sized business. So come listen-in as Andrea gathers some great pointers for her small business playbook on what it takes to grow your creative adventure into a full-on venture!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nikhil Arora and Alejandro Velez started Back to the Roots by asking the same question in their business class–how can you grow mushrooms from used coffee grounds? So instead of taking their jobs in investment baking, the 2 friends began their journey of building an organic gardening brand for the next generation.    Back to the Roots is America's #1 organic gardening company and doubled its business 4 years in a row. They offer a wide range of grow kits, seeds, soil, and more to empower people to experience the magic of growing their food from inside their homes.    Listen to Nathan chat with Nikhil and Alejandro about:   Walking into a Whole Foods and pitching their first product  Growing their first mushrooms in a rented office space Hitting their first million in revenue off sources of waste Why going to a farmer's market is the best lesson for business Transitioning from selling products to empowering growers  Navigating the accelerated growth of the industry during COVID-19 Their relationship as cofounders over the past decade  Working with retailers like Home Depot, Target, and Walmart Their “Grow One, Give One” initiative  And much more business scaling advice…     Who do you want to see next on the podcast? Comment and let us know! And don't forget to leave us a 5-star review if you loved this episode.   Wait, there's more… If you enjoy the Foundr podcast, check out our free trainings. Get exclusive, actionable advice from some of the world's best entrepreneurs.    For more Foundr content, follow us on your favorite platform:  Foundr.com Instagram YouTube Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Magazine

In 2009, Berkeley seniors Nikhil Arora and Alejandro Velez started to geek out over something they'd heard in a lecture: you can grow a healthy crop of mushrooms on used coffee grounds. Intrigued by the business potential, the pair set aside jobs in finance and consulting and became urban farmers: salvaging leaky bags of coffee grounds, planting mushroom spawn in an Oakland warehouse, and selling their crop to local grocers. Over time, the partners realized they could help others grow food for themselves, so they stopped farming fungus and took the leap into selling tabletop grow kits, seeds, and potting soil. Since launch, Back to the Roots has become the fastest-growing organic gardening brand in the U.S., with its products sold in 10,000 stores across the country.

While attending UC Berkely, friends Alejandro Velez and Nikhil Arora began growing organic mushrooms with coffee grounds only. Since then, they have launched America's #1 organic gardening company, Back to the Roots. Listen and enjoy Ryland's conversation with Alejandro Velez!

While attending UC Berkely, friends Alejandro Velez and Nikhil Arora began growing organic mushrooms with coffee grounds only. Since then, they have launched America's #1 organic gardening company, Back to the Roots. Listen and enjoy Ryland's conversation with Alejandro Velez!

Could re-igniting the young generation's curiosity about food transform the food and agriculture system as we know it? Nikhil Arora believes it can—and he's working to make it happen. As co-founder of Back to the Roots, Nikhil sees firsthand the problems that face today's food system—particularly the impact on kids' health and well-being. He and his co-founder, Alejandro, are using their brand to make it possible for anyone to grow food at home and learn the real joy of engaging with the true roots of food. In this episode, we explore: The serious gaps in the average consumers' knowledge of where food comes from and how it's grown How connecting kids and families back to the origins of their food can make a positive difference in the food system Why farmers deserve the same level of attention and celebration as today's most advanced foodtech companies The powerful impact of bringing joy, magic and experience together when educating consumers about food Hungry for more plant-based nerdity and industry insights? Subscribe to The Modern Health Nerd for weekly updates: https://www.modernhealthnerd.com/news/ About Back to the Roots & Its Founders Nikhil Arora co-founded Back to the Roots with Alejandro Velez and now serves as co-CEO of the organic gardening company—which (literally) grew out of the discovery that gourmet mushrooms could grow on recycled coffee grounds. Since then, Back to the Roots has evolved from an urban mushroom farm in Oakland, CA to a thriving national brand and the fastest growing gardening company in the country. On a mission to reconnect kids & families back to where food comes from, Nikhil and Alejandro want to make it easy for anyone, anywhere to grow their own food. Back to the Roots has launched over 20 varieties of beginner-friendly grow kits—designed to be grown indoors year ‘round—in over 10,000 retailers nationwide including Walmart, The Home Depot, Lowe's, Bed Bath and Beyond, Whole Foods Market, Target, Costco and Cost Plus World Market, reshaping what the Garden Center looks like for consumers coast to coast. The company also launched the first-ever 100% USA Grown and Organic packet seed program nationwide - helping bring the stories of inspiring American farmers to millions of families. If you purchase a kit, share your pictures using the #GrowOneGiveOne tag—they'll donate a kit and curriculum to a school in need! Find & Connect with Back to the Roots on the Web! Website: https://backtotheroots.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backtotheroots/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/backtotheroots/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/backtotheroots/ Brand Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backtotheroots_official/ Nikhil's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikhil_backtotheroots/ Alex's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alex_backtotheroots/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-modern-health-nerd/support

In this final episode of the Agency Intelligence podcast miniseries, Age of Independence, host Katlyn Eggar is joined by Jason Cass, giving insights about her interviews and experiences with the rock stars of the insurance industry. Katlyn also discusses how the Age of Indiependence became a huge part of her journey and where that journey is headed. Episode Highlights: Katlyn thinks that one of the greatest factors about guest hosting a podcast is the opportunity to interview such amazing guests and be joined by rock stars in the industry. (2:11) Jason shares one of the reasons why they made Agency Intelligence is because people wanted him to take the interview a bit further than he did on Agents Influence. (3:10) Jason mentions that they will be working with Kelly Donahue-Piro and her company, Agency Performance Partners, at The Insurance Alliance, starting in January 2021. (4:11) Katlyn discusses the podcast episode with Kelly Donahue-Piro entitled, What Your Team Isn’t Telling You Through Big Changes. (4:53) Katlyn mentions that in January 2021, they want to use that opportunity to turn over a new leaf. (6:329) Katlyn shares that the Konmari method is about decluttering, getting rid of the noise, and keeping the things that you love. (8:30) Jason discusses the podcast episode with Alejandro Velez entitled, Competing with the Goliaths. (10:14) Katlyn shares that some call centers do effective tasks. Therefore, the challenge is to not let our disdain, for the things that they're doing poorly hold us back from being able to pull the curtain back. (11:17) Katlyn thinks that efficiency is more significant than speed. (11:49) Katlyn mentions one of the huge challenges they had as local insurance agents was to achieve economies of scale. (13:44) Katlyn shares that the Age of Indiependence has been valuable for her because she started as a captive agent, and it was a big milestone for her, transitioning from the captive world to being an independent agent. (23:15) Key Quotes: “My goal with these episodes has been, to bring a perspective that is new and fresh, but it's something that an agency of any size could walk away with some tangible takeaways, some new ideas, and some things that you can put into practice, every once in a while.” - Katlyn Eggar “At the end of the day, we're going to create more opportunity for people in our communities that need the best job in the world which we have waiting for them in our offices, and it's going to change our lifestyle because we're going to go from just slogging it out every day trying to get out of doing things the same way, to being the coaches, the leaders, and the world changers that we want to be.” - Katlyn Eggar Resources Mentioned: Agency Intelligence Reach out to Jason Cass Jason Cass LinkedIn Katlyn Eggar LinkedIn Advertisers: Podium Veruna

In this episode of the Agency Intelligence podcast miniseries, Age of Indiependence, host Katlyn Eggar interviews Alejandro Velez, Director Of Strategic Alliances at Quantum Assurance International. Alejandro talks about what agencies can learn from call centers and what call centers should be learning from agencies. Episode Highlights: Katlyn introduces Alejandro Velez. (0:58) Alejandro mentions that he’s a giant insurance nerd. (2:40) Alejandro mentions that the way he got into insurance was very happenstance, and when he worked at a call center insurance company, he went to the claim side. (8:38) Alejandro thinks that there’s a certain level of criticalness to the understanding of insurance. Because when you're purchasing insurance, what you're literally purchasing is the claims experience and claims protection should the need arise. (9:22) Alejandro mentions that insurance takes a bad day and prevents a bad life. (12:14) Alejandro shares that when he was in claims, he was defending the arbitrations coming in from the other insurance companies that were suing their insurance. (12:45) Alejandro shares that when you’re in a traditional call center setting, you’re talking about your average handling times and what percentage of the time you were available to take calls. Therefore, the focus is always going to be speed. (16:29) Katlyn shares that one of the best tools in her tool belt is the quality of consultation and the connection, the conversation with her client, the time and care that she’s spending with her client, and keeping those aspects as a part of the heart and soul of her agency. (19:27) Alejandro mentions that in his 15 years of being an insurance nerd, he hasn’t figured out a way to make a solid recommendation without knowing what it is you're protecting. (25:22) Alejandro mentions that quote live is where the customer calls in and they get the quote before ending the call. (26:45) Alejandro shares that you must not lose the opportunity to build rapport and connect to the customer. (30:19) Katlyn shares that there's such a focus on referrals and marketing in the local community that sometimes, an online presence can accidentally get left by the wayside. (35:37) Alejandro thinks that nowadays, having an online presence offers a level of validity and credibility. (36:26) Key Quotes: “I do enjoy reading or listening to books. But really, my heart goes into the insurance world. I am constantly reading insurance journals. I am heavily interested in what's happening in the industry as a whole.” - Alejandro Velez “Everyone wants to make an impact, everyone wants to help others and unfortunately, the insurance industry gets a little bit of a bad rap when it comes to that. Because no one really wants to deal with insurance. But when you need your insurance, you need your insurance.” - Alejandro VelezResources Mentioned: Agency IntelligenceWe Got Your Podcast Reach out to Jason Cass Katlyn Eggar LinkedIn Alejandro Velez LinkedIn Quantum Assurance International Advertisers: Veruna Tarmika

Have you ever thought about buying a business? If so, today’s episode is for YOU!Walker Deibel -- author of the best-selling “Buy Then Build” -- is here to talk about buying businesses. Not only was Walker’s book recognized as one of the top 7 books all entrepreneurs must read, but it’s currently being used in university MBA programs around the country.In this episode, Walker walks us through why buying a business is better than building one from scratch (did you know that only 4% of companies ever exceed $1M in revenue?), why now is the perfect time to be looking for the right business to purchase and what type of businesses we should be considering buying.We then jump into the process of buying a business, how to ensure that you’re adequately represented on your side of the deal, and what you should be doing TODAY to make progress towards buying your first -- or next -- business.Make sure you listen to the end where Walker tells us the biggest mistake he sees entrepreneurs making, and the most important thing you should be doing the day you close on the purchase of your new business.Check him out, and subscribe to the BiggerPockets Business Podcast so you won’t miss our next show!Links from the ShowBiggerPocketsBiggerPockets Business Podcast 17: Using Fear as Fuel with Alejandro Velez and Nikhil Arora, Co-Founders of Back to the RootsBack to the RootsCostcoForbes MagazineLinkedInSquareCheck the full show notes here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/bizshow68

Today’s episode is proof that fear isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, it can be a powerful motivator. And more importantly, fear serves as a signal that you’re pushing yourself far beyond your comfort zone and blossoming as an entrepreneur.Overcoming doubt is one of several topics we discuss with Alejandro Velez and Nikhil Arora, co-founders of a startup that produces a growing line of home gardening and food products.You’ll love the story of how they met and hatched their idea in a college classroom, why they strive to practice “conscious capitalism,” and how they got PAID to collect the raw material they used to grow their first products (mushrooms grown out of used coffee grounds!). Alejandro and Nikhil also share their tips for raising capital and the story of how Back to the Roots struck deals with giant organizations like Whole Foods and the New York City Public School System.This is a motivational show featuring two entrepreneurs who are wise beyond their years, and it’s packed with practical tips for scaling any kind of business. Download this one today, and share it with two people you know would get something out of it! Oh, and don’t forget to subscribe to the BiggerPockets Business Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Google Podcasts so you won’t miss a beat.In This Episode We Cover:The concept of back to the rootsHow they started and what is their productThe turning point where they realized the business potentialHow they create and manufacture their productsGetting in front of retailersTheir tips on raising capitalEarning a million dollars in revenueDemoing every weekendsThe next evolution of the businessAdding more and more productsAnd SO much more!Links from the ShowBiggerPocketsBiggerPockets PodcastWhole FoodsIndoor Gardening Kits

Did you know that mushrooms can grow in the waste that comes from your morning cup of coffee? When Nikhil Arora and his classmate Alejandro Velez heard about this fact, the two were sparked to create a business around growing food from waste. They both quit their six-figure jobs and instead of following the usual path out of college, started a company that sells food grow kits and biodynamic cereal. Listen to Nikhil's story about he took Back to the Roots from growing oyster mushrooms in the basement of their fraternity house to creating some of the best selling products on Amazon and Whole Foods. -- Resources mentioned in this episode: Omnivore's Dilemma - Michael Pollan Lisa Curtis at Kuli Kuli Foods Peet's Coffee -- Follow Back to the Roots on Facebook and learn more about the amazing stuff this company is working on. If you want to reach Nikhil Arora directly, email him here. Check out this cool re-cap of their grow event at Whole Foods Oakland co-hosted by Ayesha Curry. Join the conversation on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, and try our repurposed coffee body scrub. Don't forget to subscribe, review, and share this podcast with other eco-warriors. We read all of your reviews and your positive ratings help us spread the word and spur more eco-warriors to action. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/trashtalking/support

We've been around for a year now! Here's a special episode with clips from our first three episodes. Thank you Angie Guerrero, Alex Romero, and Alejandro Velez for helping us out from the start. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/inside-the-drinkers-studio/support

Back to the Roots was founded in 2009 by then college seniors Alejandro Velez and Nikhil Arora after discovering how to grow gourmet mushrooms on recycled coffee grounds. Since then, Back to the Roots has evolved from urban mushroom farming to a thriving business on a mission to undo food and reconnect families to it through fun, innovative, and delicious Ready to Grow and Ready to Eat products (Organic Mushroom Farm, Water Garden, Garden-in-a-Can, Organic Stoneground Flakes, Organic Breakfast Toppers, and Organic Stoneground Crisps). Back to the Roots currently sells its products in over 14,000 stores worldwide, including Whole Foods Market, Target, Costco, The Home Depot, Nordstrom, Petco, Cost Plus World Market, Loblaw, Giant Eagle, Wegmans, The Fresh Market, Crate & Barrel, Urban Outfitters, Safeway, and Kroger. Nikhil and Alejandro have been honored with several awards recognizing their efforts in sustainability and entrepreneurship including BusinessWeek’s “Top 25 Entrepreneurs under 25,” Inc.’s “30 Under 30,” Inc. 500, Forbes’ “30 Under 30,” and CNN’s “10 Next Entrepreneurs to Watch.” In addition, Back to the Roots was named a 2013 Martha Stewart Top Ten American Made honoree and recognized by President Obama as Champions of Change.

Back to the Roots was founded in 2009 by college seniors Alejandro Velez and Nikhil Arora after discovering how to grow gourmet mushrooms on recycled coffee grounds. Since then, Back to the Roots has evolved from urban mushroom farming to a thriving business on a mission to undo food and reconnect families to it through fun, innovative, and delicious Ready to Grow and Ready to Eat products (Organic Mushroom Farm, Water Garden, Garden-in-a-Can, Organic Stoneground Flakes, Organic Breakfast Toppers, and Organic Stoneground Crisps). Back to the Roots currently sells its products in over 14,000 stores worldwide, including Whole Foods Market, Target, Costco, The Home Depot, Nordstrom, Petco, Cost Plus World Market, Loblaw, Giant Eagle, Wegmans, The Fresh Market, Crate & Barrel, Urban Outfitters, Safeway, and Kroger.

Back to the Roots was founded in 2009 by college seniors Alejandro Velez and Nikhil Arora after discovering how to grow gourmet mushrooms on recycled coffee grounds. Since then, Back to the Roots has evolved from urban mushroom farming to a thriving business on a mission to undo food and reconnect families to it through fun, innovative, and delicious Ready to Grow and Ready to Eat products (Organic Mushroom Farm, Water Garden, Garden-in-a-Can, Organic Stoneground Flakes, Organic Breakfast Toppers, and Organic Stoneground Crisps). Back to the Roots currently sells its products in over 14,000 stores worldwide, including Whole Foods Market, Target, Costco, The Home Depot, Nordstrom, Petco, Cost Plus World Market, Loblaw, Giant Eagle, Wegmans, The Fresh Market, Crate & Barrel, Urban Outfitters, Safeway, and Kroger.

Back to the Roots was founded by Alejandro Velez and Nikhil Arora.  They came across the idea during a class lecture of being able to potentially grow gourmet mushrooms entirely on recycled coffee grounds. Inspired by the idea of turning waste into wages and fresh, local food, they became full-time urban mushroom farmers and back to the roots was born.

Back to the Roots sells kits for growing edible plants. Their business involves physical products and isn’t one that obviously lends itself to intense experimentation. And yet, as we learned in a popular talk from Nikhil and Alex last year, they test everything. This year, they’re back to talk about a Kickstarter campaign they used as an MVP for a new product–during which they learned a lot more than they expected.