Podcasts about nexxtlevel brands

In this episode, I speak with Dave Zilko, Co-Founder of Skinny Butcher. You’ll hear the amazing origin story of the “plant poultry” brand that was founded after Dave and his partner Jack built and sold Garden Fresh salsa to Campbell Soups for $231M. Dave shares his passion for Skinny Butcher’s sustainability focus, hopes for a global flexitarian society, the fun marketing and branding strategy that has led to unusual promotions like the Stranger Things/Netflix promotion at Walmart, and inspiring stories that also appear in his book, “Irrational Persistence.” Skinny Butcher’s major successes partnering with Costco, Walmart and Kroger have consumers embracing the flavorful taste and ‘better for you’ pea protein meat replacement products that offer a kinder gentler option for our planet. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points The origin story of Skinny Butcher –“Two flunkies from Detroit” launching in the plant-based protein space Focusing on flexitarians - this category needs to happen for the planet Impossible burgers at Burger King - making this movement mainstream Focusing on the Costco customer and buyers - Skinny Butcher outperformed expectations Pandemic challenges - retailers are still struggling with supply chain Copacking and Golden West The virtual restaurant concept - licensed kitchens prepare Skinny Butcher recipes, and you order on apps like Uber Eats The unusual Netflix promotion with Walmart and Stranger Things – there are more in the works! Planned expansion of Skinny Butcher from chicken to turkey, fish, sausages, etc. Pitching to buyers - fun branding connects with consumers Words to Grow By: “Irrational Persistence!” Resources: Irrational Persistence: Seven Secrets That Turned a Bankrupt Startup Into a $231,000,000 Business Skinny Butcher Dave Zilko LinkedIn NexxtLevel Brands Website G. Steven Cleere LinkedIn

Today I’m welcoming back Hector Saldivar, founder of Tia Lupita Foods. I last spoke to Hector in November of 2020, and I’m excited to find out how he and his company have progressed since then. Tia Lupita Foods are inspired by Mexican recipes from Hector Saldivar's Mom and her family kitchen. Their flavorful sauces and snacks use healthy, sustainable ingredients, and Tia Lupita was the first company to introduce nopales (the highly sustainable Mexican prickly pear cactus) to the U.S. market. The four product lines currently produced by Tia Lupita are hot sauce, tortillas, tortilla chips, and salsa macha. They focus on cutting out preservatives, using gluten-free ingredients, no sugar, and very little salt. Tia Lupita is “On a mission to help save the world, one taco at a time." In our discussion, you’ll hear what has been happening since we spoke last, pandemic challenges with shortages of ingredient supplies and glass for bottles, and most recently the scarcity of sunflower oil because of the war in Ukraine. Hector will explain some of the tips and tricks that they employed to get people to buy their products during a time when in-person sampling was not happening, and he shares his thoughts and experiences with fundraising, investors, and crowdfunding. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points The latest updates since November 2020 Supply chain issues during pandemic - Ingredients/logistics issues in 2022, 2021 had glass shortages, recently no Ukraine sunflower oil Hector’s initial vision only included hot sauce, but now, with a channel and consumer strategy still the same, there are four different lines – hot sauce, tortillas, tortilla chips, salsa macha Biggest hurdle - money/investors Tia Lupita’s funding challenges - you need a capable team to run things while you raise money. Pre-seed, seed round, crowdfunding (it’s so positive because it’s always a yes) Background on Tia Lupita - she’s my mom, but she’s YOUR tia…shipped Hector care packages with her family hot sauce Reading labels is now the norm - tired Mexican legacy brands were not keeping up in the U.S. retail market Selling to 4-5 different buyers for the product lines New lines in the future? Not right now. We are in 4000+ stores. We need to streamline our distribution The challenges of sampling during the pandemic -using influencers on social media, reviewing sampling services, giving free products to store staff in one account that was struggling - they are now Tia Lupita’s biggest cheerleaders Words to Grow By: lift as we rise, thrive to survive Resources: Tia Lupita Website Hector Saldivar on LinkedIn NexxtLevel Brands Website Steven Cleere LinkedIn

Today I’m welcoming back Kellie Lee, Creator and CEO at Rowdy Prebiotic Foods Company, for an update on her entrepreneurial journey. Kellie developed Rowdy bars when she was creating convenient, real foods to take on hikes with her husband. What makes Rowdy products special is YaconRoot - the unique prebiotic, naturally sweet ingredient that has become the foundation of all Rowdy offerings. Rowdy is committed to empowering people to better digestive health so they can restore balance and get back to being themselves, so they can “get back to being Rowdy.” In this episode you’ll hear how Rowdy has expanded and grown since the founding of the company, what effects the pandemic had on the industry and on Rowdy bars, how the company expanded with four flavors of collagen powders, and some advice for other entrepreneurs thinking of entering this space. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points Reviewing how Rowdy bars got started Kellie’s only future vision was to get into Whole Foods First distribution beyond local - Sprouts nationwide, adding more flavors How the pandemic hurt - launching in April 2020 YaconRoot prebiotic is key for all bars and powders Expansion into collagen powders Kellie is surprised that more people don’t know what they are eating/reading labels Financing - starting and scaling Growth and sales - launching a commission-only sales force for non-traditional channels Planning an exit strategy – 5 to 7 years Words to grow by: “Stay the course” Resources: Kellie on LinkedIn Rowdy Bars Website NexxtLevel Brands Website Steven Cleere LinkedIn

Today I’m welcoming back Michael Movitz, of the Movitz group, and co- founding partner of Brandjectory, a one-of-a-kind relationship-building platform for early-stage CPG founders and investors to help discover each other. We last spoke in October of 2020, so we have plenty to hear about Brandjectory and its journey since then. Michael's career includes 16 years with SPINS at various senior-level positions in the Natural, Organic, and Speciality Products Industry, and in the Natural Products Division of the J.M. Smucker Company. He is the Founder and Managing Partner of The Movitz Group, an advisory group of industry experts that help early-stage conscious brands raise capital and build go-to-market strategies. He has spent 30 years in the CPG industry working with conscious and premium products. In this episode you’ll hear how Brandjectory works today vs. when it began, some highlights of Brandjectory’s recent history including functioning as the contest platform for the Naturally New York Slam Pitch, and some general insight into the industry as it stands today. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points Michael was last on the podcast in October of 2020 How Brandjectory works The process - everything CPG all together at BrandJectory - investors are matched with brands on a “dating service” type of match maker Business today vs original business plan - getting great value from virtual interactions/meetings This year’s slam pitch -the Spring 2022 Naturally New York slam pitch details The current state of CPG capital raising - Investors are holding back because of uncertainty, more strict and rigid, requiring a clear “path to profitability” Canada’s new labeling requirements are highlighting anything over the recommended daily allowance Sustainability - Organic was the thing for the last 20 years, and the next 20 are going to be about sustainability- carbon, food waste, social/animal welfare, environmental welfare, recycling/reducing, etc. In a survey of 5-6-year-old kids, 85% want to ‘save the world’ Acquisitions of smaller brands by the giants - how and why it sometimes doesn't work “Better for you” products currently only comprise 15-30% of the market, real change will come when it’s made bigger inroads Diluting founders’ equity/ raising capital from investors - striking a balance is not easy Retailers are beginning to understand the cash flow needs of suppliers Words to grow by: “There are seven days in the week, and ‘someday’ isn’t one of them” Resources: Michael Movitz on LinkedIn Brandjectory Website NexxtLevel Brands Website G.Steven Cleere LinkedIn

Are you an eCommerce business in need of extra cash for inventory or marketing? My guest today is Jay Puentes, Sales & Business Development Leader at Wayflyer. Wayfler provides flexible funding and actionable insights to the world's fastest-growing eCommerce businesses. They help businesses worldwide reach their growth potential by providing financing & analytics solutions to improve cash flow, drive sales & optimize supply chains. Jay joined Wayflyer in 2021 from fintech start-ups ChargeAfter, headquartered in NYC, and GreenSky, headquartered in Atlanta, where he primarily focused on the eCommerce space. In this episode, you’ll hear about how Wayflyer determines who and how much they will fund with unsecured cash deposited directly into your bank account. Wayflyer should be considered as a complementary source of funding, for primarily inventory and marketing, outside of your typical lines of credit or open facilities. While they have provided capital ranging from $10,000 to $20 million, their average customer requires in the $200-$300,000 range. And as Jay points out, even if you don’t qualify today, you may reach a qualifying level in just a few more months. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points #1 mistake CPG entrepreneurs make is not having access to capital It’s a great time for entrepreneurs, low barriers to entry in eCommerce Wayflyer’s founding story and background Determining credit-worthiness - Wayflyer looks at revenue, profitability etc. and matches cash conversion schedule, a custom approach No niche lending areas - anyone who sells a physical product Success stories Top line sales – average size $200,000-300,000. Wayflyer funds anywhere from $10K to $20M range. Even if you don’t qualify now, you may soon Inflation and rates - Wayflyer is in collaboration with JP Morgan, offers complementary capital toyour line of credit or open facility. How deeply does Wayflyer dig into your books? They analyze Shopify/Amazon revenue, looking at your future/where you are now Process - fill out a consult form first on the Wayflyer website, then chat about feasibility Buy Now/Pay Later - consumers now expect it, Wayflyer’s money is unsecured, cash into your account Seasonal businesses - need to know terms and lead times to match cash to cycles Building the Wayflyer team - fast growth over last 14 months, working with biggest names in eCommerce, Q4 is biggest time of the year Words to grow by: Founders and CEO’s - don’t wait til the last minute to discover what capital is available, understand your options! Resources: Wayflyer Website Jay Puentes LinkedIn NexxtLevel Brands Website G. Steven Cleere LinkedIn

In this episode we are following up with one of our previous guests, Stephen Caldwell. Stephen fell in love with Swiss Röstis in his travels and brought this delicious Bern tradition back home. He and his wife Lory have been perfecting the recipe and serving them to family and friends ever since. Rosti Stuft Spuds have been on a white-hot trajectory since the company started in 2019. For 2023, Stephen has forecast that they will utilize 3.5 million pounds of potatoes. From buying out his partner and rebranding, to over 50 wildly successful appearances on QVC, and URosti’s placement in convenience stores across the country, every single person who tastes them loves URosti Stuft Spuds. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points Stephen tells us what a Swiss Rosti is and why he fell in love with them Serial entrepreneur and foodie - developing the Rosti at the OSU Food Innovation Center Anyone who tastes them, they buy – consumers AND store buyers, 4000 samples eaten in 2 days of a demo QVC execs tasted Rosti’s at the Fancy Foods Show and invited them on -sold out. 50 shows in two years! Challenging issues through the pandemic - potato supply, supply chain logistics Pitches, partners, and building relationships - nothing felt right, Stephen bought out the company to “do it himself” Rebranding – needed to explain the product better Frozen potato sections in any store – supply chain issues, something is always out of stock The convenience store blowout of Rosti Stuft Spuds The new flavors - Swiss jalapeno and breakfast options Potato crops/supply - this year was not great but Stephen has a secret supply - forecasted to need 3.5 Million pounds for next year Stephen prefers “founder” to CEO or President The future is bright for Rosti Stuft Spuds Resources: Stephen and Lory Caldwell - LinkedIn Urosti Website NexxtLevel Brands Website Steven Cleere LinkedIn

In this episode we are following up with one of our previous guests, Will Nitze, Founder and CEO of IQBar. We last spoke to Will before the pandemic, so our discussion will cover the last few years and what’s been happening at IQBar, the pandemic and how it affected the company, and future ideas for new product categories. IQBar’s mission is to empower doers with superior brain and body nutrition. IQBAR makes plant protein bars and IQMIX hydration sticks packed with functional compounds. Every IQBAR product is brain and body nutrition, 100% plant-based, with vegan, nutrient-dense ingredients, low carb and zero gluten, dairy, soy, and no GMOS. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points Will’s experience during the pandemic with demand and supply chain issues Formula changes - Inulin shortage, pea protein New hydration product line - delivering nutrients with powder packs, retail strategies Building the IQBar team - keeping it small and lean, evolving with growth Sales calls and account management - the founder doesn’t always have time R & D for bars - less skus are better, but some special editions create excitement Customer feedback - the Costco roadshow garnered 10,000 conversations Looking at future categories - Will likes “habitual” items relating to things like sleep, coffee, etc. Fundraising and capital - raising less money more often Words to Grow by: “Think bigger” - it sounds trite but it’s a good idea to take bigger swings Resources: Will Nitze LinkedIn EATIQBAR.com NexxtLevel Brands Website Steven Cleere LinkedIn

Today’s guest is Mac Anderson, Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer at Cleveland Kitchen. Mac and his siblings were raised in a culture of natural foods - their mom is a trained Chef who started a natural food co-op in Ohio way before such things were widespread. Join us as we discuss the origin story and rocket to success of this family business, how they gained retail placement, their acquisition of a pickle-manufacturing plant in CA, and the growth Mac sees continuing and building in the fermented foods category. Cleveland Kitchen uses the finest ingredients to make the best tasting sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles, dressings and marinades. Their kraut, kimchi, and pickles have a delicious crunch thanks to their rustic cut and their dressings and marinades provide a rich, flavor-packed boost of fermented vegetables that is a perfect addition to any meal. Cleveland Kitchen creates world-class culinary fermented foods for all. Fermented foods are regularly consumed within European and Asian cultures and now U.S. consumers can simply (and deliciously) do the same. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points Mac’s background and early years Fermenting became a business concept for the family around 2014, fortunately right at a crest of popularity for fermented foods and drinks How are Cleveland Kitchen’s foods presented, fresh and refrigerated or shelf stable? Retail plans for Kraut - started with local Giant Eagle in Cleveland The grocery strategy that won - selling in the produce section (vs. deli) doubled sales Retail placement grew to Target, Albertsons, Publix, and Walmart A certain giant retailer asked them to provide pickles - so they acquired a pickle manufacturing plant in CA Pickles - are they that different from producing Kraut? The “pandemic effect” was a complete boon to Cleveland Kitchens – fermented foods, gut health, changing food choices, immunity boost – Cleveland maintained 99% on time/in full even in the pandemic Investors and capital - the Korean/German couple who was the perfect first investor Co-packers - it may have been an easier route but they wanted to own their own destiny How does the future look? Cleveland Kitchen is seeing double digit growth on grocery shelves over the past 18 mos. Words to Grow by: always be scrappy and strategic, act like you don’t have a big budget, and don’t do things just for the sake of ‘growth’ Resources: Mac Anderson LinkedIn Cleveland Kitchen Website Cleveland Kitchen Instagram NexxtLevel Brands Website Steven Cleere LinkedIn

Today’s guest is Seth Goldman, Co-Founder and Chief Change Agent of Eat the Change®. Seth is also the Co-Founder of PLNT Burger, Honest Tea, and Chair of the board of Beyond Meat. Seth has been widely recognized for his “serial” entrepreneurial success and impact, including Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year in Greater Washington, the Washington DC Business Hall of Fame, Beverage Industry magazine’s Executive of the Year, Beverage World’s #1 Disruptor and Partnership for Healthier America’s CEO of the Year. Join us as we talk about Seth’s path to Honest Tea and what happened when Coke acquired them (and then discontinued the product), the plant-based meat industry, and the potential of the “cultured meat” concept, the “snackification” of U.S. diets, and he’ll also share some tips and lessons learned for other entrepreneurs just getting started in the natural food and beverage space. Eat the Change® is on a mission to create chef-crafted and nutrient-dense snacks that are kind to the planet. With planet-based commitments, they are expanding the possibilities and the impact of planet-friendly foods. Eat the Change is inspired by, and committed to, expanding the possibilities of what a more sustainable food system could look like through avoiding sugar, corn, rice, wheat, potatoes and soy, using fungi and plants, supporting organic farming, democratizing planet-friendly foods, and minimizing waste. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points Seth’s career before Honest Tea The New York run in Central Park that led Seth to discover, “There’s nothing to drink” Placement in Whole Foods Mid-Atlantic stores Coke’s new venture group inquired about acquiring Honest Tea What went wrong? Honest Tea may have been too small for Coke to scale Seth didn’t relax after selling Honest Tea The pandemic and its effect on Seth’s businesses Meat alternatives – plant-based is efficient and growing, “cultured meat” – how do you market it? Mushroom Jerky Stats around lack of vegetables in the U.S. diet are staggering “Snackification” of our diets, school meals Balancing “mission” with product Entrepreneurs cannot offer a “me too” product - it’s too competitive Eat the Change is trusted to be family friendly, nutritious, planet-friendly, organic, and responsibly sourced food Even with supply chain interruptions, the consumer can still get 98% of what they want, when they want Words to Grow by: Fat Albert/Bill Cosby, “He who throws mud, only loses ground” Resources: Seth Goldman LinkedIn Eat the Change Website NexxtLevel Brands Website Steven Cleere LinkedIn

My guest today is Austin Kelly, CEO at Willamette Valley Pie Company in Oregon. I speak with Austin about how Willamette is growing their business– carefully self-financing, planning their expansion slowly and naturally. Their products occupy a premium, artisanal spot in the frozen pie category, and continue to be hand-crafted from berries grown and frozen in their family-owned, vertically integrated manufacturing plant and farmland in Salem, OR since 1999. Austin’s own background started at the age of 15 working in a cherry orchard, and later at Dave’s Killer Bread, so as he puts it, “Berries plus baking equals pie.” Willamette Valley Pie Company has grown berries in the bountiful Willamette Valley for three generations and each of their pies and cobblers are still hand-crafted with all-natural ingredients. Willamette knows that sharing dessert can create special family connections. What began as a small cannery-style operation in a backyard warehouse quickly grew into Willamette Valley Pie Company – a family-owned and operated business – producing the best pies around! You can order pies directly online, or visit their country store which opened in 2009, located in Salem, OR on the same property as their processing plant and flagship bakery. Look for a new cream pie line to debut this fall. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points Background and history of Willamette Pie Austin’s bakery + fruit background and career led to ‘pie’! Coming in as leadership at Willamette – where were the areas for growth? Capturing space as a premium product in the frozen pie cases Covid effects? Frozen pies did very well Willamette continues to self-finance, no investors The response to inflation- created some innovation and smaller pies to contain costs 2022 is shaping up to be a good fruit harvest The origin of Marionberries Prepping for the fall/holiday pie season- new cream pie launch Organic– Willamette consumers are more interested in farm origin than organic Where to find? Shipping direct to consumer, Whole Foods and Kroger Words to grow by, Maya Angelou “People always remember how you made them feel.” Reach out to us with show and guest ideas Resources: Austin Kelly LinkedIn Willamette Valley Pie Website NexxtLevel Brands Website Steven Cleere LinkedIn

Have you ever wondered exactly what’s in that “imitation crab” meat that is available in every grocery store? This same ‘imitation crab’ is also in every California sushi roll, seafood salad, and many other prepared seafood dishes. It’s “surimi.” Surimi is real fish, made from wild-caught Alaskan pollock/whiting. It first appeared in the U.S. in the early 80s, when it was brought over from Japan and became a staple in North American grocery retailers. My guest for today’s episode lives and breathes surimi every day. Daryl Gormley is the CEO of Aquamar Seafood. They produce only the highest quality and sustainable surimi products in styles that meet the needs of food service, retailers, value-added processors, and consumers. Aquamar® has decades of surimi seafood experience, proprietary production technology, and operational efficiencies to manufacture premium quality surimi seafood products. Its mission is to provide the highest surimi product quality and value while building customer satisfaction through superior service. I talk with Daryl about surimi and its history, how it is made, the sustainability and low cost of this healthy protein, and the many possibilities for utilizing surimi globally to make healthy sustainable protein more accessible – both to everyday consumers and to those who are food insecure. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast" is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points What exactly is surimi? Daryl’s background and path to CEO of Aquamar The seafood industry is very different than other food industries Aquamar has unique advantages – sourcing and consumer focus Aquamar focuses on developing options for consumer needs The fresh fish left over after filets are taken = surimi Surimi appeared in the late 70s, and early 80s from Japan, thousands of years of history Can surimi be a ‘gateway’ to loving seafood? Not much innovation in its 40-year history Where/who is Aquamar targeting with sales? How the pandemic affected Aquamar Aquamar’s plant-based product line, and cellular meat Food insecurity, lack of access to healthy protein

‘Get Your Brand PR Started!! – Gloria Chou on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast! Steve’s guest this week is Gloria Chou, Consumer Products PR expert, mentor and pitch expert. Gloria talks today about how important Public Relations is; how it is different than advertising and also, how Founders and small team members can actually do their own PR. Steve starts off by making the claim that this show has ‘thousands of dollars’ worth of learning in it, mainly because getting Brand awareness – and then product trial – are the two essential elements in growing a Brand. Gloria discusses her previous work in State Department and in helping friends to launch their new CPG business; she agreed to help spread the word. In calling thousands of editors and reporters over time, she has created a proprietary 3-step CPR Pitching Method™, one that’s helped thousands of bootstrapped small businesses get over a combined 1 Billion organic views in top-tier outlets such as the New York Times, Vogue, Fast Company, Forbes and more. Cracking the code wasn’t easy, Gloria relates, but it is something that Founders can do – and a Founder’s story is really the most compelling kind of business information out there. She also talks about how the 3-Steps make for a great start for Founders and small company team members to get started in PR. First, you have to establish your ‘Credibility’ – your story and your brand's story. Are you using your Grandmother’s Brownie Recipe? – Do you suffer from a food allergy, and so you invented a snack you could eat? All of these are part of your credibility. Second in the 3-Steps is ‘Point of View’ – how you approach the industry or the problem-solving – and why is it different from General Mills or Tyson? Maybe you are trying to save the planet – or give diabetics something that tastes good but is still healthy. All part of your POV. Links - Gloria Chou LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloriaychou/ Gloria Chou PR - https://www.gloriachoupr.com/ Steve Cleere LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/gscleere/ NexxtLevel Brands - https://www.nexxtlevelbrands.com/

If you think today’s episode is going to be filled with boring legalese, think again. Not only are many entrepreneurs reticent to involve a legal expert, but they tend to think of them merely as risk-mitigators. But stop to consider – your business could attract bigger initial financing, celebrity partners and endorsements, and maybe even a higher exit sale/acquisition price if you have a CPG legal powerhouse like Ryan Lewendon on your team. Ryan’s firm, Giannuzzi Lewendon, plays an active role over the life span of a consumer product company, from the beginning of an idea to growing the company to a successful exit, and beyond. Their firm has served as counsel to a vast array of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and founders in the food, beverage, lifestyle, beauty, and wellness sectors, helping them clear day-to-day hurdles and navigate opportunities toward an acquisition. Ryan’s clients run the gamut from young brands to mature companies – first-time entrepreneurs and recent MBA graduates to seasoned, serial entrepreneurs in the CPG space. Ryan has overseen the growth of hundreds of brands in the consumer section, including VitaminWater, BodyArmor, Suja, Four Sigmatic, Recess, Coconut Cartel, Alfred Coffee, and Your Super. We’ll talk about trademarks, protecting secret recipes and formulas, finances and financing, celebrities and how their involvement has evolved from taking a few photos with products to being full partners working the booths at trade shows, and the U.S. cannabis market that is poised to explode once there is federal legalization. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points Ryan got hooked on CPG after running a bar in New Orleans Ryan doesn’t go to court for you, he is an expert in the operations of CPG companies There is a pressing need for attorneys who understand the industry Trademarks– when, where and how Protecting secret formulas and recipes When should you start working with legal experts? Investors look more favorably on companies with legal experts Celebrity endorsements– what do they look like these days? Celebs and mission-based companies Working with “Re-founders” – they sold but want to buy back CBD, FDA, and cannabis Words to grow by: “Grow intentionally, and cautiously, over the next 12-18-36 months.”

Did you know that humans are hard-wired to crave calorie-dense foods at bedtime? This traces all the way back to prehistoric times. Currently, over 80% of Americans snack regularly at night, and every week, over 700 million nighttime snacks are consumed resulting in a weekly spend of over $1B. The most popular nighttime snack choices are known to be unhealthy and also disruptive to sleep quality: cookies, chips, and ice cream top the list. Today’s guest is Sean Folkson, Founder and CEO of Nightfood. When Sean went online looking for healthier late-night snacks, he was disappointed to find zero options specifically made for better sleep. Knowing that most people are going to snack at night anyway, he founded Nightfood to deliver snacks formulated by sleep and nutrition experts to satisfy nighttime cravings in a better, healthier, more sleep-friendly way. Hotels across the United States are adding Nightfood sleep-friendly snacks for their guests, and Nightfood is now publicly traded as $NGTF. I’ll speak with Sean about his journey from his initial product offering of bars, to the realization that people still want to eat cookies, chips, and ice cream at night, so why try to get them to switch to bars? Sean went on to create a variety of sleep-friendly ice cream flavors that are now becoming available in more and more hotel chain lobby stores, where the business of sleep is the main focus. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points Sean’s early years and late-night snacking and sleep disruption. Online searches found nothing for night snacking Did you work with certain industry research? Do an incubator? How funding tech startups is completely different than food and beverage startups The initial offering of Nightfood bars did not catch on Switching to ice cream brought tons of media coverage, hotel placement Late 2022 will see cookies and chips launch Expenses, loss of capital, wife’s wavering support Copackers and distribution Why Nightfood is a ‘better for you’ solution The captive hotel audience is perfect for Nightfood Did you model a plan? Do a one-sheet? The change in consumer behaviors due to pandemic

In our previous episode, we talked about having a great idea for a food product and how to consult the Food Innovation Center about creating it, but Greg Vetter of Tessemae's simply brought in a tub of lettuce with his secret dressing on it and walked out of a Whole Foods buyer meeting with an order. After selling 600+ bottles in five days simply doing in-store demos, Tessemae’s dressing became an instant phenomenon at Whole Foods and soon expanded exponentially through the state, the region, and eventually the whole country. From its fascinating beginning in an Annapolis MD Whole Foods store, where Greg Vetter and his family made dressing at night and drove it to Whole Foods stores on Fridays, doing demos every weekend, to getting the call from Walmart asking if they could develop a shelf-stable version for them, Tessemae’s trajectory was almost inconceivable. The origin of this great dressing came from Greg’s mom Tesse - who had to figure out a way to get her kids to eat their veggies while staying healthy. Because serving a dressing full of artificial ingredients was not an option, she created and perfected her own all-natural recipe. When her oldest son, Greg, realized how great it was, he said, “Mom, let’s go into business together and make this for the world!” As Tessemae's All Natural grows its product line around the globe, the commitment to healthy eating and healthy living remains the core of the company's mission. Join us as Greg tells me about his initial “ignorance” of the food production industry, their growth and learnings from 2009 through today, and how they plan to keep innovating flavors and products under the Tessemae's brand. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points What drove you to create a product in the refrigerated/produce section? How Greg’s neighbor broke into his house to steal his mom’s dressing, and the a-ha moment this created Cold calling Whole Foods stores until he got a yes The panic of getting the first order and paperwork from Whole Foods When did you think about using a copacker? Transitioning to buying their own manufacturing plant How is the responsibility distributed among family members? The pros and cons of working in the produce section How Walmart came calling one day for a shelf-stable product Any supply chain issues due to covid? Our issues are hitti

Do you have a prize-winning recipe that you think could make a great product to sell at retail? The Food Innovation Center is ready to help you convert your grandma’s secret sauce recipe into a retail-ready, safe, scalable product that’s ready for the grocery store shelf. My guest today has been called the million-dollar palate because she is leading that team that is able to transform your next big idea into a retail product. Sarah Masoni, Product and Process Director at the F.I.C. in Portland, OR, has an infectious laugh and self-effacing humor that makes her a very entertaining guest. Sarah works with food entrepreneurs and small to mid-sized food companies to help them create foods and beverages focusing on specialty foods. She has over 30 years of experience working in the food industry including quality control and assurance, research and development, product scale-up, ingredient sourcing, ideation, and product evaluation. She is a fellow podcaster, and teaches entrepreneurial classes at The Food Innovation Center (FIC) Agricultural Experiment Station is located in Portland, OR. The FIC is a resource for client-based product and process development, packaging engineering and shelf-life studies, food safety, and consumer sensory testing. Research work is conducted to develop innovative processing, packaging, and traceability technologies, and to address food safety challenges. The FIC also engages in scholarly research in agricultural economics and marketing. The Agricultural Development and Marketing division of the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) is located at the FIC, providing local, national, and international marketing access and development. Clients include producers, processors, marketers, and entrepreneurs. The FIC is committed to taking food products to market and advancing Northwest foods. In today’s episode, I speak with Sarah about her family background that led to her career, her success stories, and how the FIC is organized and functions to assist food entrepreneurs to get their dreams onto retail shelves. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast" is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points Sarah’s background – academics and her food science dad Who are the clients at the FIC? Cyclical foods and development during downtimes The biggest challenges in this industry You can’t judge ‘way out’ product ideas- you never know what’s going to be successful $25 truffles and cricket ranches The FIC oversees 1200 specialty crops, 13 regional specialty centers, Farm to school programs, and more The pandemic and how it affected business

Daniel Smith enjoyed healthy snacks while studying at school. He loved flavored almonds - but what a mess! I’m sure you are familiar with that salty, greasy hand scenario when you finish off a package of Blue Diamond nuts, for instance. That’s how his idea for infused almonds came about. As founder and CEO of Recipe 33, Daniel set out to innovate a largely stagnant category. Through a unique, slow, craft process, Recipe 33 infuses nuts with flavors like black truffle, smoky serrano, cinnamon vanilla, and lemon rosemary. The infused almonds are not just a great source of protein, but perfect to enjoy while using your computer, phone, or tablet, reading a good book or magazine, or playing your guitar or video game. In today’s episode, I speak with Daniel about the recent Natural Products Expo show, his process for development at Recipe 33 and his marketing, distribution, and plans for the future. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points What are “infused” nuts? Did you plan to develop this product or did you look for space in the market? Recipe 33’s unique flavors are not meant to compete with huge players like Blue Diamond The unique flavors may need some introduction to consumers, how did you work through the pandemic without demos? Differences in Daniel’s business plan vs. reality What did you look at for distribution options? Recipe 33 future plans– new nuts, flavors, and functional snacks Business functions that Daniel outsourced as a solopreneur Daniel’s success being a “local” producer Expo west had an incredible turnout, 57K attendees? Did you see anything super innovative? Words to grow by: Discipline, focus, and put yourself in uncomfortable positions, don’t get complacent. Resources: Daniel Smith LinkedIn Recipe 33 Website NexxtLevel Brands Website Steven Cleere LinkedIn

My guests today are Ani Collum and Doug Siegel, the co-founders of Zolt, a company that offers “plant-powered super drink” powders with amazing functional ingredients like reishi mushrooms, ashwagandha root, green and black tea, guarana, and many more. Each formulation of adaptogens, antioxidants, and terpene botanicals is tailored to key areas of human function like sleep, immunity, energy, balance, and overall cognitive performance. Plants survive and thrive by releasing endogenous biochemicals that help them flourish under various circumstances (some of them really extreme) and many of those plant botanicals can help humans perform at their best, too. We’ll hear from Doug and Ani about their partnership, how the product line was started with a personal story of Doug’s, and some of the challenges along the way in their journey to success. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points Doug and Ani background, expertise What is Zolt all about? Why should we drink it? Zolt is powder sold in “mixie sticks” – why powder instead of ready-to-drink? Meeting ESG goals with powder product Zolt came about with a unique story, during the pandemic How do the two of you divide your duties? Co-founding is so much easier than solo-preneuring Doug describes the 40-something male’s “Men-o-Pause” syndrome Zolt lives ‘up’ to high standards, never ‘down’ to pricing Beginning as DTC in a pandemic was a great way to get momentum for retail The extreme focus on Zolt ingredient sourcing/integrity The CBD market and its challenges – FDA, marketing, and oversaturation FB and Instagram ads won’t allow “unregulated” product advertising Any major roadblocks or challenges? Words to grow by: Ani- “Don’t be afraid to ask why at every turn”, and “think like a customer” Words to grow by: Doug - Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” – you’ll never regret trying something!

In this episode, we’re welcoming back Alex Bayer, Co-Founder and CEO of Genius Juice for an update. Genius Juice was featured on Shark Tank, they received Bevnet Smoothie of the Year, and Alex is now the host of two podcasts –15 Minutes of Genius and Friday Vibes, and he’s here to tell us about the latest news and progress around Genius Juice. Genius Juice is the world's first all-organic plant-based smoothie made from the whole coconut. It blends only two ingredients: organic coconut water and organic meat to make a creamy, delicious and clean smoothie. Founded in January 2014, Genius prides itself on having 'No Dumb Stuff' in its smoothies. NO Gums/Emulsifiers, NO Natural Flavors, NO Stevia or Monk Fruit, and NO Added Sugar. Join us as we discuss how the pandemic and supply chain issues affected Genius Juice (or didn’t), the benefits of their appearance on Shark Tank, how their business plan has matched up to reality, and hear some great advice from Alex on projections, investors, margins, and not overdoing it with product distribution. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points Welcome back to the show Alex Bayer Last time, you didn’t have a podcast!? Now you have two… Time commitments and guest availability for 52 weeks of podcasts How did your success escalate after Shark Tank? The initial burst, and the long-term relationships from Shark Tank appearance How did your business plan stack up against the actual results? How did Genius deal with the pandemic– team and supply chain? We want to do more team events, even though we are all virtual, we love being together How is your business different now, than when you appeared on Shark Tank? Being cautious about where you distribute your product– sales per door more important than the number of doors The learnings from placement in 600 Publix stores in the Florida market Pricing your product – promos vs. debuting at regular price Any “Oh Shit” moments you want to share? Pitching to investors, under-promising, over-delivering, investors never forget when you fall short of projections

99% of people agree that food waste is a problem. The pandemic has accelerated many trends around the world, and reducing food waste is now at the forefront of the movement to reduce greenhouse gases and global warming. Thousands of major CPG brands and companies worldwide have “sustainability” goals that need to be met. One way they can meet these goals and increase profits is by using upcycled food ingredients. Join me for an eye-opening and extremely inspiring talk with Turner Wyatt, CEO of the Upcycled Food Association. So far, they have ‘certified’ 200 products (just within the last nine months) that in aggregate have saved 800 MILLION POUNDS of food from going to waste. Imagine what those numbers will look like once they get through the next 200 products that are on deck to be certified and officially put back into the food chain in other CPG products. The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points Tell us exactly what makes a product “upcycled”? The pent-up demand we saw at the ExpoWest show Every person throws away an average of $1500 a year in food waste Your start was in food waste recovery, tell us how that came about? How did you get from Denver Food Rescue to this? The UFA was formed in 2019, what has the reaction been so far? Over 200 businesses in 15 countries are now part of UFA The “C-Suite” decisions (by the top execs– CEO, CFO, COO etc.) around sustainability Retailers have so much power – just by putting upcycled food on their shelves The Food Waste Funder Circle offers information, opportunities for investment and education How is the UFA managing exponential growth, and what do you see in the next 5 years? The UFA goal is at least “one upcycled product in every aisle of every grocery store” If you’re worried about using “upcycled food” – you already eat it, in many different types of products The impact of “empty shelves” at the grocer during the pandemic hit us all Words to grow by: Le

My guest today is Chris Smith, Co-Founder of Humblemaker Coffee. Its mission is not just to create craft premium coffee, but to shape an incredible future for children living with autism through opportunities to experience surfing, music, and the great outdoors. Humblemaker is on a journey to create coffee products and beverages for wellness-minded people who share a passion for the active outdoor lifestyle. Their functional beverages are zero sugar and contain natural ingredients and organic coffee. Humblemaker has an innovative approach to functional coffee and unique brick & mortar shop experiences. Join us as we discuss the humble beginnings and challenges Humblemaker has gone through and how they are positioning themselves for success. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points You’re a ‘serial entrepreneur – why coffee? Did you start by looking at what’s missing in stores, or with the coffee When and why did you start adding wellness and tinctures? Chris found he had to master CPG terminology Did you start with a business plan or on the back of a napkin? Bryan and Chris had to step away for a while due to Covid issues How did Humblemaker have to pivot during Covid? What about DtoC, did you do okay? Why Humblemaker supports TenForAutism, their personal story Targeting SoCal first vs. national rollouts Any new products you can tell us about? What, if any, supply chain issues did you have due to Covid? Words to live by: Juggling and Hustling! Resources: Humblemaker Website Chris Smith LinkedIn Bryan Marseilles LinkedIn TenForAutism.org NexxtLevel Brands Website Steven Cleere LinkedIn

The biggest trends we’re seeing in the natural products industry (as evidenced at the recent ExpoWest 2022 in Anaheim this past March) are plant-based, regenerative, and upcycling/reducing food waste. Cool Beans’ whole food, plant-based, minimally processed frozen wraps are right on target. In this episode, I’m speaking with Tyler Mayoras, founder, and CEO of Cool Beans. Tyler has over 20 years of private equity investing experience and is currently the Co-Manager of the $155 million Advantage Capital Food & Ag Fund. He invests in and helps scale growing food and agriculture companies. Tyler is involved with portfolio companies Shenandoah Growers, Farmhouse Culture, Snaxsational Brands, and NurturMe. He’s also an angel investor with a focus on sustainable brands including Simple Mills, Tiesta Tea, EVR Foods (Lavva), Spero Foods, and CB Food Company (Cool Beans). Tyler became frustrated with what looked like vegan junk food on grocery store shelves and started making frozen wraps at home filled with clean, whole-food ingredients...specifically beans. Today we’re going to hear how Cool Beans wraps made it all the way to the store shelves, and hear what they’ve got in store for us very soon. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points Did you begin this Cool Beans journey as a vegan, or as an investor first? Tyler’s origin story and preparing vegan plant-based at home Did you look for your favorite foods, to replicate? As a long-time CPG/food industry insider, didn’t you know this might be too difficult? Did you begin with a business plan and all the things you’re supposed to do? The Expo West 2022 was all about plant-based, and clean label trends Three trends in the food industry: Plant-based Regenerative (planting a wide diversity of plants) Upcycling ingredients/reducing food waste You’ve been an investor, a mentor, an advisor, what’s your role at Cool Beans? How did it go for you during the pandemic? How have retailers done in handling the pressure? Food buyers are loving the Zoom meetings, they can see twice as many new products without the

Whether you are a decades-old brand or a start-up, there are do’s and don’ts to building your brand. Paul McDowall and Catherine Clark, founders of ClarkMcDowell agency, are here to share their insights on a few brands they’ve worked with through the years. Clarkmcdowall has three approaches to brand building: creating from scratch, transforming, and amplifying. We’ll hear about the transformation of brands like Palmolive and the amplification of a brand like Kind Bars. Paul and Catherine’s long-time friendship/partnership shines through in the beautiful ways they work together. They call it “intelligence and imagination” - combining the strategic thinking brain with the graphic or creative brain– both have equally important roles and neither is relegated to that specific function. Join us as we discuss old and new ways of branding, the effects that the lightspeed technology changes and generational changes may have on your branding direction, and some tips and tricks to think about, wherever you are in the branding process. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points How Catherine and Paul met and decided to work together How ClarkMcDowell approaches branding Storytelling and branding Mission-based product branding Keeping the important qualities when transforming older brands How do you approach branding for a new startup? Which is more fun– transforming an older brand or starting from scratch? Lessons and learnings: Weight Watchers, Kind Bars, Clif Bars and more How do you work with companies after the initial presentation? Generational categories and how to speak to them Disruptors and challengers vs. older, static brands Advice from Paul and Catherine Resources: ClarkMcDowall Website Catherine Clark LinkedIn Paul McDowall LinkedIn NexxtLevel Brands Website Steven Cl

Is there a food or product that you wish you could find in the grocery store or your local health food market? Why not try creating it yourself? Juan and David, the co-founders of ChipMonk Baking, did just that. ChipMonk is a specialty baking business that focuses on creating low-carb, no added sugar desserts. Their mission, which originated from Juan’s experiences reversing and controlling his Type II diabetes with a low-carb diet, is to empower people through mindful nutrition. Using gluten-free ingredients, nut-based flours, and sweeteners with low glycemic impact, ChipMonk products are perfect for anyone trying to cut sugar out of their life. Join us for an inspirational discussion about how Jose Hernandez and David Downing started their cookie company from nothing, trying to devise a product that would be palatable and safe for Jose as a diabetic. David tells us about the many lessons learned and advice he can offer to other entrepreneurs looking to play in the CPG space. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points Background on Jose and David– from diabetic issues in college to working for an airline, how the guys landed on cookies as their product Many entrepreneurs begin by solving a personal problem Crowdfunding for the company in the early days E-commerce and direct to consumer lessons How David and Jose were able to scale up from an Etsy-style sales model Marketing and packaging– keto and paleo A Houston Chronicle article blew their sales wide open Economies of scale learned from Southwest Airlines model Splitting the responsibilities with a co-founder - what works Utilizing wholesale marketplaces like Faire, Mable, and Abound Testing small-batch items with E-comm customers - Keto Donuts! Email or message David on LinkedIn, he has advice to give Resources: Chipmonk Baking Website David Downing LinkedIn Jose Hernandez LinkedIn Book:

Did you ever think to yourself, “I could make a better smoothie than this!”? Our guest today had the same thought. Ted Volz is the founder of Clean Energy, a one-man operation that began producing clean label, fully organic, shelf-stable, one serving smoothie packets. He did all the research, ran the numbers, found a co-packer and 3PL provider, and put out a terrific product that is getting rave reviews. Ted did all this on his own, during a pandemic. Join us for an inspirational discussion about how Ted Volz, a “numbers guy” with years of experience in accounting, became frustrated with the offerings he observed in the market and set out to create something better. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points Ted Volz’s inspiration to create a CPG product that met a certain need Most packaged food is not “clean label” – Ted’s product is Even if he couldn't meet the MOQ, a lot of contract manufacturers were willing to help him figure out his product’s path The challenge of producing “clean label” packaged products More and more people are becoming conscious of what they’re consuming because of the pandemic Ted’s modeling and numbers scenarios Clean Energy smoothies are starting small on their website and in running shoe stores, to fine-tune the product and presentation Amazon is next for Clean Energy sales The process of selecting a 3PL partner Clean Energy is targeting the West Coast and pro-athletes next To sum up– do your research Resources: Ted Volz on LinkedIn Clean Energy Website NexxtLevel Brands Website Steven Cleere LinkedIn

Do you want to know how the health and wellness trends of your customers may impact your business as the industry evolves? Join us for a discussion of the Murphy Research “State of Our Health Overview” that reports how we define health and wellness, how important are they in our daily lives, and how attitudes towards fitness and nutrition affect purchasing behavior, technology adoption, and personal happiness. In this episode, I speak with Sarah Marion, Director of Syndicated Research at Murphy Research in LA. Marion is a cultural anthropologist, a market researcher, and a storyteller. Her work at Murphy Research moves between different types of data and finds the narratives that weave them together, connecting the dots across primary and secondary research, quantitative and qualitative information, trends and headlines. Murphy Research is a full-service market research firm that understands that groundbreaking research lies at the intersection of science and creativity. They are known for innovative research design, rigorous execution, and enduring insights, and they offer quantitative and qualitative services to help clients with market assessment, brand strategy, product development, customer loyalty and engagement, and communications research. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points Sarah Marion intro/background Tell us about “cultural anthropology” as it relates to this research Do you decide what to research or do clients come to you? How the “holistic health and wellness tracker” data has a three-pronged approach– trends in health, nutrition, and ‘mindfulness’ How Murphy Research can help you if you want to develop a new product The methodology of Murphy’s research Did you capture great insights or big shifts with the onset of the pandemic? What surprised you most about those insights? How do you bring ‘storytelling’ out of the data you collect? Any shopping trends you can tell us about? Steve’s test of BOPUS (“Buy Online Pick Up At Store”) at Walmart didn’t go well Defining and tracking “mindfulness” Some sustained social practices in health and wellness that are here to stay since Covid

My guest today has already given us one inspiring and insightful episode, and I’m excited to welcome him back for an update. Jim Simon from JiMMYBAR! is a gifted serial entrepreneur who has built JiMMYBAR! into an innovative powerhouse in the CPG sector. In this episode, we’ll discuss some of the challenges JiMMYBAR! faced during the early days of Covid, and how they were able to turn a dire situation into an opportunity for innovation. JiMMYBAR!has expanded its range of products outside of bars (most recently to keto pudding!) to establish itself as a formidable snack company. From making drastic cuts in staff, converting to a virtual office, and heading off supply chain issues with their smart, nimble, family-based team, join us for a motivating discussion of how you too can look for CPG opportunities when times get “weird.” The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points Jim Simon intro and background The JiMMYBAR! transition from C-store to grocery, alternative, and private label business Selling through Amazon and Shopify The drastic cuts that were necessary due to Covid, and the resulting profitability How JiMMYBAR! maintains momentum in new product development The grocery walk through that led to their newest product What Jim wishes he had known/done early in his journey– raised more money JiMMYBAR! uses hundreds of “micro-influencers” for their social media marketing Covid challenges and adjusting to selling to buyers over Zoom Why a vertical business – the advantages and efficiencies of making your own products What would you have done differently looking back now? Can you give us some “Words 2 Grow By?” Join us for Round 3 with Jim sometime in the future Resources: Jim Simon LinkedIn JimmyBars.com Website NexxtLevel Brands Website G. Steven Cleere LinkedIn

Udo Erasmus is the Co-founder of Udo's Choice, a health brand that can be found in Whole Foods and other health food stores nationwide. He began his natural food career by designing the machinery for making oils with health in mind and pioneering flax oil, which is now a billion-dollar industry.  Today, Udo is an acclaimed speaker and author of many books including the bestseller, Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill. He speaks at events hosted by Tony Robbins and Deepak Chopra, and has traveled to over 30 countries to conduct thousands of live presentations, media interviews, and staff trainings on oils, health, peace, and human nature. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  How Udo Erasmus' background during the Second World War influenced his life and how he emigrated to Canada from Germany Udo talks about working in biochemistry and genetics, his entry into healthy living, and what he's learned about healthy oils The reasons why Udo uses flax to make oil and his nutritional advice for increasing intake of healthy omega oils How a ban on the importation of linseed oil by the FDA impacted Udo's business Selling and positioning a health brand in Whole Foods Does Udo's Choice serve the food service industry and how did they go global? How the COVID-19 pandemic created more awareness about what people eat Udo's advice to fellow entrepreneurs on dealing with tough times In this episode... Omega 3 and 6 oils are very important for our health and wellbeing. However, most people don't pay attention to the type of oil they use in their cooking and this often prevents them from getting necessary nutrients. After getting poisoned while working with pesticides, Udo Erasmus went on a journey of discovery where he learned the benefits of eating clean healthy food and oils. He became a pioneer in the healthy fats/oils movement and started Udo's Choice to provide better and healthier oil products to the market. In this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, Steve Cleere sits down with Udo Erasmus, the Co-founder of Udo's Choice, to talk about healthy eating and the benefits of healthy oils. They also talk about sources of different food nutrients, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people's food choices, and how Udo grew his oils brand to go global. Stay tuned.  Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing Udo's Choice Udo Erasmus

Elizabeth Edwards is the Founder and Managing Partner of H Venture Partners, a venture capital firm that invests in science-based consumer products brands. She has been in the venture capital space for over 17 years. Before launching H Venture Partners, Elizabeth invested in over 45 companies including Peloton, Freshly, and Roots. Today, H Venture Partners has led brands to become household names with a portfolio of companies including Avaline, Cameron Diaz's clean wine line, Cerebelly, a patented line of baby foods from a Stanford neurosurgeon and mom, Hazel, a novel incontinence brand for active women, and Kinship, a sustainable skincare brand aimed at Gen Z. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  How Elizabeth Edwards' background prepared her for venture funding The differences between returns from technology brands and consumer brands What Elizabeth looks for in an investment Why have some acquirers sold their investments back to the founders? How Elizabeth's company and personal life have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic How the pitching landscape has changed over the last two years Elizabeth explains what she looks for in investor decks, how her funds are used by brands, and where to learn more about her firm The market trends that interest H Venture Partners Elizabeth's advice to fellow entrepreneurs In this episode... Venture funding is an important element in the growth and scale of CPG brands. However, most investments made by venture capital firms are limited to the technology space. So what can CPG brands do to attract and secure financing to grow their brands? Elizabeth Edwards founded H Venture Partners to help entrepreneurs get funding for their consumer brands. She targets companies that take a scientific approach to the health-boosting products they produce. Today, she's here to share her advice on what such entrepreneurs can do to get venture financing. In this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, Steve Cleere is joined by Elizabeth Edwards, the Founder and Managing Partner of H Venture Partners, to discuss what venture capital firms look for in CPG brands. Elizabeth explains why most VCs concentrate on technology brands, talks about market trends, and shares what she looks for in investor decks. Stay tuned. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing H Venture Partners Elizabeth Edwards on LinkedIn

Corwin Heatwole is the Founder and CEO of Farmer Focus, the number one exclusively organic chicken farm in the United States. As a sixth-generation family farmer, Corwin grew up working on his family's farm. He founded Farmer Focus almost 8 years ago with a dream of creating a financially viable farming business he could pass down to his own children.  Today, Farmer Focus has partnered with over 70 independent farmers who continue to improve the standards of organic and humane chicken farming. Corwin has committed his career to developing new and innovative ways to answer the question, “What can we do to improve generational family farming?” Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  Corwin Heatwole talks about the industrial farming of chickens How Corwin became a poultry farmer, the story of how he marketed his first chickens, and his transition to organic chicken farming What is a tournament-style pricing system? How Corwin started processing organic chickens and distributing them to retailers The importance of listening to consumers How Corwin found farmers for Farmer Focus, how they were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and their future plans What Corwin's family initially thought about his business Corwin's word of advice to fellow entrepreneurs In this episode... As more consumers prefer to buy and eat clean and organic food products, demand for such local products has increased. Retailers have also been embracing selling organic food products in their stores in recent years, which has led to even more consumption of organic goodness. After Corwin Heatwole started a chicken farm in his early twenties, he realized that many poultry farmers were not happy with how the industrial and food service industry required them to run their farms. They faced a lot of economic challenges, were not in control of the operational ownership of their businesses, and could not raise the humanely raised chicken they wanted. In order to empower farmers and help them solve those challenges, he decided to start Farmer Focus. In this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, Steve Cleere interviews Corwin Heatwole, the Founder and CEO of Farmer Focus, about organic chicken farming and empowering farmers to produce better-for-you chicken products. Corwin explains how the idea for Farmer Focus came about, how he started a processing plant, and why listening to consumers is important. Stay tuned. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing Farmer Focus

Andrew Criezis is the General Manager for small and medium-sized businesses at NielsenIQ. Before joining NielsenIQ, he was the Chief Product Officer during the creation and launch of a new best-in-class CPG platform called Byzzer, which helps small CPG manufacturers win more market share with actionable retail data insights. His track record of success is best exemplified in global operations and product development. He is an expert not only in crafting data-driven business solutions but also in embedding analytics into all aspects of NielsenIQ products.  Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  Andrew Criezis explains what NielsenIQ is and how it aggregates data How NielsenIQ has been building products for small brands The type of data small and medium-sized brands look out for Where to learn more about Byzzer How Byzzer helps brands with distribution, promotions, and performance evaluation The Byzzer platform's ease of use and its benefits when dealing with distributors Does NielsenIQ consider consumer data from large retailers? Andrew explains what household panel data is, how it is acquired, and the typical competitor's response to NielsenIQ's data The value of getting data about health and wellness In this episode... One of the biggest challenges many startups face involves finding the data they need to successfully start and scale their businesses. This could include information about their target market, their competitors, investors, and finding the right price points. In addition, as the brand grows, there is a need to gather information about the performance of the products and future market insights. NielsenIQ created a platform called Byzzer that helps CPG brands acquire the data and insights they need to grow and scale. Through it, business leaders are better equipped to make strategic business decisions about creating new products, distributing them, and evaluating performance. In this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, Steve Cleere interviews Andrew Criezis, the General Manager at NielsenIQ, about the products the company has created to help CPG brands make better business decisions. Andrew explains how Byzzer works, talks about the type of data companies often look out for, and explains how household panel data is acquired. Stay tuned. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources mentioned in this episode: Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing Steve Cleere's email: steve@nexxtlevelbrands.com

Sean Lake is a Co-founder at BUBS Naturals, a line of collagen peptides and other all-natural supplements. He is a former professional snowboarder who went on to Burton Snowboards, worked as Shaun White's team manager, and landed a spot as the Director of Sports Marketing at DC Shoes. After decades in action sports marketing, Sean co-founded BUBS Naturals. BUBS was named after Sean's childhood best friend Glen “BUB” Doherty, a Navy SEAL who was tragically killed in Benghazi, Libya in 2012. A devoted husband, father, and fitness fanatic, Sean is also passionate about helping people feel great and do good while leading a business that gives back.  Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  Sean Lake talks about dropping out of college to go after his passion for snowboarding Why Sean went back to college, what he did after that, and how he was drawn to nutrition and fitness Sean talks about the life of his best friend, Glen Doherty, and how he lost his life How Sean was introduced to collagen and the origin story of BUBS Naturals  Sean explains how they found a collagen supplier and the way they grew the company Where to learn more and purchase BUBS Naturals The other products produced by BUBS Naturals Sean's advice to fellow entrepreneurs In this episode... Storytelling remains one of the best strategies a CPG brand can use to market and promote its products. A story-first branding strategy helps educate consumers about the history of the brand and build connections with them. Sean Lake and his business partner at BUBS Naturals have been leveraging storytelling to build their brand since they started. They have also been using professional certifications to stand out from their competitors, obtaining Whole30 approval and ultimately scaling their business. Sean Lake, the Co-founder of BUBS Naturals, joins Steve Cleere in this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast to talk about starting and building a brand centered around a charitable cause. Sean talks about his passion for snowboarding and other sports, his lifelong friendship with Glen Doherty, and how he got started in the food industry. Stay tuned. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources mentioned in this episode: Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing BUBS Naturals BUBS Naturals on Instagram BUBS Naturals on Facebook

Caroline Adams is a Client Project Manager at Bobsled Marketing, an agency that helps brands scale on Amazon. As a marketing expert, Caroline specializes in brand management, new product development, and marketing communications with a focus on consumer goods in both brick and mortar and e-commerce channels. She has mastered the Amazon 1P and 3P business models, driving increased sales for various brands.  Caroline is also the Author of Forever Determined: An inspiring novel of hope, courage, and a woman's will to overcome adversity. Caroline continually grew her book sales by over 400% through Amazon PPC advertising, social media, and public relations initiatives. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  What is the Amazon Maturity Index, and how can it help your brand accelerate growth? Caroline Adams discusses CPG trends and best practices in the Amazon space The findings of Bobsled Marketing's index development survey and analysis Who can utilize the Amazon Maturity Index? Caroline breaks down the methodology and insight behind the index Caroline's predictions for the future of Amazon  How Bobsled will continue updating the index Caroline's best advice: never stop learning  In this episode... Amazon is constantly changing — and has skyrocketed since the pandemic. But how can your e-commerce brand keep up with these changes? Is there a way to quickly grow and scale on Amazon?  Meet the Amazon Maturity Index. Created by the Bobsled Marketing team, this index collects and analyzes data to uncover what drives success on an Amazon channel. With the Amazon Maturity Index, you can see where your brand falls in comparison to others, gain insight from internal and external sources, and begin accelerating growth today, no matter the size of your brand!  On this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, G. Steven Cleere sits down with Caroline Adams, Client Project Manager at Bobsled Marketing, to talk about how your Amazon brand can use data to drive growth. Caroline shares the methodology behind Bobsled's Amazon Maturity Index and how you can use it to develop your brand, why being an active participant on Amazon is important, and the surprising truths behind Amazon growth. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources mentioned in this episode: Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing Caroline Adams on LinkedIn Bobsled Marketing

Kelly Egan is the Co-founder of True Salt, an all-natural, unprocessed sea salt serving hospitality and grocery accounts nationwide. He is a marketing and venture development veteran with experience in Fortune 100 companies as well as high-growth startups.  Brian Pierce is the Co-founder of True Salt. He has decades of expertise in hospitality, owning his own restaurants, and operating elite hospitality groups like Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.  Kelly and Brian met through mutual business interests and started discussing how they were passionate about culinary experiences. They realized an opportunity to create better ingredients, which included the taste of actual true, honest-to-goodness salt. Today, True Salt is used by top chefs in leading hospitality organizations and household brands all over the country as one of the fastest-growing new brands in the industry.  Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  How Brian Pierce and Kelly Egan met and how they learned about sea salt How salt is mined, the different flavors salts can have, and the source of True Salt's sea salt What sparked Kelly's desire to leave the tech industry and join the food industry How True Salt was started, the harvesting process from the Sea of Cortez, and how it is imported into the US and packaged for use True Salt's product evolution and how the company experienced accelerated growth due to the COVID-19 pandemic  What sparked the idea for creating a retail product and smoked salt? How Brian and Kelly share responsibilities and where to find their products  Brian and Kelly's words of advice to fellow entrepreneurs In this episode... A good entrepreneur has the ability to spot a need in the market and create a solution to meet that need. This is why it's important to keep your eyes open at all times: so you can spot great opportunities when they appear.  When Brian Pierce and Kelly Egan learned about the benefits of sea salt—and realized that it wasn't being used as much as it should—they decided to build a brand around it. They leveraged their Mexican relationships, and through that, were able to source all-natural sea salt from the Sea of Cortez and import it to the US. In this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, G. Steven Cleere interviews Brian Pierce and Kelly Egan from True Salt, about their journey to learning about sea salt and founding their company. Brian and Kelly explain how their sea salt is mined in Mexico and imported into the US, talk about their strategy for entering retail stores, and share their secrets to a successful business partnership. Stay tuned. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf

Jordan Bass is the Co-founder and CEO of HOP WTR, a non-alcoholic and healthy alternative to beer. Jordan spent several years at The Wonderful Company, where he ultimately became the Head of eCommerce. While there, he rapidly scaled the business to make it one of the leaders in the CPG industry. He has also held roles in corporate strategy and worked in venture capital. Jordan lives in Los Angeles with his wife, daughter, and dog, Hamilton, who has more Instagram followers than he does.  Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  How Jordan Bass came up with the idea for HOP WTR  How Jordan and his co-founder's background helped them formulate their non-alcoholic product Jordan explains how HOP WTR was launched during COVID-19, how they tested the product online, and their source of capital for the business How the business partners found a co-packer and what they learned about handling production quantities Why HOP WTR was launched with a direct-to-consumer business model What Jordan's experience at The Wonderful Company taught him about e-commerce and the CPG industry Where can you find HOP WTR? Jordan talks about his company's retail plan when they launched, how they found a distributor, and how HOP WTR positions itself in the beverage market HOP WTR's plans to innovate and Jordan's advice to fellow entrepreneurs In this episode... As the new year begins, lots of people decide to embark on what's called “dry January”. After indulging in cocktails and glasses of champagne over the holiday season, this is a great time to step back and engage purposefully with your alcohol consumption—which often contains tons of calories and sugar that leave you feeling less than buzzed later on. HOP WTR's non-alcoholic drinks are the perfect products to grab if you are thinking of starting your year dry. The beer alternatives are brewed with two simple ingredients: hops and water. They are also infused with a stress-busting stack of adaptogens and nootropics, including L-Theanine and ashwagandha. In this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, G. Steven Cleere interviews Jordan Bass, the Co-founder and CEO of HOP WTR, about the concept of dry January and his non-alcoholic products. Jordan explains how—and why—his company was started, talks about production run challenges, and explains why they chose a direct-to-consumer business model. Stay tuned. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing G. Steven Cleere on LinkedIn Debra Armstrong on LinkedIn  HOP WTR HOP WTR Store Locator Jordan Bass on LinkedIn Nick Taranto on LinkedIn The Wonderful Company Clif Bar & Company Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web at Lucky #7!!! You can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts. Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25, and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

Hector Saldívar is the Founder and Owner of Tia Lupita Foods, a better-for-you, healthy Mexican-inspired food brand that uses clean and simple ingredients in all its products. Tia Lupita is also the first brand to introduce the nopal cactus as an alternative, functional, and sustainable ingredient in the US market.  Hector was born in Monterrey, Mexico, and later earned a bachelor's degree in international business and a master's in European business administration. He moved to the US in 2005 as a territory manager for a Mexican startup and climbed the ranks working for companies like Nestlé USA and Diamond Foods. He has also been an integral part of the Pop Secret team that became the best-selling microwave popcorn brand in the USA. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  Hector explains what Tia Lupita means and how Tia Lupita Foods was formed Hector's background in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) business How Hector used his mother's hot sauce recipe to produce his product The current product lineup for Tia Lupita and how the company has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic Hector talks about his decision to go retail and the regions he serves How Hector got funding to start his hot sauce business and his future expansion plans The biggest challenge Hector faced growing Tia Lupita Foods In this episode… Similar to material things, family recipes can be inherited and passed down from generation to generation. This is very common in Mexico and many delicious secret recipes have been passed down to younger people as a result. When Hector Saldívar saw a business opportunity in his mother's recipes, he flew her down to San Francisco so she could teach him how to make her special hot sauce. He then started small, crafting the products in a commercial kitchen and bringing the business to a slow simmer, eventually reaching independent stores to promote and sell his product. In this week's episode of the NexxtLevel Podcast, Steve Cleere is joined by Hector Saldívar, Founder and Owner of Tia Lupita Foods, to find out how Hector used his mother's recipe to create a healthy hot sauce business. They also talk about Hector's background in the CPG industry, how his company has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the current and future product line for Tia Lupita Foods. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing 2-Do Tuesdays by Kitchen2Shelf Debra Armstrong on LinkedIn Tia Lupita Foods Hector Saldívar on LinkedIn Shopify Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web at Lucky #7!!! You can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts. Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25, and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

Andrew Suzuka is the Founder of Otamot Foods, a brand that makes organic and veggie-filled tomato sauces. Otamot Foods was launched in 2019 after adding some veggies to a pizza sauce he was making for his daughter, Evelyn. The brand's sauce is now sold in over 1,000 stores, including Whole Foods, Kroger, Fresh Thyme Market, and others. If the name looks familiar, that's because it is: “Otamot” is “Tomato” spelled backwards. Andrew is a results-driven entrepreneur focused on building meaningful brands with the help of amazing people. As the CFO of Bayard Advertising and delivering projects for companies like Google and Coca-Cola, he joined the food industry with 20 years of experience in advertising. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  How Andrew Suzuka came up with the idea for launching a CPG product Andrew talks about his agency background and what he learned after moving to the CPG world How Andrew started his business, his co-packer search, and the ingredients used to make his sauces The distribution strategies Andrew used to enter retail stores and his approach for driving direct-to-consumer sales How appearing on QVC has impacted Otamot Foods and how the COVID-19 pandemic has hit the brand Andrew explains how he works with agencies to build his brand and how he balances his day job with growing the company Andrew's future expansion plans for Otamot Foods and how they plan to raise funds for the business Andrew shares his advice for growing a successful CPG brand and explains how he came up with the name, Otamot Foods Where to find Otamot Foods online and in retail  In this episode… To grow a successful CPG brand, founders have to work smart and ensure that they are scaling the right way. What does this mean for you? Simple: you have to work with the right employees, partners, and agencies. Andrew Suzuka has been growing his CPG brand over the last couple of years by ensuring that he works with the right partners and agencies. He works with a PR agency, a social media agency, and brokers. He finds people with experience who will guide him and provide good feedback on the decisions he makes. Andrew Suzuka, the Founder of Otamot Foods, joins Steve Cleere in this episode of the NexxtLevel Podcast, to talk about how he has been growing an organic, veggie-filled tomato sauce brand. Andrew also explains how he works with different agencies and brokers to build his brand, how his QVC appearances have had a positive impact on his business, and his future expansion plans. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing Andrew Suzuka on LinkedIn Otamot Foods Otamot Foods at Whole Foods Expo East Fancy Food Show “The Frozen Little Pie with the Big Homemade Taste! - Mamie's Pies on the NexxtLevel Podcast!” with Kara Romanik, the Founder of Mamie's Pies Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web at Lucky #7!!! You can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts. Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25, and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

Nina Damato is the Product Manager and Supply Chain Manager at Blue Circle Foods, a seafood company that's leading the charge in innovative aquaculture. Over the years, Blue Circle Foods has achieved many successes in creating sustainable, nutritious, and delicious ways to bridge the gap among the seafood market, consumers, and retailers. Today, Nina continues to push the seafood community forward through innovation, global teamwork, and solid relations with the stakeholders.  Nina is a woman of many roles, including as a loving mother of two beautiful children and a knowledgeable graphics expert with a degree from Parsons School of Design.  Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  The humble beginnings of Blue Circle Foods  Bridging the gap in the seafood sector with the goal of providing opportunity to farmers, reaching customers, and working with retailers in a sustainable fashion Educating consumers on the safety of frozen produce The true meaning of sustainability among seafood goods and the criteria variations behind food certifications Blue Circle Foods' process behind working with medium-sized and large restaurants Utilizing technology to preserve the freshness of seafood How the pandemic affected businesses all over the world, including the seafood industry In this episode... Curiosity breeds knowledge. Knowledge provides opportunities to showcase skills, ideas, and global businesses. At least, this is the case with the family-owned seafood business, Blue Circle Foods. What started as a genuine wonder on how things in the seafood sector work has transformed Blue Circle Foods into a trusted global brand that delivers safe and delicious seafood produce while focusing on sustainable practices and ethical methods. On this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, Steve Cleere takes a deep dive with Blue Circle Foods Product Manager Nina Damato on what it takes to outsource seafood for retailers. They discuss the ins and outs of farming and why it has a bad rap, the birth of “Happy Fish”, and educating consumers on the safety and sustainability of seafood consumption. Nina also provides insights on the downsides of plant-based seafood and what it means for food to be “certified” under specific criteria. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode NexxtLevel Brands Blue Circle Foods Nina Damato on LinkedIn Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web at Lucky #7!!! You can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts. Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25, and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

Natasha Davis, affectionately known as “The Chief Visionary”, is a brand strategist, government contractor, strategic planner, registered nurse, and the Owner of Impact Branding Consulting. She emerged as a branding strategist and corporate trainer in 2007 with the launch of her third company, Impact Branding Consulting. Her specialty is helping executives, entrepreneurs, and companies create brands that have a lasting impact. Natasha also developed a CRM software platform called The Profit Enhancer Analysis. She has published three books focusing on business development and branding, and has been recognized by former President Barack Obama with the Lifetime Achievement Award. She believes that every business owner should think big, build momentum, and scale fast. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  Why Natasha Davis changed careers from nursing to business management and consulting What Natasha learned about what makes some companies great Steve Cleere talks about Honda's distinctive culture and what he learned from working with them  What Natasha looks for in the companies she works with, how she helps companies improve and create a big impact, and what she does to mitigate rigging Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Natasha talks about her books and her biggest takeaways from running successful businesses The industries Impact Branding Consulting works with and the services they provide Why Natasha developed a consulting software for managing prospects Natasha's advice to fellow entrepreneurs on building a business In this episode... What makes a company great? What distinguishes a stellar business from one that's just okay? What do these organizations do to build momentum, grow, and scale quickly? Having spent a lot of time working with business leaders, Natasha Davis realized that companies that invested in quality infrastructure and architecture ended up building great businesses. Those that thrive well into the long term focus on their customers and work on creating a distinctive culture. Natasha Davis, the Owner of Impact Branding Consulting, is Steve Cleere's guest in this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast. Together, they talk about business consulting and branding. Natasha explains what it means to brand from the inside out, talks about the value of having a mission and vision, and shares how she uses KPQs to evaluate KPIs for her clients. Stay tuned. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing Impact Branding Consulting  Natasha Davis' website Natasha Davis on LinkedIn Natasha Davis' books Honda  The Profit Enhancer Analysis Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web at Lucky #7!!! You can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts. Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25, and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

Sam Madani is the Co-founder and CEO of BOMANI Cold Buzz, an alcohol-infused cold brew coffee brand. He was born and raised in California to Iranian immigrants, and a great deal of his personal motivation comes from witnessing the challenges his parents had to successfully overcome.  After graduating from the University of Southern California, Sam moved to New York to work in investment banking. With long hours leading to happy hours with colleagues and friends, Sam began to research the idea of marrying cold brew and sugarcane alcohol, two of the fastest-growing categories in the beverage industry. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  What Sam Madani learned about the CPG industry while working in investment banking How the idea for BOMANI Cold Buzz came about and how three business partners started producing their product The value of partnering with co-founders who possess different skillsets Sam talks about finding a co-packer, the strategies they used to ensure compliance on the production of alcoholic products, and how they found distributors Where Sam and his business partners found capital to start their company How the co-founders decided on which markets to prioritize and what caught them off-guard as they started the business Why the BOMANI business partners focused on building their company's supply chain before launching Sam shares his tips for future planning, growing direct-to-consumer sales and on-premise sales, and building an organic community Sam's advice to fellow entrepreneurs  In this episode... Many first-time CPG entrepreneurs aren't aware that building a successful brand isn't just about having a great product. Your business is only as good as your co-packers and distributors. On top of that, you have to ensure that you set up your business' supply chain for fast and effective scaling. When Sam Madani and his business partners decided to start BOMANI Cold Buzz, they focused on building their company's supply chain before launching their product. They realized that their product had attracted a lot of demand and going to market without a proper supply chain would mean that they wouldn't be able to meet it. To remedy this, they worked on building a scalable supply chain so they could go to market more confidently and scale quickly. In this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, Steve Cleere interviews Sam Madani, the Co-founder and CEO of BOMANI Cold Buzz, about the strategies he and his business partners used to start and quickly scale their CPG brand. Sam also talks about the benefits of partnering with co-founders that have different skillsets, finding the right distributors and co-packers, and building an effective supply chain. Stay tuned. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing BOMANI Cold Buzz BOMANI Cold Buzz on Instagram BOMANI Cold Buzz on TikTok Sam Madani on Linkedin White Claw Hard Seltzer Amin Anjedani on LinkedIn Kai Drewry on LinkedIn Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web at Lucky #7!!! You can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts. Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25, and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

Najwa Khan is the Founder of dalci, a line of gut-healthy brownies. Najwa started the company after struggling to find healthy snacks that could satisfy her craving for sweets. She has over 10 years of experience in the health and wellness space, having worked in various roles for nonprofits, market research firms, healthcare and technology startups, and DTC wellness brands. She also has a master's degree in public health. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  What drove Najwa Khan to CPG entrepreneurship? How Najwa started making brownies at home and how she used focus groups to validate her product Did Najwa prepare a business plan when starting her business? Najwa explains how she built an e-commerce store and how she handled fulfillment during the COVID-19 pandemic How Najwa marketed her business through social media, built a community, and bettered her customers' experience  What does dalci stand for? The biggest challenge Najwa has had to overcome while growing her business Najwa outlines dalci's processes for shipping, storage, and production Najwa talks about dalci's future products, how she built her team, and her plans to start selling on Amazon Najwa's advice to fellow entrepreneurs on starting a business In this episode... Are you in need of a healthy sweet? Are you looking for a gut friendly and healthy dessert that you can enjoy without worrying about eating too much sugar and carbs?  Living a healthy lifestyle doesn't mean that you have to stop eating indulgent foods completely. For Najwa Khan, a gut friendly brownie is a great alternative to the decadent desserts out there. She believes in helping people understand sugar and carbs instead of fearing them—and so, her line of organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and gut-healthy brownies was born. In this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, Steve Cleere is joined by Najwa Khan, the Founder of dalci, to talk about building a gut-friendly, healthy, and better-for-you dessert brand. Najwa explains what inspired her to start the brand, talks about the challenges she has faced growing the business, and shares her future plans for dalci. Stay tuned. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing dalci Najwa Khan on LinkedIn Aunt Fannie's “Are Your Cleaning Products Clean Label?” Aunt Fannie's on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast! Shopify Perfect Snacks Oats Overnight “Knowing When to Hold 'Em” Oats Overnight on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast! Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web at Lucky #7!!! You can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts. Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25 and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

Maureen Mwangi is the Founder and CEO of Startward Consulting, a growth firm for product brands, and the Host of The Product Entrepreneur Podcast. Maureen is a storied brand growth strategist who has worked with some of America's most lovable brands like L'Oreal, Dove, Lay's, and Chobani. She is the Creator of Big Brand Academy and the Product Profit Lab, where she shares her expertise with product-based entrepreneurs.  Maureen's zone of genius is a rare ability to connect with the market and turn real data into brand growth strategies that drive multimillion-dollar growth. She also gives back through her nonprofit organization, the Taji Foundation, which supports boys in Kenya to get the education they need to lift their families out of poverty and build generational wealth. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  Maureen Mwangi's background and how she got started in brand management The projects Maureen worked on at Nielsen and what she learned from them Maureen talks about the challenges she faced entering the CPG industry and explains how she handled the entrepreneurial itch while working in the corporate world What Maureen learned from working with Chobani and how she helps emerging brands handle distribution for optimal growth Maureen's thoughts on the growth of e-commerce and the future of emerging brands How changing consumer behavior affects brand building Are there more opportunities for emerging brands now than there were five years ago? Maureen talks about building a team, the brands she wants to work with, and her future plans  Maureen's advice to fellow entrepreneurs and her reasons for starting the Taji Foundation  Where to learn more about Maureen and her businesses In this episode... At a young age, Maureen Mwangi found out that the secret to her parent's successful business was their good reputation, well-made products, and trustworthy brand. While others in the industry were taking shortcuts, her parents focused on building a great reputation. This gave them a lot of financial freedom, success, and access to more opportunities. Over the years, changes in consumer behavior have meant that people are more deliberate about what they buy and consume. They want to support businesses that are authentic, credible, and in it for more than the money. As a result, brand and reputation management has become essential. In this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, Steve Cleere is joined by Maureen Mwangi, the Founder and CEO of Startward Consulting, to talk about building a reputable and credible CPG brand. Maureen explains how her parents influenced her career in brand management, talks about the challenges of joining the CPG industry, and explains how she helps emerging brands handle distribution. Stay tuned. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing Startward Consulting Maureen Mwangi on LinkedIn Maureen Mwangi's email: maureen@startwardconsulting.com Big Brand Academy Product Profit Lab Nielsen Chobani Kendra Scott  "Expanding Your Marketing Team with Beyond Broth" with Grace Ventura and Sarah Bird Grace's Goodness Organics (formerly Beyond Broth) Grace Ventura on LinkedIn Sarah Bird on LinkedIn Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web at Lucky #7!!! You can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts. Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25 and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

Ken Ojuka is the Founder and CEO of Fiddle, an inventory platform for CPG brands and manufacturers. Fiddle helps small businesses move their spreadsheets to an innovative software that ensures visibility, accuracy, and high-growth management. Before starting Fiddle, Ken was the Founder of Webular, LLC and a Corporate Account Manager for AtTask Inc. He has a background in health and wellness, fitness, and tech. He earned his bachelor's in information systems from Brigham Young University. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  Ken Ojuka explains what Fiddle is and what the software does How the Fiddle software fits in with your CPG brands' existing accounting and inventory software Ken explains how Fiddle helps manufacturers manage their production runs and the main pain points they solve for emerging CPG brands How does Fiddle help manufacturers avoid shipping delays? How Ken started working with contract manufacturers and CPG brands Ken explains how to set up Fiddle, how the software helps manage packaging and raw materials, and how it treats distributors Fiddle's method for handling different SKUs and product sizes Who are Fiddle's ideal clients? Ken's advice to fellow entrepreneurs on building a successful business Where to learn more about the Fiddle software In this episode... Running a CPG brand is a juggling act: you have to manage employees, sales, inventory, and finances all at once. Many brands, including manufacturers, still use spreadsheets to manage their inventory because most of the accounting software on the market doesn't actually speak to their needs. The result is a time-consuming process that's prone to errors.  Ken Ojuka created an easy-to-use software to help one of his friends better manage his company inventory. He later started selling the product to other businesses like CPG brands, who use it to manage raw materials, production runs, sales, purchases, packaging, and finished inventory. With Ken's software, these brands are keeping up with their stock and avoiding losses. Ken Ojuka, the Founder and CEO of Fiddle, joins Steve Cleere in this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast to talk about the inventory software he created to help manufacturers and CPG brands manage their inventory better. Ken also explains how the software helps brands find top suppliers for their inventory, manage their production runs, and better manage their stock levels to avoid stock-outs. Stay tuned. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing Fiddle Ken Ojuka on LinkedIn Nu Skin Dollar Shave Club Twitch Justin Kan on LinkedIn Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web at Lucky #7!!! You can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts. Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25 and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

Annalea Krebs is the Founder and CEO of Social Nature, a product discovery and trial platform in the better-for-you space. Since 2015, Social Nature has helped over 500 food and health brands launch their products into retailers like Whole Foods, Sprouts, Walmart, and more. Today, there are almost one million shoppers across North America who use Social Nature to help them switch to better products.  Annalea is a frequent keynote speaker on next-gen retail marketing, DTC marketing, natural products, and consumer health trends. When she's not working with green businesses, Annalea can be found hiking, rock climbing, and paddling throughout the Pacific Northwest. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  Annalea Krebs' entrepreneurial background and how she started Social Nature Why Annalea changed her business model from giving discounts to giving free trials Annalea explains how she found brands to work with and grew Social Nature organically How social sampling works and the origin of VIP coupons The strategies Annalea uses to connect products with people and how a referral program helped her build her members list Annalea shares some lessons learned from bad sampling experiences  How Annalea's clients receive and utilize feedback from users Where to learn more about Social Nature and social sampling Annalea talks about her company's future plans and how they were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic In this episode... Annalea Krebs' professional mantra is “profit with purpose.” She started her business with a mission of helping promote green businesses and grow the green economy — and since then she has worked with more than 500 better-for-you brands.  However, similar to conventional businesses, green companies were greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past 18 months, they have had to pivot and find alternative ways of sampling and reaching consumers. With these changes, Annalea saw an opportunity to help brands by creating a fully digital sampling channel. This service has not only helped with marketing these brands, but also growing their customer base and generating better feedback about their products.  Annalea Krebs, the Founder and CEO of Social Nature, joins Steve Cleere on this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast to talk about growing the green community and generating profit with a purpose. Annalea explains how social sampling works, the ways it benefits green brands, and how her clients use consumer feedback to create winning pitch decks. Stay tuned. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing Social Nature Annalea Krebs on LinkedIn Nature's Path Vega Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web at Lucky #7!!! You can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts. Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25 and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

Daniel (Dan) Doll is the CEO of Bushwick Kitchen and the President and COO of Soapbox. He has extensive experience in sales, design, technology, and operations. He is also an American University alumni with a degree in Business Administration and Communications, Law, Economics and Government. After graduating, Dan worked for IBM Global Business Services as well as LivingSocial before devoting his full-time career to running two brands, Bushwick Kitchen and Soapbox. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  Dan Doll's career, educational background, and love for food The history of Bushwick Kitchen and some of the company's sauces How Dan joined Bushwick Kitchen and his strategies for growing the e-commerce and retail side of the business Bushwick Kitchen's packaging design and the company's plans for developing a mass-oriented product Where to learn more about Bushwick Kitchen How Bushwick Kitchen develops new flavors and the pandemic's impact on sales and consumer behavior How Bushwick Kitchen handles fulfillment and the current shipping challenges Dan talks about the biggest trial he has faced working at Bushwick Kitchen How the rise in costs has impacted Bushwick Kitchen The value of educating customers about your products and collecting user-generated content Dan's advice to fellow entrepreneurs In this episode... Condiments are some of the common gifts many people give to their friends. With so many delicious flavors to choose from, this is one of the most competitive categories out there for CPG brands. In order to build a successful brand, it is important to create unique products that will appeal to the mass market, stay readily available to consumers, choose the right selling price, and design awesome packaging. Dan Doll advises brands to educate their consumers, better connect with them by evoking emotional responses, and encourage them to share user-generated content. In this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, Steve Cleere interviews Dan Doll, the CEO of Bushwick Kitchen, about building a sauces-based CPG brand in a competitive market category. They also discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed consumer behavior, how the recent rise in costs and longer lead times have affected sales, and the value of collecting user-generated content. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing Bushwick Kitchen Bushwick Kitchen on Amazon Weak Knees Sriracha Sauces Dan Doll on LinkedIn Soapbox David Simnick on LinkedIn Bobsled Marketing Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web at Lucky #7!!! You can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts. Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25 and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

Michele Davis is the President and CEO of Cocacao, a healthy and delicious chocolate company based in Beaverton, Oregon. After her 26-year marriage ended in divorce and she was left with no job, Michele left her comfort zone. She headed to Portland and helped co-found Cocacao with her new partner, Jeffrey Davis. She is also a mother of four, a stepmother, and a grandmother to 13. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  Michele Davis shares her death, divorce, and chocolate story How Michele and her husband, Jeffrey Davis, started their chocolate company and their process for moving production from their home to a commercial kitchen Cocacao's ingredients and the challenges of dealing with a refrigerated product How Cocacao entered the retail market Michele's first experience approaching a buyer and how she has been handling the shipping of samples How Michele and her husband share their company's responsibilities Cocacao's growth and Michele's plans for keeping up with production to meet the increased demand Michele talks about bootstrapping, the company's future capital injection plans, and their line of chocolate flavors How Cocacao has handled tests and sampling during COVID-19  Michele shares her company's future growth plans and advice for fellow entrepreneurs In this episode... Did you know that educating your buyers and customers about the right way to handle your products can have a big impact on your sales? Leaving your consumers in the dark can lead to big losses if your product requires special care — and can even affect the growth of your company in the long term. As an entrepreneur who produces and sells refrigerated products, Michele Davis learned that it is essential to explain your product's best practices for displaying and selling your goods in retail stores. Why? Michele faced great challenges when buyers would delay in refrigerating her chocolate treats, leading to huge losses. So, how do you develop these strategies and communicate them to your buyers? In this episode of the Nexxtlevel Brands Podcast, co-hosts Steve Cleere and Debra Armstrong are joined by Michele Davis, the Co-founder, President, and CEO of Cocacao, to talk about the story behind the founding of Cocacao and how they have grown to sell in different retail locations. Michele also talks about promoting growth by entering competitions, bootstrapping, and keeping up with increased demand. Stay tuned! Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing Debra Armstrong on LinkedIn 2-Do Tuesdays by Kitchen2Shelf Cocacao Cocacao's Cayenne + Cinnamon Chocolate Cocacao's Blueberry Chocolate Cocacao's Mint Chocolate Michele Davis on LinkedIn Honey Mama's Founders Live TiE Oregon Beaverton Startup Challenge Oregon Angel Food KeHE Food & Natural Products Trade Shows KeHE elevate Program Erewhon Market Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web!!! We're at Lucky #7 and you can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts – Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25 and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

Yuval Selik is the Co-founder and CEO of Promomash, a software and services platform that helps emerging CPG brands dominate their promotions in stores and on the field. Yuval co-founded Promomash after facing various retail execution challenges with his own organic skincare brand, L'uvalla. Now, his mission is to help emerging brands thrive on the retail shelves by leveraging their technology and services and gaining a competitive edge in the market.  Yuval is also the Host of The Seven Hats Podcast, where he helps entrepreneurs gracefully balance and develop the seven critical areas of their life that will provide them with the impact they seek. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  Yuval Selik's entrepreneurial background and the mistakes he made in his first businesses How the 2008 financial crisis impacted Yuval's skincare business Why Yuval started Promomash and how he uses it to help emerging brands manage their marketing and trade spend How Promomash has evolved since its founding and what sets it apart from other trade management platforms How businesses benefit from working with Promomash and where to learn more about it Yuval talks about the seven hats behind his podcast What people need to know about entrepreneurial fulfillment and balancing work with their personal lives Steve Cleere shares his experience podcasting How Yuval prepared for the launch of his podcast and how he finds guests for the show Yuval's advice to fellow entrepreneurs In this episode... For many first-time CPG entrepreneurs, seeing their products on the shelves is a huge achievement — and a sign of great things to come. However, these entrepreneurs soon realize that staying on the shelves can be a big challenge. If you're not well-prepared, you may find your products dropped from the retail stores. From experience, Yuval Selik knows that the best way to stay on the shelves is by creating more awareness about your CPG product. Getting the word out about your brand can drive your sales, win new customers, and encourage repeat purchases. But, all this is only possible if the business has a well-laid trade management plan that helps the business better promote their products and track their trade spend. Yuval Selik, the Co-founder and CEO of Promomash, joins Steve Cleere in this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast to talk about founding CPG businesses, trade promotions, and deductions management. Yuval also talks about the benefits of field marketing and shares his experience launching The Seven Hats Podcast. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing Promomash Yuval Selik on LinkedIn Yuval Selik's email: yuval@promomash.com L'uvalla  The Seven Hats Podcast Grace Ventura on LinkedIn  Grace's Goodness Organics (formerly Beyond Broth) "Expanding Your Marketing Team with Beyond Broth" with Grace Ventura and Sarah Bird Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web!!! We're at Lucky #7 and you can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts – Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25 and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

Luke Schneider is the Founder and CEO of Fire Dept. Coffee. Inspired by the vital role coffee plays in helping firefighters stay alert and energized through long shifts, Luke founded Fire Dept. coffee with the goal of serving firefighters everywhere with great tasting coffee. He is a full-time firefighter, paramedic, and US Navy veteran.  Jason Patton is the Vice President of Fire Dept. Coffee. Like Luke, he is a firefighter and paramedic. He is also the creator and host of Fire Department Chronicles. As a certified National Veteran-Owned Business Association coffee roaster, Fire Dept. Coffee supports heroes in need through the Fire Department Coffee Foundation. They donate 10% of net proceeds to help provide essential resources and assistance to first responders who have been injured on the job mentally or physically, or who are facing other serious health challenges. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  How Jason Patton and Luke Schneider met and how they came up with the idea for Fire Dept. Coffee  How being flexible firefighters impacted the launch of Fire Dept. Coffee Luke explains how he got started with coffee roasting and why he turned it into a business Why Fire Dept. Coffee's products are sold via e-commerce Luke and Jason explain how they handled production and fulfillment when they started, where they source their coffee beans, and the different flavors they sell  Was there a business plan for Fire Dept. Coffee at first? The benefits of proving the validity of products through e-commerce before venturing into retail stores Fire Dept. Coffee's fulfillment strategies as business expanded How the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the company's sales and business processes  Luke and Jason talk about their target customers, their future plans for the company, their work as firefighters, and their team of fellow firefighters Luke and Jason's advice for fellow entrepreneurs and their favorite fire department shows In this episode... With entrepreneurship, regular folks can discover solutions to the challenges people face every day. However, to be a successful entrepreneur, you don't always need to be business savvy when you start your venture. According to Luke Schneider and Jason Patton from Fire Dept. Coffee, you can learn these skills as you slowly grow your business. When Luke and Jason went into the coffee roasting business, they had no background in business — so they had to learn as they went. They didn't have a business plan or strategy in place, but they learned how to build an e-commerce business on their own. Within just a few months, they outgrew their first location as demand for their products grew. In this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, Steve Cleere is joined by Luke Schneider, the Founder and CEO of Fire Dept. Coffee, and Jason Patton, the Vice President of Fire Dept. Coffee, to talk about building a roasted coffee business run by firefighters. Luke and Jason explain how the business was started, share their fulfillment strategies, and talk about the benefits of proving the validity of products through e-commerce before jumping into retail. Stay tuned. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing Fire Dept. Coffee Luke Schneider on LinkedIn Jason Patton on LinkedIn Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web!!! We're at Lucky #7 and you can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts – Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25 and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

Louis Armstrong is the Founder and CEO of Killer Creamery, a tasty and ketogenic friendly line of ice cream. Killer Creamery was born after members of the keto community asked him to develop a delectable dessert that wouldn't sacrifice their keto diet. Louis has a storied career in the food industry, with experience in development, manufacturing, and quality assurance. Louis has a degree in food science from the University of Idaho and a particular passion for dessert and the keto diet.  Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  How Louis Armstrong started Killer Creamery and the company's evolution since its founding The strategies Louis leveraged to get into retail stores Production challenges in the formulation of ice cream and how Louis transitioned to co-packing his products The challenges associated with direct-to-consumer ice cream sales Louis explains how he initially distributed his products, his method for bootstrapping the business, and the way he raised more capital to scale the brand Louis talks about the production of ice cream sammies and how his brand's sales were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic  How Louis grows his team and the hiring challenges he faces Steve Cleere and Louis talk about the trials associated with selling frozen goods and acquiring data from third parties Louis shares his advice for fellow entrepreneurs In this episode… As people become more aware of the type of food they eat and the increased health risks associated with eating too much sugar, finding something to snack on that's right for you is the ultimate goal. With the demand for healthier food on the world stage, keto friendly and gluten-free bites still aren't as common as you think. To meet the demand for healthier treats, Louis Armstrong started producing an all-natural, keto friendly ice cream that is not only sugar-free, but gluten-free and made with MCT oil. He has overcome many challenges in the process, including raising capital, formulating his ice creams, and working with distributors. In this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, Steve Cleere is joined by Louis Armstrong, the Founder and CEO of Killer Creamery, to discuss the production, distribution, and hiring challenges Louis faced building his brand and how he handled them. They also talk about Killer Creamery's products and how the brand was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay tuned. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing Killer Creamery Killer Creamery on Instagram Killer Creamery Pints Killer Sammies Louis Armstrong on LinkedIn Trailhead Slack Albertsons WinCo Foods Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web!!! We're at Lucky #7 and you can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts – Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25 and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

Lori Taylor is the Founder and CEO of The Produce Moms, a widely recognized consumer brand that is devoted to bringing fresh produce to everyone's table. She has sold fresh produce to retailers for more than 10 years and often appears in the media as a produce industry spokesperson.  Lori is the host of The Produce Moms Podcast, a seasoned keynote speaker, and a recipient of many produce industry accolades including the Forbes “Next 1000,” which spotlights startup entrepreneurs that are changing the world through their influence and innovation. Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn:  Lori Taylor's career background and how the idea for The Produce Moms was born Who is the target audience for The Produce Moms and what is their company mission? How Lori has been helping increase awareness about different fruits and vegetables Lori talks about the sale of geographic produce and the growth of lifestyle diets, flexitarian diets, and plant-based foods Lori's thoughts on food deserts and how her company has been supporting food security How the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted fresh produce consumption and The Produce Moms How the change in the US government is likely to impact fresh produce consumption in the country Labor concerns in the fresh produce industry and the use of mechanical harvesters Lori's plans for The Produce Moms Where to learn more about The Produce Moms and Lori's advice to fellow entrepreneurs In this episode... Although there has been a lot of movement in the fresh produce industry in recent years, many people don't eat as many fruits and vegetables as they should. There are many processed foods in the market that claim to be plant-based, but in reality, only contain a small amount of healthy food.  Despite all of this, there has been considerable growth in the distribution and consumption of fresh produce in the country. The government has also been playing an active role in supporting the consumption of fruits and vegetables in the school system, providing free meals to kids, and developing agricultural policies that support healthy eating.  In this week's episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, Steve Cleere is joined by Lori Taylor, the Founder and CEO of The Produce Moms, to discuss fresh produce consumption in the US. They talk about The Produce Moms' mission of creating more awareness around fresh foods and supporting healthy living, the growth of lifestyle diets, flexitarian diets, and plant-based foods, and labor concerns in the fresh produce industry. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf The Produce Moms  The Produce Moms on Facebook Lori Taylor on LinkedIn Fresh Express Salad Kits and Recipes