Podcasts about smartypants vitamins

This week Steve has a conversation with the CEO of SmartyPants Vitamins, Brenda Demers.

Brenda Demers is the CEO of SmartyPants Vitamins, where she most recently led the company's integration into the Unilever's Health & Wellbeing collective — while propelling the business to a Top-10 share position in the multivitamin category through her focus on marketing and operational excellence. In this episode, she shares how to build and scale a company that not only wins over employees and consumers, but also drives extraordinary growth while creating critical impact. She also explains why the company believes so deeply in giving back by making a matching nutrient grant donation to children in need with every bottle they sell. Lead With We is Produced by Goal 17 Media - goal17media.com Brenda Demers Brenda Demers is the CEO of SmartyPants Vitamins, where she most recently led SmartyPants' integration into Unilever's Health & Wellbeing collective — while propelling the business to a Top-10 share position in the multivitamin category through her focus on marketing and operational excellence. Prior to joining SmartyPants, Brenda spent more than 23 years leading businesses across the Beauty, Personal Care, Food, OTC Pharmaceuticals, and Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements categories globally. Resources Learn more about SmartyPants Vitamins at https://www.smartypantsvitamins.com Connect with Brenda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendademer Visit leadwithwe.com to learn more about Simon's new book or search for "Lead With We" on Amazon, Google Books, or Barnes & Noble.

Unilever might have been lacking direction over the last few years, but a recent strategic transformation decision now has the European CPG conglomerate positioned squarely inside my wheelhouse. According to comments made during the latest Unilever earnings call, CEO Alan Jope stated, “after months of careful review, we have concluded that accelerating the shift of Unilever's portfolio into consumer health and well-being would position the company for faster growth in the coming decades.” I agree with that assessment, but why publicly show your hand to the competition? The problem was Unilever reportedly made an offer to buy the consumer healthcare division of GlaxoSmithKline that was created as a joint venture with Pfizer. With that failed M&A move showing the strategic intentions at Unilever, it became necessary to publicly assure shareholders that this is still the direction of portfolio evolution. That being said, Unilever leadership though clarified that they would not be proposing transformational acquisitions for the foreseeable future. Instead, Unilever intends to improve value creation in three ways including bolt-on acquisitions in Functional Nutrition. With its current Functional Nutrition portfolio in mind (Equilibra, OLLY Nutrition, Liquid I.V., SmartyPants Vitamins, and ONNIT), I discuss a handful of categorical bolt-on M&A moves that would make sense for Unilever. Functional Nutrition brands mentioned: KOS, MaryRuth Organics, HumanN, Mud/Wtr, and HUEL. FOLLOW ME ON MY SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS LINKEDIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaschallmba TWITTER - https://www.twitter.com/joshua_schall INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/joshua_schall FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/jschallconsulting MEDIUM - https://www.medium.com/@joshuaschall

In This Episode You’ll Hear About:How her time working in politics taught her a lot, it also showed her that she was not made for politicsWhat led her to a free ride to Harvard Business School, which she eventually quit in order to join a group of friends in New York City who were working on a start upHow her time in tech led her to work on what we now know as Clear and how it was a pivotal moment Why that love of human exchange as a creator and entrepreneur and also the desire to help people with their health journey led her to start SmartyPants with her husband How they built their team at SmartyPants and why they did things differently than some potential investors thought they shouldHow they grew organically and quickly using Amazon to sell their one SKU, when they knew they were truly on to something big, and how they handled their rapid growthWhat lessons Courtney shares regarding going into retail and why they did it the way they did, which really worked out wellWhat advice she has for other Founders and anyone operating a company regarding healthy company culture, keeping family life healthy, and challenging the way things have been in the business world To Find Out More:Shop.SmartyPantsVitamins.comQuotes:“I started getting these emails, and I was transformed by that moment of the human exchange because I'd been in tech for my career, at that point for ten years, and I'd never made a thing that a person uses.”“If you could be a part of someone's health journey and also be a part of that human exchange that sounded really cool and really hard. And I like really hard.”“We realized that we had kind of stumbled into a better solution that addressed all the things that got in the way of people taking their vitamins consistently and therefore getting the benefit. And that was really the aha moment.”“The most important thing is do not try to get into a ton of doors, do a test in a small set of doors so that you can do online marketing for this. You can zip code target those people online, really let them know about your brand before they see you in the store. And you yourself can find out if it works.”“You're sad because it's so a part of you and you worked so hard and you guys are collaborating, creating, co-creating this life together and doing all that. But also you love it so much that you want it to have the future it deserves. And I'm not the best custodian of that future.”“The magic really is about the process. It's not about the endpoint.”“Magic is you're out on the skinny branches. You don't know what's going to happen, but you have an instinct and a vision and a feeling and a drive and a commitment to doing what you're doing come what may. And that come what may is the part that makes it fun.”“I'm going to fully be who I am, but I also don't have to solve every problem right now.”“I now know what my contribution is, which makes me less intrusive when I don't have a contribution to make, but also willing to stand in my conviction when I have a contribution to make.”“I do not want people working more than an eight hour day. Because I want them to have lives and be fulfilled people and have creative minds and go to museums and have time to see the world and be a fully contributing, breathing human being.”“That moment was seminal for me because it taught me a lot of humility about stop acting like it is just you, because, by the way, it's not.”

Courtney Nichols-Gould is the Co-Founder & Co-CEO SmartyPants, a leading preventative healthcare brand that values family, authenticity, and a core commitment to our collective well-being. Since launching in 2010, SmartyPants has led the industry in making ingredient choices focused on quality and transparency and wrapping them in a delicious gummy. And since the first bottle sold in 2010, they’ve made a 1-for-1 nutrient grant to Vitamin Angels for every bottle sold to help get life-changing supplements to those in need around the world. We love everything they’re doing over there, and oh boy do we love Courtney. There aren’t a lot of Founder/CEOs who are willing to talk about their problems, mistakes, and transformation so openly — but Courtney is so committed to growth that she doesn’t let her ego silence these difficult-but-important conversations.   Connect with us on Insta: Alli: @alliwebb Adrian: @adrian.k   Resources: smartypantsvitamins.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/courtney-nichols-gould-3b77582/ Instagram: @smartypants Twitter: @smartyhealth "'I Used To Lead From Fear,' Says Founder of SmartyPants Vitamins"   Raising the Bar with Alli and Adrian is a production of Crate Media

On this episode, my guest is Aletta Mayorga. She has worked in a few hospitals in the Los Angeles area as a clinical dietitian. These stepping stones have led her to a rewarding career working for SmartyPants Vitamins. Aletta is one who believes in balance, so she still is involved as the LA Roadrunner’s dietitian. While Aletta still loves to run, she shares her new found love in the crossfit world. SmartyPants Vitamins Website: https://www.smartypantsvitamins.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/jeje-noval/message

"I steal my kid's vitamins" isn't something that would normally lead to an a-ha moment, but the Goulds aren't your usual entrepreneurs. A couple for ten years, the Goulds are practiced business leaders who are part of the vanguard of the wellness industry: Gordon Gould crunches the numbers, and Courtney Nichol Gould focuses on the human side. Together, they're the power couple behind SmartyPants, the vitamin gummy brand launched in 2011 that now includes products for children, adults, and even pets.The Goulds practice holistic wellness in their work and their home life: we talk to them about their exercise regimes, why they used a coach to launch their business (and to get on the same page about parenting), and how the lines of communication stay fresh when, as Gordon says, "there’s no leaving it at the office, because the office comes home with you a lot of the times." They also give us valuable info on the world of venture capital, where big visions can lead to big payoffs.Guests:Courtney Nichols and Gordon Gould- Smarty PantsResources:INC Magazine on hiring a business coach- https://www.inc.com/young-entrepreneur-council/8-convincing-reasons-you-should-hire-a-business-coach.html 

In Part 2 of this feature, Courtney Nichols Gould, Co-Founder at SmartyPants Vitamins continues sharing the inside story of building one of the leading supplement companies in the market.   In this incredible episode, Courtney shares the Fact they were the first in their space to be Non-GMO, Why it's difficult to play the volume game and keep the quality, How they deal with transparency, Why its important to be available to everyone not just the 1%, Why they built their brand on Amazon, Why they look to the public to tell them what they want, What new products were launched including SmartyPaws for dogs and Advice for young entrepreneurs including making sure you love your idea.     Join us while Ramon Vela interviews Courtney in Part 1 of this episode and hear her share the inside story of a brand. For more on SmartyPants visit: https://www.smartypantsvitamins.com/ Visit the partners who make this show possible: Privy: https://www.privy.com/cf Churn Buster: https://churnbuster.io/pod Retention Science - RetentionScience.com

For Courtney Nichols Gould, Co-Founder at SmartyPants Vitamins this company was supposed to be a one-product brand.  But once they started receiving feedback from customers, they knew they had stumbled upon a problem that resonated with people.    In part 1 of this incredible episode, Courtney shares her journey including The main challenge with building a business with someone you love, Why she's addicted to entrepreneurship, The story of her dad -  the Trampoline King, Why there's never peace within a startup, Why if you care, you have to be all in, Why a Brand needs to stand for something, The "core" of the SmartyPants brand, What happened when they went to Congress, and Why Trust is what get's you through an incredibly  intense experience.    So join us while Ramon Vela interviews Courtney in Part 1 of this episode and hear her share the inside story of a brand. For more on SmartyPants visit: https://www.smartypantsvitamins.com/ Visit the partners who make this show possible: Privy: https://www.privy.com/cf Churn Buster: https://churnbuster.io/pod Retention Science - RetentionScience.com

Courtney Nichols Gould is the Co-Founder/Co-CEO of SmartyPants Vitamins, the leading maker of premium comprehensive supplements with a commitment to bring more health to more people every day. Since launching online in 2011, SmartyPants has led the industry in making ingredient choices focused on quality and transparency and wrapping them in a delicious package. The company's products are top-ranked on Amazon and sold everywhere from Whole Foods and Target to Costco and beyond. Previously the founding COO of FlyClear, and a senior executive at tech/media companies, Courtney is obsessed with making a real thing to help real people in the real world, and she is honored to have the chance to do just that. Check out what Courtney is up at: www.smartypantsvitamins.com

Courtney and Gordon Gould, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of SmartyPants Vitamins, have always put the health of their kids, their friends, and the planet first. To do this, they created SmartyPants gummy vitamins, which are non-GMO, allergen-free, and made with eco-friendly ingredients. The Goulds have found a way to combine their experiences in tech and non-profits to grow the SmartyPants business side-by-side. Find out how SmartyPants was born, why a hyper-focused approach keeps it ahead of the competition, and how these gummy vitamins are bringing health and nutrition to every corner of the planet.

Courtney Nichols Gould is the CEO of SmartyPants Vitamins. SmartyPants Vitamins have a gummy obsession which started because they believed that the very best vitamins are an all in one combination of different nutrients that would save money, time and peace of mind for customers. Their products can be found on Amazon, in Whole Foods, Kroger, Target, Costco and many more locations all over the US. Their bottle is the one with the cute owl winking at you. For every bottle sold they make a 1 for 1 grant to Vitamin Angels to provide children in need with nutrients and they have made over 6.2 million nutrient grants to date. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [1:15] Jeremy introduces his guest, Courtney Nichols Gould. [3:00] Courtney talks about her love of pranking people. [5:00] Why didn’t Courtney go to Harvard Business School? [7:00] Courtney opens up about her career working at various startups. [11:45] Why is transparency so important to Courtney and her business? [19:30] Standing out with the Vitamin Angels project. [21:20] Courtney talks about the product line and which product came first. [24:00] Creating an all in one vitamin. [26:00] Launching a product on Amazon. [28:00] Testing the product on friends and family. [30:40] What led Courtney to take SmartyPants Vitamins to retail stores? [35:00] The value of embracing customer feedback. [37:30] Courtney talks about some of their bestselling vitamins. [39:00] Why did Courtney and her team divide their products based on gender? [41:00] Courtney shares her low and high moments in business. In this episode… What is the role of transparency in business? Does an organization have a responsibility to be transparent toward its customers or is it just a courtesy? On this episode of Inspired Insider, you’ll hear from business leader and entrepreneur Courtney Nichols Gould. In her conversation with Jeremy, Courtney opens up about her love of pranking, why she decided not to attend Harvard Business School, how she started SmartyPants Vitamins, why they launched their product on Amazon, and so much more. Don’t miss a minute of this entertaining and engaging episode featuring Courtney!  When you decide to move forward in your career choosing the right path can be a difficult one. What led you to make the critical decisions you’ve made on your professional journey? Did you have an ultimate goal that led you down the path you chose? Courtney Nichols Gould decided to forgo an excellent opportunity to attend Harvard Business School because she knew that the typical corporate environment wasn’t for her. Instead, Courtney decided to pursue her prospects in the realm of startups. What can you learn from Courtney’s story? Have you made similar bold moves in your career?  Which values does your organization highlight? Is accountability or quality customer service necessary to your business? How did the organization decide on which values to prioritize and publicize? At SmartyPants Vitamins, they honed in on transparency as one of the primary values for their new and highly successful brand. SmartyPants Vitamins believes that it’s customers have a right to know what it is they are feeding themselves and those they care about most. Simply put, they are convinced that they have a legal and moral responsibility to tell people exactly what their products contain. You can learn more about SmartyPants and their values by checking out a link to their website located in the resources section at the end of this post.  What does it look like to build a vitamin company dedicated to making a difference? Can access to high-quality vitamins make a difference in people’s lives? Beyond just providing a great vitamin option to the marketplace, Courtney Nichols Gould and her team at SmartyPants Vitamins want to expand their impact even further. For every bottle of SmartyPants sold, they make a 1-for-1 nutrient grant to Vitamin Angels, a non-profit that helps at-risk populations – especially pregnant women, new mothers, and children under five – gain access to life-changing vitamins and minerals. It’s great to hear about amazing organizations like SmartyPants Vitamins committed to making a positive impact in the world! With the rise of the ecommerce sector, should businesses abandon retail options and focus on getting their product featured on platforms like Amazon? Should businesses flee the retail industry and focus exclusively on ecommerce options? While reports of the death of the retail sector are greatly exaggerated, the smart business leader would be wise to hedge their bets. Courtney Nichols Gould is focused on putting her brand, SmartyPants Vitamins in the best position to succeed. As the business got off the ground they focused on solidifying a positive presence on Amazon that resulted in huge sales and a wave of glowing customer reviews. Building off of their success with Amazon, Courtney and her team have expanded their reach to retailers like Whole Foods, Kroger, Target, Costco, and more. Resources Mentioned on this episode Check out the SmartyPants website SmartyPants on Facebook SmartyPants on Twitter SmartyPants on Instagram Intro Music by Kidd Russell Sponsor for this episode Rise25 creates 100% outsourced VIP days for software companies and conference organizers to serve their highest level customers. Rise25 VIP Days have a proven track record of helping companies to get more referrals, increase retention with their VIP customers, and get more engaged new customers without adding extra work to that company’s plate. Rise25 partners and collaborates with entrepreneur-focused communities, with particular emphasis on creating events for high volume Amazon sellers, Walmart sellers, multichannel ecommerce sellers, and founders who want to take their business to the next level. Rise25 has hosted VIP events in cities such as Austin, Chicago, Santa Barbara, San Diego, New York, Sonoma, and Las Vegas to name a few. If your company appreciates the value of bringing your highest level customers together to connect and collaborate, you can learn more and contact us to find out if your company qualifies at Rise25.com. Rise25 was cofounded by Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran.

Courtney Nichols Gould is the CEO of SmartyPants Vitamins. SmartyPants Vitamins have a gummy obsession which started because they believed that the very best vitamins are an all in one combination of different nutrients that would save money, time and peace of mind for customers. Their products can be found on Amazon, in Whole Foods, Kroger, Target, Costco and many more locations all over the US. Their bottle is the one with the cute owl winking at you. For every bottle sold they make a 1 for 1 grant to Vitamin Angels to provide children in need with nutrients and they have made over 6.2 million nutrient grants to date. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [1:15] Jeremy introduces his guest, Courtney Nichols Gould. [2:45] What led Courtney to take SmartyPants Vitamins to retail stores? [7:00] The value of embracing customer feedback. [9:30] Courtney talks about some of their bestselling vitamins. [11:00] Why did Courtney and her team divide their products based on gender? [12:45] Courtney shares her low and high moments in business. In this episode… What will it take to get affordable vitamins into the hands of men, women, and children all over the United States? How can affordability and accessibility help improve lives? On this episode of Inspired Insider, you’ll hear from innovator business leader Courtney Nichols Gould. In her conversation with Jeremy, Courtney opens up about why she brought SmartyPants vitamins to retail stores, the value of embracing customer feedback, why she decided to market vitamins for teen boys and girls, and so much more! Don’t miss a minute of this engaging and fascinating episode featuring Courtney and SmartyPants Vitamins! Let’s face it, most health foods and supplements like vitamins are usually marketed to the upper middle class and the wealthy. What if that could change? What if vitamins were not just a niche product only those with disposable income could afford? Courtney Nichols Gould and her team at SmartyPants Vitamins are hard at work doing what they can to change this narrative. They’ve intentionally sought to get their product on the shelves of stores that everyday people utilize, like Walmart. What can you learn from Courtney’s story and her drive to get vitamins in the hands of as many people as possible? When you create a consumable product like vitamins, it’s imperative to listen to and take to heart the feedback of your customers. Too often, large companies fail to follow this important advice! Thankfully new companies like SmartyPants Vitamins are leading the way not only with an innovative product but with an approach that values the feedback of its customers. SmartyPants’ founder and CEO, Courtney Nichols Gould speaks very highly of her organization’s approach to reviewing common feedback they receive and adjusting their marketing and outreach accordingly. They’ve shown that in today’s marketplace, the companies that display a willingness to engage and adapt based on their customer’s input will be rewarded! Resources Mentioned on this episode Check out the SmartyPants website SmartyPants on Facebook SmartyPants on Twitter SmartyPants on Instagram Intro Music by Kidd Russell   Sponsor for this episode Rise25 creates 100% outsourced VIP days for software companies and conference organizers to serve their highest level customers. Rise25 VIP Days have a proven track record of helping companies to get more referrals, increase retention with their VIP customers, and get more engaged new customers without adding extra work to that company’s plate. Rise25 partners and collaborates with entrepreneur-focused communities, with particular emphasis on creating events for high volume Amazon sellers, Walmart sellers, multichannel ecommerce sellers, and founders who want to take their business to the next level. Rise25 has hosted VIP events in cities such as Austin, Chicago, Santa Barbara, San Diego, New York, Sonoma, and Las Vegas to name a few. If your company appreciates the value of bringing your highest level customers together to connect and collaborate, you can learn more and contact us to find out if your company qualifies at Rise25.com. Rise25 was cofounded by Dr. Jeremy Weisz and John Corcoran.

Amazon is eating the world! A wellness entrepreneur shares her secrets to launching a consumer product in today's complex retail environment. This week we're going to the vault to play one of our favorite past episodes. We're speaking with Courtney Nichols Gould, the co-founder and CEO of SmartyPants Vitamins. She had a really successful career in tech before launching a consumer packaged goods company. Before this venture, she was the Chief Operating Officer of a very complex business called Clear, the first fast pass for airport security. I was curious what her path has been like, from tech entrepreneur to a maker of things, and what we can learn from the process. What surprised me most was the importance of getting the product launch process right, and how hard it is to succeed in today's complex retail environment. But they're kicking butt, and she has tons of war stories and tips for the rest of us. Everything from protecting IP to picking your manufacturing partners, cultivating your first customers to thriving on Amazon, negotiating with brick and mortar to being pioneers in the early wellness industry. She's mission-driven but doesn't flaunt it. At one point, she goes deep about her awkward early years, before she finally discovered her identity as a successful CEO, and we broach the touchy subject of starting a business and then falling in love with your co-founder. We hear about that and a whole lot more on this week's episode of the Art of Manufacturing. A year ago, when I spoke with Courtney, I was really curious how they could be so successful launching their products in a time when Amazon seemed to be eating the world. And the episode is as relevant as ever. Since the episode first dropped, Amazon acquired Whole Foods, nine massive retailers disappeared in the “great retail meltdown of 2017,” and they now have a foothold in every corner of your home, too, with Echo Dot and Ring. There's no doubt Amazon is a bigger force than ever to be reckoned with. Earlier this year, I wrote a Forbes column that the biggest tech trend of the year wasn't going to be a technology per se, but it was Amazon as a company. They'll have a vast impact on so many other aspects of how we live, and how we work and collaborate, and even how our cities might be designed in the future. This goes beyond their more obvious impacts on the retail industry. Just the new expectation of on-demand has transformed business models across the board. With their 100,000+ industrial robots, they are pioneering new leadership approaches in an environment where humans must collaborate with robots. The purpose of shopping malls is getting totally reimagined, and in an age of on-demand delivery, warehouses are playing a more integral role in our cities. Yet I wondered when on-demand delivery would turn to custom, on-demand, local manufacturing. But I digress. Whether your entrepreneurial dreams start with launching on Amazon or end on brick and mortar retail shelves, listen to this episode first.   Links and social handles: Website: http://smartypantsvitamins.com Forbes article on Amazon: https://www.forbes.com/sites/krisztinaholly/2018/01/26/tech-trends-2018-amazon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smartypants/ Twitter: http://twitter.com/smartyhealth   For more information, bios, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/smartypants.  

Courtney Nichols Gould is the Co-Founder/Co-CEO of SmartyPants Vitamins, the leading maker of premium comprehensive supplements, committed to bringing more health to more people every day. Courtney got her start working as an apprentice to the board of directors at GM, and went on to work as the COO for numerous tech and web startup companies before embarking on her own entrepreneurial venture. Courtney and I talked about a ton of great topics, listen carefully if you’re interested in a crash course in CPG companies and raising capital the smart way. Music edited from 'Something Elated' by Broke For Free. freemusicarchive.org/music/Broke_Fo…mething_Elated From the Free Music Archive. CC Attribution 3.0 Produced by Rachel James. Positively Gotham Gal is proud to be made in NYC -- this episode was recorded on location in Venice, CA.

[sgmb id=”3″]      Back to school: while some psychologists say we parents must “maintain a positive attitude about summer ending,” we say the end of summer sucks for all concerned and we might as well admit it. Do you try to impose some order on the countdown to school in your house? Or do you just run hard until the night before and take the pain all at once? As the first back-to-school photos creep into our Facebook feeds, these are the questions we are here to answer.   In this episode we discuss: * back to school shopping * the batching of unpleasantness (haircuts, dentist appointments) into those last precious moments of freedom * all the summer reading and math sheets our kids haven’t done yet * how we really better start moving bedtime a little earlier now * and the one great upside: the return of “Mom office hours” Here’s some links to resources discussed in this episode: * Meghan Leahy for Washington Post On Parenting: 4 Ways to Ease the Back-to-School Transition  * Bethany Hardy for PBS.org: Back to School: Transitioning Your Family From Summer to School How are you managing the back-to-school transition? Join us on our Facebook page and show us your happy (or not so much) back-to-schoolers! We’re proud to be sponsored by SmartyPants Vitamins. SmartyPants makes a 1-for-1 nutrient grant to Vitamin Angels , which helps expectant mothers and children around the world get the life-changing nutrients they need. That means that every bottle of SmartyPants you buy improves your children’s health– and the health of children around the world. And SmartyPants has just passed the four million mark: 4.2 million women and children helped! Find out more here.              Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Birthday parties: must we really? Every kid, every year? Can we skip the goody bags? Can we ban slumber parties now and forever? Is it possible to spend less than four figures on a fete for a four-year-old?  In this episode we discuss ways to make birthday parties easier:    stopping “The Great Crap Exchange” (Margaret will die on this hill)  how to manage size of your guest list  the right budget for a party (with special dispensation for parties in the winter)  the crucial-ness of the backup activity  how Etsy can make your kid’s party Pinterest-worthy for less than a trip to Party City    In the end, it’s Mom’s loving effort that will be remembered more than the result. Right? Amy sure hopes so, because this is the LEGO birthday cake she made for her 8-year-old (stop laughing)      and here is the Lightning McQueen cake Margaret made once (SHOW OFF).    Here’s some interesting/helpful/horrifying links to further reading on this topic:    more on Amy’s horrible baking skills but also the time she threw a kick-ass LEGO birthday party * Sarah Zhang for The Atlantic: Blowing Out Birthday Candles Increases Cake Bacteria by 1,400 Percent * baby Leo pees on his first birthday cake * Parents Drop $40,000 For Toddler’s Birthday * Rookie Moms: 5 Tips for a Cheaper Third Birthday Party Thanks to everyone who entered our SmartyPants Vitamins giveaway on our Facebook page! Your birthday party worsts were truly horrible- so bad we turned them all into haikus. In addition to featuring them in this episode, we’ll be sharing them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram over the next two weeks, with identities obscured to protect the innocent. The winner of a SmartyPants Vitamins Family Pack, including their Men’s, Women’s, and Children’s multivitamins, is Heather! Enjoy some #smartyhealth!       Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Every parent has a “how old is old enough to” question about her kids that keeps her biting her fingernails. And as soon as one of those questions is resolved, a new one crops up. This seems to us a parenting challenge that gets harder, not easier, as our kids get older.    So we asked our listeners: what’s the “how old is old enough to…” question you’re currently struggling with at your house?    In this episode we discuss (and attempt to decide for the rest of eternity) how old is old enough to:    walk to school  go home alone from school  babysit younger siblings  ride bikes around neighborhood  get a phone (here we both advise what our friend Ann calls the “StarTac 3000 approach”)  go on a date    and more.  Our listener Donna says the answer to all of these questions is probably 12, what she views as the “golden age of responsibility.” But she then adds the caveat that her kids are 6 and 7, so that’s a bit hypothetical on her part. Donna, we’re here to tell you: all 12-year-olds are not created equal.  And our Country Mouse and City Mouse lifestyles dictate different answers to these questions, as well. Margaret’s kids walk home from school alone before they’ve lost all their baby teeth; Amy’s kids have to go through puberty first.  In the end, of course the answer to any of these questions is “it depends,” and there are no right answers for all kids– only *your* kid. But in this episode, we lay out the factors that should and shouldn’t be part of your calculations (what definitely needs to be left out: what judgy moms will think of you).  Some reading on the topic:    Marion Franck: What You Need to Know About 6-Foot Trick-or-Treaters Lenore Skenazy’s freerangekids.com Exercise From the Dark Side, Margaret’s son’s YouTube genius-ness this New York Times article, which argues that when it comes to smartphones, later is better. This episode is brought to you by SmartyPants Vitamins! Do you love good ingredients, great taste and good works all-in-one? Do you loathe vitamin-y aftertastes and fish burps? Then SmartyPants is the multivitamin for you! They’re packed with multivitamins plus omega-3 fish oils, and stuff like extra vitamin D for the kids, and folic acid for moms. Best of all, for every bottle sold SmartyPants makes a 1-for-1 nutrient grant to Vitamin Angels, helping expectant mothers and children in impoverished communities in fifty countries get the life-changing nutrients they need. Go to smartypantsvitamins.com and use the code SUMMER25 to get 25% off a bottle of Kids Complete Cherry Berry! Code valid through 7/31/17.                 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Launching a consumer product in a complex retail environment: For our season finale, we're speaking with Courtney Nichols Gould, the co-founder and CEO of SmartyPants Vitamins. She and her partner Gordon Gould both had their own really successful careers in tech, before launching a consumer packaged goods company. Before this venture, she was the Chief Operating Officer of a very complex business called Clear, the first fast pass for airport security. I was curious what her path has been like, from tech entrepreneur to a maker of things, and what we can learn from the process. What surprised me most was the importance of getting the product launch process right, and how hard it is to succeed in today's complex retail environment. But they're kicking butt, and she has tons of war stories and tips for the rest of us. Everything from protecting IP to picking your manufacturing partners, cultivating your first customers to thriving on Amazon, negotiating with brick and mortar to being pioneers in the early wellness industry. She's mission-driven but doesn't flaunt it. At one point, she goes deep about her awkward early years, before she finally discovered her identity as a successful CEO, and we broach the touchy subject of starting a business and then falling in love with your co-founder. We hear about that and a whole lot more on this week's episode of the Art of Manufacturing. The views expressed on The Art of Manufacturing podcast are those of the guests, and not our sponsors or partners. For more information, photos, and links, check out the show notes at http://makeitinla.org/courtneygould. 

It started off as an Amazon.com side business. Now it is one of the fastest growing companies in the United States. But Courtney Gould had to evolve as a person and leader in order to make SmartyPants Vitamins a successful AND healthy company. They have disrupted the vitamin industry. The company's products are top ranked on Amazon and sold everywhere from Whole Foods and Target to Costco and beyond. Courtney is sharp and agile. A talented CEO. Learn about business and personal development: “I like complex problems!!!” No such thing as work/life balance - it is all connected Dealing with the fear of not crushing it The power of knowing yourself Understanding that you suck at most things (humility) Why the name SmartyPants? “I use to lead from fear” Going from Student of Life to Expert Becoming a 'Superager' Online/Amazon versus retail Unaided awareness vs aided awareness Methylfolate folate vs folic acid Recognizing and transforming your personal traits The personal development fund 1-for-1 nutrient grants to a child in need

Courtney Nichols Gould is the CoFounder/CEO of SmartyPants Vitamins, a company she launched with her cofounder and husband, Gordon, just over 5 years ago to bring more health to more people every day (in the shape of a really tasty and trustworthy gummy). In this episode, Courtney shares how she went from "leading from fear," to creating a culture with virtually no turnover that's gotten STRONGER as the number of employees has increased. Listen for her favorite alternative to meditation, what her office offers instead of ping pong tables, and what she believes are the most important leadership skills.

Think you have to be a huge jerk to run a business? Think again. We talk with Rhonesha Byng from Her Agenda and Courtney Nichols Gould from SmartyPants Vitamins about being intentional entrepreneurs: living full, happy lives inside and outside their businesses and actually being nice.

Courtney Nichols Gould, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of SmartyPants Vitamins. For the last four years, Courtney Nichols Gould has served as Co-Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of SmartyPants. Her experience is in architecting and building companies from idea to launch and beyond. She also remains an active advisor and angel investor to start-ups across a variety of industries. Gordon Gould has worked in the digital media and internet industry for over 16 years. Gordon has co-founded several companies in the consumer social media space and was founding CEO of both Upoc.com, the world's first mobile social network, and ThisNext.com, the largest independent social shopping platform. Gordon has worked closely with entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, technologists, content providers, marketers, non-profits, and consumers/users to help create compelling, useful services.

Courtney Nichols Gould, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of SmartyPants Vitamins. For the last four years, Courtney Nichols Gould has served as Co-Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of SmartyPants. Her experience is in architecting and building companies from idea to launch and beyond. She also remains an active advisor and angel investor to start-ups across a variety of industries. Gordon Gould has worked in the digital media and internet industry for over 16 years. Gordon has co-founded several companies in the consumer social media space and was founding CEO of both Upoc.com, the world's first mobile social network, and ThisNext.com, the largest independent social shopping platform. Gordon has worked closely with entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, technologists, content providers, marketers, non-profits, and consumers/users to help create compelling, useful services.

On This Episode : Caitlyn Chase, Ryan Blair, Courtney and Gordon Gould At little while back Caitlyn Chase was developing a considerable reputation on the web for her blog entitled Caviar&Cashmere. The site covers the most extravagant lifestyle indulgences from the best yachts to the most decedent private island escapes. Caitlyn fill us in on just how difficult it can be to start a company with your daughter, how they made it work, and what you can learn from their mistakes!We all have our own "skeletons in the closet," and most of us have a hard time thinking we can start a company because of our tarnished past. This is not the case as our guest explains. Ryan Blair‘s path to entrepreneurial success was anything but ordinary; he grew up in an LA gang, lived with a meth addicted father, landed in jail and dropped out of high school his freshman year, yet managed to transform his life. Ryan's life was changed by a mentor that saw his potential despite his flaws. Mentoring at-risk youth has become Ryan's greatest passion and he strives to give back by helping teens turn their lives around and become future entrepreneurs. For anyone struggling personally do not miss this uplifting interview!Courtney Nicholas Gould, Co-founder & Co-CEO, SmartyPants Vitamins Courtney Nichols Gould has worked in, around and with startups almost her entire career. Having most recently served as COO of Clear, the first fast pass for airport security, from its inception through its successful launch and beyond, she previously served as interim CEO ofwww.wemix.com, president of Mail.com and still serves as an advisor, investor and board member for various stage start-ups. As co-founder and Co-CEO of SmartyPants Vitamins, Courtney has helped build the first omni channel vitamin brand from the ground up bringing the only truly nutrient dense line of gummy vitamins to health conscious people both on and offline. She is proud of the company's commitment to make a matching 1-for-1 nutrient grant for every bottle SmartyPants sells through its partnership with Vitamin Angels.Gordon Gould Co-founder and Co-CEO SmartyPants Vitamins, has worked in the digital media and internet industry for over 16 years. Gordon has co-founded several companies in the consumer social media space and was founding CEO of both Upoc.com, the world's first mobile social network, and ThisNext.com, the largest independent social shopping platform. Gordon has worked closely with entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, technologists, content providers, marketers, non-profits, and consumers/users to help create compelling, useful services.As co-founder and co-CEO of SmartyPants, he uses his experience with social media and social commerce to provide parents and growups with useful content, tools, and products that can help them best care for their and their family's health. Gordon's primary professional interest is in empowering people thru technology and in building a company that has a strong social mission, such as SmartyPants' commitment to children's health worldwide via partnerships with Vitamin Angels, charity:water and Turn the Tide.

Gordon Gould, Co-founder and Co-CEO SmartyPants Vitamins, has worked in the digital media and internet industry for over 16 years. Gordon has co-founded several companies in the consumer social media space and was founding CEO of both Upoc.com, the world's first mobile social network, and ThisNext.com, the largest independent social shopping platform. Gordon has worked closely with entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, technologists, content providers, marketers, non-profits, and consumers/users to help create compelling, useful services.Courtney Nichols Gould, Co-founder & Co-CEO, SmartyPants Vitamins has worked in, around and with startups almost her entire career. Having most recently served as COO of Clear, the first fast pass for airport security, from its inception through its successful launch and beyond, she previously served as interim CEO of www.wemix.com, president of Mail.com and still serves as an advisor, investor and board member for various stage start-ups.Howard J. Leonhardt Founder of Leonhardt Ventures, is a serial entrepreneur. In 1986 he founded WorldMed originally as an export trading company helping small manufacturers of cardiovascular medical devices to reach international markets and later (1988) as a developer, manufacturer and seller of original devices for treating heart and cardiovascular disease. Leonhardt has 17 U.S. patents for his inventions related to treating cardiovascular disease including; cardiovascular balloon catheters, artificial lung, a non-surgical placed heart valve, radiation catheters, specialized electronic pacemakers, biological pacemakers, cell delivery catheters, aortic stents grafts, stem cell treatment methods for heart failure and a method of converting stem cells to heart muscle cells

This week on Mom Talk Radio, we are joined by Janice Frey-Angel, CEO of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition, who shares why seafood is beneficial during and post-pregnancy. Spotlight on Moms features Shalynne Addison of WonderfullyChaotic.com. Elisabeth Henderson, author of 100 Questions You’d Never Ask Your Parents, gives tips for talking to your kids. Kim Camp, author of She’s Twelve Going on Twenty, talks about responding to issues almost every mother and daughter will encounter. Co-Founder and Co-CEO of SmartyPants Vitamins, Courtney Nichols Gould shares practical ways parents can encourage kids to eat healthy.