Explore every episode of the podcast Brands for a Better World (formerly Evolve CPG)
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 165 - Ask Great Questions with Karin Hibma Cronan of Cronan | 27 Aug 2024 | 01:21:03 | |
What’s in a brand name? Everything, according to today’s guest, Karin Hibma Cronan, a renowned brand strategist, and co-founder of Cronan, as we explore the role of questions in the art of naming and branding. Cronan is known for creating iconic brand identities and names that resonate with audiences. Their work has helped shape the success of major corporations, non-profits, and startups alike, making them a trusted partner in the world of strategic design. In our conversation, we discuss how the name of a brand or product sets the tone of the experience, the common attributes of a good name, how Karin is the inspiration behind the names of many well-known brands, and the importance of asking great questions when forming strategy. Gain insights into her interactive approach to working with clients, what strategic intent is, how a brand’s identity can evolve, and more. Tune in to learn how you can harness the magic of a name and the power of great questions with Karin Hibma Cronan! Key Points From This Episode:
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Karin Hibma Cronan on LinkedIn The Right Question Changes Everything Brands for a Better World Website Brands for a Better World on YouTube | |||
| 164 - Mission Meets Retail with Alli Ball of Food Biz Wiz | 19 Aug 2024 | 00:57:30 | |
What does it take for a mission-driven brand to thrive in the competitive world of retail? In this episode, we explore the intersection of retail success and mission-driven branding with Alli Ball, the visionary founder and CEO of Food Biz Wiz. Food Biz Wiz is a consulting and coaching company dedicated to helping emerging food brands succeed in the competitive retail market. Known for her impact on the food industry, Alli has empowered countless emerging food brands through her Retail Ready® program and award-winning podcast. In our conversation, we dive into the critical elements consumers want in mission-driven brands, the potential pitfalls of over-investing in a company's mission, and how purpose-driven values can enhance brand loyalty. Discover why aligning packing, product, and purpose is essential for brand success, how to craft a successful sales pitch, why transparency is fundamental for consumers, and much more. Join us to learn how to transform your brand's mission into a powerful tool for growth and loyalty in the retail market with Alli Ball of Food Biz Wiz! Key Points From This Episode:
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: ‘Better Snack Options with Ashley Nickelson of B.T.R. Nation’ Brands for a Better World Website Brands for a Better World on YouTube | |||
| 155 - Frozen for a Reason with Rachel Drori of Daily Harvest | 14 Jun 2024 | 00:53:00 | |
What if frozen food could revolutionize the way we eat, nourish our bodies, and save the planet? In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Drori, the visionary founder of Daily Harvest, to delve into the benefits of sustainably sourced frozen food. Daily Harvest is a plant-based meal delivery service that offers a variety of chef-crafted, pre-portioned, and frozen meals made from organic fruits and vegetables. Join us as Rachel delves into the mission and values driving her company, how frozen food helped her start eating healthier, why direct-to-consumer was the best approach for the brand, and its entry into the retail market. We discuss her recent decision to step back from her role as CEO, the steep learning curve of the food space, how the company navigated a product recall, and how Daily Harvest’s overall mission keeps her motivated. Join us to unlock the secrets of frozen food's potential to transform your diet, health, and the world with Rachel Drori of Daily Harvest! Key Points From This Episode:
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Episode: A Smoothie Transition with Alex Bayer of Genius Dreams California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) Brands for a Better World Website Brands for a Better World on YouTube | |||
| 065 - Fighting Honey Fraud with Douglas Raggio of Pass the Honey | 13 Apr 2022 | 01:00:24 | |
In today’s episode, we are joined by Douglas Raggio, Founder of Pass the Honey, about understanding biases and blind spots, and the necessity of being in it for the long haul if you're trying to change the system. Pass the Honey does raw honeycomb you can snack on. Find more: https://passthehoney.com/ Join our FREE community for CPG leaders: https://community.evolvecpg.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/evolve-cpg/ As an ever-evolving show, we also love feedback. Send us your thoughts or ideas for who we should talk to next to evolve@modernspecies.com | |||
| 064 - Persistence Beats Resistance with Robert Koenen of Boxed Water is Better | 06 Apr 2022 | 00:48:47 | |
In today’s episode, we are joined by Robert Koenen, Chief Revenue Officer of Boxed Water is Better, to talk about plastic pollution, sustainable alternatives, and the difficulties entrepreneurs face when they want to bring change to the market. Boxed Water is Better is a sustainable alternative to plastic water bottles and aluminum cans for the grab-and-go water market. Their cartons are 92% plant-based and 100% recyclable and refillable. Find more: https://boxedwaterisbetter.com/ Check out the Key Points of the Episode: https://www.evolvecpg.com/the-show/persistance-beats-resistance-rob-koenen-boxed-water-is-better Join our FREE community for CPG leaders: https://community.evolvecpg.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/evolve-cpg/ As an ever-evolving show, we also love feedback. Send us your thoughts or ideas for who we should talk to next to evolve@modernspecies.com | |||
| 063 - Mompreneur on a Mission with Pallavi Pande of Dtocs | 30 Mar 2022 | 00:52:50 | |
In this episode, we are joined by Pallavi Pande, founder of Dtocs, to talk about the importance of pursuing something you’re passionate about, and the challenges of being a mompreneur. Dtocs makes compostable tableware from naturally fallen palm leaves. Find more information about them here: https://dtocs.com/ Find the Key Points of the Episode on our website: https://www.evolvecpg.com/the-show/mompreneur-on-a-mission-pallavi-pande-dtocs Find more about Modern Species: https://modernspecies.com/ Join our FREE community for CPG leaders: https://community.evolvecpg.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/evolve-cpg/ As an ever-evolving show, we also love feedback. Send us your thoughts or ideas for who we should talk to next to evolve@modernspecies.com | |||
| 062 - Make it Easy with Gage Mitchell of Modern Species | 24 Mar 2022 | 00:13:22 | |
Continuing last week's episode about the problem with using motivation as a marketing tool, our host, Gage Mitchell, joins us to dive into the things a brand should focus on if they want to build a new behavior on consumers.
Find more about Modern Species: https://modernspecies.com/ Join our FREE community for CPG leaders: https://community.evolvecpg.com/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/evolve-cpg/ As an ever-evolving show, we also love feedback. Send us your thoughts or ideas for who we should talk to next to evolve@modernspecies.com | |||
| 061 - The Problem with Motivation with Gage Mitchell of Modern Species | 16 Mar 2022 | 00:15:09 | |
While motivation and education can be effective in the right circumstances and the correct order, the bottom line is: if you're dumping your marketing dollars into motivation and education only, you're draining your brand of valuable time and money!
Episode 32: Persuasive Branding with Gage Mitchell of Modern Species | |||
| 060 - Materiality and Future Fit with Rob Sinclair of The ImaginALL Collective | 09 Mar 2022 | 00:48:17 | |
In today’s episode, we’ll be speaking with Rob Sinclair, founder of ImaginALL Collective, about understanding the issues that are material to your brand in order to futureproof your company and move beyond sustainability towards regeneration. | |||
| 059 - Assessing Your Impact with Breyn Hibbs of Take Two | 02 Mar 2022 | 01:03:23 | |
In today's episode, we speak with Breyn Hibbs, Head of Social and Environmental Impact at Take Two about the complexities of calculating and communicating positive impact. Take Two is an upcycled food company that makes barley milk out of the spent grain from beer brewing. Check out their website: https://taketwofoods.com/ Connect with Breyn Hibbs on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/breyn-marr-hibbs-4031508/ We also mentioned in this episode: ReFED Insights: https://insights.refed.org/ Regrained: https://www.regrained.com/ Upcycled Food Association: https://www.upcycledfood.org/
As an ever-evolving show, we also love feedback. Send us your thoughts or ideas for who we should talk to next to evolve@modernspecies.com | |||
| 058 - Relaunching a Brand with Aaron Wallach of Javazen | 23 Feb 2022 | 00:56:10 | |
In this episode, we are speaking with Aaron Wallach, Founder and Chief Energy Officer of Javazen, about the lessons learned from the brand’s initial launch and how he’s approaching the relaunch differently. Javazen offers a harmonious blend of coffee, organic matcha, and cacao that fuels your body and mind creating the perfect balance of energy and focus. Find more here: https://javazen.co/ Do you have any questions or feedback about the product? Reach Aaron Wallach at aaron@javazen.co Connect with Aaron Wallach on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-wallach-91037789/ Discount code for everyone listening: ZEN10 - - | |||
| 057 - Make People Feel Something with Jake Karls of Mid-Day Squares | 16 Feb 2022 | 00:44:52 | |
Today, we’re speaking with Jake Karls, Co-Founder and Rainmaker at Mid-Day Squares, about their game-changing show, everything style brand marketing, and how he, Lezlie Karls, and Nick (Co-Founders) are committed to staying independent and true to themselves for the long haul. | |||
| 056 - Sustainability On Demand with Alise Zindiga of Printful | 09 Feb 2022 | 00:48:42 | |
In today's episode, we speak with Alise Zindiga, CSR Manager at Printful, about the demand for sustainable products, the benefit of on-demand production, and the complexities of scaling sustainability across the globe. | |||
| 154 - A Smoothie Transition with Alex Bayer of Genius Dreams | 07 Jun 2024 | 01:11:12 | |
We all know just how difficult it can be to enter the world of CPG, let alone thrive in it. But what may be even harder is knowing when it's time to let go of the brand you've worked tirelessly to build. Today we are joined by the former CEO and Co-Founder of Genius Juice and current Founder and Manager Partner at Genius Dreams, Alex Bayer. In our conversation, Alex walks us through the highs and lows of founding a CPG business, the tightrope of fine margins that the industry forces you to walk, the main things to consider when it's time to close shop forever, and the importance of making time for self-care as a dedicated entrepreneur. Key Points From This Episode:
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Brands for a Better World Website Brands for a Better World on YouTube | |||
| 055 - From Their Cart to Yours with Steven Clift from GoodCarts | 02 Feb 2022 | 00:52:46 | |
If you’re someone who holds a high moral standard but still takes the cheaper option off the store shelf without considering the impact of the product you are buying, it’s time to make your shopping reflect your values! Today I’m joined by Steven Clift, whose career began at the intersection of politics, community building, and the internet, with the founding of an election information non-profit organization. His path has now shifted to the ecommerce space, but his goal of making the world a fairer place remains the same. As CEO of cross-promotional engine GoodCarts, Steve is helping shop-for-good and sustainable brands expand their reach. In this episode, Steve explains how GoodCarts works, some of the brands who form part of their 150 member strong network, and the big plans he has for the future of the company. If more people start shopping with their values in mind, we can begin to turn the tide on the social and environmental degradation that is rife in the world today. After listening to this episode, the next time you have the choice between Fair Trade certified coffee and its non-Fair Trade certified equivalent, you won’t have to think long before you spend the extra few bucks! Key Points From This Episode:
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: | |||
| 054 - Minimizing Growing Pains with Zachary DeAngelo of Rodeo CPG | 26 Jan 2022 | 00:47:22 | |
Being an entrepreneur through the COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly challenging for those in the food industry. However, with some key insights into your business and product, you can thrive in this environment, as exemplified by Zachary DeAngelo, Founder and CEO of Rodeo CPG. Join us on EvolveCPG today to find out how Zachary got to where he is now, what he has learned from his experience as an entrepreneur, and where he sees the food industry going in the future. We also hear some great advice for entrepreneurs across all industries and why being an entrepreneur is so rewarding. Tune in to learn about the clients that Rodeo CPG works with, what their role is and how it evolves, and how data is crucial in understanding what's impacting your business. For all this and so much more, join us today! Key Points From This Episode:
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: | |||
| 053 - Intentionality Deficit with Subtle Distinctions | 19 Jan 2022 | 00:21:01 | |
If you regularly find yourself asking, “How did I get here?” you may be suffering from intentionality deficit disorder. If you are living intentionally, you are always conscious of your intended destination and the ‘why’ that drives you there. If you have an intentionality deficit, you will be taken on a journey of chance encounters that will lead you somewhere, but not necessarily anywhere that you want to be. Matt D’Amour and Linwood Paul, through their coaching company, Subtle Distinctions, are determined to help people clearly understand what they really want so that they can sculpt their lives in accordance with that. In today’s episode, they share what that process looks like and the simple steps you can take to begin your own journey of intention. Key Points From This Episode:
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: | |||
| 052 - Better Food Products with Jonathan Deutsch of Drexel Food Lab | 12 Jan 2022 | 00:46:32 | |
In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Jonathan Deutsch about the art and science of food product research, development, and testing. | |||
| 051 - Understanding the Problem with Timothy Lawlor of ReadyWise | 05 Jan 2022 | 00:46:17 | |
In today's episode, we're speaking with Timothy Lawlor, Director of Marketing at ReadyWise, a company that provides long-term food storage and freeze-dried food, about the power of understanding the consumer and the problem instead of getting stuck on your initial product or solution. | |||
| 050 - A Framework for Communications with Molly Gaines of Kindship Group | 29 Dec 2021 | 01:01:32 | |
The world of brand messaging and public relations is evolving at a rapid pace in response to new technologies and societal shifts. In order to thrive, companies need to react to these trends and adjust accordingly. Our guest today is Molly Gaines, the Strategic Communications and Engagement Director at the Kindship Group, with a background in journalism and a love for storytelling! With Molly's help, we tackle the central importance of authentic, relevant, and clear brand communications, and how Kindship helps purpose-driven brands survive and scale in today's climate. We also look at Molly's personal story, the huge impact of social media on society, and we hear some thoughts on the future of this line of work. Listeners can expect to come away with some great insight into the current brand environment, what might lie ahead, as well as the evergreen importance of clear lines of communication with potential customers. Tune in to discover it all! Key Points From This Episode:
Tweetables: “A lot of my work focuses on writing, and messaging, and telling stories. That's really been my passion since high school, if not before.” — Molly Gaines [0:03:20] “Writing is the foundation of so of what we do and how people interpret what we do.” — Molly Gaines [0:08:43] "I think it's really important for us when people talk to know what they are talking about and not just be trying to convince people and influence on things that they really have the background to be doing that.” — Molly Gaines [0:30:04] “Public relations should be relating to stakeholders in a way that is authentic and truthful.” — Molly Gaines [0:31:03] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: | |||
| 049 - It All Starts with The People with Michelle Hirons of Higher Ring | 22 Dec 2021 | 00:48:44 | |
Michelle Hirons was introduced to the business world at a very young age; by 6 years old she was helping with pricing and customer service in her family’s pharmacy, and by 12 she was accompanying her parents on buying trips. When she entered the working world in her own capacity, she became acutely aware of the discrepancies that exist between how people are treated at different rungs on the business ladder, and this drove her desire to found a business that puts employee wellbeing at the forefront. This desire became HigherRing, a customer service outsourcing company that focuses as much on its people and the planet as it does on making a profit. In today’s episode you’ll hear about how HigherRing helps their partner companies grow through their variety of offerings, some important learnings Michelle has had since founding HigherRing 5 years ago, how the company is planning to evolve in the coming years, and why treating people like people makes good business sense! Key Points From This Episode:
Tweetables: “There is a strategic advantage in treating people well and making sure that they’re cared for, and in running your business in a sustainable and holistic way.” — @michelle_hirons [0:07:03] “We’re aiming to be that fire under the growth of all of our partner companies.” — @michelle_hirons [0:20:36] “We’re trying to create great jobs. That’s our mission.” — @michelle_hirons [0:25:03] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: | |||
| 048 - Excellence Without Attachment with Subtle Distinctions | 15 Dec 2021 | 00:35:30 | |
Just slow down. So many entrepreneurs don’t have this phrase in their vocabulary, which is a big part of the reason that 34% of this population group suffer from anxiety. In today’s society, people are valorized for working 90 hour weeks and pushing themselves to breaking point, but today's guests, Linwood Paul and Matt D’Amour, are determined to change this. In today’s episode, the founders of Subtle Distinctions share how they help their clients handle the common fears which attach them to future scenarios, and get them back to the present moment instead. The practices they teach take work, but the benefits will be well worth the effort! Key Points From This Episode:
Tweetables: “Attachment can draw us into the future.” — Linwood Paul [0:09:00] “This idea of becoming more present is a strategy for entrepreneurs, and everyone else, to be in a more peaceful calm state so that they can direct their destiny, direct their business, direct themselves in a more intentional and grounded way.” — Matt D’Amour [0:12:15] “Slow down to speed up.” — Linwood Paul [0:16:09] “The more you question, the more you don’t know. The more you question, the more you wonder.” — Linwood Paul [0:33:08] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: | |||
| 047 - Nailing The Pitch with Kayla Castañeda of Agua Bonita | 08 Dec 2021 | 00:33:40 | |
“When life gives you lemons, make aguas frescas!” As was the case for many people, 2020 started off on a difficult note for Kayla Castañeda, with a young child and no job. Instead of letting this knock her down, Kayla kicked into gear and put the skills she acquired after many years of working in the food and beverage industry to good use; the co-founding of Agua Bonita. Agua Bonita boasts the first line of better-for-you, ready-to-drink aguas frescas, which come in eco-friendly cans that are branded by Kayla’s co-founder, Erin. The quality of the product combined with the authenticity and transparency of the brand, and the relationship-building approach that Kayla adopted from week one, have led to her winning every pitch competition she has entered! That’s not to say that the past year has been easy for them, and in today’s episode, you’ll hear about the ups and downs, the lessons learned along the way, their plans for the future, and some valuable advice for nailing your pitch! Key Points From This Episode:
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: | |||
| 046 - Food Systems & Climate Change with Jonathan Reinbold of Thomas Foods | 01 Dec 2021 | 00:48:17 | |
When we look at the sectors that are contributing significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions, agriculture is responsible for 15 to 20 percent, but today’s guest believes that the food industry has an opportunity to do better; a lot better! Today, we speak with Jonathan Reinbold, Sustainability Director for Thomas Foods, about the food industry’s impact on our health and the environment and the progress being made to turn any negative impacts into positive ones. Jonathan has worked in sustainability, agriculture, and climate action for over a decade now, and his experience spans sustainability strategy, CSR reporting, non‐profit management, food systems policy, renewable energy, and green design. In this episode, we touch on how companies can benefit from an increased focus on sustainability and how taking a more holistic approach to agricultural practices can help companies become climate positive and Jonathan shares some advice for brands entering into the sustainability space: identify your biggest opportunity areas and focus there. Don’t try and do everything! Tune in today to learn more about some of the major advances that the food industry is making when it comes to sustainability! Key Points From This Episode:
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: | |||
| 153 - Change Through Cooking with Alison Cayne of Haven's Kitchen | 31 May 2024 | 01:06:27 | |
Beyond simply being delicious, food can be a means to start conversations, cross cultural divides, and even inspire social change. In this episode of Brands for a Better World, you’ll hear from Alison Cayne, Founder of NYC-based Haven’s Kitchen, about how she combined her passion for cooking with her desire to change people’s lives for the better and turned it into a purpose-driven career. Join us as we delve into the social impacts of our food systems, why home cooking is good for our health, the health of our communities, and the health of the planet, and the immense power that everyday consumers hold to drive meaningful policy change. We also discuss how Alison’s podcast, In the Sauce, helped her speed up her CPG learning curve, the ways that Haven’s Kitchen has evolved based on customers’ needs and in response to the world at large, why the best marketing strategies are common sense, and so much more! To learn about the many compelling ways that food can transform communities and encourage people to create a better world through cooking, be sure to tune in today! Key Points From This Episode:
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Tiny Habits: The Small Changes that Change Everything Brands for a Better World Website Brands for a Better World on YouTube | |||
| 045 - Giving Bulk a Brand with Jason Freeman of Farmer Direct Organic | 24 Nov 2021 | 01:03:46 | |
To create a CPG product that is 100% organic, 100% traceable back to the family farm, and 100% tested for pesticides and herbicides is no small feat. In today's episode, we speak to someone who has done just that. Jason Freeman is the Founder and CEO of Farmer Direct Organic, a certified organic supplier of beans, grains, legumes, and all sorts of healthy whole foods to stores across the US and Canada. Today we discuss the challenges of traceable supply chains, affordable plastic-free packaging, finding the right investors, the rise in superweeds, the need for more widely-used environmentally-friendly farming techniques, and the problems of corporations fueling unhealthy addictions that create disease. This episode is jam-packed with valuable insight into a whole range of important issues, so don’t miss it! Key Points From This Episode:
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: | |||
| 044 - Prioritizing Brand Messaging with Pilar Ochi of Alter Eco | 17 Nov 2021 | 00:53:45 | |
Making a sustainable CPG product a household name doesn’t sound as challenging as it is. Today we speak to Pilar Ochi, Vice President of Marketing at Alter Eco, a sustainable sweet snacks company. She joined the company because this was the first brand that she found that does more for people and the planet than they talk about. While this sounds like any marketer’s dream, narrowing down the messaging and the direction the brand should be taking when you have so much to say has been quite a challenge. Today she joins us to discuss how she settled on one key takeaway, how her background in economics and in the marketing departments of both big and small companies prepared her for this job, and the challenge of scaling that she now faces having updated Alter Eco’s brand. She provides valuable insight into how to build a brand by finding the balance between owning the thing that makes your product special and owning the thing that gets it into a consumer’s cart. For all this and other helpful advice on how to build a brand, tune in today! Key Points From This Episode:
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Decoded: The Science Behind Why We Buy | |||
| 043 - Preparing Brands for Wholesale with Alli Ball of Food Biz Wiz | 10 Nov 2021 | 00:48:50 | |
If you have a food and beverage product, getting it onto the grocery store shelf is not enough; it has to sell! Today’s guest, Alli Ball, Founder of Food Biz Wiz, is a former grocery buyer turned wholesale consultant, and she helps food and beverage brands understand how to be successful on the retail shelf. In this episode, Alli pulls back the curtain and offers insights into the minds of buyers, and what they are looking for in brands. Stories and tasty products aren’t just a given in 2021; buyers do their research before they commit. Alli also touches on her unique course offering, who the program is targeted at, and what you can gain from it. For all this and more, tune in today! Key Points From This Episode:
Tweetables: “In that role of grocery buyer, my role was to figure out products for our shelves and make sure that once we did put them on the shelf, they sold.” — Alli Ball [0:05:40] “The more feedback we can get from our audiences, the better.” — Alli Ball [0:23:38] “If you want to sell on a shelf, whether that is a digital shelf or a physical brick and mortar shelf, Retail Ready is for you.” — Alli Ball [0:26:24] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: | |||
| 042 - From Founder to Mentor with Mike Fata of Manitoba Harvest | 03 Nov 2021 | 00:41:00 | |
Feeling constantly sick, tired, and weighing 300 pounds at 18 years old, Michael Fata embarked on a pursuit of health, which, after much experimentation, led him to the discovery of the benefits of hemp. Hemp, though often confused with marijuana, has no mind-altering properties and is a great source of essential fatty acids. When Michael founded his company, Manitoba Harvest, not only did he have zero high school or college education, but he was also faced with the challenges of hemp being a product with a brand-new supply chain, laden with numerous regulatory challenges. However, Michael’s passion for his products, his sound business ethics, and his decision to focus solely on hemp culminated in a hugely successful business. In today’s episode, you’ll hear about the learnings Michael had along his journey with Manitoba Harvest, some key insights from the experience he has had as an investor since he sold his company, and the various other ways he is helping entrepreneurs to succeed in the business world. Key Points From This Episode:
Tweetables: “I always took the high road and built the brand known for the best quality and a great company to do business with, and that’s how we really outcompeted all the competitors.” — Michael Fata [0:12:29] “Our mission was to become the experts in hemp, right from the genetics and the farming operation all the way through to the consumer.” — Michael Fata [0:13:27] “If you grow a good business and become a leader in your space, and you get to the right scale, you’ll likely have a good opportunity to sell the business. If you overly focus on selling the business it could create the wrong culture and lead to failure.” — Michael Fata [0:14:59] “I feel grateful that I found my health when I was 18,19 years old, so I too want to make this world a healthier place and I want to help founders make sure that their vision and mission is realized.” — Michael Fata [0:38:16] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: | |||
| 041 - A Transparent Food System with Colleen Kavanagh of Zego Foods | 27 Oct 2021 | 00:51:00 | |
The general trend towards healthier living and better information about nutrition has many layers, with one of the main tenets being an increase in transparency from food brands about the ingredients used and their sources. Today we are joined by Colleen Kavanagh, the CEO and Co-Founder of ZEGO Foods, to talk about how the company is enabling its customers to live healthy and fulfilling lives, and supporting achievement on multiple levels. Colleen shares some of her personal journey with nutrition and how this led into her career, the important shifts in the industry in recent years, how public policy fits into the picture, and the central theme of transparency at ZEGO! So, for a great check-in on the present and future of the world of health foods, be sure to listen in with and see what Colleen has to say! Key Points From This Episode:
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: | |||
| 040 - Growing Organic Certification with Jessica Beckett Parr of CCOF | 20 Oct 2021 | 00:49:05 | |
The California Certified Organic Farmers, or CCOF, extends across the US and certifies more operations than any other organic certification company or organization in the country. This week we get together with Jessica Beckett Parr to discuss her work as director of the CCOF Foundation, and how her devotion to agriculture was shaped from a young age. Tuning in you’ll hear about the history of CCOF as well as the history of certification and organic farming in America. Jessica shares her expansive knowledge on the many benefits of organic and why it has such an important role to play in combating climate change. She elaborates on the expansive scientific data available on the benefits and effects of organic farming and how laypeople can access it. We also hear about the various initiatives the CCOF Foundation is pursuing, from pledging money to students who want to work in organic farming, to supporting farmers looking to transition to organic. Jessica interrogates how taboos around organic are changing and reflects on the individuals who give her hope for the future. Tune in today for this inspiring discussion on organic farming, the CCOF, and much more! Key Points From This Episode:
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Jessica Beckett Parr on LinkedIn Roadmap to an Organic California Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants | |||
| 039 - From Coffee to Cascara with Paul Evers of Riff | 13 Oct 2021 | 00:54:38 | |
Your morning cup of coffee has a far greater environmental impact than you might realize. Ironically, the current unsustainable practices have the largest effect on the industry itself. Today’s guest, Paul Evers, is the Co-Founder and CEO of Riff, an innovative cold brew coffee company that looks to use the whole coffee plant, reducing waste and increasing sustainability. In this episode, Paul unpacks coffee’s dirty, not-so-little, secret and shares how uncovering it led Riff to venture into an entirely new range of products no one else in the space is creating. Paul also talks about his other passion, craft beer, and how the sector’s growth has had had cascading effects for other small business growth. Consumers have grown to trust their neighbors more than corporations and this is in large part due to craft beer. Tuning in, you will hear why reducing waste in the coffee industry will not just benefit the environment but could improve your health too! Key Points From This Episode:
Tweetables: “My ethos is really oriented around relationships and that’s really driven a lot of my career path and what my interests are. I really see brand actually as being the conduit.” — @paulevers [0:02:03] “Nobody understands that their normal up of Joe is actually contributing to the new normal; the extreme weather events, the floods, the fires, what’s happening to the planet.” — @paulevers [0:36:00] “The coffee industry as a whole has this very significant sustainability risk moving forward and the irony is that they are contributing to the greatest threat.” — @paulevers [0:37:26] “Failure is part and parcel of exploration.” — @paulevers [0:47:21] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: | |||
| 038 - The #1 Climate Change Solution with Turner Wyatt of Upcycled Food Association | 06 Oct 2021 | 00:49:51 | |
Food Waste is a global issue and plays a pivotal role in the onset of climate change. While the problem might seem overwhelming, there are increasing opportunities for consumers to impact change through their choices. This week we welcome Turner Wyatt, CEO at The Upcycled Food Association, to discuss how his company is helping producers and consumers make better decisions that will have a global impact on food waste reduction. Turner shares his journey with food waste reduction and sustainability and explains how taking a solution-based approach has led to outcomes that align environmental and sustainability goals with financial incentives and healthy profits, and why this is great news for the future of upcycling food. Make sure you tune in for this remarkable conversation to learn about the power of upcycling food and how you can make a difference! Key Points From This Episode:
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| 037 - Cookies for Recovery with Kelsey Moreira of Doughp | 29 Sep 2021 | 00:40:30 | |
After getting sober in 2015, today’s guest, Kelsey Moreira, set off on a journey to make the world a little sweeter by starting Doughp Legit Cookie Dough, a company that makes edible, bakeable, and ridiculously tasty cookie dough. You’ll hear about Kelsey’s lifelong interest in marketing and how her ambition drove her to use alcohol to relieve stress before reaching a turning point that changed sobriety from a ‘should’ into a ‘must’. Her huge life change left her with the capacity to pursue a new endeavor, and she began baking as a hobby until her entrepreneurial spirit led her to transform it into a business and pitch it on Sharktank to find an investor. Doughp has an ecommerce segment, as well as physical stores in San Francisco and the Las Vegas strip, which Kelsey chose because of her focus on addiction recovery. We explore the power of the message behind the brand to grow a community, and Kelsey reveals more about the non-profit piece of the company, donating one percent of total sales to a different organization each year, with She Recovers as this year’s non-profit. Kelsey shares plenty of actionable advice with listeners today, and points us in the direction of her podcast, Soberpreneur, where she interviews innovative business owners who have recovered from addiction. We hope you tune in to be inspired by this force for good today! Key Points From This Episode:
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| 036 - Check Your Zipcode Culture with Linwood Paul & Matt D'Amour of Subtle Distinctions | 22 Sep 2021 | 00:19:00 | |
Company culture is one of the pillars that will define an organization's outcomes, and the more intentionality and balance that can be brought into a workspace, the better for all involved. Linwood Paul and Matt D'Amour join us on the show today to talk about the idea of the business zip code, and how geography and assumptions can negatively impact the systems and processes at any business. Our guests are the cofounders of Subtle Distinctions, where they help cultivate thoughtful leaders and better companies as a result. In our conversation, we get into the importance of balancing different approaches, especially strong leadership and inclusive decision-making. We also hear about the value of transparency and understanding, and the idea of a pool of share meaning. Listeners can expect to come away with some new ideas for leadership positions as well as what it means to engage appropriately as an employee, so do not miss this eye-opening conversation! Key Points From This Episode:
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| 152 - Donuts for Health with Kathrin Henon of Planet Bake | 24 May 2024 | 00:44:13 | |
America has a major sugar problem, which is evident in the fact that the United States consumes more sugar than any other country in the world! To explain how her company is helping to ease this particular pain point across the country, we are joined today by the Founder and CEO of Planet Bake, Kathrin Henon. Kathrin begins by explaining how her German background and America's diabetes problem combined to inspire her to help solve the sugar problem in the United States. Then, our guest explains why she adopted a vegan and sugar-free diet before walking us through the ins and outs of Planet Bake, the wonders of allulose, the value of avocado oil, and the problematic culture of brands hiding certain troublesome ingredients. We also learn about Kathrin's education and how it informed the way she built her brand, the important lessons she's absorbed as a founder, the future of Planet Bake, and why she loves being involved in research and development. Key Points From This Episode:
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: ‘The Declaration of Allulose and Calories from Allulose on Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels’ Brands for a Better World Website Brands for a Better World on YouTube | |||
| 035 - Reaching Green Consumers with Carolyn Parrs of Mind Over Markets | 15 Sep 2021 | 00:54:08 | |
So many businesses struggle to find the right words to market their sustainable and social impact products. Today’s guest is Carolyn Parrs, CEO of Mind Over Markets, and she joins us to talk about the green consumer and the best ways to market sustainability. One of the big themes in today’s conversation is how to get people to adopt your sustainable product. People fall into different tiers according to their devotion to buying green products and this begs the question of which group to target so that you can make the most impact. Also, she talks about how she helps her clients find their main message by listening to their customer’s needs, whatever they may be – a tactic that ultimately wins people over more effectively at the end of the day! Key Points From This Episode:
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| 034 - Investing In Sustainability with Ryan Williams of NextWorld Evergreen | 08 Sep 2021 | 00:28:42 | |
Going green is set to be big business in the coming years, thanks, in part, to growing consumer demand for products that are good for the planet. But this can also be good news for brands, as embedding Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors into your core strategy can help deliver long-term value. In today’s episode, we speak with Ryan Williams, Operating Partner of NextWorld Evergreen, about how brands and investors are taking sustainability seriously, even when some experiments fail. Ryan also shares his tips for purpose-driven brands seeking mission-aligned equity and explains why profitability is the single most important thing mission-driven brands can do, plus a whole lot more! Tune in today to find out why ESG and sustainability principles are critical for the next 10 to 25-year time period and how they contribute to a brand’s resilience and long-term success. Key Points From This Episode:
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| 033 - Growing a New Garden Brand with Jason Rider & Morgan Rider of Thriving Design | 01 Sep 2021 | 00:47:21 | |
The world of 3D printing and the cannabis space are two areas that have seen massive progress in the last few years. The intersection between these two spheres is what inspired today's guests to build the simple yet ingenious C-Bite! Joining us to talk about the C-Bite are the co-founders of Thriving Design, brother and sister team, Jordan and Morgan Rider! In our conversation, we get to hear about the steps that led up to Jason's invention of the C-Bite and how he asked Morgan to get involved to make a business out of his experimentation. We also talk about the rise of gardening during the pandemic, and how this trend shows no sign of slowing down. Tuning in, listeners can expect to hear about how combining interests, curiosity, and business-mindedness can produce innovative and exciting results, and the components of a truly inspiring small business, so make sure to join us! Key Points From This Episode:
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| 032 - Persuasive Branding with Gage Mitchell of Modern Species | 25 Aug 2021 | 00:27:30 | |
No matter what kind of brand you are running, in order to be successful and create an impact, you need to be able to connect with a community and build an audience. Today we are doing things a little differently, and instead of interviewing a guest, Gage breaks down the principles detailed in the book, Influence, by Robert Cialdini, and applies them more particularly to the type of branding we are most interested in. The six psychological principles are reciprocation, commitment and consistency, social proof, liking, authority, and scarcity. If you have not yet read the book, it is well worth your time and can provide a really good foundation for a socially impactful business! So for a great introduction to a seminal work, with direct applicability and ideas for connecting the dots of your brand, make sure to listen in today! Key Points From This Episode:
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| 031 - Cultivating Heartset with Linwood Paul & Matt D'Amour of Subtle Distinctions | 18 Aug 2021 | 00:26:40 | |
In order to make the best possible decisions, we need to use all the tools available to us, and not just the rational mind, that often dominates our choices. This is where the concept of heartset comes into the conversation, and in this episode, we are joined by two inspiring guests to explore the idea of heartset and how to utilize this important tool for the benefit of ourselves, those around us, and the work and projects in which we are involved. Linwood Paul and Matt D'Amour are the cofounders of Subtle Distinctions, where they help cultivate thoughtful and well-rounded leaders. Our guests explain how heartset can fit into a system of tools, and the first steps that individuals can take in order to start listening more to their feelings. They also get into the idea of balance and why there is a place for each part of us, before talking about how these concepts can be applied in business and beyond. Listeners can expect a refreshingly simple approach to a potentially revolutionary path, so make sure to join us for this great chat! Key Points From This Episode:
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| 030 - Business as a Force for Good with Veena Harbaugh Of B Lab US & Canada | 11 Aug 2021 | 00:48:01 | |
Popularity and awareness of the B corp certification have been growing steadily and the burgeoning space is showing no signs of slowing down. Today we get to chat with Veena Harbaugh, who is the Director of Marketing and Communications for B Lab U.S. & Canada, about the topic of B corps and how her work at B Lab aims to champion this important step for the business world. In our conversation, we get into the multifaceted nature of B corp companies, why the growing number of businesses with the certification is creating a rising tide, and how the marketing and storytelling around different brands are important to the expansion of the public's understanding. Veena talks about the responsibility of business to take action in areas that matter, and how the B corp model is creating radical shifts in the economy, with real attention on important issues such as racial equality and environmental sustainability. Key Points From This Episode:
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| 029 - Know Your Customer with Eric Pierce of New Hope Network | 04 Aug 2021 | 00:51:20 | |
Growth without a sense of responsibility is a recipe that can lead to many problems further down the road. Whether it be for a business or for a wider-reaching area of impact, sustainability and principle-led scaling of businesses should be a higher priority as we move into the future. Here on the show today to talk about this mission and how it is embodied at New Hope Network is Eric Pierce! Eric is the Vice President of Business Insights at New Hope and his passion for the intersection of marketing, psychology, and creativity, coupled with a desire to build a better future has manifested itself perfectly in this role, at this company. In our conversation, Eric unpacks some common mistakes from the world of marketing, how he managed to maneuver his weaknesses into becoming strengths, and how to really listen and understand the sectors of the market you want to serve. Listeners will come away with a newfound clarity on the responsibility attached to growing a business of the future, as well as how to avoid the common pitfalls of scaling an organization. Key Points From This Episode:
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| 028 - For the Love of Plants with Ellen Kanner The Soulful Vegan | 28 Jul 2021 | 00:41:33 | |
The recent years have shown that the vegan diet and movement are here to stay and that there is an ever-growing demand for alternatives to the traditional American diet. Joining us on the show today to speak about her journey in and perspective on the world of vegan foods and recipes is the amazing Ellen Kanner, also known as The Soulful Vegan. Ellen talks to us about her work with plant-foods, and the lifestyle she has been living for the last 20 years since turning away from animal products. Her goal is to empower individuals to be kind to themselves and the planet through what they cook and eat, and we get the inside scoop on her main avenues for doing this. As the author of several books including her latest, Feeding the Hungry Ghost, and the upcoming Miami Vegan, Ellen is helping to spread more impactful and illuminating information on vegan nutrition and practices while doing what she loves! Listeners can expect to come away with some great perspective on the exciting possibilities around veganism that may not have been available in the past, so be sure to listen in to hear what our wonderful guest has to say! Key Points From This Episode:
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| 027 - Sharing Power & Knowledge with Justine Reichman of NextGenChef | 21 Jul 2021 | 00:33:10 | |
With so much information available in the current age, finding trusted and convenient sources that are useful to our needs is more important than ever. This is the philosophy that has inspired Justine Reichman in her quest to supply a growing community with better information and resources for wellness and healthy foods. Justine is the Founder and CEO of NextGenChef and the host of the Essential Ingredients Podcast, where she serves her audience by providing them with amazing conversations to aid their decisions about nutrition and health. We talk about the centrality of volunteering work, and how Justine's roots in helping others led to the beginnings of her current initiatives. Justine is so excited about creating a healthier and better-informed future for the planet and its people, so listen in to get started on this journey with our amazing guest! Key Points From This Episode:
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| 026 - Growing Upcycling with TJ Galiardi of Outcast Foods | 14 Jul 2021 | 00:35:17 | |
It seems ludicrous that farmers and grocers throw so much good food away. Surprisingly, very few people have come up with solutions to this problem. Outcast Foods is the world’s first sustainable nutrition company that is disrupting the status quo of food waste using dehydration. Today's guest is TJ Galiardi, Co-Founder, and CMO of Outcast Foods, and he joins us to talk about the explosive growth of his brand and the upcycling movement. Our conversation covers TJ’s process of working out how to dehydrate a wide range of fruits and vegetables considering that each product needs to be treated differently. We talk about the issue that while upcycling seems like a no-brainer, TJ and his partner found the process of convincing farmers and lawmakers about the benefits of repurposing surplus fruits and vegetables to be a huge challenge. Join us today and listen to TJ’s simple but highly effective solution to the issue of food waste!
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| 151 - Diverse Foods & Families with David Fullner & Daniel Auld of Kekoa Foods | 17 May 2024 | 00:57:19 | |
Have you ever found yourself in a grocery store, staring at rows of bland baby food jars and thinking, “There's got to be a better way?” Today, we sit down with David Fullner and Daniel Auld to discuss how their company, Kekoa Foods, is revolutionizing the baby food space. Kekoa Foods specializes in producing organic baby food and aims to provide nutrient-rich, natural, and organic food options that promote healthy infant development. In our conversation, we unpack how trying to find healthy, palate-expanding baby food for their son prompted starting their company, why variety in a baby’s diet is vital, how the company contributes to and celebrates diversity, and the hard lessons from their entrepreneurial journey. Discover why you don’t need to know everything about business to be an entrepreneur, the ups and downs of the CPG learning curve, why you don’t need to sweat the small stuff, and more. Join us as we explore how Kekoa Foods is nourishing the next generation with David Fullner and Daniel Auld! Key Points From This Episode:
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Rutgers University Food Innovation Center Brands for a Better World Website Brands for a Better World on YouTube | |||
| 025 - Hemp & Agriculture with John Porterfield of Woolen Hemp | 07 Jul 2021 | 00:50:32 | |
Hemp has got uses from the roots to the shoots and this magical plant along with organic farming is slowly helping America move toward a culture of health and sustainability. Today’s guest is John Porterfield, founder of Woolen Hemp, and he joins us to talk about organic agriculture and the many uses of hemp. John has done a lot in his career to help farmers do more with less. His work ranges from practicing sustainable mining for minerals used in agricultural industries to growing hemp on farms in rotation to help companies eliminate weeds and make the transition to organic farming. Tune in today for an upbeat conversation where we sing the praises of hemp and organic!
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| 024 - Making Green Mainstream with Annalea Krebs of Social Nature | 30 Jun 2021 | 00:51:06 | |
Social Nature is a product sampling community platform dedicated to helping people make greener choices, and today we speak to its Founder and CEO, Annalea Krebs. Our guest is on a lifelong mission to ‘make green mainstream’ and we kick off our chat hearing about the different businesses she built as her journey unfolded. She weighs in on how her vision evolved as she built three companies, TheChange, ethicalDeal, and most recently, Social Nature. We also talk about the methods Annalea has used to build communities around her companies over the years, the value of her bootstrapping experience to her current approach, and the exciting new developments to look out for from Social Naturelooking forward. So for an amazing conversation about how Annalea is driving consumers toward more sustainable choices while helping eco-friendly businesses reach new customers!
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| 023 - Cleaning Up the Soap Aisle with Kristine & Daniel Sperling of Makes 3 Organics | 23 Jun 2021 | 00:36:55 | |
Companies are not legally obligated to get certified before they use the word ‘organic’ in their marketing, meaning they can charge more for products that are no less nasty to consumers. Today we speak to Kristine and Daniel Sperling, Co-Founders of Makes 3 Organics, about their certified Organic, EWG verified skincare brand that customers don’t have to pay an arm and a leg to enjoy. We speak about the backstory of the company and how their ‘organic for everyone’ philosophy has driven them to make products that are not only the real deal but are also accessible in different ways. Kristine and Daniel weigh in on how pricing at a loss allowed them to scale fast enough to start turning a profit while keeping the cost of their product low. We also get into the logistics behind running this business, hearing our guests weigh in on why they do their own packaging, challenges to the supply chain posed by the pandemic, and the centrality of agility in entrepreneurship. Tune in for insights into the process of starting a successful business selling healthy products today! Key Points From This Episode:
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