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

NexxtLevel Brands podcast

Put Spice in Your Cooking Sauces: Bushwick Kitchen on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!

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

Death, Divorce, and Chocolate: Cocacao on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!

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

Get Trade Spending Under Control: Promomash on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!

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

Freshly Roasted Coffee by Firefighters - Fire Dept. Coffee on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!

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

Innovate and Pivot - Killer Creamery on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast

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

Kids Should Be Eating Better! - Lori Taylor and The Produce Moms on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!

Tim Angelillo is the Founder and CEO of Sourced Craft Cocktails, a craft cocktail home delivery service. The Austin-based company currently serves customers from 10 US states and enterprise clients like Tinder and Grubhub.  Tim has vast experience in running divisions of publicly traded companies and has worked with companies like Yahoo! and Time Warner. He has also founded different startup businesses in Austin, Texas. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:  How Tim Angelillo came up with the idea for Sourced Craft Cocktails The history of prohibition and the three-tier regulatory system for the alcohol industry in the US How Sourced Craft Cocktails enables the legal distribution of alcohol in a curated cocktail format Tim explains how he started his business, how delivery works, and how the company differentiates itself from other brands How selling tons of alcoholic brands in-store affects your shopping experience How Tim distributes his cocktails in different counties The strategies Tim used to market his products to the right audience How Sourced Craft Cocktails was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic How to find Sourced Craft Cocktails Steve Cleere and Tim's thoughts on meeting customer expectations and investing in your team Tim's advice to fellow entrepreneurs on building great CPG brands In this episode... Regulations in the US sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages have been in existence for a long time. These rules often prohibit some practices in the industry that make it difficult for brands to market and distribute their products. For Tim Angelillo, his secret to growing a thriving business has been focusing on serving customers in a more convenient way. He does this by delivering curated cocktails to his customers across different states and by working with different companies to market his services. So, how can you do this, too? In this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, Steve Cleere is joined by Tim Angelillo, the Founder and CEO of Sourced Craft Cocktails, to talk about Tim’s company and the challenges faced by alcohol brands in the US. They also talk about the history of the three-tier regulatory system in the US, the distribution of alcoholic beverages in retail stores, and the strategies Tim uses to market to his target audience. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing Sourced Craft Cocktails Tim Angelillo on LinkedIn Beefeater Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web!!! We're at Lucky #7 and you can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts – Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25 and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

Your Drinks Are Here! Sourced Craft Cocktails on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!

Jamie Valenti-Jordan is the Founder and CEO of Catapult Commercialization Services, a one-stop shop for food startups. He founded the company in March of 2018 in response to the industry-wide trend of cutting the talent needed to bring new products to life.  Jamie has a passion for confronting unique food challenges that combine scientific tools, engineering and operations realities, and business drivers to find optimal solutions. This quest has taken him through companies large and small to launch Catapult so that he can focus on unlocking the potential of the food industry. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:  Jamie Valenti-Jordan's background and how the idea for Catapult came about Jamie talks about taking entrepreneurs' ideas and turning them into formulas Who is a good client for Catapult Commercialization Services? The hardest part of dealing with an entrepreneur when commercializing a product Why going commercial and getting products into food stores is a capital-intensive venture for new entrepreneurs Why Jamie advises people to work with a contract manufacturer Jamie's onboarding process for Catapult’s new clients, the types of clients he works with, and success stories from the company Where to learn more about Catapult  How COVID-19 has impacted Catapult's business and its clients Jamie's advice to new entrepreneurs In this episode… When starting a food business, most people don’t realize what the commercialization process looks like. Commercialization involves product development, packaging, marketing, branding, and manufacturing. What else does it take? Time and money.  Jamie Valenti-Jordan helps entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry plan and execute their business ideas. He helps food startups validate their products, find contract manufacturers that work for them, and establish an effective supply chain. In this week's episode of the NexxtLevel Podcast, host G. Steven Cleere interviews Jamie Valenti-Jordan, the Founder and CEO of Catapult Commercialization Services, about his process for helping entrepreneurs build businesses in the food and beverage industry. Jamie talks about the work his company does, the types of clients he works with, and why he encourages entrepreneurs to work with contract manufacturers. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing Catapult Commercialization Services Jamie Valenti-Jordan on LinkedIn Jamie's email address: jamie@catapultserv.com  Jamie’s Phone Number: (925) 407-5081  Clorox Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web!!! We're at Lucky #7 and you can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts – Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25 and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

[Encore!] Going Over the Production “Wall” - Catapult on the NexxtLevel Podcast!

Les Hine is the CEO and Executive Vice President of Global Brand Strategy and Planning at Otsuka Nutraceutical Emerging Ventures (ONCE Ventures). He joined ONCE Ventures in 2016, starting out with a focus on corporate strategy and M&A.  Before joining ONCE Ventures, Les was the Chief Strategy Officer of Pharmavite, spent four years as the President and CEO of Mxi Technologies, and two years as CMO and Regional President of Molson Brewery. He was also sharpening his skillset in general management at Procter & Gamble for 21 years. Les is a graduate of Wilfrid Laurier University with a BBA in business. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:  Les Hine talks about his work and some of the brands ONCE Ventures has invested in What are some of the future plans for ONCE Ventures? Current trends in the nutraceuticals industry and how changes in dietary habits have impacted food marketing What CPG entrepreneurs need to know before seeking venture funding Les talks about ONCE Ventures’ regular business operations and their contact details  How awareness around healthy living has been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic Les shares his advice for entrepreneurs on building a great business In this episode... Over the last couple of years, there has been a growing emphasis on healthy living as more people choose to pay attention to what they consume. Innovation in the nutraceuticals industry is at an all-time high, and as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, there is even more need to eat — and feel — better.  With an increased demand for healthy food alternatives, entrepreneurs need to seek capital funding to grow their businesses. This is where venture capital firms like ONCE Ventures come into play. The ONCE Ventures team helps provide the capital and advisory resources that brands need to grow and scale. But, according to the CEO of ONCE Ventures, there are some key things CPG brands need to know before looking for their venture funding.  Les Hine, the CEO and Executive Vice President of Global Brand Strategy and Planning at ONCE Ventures, is Steve Cleere's guest in this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast. They discuss current trends and innovations in the nutraceuticals industry and venture fund investments in CPG brands. They also talk about some of the brands ONCE Ventures has invested in and how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted lifestyle habits. Stay tuned. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing ONCE Ventures Les Hine on LinkedIn Daiya Nature Made Uqora Mid-Day Squares DSM Nutritional Products Chivas Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web!!! We're at Lucky #7 and you can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts – Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25 and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

How a VC Firm Looks at Emerging Brands - ONCE Ventures on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!

Ernie Harker is a Branding Consultant and the Owner of Ernburn, a marketing and advertising agency focused on making brands ignite. He started the creative production studio, 8fish, in 1995 after working as an illustrator, designer, and storyboard artist. During his time as the Founder and Owner, 8fish became well-known among ad agencies and clientele for animation, video production, writing, directing, and branding. Ernie is also the author of Your Brand Sucks: How to ignite a brand that doesn't., a book that gives companies the step-by-step processes for building a remarkable brand. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:  Ernie Harker explains the concept behind branding and the common mistakes companies make with their brands How to create a quality branding strategy How Ernie helped Maverik, an independent fuel marketer, rebrand  Why Ernie wrote his book, Your Brand Sucks: How to ignite a brand that doesn't. The value of brand development and the steps companies should take to unfold their branding The importance of building a unique and authentic brand Ernie’s advice to entrepreneurs on being more productive Where to get Ernie's book and how to get in touch with him In this episode... Most new entrepreneurs think that branding means coming up with a logo and choosing a cute color palette. They see branding as a design exercise or a corporate identity that doesn’t go beyond the screen. Guess what: none of this is actually branding.  According to Ernie Harker, an ignited brand revolves around the personality of a company and should be expressed in its marketing strategies, communication style, choice of language, and product packaging. Brand owners must use the right tools to create an authentic and compelling brand that sets you apart from the crowd and makes you more competitive.  In this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, Ernie Harker, a Branding Consultant and Owner of Ernburn, joins Steve Cleere to talk about his best practices for developing a brand strategy that’s on fire. Ernie also talks about the value of building an authentic brand, factors to consider when creating a branding strategy, and how he’s helped some of his past clients rebrand for the better. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing Ernburn Ernie Harker on LinkedIn Your Brand Sucks: How to ignite a brand that doesn't. by Ernie Harker Maverik The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Stinker Stores Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web!!! We're at Lucky #7 and you can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts – Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25 and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

Best Practices for Creating a Brand Strategy - Ernburn on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!

David Klavsons is the Chief Executive Officer of King Juice Company, the leading manufacturer and marketer of non-alcoholic beverages, including Calypso Lemonades. David has over 30 years of experience transforming and optimizing business performance, growth, and innovation with industry-leading companies.  Prior to King Juice Company, David held executive roles at companies including Glanbia Performance Nutrition, Hess Corporation, and Kraft Foods Group. In addition to helping companies grow, he is skilled in operations, logistics, sales, category management, marketing, and M&A. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:  How David Klavsons transitioned from working at a big CPG company to Calypso Lemonades What strategies made the Calypso brand successful? David shares how he handled the struggles of COVID-19 The sampling tactics that got Calypso Lemonade into the hands of consumers and the shelves of big stores The challenges of scaling a smaller brand — and how to overcome them David’s final piece of advice: persistent iteration In this episode… What are the strategies to scale your business? As a smaller brand, how can you compete with the big companies who dominate the store shelves?  As someone who has worked with both big and small companies, David Klavsons knows what it takes to grow — no matter the size of your business. According to David, the keys to success are innovation and iteration. Even as a smaller business, you can keep up with the big companies by making sure you have a strong team, solid engagement tactics, and the structures needed to pivot when necessary.  In this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, Steve Cleere is joined by the Chief Executive Officer of King Juice Company, David Klavsons. Together, they discuss the best ways to engage with retailers, sample your products, and get recognized by consumers. Plus, David gives advice on how to hire the best team members to grow and scale your business. Stay tuned! Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing David Klavsons on LinkedIn Calypso Lemonades Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web!!! We're at Lucky #7 and you can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts – Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25 and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

Growing Through Iteration - Calypso Lemonades on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!

Katie McCarron is the Founder of Portland Pet Food Company (PPFC), a global manufacturer of human-grade dog meals and treats based in Portland, Oregon. Katie launched PPFC in 2014 after finding success formulating meals at home for her aging poodle, Rosie. Today, using the same recipes she developed for Rosie, PPFC provides dogs across the USA, Canada, and Japan with products that are free of preservatives, additives, or artificial ingredients. With an emphasis on local sourcing and sustainability, the company’s mission is to provide dogs with the same quality food that their humans eat. Before launching PPFC, Katie worked in healthcare administration, education, and business development. Her first business, Academic Network, provided educational programs for international food and pharmaceutical companies. In 2008, she sold the company and focused on engaging with women-owned business and support organizations. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:  Katie McCarron explains what the term “human-grade food” means How Katie's poodle, Rosie, inspired the founding of Portland Pet Food Company (PPFC) and the steps Katie took to start making and selling pet food  How Katie's products were received by conventional retail stores, how she distributed them, and how she expanded to different states  Katie talks about serving health-conscious pet owners and taking the plant-based route How PPFC was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the future of online shopping Katie talks about educating pet owners about her pet food products, her brand’s bakery for dog food, and their new product line  How switching from in-person meetings to Zoom meetings with buyers has affected entrepreneurs The plans Katie has for selling in retail stores, growing exports, and connecting with different types of buyers Katie's advice on buying good pet food In this episode… Would you eat the food meant for your pet? Do you know the ingredients used to produce your pet's food?  In a bid to provide her pet with healthy, human-grade food, Katie McCarron started making dog food at home using the ingredients that were available in her kitchen. She saw a great improvement in her pet's appetite and health, which inspired her to start Portland Pet Food Company after realizing that no similar product existed in the market. In this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, Katie McCarron, the Founder of Portland Pet Food Company, gets interviewed by Steve Cleere about her journey in building a human-grade pet food brand. Katie explains how she entered retail stores, how she has been growing her export market, how she has been educating pet owners about her healthy pet food products, and her future expansion plans. Stay tuned. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing Portland Pet Food Company Portland Pet Food Company on Amazon Portland Pet Food Company on Chewy Katie McCarron on LinkedIn Instacart  Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) Sunrise Fresh USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Purina Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web!!! We're at Lucky #7 and you can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts – Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25 and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

Going to the Dogs - Portland Pet Food Company on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!

Michael Schwarz is the Founder of Treeline Cheese, a pioneer plant-based cheese brand. He left his career as an intellectual property lawyer after learning about the cruelties of animal agriculture and felt compelled to create cruelty-free alternatives to dairy cheese.  Michael began experimenting by fermenting cashews in his home kitchen. When he was confident enough with his recipe, he started knocking on the doors of small independent retailers in New York City’s Hudson Valley, asking them to carry plant-based cheeses. Nine years later, Treeline retains its activist ethos on which it was founded and has grown to sell their products in 3,000 retailers across the country, including Amazon, Target, Whole Foods, Kroger, Wegmans, Ralphs, and many more.  Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:  What prompted Michael Schwarz to start Treeline Cheese and why he chose to use cashew nuts for his product line Michael explains how he started and scaled his business  The strategies Michael used to educate retail buyers and customers about his products How Michael's business has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and his thoughts on future demand for Treeline’s products The evolution of in-person meetings with buyers Michael talks about building his team for Treeline, how he positions his company against competitors, and how he develops new flavors for his products  The importance of innovation in the food industry Steve Cleere and Michael share their thoughts on genetically modified foods, the future of food production in the world, and the growth of the plant-based foods market Michael's advice to fellow entrepreneurs on building a food business Where to learn more and buy Treeline In this episode… Creating a new product in a new category within the food industry can be risky. As an entrepreneur, you don't know for certain how your target market will respond to your creation, for better or for worse. And according to Michael Schwarz, a good idea and good intentions are not enough to build a successful business. To make sure that your brand is innovative in the market and desired by customers, you need to invest in research and development. This will help you assess the market and determine whether there is demand for your idea before you dive in headfirst. Michael says you’ll also need to educate potential retail buyers and customers about the benefits of your products to increase your sales and grow your brand. Ready to get started? In this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, Steve Cleere is joined by Michael Schwarz, the Founder of Treeline Cheese, to talk about the need for entrepreneurs to research their innovative products. They also talk about the growth of the plant-based foods market, the best way to educate buyers and customers about new products, and how Michael develops new flavors for his cheese line. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing Treeline Cheese Expo East Expo West Justin Lambeth on LinkedIn Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web!!! We're at Lucky #7 and you can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts – Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25 and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

Early to Market = Education! Treeline Cheese on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!

Wade Brooks is the CEO of LivBar, a USDA-certified organic superfood and nutritional bar founded in 2012. Wade has 25 years of executive management experience running multiple companies. He founded his first company during his college years, which became the first Apple Computer VAR in the US. He has a BS and MBA from Willamette University as well as executive education and management training from Harvard Business School. Wade was an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurial Practice at Willamette University's Graduate School of Management for eight years and earned the Faculty Member of the Year award in 2016. Among his many accolades, he founded the world's first university angel investment fund and had his entrepreneurship class ranked in the top 10 in the US by Inc. Magazine. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:  Wade Brooks explains his entrance to the food industry and how LivBar was started How LivBar has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and what the brand did to pivot The challenges many CPG brands have been facing due to limited sampling and demoing How Wade's background in academia has helped his entrepreneurial career Steve and Wade talk about the trend with entrepreneurs who transition from the tech industry to the CPG industry The six characteristics of a viable brand that’s worthy of investment The first things Wade did after joining LivBar and what he learned from the experience How Wade's teaching methods have changed since earning an MBA What are the benefits of having an omni-channel strategy? Wade talks about his company's future expansion plans and where to learn more about them Wade's advice to fellow entrepreneurs on winning investors In this episode… According to Wade Brooks, every viable and investable brand has six key characteristics. If a business is feasible, reachable, and valuable, it’s considered a good lifestyle business. This means that the brand understands what its customers want, knows how to connect with them, and can satisfy their needs by offering them value for their money.  On the other hand, if a business is scalable, durable, and sellable, then it is considered worthy of investment. These characteristics mean that the brand has the potential to grow into the future, increase its value and maintain a good position to compete with large brands. In this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, Steve Cleere is joined by Wade Brooks, the CEO of LivBar, to discuss how CPG brands can best compete in a crowded category. They talk about the six characteristics of a viable and investable brand, how companies in the snack bar category were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and how new brands can grow faster by selling on the Amazon marketplace. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing LivBar LivBar on Amazon LivBar on Facebook LivBar on Instagram LivBar on Twitter Wade Brooks on LinkedIn Clif Bar KIND Snacks Purina Effectuation Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web!!! We're at Lucky #7 and you can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts – Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25 and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

Competing in a Crowded Category - LivBar on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!

Junea Rocha is the Co-founder and CMO of Brazi Bites, a better-for-you, Latin-inspired food brand. With a deep love for her Brazilian homeland and an entrepreneurial spirit, Junea and her husband, Co-founder Cameron MacMullin, decided to bring pão de queijo to the US market. After appearing on ABC's Shark Tank and making the Inc. 5000 List of the Fastest-Growing Private Companies in America twice, the entrepreneurial duo grew a cherished household staple that was native to her Brazilian roots into a nationally distributed brand with a cult-like following. Junea has been heavily involved in all areas of the business, leading their sales and marketing and growing Brazi Bites' distribution to over 15,000 stores. She is also a skilled fundraiser with expertise ranging from bootstrapping to loans, angel investments, and more. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:  How Junea Rocha and her co-founders started Brazi Bites  The role sampling has played in the growth of Brazi Bites The first retailers that sold Brazi Bites in Portland and the distribution challenges they faced at the start Junea talks about the changes they have made on their product and branding since launching, the methods they used to raise capital for the brand, and how pitching on ABC's Shark Tank impacted the business When did Junea realize they were building a profitable brand? Where to find Brazi Bites How Junea and Cameron MacMullin, her husband and Co-founder, built their team Junea talks about similarities between the construction industry and the food industry How the COVID-19 pandemic impacted Brazi Bites and the brand's future product lines Junea's advice to fellow entrepreneurs on dealing with adversity In this episode… Access to capital is critical when starting and building a new business, especially for companies as capital intensive as food brands. Many entrepreneurs start their businesses by bootstrapping and later seek external funding once their products get validated in the market. This is what Junea Rocha and her Co-founder, Cameron MacMullin, at Brazi Bites did to build their brand. Something else that had a major impact on their capital was an appearance at ABC's Shark Tank. They not only got the funding they needed to expand operations but also saw an increased demand for their products. They made more sales, expanded the brand — and no longer needed to invest as much in marketing because of the brand’s skyrocketing popularity. In this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, Junea Rocha, the Co-founder of Brazi Bites, joins Steve Cleere to talk about starting her Brazilian roots-inspired food brand. Junea explains how the idea for the brand came about, how she has grown the brand's sales through the years, and her team’s future plans. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing Brazi Bites Brazi Bites on ABC’s Shark Tank Brazi Bites at Whole Foods Brazi Bites' Store Locator Junea Rocha on LinkedIn Cameron MacMullin on LinkedIn Expo West Cool News: The NexxtLevel Brands Podcast has just been named as one of the Top 15 CPG-Themed Podcasts on the web!!! We're at Lucky #7 and you can get more information about Feedspot and how you can watch more of your favorite shows here: Top CPG Podcasts – Thanks to Feedspot, Rise25 and our Production Team! Sponsor for this episode... Our podcast today is sponsored by Kitchen2Shelf, the educational arm of NexxtLevel Brands. Kitchen-2-Shelf provides online and in-person courses and workshops for CPG entrepreneurs at any stage of growth.  Whether you're an early-stage startup, a local growing business, or if you want to just expand your distribution to a national level, Kitchen-2-Shelf can help you learn what you need to know to grow. Visit their website to get access to some free tools that can help you understand where your business stands.  Contact them today to find out how they can help you grow your brand and expand your business to reach its full potential.

The Snack from Ipanema - Brazi Bites on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!

The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ brings thought leaders and vital information and opinion to the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry. Our audience is aimed at up-and-coming entrepreneurs in the CPG industry and people who have an idea for a product or service that fits in that realm. The show’s emphasis is on disrupters and thought-leaders, but also tips from veterans and key suppliers that would help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. NexxtLevel Brands Podcast touches on all aspects, from retail, to production, sales, and marketing. We interview industry leaders, large CPG veterans, disrupters, and other movers & shakers in both the product and services areas surrounding CPG.

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NexxtLevel Brands podcast

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