Shows
Uncommon BrandsHow to build a brand with an unstoppable mission, Ashley Nickelsen, BTR NationToday’s episode is an inspiring conversation with Ashley Nickelsen, founder of BTR Nation. Ashley shares the deeply personal story behind her mission to reimagine "junk food" found in hospital vending machines, driven by her experience as a caretaker for her parents, who both battled rare forms of cancer. She reveals how this personal journey, and her late father's entrepreneurial spirit and mantra "be bold, tenacious, and resilient" (which inspired the brand's name, BTR), fueled her to launch BTR Nation at the end of 2020.Ashley dives into BTR Nation's growth strategy, emphasizing the power of authentic relationships ov...
2025-08-0438 min
Since Sliced BreadB.T.R. Nation aims to make bars betterIn this episode of Since Sliced Bread, Ashley Nickelsen, founder and CEO of B.T.R. Nation, shares her mission to provide bars that support health and quality of life.
2025-05-2835 min
Well with Arielle LorreThe Shocking Truth About Food Labels, Natural Flavors, Dyes and Why Our Food System is Broken with Ashley NickelsenAshley Nickelsen is an entrepreneur and founder of B.T.R Nation, a healthy snack company on a mission to help fix our broken food system. With a background in biochemistry, Ashley has a unique understanding of the science behind many of the ingredients found in our food. She joins the show to discuss the worst ingredients on the market today, what to look for on food labels, what exactly goes into natural flavors and dyes, why hospitals have such bad food, how food distribution works and why a perfect diet isn’t realistic.This episode may co...
2024-12-1646 min
With WhitCreating a Snack Company From Scratch with Ashley Nickelsen, Founder of BTR NationBTR Nation is on a mission to fix our broken food system, one better-for you snack at a time. After losing both her parents to rare forms of cancer and eating hospital vending machine junk for years, Ashley Nickelsen made it her mission to help people Snack Better. She created BTR Nation ("be Bold, Tenacious, and Resilient") as a love letter to her parents and we had the loveliest conversation about doing better for ourselves, our kids, supporting caregivers, grief and the loss of loved ones, and building a successful food business. Ashley is an inspiration to listen to...
2024-10-0447 min
Emerging Brands PodcastAshley Nickelsen, Founder & CEO B.T.R. NATIONAshley Nickelsen, founded B.T.R. Nation to fix our broken food system one snack at a time. Over 5 years ago, Ashley’s parents were diagnosed with rare forms of cancer. She was eating high sugar snacks full of junk out of hospital vending machines while taking care of them. She started creating her own snacks as an alternative. After her parents passed away, she made it her mission to make healthier snacks available. From launching in Costco, collaborating with Blue Bottled Coffee, to revolutionizing vending machines in airports, and beyond. Ashley takes us behind th...
2024-09-2226 min
Dear Citrus DiariesAshley Nickelsen of B.T.R. NationB.T.R. NATION founder Ashley Nickelsen was inspired to create a truly clean snack while serving as the main caretaker for both of her parents as they battled rare forms of cancer. On a mission to create the snacks that were never available to her family, Ashley leveraged her background in food studies and biochemistry to the kitchen, making low-sugar protein bites boosted with plant-based, superfood ingredients. Today, B.T.R NATION remains dedicated to embodying her parent’s mantra of being bold, tenacious, & resilient. With each purchase.IG btr.nation | btrnation.com
2024-08-2045 min
Brands for a Better World (formerly Evolve CPG)163 - Better Snack Options with Ashley Nickelson of B.T.R. NationVending machines might be convenient, but they are not exactly known for their nutritious, high-quality snacks, and it’s high time they got an upgrade! Today's guest is Ashley Nickelsen Founder, CEO, and Chief Snack Officer at B.T.R. Nation, a company on a mission to fix our broken food system, one snack at a time. Join us, as we dig into the problem with junk food in America, the reasons behind Ashley’s decision to build a healthier snack company, and what keeps her going in the face of each new entrepreneurial challenge. Learn about the rules that...
2024-08-131h 15
The Kara Goldin Show547 Ashley Nickelsen: Founder & CEO of B.T.R. NationOn this episode of The Kara Goldin Show, we dive into an insightful conversation with Ashley Nickelsen, the Founder and CEO of B.T.R. Nation. Not your ordinary snack company, B.T. R. Nation is dedicated to using food and nutrition as preventative medicine with a mission that extends far beyond providing snacks. Through our discussion, Ashley shared the inspiring story behind B.T.R. Nation and her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on health and wellness. We explored Ashley's personal journey and her parents' mantra of being bold, tenacious, and resilient – hence the ethos of B...
2024-06-1034 min
Good People, Cool Things199: Listen to This While Grabbing a SnackAshley Nickelsen experienced a dearth of healthy options while spending frequent time in the hospital with both her parents. She set out to do something about it, creating B.T.R. Nation to deliver good-for-you and good-tasting snacks.We’re chatting about a failed flavor, the marketing channels B.T.R. Nation has found most successful, and the best artists to throw on during a run.
2024-05-0135 min
Good People, Cool Things199: Listen to This While Grabbing a SnackAshley Nickelsen experienced a dearth of healthy options while spending frequent time in the hospital with both her parents. She set out to do something about it, creating B.T.R. Nation to deliver good-for-you and good-tasting snacks.We’re chatting about a failed flavor, the marketing channels B.T.R. Nation has found most successful, and the best artists to throw on during a run.
2024-05-0135 min
Food Biz Wiz235. B.T.R. Nation's Path to Tripling their Number of Retail Doors in 2 MonthsDownload the Food Biz Wiz Listener Guide and make the most out of our 250 episode library! Get our curated playlists of top episodes on sales pitches, wholesale buyers, founder mindset, marketing, and more. Fast track your learning by downloading our free Listener Guide HERE.
Busy caregivers, busy founders, busy people have at least ONE thing in common. They all deserve healthy AND delicious snacks to fuel them! This is part of what propels B.T.R. NATION. In this episode of the Food Biz Wiz Podcast, I’m sitting down with Ashley Nickelsen, the Founder, CEO, and Ch...
2024-03-0754 min
The Balanced Blonde // Soul On Fire359. Spirituality, Business, & Changing the Food Industry with Founder of BTR Nation Ashley NickelsenThis convo is equal parts spiritual and business. Food industry founder & game changer. Badass mama and meditator galore. The FOUNDER of B.T.R. Nation is on the show today, and it is magic!B.T.R. NATION is not just another better for you brand making marginal changes for our food industry, They're doing it all! 1% of sales is donated to organizations committed to cancer research, holistic healing, and advocacy. B.T.R. stands for be bold, tenacious & resilient, the founder's family mantra.Exclusively for Balanced Blonde listeners, use code BALANCED for 20% off sitewide +...
2024-03-0153 min
Brand Alchemist PodcastThe Alchemy of B.T.R. NationAshley Nickelson is the Founder and CEO of B.T.R. Nation, which produces on-the-go, better-for-you snacks that reimagine typical vending machine food. B.T.R. Nation has tens of thousands of customers nationwide and is distributed in over 600 stores. After her parents were diagnosed with cancer, Ashley became their primary caretaker and spent years eating out of hospital vending machines and cafeterias. With a background in biochemistry and food studies, she began making protein-packed plant-based snacks. In this episode… With many consumers becoming more health-conscious, the market is saturated with natural, better-for-you food options. How...
2024-02-2946 min
Brand Start Goes Healthy - Brand Development for Better-for-You Food and Beverage CPG PodcastHow to Scale your Retail Door Count by 300% with Ashley Nickelsen of BTR NationBTR Nation started as a DTC better-for-you protein bar brand. When scaling, they expanded into retail and grew their door count and distribution channels by 300% at a rapid phase.
Leonard talked to Ashley Nickelsen, its founder & CEO, who shared her journey from getting the product idea when both her parents were diagnosed with a rare form of cancer to scaling it to a $1,000,000+ brand.
Listen to this conversation to learn:
1) How do you differentiate your product in a saturated category?
2) What's the key to succeeding in DTC and Amazon?
3) How do you scale y...
2024-01-2358 min
Food & Beverage Talk by Morgan & WestfieldHow a Start-up Company Is Leading a Snack Food RevolutionAshley Nickelsen is on a mission to reimagine snacks in vending machines. This is a nutrition-packed conversation about what goes into starting a new functional snack company on a mission to disrupt the snack food industry. Ashley shares her story and the inspiration behind starting BTR NATION, the challenges in being a sole founder, finding a co-manufacturer to work with a new company, scaling up, working with social media influencers, omnichannel marketing, and sourcing ingredients for their superfood bars. View the complete show notes for this episode. Learn More: Yowie Group Acquires Ernest Hillier, A...
2023-10-161h 04
The Art of Being WellAshley Nickelsen: Debunking "Healthy" Snack Labels, Best Sweeteners Ranked + Total Carbs VS Net CarbsIn this episode, Dr. Will Cole is joined by founder of B.T.R. Nation, Ashley Nickelsen. After experiencing health problems from years of eating junk food, she set off to create a superfood snack that was truly healthy - and not just according to popular marketing terms. From how to decipher food labels, the best and worst sweeteners for your health, and the dangers of food additives like gums and "natural" flavors, this episode will transform how you view your favorite foods and the brands that make them. Plus, they reveal the real difference between total carbs vs...
2023-10-161h 10
RealfoodologyNatural Flavors | Ashley Nickelsen of B.T.R. Nation163: Ever wondered about the term 'natural flavors' on your food labels? We've got Ashley Nickelsen, founder of B.T.R. Nation Bars and Chocolates, joining us to pull back the curtain on this industry mystery. Ashley gives us the real deal about food's natural flavors, telling us why companies opt for them, and if any are truly safe. She even lifts the lid on how the terms 'natural' and 'clean' are used and abused in the food industry. What's more, Ashley has some sweet news for you - an exclusive discount code for her products! Click here...
2023-09-1355 min
Just the Good StuffAshley Nickelsen - Founder, CEO & Chief Snack Officer of B.T.R. NATION.#85: In this episode of Just The Good Stuff we are joined by Ashley Nickelsen, Founder, CEO & Chief Snack Officer of B.T.R. NATION.
B.T.R. NATION is on a mission to help fix our broken food system. When Ashley's parents were both diagnosed with rare forms of cancer, she became their primary caretaker. Between chemo appointments and radiation, Ashley and her family were always on the move eating junk out of hospital vending machines and cafeterias. With a background in biochemistry and food studies, she took to the kitchen to create an on-the-go snack that w...
2023-07-0655 min
How She Went GlobalRaising the Bar for Snacks Worldwide (with Ashley Nickelsen of B.T.R. Nation)Ashley Nickelsen, CEO and Chief Snack Officer, B.T.R. Nation, a maker of good-for-you snacks with a mission to take the junk out of junk food, tells us what B.T.R. stands for, what makes her product distinctive, where she sources her ingredients, and how she sells her products.
2023-03-1435 min
It's A Girl's Life18. How Ashley - Founder of BTR Bars - Lives A Life With GritGirls, welcome back girls to the show🎙
Today Charlotte chatted with Ashley Nickelsen, the founder of Bold Tenacious Resilient (B.T.R) bars.
We cover:
Overcoming perfectionism
The importance of practicing self-compassion
Identifying what fulfills YOU
Honorable Mentions:
👩🏫 Download our G.R.I.T method to start living a life with G.R.I.T today! Scroll down to the bottom of this page.
We have merch! Through our partnership with Little Words Project, you can buy a wearable reminder to Keep It Real now!
Shop these treats on u...
2022-07-1548 min
You Do WooBeing Bold, Tenacious and Resilient with BTR Bar Founder Ashley NickelsenY'all are gonna fall in LOVE with Ashley. She is such a special human being. And she's becoming a momma soon!!! Give Ashley a follow on Instagram and grab some of the amazing BTR Bars at 15% off by clicking here.I hope you loved this episode!! I have a quick favor to ask you! If you found this episode valuable, will you snap a screen shot of it, share & tag me on Instagram?? It makes my heart happy when I get to re-post your stories :) instagram.com/youdowooClick here for the Intro to Human D...
2022-05-0947 min
The RerouteLive with B.T.R. NationWhat does it mean to be bold, tenacious and resilient? How can we be sure to live our life on purpose each and every day? And what does snacking have to do with that? Well it all comes together on today’s episode. I’m joined by Ashley Nickelsen, owner of B.T.R. Nation-a snack food company on a mission to change the snacking game. Listen in as she shares what inspired her to start the company, how cancer has touched her life, and some insights into the snacking industry in the U.S. (and why it desperately need...
2022-04-0648 min
Life Well-LivedHow to Be Bold, Tenacious and Resilient with Ashley Nickelsen#26: In this episode, I interviewed Ashley Nickelsen, founder and Chief Snack Officer of B.T.R. Nation — a plant-based, keto-friendly protein bar company with a purpose.
While I love the all natural, clean ingredients in Ashley’s bars, what I love the most is the story behind her company. Growing up, her parents always told her, “Be bold, be tenacious, and be resilient.” This was never more apparent in her life when both her parents were diagnosed with two very rare forms of cancer within months of each other.
Quickly becoming the primary caregiver for her pare...
2022-03-1648 min
Life Snacks33. Turning Pain Into Purpose. Feat. Ashley NickelsenLauren chats with Ashley Nickelsen the founder of B.T.R. Nation. Ashley shares her very personal journey of losing both of her parents to cancer in her 20s. In the time Ashley's parents battled cancer, she spent endless hours in hospitals and was appalled by the sugar-laden snacks served in hospital cafeterias and vending machines. Ashley decided she would take to the kitchen to create something better and delicious to feed her parents and that is how B.T.R Nation was born. B.T.R. Nation has created the 1st Protein Bar With a Purpose. It is...
2022-01-041h 00
Curiosity Weekly#NoMakeup Fail, Photosynthetic Frogs, Why Atoms Don’t CollapseLearn why the #NoMakeup movement actually drove more makeup sales; photosynthetic frogs; and why atoms don’t collapse.
The #nomakeup movement is linked to a rise in makeup sales -- here's why by Steffie Drucker
“Natural beauty” isn’t effortless (or free). (2021). Chicago Booth Review. https://review.chicagobooth.edu/marketing/2021/article/natural-beauty-isn-t-effortless-or-free
Smith, R. K., Yazdani, E., Wang, P., Soleymani, S., & Ton, L. A. N. (2021). The cost of looking natural: Why the no-makeup movement may fail to discourage cosmetic use. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-021-00801-2
Jewel, A. (2020, November 10). Alicia Keys Is GLAMOUR UK...
2021-12-0314 min
Startup To Scale8. Be Bold, Tenacious and Resilient with Ashely Nickelsen - B.T.R BarAshley created B.T.R. Bar, a functional protein bar while taking care of her parents battling cancer. Now she helps other's live a healthy lifestyle through her low sugar bars and mantra of "Be Bold, Tenacious and Resilient". Join me for a fun conversation about how she's been able to build an amazing and loyal community around her brand.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming...
2021-10-0219 min
Snack Impact15. B.T.R. Bars with AshleyThe founder of B.T.R Bar, Ashley Nickelsen, brings us a protein bar packed with super-foods and adaptogens that are BOLD, TENACIOUS & RESILIENT. This bar was born to help you snack with a purpose and to live your best life!They've made it a priority to create a platform for women to support, connect with, and inspire and that's where the #BTRtogether Scholarship comes in. B.T.R. Bar donates a portion of profits to organizations that empower young women, such as Girls Who Code, to discover their dreams and learn valuable e...
2021-09-1744 min
The Clean Body PodcastImproving Your Self-Image, Relationship With Food + MoreToday on The Clean Body Podcast, host Lauren Kelly talks to Ashley Nickelsen, the founder of B.T.R. Bar, about overcoming body shame, improving self-image, understanding ingredients on food labels, and learning to build a relationship of joy with food.Use the code CLEANBODY to get 10% off your order, plus free shipping at www.eatbtrbar.com. In the episode, you'll learn about:Childhood bully's impacts on self imageLearning to love your body rather than shame your bodyOrthorexia: When healthy eating becomes a disorderThe truth about natural flavorsHealthy vs. unhealthy ingredients often...
2021-07-281h 29
Becoming Simply WellFinding your purpose + the creation of BTR barsIn this episode, I interviewed Ashley Nickelsen founder and Chief Snack Officer of B.T.R Bar. We touch on: • The creation of B.T.R. Bars and the purpose behind the brand. • What it's like to be a female founder and entrepreneur, especially in the health food space. • The importance of living your values and holding true to your authenticity. • How the B.T.R. Bar flavors came about. • The behind the scenes in starting and running a business in the health food space. • Why adaptogens are...
2021-06-151h 02
Lit With LoAshley Nickelsen, Founder & CEO of B.T.R. Bar (@btr.bar): Empowering the World to be Bold, Tenacious, and Resilient Through Functional SnackingAshley Nickelsen, a serial snacker since birth, is the Founder & Chief Snack Officer of B.T.R. Bar. Ashley started the company in honor of her parents, determined to pass on their legacy and inspire the world to be BOLD, TENACIOUS & RESILIENT. Five years ago, both of Ashley's parents were diagnosed with rare forms of cancer. As their caretaker, working full-time, Ashley was constantly on-the-go, inhaling so-called "better-for-you" bars and bites high in sugar with ingredients she couldn't pronounce. With a background in nutrition & food studies, Ashley craved a snack with a "BTR" ingredient profile that also served a...
2021-05-091h 05
Dying of LaughterLosing Your Parents & Starting a Company with Founder of B.T.R. Bar, Ashley NickelsenToday Ashley opens up about losing both of her parents to cancer. Her mom died of Leiomyosarcoma and her dad died of Appendiceal cancer both within the past 6 years when Ashley was in her late 20s. We also discuss her dog's cancer treatments & she shares what it has been like to start your own company during a pandemic. Ashley Marie, a serial snacker since birth, is the Founder & Chief Snack Officer of B.T.R. Bar. Ashley started the company in honor of her parents, determined to pass on their legacy and inspire the world to be B...
2021-03-0957 min
Master ItMaster Your Superfood Snack Choice with Ashley Nickelsen, Founder & Chief Snack Officer of B.T.R. BarTypical protein bars are chalked full of sugar, preservatives and a laundry list of ingredients that you can’t pronounce. As a health coach, I’m always encouraging my clients to flip the bar over and read the ingredients list and if there’s a ton of ingredients that they can’t say, then it’s best to put the bar back.
My new friend Ashley Nickelsen, has been a serial snacker since birth and is the Founder & Chief Snack Officer of B.T.R. Bar. She has come to revolutionize the protein bar market with her bars that...
2021-02-2352 min
Mimosa SisterhoodAshley Nickelsen: Empowering You to be Bold, Tenacious, & ResilientAshley Marie, Founder and Chief Snack Officer of B.T.R Bar joins Melissa on the mic for our Everyday Woman series. Ashley partnered with registered dieticians, a personal chef, and a food scientist to create a protein bar with the highest quality, cleanest, best ingredients on the planet AKA the first protein with a purpose! B.T.R is an abbreviation for her parents’ mantra, “Be BOLD, TENACIOUS & RESILIENT” and the company is a tribute to her parents who passed away from rare forms of cancer.SHOW NOTES:In this episod...
2021-01-281h 15
The Founder37. Ashley Nickelsen | B.T.R. Bar (superfood protein bars)Ashley Nickelsen is the Founder & CEO of B.T.R. Bar.Ashley got her start at NYU with a background in biochemistry and public health nutrition. About 5 years ago, both of her parents were diagnosed with rare forms of cancer. As their primary caretaker while juggling a full-time job, she found herself eating dinners out of vending machines and hospital cafeterias more and more often. For someone who dedicated her life to nutrition and food science, she knew that she was letting her own health suffer and began to notice the effects in a big way. She wanted...
2021-01-051h 12
Where R.A. Now?Season 2; Episode 29. Ashley Nickelsen '08 - '10 (Third North) with cohost Valerie Tu (Lafayette)Ashley Nickelsen is a tried & true former Res Lifer graduating NYU in 2010 after serving as a Resident Assistant in Third Avenue North for two years. She went on to pursue her Master's degree in Higher Education at Rutgers University where she was a Graduate Residence Hall Director of an all first-year hall. After two years in NJ, Ashley moved to the University of Delaware to oversee an all upperclass apartment complex and then back to her home: New York University as the Residence Hall Director of Founders Hall, followed by The Residential College at Goddard and Broome. Ashley...
2020-02-2334 min
The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show With Jimmy Moore1494: Ashley Nickelsen From Further Food Encourages Keto Dieters To Consume CollagenCollagen expert Ashley Nickelsen is the Director of Sales & Marketing at Further Food, a women-owned & operated whole food supplement company that creates expert-approved supplements made from real food ingredients. Listen in today as Jimmy talks with Ashley about: Her personal health journey, Further Food and how they got started,The importance of Collagen, and more!
2019-04-2333 min
2019-01-1638 min