Shows
NexxtLevel Brands PodcastEncore :The Value of Branding - Cloud Water Brands on The NexxtLevel Podcast!Encore from July 2020: Marc Siden is the CEO of Cloud Water Brands. He is also a former Co-Founder and CEO of Onboard Informatics, a self-funded real estate technology company that pioneered the dissemination of online real estate data to businesses like Zillow, Trulia, and Chase Bank, among others. He was also an Advisory Board Member for NabeWise Media and Scout Ventures.
Marc Siden is a Founding Board Member of The TORCH, a nonprofit organization that works with underserved New York City high school students by exposing them to career path training via internships and mentorships while promoting di...
2024-09-0547 minNexxtLevel Brands Podcast[Encore!] Going Over the Production “Wall” - Catapult on the NexxtLevel 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...
2024-07-2539 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastCatching Up With Alex Bayer: Round 2 on the NexxtLevel Brands PodcastEncore Presentation: In this episode, we’re welcoming back Alex Bayer, Co-Founder and CEO of Genius Juice for an update. Genius Juice was featured on Shark Tank, they received Bevnet Smoothie of the Year, and Alex is now the host of two podcasts –15 Minutes of Genius and Friday Vibes, and he’s here to tell us about the latest news and progress around Genius Juice.
Genius Juice is the world's first all-organic plant-based smoothie made from the whole coconut. It blends only two ingredients: organic coconut water and organic meat to make a creamy, delicious and clean smooth...
2024-03-2842 min
NexxtLevel Brands PodcastEncore: Why Access to Capital is Critical - Round 2 with Michael MovitzEncore: Today I’m welcoming back Michael Movitz, of the Movitz group, and co- founding partner of Brandjectory, a one-of-a-kind relationship-building platform for early-stage CPG founders and investors to help discover each other. We last spoke in October of 2020, so we have plenty to hear about Brandjectory and its journey since then.
Michael's career includes 16 years with SPINS at various senior-level positions in the Natural, Organic, and Speciality Products Industry, and in the Natural Products Division of the J.M. Smucker Company. He is the Founder and Managing Partner of The Movitz Group, an advisory group of ind...
2024-02-2933 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastEncore Presentation: A Healthy Snack with Total Appeal - RIND Snacks on the NexxtLevel Brands PodcastMatt Weiss is the Founder and CEO of RIND Snacks, a better-for-you snack company focused on whole fruit nutrition. After a nearly two-decade career in finance, Matt launched RIND Snacks in 2017 and returned to his family's health food roots. His passion for whole foods snacking was inspired by lessons he learned from his great-grandmother, Helen Seitner, a health food pioneer who operated a well-known natural food store in Michigan in the 1920s.
RIND Snacks’ dried fruit snacks maximize nutrition while minimizing waste by focusing on the power of the peel. Today, Matt’s company sits right at the...
2024-01-1848 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastRound 2: Catching Up with Will Nitze of IQBAR, 0n The NexxtLevel Podcast - EncoreIn this Encore episode we are following up with one of our previous guests, Will Nitze, Founder and CEO of IQBar. We last spoke to Will before the pandemic, so our discussion will cover the last few years and what’s been happening at IQBar, the pandemic and how it affected the company, and future ideas for new product categories.
IQBar’s mission is to empower doers with superior brain and body nutrition. IQBAR makes plant protein bars and IQMIX hydration sticks packed with functional compounds. Every IQBAR product is brain and body nutrition, 100% plant-based, with vegan, nutri...
2024-01-0443 min
NexxtLevel Brands PodcastEncore: Irrational Persistence - Learn from the Skinny ButcherIn this Encore Podcast episode, I speak with Dave Zilko, Co-Founder of Skinny Butcher. You’ll hear the amazing origin story of the “plant poultry” brand that was founded after Dave and his partner Jack built and sold Garden Fresh salsa to Campbell Soups for $231M.
Dave shares his passion for Skinny Butcher’s sustainability focus, hopes for a global flexitarian society, the fun marketing and branding strategy that has led to unusual promotions like the Stranger Things/Netflix promotion at Walmart, and inspiring stories that also appear in his book, “Irrational Persistence.” Skinny Butcher’s major successes partn...
2023-12-2139 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastEncore: Getting a slice of a Staid Category, Willamette Valley Pie Company - On the NexxtLevel Brands PodcastEncore Presentation: My guest today is Austin Kelly, CEO at Willamette Valley Pie Company in Oregon. I speak with Austin about how Willamette is growing their business– carefully self-financing, planning their expansion slowly and naturally. Their products occupy a premium, artisanal spot in the frozen pie category, and continue to be hand-crafted from berries grown and frozen in their family-owned, vertically integrated manufacturing plant and farmland in Salem, OR since 1999.
Austin’s own background started at the age of 15 working in a cherry orchard, and later at Dave’s Killer Bread, so as he puts it, “Berries plus baki...
2023-12-0739 min
NexxtLevel Brands PodcastAuthenticity in Product and Brand - David Cisneros on the NexxtLevel Brands PodcastToday we’re speaking with David Cisneros, co-founder of WES and Origo Brands, and taking an enlightening journey through the world of Hispanic food brands. David shares his transition from attorney to successful food brand entrepreneur. You’ll hear about David’s travels to Latin America and how he is shaking up the US market with new and authentic flavors. In the discussion, David imparts valuable insights on how his legal training has helped him navigate the financial side of his business, how he’s telling a compelling story through disruptive marketing and discusses creating a low GI sweetener. Get insig...
2023-11-1642 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastEncore: URösti Stuft Spuds and Stephen Caldwell Round 2 on the NexxtLevel Brands PodcastIn this Encore episode we are following up with one of our previous guests, Stephen Caldwell. Stephen fell in love with Swiss Röstis in his travels and brought this delicious Bern tradition back home. He and his wife Lory have been perfecting the recipe and serving them to family and friends ever since.
Rosti Stuft Spuds have been on a white-hot trajectory since the company started in 2019. For 2023, Stephen has forecast that they will utilize 3.5 million pounds of potatoes. From buying out his partner and rebranding, to over 50 wildly successful appearances on QVC, and URosti’s place...
2023-11-0935 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastEncore Presentation: A better way to satisfy those nighttime cravings! Nightfood on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Encore Presentation: Did you know that humans are hard-wired to crave calorie-dense foods at bedtime? This traces all the way back to prehistoric times. Currently, over 80% of Americans snack regularly at night, and every week, over 700 million nighttime snacks are consumed resulting in a weekly spend of over $1B. The most popular nighttime snack choices are known to be unhealthy and also disruptive to sleep quality: cookies, chips, and ice cream top the list.
Today’s guest is Sean Folkson, Founder and CEO of Nightfood. When Sean went online looking for healthier late-night snacks, he was disappointed to f...
2023-10-1248 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastReplace Your Coffee? Teeccino on the NexxtLevel Podcast!Caroline MacDougall is the Founder and CEO of Teeccino Caffe, a unique line of herbal roasted coffees and teas with several wellness benefits. She is also a natural products industry pioneer with over 40 years of entrepreneurial experience in developing herbal teas for top companies such as Yogi, The Republic of Tea, and Organic India. Caroline began her career with Celestial Seasonings, sourcing herbs from around the globe as the Vice President of Purchasing. Her work has helped to make Teeccino herbal coffees the number one brand of coffee alternatives in the United States. Teeccino's mission includes supporting r...
2023-08-3145 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastEncore - From No Guilt Pizza? It's True! - Cali'flour Foods on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Encore Presentation from early 2020 - Amy Lacey is the Owner and Founder of Cali’flour. Amy set out to re-imagine her favorite foods and created a no-mess no-stress, cauliflower pizza crust to satisfy her cravings without sacrificing her health.
No longer able to enjoy pizza night with her family, Amy set out to re-imagine her favorite foods and created a no-mess no-stress, cauliflower pizza crust to satisfy her cravings without sacrificing her health. Since then, Amy has been featured in major publications like Eat This Not That, Delish, Popsugar, and Entrepreneur Magazine. She's kicked off the new ye...
2023-08-1448 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastEncore Presentation: Being Better Salt: True Salt on the NexxtLevel Brands PodcastEncore Presentation - Kelly Egan is the Co-founder of True Salt, an all-natural, unprocessed sea salt serving hospitality and grocery accounts nationwide. He is a marketing and venture development veteran with experience in Fortune 100 companies as well as high-growth startups.
Brian Pierce is the Co-founder of True Salt. He has decades of expertise in hospitality, owning his own restaurants, and operating elite hospitality groups like Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
Kelly and Brian met through mutual business interests and started discussing how they were passionate about culinary experiences. They realized an opportunity to create better in...
2023-07-2039 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastEncore Presentation: Get Your Brand PR Started!! Gloria Chou on the NexxtLevel Brands PodcastEncore Presentation
‘Get Your Brand PR Started!! – Gloria Chou on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!
Steve’s guest this week is Gloria Chou, Consumer Products PR expert, mentor and pitch expert. Gloria talks today about how important Public Relations is; how it is different than advertising and also, how Founders and small team members can actually do their own PR.
Steve starts off by making the claim that this show has ‘thousands of dollars’ worth of learning in it, mainly because getting Brand awareness – and then product trial – are the two essential elemen...
2023-07-0636 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastEncore Presentation: Take Healthy Snacking to the Next Level, Recipe 33 on the NexxtLevel Podcast.Encore Presentation: Daniel Smith enjoyed healthy snacks while studying at school. He loved flavored almonds - but what a mess! I’m sure you are familiar with that salty, greasy hand scenario when you finish off a package of Blue Diamond nuts, for instance. That’s how his idea for infused almonds came about. As founder and CEO of Recipe 33, Daniel set out to innovate a largely stagnant category.
Through a unique, slow, craft process, Recipe 33 infuses nuts with flavors like black truffle, smoky serrano, cinnamon vanilla, and lemon rosemary. The infused almonds are not just a great...
2023-06-2242 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastEncore Presentation: Hard to Be Humble... Humblemaker Coffee on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Encore Presentation - My guest today is Chris Smith, Co-Founder of Humblemaker Coffee. Its mission is not just to create craft premium coffee, but to shape an incredible future for children living with autism through opportunities to experience surfing, music, and the great outdoors. Humblemaker is on a journey to create coffee products and beverages for wellness-minded people who share a passion for the active outdoor lifestyle. Their functional beverages are zero sugar and contain natural ingredients and organic coffee. Humblemaker has an innovative approach to functional coffee and unique brick & mortar shop experiences.
Join us as we...
2023-06-0839 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastEncore Presentation: Baking in Success - ChipMonk Baking on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Encore Presentation. Is there a food or product that you wish you could find in the grocery store or your local health food market? Why not try creating it yourself?
Juan and David, the co-founders of ChipMonk Baking, did just that. ChipMonk is a specialty baking business that focuses on creating low-carb, no added sugar desserts. Their mission, which originated from Juan’s experiences reversing and controlling his Type II diabetes with a low-carb diet, is to empower people through mindful nutrition. Using gluten-free ingredients, nut-based flours, and sweeteners with low glycemic impact, ChipMonk products are perfect for...
2023-05-2544 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastEncore: The Best Product Name Ever: Cool Beans on the NexxtLevel Brands PodcastEncore from April 2022 -The biggest trends we’re seeing in the natural products industry (as evidenced at the recent ExpoWest 2022 in Anaheim this past March) are plant-based, regenerative, and upcycling/reducing food waste. Cool Beans’ whole food, plant-based, minimally processed frozen wraps are right on target.
In this episode, I’m speaking with Tyler Mayoras, founder, and CEO of Cool Beans. Tyler has over 20 years of private equity investing experience and is currently the Co-Manager of the $155 million Advantage Capital Food & Ag Fund. He invests in and helps scale growing food and agriculture companies. Tyler is involved with portf...
2023-04-1338 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastEncore: Revolutionizing the Bread Industry! Outer Aisle on the NexxtLevel PodcastEncore Presentation from August 2020: Jeanne David is the Founder and CEO of Outer Aisle, a brand that has been going beyond the grain to help more people kiss processed carbs goodbye with gluten-free, grain-free, nutritionally dense, and delicious cauliflower sandwich thins and pizza crusts.
With estimates now showing that 75% of Americans will be diabetic or pre-diabetic within the next five years, Jeanne is on a mission to show people that they can enjoy their all-time favorite foods while reaping the benefits of anti-inflammatory and low glycemic cauliflower.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll lear...
2023-03-0243 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastEncore: The Frozen Little Pie with the Big Homemade Taste! - Mamie's Pies on the NexxtLevel Brands PodcastEncore originally aired, in May 2020.
Kara Romanik is the Founder of Mamie's Pies. Mamie's is Kara's passion which has now turned into a large-scale operation. She graduated from Bentley University with a degree in Economics and Finance which has helped her in the food business.
Kara has appeared on QVC 46 times and their cherry on top flavor was named as one of Oprah's favorites. It is with the combined efforts of Kara's family and her Mamie's family that this dream has now become a reality. Her ultimate vision is to bring the homemade taste of N...
2023-02-1641 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastGet a Buzz With Your Belt! BOMANI on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Best of NexxtLevel Brands Podcast: Aired December 2021: Sam Madani is the Co-founder and CEO of BOMANI Cold Buzz, an alcohol-infused cold brew coffee brand. He was born and raised in California to Iranian immigrants, and a great deal of his personal motivation comes from witnessing the challenges his parents had to successfully overcome.
After graduating from the University of Southern California, Sam moved to New York to work in investment banking. With long hours leading to happy hours with colleagues and friends, Sam began to research the idea of marrying cold brew and sugarcane alcohol, two of the...
2023-01-1935 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastDoing a Dry January? - HOP WTR on the NexxtLevel Brands PodcastJordan Bass is the Co-founder and CEO of HOP WTR, a non-alcoholic and healthy alternative to beer. Jordan spent several years at The Wonderful Company, where he ultimately became the Head of eCommerce. While there, he rapidly scaled the business to make it one of the leaders in the CPG industry. He has also held roles in corporate strategy and worked in venture capital. Jordan lives in Los Angeles with his wife, daughter, and dog, Hamilton, who has more Instagram followers than he does.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
How Jordan Bass c...
2023-01-0540 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastThe Secret of the Starter - Alex's Awesome Sourdough on the NexxtLevel Podcast!Alexander Corsini is the Founder and CEO of Alex's Awesome Sourdough. After discovering sourdough's unique health benefits following an autoimmune diagnosis in 2016, he set out to build a brand celebrating all things sourdough fermentation. In 2017, he launched the natural foods brand with a focus on the nourishing qualities of sourdough, bringing thoughtfully sourced organic food back to the family table. As a result, Alexander and his team were the first USDA Organic and Non-GMO Verified pizza on the market!
Before starting Alex's Awesome Sourdough, Alexander was the Enterprise Account Executive at Whil Concepts and Strategic Account Manager a...
2022-12-1547 min
NexxtLevel Brands PodcastRound 2: Catching up with Hector Saldívar of Tia Lupita FoodsToday I’m welcoming back Hector Saldivar, founder of Tia Lupita Foods. I last spoke to Hector in November of 2020, and I’m excited to find out how he and his company have progressed since then.
Tia Lupita Foods are inspired by Mexican recipes from Hector Saldivar's Mom and her family kitchen. Their flavorful sauces and snacks use healthy, sustainable ingredients, and Tia Lupita was the first company to introduce nopales (the highly sustainable Mexican prickly pear cactus) to the U.S. market. The four product lines currently produced by Tia Lupita are hot sauce, tortillas, tortilla chips...
2022-12-0142 min
NexxtLevel Brands PodcastRound 2 Catching up with Kellie Lee of ROWDY 1Today I’m welcoming back Kellie Lee, Creator and CEO at Rowdy Prebiotic Foods Company, for an update on her entrepreneurial journey.
Kellie developed Rowdy bars when she was creating convenient, real foods to take on hikes with her husband. What makes Rowdy products special is YaconRoot - the unique prebiotic, naturally sweet ingredient that has become the foundation of all Rowdy offerings. Rowdy is committed to empowering people to better digestive health so they can restore balance and get back to being themselves, so they can “get back to being Rowdy.”
In this episode you’ll he...
2022-11-1728 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastEcommerce Flexible Funding Wayflyer on the NexxtLevel PodcastAre you an eCommerce business in need of extra cash for inventory or marketing?
My guest today is Jay Puentes, Sales & Business Development Leader at Wayflyer. Wayfler provides flexible funding and actionable insights to the world's fastest-growing eCommerce businesses. They help businesses worldwide reach their growth potential by providing financing & analytics solutions to improve cash flow, drive sales & optimize supply chains.
Jay joined Wayflyer in 2021 from fintech start-ups ChargeAfter, headquartered in NYC, and GreenSky, headquartered in Atlanta, where he primarily focused on the eCommerce space.
In this episode, you’ll hear about how Wa...
2022-10-2733 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastShaking Up the Ice Tea Category - Shaka Tea on the NexxtLevel Podcast!Encore Presentation August 2020.
Isabella "Bella" Hughes is the President and Co-Founder of Shaka Tea, with a career spanning the arts, culture, agriculture, and entrepreneurship. Shaka Tea is an award-winning movement brand sharing herbal teas brewed with māmaki, an ancient super leaf found only in the Hawaiian Islands that supports sustainable agriculture. The brand is now available across the US and Japan, and recently won Best Beverage 2020 and the Gold Superior Award by American Masters of Taste Chefs in America.
Bella is a member of the 2018 Pacific Business News 40 Under 40 and a winner of the Jud...
2022-10-2046 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastInnovate and Pivot - Killer Creamery on the NexxtLevel Brands PodcastLouis 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 Armstron...
2022-10-1342 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastFermenting Your Business Growth: Cleveland Kitchen on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Today’s guest is Mac Anderson, Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer at Cleveland Kitchen. Mac and his siblings were raised in a culture of natural foods - their mom is a trained Chef who started a natural food co-op in Ohio way before such things were widespread. Join us as we discuss the origin story and rocket to success of this family business, how they gained retail placement, their acquisition of a pickle-manufacturing plant in CA, and the growth Mac sees continuing and building in the fermented foods category.
Cleveland Kitchen uses the finest ingredients to make the be...
2022-09-2238 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastBrands As An Agent of Change: Seth Goldman on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Today’s guest is Seth Goldman, Co-Founder and Chief Change Agent of Eat the Change®. Seth is also the Co-Founder of PLNT Burger, Honest Tea, and Chair of the board of Beyond Meat.
Seth has been widely recognized for his “serial” entrepreneurial success and impact, including Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year in Greater Washington, the Washington DC Business Hall of Fame, Beverage Industry magazine’s Executive of the Year, Beverage World’s #1 Disruptor and Partnership for Healthier America’s CEO of the Year.
Join us as we talk about Seth’s path to Honest Tea and wh...
2022-09-1536 minNexxtLevel Brands Podcast Encore: Are Your Cleaning Products Clean Label? Aunt Fannie’s on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Encore from February 4, 2021: Mat Franken is the Founder and CEO of Aunt Fannie's, a line of healthy cleaning household products. Like many in the health and natural space, Mat did not set out to become an entrepreneur: his company is the direct result of a family medical challenge. Wanting to share what he discovered, he launched the first Aunt Fannie's product in 2015. And so began the company’s mission to prioritize wellness from the outside by creating people-friendly, pet-friendly, and non-toxic products for all.
Outside of Aunt Fannie’s, Mat is a Contributor at Entrepreneur Media, Advisor at a...
2022-08-2540 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastEncore Presentation: The Secret Is In The Dough - Doughp on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!We are taking August off and running The Best of Shows all month. From June of 2021
Kelsey Moreira is the Founder, CEO, and Fearless Leader of Doughp, an edible, bakeable, and mission-driven cookie dough business that ships products to thousands of households every week. After getting sober in 2015 and rekindling her culinary passions, she left her decade-long career in tech to start Doughp — with an average revenue increase of 295% in the first 4 years.
Kelsey has appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank and was named a Forbes 30 Under 30 and Vegas 40 Under 40. She uses the Doughp platform for so...
2022-08-0438 minNexxtLevel Brands Podcast The Role of the Intrapreneur – Aquamar on the NexxtLevel Brands PodcastHave you ever wondered exactly what’s in that “imitation crab” meat that is available in every grocery store? This same ‘imitation crab’ is also in every California sushi roll, seafood salad, and many other prepared seafood dishes. It’s “surimi.” Surimi is real fish, made from wild-caught Alaskan pollock/whiting. It first appeared in the U.S. in the early 80s, when it was brought over from Japan and became a staple in North American grocery retailers.
My guest for today’s episode lives and breathes surimi every day. Daryl Gormley is the CEO of Aquamar Seafood. They produ...
2022-07-2842 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastYou Need More than Legal Help - Ryan Lewendon joins us on the NexxtLevel Brands PodcastIf you think today’s episode is going to be filled with boring legalese, think again. Not only are many entrepreneurs reticent to involve a legal expert, but they tend to think of them merely as risk-mitigators. But stop to consider – your business could attract bigger initial financing, celebrity partners and endorsements, and maybe even a higher exit sale/acquisition price if you have a CPG legal powerhouse like Ryan Lewendon on your team.
Ryan’s firm, Giannuzzi Lewendon, plays an active role over the life span of a consumer product company, from the beginning of an idea to...
2022-07-1446 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastBest Of: Natural Snacks from Africa - Amazi Foods on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Encore from April of 2021 : Renee Dunn is the Founder and CEO of Amazi Foods, a mindful food company that makes unique and very tasty fruit snacks. While attending Wesleyan University, Renee had the opportunity to study in Uganda. She was struck by the local entrepreneurial sector and their delicious tropical fruits, so she opted to later return and conduct her thesis research on the state of entrepreneurship in Kampala.
After graduating, Renee interned at The Aspen Institute where she focused on entrepreneurial ecosystem analysis. Combining her passion for healthy food with her development experience and her entrepreneurial...
2022-06-3043 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastEnd Those Nightly Cravings - Healthfully! Nightfood on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Did you know that humans are hard-wired to crave calorie-dense foods at bedtime? This traces all the way back to prehistoric times. Currently, over 80% of Americans snack regularly at night, and every week, over 700 million nighttime snacks are consumed resulting in a weekly spend of over $1B. The most popular nighttime snack choices are known to be unhealthy and also disruptive to sleep quality: cookies, chips, and ice cream top the list.
Today’s guest is Sean Folkson, Founder and CEO of Nightfood. When Sean went online looking for healthier late-night snacks, he was disappointed to find zero...
2022-06-2248 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastTaking Mom's Dressing to Market - Tessemae's on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast In our previous episode, we talked about having a great idea for a food product and how to consult the Food Innovation Center about creating it, but Greg Vetter of Tessemae's simply brought in a tub of lettuce with his secret dressing on it and walked out of a Whole Foods buyer meeting with an order. After selling 600+ bottles in five days simply doing in-store demos, Tessemae’s dressing became an instant phenomenon at Whole Foods and soon expanded exponentially through the state, the region, and eventually the whole country.
From its fascinating beginning in an Annapolis MD...
2022-06-0937 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastThe Million Dollar Palate - Sarah Masoni on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast Do you have a prize-winning recipe that you think could make a great product to sell at retail? The Food Innovation Center is ready to help you convert your grandma’s secret sauce recipe into a retail-ready, safe, scalable product that’s ready for the grocery store shelf.
My guest today has been called the million-dollar palate because she is leading that team that is able to transform your next big idea into a retail product. Sarah Masoni, Product and Process Director at the F.I.C. in Portland, OR, has an infectious laugh and self-effacing humor that...
2022-06-0244 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastGreat Things in Small Packages: Zolt on the NexxtLevel Brands PodcastMy guests today are Ani Collum and Doug Siegel, the co-founders of Zolt, a company that offers “plant-powered super drink” powders with amazing functional ingredients like reishi mushrooms, ashwagandha root, green and black tea, guarana, and many more. Each formulation of adaptogens, antioxidants, and terpene botanicals is tailored to key areas of human function like sleep, immunity, energy, balance, and overall cognitive performance. Plants survive and thrive by releasing endogenous biochemicals that help them flourish under various circumstances (some of them really extreme) and many of those plant botanicals can help humans perform at their best, too.
We’ll...
2022-05-1248 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastReducing Waste & Increasing Profit: Upcycled Food Assoc. on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast99% of people agree that food waste is a problem. The pandemic has accelerated many trends around the world, and reducing food waste is now at the forefront of the movement to reduce greenhouse gases and global warming. Thousands of major CPG brands and companies worldwide have “sustainability” goals that need to be met. One way they can meet these goals and increase profits is by using upcycled food ingredients.
Join me for an eye-opening and extremely inspiring talk with Turner Wyatt, CEO of the Upcycled Food Association. So far, they have ‘certified’ 200 products (just within the last nine months...
2022-04-2140 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastHow Important Is Your Brand? ClarkMcDowell on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Whether you are a decades-old brand or a start-up, there are do’s and don’ts to building your brand. Paul McDowall and Catherine Clark, founders of ClarkMcDowell agency, are here to share their insights on a few brands they’ve worked with through the years. Clarkmcdowall has three approaches to brand building: creating from scratch, transforming, and amplifying.
We’ll hear about the transformation of brands like Palmolive and the amplification of a brand like Kind Bars. Paul and Catherine’s long-time friendship/partnership shines through in the beautiful ways they work together. They call it “intelligence a...
2022-03-3144 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastClean Label - Clean Energy on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast Did you ever think to yourself, “I could make a better smoothie than this!”? Our guest today had the same thought. Ted Volz is the founder of Clean Energy, a one-man operation that began producing clean label, fully organic, shelf-stable, one serving smoothie packets. He did all the research, ran the numbers, found a co-packer and 3PL provider, and put out a terrific product that is getting rave reviews. Ted did all this on his own, during a pandemic.
Join us for an inspirational discussion about how Ted Volz, a “numbers guy” with years of experience in accounting...
2022-03-1730 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastWhat are Consumers Thinking Now: A Conversation with Murphy Research Do you want to know how the health and wellness trends of your customers may impact your business as the industry evolves? Join us for a discussion of the Murphy Research “State of Our Health Overview” that reports how we define health and wellness, how important are they in our daily lives, and how attitudes towards fitness and nutrition affect purchasing behavior, technology adoption, and personal happiness.
In this episode, I speak with Sarah Marion, Director of Syndicated Research at Murphy Research in LA. Marion is a cultural anthropologist, a market researcher, and a storyteller. Her work at Mur...
2022-03-1047 min
NexxtLevel Brands PodcastRound 2: Catching up with Jim Simon of JiMMYBAR!My guest today has already given us one inspiring and insightful episode, and I’m excited to welcome him back for an update. Jim Simon from JiMMYBAR! is a gifted serial entrepreneur who has built JiMMYBAR! into an innovative powerhouse in the CPG sector.
In this episode, we’ll discuss some of the challenges JiMMYBAR! faced during the early days of Covid, and how they were able to turn a dire situation into an opportunity for innovation. JiMMYBAR!has expanded its range of products outside of bars (most recently to keto pudding!) to establish itself as a formi...
2022-03-0343 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastFrom War Refugee to Natural Products Pioneer - Udo Erasmus on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Udo Erasmus is the Co-founder of Udo's Choice, a health brand that can be found in Whole Foods and other health food stores nationwide. He began his natural food career by designing the machinery for making oils with health in mind and pioneering flax oil, which is now a billion-dollar industry. Today, Udo is an acclaimed speaker and author of many books including the bestseller, Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill. He speaks at events hosted by Tony Robbins and Deepak Chopra, and has traveled to over 30 countries to conduct thousands of live presentations, media interviews, and s...
2022-02-2453 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastWhat Do VCs Really Look For in CPG Brands? H Venture Partners on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Elizabeth Edwards is the Founder and Managing Partner of H Venture Partners, a venture capital firm that invests in science-based consumer products brands. She has been in the venture capital space for over 17 years. Before launching H Venture Partners, Elizabeth invested in over 45 companies including Peloton, Freshly, and Roots. Today, H Venture Partners has led brands to become household names with a portfolio of companies including Avaline, Cameron Diaz's clean wine line, Cerebelly, a patented line of baby foods from a Stanford neurosurgeon and mom, Hazel, a novel incontinence brand for active women, and Kinship, a sustainable...
2022-02-1742 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastNo More Data Excuses: NielsenIQ on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Andrew Criezis is the General Manager for small and medium-sized businesses at NielsenIQ. Before joining NielsenIQ, he was the Chief Product Officer during the creation and launch of a new best-in-class CPG platform called Byzzer, which helps small CPG manufacturers win more market share with actionable retail data insights. His track record of success is best exemplified in global operations and product development. He is an expert not only in crafting data-driven business solutions but also in embedding analytics into all aspects of NielsenIQ products. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Andrew Criezi...
2022-02-0341 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastBuilding a Legacy: BUBS Naturals on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Sean Lake is a Co-founder at BUBS Naturals, a line of collagen peptides and other all-natural supplements. He is a former professional snowboarder who went on to Burton Snowboards, worked as Shaun White's team manager, and landed a spot as the Director of Sports Marketing at DC Shoes. After decades in action sports marketing, Sean co-founded BUBS Naturals. BUBS was named after Sean's childhood best friend Glen “BUB” Doherty, a Navy SEAL who was tragically killed in Benghazi, Libya in 2012. A devoted husband, father, and fitness fanatic, Sean is also passionate about helping people feel great and do g...
2022-01-2745 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastKnow Your Amazon Score – Bobsled Marketing on the NexxtLevel Brands PodcastCaroline Adams is a Client Project Manager at Bobsled Marketing, an agency that helps brands scale on Amazon. As a marketing expert, Caroline specializes in brand management, new product development, and marketing communications with a focus on consumer goods in both brick and mortar and e-commerce channels. She has mastered the Amazon 1P and 3P business models, driving increased sales for various brands. Caroline is also the Author of Forever Determined: An inspiring novel of hope, courage, and a woman’s will to overcome adversity. Caroline continually grew her book sales by over 400% through Amazon PPC advertising, soc...
2022-01-2041 minNexxtLevel Brands Podcast[Encore] ICMY - Making a Family Tradition For Other Families! Tia Lupita Foods on the NexxtLevel Podcast!Hector Saldívar is the Founder and Owner of Tia Lupita Foods, a better-for-you, healthy Mexican-inspired food brand that uses clean and simple ingredients in all its products. Tia Lupita is also the first brand to introduce the nopal cactus as an alternative, functional, and sustainable ingredient in the US market.
Hector was born in Monterrey, Mexico, and later earned a bachelor's degree in international business and a master's in European business administration. He moved to the US in 2005 as a territory manager for a Mexican startup and climbed the ranks working for companies like Nestlé USA and...
2021-12-3044 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastAre Seafoods Sustainable? Yes!!! Blue Circle on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Nina Damato is the Product Manager and Supply Chain Manager at Blue Circle Foods, a seafood company that’s leading the charge in innovative aquaculture. Over the years, Blue Circle Foods has achieved many successes in creating sustainable, nutritious, and delicious ways to bridge the gap among the seafood market, consumers, and retailers. Today, Nina continues to push the seafood community forward through innovation, global teamwork, and solid relations with the stakeholders. Nina is a woman of many roles, including as a loving mother of two beautiful children and a knowledgeable graphics expert with a degree from Par...
2021-12-1636 min
NexxtLevel Brands PodcastAre Seafoods Sustainable? Yes!!! Blue Circle on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Nina Damato is the Product Manager and Supply Chain Manager at Blue Circle Foods, a seafood company that’s leading the charge in innovative aquaculture. Over the years, Blue Circle Foods has achieved many successes in creating sustainable, nutritious, and delicious ways to bridge the gap among the seafood market, consumers, and retailers. Today, Nina continues to push the seafood community forward through innovation, global teamwork, and solid relations with the stakeholders. Nina is a woman of many roles, including as a loving mother of two beautiful children and a knowledgeable graphics expert with a degree from Par...
2021-12-1636 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastThe Brand's the Thing - Natasha Davis on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Natasha Davis, affectionately known as “The Chief Visionary”, is a brand strategist, government contractor, strategic planner, registered nurse, and the Owner of Impact Branding Consulting. She emerged as a branding strategist and corporate trainer in 2007 with the launch of her third company, Impact Branding Consulting. Her specialty is helping executives, entrepreneurs, and companies create brands that have a lasting impact. Natasha also developed a CRM software platform called The Profit Enhancer Analysis. She has published three books focusing on business development and branding, and has been recognized by former President Barack Obama with the Lifetime Achievement Award. She...
2021-12-0942 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastGet Trade Spending Under Control: Promomash 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 tha...
2021-10-0747 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastYour Drinks Are Here! Sourced Craft Cocktails 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...
2021-09-0946 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastHow a VC Firm Looks at Emerging Brands - ONCE Ventures on the NexxtLevel Brands 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 i...
2021-08-2638 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastBest Practices for Creating a Brand Strategy - Ernburn 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...
2021-08-1944 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastGrowing Through Iteration - Calypso Lemonade on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!David Klavsons is the Chief Executive Officer of King Juice Company and Calypso Lemonade, the creators of the flavored lemonade faction of the beverage industry. David has over 30 years of experience transforming and optimizing business performance, growth, and innovation with industry-leading companies. Before heading King Juice Company and Calypso Lemonade, David held executive roles at companies like PepsiCo, 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 Klavso...
2021-08-1229 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastEarly to Market = Education! Treeline Cheese 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...
2021-07-2942 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastFrom Cooking School to Awesome Sauces: Haven's Kitchen on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Alison Cayne is the Founder and CEO of Haven's Kitchen, a company with a mission to change the way people feel about cooking. Alison has been helping people cook, not just follow recipes, since 2012, when she opened up the Haven's Kitchen Cooking School in New York City. In 2018, Haven's Kitchen launched their first product, a line of fresh, globally-inspired sauces in a pouch. It’s now available online and in over 2000 stores across the US. Alison is also the author of the Haven's Kitchen Cooking School Cookbook and has contributed to publications such as the New York Pos...
2021-07-0848 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastWant to Maximize Amazon? Shannon Roddy Shares on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Shannon Roddy is an Amazon Strategy Consultant and the Founder of Marketplace Seller Courses, a suite of online courses, resources, and tools for brand owners selling on Amazon. He consults his clients on how to set-up, optimize, and launch their Amazon storefronts and products, as well as best practices for successfully promoting and protecting their brands on the Amazon platform. His first venture into consulting ended in a 400%increase in sales in the following month, leading him to discover more solutions for brands that sell on Amazon. He is also an Amazon Keynote Speaker with an innovative a...
2021-04-0148 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastA Crazy-Good Snack Idea - Mary's Gone Crackers on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Carla King is the Senior Marketing Manager at Mary's Gone Crackers, a snack company that uses only whole, plant-based ingredients. She is a talented marketing and brand development leader with proven experience in driving business, creating customized marketing programs and solutions, pushing strategy sessions, and articulating the expectations. Carla balances brand needs with company interest to ensure mutually beneficial results, and is an excellent blend of creative talent with analytical skills. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Carla King's background and how she joined the team at Mary's Gone Crackers ...
2021-03-2534 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastDrink Your Way to Brain Health? Breinfuel on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Dr. Gerald Horn is the Co-Founder and CEO of Breinfuel, a cerebral beverage designed to fuel the brain for responding effortlessly with increased focus, alertness, and productivity. Currently the Co-Medical Director at LasikPlus Chicago, Dr. Horn's background lies in ophthalmology, pharmaceutical science, and disruptive drug development. Dr. Horn has committed his 40-year career to maximizing the health benefits of modern science and medicine, becoming a #1 recommended doctor. He invented the eye whitening drop, Luminesse, which became a top seller. He also went on to develop the drop, Liquid Vision, to temporarily restore reading vision without glasses or...
2021-03-1132 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastBetter For You Kid's Drinks - Poppilu on the NexxtLevel Podcast!Melanie Kahn is the Founder of Poppilu Lemonade, a healthy lemonade that delivers all of the taste of traditional lemonade with added health benefits. Melanie started the business in 2017 after experiencing cravings for lemonade while pregnant. She recently added a new kids product line to the company that launched in Walmart and is expanding rapidly. Poppilu is based in Chicago where Melanie started her career in CPG before creating and nationally launching the fairlife dairy brand, which is now part of Coca-Cola. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Melanie Kahn's career...
2021-03-0437 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastFinding Your Niche - Pickle Juice on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Filip Keuppens is the Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing at Pickle Juice® Sport. Having nothing to do with cucumbers, the innovative brand uses a proprietary grain and blend of vinegar that blocks the nerve signals that initiate cramping. Pickle Juice® Sport has highly researched and study-backed benefits—and it’s just the kind of no-spin, real deal, game-changing product that Filip loves to bring to market. Before joining Pickle Juice® Sport, Filip was the Director of Sales for 20th Century Fox and a Key Account Manager for Warner Home Video. Outside of the office, he’s the Dire...
2021-02-1840 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastBuilding On Health - Youtheory on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Darren Rude is the Co-Founder and CEO of Youtheory, one of the original collagen supplement brands. Founded in 2010 alongside his wife, Patty, Youtheory is currently one of the largest manufacturers of collagen and turmeric in the US. The brand continues to win top industry awards with a rapidly expanding portfolio of new and innovative health products. Youtheory's success is powered by people, principle, passion, and process. With headquarters in Irvine, California and distribution centers in Irvine, Tokyo, and London, Youtheory is available online and at 60,000 retailers worldwide. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn...
2021-02-1146 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastSaving A Natural Wonder - Our Gorongosa on the NexxtLevel Podcast!Matthew Jordan is the CEO of Our Gorongosa, a specialty coffee using regenerative practices that support human development, rainforest reforestation, and wildlife conservation in Mozambique’s Gorongosa National Park. All of their profits support initiatives that lead the way for those communities surrounding the park. As CEO and Director of Sustainable Development for Gorongosa National Park, he’s working to create a world where people and the planet can thrive together. Matthew has been intrigued by natural systems for as long as he can remember. While obtaining his Master's degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Texa...
2021-01-2843 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastConvenient Asian Comfort Food - Nona Lim on the NexxtLevel PodcastNona Lim is the Founder and CEO of Nona Lim, a fresh Asian comfort food brand based in Oakland, California. She is a former competitive fencer who has always believed in the health benefits of a nutritious diet and the feel-good sensation of amazing flavors. In 2014, she launched her Nona Lim brand inspired by her childhood in Singapore as well as the country's melting pot of culinary traditions and flavors from all over Asia. Nona pioneered the fresh Asian food category, becoming a category leader with a range of Asian comfort foods that are delicious, convenient, and h...
2021-01-2135 min
NexxtLevel Brands PodcastReplace Your Coffee? Teeccino Caffe on the NexxtLevel Podcast!Caroline MacDougall is the Founder and CEO of Teeccino Caffe, a unique line of herbal roasted coffees and teas with several wellness benefits. She is also a natural products industry pioneer with over 40 years of entrepreneurial experience in developing herbal teas for top companies such as Yogi, The Republic of Tea, and Organic India. Caroline began her career with Celestial Seasonings, sourcing herbs from around the globe as the Vice President of Purchasing. Her work has helped to make Teeccino herbal coffees the number one brand of coffee alternatives in the United States. Teeccino's mission includes supporting r...
2021-01-1445 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastWords 2 Grow By - The Best of 2020G. Steven Cleere is the Founder and Chief Brand Developer of NexxtLevel Marketing, a consulting firm that specializes in retail marketing. For over 30 years, he’s been actively involved in marketing, advertising, and promotion disciplines. In 2019, Steve and his wife, Debra, combined their backgrounds and created Kitchen2Shelf, an educational service that provides online courses and in-person workshops for food and beverage entrepreneurs at all stages of growth. Steve was previously the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at TradeMarketing, Inc., or the TMI Group, a retail marketing agency. His unique background has allowed him to gather a wealth of...
2021-01-0715 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastLet's Nuke It! - Nucleus Maximus on the NexxtLevel Podcast!Adam Spriggs is a Partner at Nucleus Maximus, a boutique branding agency that helps CPG companies position and package their products to win attention and sales. In 2019, he founded The Angel Group, a growing network of industry executives and consultants who invest in early-stage CPG brands. Adam’s work and perspective have been covered by notable trade groups including New Hope Network, BevNET, NOSH, Foodbytes!, Naturally Boulder, The Dieline, and Packaging World. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Design and Visual Communications from Bowling Green State University. Here’s a glimpse of what you’l...
2020-12-1750 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastWinning Beverage Strategy - Stratus Group on the NexxtLevel PodcastLouisa Lawless is the Chief Strategy Officer at the Stratus Group. She is part of a winning team that builds brands like KÖE Kombucha and Perfect Hydration. Louisa has a rich history of brand building, having served as General Manager for Red Bull North America and contributing to the development and subsequent sale of Core Nutrition to Keurig Dr Pepper. She lives in Long Beach, California with her husband, new-born daughter, and two French Bulldogs. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Louisa's role and responsibilities as a Chief Strategy Office...
2020-12-1040 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastKooking Healthy Kookies? Kakookies on the NexxtLevel Podcast!Sue Kakuk is the Founder and CEO of Kakookies, a better-for-you grab-n-go cookie for your busy and active lifestyle. Sue carefully crafted her plant-based cookies after she noticed that her daughter and her cycling teammates were stopping at Dunkin Donuts before and after the races. Her simple mission was to pack the nutrition of an energy bar with the deliciousness and comfort of a cookie—which is why she calls it a cookie reimagined. As a former YMCA camp counselor, Sue credits some of her cooking skills to summers of cooking over open campfires. She is also a...
2020-12-0345 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastThe Secret is in the Hair Curler!! Tia Lupita Foods on the NexxtLevel Podcast!Hector Saldívar is the Founder and Owner of Tia Lupita Foods, a better-for-you healthy Mexican inspired food brand that uses clean and simple ingredients in all their products. Tia Lupita is also the first brand to introduce the nopal cactus as an alternative, functional, and sustainable ingredient in the US market. Hector was born in Monterrey, Mexico, and later earned a Bachelor's degree in International Business and a Master's in European Business Administration. He moved to the US in 2005 as territory manager for a Mexican startup and climbed the ranks working for companies like Nestle USA an...
2020-11-1944 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastYou Can't Have Your Pudding, If You Don't Eat Your Spoon! Planteer on the NexxtLevel Podcast!Dinesh Tadepalli is the Co-Founder and Chief Spoon Seller of IncrEDIBLE Spoons by Planeteer. He is an engineer, angel investor, entrepreneur, and sales wizard who loves to find the best (and most frugal) ROI-based sales and distribution approaches to improve results. Dinesh also loves hiking and adventure with an immense passion and important mission: to leave the planet with the single goal of preserving nature for future generations. It’s because of this goal that he’s so dedicated to growing the company that makes the IncrEDIBLE Spoons—and why he wants you to eat your spoons today...
2020-11-1231 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastGetting to the Root of the Opportunity! Rowdy Bars on the Nexxtlevel Brands Podcast!Kellie Lee is the Creator and CEO of Rowdy Bars. She is an active and avid backpacker, runner, and outdoor enthusiast—which led to the creation of the health food brand. Like many entrepreneurs, the company’s genesis came about after a personal health crisis. After many hours in the kitchen, Kellie found herself perfecting an energy bar with the hopes of developing a snack she could take on backpacking trips with her husband. Kellie refused to let her health obstacles halt the progress she had made. She discovered the health benefits of prebiotics and the yacon root...
2020-11-0539 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastScaling with Purpose - The Honest Stand on the Nexxtlevel Podcast!Jeremy Day & Alexandra Carone are the Co-Founders of The Honest Stand. After meeting at college in 2009, Alexandra was diagnosed with celiac disease and a dairy allergy just one year later. The diagnosis led the friends to pay closer attention to one detail of their daily lives in particular: what ingredients were in their favorite foods? Alexandra and Jeremy wanted to do better for themselves and their community, so with the help of Alexandra's mom, they created a totally dairy-free, gluten-free cheese style dip perfect for making mac and cheese. In 2014, the pair took it one step further...
2020-10-2939 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastPivoting From a Dating Site to Healthy Food! Luvafoodie on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Michelle Mazzara is the Founder and CEO of Luvafoodie, a website that connects people who share a passion for food and beverages. Michelle has an extensive background with large CPG firms and was inspired to start her own brand, Luvafoodie. Starting as a dating website, she later added other products to the site, most with a mission based on her own medical experiences and her pet. Since then, the Luvafoodie brand has expanded beyond confections to spices and iced tea. Michelle is also a recent survivor of heart disease and a local brand ambassador for the American...
2020-10-2243 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastHow Do You Find Funding in CPG? Michael Movitz on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Michael Movitz is the Founder and Managing Partner of The Movitz Group, an advisory group of industry experts that help early-stage conscious brands raise capital and build go to market strategies. Michael is also one of the founding partners of Brandjectory, a one-of-a-kind relationship-building platform for early-stage CPG founders and investors to help discover each other. He has spent 30 years in the CPG industry working with conscious and premium products. Michael's career includes 16 years with SPINS at various senior-level positions in the Natural, Organic, and Speciality Products Industry, and in the Natural Products Division of the J.M...
2020-10-1552 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastUNDAUNTED! Welcome Back Entrepreneur and Author Kara Goldin to the NexxtLevel Podcast!Kara Goldin is the Founder and CEO of Hint Inc., a San Francisco-based healthy lifestyle brand best known for producing an award-winning unsweetened flavored water called Hint. More recently, the company has released a scented sunscreen—and it’s oxybenzone and paraben-free. Kara has been an operating entrepreneur, growing Hint into a multi-million dollar brand while simultaneously focusing on creating a purpose-driven, business that’s focused on the consumer. Kara has received numerous accolades including being named EY Entrepreneur of the Year for Northern California in 2017, one of Instyle’s Badass 50 in 2019, and one of Fortune's Most Powerful...
2020-10-081h 07NexxtLevel Brands PodcastWater in a Box? You Bet! Boxed Water Is Better on the NexxtLevel Podcast!Robert Koenen is the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Boxed Water Is Better, the first national company to offer a sustainable alternative to plastic water bottles. Robert is charged with expanding Boxed Water's core message in empowering consumers to make a statement that sustainability matters. In his role at Boxed Water, Robert leads the brand’s trial and awareness efforts, digital opportunities, and retail experiences. Robert has built lifestyle brands for companies in the food, apparel, and footwear industries. Before joining Boxed Water Is Better, he worked at Deckers Brands as the Vice President for UGG Men’s and...
2020-10-0140 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastBringing A Totally New Product to Market! Kalahari Snacks on the NexxtLevel Podcast!Tyler Noyes and Brett Johnston are the Co-Founders of Kalahari Snacks. The company was started after an adventure of a lifetime in South Africa after an encounter with biltong, an indigenous dried meat snack—and no, it’s not jerky. Tyler and Brett realized that the simplicity of the ingredients and the tenderness of the product would be a total game-changer for US consumers. So, they embarked on their mission to bring a centuries-old South African tradition to family, friends, and the rest of the country with one delicious piece of biltong at a time. Here’s a glim...
2020-09-2450 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastMaking Pancakes Safe for Keto!- Birch Benders on the NexxtLevel PodcastLizzi Ackerman is the Co-Founder & CMO of Birch Benders, the number one natural waffle mix and fastest-growing frozen waffle brand in the U.S. Under her leadership, their diverse portfolio has expanded to include pancake and waffle mixes, frozen waffles, snack cups, and sweetened syrups. Birch Benders products are available in over 15,000 locations including Walmart, Costco, Target, Whole Foods, Kroger, and more. With seven first-to-market launches in the past five years, Lizzi and the Birch Benders brand have built a reputation for innovative, delicious, clean-label, and functional products. She graduated from Yale University with Honors in History o...
2020-09-1734 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastGrowing a Healthy Chocolate Business - Lily's Sweets on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Cynthia Tice is the Founder of Lily’s Sweets and got her start in the natural foods industry before green juice was even cool. As supermarkets realized the staying power of natural organic foods, she began consulting retailers on how to launch or build out their natural and organic offerings. She also started advising brands about looking into launching natural and organic products. As a longtime user of stevia, Cynthia began experimenting making chocolate with stevia to satisfy her own need for a no-sugar chocolate, her favorite food. In 2011, the recipe was perfected, and Lily's Sweets was on the sh...
2020-09-1048 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastLaunching New Products - Dave's Gourmet on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Dave Hirschkop is the Founder and CEO of Dave's Gourmet. He started an off-beat taqueria in Maryland called Burrito Madness where he created the “hottest hot sauce in the universe” as a way to control unruly drunk patrons—and ended up garnering national attention as a result. He knew he was onto something when customers started coming in droves for the exceptional flavor and heat. And so: Dave's Gourmet was born. Building on his ability to think outside the box, Dave focused on expanding his unique approach to other specialty food categories. He noticed a lack of variety...
2020-09-0346 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastA Refreshing Clean Label Treat - Petal Beverage on the NexxtLevel Podcast!Candice Crane is the Founder and CEO of Petal Beverage. She is a visionary founder who plays supermom to two rosy-cheeked rebel girls, wife to her soulmate, and lady boss in the workplace. Although raised in Chicago, Candice’s roots take her back to her birthplace, South Africa, where she spent summers surrounded by the beautiful landscapes and her amazing family. The idea for creating a line of sparkling botanical beverages was inspired by her two grandmothers and their love for tea. When her vision finally blossomed into action, Candice decided to bottle up her own botanical bl...
2020-08-2731 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastHow To Get In Front of Buyers! ECRM on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Joseph Tarnowski is the Vice President of Content for ECRM. He has been an editor for various retail and CPG trade media publications for over 20 years, having worked for Progressive Grocer over the course of 14 years. He has written for Gourmet Retailer, Convenience Store News, Retail Leader, and FoodService Director. Joe also contributes to industry publications like Drug Store News and Chain Drug Review. For the past 6 years, Joe has been the VP of Content for ECRM, where he develops thought leadership content like blogs, video interviews, podcasts (like The ECRM Podcast), and all forms of social...
2020-08-0642 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastSelling More On Amazon - Shannon Roddy on the NexxtLevel Podcast!Shannon Roddy is the Founder of Marketplace Seller Courses, which provides online courses, resources, and tools for brand owners selling on Amazon. He started working with Amazon in 2012 as both a seller and a consultant. Now, Shannon works with brands, inventors, and startups to help them launch, grow, and protect their sales on Amazon. The first company he was hired to work with as a consultant experienced a 400% increase in sales in the following month, leading him to discover more solutions for brands that are selling on Amazon. Shannon is an Amazon Keynote Speaker who shares his k...
2020-07-2357 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastGoing Over the Production 'Wall' - Catapult on the NexxtLevel Podcast!Jamie Valenti-Jordan is the Founder and Owner of Catapult Commercialization Services. He founded the company in March 2018 in response to the industry-wide trend of cutting the talent needed to bring new products to life. Jamie has a passion for finding new and interesting food challenges that combine scientific tools, engineering/operations realities, and business drivers to find unique, optimal solutions. This quest has taken him through companies large and small, leading him to start his own business so that he can focus on unlocking the potential of the food industry. Catapult is very much a one-stop-shop, taking p...
2020-07-1639 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastA Healthy Pringles? You Bet! Good Crisps on the NexxtLevel PodcastEntering a new market or launching a new product is always a difficult process. The task is made even more difficult when taking a brand to a new country. Matthew Parry is the founder of The Good Crisp Company, an Australian brand of canister chips with a focus on healthy, natural ingredients. Parry and his company has experienced a meteoric rise and they are already breaking into major American retailers. In this encore show, G. Steven Cleere is joined by Matthew Parry to discuss the changing trends in what American consumers want from their food, b...
2020-07-0945 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastThe Not - So - Ugly Drinks - Encore Show on The NexxtLevel PodcastHugh Thomas is the Co-founder and CEO of Ugly Drinks, centered around New York & London in the UK. He attended the University of Warwick and was the Student Brand Manager for Unilever before moving to HJ Heinz where he worked in marketing. He later went on to Vita Coco in the UK and before co-founding Ugly Drinks. Hugh wanted to create a healthy, relevant, and affordable product that would replace sugary soda products. This led him to create Ugly Drinks, a sugar-free, sweetener-free, zero-calorie drink that’s nothing artificial and definitely affordable. In this encore sh...
2020-07-0234 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastGet Your Business Humming! Ithaca Hummus on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Chris Kirby is the Founder and CEO of Ithaca Hummus. He grew up in the Baltimore area in the late 80s and early 90s, and despite the popularity of processed food at that time, he was drawn to the concept of real food at a very early age. He ended up attending culinary school where he developed a strong passion for influencing people through his food, which fueled a subsequent seven-year career as a chef. In 2013, Chris left the restaurant business and started selling fresh hummus at the Ithaca Farmers Market. Six months after launching, Wegmans discovered I...
2020-06-2541 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastToddlers Deserve 3 Square Too! Square Baby on the NexxtLevel Brands PodcastKatie Thomson is the CEO and Co-founder of Square Baby, a nutritionally designed all natural line of baby foods. As the first professional nutritionist for Starbucks, Katie played a pivotal role in the evolution of the Starbucks menu by introducing healthier options like oatmeal, bistro boxes, and egg white options. She is responsible for creating clean ingredient standards and acted as the health and wellness policy advisor and spokesperson of the company. Since leaving Starbucks to pursue Square Baby, Katie has consulted for national brands like Red Robin and Hilton, as well as startups like Naturebox.
2020-05-1440 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastPutting the Spell On You! Retail Vooddoo on the NexxtLevel Podcast!David Lemley is the President and the Chief Strategist at Retail Voodoo, a Seattle-based brand strategy firm that helps specialty food and beverage brands gain market share by addressing their toughest growth challenges. David is armed with a passion for ideology-driven companies and has over 25 years of industry experience. He has worked with some notable clients such as Essentia Water, REI, Kind, Sur la Table, and Dry Soda, and he has dedicated his career to helping better-for-you brands and their leadership teams at those critical points where the brand has gone from one-of-many to one-of-a-kind. David is a...
2020-05-0743 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastAn (Un) Twisted Tale - The Pretzel Man on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Michael Panara Jr. is the President and CEO of Pretzel Man Bakery, an artist and pretzel company founded as an extension of Michael's family baking business. Since 1808, many of his family members have been twisting soft pretzels that have been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of hungry consumers. Several years ago, the family decided to create a new pretzel classic taking the twist and turning it into a line of awesome stuffed pretzel balls. The company can only be known by one name, the moniker Michael’s grandfather Albert was known by: The Pretzel Man. Her...
2020-04-2337 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastAn (Un) Twisted Tale - The Pretzel Man on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Michael Panara Jr. is the President and CEO of Pretzel Man Bakery, an artist and pretzel company founded as an extension of Michael's family baking business. Since 1808, many of his family members have been twisting soft pretzels that have been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of hungry consumers. Several years ago, the family decided to create a new pretzel classic taking the twist and turning it into a line of awesome stuffed pretzel balls. The company can only be known by one name, the moniker Michael’s grandfather Albert was known by: The Pretzel Man. Her...
2020-04-2337 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastWorking In The New Normal - Adam Brown of Sircle Media on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Adam Brown is the Founder and President of Sircle Media, a social media strategy firm based in New York City. He has worked in and around digital marketing since 1999 and has held various positions on both the client and vendor side. This has given him tremendous insights into how those relationships work best and has developed a keen understanding of what businesses really need. At Sircle Media, Adam works with brands and businesses to help them navigate through social media and all of their other digital needs. His specialties include Social Media, Startup Strategy, Social Strategy, SEO...
2020-04-0939 minNexxtLevel Brands Podcast5 Things You Can Do Right Now to Help Your BusinessSteven Cleere is the Founder of NexxtLevel Marketing and he has helped consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies for over 30 years with their marketing and sales challenges. He discovered that many startups and smaller brands needed an expert to help them navigate the CPG world, so he started his company to not only help Fortune 500 food giants but also to bring his expertise to disruptive food startups. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Steve shares...
2020-03-2612 minNexxtLevel Brands PodcastDo You Know SEO? SocketBox and Go Global on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!Sebastian Naum is a multifaceted bilingual and bicultural entrepreneur who specializes in digital marketing and international business development. He started a successful real estate career in his early years which he left after starting a baseball bat company where he was importing wood from his home country of Argentina. In the process of selling his baseball company, he learned and became an expert in all things digital marketing.
Sebastian co-founded Socket Box Media 7 years ago with a focus on search engine optimization (SEO). Later on, he co-founded the Go Global Agency, an international branding, and performance m...
2020-03-1247 min