Ben Witte is the founder and CEO of NYC-based startup Recess, the CBD drink that aims to help people feel calm, focused, and creative despite the world around them.

Just as people associate Redbull with energy and Gatorade with high-intensity sports, Ben is on a mission to have consumers associate Recess’ CBD infused sparkling drinks with creativity. 

Hear why he believes CBD is the caffeine of the 21st Century, and how the CBD category is expanding.

Prentice’s Takeaway* I love seeing brands that say, ‘To hell with it. We’re doing it differently.’ Check out their Instagram page and you’ll see it’s pull vs. push marketing. Ben created a brand experience online that’s so compelling, you can’t help but notice.

Show Highlights

• Barack Obama and ‘Calm, Cool, Collected’
• Startup life
• What is CBD? How can you use it?
• Balance and calmness effect
• Anxiety economy
• ‘Taking a recess’
• Caffeine and the beverage industry
• Education process
• Telling the story of why Recess exists
• Brand development of Recess
• Turning flavors into personalities
• Layers of the brand
• Productive and creative
• Distribution and regulatory clarity around CBD
• COVID impact

Resources* Ben’s Twitter * Ben’s LinkedIn * Ben’s Instagram * Recess Instagram * Recess Twitter * Recess Facebook