Predicting The Turn w/ Dave Knox: Recent Episodes
Dave Knox
Predicting the Turn is a podcast dedicated to equipping business leaders with the tools they need to navigate today’s ever-changing business landscape.
Our host, Dave Knox, is a global thought leader in digital transformation, an international public speaker, and an award-winning author with experience in the worlds of both Fortune 500 companies and startups.
Through this podcast, you will learn how to meet your industry's inevitable disruption head-on.
In the rapidly evolving world of hospitality, technology and innovation are driving major shifts, and few understand this transformation better than Mathew Focht. As a co-founder of Emerging, a fund focused on tech-driven concepts in hospitality, Focht brings decades of expertise to the table. In this interview, he shares his insights on the future of "eatertainment," the evolving role of technology, and what it takes to identify and scale the next big idea in the experiential economy. I sat down with Focht to discuss how Emerging's strategic investments are shaping the future of hospitality and the key factors that drive success in this high-growth industry.
In a world where personalized experiences are increasingly central to consumer satisfaction, Ben McKean has built Hungryroot into a leader in the personalized grocery service industry. McKean, who founded the company in 2015, shares his journey from a traditional packaged food business to a cutting-edge, AI-driven platform that tailors grocery shopping to customers’ goals and preferences. In this interview, McKean discusses the pivotal moments that shaped Hungryroot’s success, the role of AI in revolutionizing food delivery, and his advice for entrepreneurs looking to disrupt industries.
From founding the controversial alcoholic beverage Four Loko to becoming a leading entrepreneur in the better-for-you space, Chris Hunter has navigated an unconventional path to success. Now at the helm of Koia, a brand known for its plant-based protein drinks, Hunter has applied his entrepreneurial spirit to a new industry focused on health and wellness. In this interview, Hunter reflects on the lessons learned from his past ventures and how his unique background has led him to launch another category defining brand.
As the spirits industry navigates shifting consumer trends and evolving market landscapes, staying agile has become essential for growth, even for a company that is 137 years old. I sat down with Paul Basford, President of William Grant & Sons USA, to discuss how this family-owned, independent company famous for brands such as Glenfiddich, The Balvenie, Hendrick’s Gin, and Milagro Tequila has adapted to change. In our discussion, Basford talks about their data-driven approach to regional shifts, the company’s commitment to core brands, and strategies for cultivating a strong, future-focused team culture.
Coming out of COVID, the non-alcoholic beverage had incredible tailwinds, supported by plentiful venture capital and strong consumer demand. Boisson capitalized on these trends, quickly expanding to 11 retail stores across the country and placing themselves at the heart of the non-alc industry. Things came to a sudden stop as the retailer shut their doors and declared bankruptcy in early 2024. I sat down with Boisson founder Nick Bodkins for his first interview since this sudden closure. In the interview, Bodkins, opens up about his journey through bankruptcy, restructuring, and the hard-won lessons of entrepreneurship during trying times.
Functional mushrooms are transforming the wellness industry, and at the forefront of this movement is Four Sigmatic, founded by Tero Isokauppila. A 13th-generation farmer from Finland, Isokauppila has pioneered mushroom-based products that blend tradition with modern wellness needs, building Four Sigmatic into the number one mushroom coffee and protein brand on the market. I sat down with Tero to discuss the challenges and insights behind building a new category, the importance of resilience and focus in scaling a sustainable business, and his vision for Four Sigmatic's future.
In a world where luxury and technology intersect, few are pioneering the fusion as deftly as the founders of Bezel. I sat down with Quaid Walker, a tech veteran turned watch enthusiast, to discuss how his team is reshaping the high-end watch market by marrying cutting-edge technology with timeless craftsmanship. In this interview, Walker reveals the challenges they’ve overcome, their unique approach to blending digital and physical experiences, and the passion driving their innovation in a niche industry.
The allure of Mexican traditions meets modern innovation in the vibrant world of tepache, a drink with ancient roots and a fresh, contemporary twist. I sat down with Alex Matthews, founder of De La Calle, to discuss his journey from curiosity to creation, bringing the authentic flavors of Mexico to the U.S. market. We delve into the challenges of introducing tepache to American consumers, the evolution of the brand, and the strategic decisions driving its future growth.
What started as a serendipitous discovery on a remote island in Thailand has blossomed into a mission to revolutionize how the world relaxes. I sat down with Joe Demin, co-founder and Chief Relaxation Officer at Yellow Leaf Hammocks, to learn about the inspiring journey behind the brand. We discussed the company’s humble beginnings, the challenges of scaling a socially conscious business, and the innovative strategies that are bringing comfort into homes and beyond.
PepsiCo is transforming how we think about beverages, pushing boundaries beyond the bottle. Greg Lyons, Chief Marketing Officer of PepsiCo's Beverages North America Portfolio, shares his insights on driving this innovation. In this interview, Lyons discusses embracing a challenger mindset, navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, and expanding into new categories like functional and enhanced beverages.
The story of Ember began with a simple observation over breakfast: cold scrambled eggs. Fueled by his background in thermal science engineering and a penchant for innovation, Ember Founder and Chairman Clay Alexander embarked on a mission to revolutionize the way people eat, drink, and live. I sat down with Clay to learn more about his journey launching the world’s first temperature-controlled coffee mug, the global expansion of the business in partnership with Starbucks and Apple, and why he believes so strongly in entrepreneurs protecting their ideas.
In a landscape dominated by established brands, Nori emerged as a disruptor in the ironing industry. Where others saw a commodity, Nori pioneered innovation where few dared to venture. I sat down with Nori CEO and Co-Founder, Courtney Toll, to delve into her journey from launching Nori despite investor skepticism to navigating the complexities of hardware manufacturing and retail distribution.
In the competitive landscape of direct-to-consumer brands, Sunday's innovative approach to lawn care is setting it apart. By focusing on a seamless end-to-end customer experience, Sunday has redefined how consumers interact with and care for their outdoor spaces. This strategy not only ensures high customer retention but also positions Sunday as a leader in integrating technology with traditional products. I sat down with Coulter Lewis, CEO and Founder of Sunday to learn more about how Sunday’s unique model is revolutionizing the lawn care industry.
From humble beginnings in a kitchen, Coconut Cult has become a pioneering brand in the world of functional foods. I sat down with the Coconut Cult leadership team including founder Noah Simon-Waddell and CEO Ari Raz to learn more about their journey. We discussed the challenges and opportunities of self-manufacturing, how they have fostered community engagement, and the plans for an upcoming brand refresh.
BODYARMOR has been disrupting the world of sports hydration since 2011. Founded by Mike Repole, the brand has witnessed a meteoric rise in the sports nutrition industry through game-changing innovation. Federico Muyshondt, CEO of BODYARMOR, took over leadership of the brand shortly after its acquisition by Coca-Cola. I sat down with Muyshondt to discuss their strategic focus on authenticity, the brand’s expansion into new categories and global markets, and their quest to live up to the Mamba Mentality that Kobe Bryant infused into the brand since its beginning as an early investor back in 2013.
Catalina Crunch has carved out a niche with its innovative approach to low-carb, high-fiber foods. Founded by Krishna Kaliannan, whose personal journey with type one diabetes sparked the creation of Catalina Crunch, the company has rapidly evolved from a passion project to a thriving business. I sat down with Kaliannan to learn more about the brand's trajectory, from its humble beginnings in cereal to its strategic expansion into new product categories and retail channels.
Cabinet Health is on a mission to reduce single-use plastic from healthcare. In just a few short years, they have found like-minded partners in major companies such as Target, CVS and McKesson. I sat down with Co-Founder and President Russell Gong to discuss the origins of the company and Cabinet Health's commitment to pioneering the next generation of sustainable healthcare products and services.
In the competitive landscape of the food industry, Red's has emerged as a beacon of innovation and quality in the frozen food sector. Founded by Mike Adair, Red's journey from homemade burritos to a beloved frozen food brand spans over 15 years of perseverance and dedication. I sat down with Adair to reflect on the company's humble beginnings, the evolution of its product portfolio, and the strategic decisions that have propelled Red's to success in an ever-changing market.
In a culinary landscape marked by innovation and a blending of cultures, MìLà, a modern Chinese food company, stands out as a beacon of success. From its humble beginnings as a restaurant in 2018 to its triumphant foray into the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) realm, MìLà's unique approach, guided by quality, accessibility, and a third-culture perspective, has captured the hearts and palates of a diverse and expanding audience. I sat down with Jen Liao, Co-Founder and President of MìLà to learn more about how these former
restaurant owners pivoted during COVID to turn one of their favorite dishes into a frozen food success story.
In the ever-evolving landscape of spirits, The Pathfinder Hemp and Root emerges as a groundbreaking non-alcoholic alternative, not merely mimicking traditional spirits but carving its own niche with a unique blend of bitterness, sweetness, and complexity. I sat down with Co-founder Chris Abbott to learn more about their journey through the inspiration, challenges, and strategic decisions that led to the creation and successful launch of this distinctive spirit.
Unlike many of her peers in Venture Capital and Private Equity, Melissa Facchina comes from a background in Operations with a focus on food and beverages. Today, Facchina is the Co-Managing Partner of Siddhi Capital, which was born from a joint venture between her operating firm, Siddhi Ops, and the family office of her co-founding partners Steven and Brian Finn. I sat down with Facchina for a comprehensive look into the complexities of CPG investing, offering practical advice and strategic considerations for entrepreneurs navigating this dynamic landscape.
DEUX has the lofty goal to offer a healthier alternative to iconic food brands like Nestle. I sat down with Sabeena Ladha, founder of DEUX, a better-for-you snack brand of edible cookie dough,donut holes and dessert spreads, to share her journey from extensive experience in big CPG, McKinsey, and venture capital to disrupting the consumer category. We discussed her strategic approach to product innovation, marketing, and navigating various retail channels that has shaken up the refrigerated baked goods section in grocery stores.
Soley is the fastest-growing natural fruit snack brand in the US and their unique approach saves 1.6 million pounds of fruit per year. I sat down with Solely's founder, Simon Sacal, to discuss this extraordinary journey from attempting a fat-free potato chip to pioneering a unique and sustainable vertical supply chain for disruptive fruit-based products. Sacal reflects on the challenges, successes, and future innovations of Solely, emphasizing the brand's commitment to long-term growth and providing wholesome, clean alternatives in the food industry.
Over the past five years, the collectibles world of sport and trading cards has seen a massive resurgence as a new generation of collectors have discovered the “Hobby”. This growth has led to innovative new business models like Loupe with box breaking and Goldin with auctions. But perhaps the biggest beneficiary has been Professional Sports Authenticator, better known as PSA, which authenticates and grades collectibles. I sat down with PSA President Ryan Hoge to discuss the hobby’s growth, how PSA has evolved in recent years, and how his background as a Technology Product Leader has helped him in his role.
Coming out of the global pandemic, consumers have increasingly been searching for non-alcoholic alternatives. Hop Water has been one of the fastest growing categories, with sales up nearly 200% in the past year. The market leader in this space is HOP WTR, a sparkling hop water crafted with a proprietary blend of stress-busting hops, adaptogens (ashwagandha) and nootropics (L-Theanine). I sat down with Jordan Bass, CEO and Co-Founder of HOP WTR, to learn about his entrepreneurial journey and where the category will be headed in the years to come.
Inspired by their own morning routines, Hannah Mendoza and Roger Coppola co-founded Clevr Blends. As pioneers in the better-for-you coffee category, Hannah and Roger have reshaped classic cafe-style drinks like Matcha, Chai, and Coffee lattes, and infused them with adaptogens, functional mushrooms, and better-than-barista ingredients. Along the way, they have been named one of Oprah's Favorite Things two years in a row and brought in notable celebrity investors. I sat down with Hannah to learn more about her journey as an entrepreneur, what inspired Clevr, and how the challenges of a CPG entrepreneur have changed in recent years.
Jason Wright set out to create a first-of-its kind nutrient-dense protein chip for nutrition-conscious snackers. As the founder of WILDE, he’s done just that by using chicken breast, egg whites and bone broth in a familiar chip format. I sat down with Jason to learn more about his journey with WILDE, why he chose to manufacture in his own facility in Kentucky, and what is next for the business.
In the world of business, many acquisitions fail to live up to lofty growth expectations. But with Rao’s, Sovos Brands has created a playbook of what works, growing the brand over 9x since acquiring it in 2017. I sat down with Yuri Hermida, the Chief Growth Officer of Sovos Brands, to discuss the company's journey to building Rao’s into a billion-dollar brand, the importance of maintaining an unwavering commitment to quality, and how they are driving awareness and household penetration.
Before the founders of Magic Spoon tackled the cereal aisle, their first startup was a line of protein bars using cricket protein called Exo. While the business was eventually sold, it taught them the importance of product-market fit and the difficulty of building a category from scratch. I sat down with Gabi Lewis, co-founder of Magic Spoon to discuss his journey as a CPG entrepreneur, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and why Magic Spoon had to raise nearly $100 million to bring change to the breakfast cereal aisle.
Over the past few years, TRUFF has partnered with brands ranging from Hidden Valley Ranch and Taco Bell to Super Mario Brothers and Warren Lotas. Despite the diversity of these partnerships, all have a common authenticity that unifies them. I sat down with co-founder Nick Ajluni to talk about their journey building the brand and why they have made partnerships a central part of their brand building.
Since launching on the campus of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, Mad Rabbit has changed the game in the tattoo aftercare market. They are doing so by bringing change to an industry that is thousands of years old but one that has been largely resistant to innovation until recently. I sat down with Oliver Zak, co-founder of Mad Rabbit, to talk about their journey, community-driven product development process and unique retail strategy that allows them to take a different approach to brand building.
Over a decade ago, Charlotte’s Web created the CBD category and despite a roller coaster in the market, they remain the category leader today. As the category leader, they view it as their job to educate the industry and the general public on the benefits of CBD. In pursuit of this mission, at the end of 2022, Charlotte's Web became the first “Official CBD of Major League Baseball.” I sat down with co-founder and COO Jared Stanley, to discuss this partnership, the market as a whole.
Since our interview, the FDA has concluded that a new regulatory pathway for CBD is needed and said they are prepared to work with Congress on this matter. Charlotte’s Web has been pushing for regulation for years and believes regulation from the FDA is vital to the continued growth and acceptance of CBD. We deep dive on all this and more.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many restaurants across the country encountered a situation that they never imagined. But thanks to the CookUnity, chefs were able to turn to a new platform to get their recipes and food onto kitchen tables across the country. And for many of them, they have found a new source of revenue that allows them to reach more people than they ever thought possible. I sat down with Mateo Marietti, CEO & Founder of CookUnity, to learn more about what inspired him to launch CookUnity, how they attracted chefs to the platform, and why they decided to rebrand recently.
If there is one staple of nearly every household with children, it is a pantry with boxes of Kraft Mac & Cheese (or maybe Annie’s). But Jen Zeszut and the team at Goodles are out to change that, while making it ok for adults to admit that boxed mac and cheese doesn’t have to be a guilty pleasure. I sat down with Zeszut, the CEO and Co-Founder of Goodles to learn more about the launch of the brand a year ago, why they tackled a space with such large competitors, and how they are differentiating themselves to make a product loved by adults and kids alike.
On Shark Tank, BeatBox secured a $1 million investment from Mark Cuban, one of the largest dollar raises in the history of the show. But in the explosive growth that followed, the brand learned the hard lesson of scaling too fast without having the fundamentals figured out. I sat down with Justin Fenchel, CEO and Co-Founder of BeatBox to talk about these lessons and how some timely pivots in their product and distribution strategy led the brand to reach new heights of growth a second time around.
When Dan Lourenco and Ryan Hughes started GHOST, they wanted to build something with authenticity at its core, not a fake version of fitness. Today, GHOST is one of the fastest growing brands in the industry across a multitude of categories. I sat down with Dan and Ryan to learn about their unique approach to brand building and how GHOST convinced brands like Chips Ahoy to work with them early on.
Aimee Yang has crafted her entire career around the pursuit of one day being an entrepreneur. Today, the CEO and Founder of BetterBrand has taken those building blocks to redesign traditionally non-nutritious foods that we crave into delicious, guilt-free versions of themselves. I sat down with Yang to discuss the inspiration behind BetterBrand and her launch of ‘The Better Bagel’ in Whole Foods Market.
Over the past decade, Patrick Schwarzenegger has been one of the most impactful investors in Consumer Products. After the success of his first investment, Blaze Pizza, Schwarzenegger has gone on to be an early check in breakout successes like Super Coffee, Olipop, and Liquid IV. In his latest investment, he’s turned to the role of founder, partnering with his mother Maria Shriver to launch MOSH, the Brain Brand. I sat down with Patrick to discuss how he started investing in consumer products and why launching MOSH was always the ultimate goal for him.
In 2017, Halo Top became the #1 selling pint of ice cream in the United States and was even named one of the top inventions of the year by TIME Magazine. The ice cream was one of its kind, igniting an entire category of low-calorie and high protein products where top companies even launched copycat competitors to get in on the craze. Halo Top was co-founded by former lawyers, Justin Woolverton and Doug Bouton, and the brand had one of the most dramatic growth stories within the CPG industry—going from $2 million in sales in 2015 and skyrocketing to over $300 million in just two years.
Today, Bouton is starting his next brand as he takes aim at a category that is double the size of ice cream: chocolate. In 2021, Bouton founded GATSBY Chocolate, the lowest calorie chocolate on the market, and already released nearly 10 products with ambitious plans to introduce more innovations this year, including unique products like Peanut Butter Cups (for only 50 calories per cup!) and an upcoming Oat Milk-based line that is vegan and plant-based. I sat down with him to talk more about the lessons he learned in Halo Top and how he is applying those experiences as CEO of GATSBY Chocolate.
As a 10 year old kid, Josh Luber loved nothing more than trading cards and sneakers. Decades later, Josh has made a career out of these passions, first as the founder of StockX and now as Chief Vision Officer at the recently launched Fanatics Collectibles. I sat down with Josh to learn more about the massive impact that Fanatics has already made in trading cards, his views on pricing and distribution, and the plans he has in the years ahead.
Before joining Kraft Heinz as Chief Growth Officer for North America, Sanjiv Gajiwala was the CMO at Mark Anthony Brands where he launched White Claw Seltzer. Today, Sanjiv brings that same approach to Kraft Heinz, where he is taking an iconic portfolio of brands that he views as a portfolio of challengers, competing for consumers' attention. I sat down with Sanjiv to talk more about this challenger mindset and how it is leading Kraft Heinz to take a different approach to brand building.
Justin Wiesehan is a self-proclaimed snackaholic. But when he started to count his macros in his quest to eat healthier, he found the better-for-you snacks lacking the flavor and crunch that he loved. His quest to solve that problem led him to launch HA! A Healthier Alternative, which is line-up of salty snacks that offer 11 grams of protein and 140 calories. I sat down with Justin to learn more about the journey of launching HA! and his plans for the business in the years ahead.
When Mike Russell decided that he needed to change his relationship with alcohol, he realized that most resources were focused only on the daily drinker. This inspired him to launch Monument, an online treatment platform for anyone looking to change their relationship with alcohol. I sat down with Mike to learn about his personal journey launching Monument, and the impact Covid-19 has had on telehealth businesses like his.
With The Bruery, membership has its privileges. That is because since their earliest days, The Bruery has offered an industry leading direct-to-consumer subscription program called Societies that offers beer lovers exclusive access to some of the most innovative beers in the industry. I sat down with The Bruery’s CEO Barry Holmes to talk about their Societies, why they proved so valuable in the early days of Covid-19, and what led the company to launch a new brand called Offshoot.
Growing up, Justin Gill and his family would spend the holidays making a big batch of Japanese barbeque sauce that they would give out as holiday gifts. Years later, he would take the family recipe and with a lot of ingenuity turn into Bachan’s. I sat down with Gill, founder and CEO of Bachan's, to talk about how his grandmother inspired the business and the challenges he faced in creating a shelf stable version of the family recipe.
Public Goods is on a mission to make nearly everything in your house healthier and more sustainable. Behind that mission, revenue has grown over 200% when comparing the month of January 2020 to January 2021, and the company has been able to plant over 300,000 trees – one for every order placed. I sat down with Morgan Hirsh, founder and CEO of Public Goods, to talk about their growth since launching, their recent launch of wine, and how their company culture proved so valuable during the pandemic.
Stuck in an unfulfilling job on Wall Street, Ashley Thompson was looking for something more. She found that inspiration in the most unlikely of places with ready to eat oats. Starting in farmer’s markets, Thompson started MUSH to make it easier for people to eat healthy - starting with breakfast. I sat down with Thompson to learn more about the early days of the brand, how they ended up appearing on Shark Tank, and the advice she gives to fellow entrepreneurs.
Over nearly three decades, Ben Fischman has been one of retail’s pioneering entrepreneurs. In college he started the baseball cap retailer Lids and then followed that with e-commerce retailer Rue La La. In his latest venture, Launch, Fischman is partnering with entrepreneurs and bringing his years of experience to help them succeed. We sat down to talk about what he looks for in entrepreneurs, why Launch doesn't consider itself a venture capital firm, and what led to them competing in workwear with their newest brand BRUNT.
Launched two years ago, Ergatta offers an alternative to instructor-led fitness with what the company calls game-based workouts. As Ergatta looks to broaden the awareness of the company and their at-home rower, they are launching their first brand campaign with former NFL player Colin Kaepernick at the center of it. I sat down with Randi Charles, VP of Marketing for Ergatta, to talk more about the upcoming campaign and what made Kaepernick the right fit to tell their brand story.
Over the last several years, Anheuser-Busch has been undergoing a mindset change as they put the consumer at the center of their innovation efforts. Leading this change is Dafne Hefner, Vice President of Insights and Strategy for Anheuser-Busch. I sat down with Hefner to talk about A-B’s renewed focus on the consumer and how that focus has impacted both their new product pipeline, as well as the innovation strategy of their biggest brands.
With the backing of Mike Tyson and Georges St- Pierre, FightCamp has serious street cred in the at-home connected fitness world. And while FightCamp can take a punch from the likes of Tyson and GSP, the company is on a mission to show people of all skill levels the fitness benefits of boxing and kickboxing. I sat down with FightCamp’s co-founder and CMO, Patrick Chandler, to talk about the company’s evolution and how they differentiate themselves in the increasingly crowded connected fitness space.
With the rise of COVID has come a rise in people rediscovering
the outdoors. But that has also come
with mosquitoes rediscovering them.
Enter Murphy’s Naturals, veteran owned and family run business that lets
you enjoy life outdoors with their natural mosquito repellents. I sat down with founder and CEO Philip
Freeman to learn more about why he started Murphy’s Naturals and how the search
for a new office led him to start a second business alongside Murphy’s.
In the crowded water bottle market, HydroJug stands out by giving consumers exactly what they are looking for. Instead of fancy colors or an abundance of features, HydroJug created a simple, 73 ounce water jug made for people who just need a lot of water. I sat down with co-founders and brothers, Jake and Hayden Wadsworth to talk about building HydroJug, how they found passionate fans well beyond their original fitness audience and how their parents’ entrepreneurial backgrounds influenced their path.
When it was launched in 2016, Theragun was a revolutionary product that created a new category. Since that time, the company has broadened their reach and rebranded as Therabody in 2020 in recognition of that bigger mission. I sat down with Benjamin Nazarian, CEO of Therabody to learn more about the company’s evolution, how he became involved in the business, and how they approach their innovation pipeline.
As a child, Debbie Wei Mullin was surrounded by the influences of her Vietnamese heritage. As she began her entrepreneurial journey later in life, she turned to that heritage to launch Copper Cow Coffee, a direct-to-consumer Vietnamese Coffee that is launching nationwide in Whole Foods. I sat down with Debbie, the CEO and Founder of Copper Cow Coffee, to learn more about the company, educating the US about Vietnamese Coffee, and how she stumbled across their innovative pour-over design on a supplier’s desk.
When Steven and Brittany Yeng came up with the idea of Skrewball, many of the people they talked with scoffed at the idea of a peanut butter whiskey. Fast forward to today and Skrewball has become of the fastest growing liquor brands in history. I sat down with the husband-and-wife co-founders to talk about their unique journey, what motivated them to launch the brand, and why they celebrate screwballs and misfits.
Twenty years ago, Carla Schneider was a special ed teacher and new mom looking for a solution to help her newborn son stop crying. That need led her to sew her son’s favorite stuffed animals to his pacifiers, giving birth to the global household brand WubbaNub. I sat down to talk with Carla about her journey building WubbaNub, what led to her partnerships with brands like the MLB and Jimmy Fallon, and the advice she gives to other aspiring entrepreneurs.
Growing up in the Netherlands, Rip Pruisken’s favorite treat was the stroopwafel, a near universal treat in the country. But while he was attending Brown University, he found that it was largely unknown in the US. Pruisken set out to change that with the launch of Rip Van, which has grown into a better-for-you snack food company. I sat down with Pruisken to learn more about the journey of building Rip Van over the last decade and how the brand has evolved with their growth.
When you ask Josh Tetrick, co-founder and CEO of Eat Just, his view on the future of food, he points to what he believes is inevitable change. But he starts the comparison by pointing to other change that one point people dismissed. Few believed in streaming music, electric cars, or lab-made diamonds but today they are common place. Its with this inspirations in mind that Eat Just is challenging two big assumptions on what it means to eat an egg or a piece of chicken. I sat down with Josh Tetrick, CEO and cofounder of Eat Just, to learn more about the company’s journey, why he believes this change is inevitable, and how they are going about driving the change.
For Brett Berish, CEO and co-founder of Sovereign Brands, building industry challenging brands is in his blood. The company he co-founded, Sovereign Brands, is a family-owned, family-run wine and spirits company dedicated to the creation and development of unique, premium beverage brands. I sat down with Berish to learn about the company’s history, his family’s background in the spirits industry and the growth Sovereign has seen in recent years.
Started in 2017, Ro is a health care technology company building a patient-centric healthcare system. The pandemic gave rise to a remarkable time of growth for the company, marked by the rise of telehealth and multiple acquisitions by the business. Since just this spring, Ro has launched a one of kind in-home vaccination program, raised $500M in funding, acquired two companies (Modern Fertility and diagnostics startup Kit), and premiered its products across 97% of Walmart stores in the US. I sat down with Rob Schutz, Chief Growth Officer and Co- Founder of Ro, to talk about the company’s growth trajectory, the boom of telehealth during COVID, and their new national rollout with Walmart.
For over two decades, Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon has been one of the most sought-after brands in the world. It is a business built upon a family heritage in the bourbon industry that goes back to Julian “Pappy” Van Winkle opening the famed Stitzel-Weller Distillery in the 1930’s. As the 4th generation of Van Winkles move into the family business, they have expanded it with the launch of Pappy & Company, a bourbon lifestyle brand launched by the three daughters of Julian Van Winkle III. I sat down with the three co-founders / sisters to talk about the inspiration behind Pappy & Co and how the business has grown since launch.
Harry’s, Inc. known as one of the pioneer brands in the direct-to-consumer space and today a family of brands including Harry’s, Flamingo, Cat Person and Headquarters, is on a mission to create things people like more. As the company charts its future strategy, Harry’s is shifting the focus of Harry’s Labs — the company's incubation arm that launched in 2018 — to acquiring disruptive brands that are looking for a new type of strategic partner. I sat down with Tehmina Haider, who's the head of Harry's Labs, to discuss this strategy and why she believes brands can and should look at different types of strategic and financial partners to scale faster and more successfully.
When Steven Szaronos and Rishi Prabhu were in Business School, they decided they’d rather launch their own business than go work for someone else. After realizing their initial startup wasn’t playing to their strengths as founders, the two launched Bespoke Post in 2011. A decade later, the company has gained a loyal following of consumers who turn to them for discovery. I sat down with the two co-founders to talk about their founding story, how the brand has evolved over the years, and how data from their customers drives this evolution.
When Upper Deck was started in the late 1980’s, they brought first-of-its-kind innovation to the sports trading card industry. Over thirty years later, the company continues to push the envelope as the industry experiences a new surge. I sat down with Jason Masherah, President of Upper Deck, to talk about the heritage of innovation at Upper Deck, their efforts in digital, and how they are investing in the growth of the industry through local hobby shops.
Peanut butter is found in nearly every kitchen pantry. But with its high fat content and inherent “messiness”, this staple was missing the trend of people searching for healthier alternatives and higher protein. That is until the invention of powdered peanut butter by PB2. I sat down with Craig Entwistle, CEO at PB2 Foods, to learn more about how the brand is changing the peanut butter category and how they are approaching innovation in growing the business.
On any given day in the US, 50% of adults drink at least one glass of soda. And despite soda’s heritage as a product sold in pharmacies, today it is best known as a sugar-laden beverage linked to weight-gain and obesity. David Lester and Ben Goodwin, co-founders of OLIPOP, want to change that and use soda as a force of good. I sat down with the two of them to learn more about OLIPOP, what goes into the business of a functional beverage, and why they picked soda as the way to change digestive health.
When Michael Browning started Urban Air, the business was a trampoline park for kids like many others in the industry. But with a background in data science and analytics, Browning was able to see the opportunity to create a more innovative model that was centered around the needs of parents and kids both. I sat down with Browning, the founder and CEO of Urban Air, to learn about the founding story of the business, how data plays such a key role in their decisions, and how the business has evolved over the last year.
Aamir Baig, founder and CEO of Article has a simple philosophy for building a business. In his eyes, a business is not a business unless it has a profit formula that comes with it. That approach to business has allowed Aamir and his co-founders to build Article into one of the leading DTC Furniture companies without relying on raising tens of millions in venture capital. I sat down with Aamir to learn more about Article, the original inspiration behind the business, and how the business has grown over the last year.
In June 2020, Zena Arnold took on a new role at Kimberly-Clark as its Chief Digital and Marketing Officer. Despite the difficulty of making this change during the middle of COVID-19, Arnold believes the lessons of the pandemic have shown companies the potential of a newfound agility in how they approach business. I sat down with Zena to talk about moving into this new role during the middle of the pandemic, how her team has responded, and how she is bringing lessons from her time at Google into theworld of CPG.
Very few brands can find themselves at home on the shelves of both Ace Hardware and Ulta. But Duke Cannon isn’t your typical brand. Launched nearly 10 years ago, Duke Cannon is proudly unpolished. The approach has led the company to be one of the fastest growing brands in the men’s grooming space. I sat down with Ryan O'Connell, Duke Cannon’s president and CEO to learn what proudly unpolished means to them and how the brand’s unique approach to retail has set the business apart.
In 2019, Lume Cube launched one of the first video conference lighting kits made for Zoom meetings at CES. After sales fell dramatically short of
expectations, the company was sitting with over 20,000 units in their warehouse in March 2020. As the world moved to work from home, Lume Cube saw a tremendous reversal of fortunes. I sat down with Riley Stricklin, President and Co-Founder of Lume Cube to talk about the inspiration behind the business and the pivot the company went through during COVID as they wrestled with the unexpected demand.
Today, Whisps Snacks are one of the most popular snacks on grocery shelves and the leader in a new category that they helped create. But just a few years ago, it was merely an idea sitting within the food innovation team at Schuman Cheese, the largest importer of Italian cheeses in the United States. I sat down with Ilana Fischer, CEO of Whisps, to learn more about how they created this new snacking category and the advantages of launching this “startup” within the halls of a larger company.
With 38 million members and a potential audience of 110 million people aged 50 years plus in the United States, AARP is a trusted voice. This role became even more critical during the past year as people turned to AARP as an authoritative voice during the pandemic. I sat down with Martha Boudreau, AARP’s Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, to discuss how they rose to this challenge and how AARP is working with the marketing industry to recognize the opportunity with the 50+ consumer.
Trilith Studios has been home to some of the largest blockbusters in entertainment, ranging from “Avengers: Endgame” to “WandaVision”. With a recent rebrand of the business,Trilith has started on a new expansion of the business given changes they see in technology and content. I sat down with Frank Patterson, President and CEO of Trilith Studios, to talk more about the company rebrand, his vision for Trilith, and how the studio got back to work in the height of the pandemic.
After a health scare in his life, Jason Karp, started to really study the food that he was putting in his body. That led him to start Hu, a better-for-you snack maker that recently sold to Mondelez. In his latest entrepreneurial venture, Jason is the CEO and co-founder of HumanCo, whose mission is to make living a healthier life easier. I sat down with Jason to learn about his plans for HumanCo, the launch of its first brand Snow Days, and why it’s so hard and confusing to live a healthy life.
14 years ago, a late night of drinking inspired Jordan Silbert to make a better tonic water. Today, Q Mixers, the company he founded, makes carbonated mixers, ranging from tonic water and ginger beer to club soda and ginger ale that are served in tens of thousands of bars, restaurants and retail stores. I sat down with Jordan to talk about this journey and why 2020 is the year Americans learned to make cocktails at home.
When Michael Tierney was nineteen years old, he had an innovative idea that he assumed no one ever thought of: putting chocolate inside the marshmallow. He soon discovered that not only had others thought of it, but top candy manufactures invested (and wasted) millions of dollars trying to make this idea work. For nearly a decade, he was faced with constant rejections of “this idea cannot be done,” but through perseverance and superhuman work ethic, Tierney eventually solved the unsolvable and created Stuffed Puffs, one of the only filled marshmallows in the market. This resulted in a national launch with Walmart, and today in its second year, Stuffed Puffs is carried in over 22,000 retail locations nationwide. I sat with Michael to talk through his long journey of launching Stuffed Puffs, how he solved the manufacturing challenge, and where the business is headed next.
One of the most competitive industries in packaged goods is the beverage space. But over the last decade, one of the fastest growing brands has been Sparkling Ice, known for their bold flavors of sparkling water. I sat down with Chris Hall, CEO of Sparkling Ice maker Talking Rain to discuss the history of the business and his own unique journey to becoming CEO.
Few brands are more connected to in-person events like the Super Bowl and music festivals than Anheuser-Busch. So a global shutdown of these events required a complete rewriting of the marketing plans of brands like Budweiser and Bud Light. I sat down with Marcel Marcondes, CMO of Anheuser-Busch, to discuss the pivots the brands made, why they changed their approach to the Super Bowl in 2021, and how a mindset around consumer-centricity continues to be so important to the business.
Moving into your first CEO role is far from an easy transition. But that challenge becomes a little more complex when your first day on the job is March 23, 2020 in the early days of a global pandemic. That is the situation that Charlie Cole, the CEO of FTD found himself in. We sat down to talk about this, the moves FTD has made, and how he is leading this new team when COVID has made it that he has never physically been in the FTD office since taking over as CEO.
Kara Goldin is the founder of Hint Inc, a company that is best known for Hint Water, the leading unsweetened flavored water. It was her experience as an entrepreneur and the realization that the narrative needed to change that inspired her to write Undaunted: Overcoming Doubts and Doubters. I sat down with Kara to talk about her journey building Hint and learn about the inspiration to write Undaunted.
For over 70 years, Topps has been part of culture and childhood memories as the maker of their iconic baseball cards. In recent years, the industry has seen multiple changes, including a significant rise in popularity during the pandemic as people rediscovered the hobby. I sat down with David Leiner, Topps VP/GM of Global Sports and Entertainment to discuss the changes in the industry, how they support the hobby’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, and plans for celebrating their 70 year anniversary.
If you know Fazoli’s, you know their famous breadsticks. Some have even said they are the greatest of all time. Every year the company serves over 100 million of these fan favorites in their restaurants. While the breadstick has been a constant in the company’s 33-year history, the last decade has been one of change and reinvention. I sat down with Carl Howard, CEO of Fazoli’s to talk about the changes they have made to the business in recent years and why those changes and a focus on the consumer, led to the best year in the company’s history.
One of the hardest hit businesses during COVID were the independently-owned gyms across the country. But thanks to a now award-winning marketing campaign by O2 Recovery, many of those gyms were able to keep their members during the lockdowns. I sat down with Dave Colina, CEO & Founder of O2, to talk about their #StayForMay campaign, which recently won BevNet’s Best Marketing Campaign award thanks to nearly 60,000 consumers paying their dues to 1,918 gyms.
Jeremy Andrus helped Skullcandy become one of the hottest brands in electronics, eventually watching the company go public in 2011. As he started looking for his next adventure, he came across a 26-year old business in the grilling space. That business was Traeger Grills, which Andrus acquired in 2014 alongside private equity partner Trilantic Capital Partners. Today, Traeger has one of the most passionate communities in the industry, built around cutting edge technology and more importantly, a better cooking experience. I sat down with Jeremy to talk about the process of entrepreneurship through acquisition and how his team has built Traeger into the lifestyle brand it is today.
Countless college students have written business plans in class only to have their professor say it’s a bad idea. Not many of those students have taken that rejection and turned around to bootstrap the business by working at an oil refinery and on a commercial fishing boat in Alaska. But not every college student is like Todd Graves, the Founder, Chairman, CEO, Fry Cook, and Cashier of Raising Cane’s. I sat down with Todd recently to learn more about his entrepreneurial journey and why appreciation is at the heart of their culture at Raising Cane’s.
Like many in the fitness world, CycleBar saw their business flipped upside down when COVID hit. However, thanks to their unique community and the efforts of the franchisees, the company has been to help their studios re-open. I sat down with Trevor Lucas, the president of CycleBar to talk about the future of the exercise industry and what he's learned during the days of COVID.
In the early days of Pipcorn, everything went well right for the brand. They landed a deal on Shark Tanks, won distribution at Whole Foods, and saw everything pointing up and to the right. But when an investor left the company with nothing but empty promises after a 5-month process, the team at Pipcorn learned that they have to fight for their business. I sat down with Teresa Tsou, the co- founder and co-CEO of Pipcorn to talk about their journey and how they ultimately shook off the no’s in order to fight for themselves.
SuperCoffee was born from Jordan DeCicco’s search for healthier bottled coffee to get through the days and nights as a student athlete. Together with his brothers Jim and Jake, the DeCicco’s decided the world needed an alternative to the sugar-filled Frappuccino. In advance of our panel at FounderMade Discovery At Home, I sat down with oldest brother and CEO Jim DeCicco to talk about this journey of launching a CPG and why the time is now for emerging brands.
Every month, Enthusiast Gaming reaches over 300 million gamers. They are capitalizing on the changing demographic trends where more people today are watching eSports than the NBA or MLB. I sat down with Thamba Tharmalingam, Chief Operating Officer of Enthusiast Gaming to learn more about how marketers can embrace this massive shift in entertainment.
As President of Beyond Beer at Anheuser-Busch, Fabricio Zonzini oversees a portfolio of new and groundbreaking products that allows A-B to predict consumer trends before they start. With products ranging from “water to whiskey”, Beyond Beer offers consumers exactly what they’re looking for across a range of occasions and trends. I sat down with Zonzini to learn more about how Beyond Beer stays on top of consumer trends and and how the business unit is driving growth for Anheuser-Busch.
Over two decades ago, Joel Clark and his brother John took their mom’s wholewheat pancake recipe and turned it into a business. Today, the business has grown from those humble roots across center store categories ranging from pancakes to oatmeal to frozen waffles. I sat down with John to learn about how they have expanded the brand and why one of their best decisions was actually not launching a product in their early days.
When he retired from the NFL, Tiki Barber realized there was a business opportunity around business entertainment done differently. Seven years later, Thuzio, the company he co-founded, has created a new format for business entertainment. I sat down with Tiki and his Thuzio co-founder Jared Augustine to talk about the inspiration behind the business and why they believe the virtual event platform is here to stay for business entertainment.
Annie Duke retired from professional poker in 2012 as one of the most successful players of all time. Today, she is taking what she learned at the poker table about decision making and sharing it with the world as an author and public speaker. We sat down to talk about her new book How to Decide: Simple Tools for Making Better Choicesand why business is dealing with poker like environments and all the uncertainty that comes with it.
Over his career, Paul Chibe has led marketing for some of the largest brands in the world ranging from Quaker Oats and Wrigley to Anheuser-Busch where he served as Chief Marketing Officer in the United States. Today, he serves as the CEO of Ferrero North America, maker of iconic brands such as Nutella, Tic Tac, Kinder, and Butterfinger. We sat down to talk about his move from CMO to CEO, and what marketers should focus on during their career.
The founders of Innovation Department believe that in the search for the next billion-dollar exit, there are pockets of opportunities being overlooked in consumer brands. Through a unique application of linear commerce, they have built brands like Wellpath by following a different approach to brand building. I sat down with Colin Darretta, the co-founder of the Innovation Department, and James Shalhoub, the CEO and founder of their newest brand Finn, to learn about this approach and how they are applying it with their newest launch.
Davis Siksnans is a believer that most good business ideas come out of solving your own need. His first company Startup Vitamins was exactly that. And a need in that business directly led to Printful, which is now one of the largest print on demand drop ship companies in the world. I sat down to talk with Davis about the journey of stating Printful, why print on demand is empowering a wide range of entrepreneurs, and how COVID has impacted the business.
In the world of Consumer Packaged Goods, businesses are generally defined by their categories and where they appear on shelf at retail. To fuel growth, Kraft Heinz is taking a different approach, looking at their businesses by consumer platforms instead of category definitions. I sat down with Nina Barton, Chief Growth Officer at Kraft Heinz, to learn more about why this is such a meaningful change and to discuss the new operating model behind this move.
In 2004, Nader Masadeh decided to take the entrepreneurial leap, leaving the corporate world for something new. The path Masadeh took was to buy a small 4 store restaurant chain called Buffalo Wings & Rings. Fifteen years later, Masadeh has transformed the business and brand, growing it to over 80 locations. We sat down to talk about his journey, how restaurants continue to evolve, and why he decided to take the path of entrepreneurship through acquisition.
After 30 years in franchising, Todd Leff has seen the ups and downs of the economy. As CEO of Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, Todd believes that staying true to their brand is the key to their growth over the last decade. We sat down to discuss their journey, the impact of COVID on their franchisees, and why Todd thinks the brand will come out even stronger from the last few months.
With a strong background in digital marketing. Amanda Tress recognized an opportunity in the fitness marketplace to do things differently. The result is FASTer Way To Fat Loss, a business Tress started in 2016 and has grown from $1 million in revenue to $65 million in just two years. I saw down with Amanda to talk about her journey building FASTer Way, what is next for the business, and why micro influencers are the most important strategy for marketers today.
The story of Blake Mycoskie starting TOMS Shoes is well known in entrepreneurial circles. While many would be content after building a half billion-dollar business, Blake is not one of them. After experiencing his own burnout after TOMS, Blake was inspired to start Madefor, a 10-month program where people learn a new habit or practice each month. We sat down to talk about the inspiration for Madefor and why this focus on well-being is more important than ever.
In April, Chipotle announced their 4Heroes buy one, give one program to support healthcare heroes across the U.S. But did you ever wonder how Chipotle and other companies are able to verify if the person on the receiving end is actually a healthcare professional? Thanks to Jake Weatherly and the team at SheerID, you do not have to worry. SheerID is the leader in identity marketing, allowing companies to instantly verify eligibility for consumer tribes like nurses, teachers, and college students. I sat down with Jake to learn more about the inspiration for starting the company and why they believe consent-based marketing will be the future of engaging with consumers.
In his 15 years at Target, John Peine met with hundreds of brands looking to get on their retail shelves. And while marketing and package design could help you stand out momentarily, the brands that sold the best, were the ones where the product just plain worked. This lesson is at the heart of FRISKA, the new supplement company John recently started aimed at achieving better overall health through improved gut health. We sat down to talk about his journey starting the brand and why he thinks digestive enzymes and gut health are the next major trend in wellness.
The P&G Alumni Network is a nonprofit founded by former P&G employees to connect the talent, ideas and resources of P&G Alumni. With 45,000+ registered members in 40+ chapters worldwide, the P&G Alumni Network connects via global conferences, local and industry events, and online content such as their Learnings from Leaders podcast. I sat down with P&G Alumni Network Board Member Raman Sehgal to learn more about the Alumni Network and why they made the move into podcasting recently.
Grove Collaborative believes that consumer products can be a positive force for human and environmental health. They do not mean just less bad, but actually more good. I sat down with Stu Landesberg, the co-founder and CEO of Grove Collaborative, to learn about how they doing this through a concept called regenerative concept and how data has allowed them to launch their own brands.
Offering a diversified portfolio of specialized fitness concepts in eight unique verticals, Xponential Fitness is the largest curator of boutique fitness brands in the world. As an industry disruptor, the company was ranked in Fast Company's annual list of the World's Most Innovative Companies. I sat down with Anthony Geisler, CEO and founder of Xponential Fitness, to learn more about their unique approach to the fitness world.
With over 30 years in the industry, Peter Holt knows just about every angle of the methodology of running a franchise system. But when he joined The Joint as CEO four years ago, he had to learn the concept of chiropractic care. We sat down to talk about this unique challenge of a concept and methodology, as well as why franchising presents such a great opportunity for fragmented industries.
Many companies want to believe that innovation is a process that you can map out in a nice clean path. But Katlin Smith, Founder and CEO of Simple Mills, knows that more often, innovation comes about by mistake. I sat down with Katlin to talk about her journey building Simple Mills, how the company is leading the clean food movement, and why some of their best innovations have come by hiring people who share a passion for changing the food that we eat.
For over 25 years, ECRM has been driving efficiencies into the buying and selling process between retailers and brands by hosting over 100 programs per year. When the COVID-19 Pandemic shut down travel, the company quickly pivoted, launching not just one, but three new takes on their business model in just under two months. I sat down with Joe Tarnowski, VP of Content for ECRM, to talk more about how the company the company’s culture and long-standing embrace of a Continuous Beta mindset helped them move quickly when time was of the essence.
When Art Saxby gives advice to aspiring marketing leaders, he encourages them to follow a mantra that has guided his own career - “don’t confuse the thing you do every day with the business that you’re in.” That same mantra guides the thinking of the 75 marketers that make up the team of Chief Outsiders, one of the top Fractional CMO firms in the country and where Saxby serves as CEO. I sat down with Art to talk more about the role of the Fractional CMO, why it is becoming increasingly attractive for companies, and marketers need to think early on about the bigger picture of their company.
John Tabis, CEO of The Bouqs Co, believes that the consumer brands that are going to win are the ones that are where customers want them to be. That is why he thinks of Bouqs as much more than just an e-commerce company, with plans to be in retail and anywhere else a customer might want them to be. I sat down with John to talk more about the journey of Bouqs, his viewpoint on business models, and how launching a brand has changed in the last decade.
The world is filled with people that look at something and think to themselves, can’t this be better? Breezy Griffith is part of the minority of entrepreneurs that actually take the step and do something about it. Breezy is the CEO and cofounder of SkinnyDipped, maker of truly delicious chocolate covered nuts. I sat down with Breezy to learn more about their story, how they went from their kitchen to the shelves of Target, and why entrepreneurs need to come together in these trying times.
In 2002, Scott Price was 26 years old when his employer, Arthur Andersen, went out of business following Enron. With his focus on auditing security around technology controls, Scott started his first company, growing it to $11 million in revenue seven years later. Sensing a broader opportunity, Scott left to start A-LIGN in 2009. As CEO and Founder of A-LIGN, they help companies comply with different regulatory and information security standards globally. We sat down to talk about the rise of cybersecurity and why today – particularly in our new work from home environment – it is becoming a topic of board room discussion.
As the SVP of Marketing for Tractor Supply Company, Christi Korzekwa leads the company’s integrated marketing efforts across a variety of channels. At the heart of this strategy is celebrating “Life Out Here” and the unique role that Tractor Supply Company plays for its communities and customers. We sat down to talk about their efforts around Out Here, launching the new Neighbors Club, and why working on the agency side made her a better leader.
Over 4,000 people have tattoos of the Anytime Fitness running man logo. But as Chuck Runyon tells it, those tattoos aren’t about the Anytime Fitness brand but instead it’s a statement of the personal transformation that each individual has experienced. Chuck is the co-founder and CEO of Self Esteem Brands, one of the top 25 franchise systems in the world and the parent company of Anytime Fitness, Waxing the City, Basecamp Fitness, and The Bar Method. We sat down to talk about the history of Self Esteem Brands, how they have built a franchise platform, and why they ended up building a full-time tattoo studio in their headquarters.
Inspired by an injury that would ultimately end his NFL career, Will Bartholomew was looking for a training facility that was made for someone like him, someone wanting to train like a Division One athlete. Not finding the right place, Will decided to start D1 Training and like a true entrepreneur, he played every position in those early days from coach to bill collector to toilet cleaner. Today, D1 Training is one of the fastest growing fitness franchisees in the country. I sat down with Will to learn more about the breadth of the D1 offering and how they are helping their members through the long “offseason” caused by COVID-19.
Nearly 50 years ago, Smoothie King not only created the smoothie category but came up with the name. Today, the company continues to be a partner in the healthy and active lifestyle of millions of people every day. I sat down with Wan Kim, CEO of Smoothie King, to learn about his journey first as a franchisee and now as the CEO and owner of the company.
In the world of retail, the farm store often doesn’t get the same attention as channels like Food, Drug, Mass or Club. But in many ways, this channel is the backbone of the North American economy. Tom Mahlke, CEO of Mid-States Distributing, knows this firsthand. Mid-States started in 1954 as a cooperative bringing together small entrepreneurial rural companies. Today, Mid-States has become one of the nation’s largest retailers in the farm store channel with 36 members, 700 store locations and annual sales in excess of 6.5 billion dollars. At their Winter Rendezvous Trade Show, I sat down with Tom to discuss the Farm and Ranch channel, what makes it different, and why relationships matter so much in their industry.
“Serial was one of those shows where people figured out how to listen to a podcast because they wanted to listen to Serial.” That’s according to Jen Sargent, Chief Operating Officer of Wondery, one of the world’s leading podcast content creators and someone who knows a thing or two about serialized storytelling with hit podcasts like Dr Death. I sat down with Jen to discuss the world of podcasting and how the business of content creation is changing.
As a Partner at First Round Capital, Phin Barnes is one of the leading seed venture capitalists in the country. But his path to venture capital isn’t the typical one. In his first job after college, Phin spent six years helping to scale AND 1 Basketball from $15 million to over $225 million in revenue including developing their signature AND 1 marketing property — the AND 1 Mix Tape. We sat down to talk his journey, why relationships and process matter, and how he went from marketing basketball shoes to investing in disruptive startups such as GOAT, Blue Apron, and Birchbox.
Entrepreneurship is often about celebrating the founder. Names like Phil Knight, Steve Jobs, and Elon Musk can’t be separated from mentions of Nike, Apple, and Tesla. But there is a different sort of entrepreneur that made companies like McDonald’s a household name. They were able to identify an existing company with untapped potential, acquire that business, and then lead it to tremendous growth. It is called entrepreneurship through acquisition or ETA for short. Eugene Kang is just that type of entrepreneur. Kang is the CEO of Country Archer, a business that he bought for $500,000 in 2010 and over the last decade, has grown into one of the largest jerky companies in the world. I sat down with Eugene to talk about his journey, how retail is changing, and the challenge of driving innovation in a category.
Gautam Gupta is an investor and entrepreneur. Starting his career at General Catalyst, Gautam then went on to be founder and CEO of NatureBox. He's now returned to the venture world as a Partner at M13. We sat down to talk his journey in the startup world and the opportunities that he feels new technology will open up.
Will McClelland is the co-founder and partner at Elizabeth Street Ventures. Will had his first taste as an investor when he supported his brother’s efforts to launch a bike company in the Phillipines that was manufactured out of bamboo. That experience, including their bikes being a gift to President Obama from the Phillipines government, have led Will to focus on investing in consumer startups. We talked about the 30+ investments he has had made, why the intuition of the entrepreneur is what he looks for the most, and the broad aperture they use at Elizabeth St to define consumer.
What would lead someone to walk away from a 6 figure job for a job making 25k a year? For Gino Wickman, it was not only a passion for the company but more importantly a desire to save his father’s failing business. He convinced his dad that he could save the business. His dad wrote him a check for 100k, gave him the keys to the company, and in 7 years he had resurrected the company and sold it. I sat down with Gino to talk about his journey as an entrepreneur, how that led him to create the highly successful Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), and why he wrote his new book Entrepreneurial Leap.
How do you predict an explosive new category? Adnan Durrani, co-founder and CEO of Saffron Road, is a good person to ask after doing just that in multiple entrepreneurial ventures. Before Saffron Road, Adnan was involved in both launching the healthy yogurt revolution with Stonyfield Farms and the emergence of bottled water with Vermont Pure Spring. In Saffron Road, he has now created a new category with the world’s first Halal-certified, antibiotic free and humanely raised frozen entrée. We sat down to talk about his journey as an entrepreneur and how the business was inspired by a changing consumer base with different expectations for brands.
North America is changing. It’s becoming younger, more multicultural, and more globally aware. And the MLS is banking on it.
On this episode, we spoke with David Bruce, the SVP of Brand & Marketing at the MLS. He discussed how he’s making the MLS brand and clubs stand out, doing the opposite of competing brands, and embracing multicultural uniqueness.
What we talked about: - Competing against well-established brands - Branding in a multicultural world - Cultural fluidity
How do you really empathize with someone? You feel with them. So, if you’re going to create a new category that solves someone’s pain, you have to actually feel that pain. That’s straight from a true category creator, Sangram Vajre.
He came on this episode to discuss how he created the #ABM (account-based marketing) category. Sangram is the co-founder and Chief Evangelist of Terminus, and worked at Pardot and ExactTarget during their acquisition by Salesforce for $2.5B
What we talked about: - Empathizing with your customers/market - Knowing the pain - Category creation
On this episode, we invited Simon Burton, Managing Director at eighteen94 Capital, to give us an inside look at how he and his team choose investments.
Simon has extensive experience in capital management and investment at Chase, Kellogg’s, Norges Bank, and others.
What we talked about: - Strategic vs. returns-oriented VC investments - What Kellogg’s looks for in “strategic” investments - How to balancing returns & strategy in VC funding - Corporate VC organizational structure - Venture Capital funding
What does it mean to “bring the hustle”? On this episode of Predicting The Turn, I sat down with Tristan Walker, CEO and Founder of Walker & Company to answer that very question. As a person of color unable to find razor blades made for his skin, Tristan took his drive, his business acumen, his Stanford MBA, and said “I”m the perfect person to solve this problem.” We sat down to talk about the journey, the company's acquisition by Procter & Gamble, and why he is just getting started on what they are building.
What business lessons can we learn from the owner of Oprah’s favorite ice cream? It turns out, quite a few. On this episode, CEO & President of Graeter’s discusses how his 19th century, family-owned, brick-and-mortar ice cream company is expanding into the future. Balancing relevancy with quality. Tying your business to geography. Online sales. Family businesses. Women-owned businesses. For more interviews from thought leaders who are Predicting the Turn, check out our podcast on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify, or our website.
Digital offers a superior experience. So, why doesn’t every business embrace digital?
Adam Weber, Varsity Tutors, came on a recent episode of Predicting The Turn to talk about this issue.
He also gave us some insight into other issues, including Why performance marketing and brand marketings are one and the same How Dollar Shave Club was able to grow so quickly. What you should keep in mind when acquiring a company.
You can find this interview, and many more by subscribing to Predicting the Turn Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or on our website.
When it comes to marketing, innovation has brought about some great tools. But it’s also brought some new legal challenges marketers have to face. So, how can companies navigate these new legal challenges?
On this episode of Predicting The Turn, I'm joined by Sharon Toerek, Principal at Toerek Law.
She came on the show to talk through some creative ways companies can turn issues like data privacy into wins for their business.
What comes to mind when you think of Digital Innovation? Apple? Uber? Sure, that makes sense. But what about a company like Nestle?
If we’re being totally honest, a multi-national food giant like Nestle probably isn’t on the front of anybody’s radar when we talk about Digital Innovation.
In this episode of Predicting The Turn, Mark Brodeur gives some incredible insight on how to become great at building relationships. Advice for companies looking to embark on a journey of Digital Innovation. How to focus on Digital Innovation at a $100B+ company.
You can find this interview, and many more by subscribing to the Predicting the Turn Podcast on Apple Podcasts, or on.
How many 100-year-old companies do you know that are still fresh and relevant today? Odds are, not many.
Keeping your brand fresh and engaging for an entire CENTURY is no small feat. Thankfully, Julie Haddon is not your average marketer.
On a recent episode of the Predicting the Turn podcast, Julie shared four of the ways that she and her team at the NFL are keeping a 100-year-old company fresh and engaging.
Athletes-turned-entrepreneurs bring a powerful mental toughness to business.
Travis Kelce (star tight end for the KC Chiefs and 4-time Pro Bowler) didn’t disappoint during this interview on Predicting the Turn.
What we talked about: Relying on your team in business (and football), why you should be a nerd in your profession, and the difference between being a spokesperson for a third-party brand, and being the face of your own company.
Checkout these resources we mentioned during the podcast: Wikipedia article on Travis Kelce, Hilo Gummies.
For more interviews from thought leaders who are Predicting the Turn, check out our podcast on Apple, on, Spotify, or our website.
In the Internet, Age security is one of the most important considerations for any business.
Whether you run an online company in need of cybersecurity or a brick-and-mortar in need of physical security the urgency of being safe can’t be overlooked. One of the most trusted names in security is Allegion. Partly, because they are always thinking ahead.
One example is the fact that they hired Rob Martens, a futurist, to work with them on their expansion into Ventures. The primary purpose of their fund is emergent technology companies.
Allegion is used to participating in larger ecosystems, so they need to work with new technologies to learn what they need to do to successfully interface with them in the future.
This supports their company vision of creating seamless access and a safer world.
On today's episode we're jumping back into the world of venture capital.
I'm joined by one of my favorite early stage investors out there, Semil Shah. He's Founder of Haystack Ventures and Partner at Lightspeed.
Semi came on this episode of Predicting The Turn to talk about things like how he got into venture capital, the impact the 2019 IPO market will have on startups, and how the concept of triangulation can be used by larger companies for startup engagement.
Today’s guest on Predicting the Turn knows all about keeping it real, meeting consumers where they are, and staying on the pulse of what consumers want.
Meghan Asha is the CEO and founder of FounderMade. She’s got thoughts on why consumer brands are the new hot thing for entrepreneurs, and what it takes to be successful in this market.
We talked to Meghan all about: What it takes to stand out as authentic in a crowded consumer goods market. The one thing you need to focus on as a high-growth brand. What consumers are looking for when selecting a brand.
In 2003, Firehouse Subs had 65 stores. Today, they have 1,170. So, how did they achieve such incredible growth?
On today’s episode of Predicting The Turn Don Fox, joined me to talk about how the company has achieved such impressive growth, even while facing significant disruption in the industry.
Here’s what we talked about: How verabilizing the mission statement has been a catalyst for the company’s growth.
Why Firehouse is so committed to giving back to the community. How they’re addressing disruption from third party delivery services.
Myspace changed marketing contracts between consumers and brands were forever. Consumers had a platform to distribute content in their own voice, and for the first time, consumers could tell brands what they thought about them.
Fast-forward to today, and former Myspace employee, Heidi Browning, now the CMO of NHL, is using marketing to help fans have more control over their experience. Last season’s NHL Playoffs were the most-watched in the past twenty-three years. Game 7 was the most viewed game in history.
Sports betting lets them take a look at a lot of data, and this data has many interesting new uses for marketers. For instance, they have new technology that allows them to put trackers in the puck and the jersey to analyze things like puck time and use it for broadcasting purposes.
Leaderboards, coaches, and on-air broadcasting gives real-time experiences to fans. Experiential marketing takeaways from sports: -Everything is experiential in sports. There’s no better sport to watch live than hockey.
-Having virtual reality to accompany the game helps the game live long after the players get off the ice to extend the sports experience.
As a leader in the marketing space, Jason White — currently CMO at Cura Cannabis Solutions — has worked with some of the world’s most renowned brands. Think Nike, Tide, and Beats by Dr. Dre.
On this episode of Predicting the Turn, Jason came on the show to talk about his experience working with these brands and what he learned about marketing and the fundamentals of branding along the way.
We discussed issues including: why it’s so important to learn to sell the “boring” stuff first, how to embrace culture without making costly missteps, and how to avoid being overshadowed through celebrity partnerships.
After Season 1, we took a short break from Predicting the Turn. But guess what?
We’re back!
As great as our podcast’s first season has been, we’re incredibly proud to be bringing you even more excellence in Season 2. So, on this episode we’re highlighting our favorite takeaways from Season 1 and giving you an inside look at what’s to come in Season 2.
Scott Kirsner, CEO and Co-Founder of Innovation Leader came on this episode of Predicting The Turn to share highlights from their most recent quarterly research report.
We discussed all things startup engagement, addressing topics like: how to be more strategic about startup engagement, how to think about innovation, and why accelerators have become so popular.
Chieh Huang is the Founder and CEO of Boxed.
And he still interviews every candidate before they're hired.
That’s quite unusual. So, why does he do it?
Well, that’s what we talked about on this episode of Predicting The Turn. As a two-time startup founder, Chieh has a lot of wisdom to pass along.
So, in this show, he talked about why “we” is so important, why micromanaging stifles your team, and how you can manage changing consumer expectations.
Any venture capitalist wants to be lucky enough to invest in a company that defines a generation. They want to find the next Google or Amazon.
But when you look forward 20 years, those generation-defining business will look very different.
When you look at data around purchasing behavior around millennials and Gen Z, it’s very different than the behavior for baby boomers.
Baby boomers are thinking about “value” when they make a purchasing decision. High-quality products at an affordable price.
When you ask millennials or Gen Zers, they care most about “brand values.” It’s illuminating.
Listen in to hear Taylor Greene, Managing Director at Collaborative Fund, talk about how this generation-defining change in spending affects what he looks for as an investor.
In today’s business landscape, if you want to succeed, you’ve got to swing for the fences. That means being proactive, focusing on innovation, and not being afraid to place the bet.
On this episode of Predicting the Turn our guest is Stu Willson, Co-founder and CEO of Radicle. Stu came on the show to share his expertise on how to be proactive, focus on innovation, and think about bets, and why these keys are crucial to creating value for your business.
BarkBox started with three levels of personalization for small, medium, and large breed dogs.
Then one day they got a very important phone call.
It was from a customer who needed their box a little more personalized.
Now, they customize about 120,000 boxes each month.
So, how do they do it?
Matt Meeker, Founder and CEO of BARK, came on the latest episode of Predicting the Turn to talk about his entrepreneurial journey and how BarkBox emphasizes the customer in all they do.
Millennials. Supposedly they’ve killed homeownership, department stores, chain restaurants, and a whole host of other things. But what if they’re not killing the world? What if they’re just forcing it to adapt? Matt Britton was a guest on Predicting the Turn podcast recently and had a few thoughts on Millennials and how businesses should be adapting in response.
Big brands often can’t get out of their own way. That’s why disruption is just waiting to happen in so many industries. One of those industries is cleaning. In this episode, Jon Bostock, former President of Big Ass Fans & CEO / CoFounder of Truman's, shares his experience at GE and Big Ass Fans before diving into the mess that is the current state of the cleaning supplies industry and how Truman’s is using authentic human connection, straight-to-consumer delivery, and safe, quality products to change the way cleaning supplies are bought and used.
After working at Procter and Gamble and Coca-Cola, Tim Kopp made a huge mark on the B2B world. How? The color orange. Tim is the former CMO of ExactTarget. Now, he’s in the venture capital space at Hyde Park Venture Partners. At the time he made the leap into B2B, there were very few CMOs. But he thankfully did it anyway.
In this episode, Tim talks about how tapping into the brand colors at ExactTarget was one of the most important things he did. He also talked about how B2B companies can use the best practices from consumer marketing, where marketing is headed in 3-6 years, and the seven different personas of a CMO.
On this episode of Predicting The Turn our guest is Shiv Singh, a former executive at Visa and Pepsi and Founder of Savvy Matters. Shiv talked about the responsibility we have as business leaders to leave a better world for the next generation. How do we do this? By staying savvy.
Everybody organizations similar desires. They want to grow their business. And our guest today, Mark Irace, former CMO of FanDuel, has a blueprint for how he advising companies to get that growth. Most companies he advises want to acquire customers, retain customers, and build a great brand. Don’t we all? Surprisingly, he’s found that the blueprint to do that is pretty consistent across industries.The desires and needs are all the same, but the way to execute the solution is different.
On today’s episode, Mark walks us through the blueprint he uses to identify weak spots in companies that want to grow.
What comes to your mind when you think of venture capital? Is it startups, secret back rooms, fancy cars, and slick deals? What if you learned venture capital wasn’t just for small financial firms? What if someone told you that 75% of Fortune100 companies have active venture capital groups? What if you learned that corporate venture capital groups participate in a third of all venture deals and that the number of corporate VCs has tripled since 2011?
Disruption isn’t an option. We can disrupt ourselves, or someone else will. Large companies face this modern dilemma every day. Enterprise businesses can embrace their own disruption by reinventing and transforming themselves ... or they can be surprisingly disrupted by an external force.
Rudina Seseri laid out the podcast. She’s been in every camp: She worked at Microsoft, founded her own startups, and is now Managing Partner at Glasswing Ventures, where she’s funding the future of AI, ML, and predictive. In her words: “Today's large incumbents, maybe tomorrow's fallen empire.” But the answer for enterprise isn't surrendering. It’s collaboration. Find out how on this episode.
Love him or hate him, it’s hard to argue with the fact that Elon Musk has captured our attention. Every time he launches a rocket into space or sends a car into orbit, we’re rooting for him. We want him to succeed? But why? Why are we rooting for these seemingly crazy ideas? Because he’s offered a point of view that we can get behind. One that says, “Even if this project fails, eventually, it’s going to succeed and we’re going to get to Mars. So does your company offer a clear point of view? One that speaks to the heart?
In my book Predicting The Turn, I talked about the concept of disrupting the disruptors where the Fortune 500 can take inspiration from the startups that are out there. To see a perfect example of this we spoke with David VanHimbergen Head of Springboard at The Kraft Heinz Company, which is the food giant’s startup incubator, accelerator, and partnership-seeking initiative. “We have to be comfortable with disrupting ourselves or else someone's going to do it for us,” says VanHimbergen. But Kraft Heinz is at the top of the pyramid. Why are they doing this? “For products within the Kraft Heinz portfolio, we've got number one, number two brands, but there's a lot of disruption coming,” says VanHimbergen. “So we need to figure out how do we start building capability and partner with folks on the outside that are building these authentic propositions.”
B2C winners know the math behind performance marketing. But they've also ingested the lesson of brand. There’s been a realization that, you can know the math and run the economics, but it's a long game. You've also got to know the customer and create incredible experiences for them So, understand what the math says from a performance marketing perspective. And understand the experience that you've got to create. Then apply your own judgement to create an experience that's at the intersection of the two. That takes the best of both worlds. Oh, and if you want a role model... Don’t just figure out who’s the best in your space and try to be better than they are. Figure out what space is the best at each facet. Then try to be as good as the best player in that space.
This is advice from Jeff Weiser, CMO at Shopify. Predicting The Turn podcast to talk about everything from his journey from strategy and analytics to becoming a CMO, to giving advice to large companies striving to respond to the rise of entrepreneurs.
If you’re an entrepreneur, time is on your side. That’s probably not something you’ve heard before, but here’s what I love about legendary entrepreneurs: Everyone else sees obstacles, and they only see opportunity. Scott Dorsey is one of those legends, and he see the constraint of time as a powerful ally That’s just one of the many topics we discussed on this episode Scott lets us come behind the scenes of High Alpha, his latest venture since ExactTarget sold to Salesforce for $2.5B. He dives into how BigCo can adapt to the disruptive marketplace, and use size and strength to complement agility and speed of smaller outfits.
Venture capital is all about investing in disruption. How come the industry itself hasn’t been disrupted? n the venture industry, 9 out of 10 investors are trying to look better, sound better, and know more than the others, and 1 out 10 are actually trying to do something different. How come in an industry so intently focused on funding disruption, the vast number of people all do it the very same way? There’s no one more equipped to handle that question than Paul Martino, founder of Bullpen Capital. Bullpen Capital is an early-stage, post-seed venture fund investing in technology companies that have been funded by super-angels and institutional seed funds. What sets Bullpen apart from other firms are a few strategies they use to maximize their portfolio value and find the companies no one else is paying attention to but should be.
In the tightest labor market ever, people have a ton of options. If you’re not rolling out the red carpet, the talented won’t join. Getting the right talent that knows how to keep pace with the changes in today’s world should be top of mind for every company. Few understand this better than Nick Comydas of Hunt Club, a recruiting firm that uses crowdsourcing technology to find companies the best passive talent.
On this episode of Predicting the Turn, Nick outlines how companies can acquire the right talent in this tight labor market and how blue-chip companies need to evolve if they want to keep their talent. He also lends his insight on a few interesting things big companies are doing to adapt, some big trends that are happening in both big companies and the startup world, and finally what individuals can do to prepare themselves with the necessary skills of today.
Every major industry has been forced to focus on innovation. You can’t ignore it, and it’s not just because someone might come by and take some of your business, but you have the potential to be massively disrupted in a very short period of time. Our guest on today’s episode of Predicting The Turn is Joe Medved, a venture partner at Lerer Hippeau. As an expert in innovation and investment banking, he sat down with us to talk about what’s changing in digital media and innovation and how he identifies entrepreneurs worth taking a risk on. It’s almost like identifying an emerging artist; risky but rewarding when your instinct turns out to be right. Because a successful company is about more than just a high quality product, Joe won’t work with a company unless the founder meets a certain criteria.
What does a journalist who spends every single day with CMOs think about how today's marketing leadership can help define the future of business? I grabbed a quick interview with Jenny Rooney, editor at CMO Forbes, while at Cradle Marketers, an event about shaping the future of marketing held at Miami University.
“How necessary is playing in the sandbox?”. “It’s the price of entry to compete as a business professional.” Nimble, digital-first companies are the ones that succeed. Pete Blackshaw has a very unique blend of big company, small company, and public policy experience. He’s been a digital change agent at large companies, a founder of startups, and he’s even worked in the California legislature. On this episode of Predicting the Turn, I sat down to chat with Pete about internal social networks, digital Accountability, the success of CES, the potential future of Cincinnati as a startup hub, and Pete’s experiences of personal growth and development.
Kyle Schlegel gets asked every day what Roger Federer is like, or real, when the camera’s not on him. The truth: he’s exactly the way he is on camera. That’s a powerful level of authenticity and it’s a growing trend. It’s also just one of the big ways technology has changed the landscape for marketing leaders of sporting goods companies. At Brandemonium, I got to sit down with an expert on this topic, my friend Kyle Schlegel, the Global Marketing Director of Racquet Sports at Wilson. He outlined 5 challenges that face large sporting goods brands today, and the 2 practices marketing leaders should be engaged in to become better assets to the brands they represent.
How do you hold on to an entrepreneurial mindset in an industry as established as food, beverages, and hospitality is? To find out, we invited Kevin Burke, Senior Director of Global Marketing - Innovation at Beam Suntory, to join the Predicting the Turn podcast.
Everyone’s trying to predict disruption. Big brands, venture, and startups. How do each of these perspectives think differently about the issue? More importantly, how can a show with these 3 perspectives help listeners predict the turns in their industries? Dave Knox’s background is at the intersection of the worlds of big brands and startups. He started his career at Proctor and Gamble as the Founder of Corporate Digital Strategy right around the time where web2.0 was emerging. Dave then spent the last seven years as the Chief Marketing Officer for a fast-growing digital innovation agency called Rockfish which he helped sell to WPP. On the nights and weekends, he spent his time as an advisor to a few different venture capital funds and also was the Cofounder of Brandery, one of the top 15 startup accelerators in the country. Predicting the Turn is based on Dave’s experience spending time with companies like P and G, Kroger, and Ford, but then working on nights and weekends with startups that were challenging the very industries that those big companies were working in. This podcast is meant to be a discussion about that. It's not aimed only at the world of big business or only at the world of startups and venture, but at the intersection between those worlds. Listeners can expect to hear great conversations with the leaders of some the biggest brands in the world, the venture capitalists funding the hottest startups, and founders and entrepreneurs who were crazy enough to change their industries.
CPG companies are being disrupted left and right. Where they struggle, brands like Inspire & Arby’s have figured it out. Technology innovation is causing massive disruption in many fields, especially CPG. Companies are too slow, encumbered by corporate bureaucracy. Instead, they need to leverage their resources in a streamlined way toward proactivity, higher order thinking, and how to add holistic value to their customers. Where they struggle, marketing leaders in the foodservice industry like Jason Leohr and Jim Taylor are winning. Jim is the Chief Marketing Officer of Arby’s and Jason is the VP of Media for Inspire Brands, Arby’s parent company. I got to chat with them right before their speech at Brandemonium.