Entrepreneur Minds Speak

Hosted by Lauren Casgren-Tindall and Natalie Saporova

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Mar 2026

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About the show

Package designer Lauren Casgren-Tindall & developer Natalie Saporova share insights on conquering small business hurdles, while also hosting interviews with experts from the food, beauty, supplements, and alcohol sectors. Lauren Casgren-Tindall | Crème de Mint Natalie Saporova | Cloud Create Struggling with where to start? Join the free Start Your Product Line E-Course https://linktr.ee/entrepreneurmindsspeak

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41 recent

March 24, 202633 min

E41: A CPG Product Launch Success Story

We are excited to share our conversation with Mike Simon, COO of Surfsnax. Mike shares his journey from struggling to get people to even try his unique salmon snacks, to being picked up by Costco, Wegmans, Giant, Big Y, and other large retailers. After a lackluster CPG product launch with packaging that didn’t wow the audience, he approached Crème de Mint for a rebrand. The new branding drew people in at trade shows and gained traction with retailers. Tune in to hear Mike’s story and his advice for fellow CPG entrepreneurs, including when to pivot, considering different revenue streams for your business, and how to build brand recognition through geographical representation. and building your brand in a way that stays true to your values and personality. Learn more about these unique, savory snack sticks at Surfnsax.com Thinking about a rebrand for your CPG product? We’re here to help! https://cremedemint.com/contact/

November 18, 202531 min

EPISODE 40: Refreshingly Honest Ad Spend Advice for CPG Startups

Today’s guest is Kevin Gawronski, founder of Gawronski Media, here to share some refreshingly honest ad spend advice for CPG startups. Despite what you may have heard, there is no magic trick for instant success, and huge ad spend doesn’t necessarily equate to huge sales. Instead of empty promises, Kevin shares realistic expections, best practices, and data-driven methods for getting your brand noticed on Instacart and other retail apps, as well as paid social and Google. If you’re looking for an honest Paid Media Partner, check out what Gawronski Media has to offer. https://gawronskimedia.com/ On the creative side, Crème de Mint is here to help you develop visually striking ads.

October 9, 202535 min

EPISODE 39: What's New in Beauty Product Manufacturing?

We’re excited to welcome back Jeffrey Martin, a beauty product manufacturing expert, to hear about new consumer expectations, legislation, and tariffs affecting beauty brands. With invaluable insights for beauty entrepreneurs in a rapidly changing consumer and manufacturing landscape, this episode is not to be missed. Jeffrey explains what to look for in a manufacturer, including testing their knowledge of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, formulation and testing capabilities, and using the “goldilocks method” to find the right fit. He also describes changes in consumer behavior that beauty brands need to be aware of. Jeffrey is the Director of Marketing at Federal Package, a manufacturer of skincare products based in Chanhassen, MN. Learn more at FederalPackage.com or reach out to Jeffrey through Linkedin / jeffreymartinmpls Resources mentioned in this episode: IBA U.S. Legislative and Regulatory Policy Map https://independentbeauty.org/iba-us-... Safer States (a national alliance of environmental health organizations) https://www.saferstates.org/ FREEBIE ALERT! Grab Crème de Mint's free Manufacturing Guide. https://omniform1.com/forms/v1/landin... Ready to build your brand? Crème de Mint is here to help. Schedule your free consultation! https://cremedemint.com/contact/

June 18, 202537 min

EPISODE 38: How to Choose the Right Packaging

Do you need guidance on choosing the right packaging for your product—and making sure it actually works? This week on the podcast, we’re joined by Jessie Schwartz, CEO and founder of Strategic Packaging Partners, for a deep dive into the often-overlooked world of product packaging engineering. Jessie brings years of expertise to the table, sharing how to select the best packaging solutions, streamline operations, and build strong, reliable relationships with contractors and suppliers. If you’re looking to avoid costly missteps and refine your packaging strategy, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

March 14, 202536 min

EPISODE 37: Expert PR Tips: Amplify Your Brand

Looking for expert PR tips? Today's guest is Annette Malkin, CEO and founder of Culturewise Collective, a PR agency that helps small-to-mid-size brands build awareness, amplification, and credibility through strategic and authentic messaging. Annette has worked with brands like Tequila Don Julio, Zacapa Rum, Altoids, TAZO Tea and Maxwell House. In this episode, you'll hear expert advice on amplifying your brand message through social media and traditional media outlets, as well as ways entrepreneurs can present themselves as a subject matter experts to build credibility.

December 4, 202439 min

EPISODE 36: Innovations in Sustainability—Dissolvable Packaging

What if single-use packaging could just “disappear”? Drain-safe, dissolvable packaging is a new approach to sustainability. Today’s guest is Alex Abbott from SmartSolve, a producer of environmentally-safe papers & adhesives that dissolve in water and leave behind no residue. Alex answers our questions about dissappearing packaging and discusses emerging technologies, including SmartSolve’s new dissolvable packaging material that keeps food fresh, launching early 2025. Learn more at http://www.smartsolve.com Do you need help designing sustainable packaging for your brand? We can help. Schedule a call with Creme de Mint. https://cremedemint.com/contact/

October 6, 202441 min

EPISODE 35: Beyond the Hype—Sustainable Packaging

In today's episode, Saloni Doshi helps us see beyond the hype to understand what sustainable packaging really means. Saloni is the CEO and self-proclaimed "Chief Sustainability Geek" of EcoEnclose, a packaging manufacturer that offers guidance to brands wanting to become more sustainable without breaking the bank. Saloni describes how EcoEnclose collaborates with producers of innovative packaging materials made from regenerative sources like seaweed and discusses new environmental regulations that will impact how brands label their products. Check out the podcast below!

September 9, 202437 min

EPISODE 34: Is Your Cosmetics Brand FDA MoCRA Compliant?

Is your cosmetics brand FDA MoCRA compliant? In this episode, we speak with Marcha Chaudry, an expert in cosmetic regulations and founder of The Equity Wellness Collaborative (EWC). Marcha explains how cosmetics companies, from startups to established brands, can become compliant with the FDA's enforcement of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA). We also discuss the lack of representation within the beauty industry and funding opportunities for entrepreneurs from under-represented communities. Want to learn more about how Marcha can help your brand become complaint or get funding through grants? Learn more at https://equitywellness.org/about/ or reach out to Marcha at info@equitywellness.org

July 11, 202456 min

EPISODE 33: Best Website Practices for New Product Businesses

Join us for a fun twist where Lauren interviews co-host Natalie Saporova, founder of the web design agency Cloud Create. Natalie describes her process for working with new clients and shares best website practices for new product businesses. Other topics up for discussion include SEO, mapping the customer journey, and addressing how customer expectations for websites have evolved over time. If you’d like to work with Natalie and Lauren on your next website project, contact us at https://cremedemint.com/contact/

July 11, 20241 hr 10 min

EPISODE 32: Creating a Scent for Your Product with Product Development Expert Emilie Mascarell

How do you create a fragrance or a scent for your product? Get the inside scoop from product development expert Emilie Mascarell, who has helped everyone from startups to established brands like L'Oreal and Estee Lauder develop signature fragrances. In today's episode, Emilie walks us through the steps of product development and custom fragrance formulation. She touches on how she sees AI being incorporated into the process in the future and shares best advice for CPG startups. Want to work with Emilie? You can find her at https://www.emilieconsulting.com/