NexxtLevel Brands Podcast

Hosted by G. Steven Cleere - NexxtLevel Brands

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130

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Oct 2024

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About the show

The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ brings thought leaders and vital information and opinion to the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry. Our audience is aimed at up-and-coming entrepreneurs in the CPG industry and people who have an idea for a product or service that fits in that realm. The show’s emphasis is on disrupters and thought-leaders, but also tips from veterans and key suppliers that would help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. NexxtLevel Brands Podcast touches on all aspects, from retail, to production, sales, and marketing. We interview industry leaders, large CPG veterans, disrupters, and other movers & shakers in both the product and services areas surrounding CPG.

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October 10, 202436 min

Going Green the Tasty Way! RollinGreens on the Nexxt Level Podcast

Lindsey Cunningham is the Co-founder and CEO of RollinGreens, a brand that offers tasty, plant-based, clean label food. She was born into an entrepreneurial family in Scarsdale, New York and grew up with the dream of having her own restaurant. She is persistent, passionate and a risk taker. Lindsey graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a BS in Journalism Broadcast News. After two summers at NBC, she listened to her childhood dream and started the RollinGreens food truck with her now husband, Ryan Cunningham. 10 years later, RollinGreens has thrived and expanded with a line of plant based frozen alternatives in more than 1800 stores nationwide. Their offerings include millet tots, cauliflower wings, and currently in the midst of launching their first shelf stable products. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: What inspired Lindsey to enter the food industry through a food truck The type of food Lindsey and her husband offers to their customers How Lindsey found a co-packer for her millet tots, got into to Whole Foods, and later entered other retail stores How Lindsey expanded her line of products from her first millet tots to her current SKUs How RollinGreens differentiates itself from other frozen food brands and why they decided to make their products shelf-stable How COVID-19 has impacted Lindsey's business The biggest challenge Lindsey faced in growing her business and how she's looking to fund it The target market for RollinGreens' products How Lindsey's background in journalism helped in growing her business and how they are positioning themselves with a different buying team Lindsey gives advice to fellow entrepreneurs on how to run a business and debunks the myth that healthy, natural food doesn’t sell in Walmart In this episode… Millet is such an underutilized yet nutrient-dense whole grain that many people don't know about. It’s actually used for bird feed and people do not realize just how healthy it is for humans. In an effort to not just educate people about its health benefits but to also provide health and nutritious food alternatives, Lindsey Cunningham and her husband, Ryan, started a food truck business selling millet tots. They had an abundant supply of millet from Colorado farmers, which they took advantage of and soon their products were on the shelves of Whole Foods. In this episode of Nexxt Level Brands, Lindsey Cunningham gets interviewed by Steve Cleere where she shares her journey of growing her natural, plant-based food brand with her husband Ryan. She talks about her family's history in the food truck business, where she sources her millet grain, the health benefits of this particular grain, and why entrepreneurs need to be persistent in growing and scaling their businesses. Stay tuned. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf Nexxt Level Marketing

October 3, 202444 min

Best of - Wundernuggets and Crafty Counter, with Hema Reddy- Original June 2019

Hema Reddy is the Founder and CEO of Crafty Counter, a food company that specializes in nutrient-dense food that also is pleasing to the taste buds. Their flagship product, Wunder Nuggets, provides a well-balanced meal contained in every serving. Crafty Counter is designed to help flexitarian families have better choices so that they can help long term health and still have a positive impact on our planet. Join G. Steven Cleere as he is joined by Hema to talk about flexitarianism, Hema’s Food Startups Podcast, and what is coming next for the Crafty Counter Line. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: [2:36] Background on Hema and the origins of Crafty Counter [8:44] The longevity of Flexitarianism [11:20] Challenges Hema had starting a commercial kitchen [16:40] Selling in the frozen section versus the fresh section [21:51] Marketing strategy for Crafty Counter [28:13] Upcoming products that Hema is planning to add to the line [32:08] The unique relationship children have with food [36:48] Wunder Nuggets don’t need a dipping sauce [37:42] Hema’s experience on the Food Startups Podcast [40:29] Advice for developing brands Resources Mentioned in this episode Crafty Counter Food Startups Podcast LinkedIn for Hema

September 26, 202447 min

Filling the Gap for Glass Bottled Living Beverages! Sol-ti on the Nexxt Level Podcast

Encore Presentation from 2020: Ryne O'Donnell is the Founder of Sol-ti, a living beverage company. Ryne’s personal obsession with health and well-being along with the undeniable benefits of good, organic food and juice had on his body made him realize that there was a lack of quality options for travelers. This, coupled with the incessant infiltration of plastic packaging got Ryne thinking that it was time to address the gap in the market for glass bottled living beverages which was how Sol-ti was created in 2014. Ryne is also the Founder of Permaculture Planet, a Costa Rica-based corporation specializing in permaculture design land development and design properties. He invested in a farm in Costa Rica as a backup plan in case his business failed and later moved there. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: How Ryne O’Donnell's personal challenge led to the Sol-ti Ryne talks about making smoothies and other beverages at home before starting his business What prompted Ryne to leave the tech industry and develop a mobile phone app to help people find healthy food and juice bars How Ryne started his Sol-ti business and the returns he got during the first month of sales Ryne’s initial plans for Sol-ti, how he produced his products at a rental kitchen, and his initial sales run at a local yoga studio Ryne explains what Sol-ti means, the flavors they currently have, and where the products are sold How Ryne filled the gap between demand, distribution, and production Ryne talks about Costa Rica and his decision to sell the beverage company only to buy it back later on How Ryne handled sales for his business and what he learned from hiring sales reps Ryne talks about the glass element and pricing of his products and why he refuses to use PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) Ryne's advice to fellow entrepreneurs on building a classic and iconic company and brand that stands out In this episode… Many entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry started their businesses to solve a specific personal challenge they had. For Ryne O’Donnell, the lack of quality healthy beverages on the road because he traveled a lot and the infiltration of plastic packaging for the available products got him thinking about addressing this obvious gap in the beverage industry. He then decided to make his own glass bottled living beverages. However, Ryne soon found out that the food industry is tough and requires tenacity and persistence. He has learned so much about entrepreneurship after leaving the tech industry and knows that it can take years to build an amazing brand. But while it’s challenging, Ryne vouches that the view from the top is amazing. In this episode of Nexxt Level Brands Podcast, Ryne O'Donnell joins Steve Cleere to talk about how he started and grew his beverage company, Sol-ti. He talks about the expectations he had while starting his entrepreneurship journey, growing his business, selling it and eventually buying it back again, moving to Costa Rica, and his future plans for his beverage brand. Stay tuned. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play

September 12, 202439 min

Encore Presentation: The Healthier Way to 100% Organic Protein! Bare Bones on the Nexxt Level Podcast!

Encore Presentation: Katherine Harvey is the Co-founder of Bare Bones, a San Diego based nutrition company offering a full menu of protein-infused products including ready to use bone broth, collagen protein powder, and instant bone broth beverage mixes. After three years as a business reporter at the San Diego Union Tribune, Kate left journalism and took the leap into the food industry to run Bare Bones along with her husband Ryan Harvey. Bare Bones quickly became one of the top innovators in the bone broth industry by pushing the limits of how to deliver bone broth to consumers with a focus on maximum convenience and top quality. Kate's words to live by are 'May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears'. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Kate talks about her husband's transition from being a fine dining chef to a bone broth maker How Kate transitioned from being a reporter to writing a cookbook and entering the food industry The difference between bone broth and bone stock, and benefits of taking bone broth Why the new business decided to move to Oregon and how they landed their first investor Kate talks about the process of getting into retail, the challenges they faced and what they learned from that process How the company's first frozen product line was shipped and how they changed it to shelf stable How customer feedback prompted the company create a less expensive and more convenient product Where to find Bare Bones’ products How selling on Amazon has impacted the company's sales How Bare Bones’ broth products fit in with different lifestyle diets Challenges faced in marketing to people in different consumer groups and demographics Bare Bones’ plans for the future and new products coming out soon What Ryan Harvey has been upto and what he does in the company Why the company decided to move back to California How attendants of Expo West were affected by the health crisis Kate's advice to fellow entrepreneurs on managing through failures and resiliency Where to learn more about Bare Bones and get their cookbook In this episode… It is ironic that a good number of chefs live unhealthy lifestyles despite working in restaurants. They rarely get the time to sit down and enjoy a good meal. Many times they drink stock to sustain themselves through service, and if this stock is store-bought, it is often not very nutritious. Katherine & her husband Ryan are in the business of creating 100% organic bone broths to provide nutritious protein alternatives to people. Ryan was a fine dining chef who faced the same challenge many chefs working in busy restaurants face regularly. He & Kate launched their bone broth side business out of a local food delivery service and soon grew to not only selling in supermarkets but also in online marketplaces. Katherine Harvey joins Steve Cleere in this week's episode to talk about her journey and her husband's transition to the food industry. She also talks about the benefits of her company's bone broth over common stock products found in food stores, how the company found its first investor and entered the retail market, and how selling on Amazon has impacted sales. Stay tuned. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher

September 5, 202447 min

Encore :The Value of Branding - Cloud Water Brands on The NexxtLevel Podcast!

Encore from July 2020: Marc Siden is the CEO of Cloud Water Brands. He is also a former Co-Founder and CEO of Onboard Informatics, a self-funded real estate technology company that pioneered the dissemination of online real estate data to businesses like Zillow, Trulia, and Chase Bank, among others. He was also an Advisory Board Member for NabeWise Media and Scout Ventures. Marc Siden is a Founding Board Member of The TORCH, a nonprofit organization that works with underserved New York City high school students by exposing them to career path training via internships and mentorships while promoting diversity in the workplace. He is also a Founding Ice Hockey Coach for Ice Hockey in Harlem, a nonprofit organization based in New York City that works with inner-city kids to promote education and work ethic through hockey. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: How and why Cloud Water Brands was started and how Marc became CEO of the company What Marc learned from the tech industry, what he brought to his new food business, and the differences he found in the food industry Marc talks about the initial plans for Cloud Water Brands and how the company pivoted because of COVID-19 The growth of e-Commerce and the customer behavior expected after COVID-19 Marc Siden's thoughts on doing demos, sampling, and reviews for company products Where to find Cloud Water Brands, how the company plans have changed, and how the brand has evolved How the company decided on its distribution strategy Marc talks about the importance of branding, the high bar they set for their products, and the branding agencies the company works with Cloud Water Plus, the company's new product line How the company raised funds to grow its business and its future investment plans Marc's advice to fellow entrepreneurs on running a successful company In this episode… The current economic times are very challenging and many businesses have been forced to switch gears. Not only that, but the regulatory environment for the CBD industry lacks a lot of clarity in most states since the FDA is not very involved, although this is likely to change in the future. Because of the lack of regulation in the industry, there are many distributors and retailers who avoid CBD products even as more players join the industry. So, to stand out from the competition, brands have to do more. Cloud Water Brands chose to play bigger by working on their branding and pivoting to grow their market share. Marc Siden, the CEO of Cloud Water Brands, joins G. Steven Cleere, host of The NexxtLevel Podcast, to talk about founding the CBD infused drink company and the importance of branding in a competitive industry. Marc explains how the company has pivoted because of COVID-19, how it has been growing its distribution and market share, and its future plans. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer Resources Mentioned in this episode

August 28, 202450 min

Encore Presentation: Working Through a Crisis with Elliot Begoun, Founder of TIG Brands

Elliot Begoun is a 30-year industry veteran. He's an author and Founder of TIG Brands, a practice focused on helping emerging natural product brands grow. TIG as a customized one-to-one accelerator that positions natural product brands to raise capital, prove velocity, gain distribution, and scale. Elliot is a prolific speaker and writer in his industry. You can see and hear more of his works at FoodBytes, The Hirshberg Institute, and NatchCom. You can also find his articles in publications such as the Huffington Post, SmartBrief, and New Hope. He also bylines a weekly industry update on LinkedIn and at the TIG Brands website. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: How different brands and businesses are faring giving the current health crisis due to COVID-19 The current challenges for co-manufacturers and co-packers Elliot Begoun’s advice for businesses with cash flow shortage to help them weather the current crisis The importance of planning for unexpected scenarios when running a business Alternative fulfillment options for co-manufacturers and fulfillment centers The three reactions of businesses to the current situation and what they should be doing instead How being fear perverse can actually help entrepreneurs survive the current economic crisis The various unique societal game-changers that will come out of the current crisis The shifts in online buying vs retail shopping that brands need to be aware of What people think about the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and what it means for their businesses Will there be a crunch in eCommerce fulfillment? What does Nielsen mean by restricted living and what is its role consumer behavior Elliot explains why he believes that everyone needs to practice empathy right now In this episode… Many businesses, both online and in brick and mortar retail stores, are currently going through extremely challenging times because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. These challenges vary from low sales, co-packing, and warehousing, cash flow shortages, to e-commerce fulfillment. Things are changing at just a rapid pace and businesses need to be on their toes if they want to make it out of this pandemic in one piece. According to Elliot Begoun, founder of TIG, the changes that are happening now could be the new norm for us and for businesses, this means being aware of and adapting to the changes in market trends and in consumer behavior. Join Steve Cleere in this episode of the Nexxt Level Brands Podcast where he interviews Elliot Begoun about the current economy and how businesses, in general, are reacting to the crisis. He also talks about why being fear perverse is a trait that can get entrepreneurs out of this rut, the importance of planning for a crisis and finding creative solutions for business challenges, the impact of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act on businesses, and why everyone needs to have a little more empathy moving forward. Stay tuned.

July 25, 202439 min

[Encore!] Going Over the Production “Wall” - Catapult on the NexxtLevel Podcast!

Jamie Valenti-Jordan is the Founder and CEO of Catapult Commercialization Services, a one-stop shop for food startups. He founded the company in March of 2018 in response to the industry-wide trend of cutting the talent needed to bring new products to life. Jamie has a passion for confronting unique food challenges that combine scientific tools, engineering and operations realities, and business drivers to find optimal solutions. This quest has taken him through companies large and small to launch Catapult so that he can focus on unlocking the potential of the food industry. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: Jamie Valenti-Jordan's background and how the idea for Catapult came about Jamie talks about taking entrepreneurs' ideas and turning them into formulas Who is a good client for Catapult Commercialization Services? The hardest part of dealing with an entrepreneur when commercializing a product Why going commercial and getting products into food stores is a capital-intensive venture for new entrepreneurs Why Jamie advises people to work with a contract manufacturer Jamie's onboarding process for Catapult’s new clients, the types of clients he works with, and success stories from the company Where to learn more about Catapult How COVID-19 has impacted Catapult's business and its clients Jamie's advice to new entrepreneurs In this episode… When starting a food business, most people don’t realize what the commercialization process looks like. Commercialization involves product development, packaging, marketing, branding, and manufacturing. What else does it take? Time and money. Jamie Valenti-Jordan helps entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry plan and execute their business ideas. He helps food startups validate their products, find contract manufacturers that work for them, and establish an effective supply chain. In this week's episode of the NexxtLevel Podcast, host G. Steven Cleere interviews Jamie Valenti-Jordan, the Founder and CEO of Catapult Commercialization Services, about his process for helping entrepreneurs build businesses in the food and beverage industry. Jamie talks about the work his company does, the types of clients he works with, and why he encourages entrepreneurs to work with contract manufacturers. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode Kitchen2Shelf NexxtLevel Marketing Catapult Commercialization Se...

March 28, 202442 min

Catching Up With Alex Bayer: Round 2 on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast

Encore Presentation: In this episode, we’re welcoming back Alex Bayer, Co-Founder and CEO of Genius Juice for an update. Genius Juice was featured on Shark Tank, they received Bevnet Smoothie of the Year, and Alex is now the host of two podcasts –15 Minutes of Genius and Friday Vibes, and he’s here to tell us about the latest news and progress around Genius Juice. Genius Juice is the world's first all-organic plant-based smoothie made from the whole coconut. It blends only two ingredients: organic coconut water and organic meat to make a creamy, delicious and clean smoothie. Founded in January 2014, Genius prides itself on having 'No Dumb Stuff' in its smoothies. NO Gums/Emulsifiers, NO Natural Flavors, NO Stevia or Monk Fruit, and NO Added Sugar. Join us as we discuss how the pandemic and supply chain issues affected Genius Juice (or didn’t), the benefits of their appearance on Shark Tank, how their business plan has matched up to reality, and hear some great advice from Alex on projections, investors, margins, and not overdoing it with product distribution. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points Welcome back to the show Alex Bayer Last time, you didn’t have a podcast!? Now you have two… Time commitments and guest availability for 52 weeks of podcasts How did your success escalate after Shark Tank? The initial burst, and the long-term relationships from Shark Tank appearance How did your business plan stack up against the actual results? How did Genius deal with the pandemic– team and supply chain? We want to do more team events, even though we are all virtual, we love being together How is your business different now, than when you appeared on Shark Tank? Being cautious about where you distribute your product– sales per door more important than the number of doors The learnings from placement in 600 Publix stores in the Florida market Pricing your product – promos vs. debuting at regular price Any “Oh Shit” moments you want to share? Pitching to investors, under-promising, over-delivering, investors never forget when you fall short of projections Tell us about your financing journey from then til now? You need to bake in good margins right away at the beginning Don’t be stingy with equity– the right partners can dr...

February 29, 202433 min

Encore: Why Access to Capital is Critical - Round 2 with Michael Movitz

Encore: Today I’m welcoming back Michael Movitz, of the Movitz group, and co- founding partner of Brandjectory, a one-of-a-kind relationship-building platform for early-stage CPG founders and investors to help discover each other. We last spoke in October of 2020, so we have plenty to hear about Brandjectory and its journey since then. Michael's career includes 16 years with SPINS at various senior-level positions in the Natural, Organic, and Speciality Products Industry, and in the Natural Products Division of the J.M. Smucker Company. He is the Founder and Managing Partner of The Movitz Group, an advisory group of industry experts that help early-stage conscious brands raise capital and build go-to-market strategies. He has spent 30 years in the CPG industry working with conscious and premium products. In this episode you’ll hear how Brandjectory works today vs. when it began, some highlights of Brandjectory’s recent history including functioning as the contest platform for the Naturally New York Slam Pitch, and some general insight into the industry as it stands today. The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals. Discussion Points Michael was last on the podcast in October of 2020 How Brandjectory works The process - everything CPG all together at BrandJectory - investors are matched with brands on a “dating service” type of match maker Business today vs original business plan - getting great value from virtual interactions/meetings This year’s slam pitch -the Spring 2022 Naturally New York slam pitch details The current state of CPG capital raising - Investors are holding back because of uncertainty, more strict and rigid, requiring a clear “path to profitability” Canada’s new labeling requirements are highlighting anything over the recommended daily allowance Sustainability - Organic was the thing for the last 20 years, and the next 20 are going to be about sustainability- carbon, food waste, social/animal welfare, environmental welfare, recycling/reducing, etc. In a survey of 5-6-year-old kids, 85% want to ‘save the world’ Acquisitions of smaller brands by the giants - how and why it sometimes doesn't work “Better for you” products currently only comprise 15-30% of the market, real change will come when it’s made bigger inroads Diluting founders’ equity/ raising capital from investors - striking a balance is not easy Retailers are beginning to understand the cash flow needs of suppliers Words to grow by: “There are seven days in the week, and ‘someday’ isn’t one of them” Resources: Michael Movitz on LinkedIn Brandjectory Website NexxtLevel Brands Website G.Steven Cleere LinkedIn

February 15, 202437 min

Encore Presentation: Baking Up Better-for-You Brownies - dalci on the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast!

Encore Presentation: Najwa Khan is the Founder of dalci, a line of gut-healthy brownies. Najwa started the company after struggling to find healthy snacks that could satisfy her craving for sweets. She has over 10 years of experience in the health and wellness space, having worked in various roles for nonprofits, market research firms, healthcare and technology startups, and DTC wellness brands. She also has a master's degree in public health. Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: What drove Najwa Khan to CPG entrepreneurship? How Najwa started making brownies at home and how she used focus groups to validate her product Did Najwa prepare a business plan when starting her business? Najwa explains how she built an e-commerce store and how she handled fulfillment during the COVID-19 pandemic How Najwa marketed her business through social media, built a community, and bettered her customers' experience What does dalci stand for? The biggest challenge Najwa has had to overcome while growing her business Najwa outlines dalci's processes for shipping, storage, and production Najwa talks about dalci's future products, how she built her team, and her plans to start selling on Amazon Najwa's advice to fellow entrepreneurs on starting a business In this episode... Are you in need of a healthy sweet? Are you looking for a gut friendly and healthy dessert that you can enjoy without worrying about eating too much sugar and carbs? Living a healthy lifestyle doesn’t mean that you have to stop eating indulgent foods completely. For Najwa Khan, a gut friendly brownie is a great alternative to the decadent desserts out there. She believes in helping people understand sugar and carbs instead of fearing them—and so, her line of organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, and gut-healthy brownies was born. In this episode of the NexxtLevel Brands Podcast, Steve Cleere is joined by Najwa Khan, the Founder of dalci, to talk about building a gut-friendly, healthy, and better-for-you dessert brand. Najwa explains what inspired her to start the brand, talks about the challenges she has faced growing the business, and shares her future plans for dalci. Stay tuned. Subscribe and Listen on: iTunes Spotify Stitcher Google Play Deezer iHeartRadio TuneIn Amazon Music Resources Mentioned in this episode dalci Najwa Khan on LinkedIn