Type: Podcast

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Living Your Truth: Linda’s B-Corp Story featuring Linda Appel Lipsius, Teatulia Organic Teas

October 5, 2020  |  an article by Diana Fryc

Gooder Podcast with Linda Appel Lipsius

Ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages is a category where consumers are continually demanding more from the brands they bring into their homes and lives — especially Gen Z. Features, benefits, and ingredients are table stakes, and as the natural products industry continues to become increasingly competitive, Brand has become more important. How a brand operates in relation to employees, environmental footprint, and business ethics that are paramount to this group.

Straight from the center of the naturals universe in Denver Colorado – join Linda Appel Lipsius (Co-Founder of Teatulia) and I as we cover everything people, planet, and profitability and how a B-Corp certification helps brands like Teatulia lean into their missions. Learn why Linda says “Gen Z will save the world.”

In this episode we learn:

  • Linda’s journey and aha moment creating the Teatulia brand.
  • What Gen Z and Millennials expect from brands and employers right now.
  • That investment in company culture and employees can have a higher than expected ROI than other typical “benefit” investments.
  • What a B-Corp is: It’s importance to and impact on business.
  • How the tips and tools that B-Corp provides can help brands become better business leaders.
  • About trends in beverage, functional ingredients, and innovation in powdered/crystalized beverages.
Gooder Podcast

Living Your Truth: Linda’s B-Corp Story featuring Linda Appel Lipsius, Teatulia Organic Teas

About Linda Appel Lipsius:

Linda Appel Lipsius is the Co-Founder of Teatulia Organic Teas. Since 2006, she’s been working with her partners in Bangladesh to bring premium, 100% Organic, direct-sourced teas & herbs to the United States. Teatulia produces innovative, delicious & award-winning hot teas, foodservice iced teas & canned RTD teas that are sold throughout the U.S in grocery, foodservice, and online. Lipsius has built a universally-respected brand known for doing things better. From the 3,000-acre regenerative tea garden itself to Teatulia’s stunningly sustainable packaging to the long list of awards Teatulia has received for quality and using business as a force for good. Named one of Food & Wine/ Fortune’s 20 Most Innovative Women in Food & Wine, one of Denver Business Journal’s Outstanding Women in Business, and a frequent public speaker, she is a leading voice on topics ranging from entrepreneurship to sustainable business practices to the food & beverage industry in general.

In 2012, Linda also started the mama ‘hood,a resource for new & expecting moms & their families, and opened Teatulia Tea & Coffee Bar next door to Teatulia’s Denver Headquarters. Previously, Linda was VP International with Orange Glo International (OGI) – makers of OxiClean, Kaboom, Orange Glo and Orange Clean – and Account Manager for Young & Rubicam. A Denver Native, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Columbia University in New York City and her MBA in Finance from New York University before moving to Washington, DC, London, Los Angeles then back to Denver.

She currently lives in downtown Denver with her filmmaker husband and her two children. In her spare time, Linda hangs with her kiddos, escapes to the mountains, devours movies & books, runs, cycles and practices yoga to keep her head & heart clear.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-appel-lipsius/

Email: Linda@teatulia.com

Show Resources:

Teatulia – Organic hot and ready-to-drink (RTD) teas and beverages. Teatulia’s single-garden direct, sustainably grown teas hail from our very own tea garden in the Tetulia region of Northern Bangladesh. We created a new tea-growing region, nestled between Assam and Darjeeling at the base of the Himalayas, which has introduced the unique flavor profile of Bangladesh teas to the rest of the world.B-Corp – Certification for businesses that meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. B Corps are accelerating a global culture shift to redefine success in business and build a more inclusive and sustainable economy.Athleta – Clothing that integrates performance and technical features for active women and girls. A division of the GAP.Jeni’s Ice Cream – An artisan ice cream company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Jeni’s has over 40 branded ‘scoop shops’, and retail distributors nationally.Built from the ground up with superlative ingredients.Wisdom Supply Co – Environmental office and school supplies. “We curate + design products that prevent waste, for good. Waste is a design flaw.”Patagonia – An American clothing company that markets and sells outdoor clothing. The company was founded by Yvon Chouinard in 1973, and is based in Ventura, California.Kehe Distributors – With more than 5,500 employee-owners and a 16-distribution center network across North America, we’re one of the largest and most respected national fresh, natural & organic and specialty food distributors.Kroger – an American retail company founded by Bernard Kroger in 1883 in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the United States’ largest supermarket by revenue, and the second-largest general retailer, operating nearly 2,800 stores.Costco – An American multinational corporation that operates a chain of membership-only warehouse clubs. Everything you could want in but and a $1.50 hot dog!Rise Coffee –  A New York-based nitro cold brew coffee company specializing in nitrogen-infused organic coffee and sourcing Fair Trade organic beans from Peru’s Chanchamayo Valley

Diana Fryc

For Diana, a fierce determination to pursue what’s right is rooted in her DNA. The daughter of parents who endured unimaginable hardship before emigrating from Eastern Europe to the U.S., she is built for a higher purpose. Starting with an experience working with Jane Goodall to source sustainably made paper, she went on to a career helping Corporate America normalize the use of environmentally responsible products and materials before coming to Retail Voodoo.

Connect with Diana

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Food Techs Role in Reinventing the Joy of Everyday Foods with Karen Huh, Joywell Foods

September 28, 2020  |  an article by Diana Fryc

Gooder Podcast with Karen Huh

American’s obsession with health and wellness and grown exponentially over the last few years. And gone are the days of “hippy” organics. The influence of food culture shows and celebrities and San Francisco’s technology industry has collided into a multi-billion-dollar world of better-for-you food and ingredient alternatives. As this part of the food industry grows and consumers continue to push manufacturers and retailers to mitigate impacts on the environment and better our health altogether, food technology is playing a huge role in meeting those needs.

In this episode, Karen Huh, CEO of Joywell Foods, and I cover the gamut of food tech. From fundraising during COVID to consumer adoption and leadership management style, Karen brings her start-up experience and dedication to servant leadership to this exciting (and exploding) category.

In this episode we learn:

  • The Joywell Foods genesis backstory, its mission and long-term plans to reduce refined sugar consumption.
  • Karen’s journey from Starbucks to Bulletproof to Joywell.
  • Who’s open to adopting alternative sweeteners in manufacturing.
  • The importance of developing a consistent brand experience.
  • The impact of food tech on natural and Better-For-Your products.
  • The impact COVID had on investment and capital raises.
  • How fundraising and investment has changed for the food tech and natural food industries in the last 18 months.
  • A little bit about Karen’s personal obsession with RTD’s and who she’s watching.
Gooder Podcast

Food Techs Role in Reinventing the Joy of Everyday Foods with Karen Huh, Joywell Foods

About Karen Huh:

Karen Huh brings a deep background in consumer, brand, and products from 15 years in the food and beverage industry. Prior to Joywell Foods, Karen served as Vice President of Product and Brand Strategy at Bulletproof 360, a food and beverage brand, where she built the consumer strategy and product portfolio to support the Bulletproof lifestyle while scaling teams across R&D, brand, marketing and product development. Prior to Bulletproof, Karen was at Starbucks Coffee Company for nearly 11 years in a wide range of roles including coffee innovation, launch of RTD and packaged coffee in international markets, and the acquisition of Evolution Fresh. Before joining Starbucks, Karen was an investment professional at two tech-focused venture capital firms.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-huh-19b5/

Show Resources:

Joywell Foods – A food tech company focused on building new a new and exciting class of foods around the best tasting and healthiest sweeteners in the world.Bulletproof – A lifestyle brand that takes a science-based approach to nutrition and wellness. The original butter coffee brand. Bulletproof makes beverage, snacks and other health brands to help high performers hack their own biology to operate at peak performance.Starbucks – More than just great coffee. Starbucks in an American multinational chain of coffeehouses and roasters reserves headquartered in Seattle, WA. As the world’s largest coffeehouse chain, Starbucks is seen to be the main representation of the United States’ second wave of coffee culture.Whole Foods –  an American multinational supermarket chain headquartered in Austin, Texas, which exclusively sells products free from hydrogenated fats and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. A USDA Certified Organic grocer in the United States, the chain is popularly known for its organic selections.Beyond Meat – a Los Angeles-based producer of plant-based meat substitutes founded in 2009 by Ethan Brown. The company’s initial products were launched in the United States in 2012. The company has products designed to emulate chicken, beef, and pork sausage.Impossible Foods – A company that develops plant-based substitutes for meat products. Founded in 2011, and headquartered in Redwood City, California, the company’s state aim is to give people the taste and nutritional benefits of meat without the negative health and environmental impacts associated with livestock products.Burger King – An American multinational chain of hamburger fast food restaurants. Headquartered in Miami-Dade County, Florida and founding in 1953 as Insta-Burger King.Tech Crunch – [Article] Alternative protein raises $1.5 Billion in first 7 months of 2020DRY – Welcome to DRY Botanical Bubbly! The non-alcoholic sparkling soda perfect for celebrating any occasion. Enjoyed on the rocks or in your favorite zero-proof cocktail.

Diana Fryc

For Diana, a fierce determination to pursue what’s right is rooted in her DNA. The daughter of parents who endured unimaginable hardship before emigrating from Eastern Europe to the U.S., she is built for a higher purpose. Starting with an experience working with Jane Goodall to source sustainably made paper, she went on to a career helping Corporate America normalize the use of environmentally responsible products and materials before coming to Retail Voodoo.

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Changing Consumers Behavior Around Happy Hour with Sharelle Klaus, DRY Soda Company

September 21, 2020  |  an article by Diana Fryc

Gooder Podcast with Sharelle Klaus

In our current culture, alcoholic beverages have traditionally been the center of all celebrations. It’s how we wind down our day, relax and give ourselves a moment to rest. That is until now. Generation Z and Millennials are bucking those habits and finding better and healthier ways to relax. Part of it is self-awareness, the ability to recognize when alcohol is a crutch – rather than a treat, and some of it is “I’m not doing what my parents did”. They are normalizing alcohol-free celebrations, getting real about mental health, and creating an inclusive environment for everyone. It’s time for the sober revolution.

Sharelle Klaus and I walk through her journey of self-discovery, and the ins and outs of finding her and her brands true north. We discuss her passion to create inclusive celebrations for all people. And that sometimes, you just have to start all over.

In this episode we learn:

  • Sharelle’s aha moment that turned into DRY.
  • The story of teaming up with Sans Bar.
  • How Millennials and Generation Z are changing our relationship with alcohol consumption.
  • How to educate, socialize, and enroll behavior change for consumers.
  • How “bad news” can be the path to opportunity.
  • To trust your gut, even when you’re the only one in the room that believes it.
Gooder Podcast

Changing Consumers Behavior Around Happy Hour with Sharelle Klaus, DRY Soda Company

About Sharelle Klaus:

Sharelle Klaus is the Founder and CEO of DRY Soda Company  As the visionary behind DRY Soda Company, Sharelle has always had a passion for the culinary world and celebrating each part of a meal – including the beverage. After having four children, she didn’t want to let a lack of wine or cocktails stop her from being a part of the party. Klaus recognized an absence of refreshing, clean, non-alcoholic options in the market, and became determined to create the first line of botanical bubbly that was worthy of meal pairing. She believed savory and sweet flavors more commonly used in cuisine could offer exciting compliments to her favorite meals. In 2005, Klaus crafted the first batches of DRY in her home kitchen and officially launched DRY Soda Co. a few months later.

Klaus brings over two decades of entrepreneurial, financial and technology industry experience to her role as CEO at DRY, and oversees all marketing, strategic planning, and innovation for the brand. With guidance from some of the Pacific Northwest’s best chefs and a savvy corporate team, Klaus pioneered a new category of sparkling beverages, fearlessly leading DRY’s aggressive growth in a male-dominated industry. Prior to founding DRY, Klaus worked as a consultant for Infrastructure Management Group and Price Waterhouse. She also served as president of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, where she drove strategic development of programs, events, and fundraising for the organization’s 250+ Seattle-area members. Klaus has been featured by Huffpost, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Imbibe, and others.  Klaus has also won several honors including, Seattle Business Magazine’s CEO of the year, Puget Sound Business Journal Women of Influence, and PSBJ 40 under 40.

With a keen appreciation for humor and wit, Klaus is an avid supporter of entrepreneurship and frequently speaks at professional conferences, workshops, and the University of Washington Business School, where she also participates as a judge for the Michael G. Foster’s School’s well-known business plan competitions. She is also a board member of the Aliados Foundation that builds resilient community business based on biodiversity in the Andes and the Amazon—and connect them to markets across the globe.  Klaus graduated from Seattle Pacific University with an undergraduate degree in political science and currently resides in Seattle, Wash.

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharelle-klaus-1804078/

Show Resources

DRY – Welcome to DRY Botanical Bubbly! The non-alcoholic sparkling soda perfect for celebrating any occasion. Enjoyed on the rocks or in your favorite zero-proof cocktail.

Sans Bar – We are a growing group of average people who recognize that life can be fun without alcohol.  We are sober, we are on the move, and we believe that real connection happens when people are sober.  We want to create a space that is free of alcohol and welcoming to all.  We believe that the best version of anyone’s life includes healthy socialization, helping others, and taking care of both mind and body.  Sans Bar is composed of people who want to change themselves and the world around them.  We believe positive change can happen in the smallest ways, and still yield a tremendous impact.

This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness & Change Your Life (Book) – offers a new, positive solution. Here, Annie Grace clearly presents the psychological and neurological components of alcohol use based on the latest science, and reveals the cultural, social, and industry factors that support alcohol dependence in all of us.  Packed with surprising insight into the reasons we drink, this book will open your eyes to the startling role of alcohol in our culture, and how the stigma of alcoholism and recovery keeps people from getting the help they need. With Annie’s own extraordinary and candid personal story at its heart, this book is a must-read for anyone who drinks.

BevMo – a privately held corporation based in Concord, California, selling mainly alcoholic beverages.

Diana Fryc

For Diana, a fierce determination to pursue what’s right is rooted in her DNA. The daughter of parents who endured unimaginable hardship before emigrating from Eastern Europe to the U.S., she is built for a higher purpose. Starting with an experience working with Jane Goodall to source sustainably made paper, she went on to a career helping Corporate America normalize the use of environmentally responsible products and materials before coming to Retail Voodoo.

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Leading with Purpose and Values in a 3rd Generation Family Business with Susie Quesada, Ramar Foods International

September 14, 2020  |  an article by Diana Fryc

Running a family-owned business, no matter how big, is task enough alone. But guiding a family-owned business through cultural change for a better future can be a bit tricky. Keeping recipes and ingredients legitimate can be tough when you know that they’re not always the best for your community’s health. So, how do you care for your culture and community while running a profitable business?

In this episode, join Susie Quesada and I as we walk through the history of her third-generation family-owned business and discuss the peaks and valleys of a changing business landscape and balancing the desires of die-hard consumers and family values as she steers the brand into new territory, leveraging and honoring the strength of the family leaders before her.

In this episode we learn:

  • The story of Susie’s path from teaching to running the family business. (Grandma’s are the best!)
  • That consensus building is a strong leadership tool.
  • How family and cultural values impact business decisions differently than traditional ones.
  • How to socialize and enroll behavior change for you most die-hard consumers.
  • That growth and learning come from mistakes.
Gooder Podcast

Leading with Purpose and Values in a 3rd Generation Family Business with Susie Quesada, Ramar Foods International

About Susie Quesada:

Susie Quesada is a 3rd generation owner and President of Ramar Foods International. As the #1 Trusted Filipino Food Company, Ramar Foods manufactures authentic high-quality tropical ice cream, lumpia and sausages that brings the Flavor of the Philippines to supermarkets and restaurants. She serves on the Advisory Board of the Filipina Women’s Network supporting their mission for a Filipina leader in all industries.

Susie holds a BA in Multicultural Literature and Education from UC Berkeley and is a Harvard Business School alumni from the Owner/President Management Program (OPM51).

Susie spends her free time reading, hiking and traveling with her husband. They reside in the San Francisco Bay Area.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susie-quesada-72379b12/

Show Resources

Ramar Foods – #1 Filipino Food company in the United States. Founded in 1969, Ramar’s goal is to bring the flavors of the Philippines to your household. Ramar foods is committed to manufacturing your favorite frozen Filipino food products. Ramar’s success for 50 years of experience in the industry is attributed to its people, its deep relationship with the Filipino diaspora and a commitment to understanding what brings satisfaction to Filipino families.

Ramar Scholarship Foundation – A charitable organization the provides financial assistance to hard working students.

Diana Fryc

For Diana, a fierce determination to pursue what’s right is rooted in her DNA. The daughter of parents who endured unimaginable hardship before emigrating from Eastern Europe to the U.S., she is built for a higher purpose. Starting with an experience working with Jane Goodall to source sustainably made paper, she went on to a career helping Corporate America normalize the use of environmentally responsible products and materials before coming to Retail Voodoo.

Connect with Diana

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What Big CPG Has Learned From Entrepreneurial Brands About Innovation with Janet Lee, PepsiCo

September 7, 2020  |  an article by Diana Fryc

Gooder Podcast with Janet Lee

How can big CPGs capture the magic of smaller brands? Small to mid-size brands have a roll-up-your-sleeves, wear multiple hats, and run with a gut instinct ethic. They’re scrappy, willing to fail, and passionate about their goals. There used to be a time when these small brands shed blood, sweat and tears and then felt bad when they needed to take on the operation superpowers of a multinational. In a desire to gain new consumers and innovations, these large companies used to swallow up these brands and cost engineered the heart out of them – well because operations efficiency is one of their superpowers. But they’ve learned, and are still learning.

In this episode, Janet and I dive deep into the intersection of the innovative entrepreneurial mindset and big CPG operational prowess. Janet shares her insights on what they both can learn from each other on the path to delivering healthy food, beverage, and wellness options to consumers. Listen, learn, and be inspired!

In this episode we learn:

  • That large companies and brands are effectively making a difference in the naturals food and beverage industry.
  • What gets in the way of a large organization’s ability to understand the consumer.
  • How larger brands and teams can mimic the entrepreneurial spirit.
  • How to redefine market opportunity and build different infrastructures to support it.
  • At the end of the day, your instincts are stronger than you think.
Gooder Podcast

What Big CPG Has Learned From Entrepreneurial Brands About Innovation with Janet Lee, PepsiCo

About Janet Lee:

Janet Lee is an experienced marketer & innovator who has worked at both big corporates as well as start-ups in the CPG industry. She has had a 13-yr post-MBA marketing career working for brands such as Gatorade and Starbucks.

Janet was the Head of Marketing at Sahale Snacks through its acquisition by the J.M. Smucker Company in 2014 and led its evolution from a specialty brand to a national grocery brand. For the past 4 years, Janet has worked as a Marketing Director for PepsiCo Europe, incubating small brands such as Off the Eaten Path and Kevita as Head of Marketing for the Future Brands business unit as well as mentoring external start-ups through the Nutrition Greenhouse program.

Janet’s passion is helping small brands scale while protecting what makes them special.

In her free time, she is a huge Peloton fan, obsesses about all things food, and is working through 19 seasons of American Ninja Warrior with her husband Charlie and their two sons.

Show Resources

The J.M. Smucker Company – Get to know the leading consumer packaged goods company behind the iconic food and beverage brands and new favorites that people and pets love. From our passion for crafting the tastes families love, to the values that have inspired us for more than 120 years—we are The J.M. Smucker Company.

Sahale – It was back in August 2003, and two best friends were mountain climbing. They had excellent weather, beautiful views and great company. But one thing was missing – wholesome great-tasting snacks. They had no formal experience in the food industry, but that didn’t stop them. They went back to their kitchen the very next day and created combinations of nuts, dried fruits and exotic spices. Many were inspired by a personal memory. While others were influenced by a culinary tradition from somewhere around  the world. And so Sahale Snacks® nut mixes sprang into being. Pure ground Madagascar vanilla beans and all.

PepsiCo an American multinational food, snack and beverage corporation headquartered in Harrison, New York, in the hamlet of Purchase. See how we’re working to use our global scale to help build a more sustainable food system.

Nutrition Greenhouse – a 6-month program where 10 selected companies will be paired with a lead PepsiCo mentor, and the team will be challenged to demonstrate collaboration and measurable progress.

Off The Eaten Path – Snacks for the curious. Made with real veggies.

Tesco – a British multinational grocery and general merchandise retailer with headquarters in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by gross revenues and the ninth-largest in the world measured by revenues.

Diana Fryc

For Diana, a fierce determination to pursue what’s right is rooted in her DNA. The daughter of parents who endured unimaginable hardship before emigrating from Eastern Europe to the U.S., she is built for a higher purpose. Starting with an experience working with Jane Goodall to source sustainably made paper, she went on to a career helping Corporate America normalize the use of environmentally responsible products and materials before coming to Retail Voodoo.

Connect with Diana

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It’s Time to Lead with Passion and Heart with Jane Pinto, Pinto Barn

August 31, 2020  |  an article by Diana Fryc

Gooder Podcast Featuring Jane Pinto

We humans, especially in the naturals space, have desires to live strong clean, and healthy lives. My guest Jane is no different – however, her journey into the better-for-you space took a route many of ours don’t. A child born with food allergies added fuel to her entrepreneurial ways and inspired her to use her natural leadership ways to help move the free-from movement mainstream.

In this episode, Jane Pinto, founder of First Crop, Don’t Go Nuts, Sacred Sleep, and the Pinto Barn shares with me, her journey of developing brand ecosystems that are based on the foundations of reciprocal relationships. She challenges our thinking as brand owners and consumers to do one thing every day that holds our industry accountable for the claims we make and the passions and commitments we profess. And she reminds us that true leadership starts with the heart. Listen, learn, and get inspired!

In this episode we learn:

  • What sacred economics are and how companies can embrace this philosophy.
  • Why we should always believe that there is enough for everyone.
  • How to create brands using the foundations of love, transparency, and authenticity.
  • How being honest about your knowledge, abilities and your feelings can make you a better leader.
  • How to have courageous conversations with your consumers, customers, business partner, community and employees.
  • That it’s time to be bold, real, and fierce leaders.
Gooder Podcast

It’s Time to Lead with Passion and Heart with Jane Pinto, Pinto Barn

About Jane Pinto:

Jane Pinto is founder of First Crop, Don’t Go Nuts, and Pinto Barn. She is a lifelong visionary in the naturals and wellness space building cultures of love and care, companies with strong missions that are devoted to healing and elevating people and the planet, and spent her entire career helping corporations create workplaces that honor unconditional equality. Her companies create innovative products and services that help people improve their lives through engaging with consciously created, uniquely designed products.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-pinto-5977a814/

E-mail: jpinto@firstcrop.com

Show Resources

Pinto Barn – Founded in 2011, based in Salida, Colo., Pinto Barn is a collective of caring hearts who commit their energy, talents, and passion to consciously creating products that help people to live healthy, whole lives. Divisions include Don’t Go Nuts and Sacred Sleep.

Don’t Go Nuts – makes safe nut-free foods using organic, non-GMO ingredients that are good for you and good for the planet.

First Crop – A hemp and CBD brand with the mission of “Healing People and Planet one seed…one soul… one regenerative act at a time.”

Sacred Sleep – a division of Pinto Barn Inc., is a company dedicated to Lifestyle Sleep Wellness and to creating Sleep Sanctuaries to help people set intention around sleep. In addition to the new organic cotton and fair-trade alpaca collections, Sacred Sleep’s product offering includes luxury eucalyptus blend sheets and mattress covers, medicinal herb loose-leaf teas in daytime and nighttime blends, and custom locally made pottery mugs and tea bowls. Sleep is sacred, so are you.

Hilary’s Eat Well – is the creator of convenient and culinary foods that are made from real ingredients and are free from common allergens. We are helping to heal the American diet by bringing these foods to all people who seek tasty, nourishing cuisine. Our products forge innovative culinary paths and disrupt the status quo. We care about the health of our customers, employees and ecosystem.

EnjoyLife – Enjoy Life Foods is the leading brand in the growing Free-From category, featuring a robust portfolio of Certified Gluten Free and Non-GMO Project Verified products that are free-from 14 common allergens. Enjoy Life’s mission and brand promise is to deliver safe, better-for-you products free-from food allergens, but not free-from taste so everyone can Enjoy Life and Eat Freely!

Diana Fryc

For Diana, a fierce determination to pursue what’s right is rooted in her DNA. The daughter of parents who endured unimaginable hardship before emigrating from Eastern Europe to the U.S., she is built for a higher purpose. Starting with an experience working with Jane Goodall to source sustainably made paper, she went on to a career helping Corporate America normalize the use of environmentally responsible products and materials before coming to Retail Voodoo.

Connect with Diana

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Coaching a Passion Brand to Performance with Darcey Howard, Coconut Bliss

August 24, 2020  |  an article by Diana Fryc

Gooder Podcast with Darcey Howard

Passion brand, founder brand, entrepreneurial brand, family brand. Yep – we love them. And we love working with and in them. And when comes a time for a brand to grow up to fulfill its mission – everyone wants to be part of it. But passion brands aren’t for everyone. While the brand owners have a strong vision of the future, sometimes the path isn’t clear, and their super-mission-driven-power gets in the way. It takes compassion, direction and a bit of pragmatism to guide this brand on it’s true journey

Darcey Howard, Director of Marketing for Coconut Bliss shares the journey of identifying the right brand for her expertise, the journey of coaching a “Humble Hippy” brand team to that new future and transitioning that team into the HumanCo family – all while maintaining her New York sense of style.

In this episode, we learn:

  • How to coach passion brand owners through brand and operational changes
  • How to leverage the humble beginnings of a brand and develop a national brand voice
  • How defining your brands ethos creates the foundation for a brand
  • The difference between a disruptor and a change agent
  • To revisit audience definitions and trends to truly leverage a passion brand opportunity
Gooder Podcast

Coaching a Passion Brand to Performance with Darcey Howard, Coconut Bliss

About Darcey Howard:

Darcey Howard is the Global Director of Marketing for Coconut Bliss; a brand leader in divinely creamy plant-based creations. She has a 20+ year success record in growing global brands such as Nordstrom, Eddie Bauer, Kerry Foods/Da Vinci Gourmet and Starbucks. Darcey is an energetic leader that engages teams to create elegant solutions through strategic process development.

She joined Coconut Bliss in 2017 to lead a complete rebrand while also spearheading the launch of 2 new product lines, a new business sector and e-commerce. When she’s not eating ice cream for a living she’s exploring the world through food.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darceyhoward/

Show Resources

Coconut Bliss – At Coconut Bliss, all of our products contain organic ingredients that are minimally processed, ethically-sourced and divinely delicious. Every dairy-free, plant-based pint, ice cream bar, and cookie sandwich is crafted with our signature care and commitment. Even our packaging is plant-based and sustainable! With a belief in quality over quantity, community, organic ingredients, and doing good for the world we try to make everything we do blissful.

Diana Fryc

For Diana, a fierce determination to pursue what’s right is rooted in her DNA. The daughter of parents who endured unimaginable hardship before emigrating from Eastern Europe to the U.S., she is built for a higher purpose. Starting with an experience working with Jane Goodall to source sustainably made paper, she went on to a career helping Corporate America normalize the use of environmentally responsible products and materials before coming to Retail Voodoo.

Connect with Diana

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Redefining the Naturals Category Through Cultural Transformation with Kimberly Lee Minor, Bumbershoot

August 17, 2020  |  an article by Diana Fryc

Gooder Podcast Featuring Kimberly Lee Minor

The resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement has caused businesses and people to again rethink their relationship with brands, businesses and retailers. As brands continue to grapple with the realization that systemic racism is a set of blinders and the uncertainty about how to make the operational, innovation and leadership changes that need to be made, consumers are pushing. If you are brand owner, particularly in the naturals and better-for-you space, this lack of visibility is hampering your growth.

Bumbershoot CEO Kimberly Minor, shares insights and guidance with us around organizational cultural transformation that will provide you with new visibility about the hurdles of black-owned brands as well as share renewed opportunities for growth in becoming better brand and consumer stewards. Black women and families have been naturals a long time, it’s time for our current better-for-you community to see and embrace new ways of being natural and start using our super-powers in
bigger ways.

In this episode, we learn to:

  • Amplify and empower diversity and inclusion initiatives in ways that dive profit, not simply “check a box”
  • Create a business culture that is welcoming and supportive so that women and people of color can excel and accelerate their careers
  • Translate your company values and mission in a way that allocate for wider or different definitions of natural
  • Identify and support those brands and companies that reflect your vision, using mission and values as a filter

About Kimberly Lee Minor:

Kimberly Lee Minor is a business owner and creative executive who cares about people.

Kimberly is committed to bringing more joy and connection into people’s lives.  To do this she relies on personal insights, losses and hard-won growth achieved in over 25 years of senior leadership in creative customer-centric brands, and even more experience just in my years of living.

Before starting her own business, Lee Minor rolled up her sleeves and got to work – from the executive training program with Macy’s to Express where she received the Key Contributor Award to Footlocker Global, where, again Kimberly was awarded the Key Contributor Award for business innovation and team transformation. From Brand President for London Fog, Joe Boxer & Bongo to SVP of Strategy, Merch Operations & Merchandising at BBW she strived to grow businesses and to help her teams find their passion.

Lee Minor believes that we are at our best when supported by authentic connections of diverse and positively passionate people to influence and empower us.

Using her transformational leadership skills, customer-centric point of view and focus on creating connections she helps business leaders strategically reposition their cultures for collaboration and inclusivity to provide a welcoming and empowering community for career acceleration of women and people of color. I start by listening to the VOC and VOE, evaluating core values and processes to prepare these organizations for a 21st-century workforce, increase the pipeline of diverse talent, improve the desirability of the organization to the candidates, and the retention of the hires.

Kimberly holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, and has completed coursework towards her MBA at Drexel University.  She holds an executive certificate in Leadership and Management from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. She and her husband have 2 sons and live in New Albany, OH.

kimberly@bumbershoot.net

973-738-4020

Linkedin.com/kimberlyleeminor

IG – Kimberly.l.minor

Show Resources

Bumbershoot – Bumbershoot, LLC is a different kind of media company.  We create digital niche communities to influence lifestyles through authentic connection, creative content, informative events, unique experiences, and meaningful philanthropy.

Our team draws on the diverse executive experience of creative and critical-thinking merchants, marketers, innovators, and data scientists in multi-media, fashion and personal care industries who have grown competitive brands and developed engaging product and content introduction strategies that make people smile.

Spiceteria – I’ve been Blessed with a full life – a sweet, salty, sour, hot, and tangy life. All of these flavors, experiences, people, and loves brought me here – to the creation of Spiceteria. A flavor-centric hub for women. Spiceteria’s mission is to bring together women of taste – in a warm, respectful, and welcoming community – bridging tech and humanity through the sharing of stories, themed products, experiences and technology that enhance your life and ensure that you will never be alone.

Authentically Us – A community for Millennial-aged professional women. They are new to the community and relatively new to their careers. The Authentically Us community provides a soft landing for authentic connections, professional development and mentoring, mental and physical well-being, personal development and fun.

Gooder Podcast

Redefining the Naturals Category Through Cultural Transformation with Kimberly Lee Minor, Bumbershoot

Diana Fryc

For Diana, a fierce determination to pursue what’s right is rooted in her DNA. The daughter of parents who endured unimaginable hardship before emigrating from Eastern Europe to the U.S., she is built for a higher purpose. Starting with an experience working with Jane Goodall to source sustainably made paper, she went on to a career helping Corporate America normalize the use of environmentally responsible products and materials before coming to Retail Voodoo.

Connect with Diana

Don‘t see what you need?

Just drop us a line and we‘ll talk

all Insights

The Keys to Success: Hard Work, Tenacity, and a Support Network with Junea Rocha, Brazi Bites

August 10, 2020  |  an article by Diana Fryc

Gooder Podcast Featuring Junea Rocha

No one ever said starting a business was easy. Frequent rejection, industry learnings and long crazy hours. But for those of us that have started one – you know why we do it. We BELIEVE in the idea. Sparked from a need in the community to a beloved recipe from mom – food and beverage brands have seen an explosion in innovation that all started with a simple idea. But somehow women seem to struggle with the multiple demands of running a business and personal life. Perhaps we’re looking at it all wrong?

In this episode Junea Rocha, Co-Founder and CMO of Brazi Bites, and I talk about her brands spectacular “overnight” success. She shares tools she brings with her from her life in Brazil and working in the construction industry and how they have helped her grow her brand. And we discuss that running a business is hard enough – but together, we can all succeed.

In this episode we learn:

  • The history of Brazi Bites
  • That rejection creates the opportunity to perfect anything
  • How to plan for Shark Tank or any once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
  • The stronger your support network, the farther you can go
  • That focusing on the small wins, will get you through each day
Gooder Podcast

The Keys to Success: Hard Work, Tenacity, and a Support Network with Junea Rocha, Brazi Bites

About Junea Rocha:

Junea Rocha is the Co-founder and CMO of Brazi Bites. Junea founded Brazi Bites with her husband in 2010 in the hopes that Americans would love Brazilian Cheese Bread (pão de queijo) as much as they did. After appearing on ABC’s Shark Tank in 2015, Brazi Bites grew a passionate, cult-like fanbase, and in the years since has expanded to thousands of freezer sections nationwide. In her time running Brazi Bites, Junea has gained experience in all areas of the business, while remaining deeply passionate about sharing their delicious creations with the world.

LinkedIn: Junea Rocha

Show Resources:

Brazi Bites – Latin-inspired, gluten-free and hand-held snacking. Cheese bread and empanadas created with Brazillian flavors.

Diana Fryc

For Diana, a fierce determination to pursue what’s right is rooted in her DNA. The daughter of parents who endured unimaginable hardship before emigrating from Eastern Europe to the U.S., she is built for a higher purpose. Starting with an experience working with Jane Goodall to source sustainably made paper, she went on to a career helping Corporate America normalize the use of environmentally responsible products and materials before coming to Retail Voodoo.

Connect with Diana

Don‘t see what you need?

Just drop us a line and we‘ll talk

all Insights

Actionable Marketing Podcast

August 5, 2020  |  an article by David Lemley

Future-Proofing Your Brand For Sustained Success With David Lemley From Retail Voodoo

Brand building is a long-term sport with no finish line.
Today’s guest is David Lemley, founder of Retail Voodoo. He has worked with beloved brands, including Starbucks, REI, and KIND. David describes what steps to take to future-proof business and brands to thrive and survive for sustained success

Some of the highlights of the show include:

  • Branding’s Value: More than a logo—develop a truly authentic brand built to last
  • Past Background: Branding used to be all about making marks and doing things
  • Present and Future Branding: Promises you make, keep, and feel
  • New Things: Help food, beverage, wellness, and fitness brands win market share
  • Future-proof Brand: Plan to survive and thrive during unforeseen circumstances
  • Consequences: Loss of market share and impacts partner/customer relationships
  • Essential Component: Data and research from brightest minds erodes resistance
  • Future-Proof Process: Understand core audience to anticipate changing needs
  • Building Blocks: People view brands as personal identity with values and morals
  • Tasks, Tactics, and Tips: Read David’s book, Beloved and Dominant Brands
  • Vectors: Ingredient/technology, consumer preferences, worldwide, and relevance

Quotes:

  • “It is much more about the promises you make, if you keep them, and how people feel about it.”
  • “The consequences are loss of market share to hungrier competitors, first and foremost. It also has an impact on your distribution relationships.”
  • “Take your time and do not let social media or your social media team try to drive your brand. If you don’t know who you are, it’s better to keep your mouth shut.”

Listen on CoSchedule Blog

David Lemley

David was two decades into a design career with a wall full of shiny awards and a portfolio of clients including Nordstrom, Starbucks, Nintendo, and REI. His rocket trajectory veered when his oldest child faced a health challenge of indeterminate origin. Hundreds of research hours later, David identified food allergy as the issue and convinced skeptical medical professionals caring for his child. Since that experience, David and Retail Voodoo have been on a mission to create a cleaner, healthier, more sustainable food system for all.

Connect with David

Don‘t see what you need?

Just drop us a line and we‘ll talk

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