In Episode 23, James and Sean chat with Daniel Schindler, Founder and CEO of the hydration brand, Buoy, covering:
-Differentiating within the saturated hydration category
-Prioritizing "convenience and clean" in product development
-Growing a DTC brand efficiently versus "at all costs"
-Managing investors and communication cadence
-Leveraging celebrities such as Chris Paul to endorse the brand vs. tapping into the medical community as brand ambassadors
Daniel (and his new pup) offer a great perspective for brands that are operating lean and agile and show growth can start slowly and then scale suddenly.

In Episode 22 (and our first of 2025), James and Sean chat with Ryan Chen, Co-Founder of Neuro, the Leading Functional Gum and Mint Brand. In this episode, we cover:
-Starting a company with your best friend
-Orienting innovation behind the brand's identify
-Receiving and declining not one but TWO offers on Shark Tank to preserve the company's valuation and how the experience opened retail doors afterward
-Expanding from digital-first to over 10,000 stores and how to determine which retailers are the right fit for your brand
-Cultivating authentic relationships with celebrities like Apolo Ohno, Steve Aioki, and Young the Giant to support your brand
Ryan shares a ton of practical advice for brands of all stages. Listen, re-listen, and share it with friends. If you haven't given Neuro a try, make sure to check them out on Amazon, TikTok Shop, or neurogum.com.

In Episode 21, James and Sean "Keep it Reel" with David VanHimbergen, CEO of Reel Paper, covering topics such as:

-Transitioning from CPG behemoth Procter & Gamble to leading a challenger brand in the consumer goods space

-The innovation process within leading brands Crest and Tide

-Navigating retailer expansion, including selection, to # of stores, geos, products, and shelf placement and presence

-Differences in consumer purchasing behavior between DTC and brick-and-mortar

-Bucking the trend of sustainable brands, winning on product performance and pricing

-Moving a category from commodity to care

This episode is a treasure trove for brands competing in the sustainable space and for listeners considering a career leap out of big CPG.

In Episode 20, James and Sean unpack the world of supplements with Nik Hall, Founder & CEO of Vita Five & REViVE Marketing Partners, covering:
-Which supplements are here to stay and what's cyclical
-Product category selection and outflanking big incumbents
-Appealing to the 5 senses of prospective consumers
-The economics of customer acquisition on Amazon
-How to navigate (and survive) the process of being acquired
Having been both brand and agency side, Nik brings a POV you won't want to miss.

In Episode 19, James and Sean dive in with Maggie Malek, CEO of Cripsin, the OG Full Service Media & Creative Digital Marketing Agency behind THE Burger King, introducing Mini Cooper to the U.S., and the group that took on Big Tobacco. We dive into: -her career spanning the military, journalism, tech startups, to rising to the top of an agency -adopting an intrapreneurial mindset to rise through the ranks -navigating M&A and how to lead your team and clients -how emerging brands should approach selecting an agency -retail media being the next frontier of growth for brands Maggie's energy is magnetic and her story of rising through the ranks to one of the most storied agencies is inspiring.

In Episode 18, James and Sean sit down with Matt Mullenax, Co-Founder & CEO of Huron, a fast-growing men’s care brand offering products with high-quality ingredients and captivating scents.

We cover:
-Matt’s career path, from investment banking to Bonobos, and how his journey led him to launch Huron

-The challenges of launching a DTC (direct-to-consumer) men’s personal care brand

-The importance of customer-first thinking and how Huron emphasizes consumer feedback in product development

-The impact of scent on the men’s care market and why it’s a key differentiator for Huron

-Navigating the world of fundraising, including the value of having investors with domain expertise

-Key lessons Matt learned along the way, from formulating products to scaling a brand across multiple channels like Amazon and DTC

Matt’s passion for his brand and deep understanding of the men’s personal care space shine through in this insightful conversation.

In Episode 17, James and Sean talk shop with Brooks Powell, Founder & CEO of the #1 alcohol-related health & wellness product, Cheers. We cover: -Launching health & wellness products that are early in their clinical evidence life cycle -The science behind the product, why it works, and what the average alcohol consumer gets wrong biologically -The value of building "in the open" and how a founder-led content marketing strategy can unlock retail distribution -Chronicling his experience from Shark Tank from application to vetting to pitching before the Sharks and how it created a sales surge -The power of manifesting your goals and building a company culture around that Brooks packs a punch with his genuine disposition and deep knowledge of his brand and the science behind it.

In Episode 16, James and Sean flip the script and James interviews Sean about founding the Zevo brand and his time in the P&G Ventures studio. Sean is the co-founder and President of Cincy Brands (a CPG operating company), Co-host of BrandBusters, and Co-Founder of the Zevo Brand. Sean spent a decade at Procter & Gamble in Brand Management - leading brands like Iams pet food and Old Spice deodorant. He was the former CMO of Amify (sold to Cart.com). Sean has worked as an executive for private equity and venture capital-backed CPG and eCommerce businesses. In this episode, we discuss: 1. The leap from leading established brands like Old Spice at Procter & Gamble to founding the Zevo brand within P&G Ventures. 2. How Sean identified the insect control category as ripe for disruption and the challenges of launching a brand within a large, risk-averse corporation. 3. The importance of consumer education and feedback, and how early product hurdles were overcome to build a successful brand. 4. Zevo’s strategic retail launch, starting with an exclusive partnership with Home Depot, and expanding to Target and Walmart by aligning distribution with brand awareness. 5. Key lessons on the entrepreneurial mindset needed to succeed in a big company, the value of mentorship, and staying curious in the face of challenges. Sean shares invaluable insights on navigating corporate innovation, offering practical advice for anyone looking to launch a new brand, especially within a large organization.