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AG1 CEO Kat Cole sits down with Masters of Scale to discuss what it was like to join a company she was a customer of, the power of asking questions, and how she thinks about fostering talent and speed on her teams.
“Answers don’t scale. Questions do. And finding the right questions allows me to make better decisions and have more fruitful actions, regardless of the dynamics, the situation, if it’s boom times or bust times, and I’ve certainly led all of those and in between scale. So the ability to, the comfort to, the muscle for asking really strong questions is a super power.” - Kat Cole
Thank you Jeff Berman for the conversation.
https://lnkd.in/gQPQKAyi
From Hooters of America, to Cinnabon, and now AG1, Kat Cole has a track record of scaling iconic brands. On Masters of Scale, the newly-minted CEO shares the importance of asking the right questions to forge a path forward.
Host Jeff Berman dives into Cole's fascinating career and how she’s applied the lessons learned along the way to steering a billion-dollar health supplement company.
Researching and fact-checking for a growing media company | Post tips and tricks for navigating the infoscape | Writer and Blogger | Disability and Healthcare advocate | Peace Corps and Americorps
LAUNCH... NO FUSS 🙌 🐶
To launch a brand into any crowded category can sometimes take good strategic nous, a perky name and also faith in the creative process that your product will stand out.
But when that crowded category sits in the pet food isles of supermarkets across Australia, it can take a little bit more trust.
So, we’re stoked with how our packaging for the new healthy pet food brand, No Fuss is sitting proudly on the shelf.
A huge thumbs up to founder, Rachael Tricarico, the Hunter team and of course, Obi, the Fox Terrier.
We're looking forward to rolling out the rest of the range over the upcoming months.
Keen to add clarity to your brand journey? Let’s talk. DM us directly.
#nofuss#petfood # #launch#scale#sell#founders#ambitiousfounders#founderstories#brandsuccess#entrepreneur#bootstrap#marketing#packagingdesign#branding#brandnaming#strategy#cpg#fmcg
In business, and specifically consumer packaged goods, most people are exposed to the outward-facing interactions. The store shelf where products are displayed, tradeshow appearances, advertising, Youtube videos, and other social media interactions are all at the forefront.
However, what most consumers don't see are the mechanics of what happens behind the scenes when bringing a product to market and building a brand. Choosing the best manufacturing partners, while employing strong processes and procedures ensures exceptional quality for our customers.
But there is one more element of success, and that's the human factor. In the exploding world of AI, it is still the human factor that makes a difference in a brand's values and growth.
At Undefined Nutrition, we believe it is equally as important to meet the people that make things happen behind the scenes, as it is our valued consumers. This week we had the pleasure travelling to one of our manufacturing partners in Texas to not only observe production of our PERSIST WHEY PROTEIN first hand, but to also participate in the process. The trip was culminated in a personal meet and greet with each team member to thank them for their skilled, hard work. It was an amazing experience to interact and meet the entire team.
Travelling with Brian Shaw and the Undefined Nutrition Team certainly comes with recognition virtually everywhere we go, but the underlying foundation of humility and human interaction supersedes the excitement by far. Understanding how all interactions (even the ones people don't see) affect each individual experience is critical to success, and has been key to our growth at Undefined Nutrition.
Enjoy some behind the scenes footage from our recent trip to TX to work with our manufacturing partner and the entire team.
#sportssupplements#undefinednutrition#brianshaw#worldsstrongestman#wheyprotein#goals
📍 A Tapestry of Teamwork: RSP Nutrition's Unprecedented Growth
🌐 To the casual observer, this image may just seem like a colorful quilt of the United States. Yet, to those in the know, it's a canvas that tells a story of collaboration, perseverance, and momentum.
🚀 What our team has achieved in such a short span is nothing short of remarkable. Rewind to a year ago – this map was a blank slate. Today, each shade marks the presence of our steadfast distributors who have woven their efforts into our network.
🤝 The alliance formed with giants like Anheuser Busch, MillerCoors, and a host of independent beverage distributors has been nothing short of synergistic. To say we are moved by how these networks have championed our brand would be an understatement. 💪 We extend our heartfelt gratitude to those who believed in us from the start. We will never forget those of you who are taking the leap of faith while our fate in the classic "chicken & the egg" story is being written! 🐣
📈 By the Numbers: Over 130 distributors have joined the RSP Nutrition family, bringing our brand to nearly 90% of the American populace.
🍀 "Fortune favors the brave," they say – and our network of distributors has exemplified this by embracing the challenges alongside us.
🎉 A massive shoutout to the entire RSP Nutrition team for orchestrating this incredible network so swiftly.
PS: Some large gaps in this map are about to be filled, but if you see an opportunity together, don't hesitate to shoot me a message so we can connect!
#Teamwork#Growth#DSDNetwork#RSPNutrition#ThankYou
I have NEWS about something very exciting and new that I am now a part of as I expand with another health and beauty brand partnership (still continuing with Prolon and R+F too)….😮
What if I told you there was a beauty brand that has been top selling, in high end spas + boutiques in Europe for 20 years … that opened up the U.S. just nine months ago?
What if I told you it was a $600 Million dollar brand, financially stable (not a start up) and that you had the ability to be a brand rep influencer for just $50 a YEAR?
What if I told you that we are the #1 fastest growing waterless brand in the USA? Spoiler alert- we rep organic, bioactive, no filler waterless products featuring olive tree leaf elixir and ever beneficial hydroxytyrosol (look it up— anti-inflammatory anti-aging miracle ingredient).
What if I told you there are currently only 6000 brand reps nationally? Imagine the opportunity…
What if I told you that our products were 100% clean, pass all EU standards, and 81 out of 88 of them are vegan?
What if I told you it is very important to our founder that we never have a product that is 3 digits, $99 + under, and that the average cost of our products were just $50 each ($37.50 for consultants)?
What if I told you people were finding success here really fast? We have everything set up for you to be successful!
What if I told you that you can make up to a 35% commission on products you sell personally, 10% on your frontline (not just products they order, but everything they sell as well) and actually 20% in their first 60 days, then a 5% commission on seven generations below you, 2% on your 8th, and 1% on your 9th? Plus sooooo many monthly and quarterly cash bonuses that you can qualify for? 🤔
If you’re interested in switching out your health and beauty products to something clean that works (comes with a 365 day refund too!!) or would like to talk more about the opportunity , drop an 🫒 below or message me! More info below…
I can’t wait to chat and share more. 🤯
Visiting family back in Australia at the moment and one of our good friends and investors just asked on our Sunday morning walk, based on what you know now, would you have started a water company, and to be completely honestly I said NO.
But now I'm so deep in it, the challenge has been accepted and we've innovated our way to a successful path in what is easily one of the hardest industries. Compelled me to highlight the 3 key challenges we face daily.
🌊 Navigating Intense Competition and Distribution Challenges in the Beverage Industry 🌊
In the beverage world, it’s not just about winning over consumers—it’s about securing space with distributors, and that can make or break a brand. Here’s why this battle is so challenging:
1️⃣ Fighting for Distributor Allocations
Getting products on shelves means navigating complex relationships with distributors who hold immense power. Established brands often dominate allocations, making it tough for newcomers to break through.
2️⃣ Pressure to Innovate
Consumers crave new flavors, functional ingredients, and sustainable packaging. But even the most innovative products need distributor support to reach shelves.
3️⃣ Competing with Big Budgets
Major brands have big budgets and strong distributor relationships, securing prime placements that can overshadow emerging brands.
💧 How Ape Water is Breaking the Mold 💧
At Ape Water, we know we have to do things differently. We’re focusing on direct partnerships, creating unique brand experiences, and introducing a “spring-to-table” model. We’re partnering with distributors who believe in our eco-friendly, gamified hydration experience and want to disrupt the status quo with us.
By taking a bold, unconventional approach, we’re carving out our own space and redefining what a beverage brand can be. 💥
#ApeWater#BeverageIndustry#Innovation#Distribution#SpringToTable#EcoFriendly#DisruptTheNorm#BoldMoves#ConsumerBrands#Sustainability
We have a thought to share with you.
A thought which describes how did our brand came to life. What inspired us and how such a wide product range came (literally) came to reality.
.
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Watch our #brandstory to know more about Nutslane.
#Nutslane#brand#healthysnacking#dryfruits#healthylifestyle
Super excited to start building out the leadership team from the top down at Lineage Provisions with Matt Hayes taking the reins as GM.
Matt is everything you'd want to see in a leader: low ego, high EQ, professional, experienced, hungry, team player, and thoughtful to name a few.
Lots of big things to come with Lineage, but most of all, excited to show that it's possible to do the combination what few brands are able to:
1. Make amazing, world class products that solve people's problems (currently: ultra clean, delicious, organ and meat sticks and all-in-one protein, many more to come)
2. Create impact we want to see in the supply chain (currently: supporting small family regenerative farms and creating a new standard for testing for purity and transparency)
3. Bootstrapped, lean, high-growth, profitable business (currently: profitable and cash flow positive three days after launching in Feb)
Many more thoughts to come on why I think this is the trifecta of CPG/e-comm, but until then, follow along here, at Lineage Provisions, and Matt Hayes on all the updates and THANK YOU to everyone who has been supportive with this venture and any point with what I've swung at in the last 10+ years.
Currently GM at Lineage Provisions • Previously co-founded Leesa Sleep & The Fascination • 10 years growing DTC eCommerce Brands
🙌 Excited to announce the next step in my journey as the new GM of Lineage Provisions, an animal-based nutrition brand co-founded by Dr. Paul Saladino, MD and Anthony Gustin. 🙌
Below is one of the slides I shared with Anthony Gustin, which sums up why I'm so excited about this opportunity. As I've gotten older, wellness and nutrition has become more and more core to my identity, and it only felt right to align my work accordingly. Anthony and Paul are the embodiment of building a values-driven brand, and we are still in the first inning of where this brand can go.
The last time I felt this sort of momentum, we helped define a category. But the playbook has changed, and Lineage is at the forefront of that playbook: lean, profit-focused, purpose-driven and fueled by organic growth from one of the most influential voices in the space in Dr. Paul Saladino.
It should go without saying, but the product is also incredible. Check us out at https://lnkd.in/eDz3_haD and grab 15% off w/ code MDH15 (expires in 72 hrs)
Recently I had a conversation with Charles Wood, the co-founder and managing director of Vitadrop - the fastest growing hydration and vitamin brand in Australia valued at $8m currently.
The conversation explored the story of the brand, the mindset of a founder, mistakes and lessons and much more.
Here’s the 3 key lessons I learnt from the episode:
1. National distribution into supermarkets is not always a good thing:
Despite the initial excitement of landing deals with major retailers like Coles and Woolworths in 2500 stores, the reality of managing cash flow, handling operational scale-up, and navigating competitive pressures quickly set in.
The high costs associated with maintaining shelf space and participating in promotions led to thinner profit margins than anticipated.
Additionally, Vitadrop had to contend with the complexities of supply chain management and maintaining product quality at scale.
They soon realised that direct-to-consumer sales channels offered better control over customer relationships and higher profit margins compared to supermarket sales.
2. The importance of finding a good co-founder:
Charlie spoke about his relationship with his co-founder, Dan, and how that dynamic has been critical for the success of the business thus far - as well as important in maintaining sanity as a founder.
Finding a good co-founder has been vital for business success to date, as they provide complementary skills, emotional support, balanced decision-making, shared vision, and increased accountability.
A strong co-founder relationship helps manage stress, operational challenges, and ensures long-term strategic alignment and success.
3. The importance of leaning into a hero product:
Charlie explored the idea that one of his mentors, Steve Chapman, the ex chairman of Blackmore’s (with a market cap of $2B AUD in 2023) that it’s key to focus on a hero product instead of spreading too thin.
Leaning into a hero product is crucial for establishing a strong market presence and driving consistent sales.
A hero product, like Vitadrop's sleep supplement, serves as the flagship offering that customers recognise and trust, creating a foundation for brand loyalty.
Focusing on perfecting and promoting this core product can simplify marketing efforts, streamline operations, and provide a reliable revenue stream.
By building around a hero product, businesses can ensure they meet customer needs effectively while gradually expanding their product line with complementary offerings.
This strategy not only strengthens the brand’s identity but also maximises resources and minimises the risk associated with launching multiple new products simultaneously.
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If you’ve gotten to this point, I appreciate you reading this, please give me a follow to see more content and if you’d like to listen to the episode in full, you can find it below:
https://lnkd.in/gc_ed9VM
Excited about the outdoor / IRL events starting soon where we get to share Amrita Health Foods Protein Bars with weekend warriors, marathon runners, yogis in the park, and everyone who desires to eat clean and believes in supporting mission-driven businesses.
As a CPG founder, we get to make a consumable that delights people - how incredibly awesome is that!
We get to create recipes, source ingredients, assemble teams and equipment to make these products, and then get to share it with people.
This has got to be the best experience.
Yes, there’s a 💩 ton of issues we have to deal with in CPG, but all founders and all industries have to go through this.
Let’s figure out why we got into this business in the first place and make that front and center. Starts with amazing product, mission, community and team.
#cpg#founderstories
Kat Cole love your back story! You’re a shining example for dedication, perseverance and determination 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻