Brands for a Better World (formerly Evolve CPG)

Brands for a Better World (formerly Evolve CPG)

By Gage Mitchell of Modern SpeciesBusinessHealth & FitnessNutritionArtsMarketingFood
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Brands for a Better World (formerly Evolve CPG) episodes

  • 057 - Make People Feel Something with Jake Karls of Mid-Day Squares

    Today, we’re speaking with Jake Karls, Co-Founder and Rainmaker at Mid-Day Squares, about their game-changing show, everything style brand marketing, and how he,  Lezlie Karls, and Nick (Co-Founders) are committed to staying independent and true to themselves for the long haul.

    Find out more about Mid-Day Squares here

    Check out Jake Karls on LinkedIn 

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    45 min
  • 056 - Sustainability On Demand with Alise Zindiga of Printful

    In today's episode, we speak with Alise Zindiga, CSR Manager at Printful, about the demand for sustainable products, the benefit of on-demand production, and the complexities of scaling sustainability across the globe.

    Printful is a company that designs and sells custom products online with print-on-demand drop shipping. Find more about them here

    Find more about Alise Zindiga here

    Books we talked about:

    We Are the Weather: Saving the Planet Begins at Breakfast

    Eating Animals

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    49 min
  • 055 - From Their Cart to Yours with Steven Clift from GoodCarts

    If you’re someone who holds a high moral standard but still takes the cheaper option off the store shelf without considering the impact of the product you are buying, it’s time to make your shopping reflect your values! Today I’m joined by Steven Clift, whose career began at the intersection of politics, community building, and the internet, with the founding of an election information non-profit organization. His path has now shifted to the ecommerce space, but his goal of making the world a fairer place remains the same. As CEO of cross-promotional engine GoodCarts, Steve is helping shop-for-good and sustainable brands expand their reach. In this episode, Steve explains how GoodCarts works, some of the brands who form part of their 150 member strong network, and the big plans he has for the future of the company. If more people start shopping with their values in mind, we can begin to turn the tide on the social and environmental degradation that is rife in the world today. After listening to this episode, the next time you have the choice between Fair Trade certified coffee and its non-Fair Trade certified equivalent, you won’t have to think long before you spend the extra few bucks! 


    Key Points From This Episode:

    • Steve shares what drew him into the political sphere.
    • The mission behind the non-profit organization that Steve founded. 
    • How Steve feels about the current relationship between politics and the internet. 
    • Steve’s experience as a facilitator of Facebook communities.
    • A characteristic of a community that has a sense of group ownership.  
    • Tips from Steve for building a successful online community. 
    • Why Steve was recognized as an Ashoka Fellow, and what this means. 
    • The focus of Steve’s second, and current, career with GoodCarts.
    • 150: the number of brands that are part of the GoodCarts network.
    • One of the major challenges that small, sustainable brands are faced with. 
    • A description of how GoodCarts works (with accompanying visuals available on YouTube).
    • Examples of the different circles that brands fall under on GoodCarts. 
    • Ideas that Steve has for the future of GoodCarts.
    • Steve shares some member success stories. 
    • The importance of a compelling feature image.


      • Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

      GoodCarts

      Steven Clift Website

      Steven Clift on LinkedIn

      Ashoka 

      Sezzle

      Dean’s Beans

      Women’s Bean Project

      Soak iT Up Cloths

      Clards

      Hippy Feet

      Modern Species

      Evolve CPG

      See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

      53 min
    • 054 - Minimizing Growing Pains with Zachary DeAngelo of Rodeo CPG

      Being an entrepreneur through the COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly challenging for those in the food industry. However, with some key insights into your business and product, you can thrive in this environment, as exemplified by Zachary DeAngelo, Founder and CEO of Rodeo CPG. Join us on EvolveCPG today to find out how Zachary got to where he is now, what he has learned from his experience as an entrepreneur, and where he sees the food industry going in the future. We also hear some great advice for entrepreneurs across all industries and why being an entrepreneur is so rewarding. Tune in to learn about the clients that Rodeo CPG works with, what their role is and how it evolves, and how data is crucial in understanding what's impacting your business. For all this and so much more, join us today! 


      Key Points From This Episode:

      • Welcoming Zachary DeAngelo, founder, and CEO of Rodeo CPG.
      • Why this such great timing for Zachary: defining their mission statement and value proposition. 
      • How he got to where he is now, and why nothing was mapped out. 
      • Launching his first business and the lessons he learned through Cocomama.
      • The difference between studying for an MBA and founding a business in the real world. 
      • Zachary’s advice for those starting a business: you don’t need to innovate every step.
      • How Zachary ended up in sales and his move from New York to Colorado. 
      • Insider knowledge in each industry and how Rodeo CPG is helping to share this. 
      • Zachary’s experience of a service-driven business versus a product-based businesses. 
      • The evolution of the food industry and where technology is impacting this.
      • Examples of businesses that Rodeo CPG has helped grow and what their role is. 
      • The three most common entry points for Rodeo CPG: complete startups, brands in their growth phase, and larger CPG companies.
      • The future of technology and data use: where Rodeo CPG helps with this and brands using technology well.
      • The biggest challenges and wins Rodeo CPG has experienced. 
      • Signs of success for Rodeo CPG and scaling their business to support brands. 
      • What both Gage and Zachary love about being entrepreneurs: the constant change. 
      • How data can show you the small changes that have a big business impact. 
      • Tips from Zachary to address common problems: the product is always critical, velocity is key, always be willing to check your assumptions, and more!


        • Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

        Zachary DeAngelo on LinkedIn

        Zachary DeAngelo Email

        Rodeo CPG

        Omsom

        Evergreen

        Little Duck Organics on LinkedIn

        Dream Pops

        Modern Species

        Evolve CPG

        See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

        48 min
      • 053 - Intentionality Deficit with Subtle Distinctions

        If you regularly find yourself asking, “How did I get here?” you may be suffering from intentionality deficit disorder. If you are living intentionally, you are always conscious of your intended destination and the ‘why’ that drives you there. If you have an intentionality deficit, you will be taken on a journey of chance encounters that will lead you somewhere, but not necessarily anywhere that you want to be. Matt D’Amour and Linwood Paul, through their coaching company, Subtle Distinctions, are determined to help people clearly understand what they really want so that they can sculpt their lives in accordance with that. In today’s episode, they share what that process looks like and the simple steps you can take to begin your own journey of intention. 


        Key Points From This Episode:

        • What it means to have an intentionality deficit disorder. 
        • The question that many people ask that signals a likely intentionality deficit.
        • ‘Mental garbage’ that permeates our lives. 
        • Step one on the journey towards intentional living; understanding your why.
        • How to determine which parts of your life came about through intentionality versus those which came through chance. 
        • Fear that so many people have around changing their identity. 
        • Why your intention is like a filtration system. 
        • How manifestation compares to being intentional. 
        • Questions that will help you better understand your purpose. 


          • Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

          Subtle Distinctions

          Modern Species

          Evolve CPG

          See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

          22 min
        • 052 - Better Food Products with Jonathan Deutsch of Drexel Food Lab

          In today’s episode, we’re speaking with Jonathan Deutsch about the art and science of food product research, development, and testing.

          Jonathan is a professor of Culinary Arts and Science at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is the founder & director of Drexel University’s Food Lab. Find more about him here 

          Drexel Food Lab is a food product development and culinary innovation lab focused on improving the health of people, the planet, and economies, as well as engaging their students in real-world product development and product design projects. Learn more 

          -
          Join our FREE CPG community:  https://community.evolvecpg.com/
          Follow our host, Gage Mitchell, on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/

          See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

          47 min
        • 051 - Understanding the Problem with Timothy Lawlor of ReadyWise

          In today's episode, we're speaking with Timothy Lawlor, Director of Marketing at ReadyWise, a company that provides long-term food storage and freeze-dried food, about the power of understanding the consumer and the problem instead of getting stuck on your initial product or solution.

          Find more about:

          ReadyWise
          Timothy Lawlor
          Murray Brand Communications
          So Delicious
          WhiteWave
          Farmhouse Culture

          See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

          47 min
        • 050 - A Framework for Communications with Molly Gaines of Kindship Group

          The world of brand messaging and public relations is evolving at a rapid pace in response to new technologies and societal shifts. In order to thrive, companies need to react to these trends and adjust accordingly. Our guest today is Molly Gaines, the Strategic Communications and Engagement Director at the Kindship Group, with a background in journalism and a love for storytelling! With Molly's help, we tackle the central importance of authentic, relevant, and clear brand communications, and how Kindship helps purpose-driven brands survive and scale in today's climate. We also look at Molly's personal story, the huge impact of social media on society, and we hear some thoughts on the future of this line of work. Listeners can expect to come away with some great insight into the current brand environment, what might lie ahead, as well as the evergreen importance of clear lines of communication with potential customers. Tune in to discover it all!


          Key Points From This Episode:

          • The role of companies as trustworthy sources; the evolution of the information age.
          • What Kindship does and Molly's history in the world of branding and organic food. 
          • Molly unpacks her framework and how it can be applied to any brand!
          • The relationship between authentic communication and brand loyalty.
          • Molly's journalism studies and the passion she had for telling stories from a young age.
          • The power of great writing: how journalism skills have served Molly.
          • The lessons that Molly took forward from her time working in bigger companies. 
          • Examples of what public relations work entails: stimulating the right kind of engagement with an audience.
          • Reflections on the rise of social media and the positive and negative results of this. 
          • Molly's role at the Kindship Group and the central work of strategic messaging.
          • Tips from Molly for brands to refine their communications and clarify their mission.
          • The future of communications according to Molly: more direct messaging and creating multi-dimensional experiences. 
          • The dangers of echo chambers and balancing this with the need for customized information.


            • Tweetables:

            “A lot of my work focuses on writing, and messaging, and telling stories. That's really been my passion since high school, if not before.” — Molly Gaines [0:03:20]

            “Writing is the foundation of so of what we do and how people interpret what we do.” — Molly Gaines [0:08:43]

            "I think it's really important for us when people talk to know what they are talking about and not just be trying to convince people and influence on things that they really have the background to be doing that.” — Molly Gaines [0:30:04]

            “Public relations should be relating to stakeholders in a way that is authentic and truthful.” — Molly Gaines [0:31:03]


            Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

            Modern Species 

            Molly Gaines

            Kindship

            Episode 1 with Sandra Ann Harris

            Haberman 

            Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn

            Evolve CPG

            Evolve CPG Community

            Evolve CPG on YouTube

            Evolve CPG email

            See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

            1 hr 2 min
          • 049 - It All Starts with The People with Michelle Hirons of Higher Ring

            Michelle Hirons was introduced to the business world at a very young age; by 6 years old she was helping with pricing and customer service in her family’s pharmacy, and by 12 she was accompanying her parents on buying trips. When she entered the working world in her own capacity, she became acutely aware of the discrepancies that exist between how people are treated at different rungs on the business ladder, and this drove her desire to found a business that puts employee wellbeing at the forefront. This desire became HigherRing, a customer service outsourcing company that focuses as much on its people and the planet as it does on making a profit. In today’s episode you’ll hear about how HigherRing helps their partner companies grow through their variety of offerings, some important learnings Michelle has had since founding HigherRing 5 years ago, how the company is planning to evolve in the coming years, and why treating people like people makes good business sense! 


             Key Points From This Episode:

            • Michelle’s early introduction to business, and what she learned from this experience. 
            • How Michelle’s family’s business has evolved over the years. 
            • Advantages that come with caring for your employees' wellbeing.
            • Wisdom that Michelle brought back with her to the US after the year she spent studying in Europe.
            • Some of the big retailers that Michelle worked for in the past.
            • Discrepancies between the way customer-facing staff and headquarter-based staff are treated by many major brands.
            • Michelle’s journey of founding HigherRing, and what the company does.
            • Types of companies that HigherRing partners with. 
            • The process of becoming a Certified B Corporation and a member of 1% for the Planet. 
            • Two main learnings that Michelle took from the 10,000 Small Businesses Programme.
            • Examples of how HigherRing helps their clients grow. 
            • Why HigherRing has been so successful in attracting employees.
            • The value of giving feedback in the moment. 
            • Growth that Michelle is planning for HigherRing in the future. 


              • Tweetables:

              “There is a strategic advantage in treating people well and making sure that they’re cared for, and in running your business in a sustainable and holistic way.” — @michelle_hirons [0:07:03]

              “We’re aiming to be that fire under the growth of all of our partner companies.” — @michelle_hirons [0:20:36]

              “We’re trying to create great jobs. That’s our mission.” — @michelle_hirons [0:25:03]


              Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

              HigherRing

              Michelle Hirons on LinkedIn

              Certified B Corporation

              1% for the Planet

              Modern Species

              Evolve CPG

              See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

              49 min
            • 048 - Excellence Without Attachment with Subtle Distinctions

              Just slow down. So many entrepreneurs don’t have this phrase in their vocabulary, which is a big part of the reason that 34% of this population group suffer from anxiety. In today’s society, people are valorized for working 90 hour weeks and pushing themselves to breaking point, but today's guests, Linwood Paul and Matt D’Amour, are determined to change this. In today’s episode, the founders of Subtle Distinctions share how they help their clients handle the common fears which attach them to future scenarios, and get them back to the present moment instead. The practices they teach take work, but the benefits will be well worth the effort! 


              Key Points From This Episode:

              • High levels of anxiety that are present in society today.
              • What Linwood and Matt are hoping to achieve through Subtle Distinctions. 
              • A question to ask yourself which will help you to become more present. 
              • How anxiety and attachment are relative in effect. 
              • The flood of changes that we are constantly faced with, and how to navigate them.
              • Lessons from Linwood’s sailing coach about the importance of slowing down.
              • Pressure that entrepreneurs feel to be constantly productive. 
              • Dealing with some of the most common fears. 
              • An example of a non-attached way to deal with a particular scenario. 
              • The value of starting small. 


                • Tweetables:

                “Attachment can draw us into the future.” — Linwood Paul [0:09:00]

                “This idea of becoming more present is a strategy for entrepreneurs, and everyone else, to be in a more peaceful calm state so that they can direct their destiny, direct their business, direct themselves in a more intentional and grounded way.” — Matt D’Amour [0:12:15]

                “Slow down to speed up.” — Linwood Paul [0:16:09]

                “The more you question, the more you don’t know. The more you question, the more you wonder.” — Linwood Paul [0:33:08]


                Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

                Subtle Distinctions

                Deep Work

                The Big Leap

                Evolve CPG

                See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

                36 min

              About Brands for a Better World (formerly Evolve CPG)

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              We're bringing you the stories behind the people and products building a more just, healthy, and regenerative future for us all. Tune in weekly and together, we’ll learn about why these better…