Today’s guest is Kevin Gawronski, founder of Gawronski Media, here to share some refreshingly honest ad spend advice for CPG startups. Despite what you may have heard, there is no magic trick for instant success, and huge ad spend doesn’t necessarily equate to huge sales. Instead of empty promises, Kevin shares realistic expections, best practices, and data-driven methods for getting your brand noticed on Instacart and other retail apps, as well as paid social and Google. If you’re looking for an honest Paid Media Partner, check out what Gawronski Media has to offer. https://gawronskimedia.com/

On the creative side, Crème de Mint is here to help you develop visually striking ads.

We’re excited to welcome back Jeffrey Martin, a beauty product manufacturing expert, to hear about new consumer expectations, legislation, and tariffs affecting beauty brands. With invaluable insights for beauty entrepreneurs in a rapidly changing consumer and manufacturing landscape, this episode is not to be missed. Jeffrey explains what to look for in a manufacturer, including testing their knowledge of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, formulation and testing capabilities, and using the “goldilocks method” to find the right fit. He also describes changes in consumer behavior that beauty brands need to be aware of. Jeffrey is the Director of Marketing at Federal Package, a manufacturer of skincare products based in Chanhassen, MN. Learn more at FederalPackage.com or reach out to Jeffrey through Linkedin / jeffreymartinmpls Resources mentioned in this episode: IBA U.S. Legislative and Regulatory Policy Map https://independentbeauty.org/iba-us-... Safer States (a national alliance of environmental health organizations) https://www.saferstates.org/ FREEBIE ALERT! Grab Crème de Mint's free Manufacturing Guide. https://omniform1.com/forms/v1/landin... Ready to build your brand? Crème de Mint is here to help. Schedule your free consultation! https://cremedemint.com/contact/

Do you need guidance on choosing the right packaging for your product—and making sure it actually works? This week on the podcast, we’re joined by Jessie Schwartz, CEO and founder of Strategic Packaging Partners, for a deep dive into the often-overlooked world of product packaging engineering. Jessie brings years of expertise to the table, sharing how to select the best packaging solutions, streamline operations, and build strong, reliable relationships with contractors and suppliers. If you’re looking to avoid costly missteps and refine your packaging strategy, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

Looking for expert PR tips? Today's guest is Annette Malkin, CEO and founder of Culturewise Collective, a PR agency that helps small-to-mid-size brands build awareness, amplification, and credibility through strategic and authentic messaging. Annette has worked with brands like Tequila Don Julio, Zacapa Rum, Altoids, TAZO Tea and Maxwell House. In this episode, you'll hear expert advice on amplifying your brand message through social media and traditional media outlets, as well as ways entrepreneurs can present themselves as a subject matter experts to build credibility.

What if single-use packaging could just “disappear”? Drain-safe, dissolvable packaging is a new approach to sustainability. Today’s guest is Alex Abbott from SmartSolve, a producer of environmentally-safe papers & adhesives that dissolve in water and leave behind no residue. Alex answers our questions about dissappearing packaging and discusses emerging technologies, including SmartSolve’s new dissolvable packaging material that keeps food fresh, launching early 2025. Learn more at http://www.smartsolve.com Do you need help designing sustainable packaging for your brand? We can help. Schedule a call with Creme de Mint. https://cremedemint.com/contact/

In today's episode, Saloni Doshi helps us see beyond the hype to understand what sustainable packaging really means. Saloni is the CEO and self-proclaimed "Chief Sustainability Geek" of EcoEnclose, a packaging manufacturer that offers guidance to brands wanting to become more sustainable without breaking the bank. Saloni describes how EcoEnclose collaborates with producers of innovative packaging materials made from regenerative sources like seaweed and discusses new environmental regulations that will impact how brands label their products. Check out the podcast below!

Is your cosmetics brand FDA MoCRA compliant? In this episode, we speak with Marcha Chaudry, an expert in cosmetic regulations and founder of The Equity Wellness Collaborative (EWC). Marcha explains how cosmetics companies, from startups to established brands, can become compliant with the FDA's enforcement of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act of 2022 (MoCRA). We also discuss the lack of representation within the beauty industry and funding opportunities for entrepreneurs from under-represented communities. Want to learn more about how Marcha can help your brand become complaint or get funding through grants? Learn more at https://equitywellness.org/about/ or reach out to Marcha at [email protected]

Join us for a fun twist where Lauren interviews co-host Natalie Saporova, founder of the web design agency Cloud Create. Natalie describes her process for working with new clients and shares best website practices for new product businesses. Other topics up for discussion include SEO, mapping the customer journey, and addressing how customer expectations for websites have evolved over time. If you’d like to work with Natalie and Lauren on your next website project, contact us at https://cremedemint.com/contact/

How do you create a fragrance or a scent for your product? Get the inside scoop from product development expert Emilie Mascarell, who has helped everyone from startups to established brands like L'Oreal and Estee Lauder develop signature fragrances. In today's episode, Emilie walks us through the steps of product development and custom fragrance formulation. She touches on how she sees AI being incorporated into the process in the future and shares best advice for CPG startups. Want to work with Emilie? You can find her at https://www.emilieconsulting.com/

Today's guest is Carrie Sporer, co-founder of haircare brand Swair. With enthusiasm and humor, Carrie shares the lessons she learned while conquering product launch hurdles. As she says, putting out fires is part of being an entrepreneur. Carrie also talks about how traditional PR can help build consumer trust for new brands, and shares her experience of participating in Target's Accelerator Program. You can find Swair's products at https://www.swairhair.com/