How do you build a beverage brand from scratch and land in over a thousand stores?

For Aisha Chottani, it started with stress and a few homemade “potions”.

In this episode, Aisha, Founder and CEO of Moment, joins hosts  Reid Jackson and Liz Sertl to talk through what really goes into launching and scaling a functional drink brand. From labeling boxes by hand to managing relationships with co-packers and navigating supply chain failures, Aisha shares the behind-the-scenes story most startup founders keep to themselves.

She also gets real about what went wrong, like barcode mix-ups and Amazon returns gone sideways, and how those lessons became systems that power Moment’s growth today.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why small brands need relationships more than volume

• How early mistakes can turn into long-term wins

• What to watch out for when scaling distribution and operations

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain

(01:34) Building a global mindset from four continents

(03:07) From McKinsey burnout to homemade “potions”

(06:06) Barcode errors and the pain of early logistics

(08:21) Growing Moment to 1,000 stores and 30 DCs

(11:33) What small brands can leverage on

(14:06) Collaborating with Lululemon

(17:15) Why Moment leans into a subscription model 

(20:39) Operational failures to learn from

(27:36) Aisha’s favorite technology

Connect with GS1 US:

Our website - www.gs1us.org

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Connect with the guest:

Aisha Chottani on LinkedInCheck out Moment

What does it take to grow a brand on Amazon today?

The rules have changed, and Amazon is now less of a storefront and more of a dynamic ad and data platform.

In this episode, Jason Boyce, Founder and CEO of Avenue7Media, joins host Reid Jackson to share what he’s learned over 22 years in the e-commerce world. From selling as a reseller to building a brand and leading an agency, Jayson explains why success now depends on feeding the algorithm, not pitching to buyers.

He breaks down how streaming TV is driving direct Amazon sales, the problem with locked attributes and UPCs, and why attribution is finally catching up to the promise of connected TV.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why traditional retail rules don’t apply to Amazon

• How Connected TV can accelerate brand growth

• What makes Amazon profitable when compared to DTC

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain

(02:53) From failed consulting to full-service agency

(06:26) Fixing locked attributes and bad UPC data

(09:59) Streaming ads that convert like e-commerce

(13:56) Selling to algorithms, not people

(16:34) Comparing Amazon to direct-to-consumer

(20:44) Why CTV is outperforming display ads

(26:48) How AI will change the way we shop

Connect with GS1 US:

Our website - www.gs1us.org

GS1 US on LinkedIn

Connect with the guest:

Jason Boyce on LinkedInCheck out Avenue7Media

How accurate is your inventory?

For many retailers, answering that question is more difficult than it appears—especially when inventory counts are only conducted once or twice a year.

In this episode, Dean Frew, President, RFID Solutions Division, SML IIS, sits down with hosts Reid Jackson and Liz Sertl to explore how RFID solves one of retail’s biggest challenges. Dean shares how real-time data at the item level drives results from return fraud to buying online and pick up in store.

He also discusses what it takes to make RFID work at scale, how adoption has changed post-COVID, and why distribution centers are the next frontier.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How RFID improves inventory accuracy

• Where retailers are seeing the most significant ROI

• New use cases beyond the sales floor

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain

(02:20) Dean’s background and RFID journey

(06:35) Improving inventory accuracy with RFID

(12:13) Reducing returns fraud with item-level data

(18:07) How BOPIS impacts inventory and sales

(23:01) Boosting inbound accuracy at distribution centers

(26:14) RFID in checkout and fitting room experiences

Connect with GS1 US:

Our website - www.gs1us.org

GS1 US on LinkedIn

Connect with the guest:

Dean Frew on LinkedInCheck out SML Group

Did you know that the first coupon dates back to the 1800s?

 It hasn't changed much for something that's been around that long, and how shoppers redeemed coupons stayed the same…until now.

In this episode, Brett Watson, CEO of The Coupon Bureau, joins hosts Reid Jackson and Liz Sertl to talk about how the world of coupons is finally catching up. With digital formats, real-time validation, and built-in fraud prevention, coupons are evolving for the modern retail experience. 

Brett explains what it takes to bring an old system into the digital age, why coupon fraud has become such a costly issue, and how these changes are unlocking new opportunities for both brands and consumers.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How couponing has evolved over the years

• The role of coupons in marketing and media

• The future of coupon technology

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain

(03:31) History of couponing 

(09:45) The scale of coupon fraud in the industry

(14:56) The new coupon standard

(18:54) Different innovations and applications of coupons

(23:23) Brett’s favorite tech she can’t live without

Connect with GS1 US:

Our website - www.gs1us.org

GS1 US on LinkedIn

Connect with the guest:

Brett Watson on LinkedIn

Check out The Coupon Bureau

Do you ever think about food safety when you sit down for a meal? It’s easy to take for granted, but behind every meal, strict standards and practices ensure the food we consume is safe.

In this replay episode, we revisit our conversation with Darin Detwiler, Founder and CEO of Detwiler Consulting Group. Darin’s path to food safety is deeply personal, driven by the tragic loss of his son to E. coli.

Darin shares how the food safety industry is adapting to technological advancements like data analytics, AI, and digital solutions while meeting the ongoing demand for consistent production. If you've ever wondered about the efforts behind keeping food safe, this episode provides an inside look at the evolving food safety landscape and how we can continue protecting consumers in a rapidly changing environment.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How digital solutions like data analytics and blockchain balance long-term and short-term food safety goals

• The need for courage in food safety leadership to proactively manage and prevent crises

• The power of social media to help improve food safety and transparency

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain

(00:45) What led Darin into the food safety industry

(04:05) What Detwiler Consulting Company offers

(09:20) New technology and trends in the food safety industry

(14:08) How Darin and his team use AI and evolve it

(16:39) Big failures that have taken place in the food safety industry

(23:47) Darin’s favorite technology at the moment

Connect with GS1 US:

Our website - www.gs1us.org

GS1 US on LinkedIn

Connect with the guest:

Darin Detwiler on LinkedIn

Check out Detwiler Consulting Group

The apparel industry is working to be more sustainable, but verifying those claims is complicated. With over 70 certifications and no standardized way to share data, brands and retailers struggle to track sustainability efforts efficiently.

In this episode, Amy Reiter, Senior Director of Customer Success for the Apparel and General Merchandise Initiative at GS1 US, joins hosts Reid Jackson and Liz Sertl for a conversation on the challenges of sustainability certifications in apparel. Many companies still rely on PDFs and spreadsheets to verify organic cotton claims and responsible manufacturing. GS1 US is working to change that by improving data-sharing processes and exploring how GTINs (Global Trade Item Numbers) can streamline certification tracking.

Tune in to learn how the industry is tackling sustainability verification and what it means for brands, retailers, and consumers alike.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why GTINs are critical for accurate sustainability claims

• How brands and retailers can replace inefficient certification tracking

• The growing role of machine-readable data in product transparency

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Sustainability Journey at GS1 US

(03:16) Streamlining Textile Certification Data

(06:51) GTIN Certification Process Overview

(10:22) Gen Z Drives Eco-Label Awareness

(13:04) Seamless Machine-Readable Data Sharing

(18:28) Sustainability Practices in Business

Connect with GS1 US:

Our website - www.gs1us.org

GS1 US on LinkedIn

Connect with the guest:

Amy Reiter on LinkedIn

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliance deadline is approaching quickly, giving companies less than a year to meet new food safety and traceability requirements. But beyond compliance, why does traceability matter?

In this episode, Wiggs Civitillo, Founder & CEO of Starfish,  joins hosts Reid Jackson and Liz Sertl to discuss how product traceability can streamline recalls, reduce food waste, and build consumer trust. Inconsistent data and lack of interoperability are some of the biggest challenges companies face in food traceability. Starfish addresses these challenges by enabling secure, seamless data sharing across the supply chain.

Tune in to hear FSMA 204 explained and discover solutions to help companies stay compliant.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Practical solutions to meet FSMA 204 requirements efficiently

• The impact of real-time data on food safety monitoring

• How companies can use traceability to build consumer trust

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain

(01:41) Challenges and lessons from the IBM Food Trust

(05:25) How Starfish connects supply chains

(13:58) Recalls, food safety, and consumer trust

(19:19) Understanding FSMA 204 and compliance

(25:06) Benefits of product traceability

(30:39) Wiggs’ favorite tech tool

Connect with GS1 US:

Our website - www.gs1us.org

GS1 US on LinkedIn

Connect with the guest:

Wiggs Civitillo on LinkedIn

Check out Starfish

Customers have endless options at their fingertips. If they can’t find what they need in your store, they’ll simply go elsewhere to shop. But this isn’t just a retailer’s problem, it’s a challenge that impacts the entire supply chain.

In this episode, industry expert Mike Graen joins hosts Reid Jackson and Liz Sertl to break down the critical importance of on-shelf availability. Mike shares why ensuring products are accessible to customers is more essential than ever. He also shares how RFID, AI-driven algorithms, and robotics are transforming inventory accuracy, alongside actionable strategies to keep shelves stocked and customers satisfied. 

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The difference between "in-stock" and "on-shelf availability"

• How technology is solving inventory challenges and boosting sales

• The evolving nature of customer loyalty and how to keep up

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain

(03:13) The importance of on-shelf product availability (OSA)

(05:21) Why retailers are losing customers

(07:41) Challenges with inventory management

(14:15) The different ways customers shop 

(18:52) Getting serious about measuring OSA 

(22:47) Computer vision and RFID to track OSA

(28:35) GS1 standards in the supply chain

(32:52) Evolving together with technology

(35:13) Mike’s favorite tech

Connect with GS1 US:

Our website - www.gs1us.org

GS1 US on LinkedIn

Connect with the guest:

Mike Graen on LinkedIn

Traceability and supply chain integrity are more than just buzzwords—they’re the backbone of patient safety and industry innovation. 

In this episode, host Reid Jackson welcomes Gary Lerner, Founder and CEO of Gateway Checker, to explore the transformative power of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA).

They discuss how the shift from lot-level to item-level traceability is revolutionizing healthcare, providing unprecedented safeguards against counterfeiting and channel diversion. From the mechanics of 2D barcodes to the role of AI in analyzing supply chain data, Gary shares practical insights from his 20+ years of experience navigating the intersection of digital and physical supply chains.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How DSCSA is transforming healthcare supply chains with item-level traceability

• The critical role of 2D barcodes in ensuring authenticity and patient safety

• Why data quality and interoperability are the next big steps for supply chain efficiency

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain

(02:18) From brand protection to healthcare supply chains

(03:37) Innovating item-level traceability in goods

(05:15) The importance of supply chain integrity in healthcare

(06:48) Breaking down the “license plate” of pharmaceuticals

(09:23) Understanding DSCSA and its impact on patient safety

(12:38) How bad actors exploit supply chain gaps

(13:49) Counterfeit prevention as part of national security

(16:10) Using interconnectivity to uncover supply chain risks

(19:16) Best practices for adapting to DSCSA regulations

(21:09) How serialization enables better inventory accuracy

(26:05) The future of supply chain integrity and AI innovation

Connect with GS1 US:

Our website - www.gs1us.org

GS1 US on LinkedIn

Connect with Guest:

Gary Lerner on LinkedIn

Gateway Checker

As 2025 approaches, supply chain trends like digital transformation, AI, sustainability, and smart logistics remain top of mind.

In this episode, James Chronowski, Vice President of Strategic Account Management at GS1 US, joins hosts Reid Jackson and Liz Sertl to explore how data quality plays a crucial role in addressing these trends. James offers practical insights for businesses to tackle emerging challenges and seize opportunities in an evolving supply chain landscape.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The top trends shaping the supply chain industry in 2025 

• Why data quality and governance are essential for businesses

• How to build resilient supply chains in a rapidly changing environment

Jump into the conversation:

(00:00) Introducing Next Level Supply Chain

(02:36) Current and future trends in the supply chain

(08:20) The foundational role of data governance 

(11:42) How businesses can be more resilient in 2025

(13:52) James Chronowski’s favorite tech

Connect with GS1 US:

Our website - www.gs1us.org

GS1 US on LinkedIn

Connect with the guest:

James Chronowski on LinkedIn