Ever wonder what it takes to win a prestigious NEXTY award? In this episode of The Natural List, co-hosts Jessica Rubino and Adrienne Smith are joined by New Hope Network's Douglas Brown, senior retail reporter, and Nancy Coulter-Parker, content marketing director, to discuss the essential dos and don’ts for submitting nominations leading up to Natural Products Expo West. With the final submission deadline on Dec. 2, the team divulge can't-miss tips and insights to help brands make the most of their applications. 

Judges from diverse backgrounds, including retailers and investors, will assess entries based on the "3 Is"—innovation, inspiration and integrity. To set themselves apart from the competition, brands should think holistically about their scalability, financials and long-term goals when submitting their application to truly stand out. Plus, don't forget to share your story! The New Hope Network team shares why to make your product's mission  central to your application. While NEXTY judges expect great taste, they’re equally drawn to a brand's unique narrative and potential impact. Want to hear some of the more unexpected tips? Tune in to this week's episode.