Send us a text

Once Upon a Farm went public, and the stock jumped. But this isn’t the standard path for a consumer brand.

In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan examine why a single-brand baby food company chose an IPO instead of selling to a large CPG player - and what role Jennifer Garner’s involvement really plays in that decision.

We break down the business fundamentals behind the headlines, from refrigerated supply chains to retailer economics, and question how much of the early momentum can translate into long-term scale.

The episode closes with what comes next - and whether this business is built to stay public.

We cover:

• Why this IPO breaks the usual consumer brand playbook
• The real economics behind refrigerated, organic consumer products
• How celebrity-backed trust does - and doesn’t - scale over time

A clear-eyed look at IPO strategy, consumer economics, and where this bet could break.

Chapters:

• 00:00 – Why This IPO Is Different
• 02:30 – What Is Once Upon a Farm?
• 05:20 – The Jennifer Garner Effect
• 09:10 – Refrigerated Food Economics
• 13:40 – Retail Shelf Space and Margins
• 17:30 – Why IPO Instead of Selling
• 21:40 – Losses, Growth, and Valuation
• 25:40 – How This Business Scales
• 29:40 – What Comes Next

Connect With Management Consulted

• Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
• Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
• Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

Send us a text

In this Strategy Simplified episode, you’ll hear a McKinsey case interview example built around a real-world investment decision.

The client is a public university considering whether to add an inter-collegiate football program. 

Led by former McKinsey Senior Associate Jali Packer, this case challenges a candidate to assess costs, revenues, and strategic tradeoffs for a football program at a 10,000-student university in the Southern U.S.

If you want to practice structuring an open-ended question like “Is this a good idea?” – and see how McKinsey interviewers test thinking along the way – this case is for you.

Work with Jali:

• View Jali’s 1:1 coaching calendar
• Join the Black Belt case prep program for personalized coaching with Jali and a prep strategy tailored to your goals and timeline
• Connect with Jali on LinkedIn

Additional Resources:

• Book a free 15-minute call with Katie to explore coaching options
• Watch more McKinsey, BCG, and Bain case interview demos on YouTube

Connect With Management Consulted

• Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
• Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
• Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

Send us a text

In this episode of Recruiting Reality Check, Katie Neff and Japheth Mast break down the real story of “PhD Phil” – a brilliant advanced degree candidate targeting consulting bridge programs who’s fallen into a common trap: confusing reading with readiness.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why reading case books creates false confidence
• The 3 pieces of the case prep puzzle (theory, practice, feedback)
• Why smart candidates still struggle without real application
• What effective case prep actually looks like for PhDs and other APDs

Want help like Phil is getting?

The February Black Belt cohort closes Tuesday, February 10 (limited spots). Learn more and join.

Additional Resources:

• Join February Black Belt
• Book a free 15-minute call with Katie to map out your best path
• See upcoming Bridge Program application deadlines
• Download a free step-by-step case prep plan

Chapters:

• 01:34 – Meet PhD Phil and bridge program recruiting
• 03:00 – How bridge programs actually work (and why they’re competitive)
• 04:22 – The “reading = readiness” illusion
• 06:25 – The 3 pieces of the case prep puzzle
• 07:32 – Building business acumen as a PhD
• 08:49 – Why drills matter more than more cases
• 10:59 – The role of feedback, coaches, and blind spots
• 12:58 – A tale of two PhDs (start early or miss out)
• 14:12 – Black Belt support for APD candidates

Connect With Management Consulted

• Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
• Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
• Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

Send us a text

Flat base pay isn’t a blip – it’s a signal.

In this episode, Namaan breaks down what new 2026 consulting salary data really means for recruiting, performance expectations, and how firms are reshaping compensation. 

You’ll learn:

• Why starting base pay is staying flat (and why it’s not about weak demand)
• How firms are shifting upside into bonuses, benefits, and faster skill-building
• What this means for candidates, university career centers, and consulting firms heading into 2026–2027

If you haven’t already, download the 2026 Consulting Salary Report to see the full data behind these trends.

Additional Resources:

• Create a free profile + access the Job Board (1K+ consulting roles)
• Get full recruiting support with Black Belt
• Explore deeper market analysis on the Market Outsiders Podcast

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10

Connect With Management Consulted

• Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
• Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
• Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

Send us a text

Boeing’s rebound isn’t about brilliance. It’s about not losing in a brutal duopoly.

In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what Boeing’s post-crisis recovery really signals — and why its future depends less on innovation and more on execution over time.

We cover:

• Why Boeing’s biggest advantage is the Airbus duopoly, not outperformance
• How long delivery timelines distort cash flow, pricing, and leverage
• What it would actually take for Boeing to reach $10B in free cash flow

This is a case study in capital intensity, regulation, and survival in one of the hardest businesses in the world.

Episode Links:

• Boeing’s quarterly sales jump 57% as CEO says there’s ‘a lot to be optimistic about’ (CNBC)

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10

Chapters:

• 00:00 Boeing’s Crisis and Lost Trust
• 02:52 Boeing vs Airbus: The Duopoly
• 05:05 A “Comeback” Driven by Demand
• 08:47 Orders vs Deliveries vs Cash
• 12:04 Regulation, Quality, and Bottlenecks
• 16:22 Can Boeing Reach $10B Free Cash Flow?
• 19:56 Defense as the Real Growth Engine
• 27:50 Innovation vs Execution
• 33:26 Why Deliveries Matter Most

Connect With Management Consulted

• Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
• Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
• Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

Send us a text

If I had to break into consulting again today — starting from a clean slate — this is exactly how I’d do it.

In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae walks through the step-by-step strategy she would use to maximize her odds.

You’ll learn:

• What to focus on first — and what most candidates waste time on
• How to build real confidence for interviews (not just “prep”)
• The mindset shift that separates 80% outcomes from real offers

This is the playbook for candidates who don’t want to almost break in — they want to win.

Additional Resources:

• Create a free profile + access the Job Board (1K+ jobs)
• Get the free Case Prep Plan (step-by-step guide to win case interviews)
• Get full prep support with Black Belt

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10

Connect With Management Consulted

• Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
• Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
• Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

Send us a text

Brex was once valued at $12.3B. Capital One just bought it for $5.15B.

In today’s episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down why Capital One was willing to buy Brex at a $7B discount – and what the deal actually tells us about fintech valuations, banking strategy, and the future of credit cards.

We unpack:

• Why the 50% cash / 50% stock structure reveals who really had leverage
• What Capital One is actually buying
• Whether this is a smart buy vs. build move or a risky integration bet

The bigger question: Is this how banks future-proof growth in financial services – or an example of catching a falling knife?

Episode Links:

• Capital One is buying startup Brex for $5.15 billion in credit card firm’s latest deal (CNBC)

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10

Chapters:

• 00:00 The $7B Brex Discount
• 05:40 What Brex Actually Does
• 09:30 Why the $12B Valuation Broke
• 14:50 What Capital One Is Buying
• 18:30 Cash vs. Stock Leverage
• 22:05 Revenue Synergies vs. Risk
• 26:40 Fit with Capital One’s Card Strategy
• 30:55 Market Reaction Explained
• 34:30 Smart Bet or Falling Knife

Connect With Management Consulted

• Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
• Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
• Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

Send us a text

In this short episode, Japheth Mast shares what’s new in the data – and what it means if you’re recruiting for consulting this year.

You’ll hear 3 key takeaways from the report, including why starting salaries stayed flat, where compensation growth is happening, and how utilization trends are shaping hiring.

👉 Download the full 2026 Consulting Salary Report (free).

Additional Resources:

• Get full prep support with Black Belt

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10

Connect With Management Consulted

• Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
• Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
• Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

Send us a text

What does it actually take to succeed in consulting — beyond frameworks and technical skills?

In this episode of Consulting Unpacked, Jenny Rae Le Roux breaks down the five core skills consultants rely on every day — the same ones firms test for in case interviews and reward once you’re on the job.

You’ll learn:

• Why structured thinking isn’t just about frameworks
• How prioritization and communication separate top performers from everyone else
• The mindset that helps great consultants grow

If you’re preparing for interviews, already in consulting, or deciding whether this career path makes sense for you, this episode gives you a clear lens on what really matters.

Additional Resources:

• Create a free profile + access the Job Board (1K+ jobs)
• Take the Consulting Fit Quiz (free self-assessment)
• Get full prep support with Black Belt

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10

Connect With Management Consulted

• Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
• Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
• Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

Send us a text

College football isn’t just a game anymore, it’s a business. On this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae Le Roux and Namaan Mian break down how wins on the field translate into dollars off it, sparked by Indiana University’s surprising national championship run. 

From media deals and ticket sales to donations and NIL money, Namaan lays out the six revenue engines powering modern college football - and why performance is everything. 

Finally, Namaan and Jenny Rae explore the high-stakes decisions university leaders face as they invest in their programs, align leadership, and compete in a rapidly changing sports economy.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to College Football Business
• 02:41 The Financial Landscape of College Football
• 04:58 Key Revenue Streams for Athletic Departments
• 12:20 Investing in Coaching and Program Alignment
• 20:59 The Impact of NIL on College Sports
• 28:55 Conclusion and Future Considerations

Partner Links:

• Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10

Connect With Management Consulted

• Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
• Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
• Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
• Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.