Episodes

In today’s episode of CPG Insiders, Mark is joined by entrepreneurial giants Dan Sullivan, Joe Polish, and Dean Jackson. They explore effective marketing strategies, drawing on decades of experience. The group shares transformative ideas that have propelled their careers, focusing on how small businesses can apply psychological principles to influence consumer behavior and the importance of consistent relationship-building. This episode provides firsthand experiences and actionable insights from...

In today’s episode of CPG Insiders, Mark + Justin are joined by friend and frequent guest David Biernbaum to discuss SKU rationalization in retail. They dive into how retailers streamline their product offerings to boost efficiency and profitability, especially during economic downturns. The conversation covers the impact on both large and small brands, emphasizing the importance of maintaining unique products to attract loyal customers. Learn practical advice for challenger brands trying naviga...

In today's episode of CPG Insiders, Justin + Paul continue their exploration of the organizing idea, shifting focus to the essential first step: understanding your brand identity. Building on their previous discussion, they dive into why knowing who you are and why you exist is crucial for creating authentic connections with your audience. Learn practical insights and strategies for uncovering your brand’s true purpose, ensuring your messaging aligns and resonates with your target market.

In today’s episode of CPG Insiders, Justin welcomes Paul, the Creative Director at Jekyll+Hyde, to explore the crucial elements of building a brand that lasts in the CPG industry. They discuss the importance of understanding your brand's identity, knowing your customers, and developing cohesive messaging that resonates with your target audience. They share practical insights on avoiding common pitfalls, maintaining brand trust, and transforming transactions into lasting customer advocacy. If yo...

In today’s special edition of CPG Insiders, Mark + Justin offer a behind-the-scenes look at their consultative process with emerging brands in the consumer packaged goods industry. They engage with the founders of the Scrummy Sweets Co. to dissect the challenges and opportunities of launching a new product in a highly competitive market. From discussing production difficulties and market entry strategies to exploring marketing tactics and distribution challenges, this episode provides invaluable...

On today's episode of CPG Insiders, Mark + Justin delve into the critical role of Amazon in the CPG landscape, emphasizing how it's shaping consumer behavior and expectations. They discuss strategies for effectively using Amazon as a platform, from choosing the right fulfillment options to navigating the competitive marketplace. They also address the importance of adapting to Amazon's influence on customer experience, from product discovery to post-purchase interactions. For CPG brands looking t...

On today's episode of CPG Insiders, Mark + Justin address the critical topic of legal navigation within the CPG industry. They underline the importance of understanding FDA and FTC guidelines to prevent regulatory pitfalls, especially when making product claims. They discuss the need for specialized legal counsel to aid in classifying products appropriately and ensuring compliance with advertising standards. The episode acts as a cautionary yet informative guide for CPG entrepreneurs to emphasiz...

In this episode of CPG Insiders, the focus turns to the critical importance of intellectual property (IP) in the CPG world. Mark + Justin explore how IP serves as a vital asset that can greatly enhance a company's market value, drawing parallels to real estate. They cover the essential aspects of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, underlining the necessity of safeguarding innovation. The conversation also touches on the evolution of business valuation from tangible to intangible...

In todays episode of CPG Insiders Mark + Justin tackle an essential question for entrepreneurs: Do you have a single product or the foundation for a broader business? They delve into the critical differences between having a successful item on platforms like Amazon and building a sustainable, scalable business capable of thriving in the competitive retail landscape. Through insightful examples and analysis of market dynamics, Mark and Justin offer valuable guidance for evaluating your product's...

On today’s episode, Mark + Justin dive into the game changing strategies from the book “10x is Easier than 2x” by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. They explore the revolutionary concept that aiming for tenfold growth is not only more exciting, but often easier than the traditional goal of doubling. Drawing from their extensive experience, Mark + Justin discuss how this 10x mindset shifts the approach to business, pushing beyond the limits of incremental growth to embrace innovation and bold ...

This episode, Mark + Justin welcome back master broker, David Biernbaum, to discuss his experience with ECRM (Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing) and its impact on the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, especially for entrepreneurial brands. ECRM has changed the industry by offering category-specific events where new companies get a chance to interact directly with retail buyers - significantly increasing opportunities for small brands. The guys also talk about how to determine if your bran...

This episode, Mark meets with Lauren Stiebing of LS International to discuss mentorship. The right mentor can fast track your learning + help you take your business to the next level. Lauren shares her insights into how to connect with the right mentor and what kind of commitment it takes to build an impactful mentor-mentee relationship. Plus, Mark + Lauren talk about common obstacles and goal-setting for purposeful work together with a mentor. About Lauren Stiebing: In 2015, Lauren founded LS I...

This episode, Mark + Justin talk entrepreneurlife and the age-old "too much to do, not enough time" problem with Andrew Mellen, author of Calling Bullsh*t Busy. Andrew teaches entrepreneurs, businesses, and everyday people how to leverage time management + simplification to create freedom through organization. Deeper than just 'getting organized', Andrew fosters real transformation by changing how people think, feel, and interact with time, money, and stuff. Plus he shares easy, actionable step...

This episode, Dr. Mark Young is joined by Randy Mercer, Chief Product Officer at 1WorldSync, to talk about product content - what it is, why you need it as a retail vendor, and how product content platforms help both brands and retailers drive sales. For brands entering their first retailer, getting product content to stores to help them operate their supply chain and ecommerce experience is critical! Learn how product content platforms help brands build that bridge with retailers. Plus, how bra...

This episode, Mark + Justin are joined by David Biernbaum to talk about Rite Aid's brace for bankruptcy and projections to close hundreds of stores. They dig into what the progression of this bankruptcy filing could look like over the next few months for vendors + consumers. Most importantly, the guys discuss the impact on suppliers working with Rite Aid now. How brands that currently distribute through Rite Aid can curb potential losses and mitigate coming risk, what it means for future distrib...

On this episode of CPG Insiders, Mark and Justin introduce the company that is revolutionizing the new product entry process into brick-and-mortar retailers, PharmaVision! If you have a health-enhancing product with limited distribution or looking to gain your first major retailer, this is the must-listen-to episode for you! For new listeners of the show, Mark and Justin provide a brief overview of the long and laborious process of how products gain brick-and-mortar distribution today. They then...

Today, the guys talk pricing and price strategies. How, with inflation - your product isn't competing with just competitors, but with a gallon of gas, or other basic necessities. We have an excellent guest Ben Reich that we jump right in with. Tune in and give it a listen. Ben Reich is the Co-founder and CEO of Datasembly (backed by well-known VCs). The company tracks product prices across 200+ retailers representing 150k+ stores across North America which is incredibly timely given the current...

This week’s exciting episode deviates from our standard entrepreneurial guest, instead we have a former FBI agent hostage negotiator, Chris Voss. Chris Voss is also the author of the world renown book “Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It” – recounting the practices and tactics Chris used in hostage negations and how it can be applied to business negotiations. Mark, Justin, and Chris breakdown the process of becoming a hero for the buyers we’re selling to. Sho...

This week we welcome the charming and brilliant Joe Polish. Mark and Justin discuss his New York Times best-selling book “What’s in it for Them?” Joe Polish is one of the most sought after marketers alive today, known for his ability to connect with almost anyone on the planet. Joe continues to be a prominent figure in the world of business and entrepreneurship. He’s the co-founder of two popular podcasts: 10XTalk and iLoveMarketing. Mark, Justin, and Joe breakdown the power of asking “What’s ...

For today’s episode we welcome our guest, the owner of Sweet Leaf, Michal May. Michael recounts his father’s incredible journey starting the company. We learn about alternatives to sugars, and the laborious process of getting FDA approval. Mark, Justin, and Michael discuss the lessons they’ve learned that are crucial for the success of starting a company. Michael talks about applying his military strategy training to being an entrepreneur and the challenges COVID has provided for CPG products ...

This Show’s Notes Mark is in sunny Florida for today’s show, and Justin is in an ice storm in Detroit. Mark let’s us know a little about our guest David Biernbaum. The guys jump right in to how the pandemic changed meeting. From retailers conducting business differently, to ECRM being digital. Pre-Pandemic, all the retailers would have an annual review. There would be meetings set up, and we would show what we are trying to do, and we would fight to get our products on their shelves. But now…i...

Today’s Episode These shows are essentially conversations that we, at the Agency have every week. The core of these shows come from meetings we have taken with clients. If we get three people asking us the same questions in a week, there has to be other people who would benefit from knowing this information. Every show here is built on something someone asked. Mark and Justin dive into explaining different types of clinical trials How to go about our own Clinical Trial Get FTC Lawyer before ...

Content Outline For Today's Show Segment 1: When we have increased costs and increased store brand sales - do not stop advertising Segment 2: The odds that you are the only one product in market that can do what you can do is very unlikely Segment 3: When you cut advertising and marketing, you reduce your future value - momentum matters If you have any questions, you can contact us through jandhlabs.com We appreciate everyone listening, please leave us a review on the platform you engage in p...

Content Outline: Segment 1: Foundational Info for Brand Managers Segment 2: What are the Common Mistakes Brand Managers Make Segment 3: Peer to Peer Interaction and Sessions with Kevin’s team Kolbe Info - https://www.kolbe.com/ Guest Biography: Kevin is a trained educator with 20 years of experience as a CPG executive. Since founding Gurulocity in 2016, he's been empowering brand managers to think and act independently to accelerate the growth of their brands, teams, and careers by providing...