beyondsku

BeyondSKU CPG Accelerator Announces Five Brands Selected for Fall Track, Kicking Off in September

BeyondSKU, the nation’s leading accelerator for consumer-packaged goods (CPGs) in New York City’s tri-state area, has selected five companies for its upcoming Fall 2023 track. The five brands encompass a wide range of food and beverage brands, from English muffins on a mission to make a social impact, and functional iced teas, to low FODMAP broths and seasonings. This is the fourth track for BeyondSKU which is in partnership between Austin-based SKU and BeyondBrands, New York’s top natural products consulting agency, launched in 2019. The cohort includes Dam Good™ English Muffins, Down to Earth, Gourmend Foods, Kekoa Foods, and Pinsa Love. “Building […]

Cole Riley Wellfare

How Wellfare is Fighting Food Insecurity and Building Community One ‘Better Box’ at a Time

Cole Riley is in the business of helping people. More specifically (and perhaps more ambitiously), he’s setting out to change America’s food system — one ‘Better Box’ at a time. Riley’s passion and interest in making better-for-you food options more widely available to the general public began in the early days of the pandemic in 2020 when he launched Founders Give, an initiative designed to provide a direct pipeline between healthier food brands and New York City’s frontline workers. This idea evolved, as the pandemic waned, into Wellfare — a nonprofit organization on a mission to solve food insecurity and […]

SKU Showcase Day 2023

Get to Know the Six Brands Pitching On SKU’s Food & Beverage Showcase Day

Founders of the six brands that participated in this year’s Food & Beverage cohort will celebrate the culmination of the program with an in-person event on May 23. The Showcase Pitch Day will take place from 4:30-9 pm CT at the Native Hostel in Austin, Texas. Tickets are available here. “We are so excited to bring our Showcase Pitch Day to a live audience and be able to stream to our larger SKU community across the US and other countries,” said Emily Kealey, Managing Director of SKU. “We are excited for these founders and the opportunity to integrate our very […]

  • Food
  • May 2, 2023
  • ForceBrands
Wana Brands Nancy Whiteman

Cannabis Matters with Nancy Whiteman of Wana Brands

Dubbed by media outlets as the Queen of Legal Weed and the Martha Stewart of edibles (before the celebrated lifestyle entrepreneur entered the category herself), Nancy Whiteman has reached celebrity status in the cannabis industry. And rightfully so. It doesn’t get much more grassroots than Wana, Whiteman tells us in this episode of Cannabis Matters. We caught up with CEO and co-founder to learn more about how she unintentionally ventured into the industry, how the company has evolved after being acquired by cannabis giant Canopy Growth, and more. Watch her interview with ForceBrands’ Client Strategist and series host Eric Rosen and read the […]

  • Cannabis
  • January 31, 2023
  • Rebecca Fryer
SKU Dallas

Watch: CPG Accelerator SKU Premieres Dallas Showcase Pitch Video

Founders of the five startup brands participating in SKU’s (CPG) Dallas accelerator celebrated the culmination of the rigorous 12-week program with the premiere of the virtual pitch event. The brands span multiple categories, from beverages to women’s sexual health. “In addition to being our first cohort of all female-founded brands, these were some of the most innovative brands ever to participate in SKU,” says SKU Managing Director Emily Kealey. “They are truly disrupters in the market.” Watch the virtual pitch event below: During SKU’s program, founders participated in classes presented by some of the industry’s top experts invaluable to CPG […]

  • Food
  • December 19, 2022
  • Rebecca Fryer
SKU 2023

SKU Announces 2023 Tracks with Special Focus On Growing Consumer Categories

SKU, the nation’s first accelerator for consumer brands, announced the organization’s 2023 track schedule and is now accepting company applications and interested equity mentors for each track. Applications for companies and mentors for each track can be found here. Ideal candidates are market-validated companies with compelling founders and innovative products in hot categories that include a spring food and beverage track, women and BIPOC-owned, and a track focused exclusively on brands in the pet care industry. Over the past decade, SKU has worked with more than 100 alumni, including a variety of innovative and successful brands that include EPIC Provisions, […]

  • Food
  • October 12, 2022
  • Rebecca Fryer
Lift Collective Event

How Lift Collective’s Entrepreneurship Program Is Making the Wine Industry More Inclusive

The wine industry has historically lacked diversity, but that doesn’t mean progress isn’t being made. To help build a more equitable industry, Rania Zayyat and Cara Bertone are spearheading an initiative called Lift Collective, which quite literally is lifting up and empowering others to advance their careers in wine. In 2022, the platform introduced a program with a special focus on entrepreneurship. “Our program is really designed to provide support to historically ignored communities in the wine industry including women, trans men, trans women, non-binary folks, persons from racially diverse or intersectional communities, persons with disabilities, and persons from LGBTQIA+ communities, […]

  • Beverage
  • September 18, 2022
  • Rebecca Fryer
dirty hands

Dirty Hands Expert Advice: How the Right Broker Unlocks a Brand’s Growth Potential

Entrepreneurs are masters of innovation, passion, and vision. To grow and thrive, business owners must build a trusted and experienced team, both internally and with third parties. This is especially crucial when it comes to expanding and scaling one’s brand. And one of those crucial partners in scaling your business is a broker. A carefully chosen broker, offering a full spectrum of services, can become an extremely valuable partner. They can serve as an advisor, guide, and key executor in the strategic growth of your business, crafting a healthy sales model and delivering prosperous, win-win relationships with top national distributors […]

  • Food
  • September 12, 2022
  • Dirty Hands
dirty hands

Dirty Hands Expert Advice: How Today’s Natural Food Brands Can Leverage Economic Uncertainty to Advance at Retail, Not Retreat

Ongoing uncertainty and tough economic conditions are affecting all aspects of the natural foods industry. From brands to retailers, consumers, investors, and manufacturers, everyone is feeling the effects of long-term disruptions and instability.  Recessions exacerbate existing problems and today’s retail climate is already saddled with significant challenges for all stakeholders.  Some of the realities facing brands during a recession include understaffed retailers, resulting in empty shelves, spotty promotional execution, planogram errors, and brands losing space and distribution; distributor issues due to increased input costs and velocity requirements; increasing production costs causing manufacturers to up minimum quantities in order to preserve […]

  • Food
  • August 16, 2022
  • Dirty Hands
ben and jerry

5 Iconic Food Companies That Are Leaders in LGBTQ+ Workplace Equality

Pride Month is a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. While the majority of Americans support the Equality Act, which prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender, many companies have also stepped up to openly express support for the community. The food industry, for the most part, has been an ally. In the 2016 Corporate Equality Index, 24 food brands were awarded a perfect score when metrics were based on whether these companies offered inclusive benefits and protections that support workplace equality for LGBT employees. Here are four iconic companies that give back to the LGBTQ+ community year-round […]

3 Cannabis Brands That Celebrate Pride

Pride Month (June) is an opportunity to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Parades, festivals, and other events show solidarity with the community in remembrance of the Stonewall Riots that took place on June 28, 1969 — an event widely viewed as a turning point in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. A year later, the first Pride parade was celebrated. Today, Pride Month is held annually in June. With nearly one million same-sex couples in the U.S., Pride is a month-long celebration that many organizations and individuals support across industries. Cannabis closely intersects with the LGBTQ+ industry, with 64 percent of LGBTQ+ individuals […]

  • Cannabis
  • June 12, 2022
  • Rebecca Fryer
woman in chair

5 LGBTQ+ Owned Beauty Brands to Show Your Pride

The beauty industry has been slow to evolve when it comes to embracing inclusivity. The good news is that progress is being made. While emerging brands like the ones featured on our list are making notable strides in setting new standards for the beauty industry, legacy beauty companies are taking notes. This is not to say that historic milestones haven’t been achieved among the larger corporations. Some highlights of inclusivity initiatives include Clairol featuring Tracey Norman as the first transgender model to be on a box of No. 512 in the 1970s. In the decades to follow, companies like Covergirl […]

  • Beauty
  • June 1, 2022
  • ForceBrands
AF Ventures

Celebrate Mother’s Day with These 4 Mom-Approved Food Brands

It may only come around once a year but we like to celebrate mothers all year long. To honor all moms and the often unsung work that they do each and every day, we’re highlighting a few of our favorite child-inspired food brands.  From organic, allergen-prevention oatmeal for babies to reimagined childhood favorites with hidden veggies, these companies are offering innovative products for the newest generation. Read on to explore some of our favorite mom-approved food brands: ByHeart, KidFresh, Ready, Set, Food!, and Yumi. Yumi Yumi is on a mission to reimagine baby food. The company offers fresh, organic and […]

SKU Dallas

Applications Open for SKU Dallas 2022

SKU, the nation’s first accelerator for CPG companies, is accepting applications from consumer brands around the country for the third cohort of SKU Dallas 2022. Ideal candidates are market-validated companies with compelling founders and innovative products in hot categories. Brands can be from a wide range of areas in CPG, including food, beverage, apparel, personal care, and household products. Companies interested in applying for SKU Dallas 2022 can apply here. SKU has worked with more than 100 alumni, including a variety of innovative and successful brands, including EPIC Provisions, Siete, DUDE Wipes, and The Seaweed Bath Co.  The 12-week program […]

woman buying cannabis

Cannabis Industry Projections: Sales to Soar in 2022

The cannabis industry is constantly evolving. After experiencing record-breaking growth over the last few years, even during the height of the pandemic, cannabis sales and marijuana industry projections show no signs of slowing down, especially as more states move to legalize it. As newer markets emerge and drive growth, if you look at this year’s cannabis industry market share, it’s clear that the industry is only growing and business is strong. More specifically, it’s important to look at the cannabis market size in the U.S. and cannabis market size by state. Headset, a leading cannabis data provider, predicted that the […]

  • Cannabis
  • April 1, 2022
  • ForceBrands
bar

4 Bev Alc Trends That Will Define How We Drink This Year

The past two years have proven the resiliency of the bev alc industry. Amid a global pandemic and sweeping changes in consumer habits, the sector has readily adapted to shifting market trends. Some might even say it has flourished.  For a historically unchanged industry — one that’s remained largely the same since prohibition — the last few years alone have seen remarkable transformations. From e-commerce becoming a lawful reality to the rise of no- and low-alcohol adult beverages, the industry as we know it is evolving.  Here are some of the leading trends that will shape how we drink in […]

cannabis

How Leaf411 Is Changing the Cannabis Industry One Phone Call at a Time

Cannabis is an exciting albeit challenging industry. Federal prohibition and deeply rooted stigmas mean it’s often misunderstood. This is especially true when it comes to the medicinal, healing properties of cannabis. Enter Leaf411 — a one-of-a-kind service offering cannabis education, resources, and insights, one phone call at a time. Pioneered by Katherine Golden, whose personal story inspired her interest in making more people aware of the medicinal healing properties of cannabis, Leaf411 is a cannabis nurse hotline that has taken calls from people around the world. Leaf411’s Chief Nursing Officer, Eloise Theisen shared similar aspirations to Golden, particularly when it […]

  • Cannabis
  • March 20, 2022
  • Rebecca Fryer
The White Hag beer

5 Irish Craft Beers to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day — though more widely celebrated among Americans than Irish people themselves — is synonymous with cold pints and lively pubs. Though we often think of more mainstream pours like Guinness and Magners Original Irish Cider (called Bulmers in Ireland) as authentically Irish, there are several great craft beers brewing on the Emerald Isle. It’s no surprise that the Irish — masters at brewing great beer — have tapped into the craft beer industry, one that is expected to increase by 13 percent globally between 2020 and 2024, reaching $47.79 billion, according to AP News. While the majority […]

  • Beverage
  • March 17, 2022
  • Rebecca Fryer
soko glam

The Women Leading DTC Beauty

Female entrepreneurship is on the rise and shows no signs of slowing down. Forty percent of U.S. businesses are owned by women. These 12.3 million women-owned businesses are contributing a colossal $1.8 trillion a year to the economy. In other words, there have never been more opportunities for women in business. As part of our ongoing Female Forces series to celebrate Women’s History Month (March), we’re highlighting some of the talented women leading direct-to-consumer (DTC) beauty businesses. These dynamic women-led DTC beauty brands are challenging the status quo, building engaged online communities, and developing innovative products that change how we think […]

  • Beauty
  • March 16, 2022
  • Rebecca Fryer
Foxtrot

Foxtrot’s Second ‘Up & Comers’ Awards Aims to Amplify Female Food Entrepreneurs

Expanding its commitment to fostering diversity across food and grocery, convenience store of the future Foxtrot announced its plans to recognize female entrepreneurs in a big way and create actionable change within the food and beverage industry. On International Women’s Day (March 8), Foxtrot announced that it will increase its female-led brands by 50 percent over the next year. It’s kicking this off as part of its second annual “Up & Comers” awards, an initiative designed to celebrate small makers and discover the next generation of leading food and beverage brands. This year’s awards program brings a dedicated focus to […]

SKU Elevate

SKU Elevate: SKU’s Track for BIPOC-Owned Brands to Kick Off Second Cohort

SKU, the nation’s first consumer packaged goods (CPG) accelerator, will kick off the second cohort of SKU Elevate in June 2022. This groundbreaking program was created to foster a more inclusive community in the CPG industry.  “Because of last year’s overwhelming success, we have a ton of momentum moving into 2022 with this mission-critical program to support diverse CPG founders,” says Emily Kealey, Managing Director of SKU. “We’re seeking diverse founders who want to be on this exciting second track and mentors, sponsors, and partners who want to be a part of this program that is now nationwide.” Open to […]

  • Food
  • March 4, 2022
  • ForceBrands
Ice cream cone

5 Innovative, Black-Owned Food Brands We Love

Black-owned businesses are on the rise and are proving to be more popular than ever. The number of Black-owned businesses is up 38 percent from pre-pandemic levels. This is also coupled with an increased outpouring of consumer support for Black-owned businesses. Between May 25 and July 10, 2020, searches for Black-owned businesses increased 7,043 percent over the same period in 2019. This signifies a shift in the consumer mindset, with shoppers placing greater value on buying from companies owned by minority founders.  Of the various Black-owned companies to emerge in recent years, many are creating positive change with innovative foods […]

  • Food
  • February 27, 2022
  • ForceBrands

7 Black-Owned, Women-Led Indie Beauty Brands

Black entrepreneurship among women is on the rise, especially in the highly innovative, evolving beauty industry. In 2020, 93 Black women secured $1 million in investor funding compared to 38 Black women in 2018, according to digitalundivided’s ProjectDiane report. The industry is taking notice. In the last few years, retailers like Sephora and Macy’s have actively supported Black-owned businesses and brands by signing the 15 Percent Pledge created by Aurora James that commits a minimum of 15 percent of store shelves to Black-owned businesses. Ulta Beauty more than doubled the number of Black-owned brands in its stores in 2021 and plans to invest $50 million in […]

  • Beauty
  • February 9, 2022
  • ForceBrands
austin texas

SKU Announces New Austin and Atlanta Cohorts

SKU, the nation’s first accelerator for consumer packaged goods (CPG), has selected the brands that will participate in its two upcoming tracks in Austin and Atlanta. This is the first year that SKU will run two concurrent tracks, tapping into mentor talent in two regions and enabling a larger number of brands to participate in the accelerator’s acclaimed program. Both cohorts will be hybrid programs with both online and in-person programming — a model SKU first adopted during the onset of the pandemic. This is the tenth Austin track for SKU, which launched in Austin in 2011. SKU Austin includes […]

  • Food
  • January 27, 2022
  • Rebecca Fryer
wildfire

Food and Beverage Businesses Rally Behind Boulder After Marshall Fire

Few U.S. cities are as defined by the natural foods scene as Boulder, Co. A nationally-recognized hub for emerging food and beverage businesses, Boulder is home to a wide range of brands with a shared appreciation for health and sustainability. And now they’re giving back to a town that has given them so much. On Dec. 30, Colorado’s most devastating fire swept through Superior and portions of Louisville. Pushed east by 100-mph winds, the Marshall fire burned across 6,000 acres and destroyed as many as 1,000 homes and businesses in the area. In response to the fires, a Marshall Fire […]

  • Food
  • January 11, 2022
  • Rebecca Fryer
women working

mg Magazine Releases List of Top 50 Cannabis Employers

No one will deny 2020 was challenging. A deadly pandemic led to stay-at-home orders and business closures, which boosted some industries and decimated others. Mass layoffs, eviction moratoriums, and supply-chain disruptions strained the economy, and social and political unrest fractured communities. Most jurisdictions declared cannabis commerce “essential” early in the crisis, saving jobs and likely preventing the collapse of individual businesses and potentially entire segments of the industry. That doesn’t mean cannabis companies suffered no disruption. Population lockdowns and fear of infection forced employers to restructure traditional workplace policies and adapt to changing circumstances on the fly. But according to mg […]

  • Cannabis
  • December 12, 2021
  • mg Magazine
daily crunch

Watch the SKU Dallas 2021 Virtual Pitch Event Live

Founders of the six startup brands who participated in the second cohort of the SKU Dallas 2021 consumer packaged goods (CPG) accelerator will celebrate the culmination of the program with a virtual pitch event. The SKU Dallas 2021 Showcase will debut on December 7 at 12 pm CST. Following the pitch event, viewers will have the opportunity to interact with the founders. The Showcase features a keynote speech by Jeff Richards, founder of Dallas-based Mooala, the leading maker of premium, organic, dairy-free beverages. “The Showcase lets the world meet each of these founders, who each bring something truly innovative to their category,” says Emily […]

  • Food
  • December 2, 2021
  • Rebecca Fryer
ForceBrands marketing thought leaders

Catching Up with Today’s Marketing Thought Leaders in Food and Non-Alc Beverage

A lot has changed in marketing in the food and non-alc beverage space in just a few short years. Throw in a global pandemic and the word ‘pivot’ is no longer a trend but is the norm. We checked in with some thought leaders at today’s most innovative companies in food and non-alc beverage for a conversation about marketing. Andy Judd, Chief Marketing Officer at Yasso, Inc.; Kathy Maurella, Chief Marketing Officer at Waterloo Sparkling Water; and Ricky Fitzpatrick, Director of Marketing at Good Stock, shared with us their unique insights. In our exclusive report, we explore the ripple effect […]

  • Food
  • November 14, 2021
  • Rebecca Fryer
people at desk with laptop

3 Guidelines for Establishing a Financial Wellness Program

The cannabis industry will add 200,000 new workers in the next five years. Retaining the good ones may be challenging. One of the ways both small and large businesses across industries attempt to limit attrition is by taking care of their employees with benefits that extend beyond paychecks. Although it is legal for cannabis businesses to offer employee benefits, they’re often overlooked due to fast growth and non-corporate culture. This is a mistake. More than half of larger employers across all industries now offer financial wellness programs to help relieve pressure on their employees while small employers, like cannabis businesses, recognize the problem but […]

  • Cannabis
  • October 17, 2021
  • mg Magazine
forcebrands beverage report

Explore ForceBrands’ Beverage Alcohol Salary Report

There’s a lot happening in the beverage alcohol space. The pandemic proved that low- and non-alc beverages are here to stay as consumers quarantined and became increasingly focused on health and wellness. Ready-to-drink beverages are in and e-commerce sales are booming. With all these shifts, companies are evolving. Teams are being redesigned to keep up with changing consumer habits and behaviors. As industry experts in the space, we tapped into our own recruiting data to provide insight into fair market compensation — the most important factor for attracting and retaining today’s talent. In our newly released beverage alcohol salary report, […]

  • Beverage
  • October 3, 2021
  • Rebecca Fryer
forcebrands cannabis report

Inside ForceBrands’ 2021 Cannabis Salary Report

Legalization and innovation are perhaps the two best words to define the booming cannabis sector. With the legal cannabis market projected to reach $43 billion by 2025, opportunities abound. As more states enter the fray and new companies emerge, talent is on the move. So how do companies attract and retain top talent in today’s active job market? Amid all the pandemic workplace changes, one employee benefit still tops the list as the most valued: compensation. Salaries, bonuses, equity — money remains the most effective tool when it comes to hiring and retention. In our newly released cannabis salary report, […]

  • Cannabis
  • September 29, 2021
  • Rebecca Fryer
forcebrands beauty salary report

ForceBrands Releases Beauty Industry Salary Report

Never has there been a more intense focus on health and wellness than during a global pandemic. The Covid crisis has ushered in a renewed appreciation for cleaning supplies and personal care items, particularly as they relate to immunity. And despite the disruption of makeup sales during quarantine, the beauty industry continues to boom. The historically recession-proof sector is a resilient one. As companies continue to grow and new brands emerge, attracting and retaining talent is top of mind for employers. And while employees may seek more flexible work solutions, compensation remains the most critical factor to winning over talent. […]

  • Beauty
  • September 10, 2021
  • Rebecca Fryer
man on laptop

How Successful Cannabis Executives Promote Positivity During Remote Work

The cannabis industry is associated with providing wellness and compassion. But some of those dispensing that compassion have more work on their plates than ever before. While there is a real risk of burnout for employees in the cannabis space, there are some things companies can do to help alleviate work stress — even as we continue to work in remote environments. For this month’s “successful cannabis executives” column, we spoke with Papa & Barkley Co-founder Guy Rocourt, MATTIO Communications Chief Cultural Officer Nicole Walsh, Jane Technologies Chief Executive Officer Socrates Rosenfeld, and Zach Schreier, director of marketing at Lume Cannabis Co. to learn more about promoting healthy work environments. The shift to remote […]

  • Cannabis
  • August 19, 2021
  • mg Magazine
BeyondSKU

SKU Dallas and BeyondSKU Seek Industry Experts for Accelerator Programs

SKU Dallas and BeyondSKU are looking for CPG leaders, serial entrepreneurs, and investors who want to help shape the next generation of consumer product brands as mentors.  The second track of SKU Dallas, which focuses on later-stage emerging brands with revenues of $500,000 and above, kicks off in August and runs through November. Mentors do not need to be based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.  The third track of New York-based BeyondSKU runs October through January. BeyondSKU is for natural product brands in the Tri-State area. It is a joint venture between top-tier New York City agency BeyondBrands and SKU. […]

BeyondSKU

Life Beyond BeyondSKU; What Emerging Brands Are Saying

BeyondSKU is a leading accelerator program for the CPG industry. It’s a joint venture between top-tier New York City agency BeyondBrands and top consumer products incubator SKU from Austin, Texas. It creates industry-focused business tracks and matches the highest caliber experts with select companies during its mentorship programs. The 12-week intensive program runs from late fall through early winter. During the program, brands have the opportunity to be awarded up to $20,000. But beyond cash, the immersive experience offers practical hands-on advice and education to help elevate brands to achieve their next level of growth. Pilot Kombucha, Mud Dairy-Free Frozen […]

dog with honest paws

4 Top Rated Pet CBD Brands

Pet CBD is booming. CBD is a massive, emerging market, especially in the United States. In 2020, sales of CBD products in the U.S. alone generated $4.6 billion and sales are forecasted to grow nearly four-fold by 2026 to $16 billion. For those who do not know, CBD is derived from cannabis and is a separate compound from THC, which is the psychoactive compound in marijuana. These are two separate entities within the cannabis plant. Hemp, which is the type of cannabis that CBD is derived from, was legalized in 2018 by the Farm Bill because it only has trace […]

  • Insights
  • June 30, 2021
  • ForceBrands
girl holding ice cream cone

4 Unique Food Products Arriving Just in Time for Summer

One of the biggest food trends in recent years has been the switch many Americans have made to organic and natural foods. Today’s consumers are conscientious about the ingredients in their food, and the concern is over pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). GMOs, specifically, have produced groups like the Non-GMO Project, a group dedicated to ensuring consumers know when a product has GMOs in them because it is uncertain what the long-term effect will be from eating these products. What is known is that the herbicides used as a result of GMOs are, as the World Health Organization stated […]

  • Food
  • June 23, 2021
  • ForceBrands
ForceBrands Salary Report

ForceBrands Releases Salary Report for the Food and Non-Alc Beverage Industry

The year 2020 was tumultuous. Companies pumped the brakes when the pandemic hit — strategic plans, expenses, headcount, and compensation seemingly came to a halt. In 2021, job market reporting suggests that things are changing rapidly with companies getting creative through virtual onboarding and embracing remote-work life to attract high quality candidates. With hiring demand ticking up as 2021 progresses and the vaccine reopening the world, companies are evaluating different growth strategies. ForceBrands’ 2021 Salary Report explores how food and non-alcoholic beverage companies are approaching this next phase of growth as it relates to their teams. The report offers exclusive […]

BeyondSKU

Am I a Good Fit for BeyondSKU?

When you get into the startup game, you often hear the terms “incubator” and “accelerator,” especially in conversations with other founders and entrepreneurs. Since their inception in 2005, startup accelerator and incubator programs have become two of the many ways to fund and grow a startup business. It can be easy to assume accelerators and incubators, but they each are different in what kinds of companies they help bring in, as well as what they are looking to provide in return. So what is the difference between incubator and accelerator programs for startups, and how do you know if either […]

woman drinking rose wine

Rosé All Day: 5 Wine Jobs That Will Actually Let You Drink the Wine

Ever wondered what it’s like to work in the wine world? While it’s a dynamic sector, it faces no shortage of challenges — climate change and changing consumer preferences, to name a few. Even still, the premium wine business continues to grow. The future of sales will weigh on the industry’s ability to appeal to a new generation of consumers and innovate accordingly. Interested in growing a career in wine? Read on to discover some great jobs where you’ll actually get to sip the wine as you sell it. Monsieur Touton Selection | Wine Sales Representative (Northern Virginia, VA) Monsieur […]

  • Beverage
  • May 23, 2021
  • Rebecca Fryer
Be the Change roundtable April 2021

Watch the ‘Be the Change’ Roundtable “Executive DE&I Insights and Actions”

Be the Change’s second virtual job fair kicked off on April 22 with a roundtable discussion on the topic of “Executive DE&I Insights and Actions.” Moderated by Be the Change’s Co-Founder Philana Bouvier, changemakers included Robert Hanson, EVP & President, Wine & Spirits Division at Constellation Brands; Dr. Atira Charles, Head of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity at Moët Hennessy, North America; and James Harris, Director Diversity & Inclusion and Supplier Diversity at HEB. The one-hour discussion explored best practices and actions necessary in advancing our industry. Along with recognizing existing gaps, they addressed key takeaways on how to improve the path moving forward. The thought […]

  • Beverage
  • April 26, 2021
  • Rebecca Fryer
Bella Lam

ImpactSKU Kicks Off Its Second Cohort in June

Twin Cities-based cities-based ImpactSKU will kick off its second cohort in June to accelerate the growth of purpose-driven CPG startups. Applications are currently being accepted for startups with market traction and annual sales of $100K and above. ImpactSKU’s program will take place virtually and will do in-person events if possible. While this track is based in Minneapolis, companies from across the upper Midwest and across the nation are welcome to apply. Potential mentors may email SKU. ImpactSKU ’21 is a 12-week program beginning June 1. It follows last year’s eight-week ImpactSKU Preview — a shortened virtual program created when COVID-19 led […]

woman feeding dog

5 Women-Owned Pet Companies Shaping the Industry

There are a lot of incredible ‘Female Forces‘ across the dynamic consumer brand universe. One of the more notable consumer sectors, particularly in the past year, has been pet care. Not only has the job market for the category expanded in opportunities during the pandemic, but it’s also grown exponentially in terms of product sales with an estimated $99 billion spent on pets in 2020. With the pandemic came a rise in pet ownership and market demands for everything from food and wellness products to toys and luxury items. In the spirit of Women’s History Month (March), read on to discover […]

man with backpack opening door

‘Be the Change’ to Host Second Virtual Job Fair in Partnership with Thurgood Marshall College Fund

Be the Change Job Fair, an initiative led by Cara Bertone, Philana Bouvier, Lia Jones, and Rania Zayyat, in partnership with Diversity in Food & Beverage and Lift Collective announced that registration for beverage alcohol employers is now open for the second virtual job fair. The virtual event will take place on April 22, 2021, and will partner with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black college community to further advance Be the Change’s initiative and digital job fair to their networks. Additional education partners include Wine & Spirits Education Trust (WSET) and […]

  • Beverage
  • March 4, 2021
  • Rebecca Fryer
man pouring wine

9 Black-Owned Alcohol Brands Creating Positive Change

The alcohol industry has historically lacked diversity, especially when it comes to senior leadership and executive roles. But that doesn’t mean that progress can’t be made, nor does it imply it isn’t being made. The social justice events of 2020 have helped further propel diversity and inclusion efforts within the space. From initiatives like Diversity in Wine and Spirits to the first virtual job fair for wine industry professionals centered around diversity, progress is being made. We’re highlighting some Black-owned brands in the alcohol space — from wine and spirits to beer — that are making an impact on the industry in […]

coconut in the ocean

Vita Coco On Returning to Field Marketing and Adapting to the New Normal

Iconic naturalist Charles Darwin famously theorized that the survival of any species relies on its ability to adapt to — and to adjust best to — the changing environment in which it finds itself. This couldn’t be more apropos for us all in our present pandemic situation. Individuals and industries that are able to pivot may not only survive; they could thrive. While marketers think the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines creates hope for a rapid return to in-person events, the question remains whether organizers can safely get things up and running again. One company that has evolved to meet current challenges […]

  • Beverage
  • February 4, 2021
  • PINATA
men behind bar

Fine Wine Importer VINTUS On Resuming Field Marketing Efforts Post-Pandemic

With the arrival of the COVID-19 vaccine, it’s time to think about what life will be like post-pandemic. Although it will take some time for the general population to be inoculated, the timing is right for companies to strategize and plan ahead for easing back into the market face-to-face — especially since many in the industry believe a hybrid model of interactions online and off is where we’re headed. We reached out to Michael Gitter, Vice President, Director of Marketing, VINTUS, a New York-based fine wine importer with a focused portfolio of top-notch estate-based producers around the globe, to learn […]

  • Beverage
  • January 20, 2021
  • PINATA
people talking

How CPG Brands Can Benefit From Working with a Consultant

An increasing number of brands have turned to consultants to help them through the uncertainty of the pandemic. The year 2020 proved to be a wild ride for CPG brands. Brands faced unforeseen changes like the disappearance of food service channels and the loss of in-store samples, on top of pandemic-specific problems like out-of-stocks, cardboard shortages, and canceled trade shows. We’ll see more of the same throughout 2021, so here’s a helpful guide on how to think about working with and choosing a consultant to help your brand grow during uncertain times. Solving your challenges As a CPG brand leader, […]

  • Food
  • January 13, 2021
  • Christie Lee
greenhouse

5 New York City-Based Food Tech Companies

Few consumer sectors are as dynamic and disruptive as the food industry. As lifestyle habits and consumer behaviors change, so too do innovations to products and technologies. From the explosion of the alternative plant-based meats category to the growth of eco-friendly e-commerce markets like Public Goods, the past decade has witnessed a remarkable change in what we consume and how we consume it. Food tech continues to gain momentum. Read on as we explore five New York City-based food tech companies that are shifting the landscape of the industry. Companies at the forefront of food tech From big disruptors like SIMULATE […]

  • Food
  • December 15, 2020
  • Rebecca Fryer
SKU DFW

CPG Accelerator to Premiere SKU DFW Virtual Showcase

Founders of the six startup consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands who participated in the first cohort of the SKU DFW accelerator will celebrate the culmination of the program with a virtual pitch event on Tuesday, Nov. 17. The SKU DFW Showcase will debut at 12 p.m. CST on Tuesday and will feature a video pitch presentation, followed by an opportunity for attendees to interact virtually with the founders. To RSVP for the inaugural SKU DFW Showcase event, interested CPG investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders should visit the website. “We couldn’t have asked for a more passionate and creative group of […]

  • Food
  • November 16, 2020
  • Rebecca Fryer
wine

‘Be the Change’ Hosts the Wine Industry’s First Virtual Job Fair to Promote Diversity and Inclusion

 Be the Change Job Fair, a joint initiative between Diversity in Wine & Spirits, Wonder Women of Wine, and other industry leaders, announced on Thursday the wine industry’s first virtual job fair focused on diversity and inclusion. The virtual job fair will be held on December 2-3 and will bring together like-minded companies including job technology industry leaders Brazen and ForceBrands’ specialized beverage hiring division BevForce, to enhance and diversify the wine industry. According to a 2019 study, women earn an average of $12,000 less than men in the beverage alcohol industry. Starting with the virtual job fair, Be […]

  • Beverage
  • October 30, 2020
  • Rebecca Fryer
Project Potluck

How ‘Project Potluck’ Is Cooking Up a More Diverse CPG Community

It’s no secret that the teams powering today’s consumer brands do not reflect the diversity of American consumers. This disparity is largely attributed to the inherent bias in hiring, lack of access to capital for diverse founders, and “the networking gap,” just to name a few. Enter Project Potluck, a professional community founded by People of Color (POC) with a singular mission: to help POC build successful companies and careers in the consumer packaged goods industry. Designed to help promote positive, long-lasting change within the industry, Ibraheem Basir, Founder and CEO of A Dozen Cousins, started Project Potluck as a first-of-its-kind […]

  • Food
  • October 29, 2020
  • Rebecca Fryer
Austin Texas

SKU Opens Applications for Its Ninth Austin Cohort

Austin-based SKU, the nation’s first accelerator focused on consumer products, is accepting applications for its ninth Austin cohort through Nov. 15. Companies can apply here. The 12-week program consists of programming that covers a wide range of topics invaluable to CPG entrepreneurs, including channel strategy, positioning and branding, packaging, labeling and safety, operations, and fundraising presented by top industry experts. ‘We are looking for the passionate founders who have created products that bring something new and exciting to the market,” says SKU managing director Kirstin Ross. “The ideal SKU company has a proven traction, with annual revenues of $100K to […]

  • Food
  • October 27, 2020
  • Rebecca Fryer
whole foods

Whole Foods Releases Top 10 Food Trends for 2021

It’s that time of year again when Whole Foods releases its annual top 10 predictions for the food industry for the coming year ahead. So what will drive real change in the food and beverage space in 2021? “There have been radical shifts in consumer habits in 2020,” said Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, Chief Marketing Officer at Whole Foods Market. “For example, shoppers have found new passions for cooking, they’ve purchased more items related to health and wellness, and more are eating breakfast at home every day compared to pre-COVID. Food trends are a sign of the times, and our 2021 […]

  • Food
  • October 22, 2020
  • Rebecca Fryer
dog

8 Surprising Jobs in the Pet Industry

In celebration of the recent launch of ForceBrands’ specialized pet hiring division, PetForce, we’re diving deeper into the industry to explore what employment opportunities look like inside the burgeoning sector. As we previously reported, the pet care industry has become a hot prospect for jobs — and some of these roles may surprise you. Mark Cushing is the founding partner and CEO of the Animal Policy Group and the author of upcoming book, “PET NATION: The Love Affair That Changed America.” In it, he notes that in 20 years the pet economy has grown from $23 billion to $95.7 billion, […]

beer

‘Black Is Beautiful’ Beer Initiative Backed By Breweries At Home and Abroad

Driven by the events of the past few years, the beer industry is answering the call to support equality and inclusion — and breweries stateside and across the world are getting involved. Black is Beautiful, a collaborative effort to raise awareness for the injustices people of color face on a daily basis, was created by Marcus Baskerville, Founder & Head Brewer at Weathered Souls Brewing Co. in San Antonio, Texas. The initiative seeks to unite the brewing community and its customers to demonstrate that the industry is an inclusive place for everyone, of any color. “The Black is Beautiful initiative […]

dogs running

ForceBrands Introduces Specialized Pet Hiring Division, PetForce

ForceBrands officially launched its specialized pet hiring division, PetForce, on Wednesday. Offering white glove executive search, board of director assembly, and a digital job board, PetForce follows in the footsteps of the company’s other vertical-specific divisions across beverage, food, beauty, and cannabis. Adding to ForceBrands’ client roster that includes Hourglass Cosmetics, OATLY, Campari, Happy Family, Justin’s, Vital Proteins, Beyond Meat, siggi’s, and dosist, to name a few, PetForce has helped build some of the industry’s most prominent brands that include CANIDAE, I And Love And You, and Pet Plate. “Now more than ever, people are making significant investments in their […]

  • Insights
  • August 5, 2020
  • Rebecca Fryer
working with dog

How the Pet Care Industry Has Become a Hot Prospect for Jobs

According to a National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pets Products Association (APPA), approximately 90.5 million families in 2022 — around 70 percent of American households — own a pet. “The pandemic has impacted every aspect of life in our country, and the pet space is no different. For example, there’s been a spike in pet adoptions since the pandemic began,” notes Julie Wong, Champion Petfoods’ spokesperson. “All of those first-time pet owners need help navigating their new responsibilities, and so the industry will need to find a way to ensure new pet parents have the right resources […]

Dallas

SKU CPG Accelerator to Expand to Dallas This Fall

Austin-based SKU — the nation’s first accelerator focused on consumer packaged goods (CPG) — will expand into the Dallas-Fort Worth market this fall with a program tailored toward later-stage startups. Walter Robb, former Whole Foods co-CEO and an icon in the natural foods industry, will kick off SKU DFW, which features a best-in-class curriculum taught by top CPG leaders. “SKU is an essential and exciting part of the powerhouse Austin entrepreneur ecosystem and offers support, encouragement and capital for the next generation of companies,” Robb said. Five companies will be selected for the eight-week program, which kicks off Sept. 10 […]

male bartender

How Barcademy Raises the Bar On Beverage Community Building

In a world with limited travel and fewer face-to-face opportunities, brands must address their biggest challenge: training the trade with a fresh, inventive, and memorable approach. For alcohol beverage marketers who want to reach an audience of influencers, costs can rise fast: • In-person demonstrations only reach small audiences. And they run up big budgets. • Media spends put out messages alongside everyone else. Nothing exclusive there. • Off-the-shelf “Learning Management Systems” offer a digital solution — but require boring platforms. Big fees, too. The industry giants use purpose-built systems that cost millions. For mid-size and smaller brands to compete, […]

  • Beverage
  • July 8, 2020
  • Andrew Bein
Panache Apple

Minneapolis CPG Accelerator Selects 10 Purpose-Driven Companies

Minneapolis-based ImpactSKU has selected the 10 consumer packaged goods (CPG) startups that will participate in the Preview program. Participants make everything from vegan baking mixes to matching dog-owner togs. The six-week ImpactSKU Preview Program kicks off August 4 and includes programming on such topics as Vision +Purpose, Market Validation + Positioning, Social Impact, and Channel Strategy. Throughout the program, participants will have access to a roster of CPG experts. They also will develop pitches for the 2020 Showcase at Twin Cities Startup Week. ImpactSKU was scheduled to launch its first cohort in June. But with COVID-19 creating an unprecedented situation, […]

man holding cocktail

Op-Ed: 5 Steps to Move Your Food and Beverage Business to Equity

Dear Colleagues, It’s true that as a Black Man in business I have to be extremely careful in both professional and public settings. When I’m trying to make a point, I often have to decide whether I should be direct or performative in my delivery — because my decision, to be honest, can come across as too assertive or even intimidating in the workplace. There is an unwritten rule for black professionals that asks us to speak in a language that others might find more appealing to their sensibilities. In many settings I’ve often had to minimize thoughts to remain […]

father and son

How Fatherhood Inspired These 5 Food Brands

Father’s Day may only happen once a year but it’s easily celebrated all year long, especially at some of these food companies — both big and small — where the influence of fatherhood is in the brand DNA. From legacy names like Cape Cod Potato Chips to newcomers like Partake Foods, we’re sharing some companies that were inspired by ‘dadpreneurs,’ fathers with secret family recipes, and those who simply lead by example. 1. Safe + Fair On a mission to provide affordable, safe, and clean food products, Safe + Fair started with two food allergy dads determined to offer their […]

cannabis products

How ‘Friends in Weed’ Is Bringing the Cannabis Community Together

‘A friend in weed is a friend indeed.’ That’s one of the campaign slogans for a new initiative, Friends in Weed, designed to help Colorado’s retail cannabis, restaurant, and hospitality industries cope during the COVID-19 crisis. Founded by cannabis brands that wanted to do something to help the community, Friends in Weed aims to provide ongoing support to members of the cannabis and service industries. The founding members include Veritas, Olio, Cookies, and 1906. We caught up with 1906’s Chief Marketing Officer Heather Larimer to learn more about the initiative and how you can get involved. “I think we all want to […]

  • Cannabis
  • April 20, 2020
  • Rebecca Fryer
women working

NACB Advances Women’s Leadership Trend in Cannabis Industry

With organizational restructuring at the National Association of Cannabis Businesses (NACB), women executives now hold six of the seven leadership roles. The NACB is advancing its mission to shape cannabis into a safe, responsible, and ethical industry by creating national standards for packaging and labeling, lab testing and product integrity, advertising, security, and other cannabis business operations. The makeup of NACB’s women-led executive team mirrors a national trend in cannabis companies, where women hold 36.8 percent of leadership roles according to Marijuana Business Daily data. Across the largest 1,000 companies in the U.S. by revenue, women hold just 6 percent […]

woman working in cannabis

Report Reveals the State of the 2020 Cannabis Job Market

The cannabis industry was one of the fastest-growing job markets in 2018. So how is 2020 shaping up? And could it be an indicator of what’s ahead for the legal marijuana sector? According to Leafly’s annual Cannabis Jobs Report, rumors of the cannabis boom losing momentum in 2019 may only be the result of growing pains in an industry that’s experienced explosive growth. Even in a down year, the industry is adding jobs. The report revealed that as of January 2020, cannabis supports 243,700 full-time-equivalent (FTE) jobs — a 15 percent year-over-year increase. During the past 12 months, cannabis created 33,700 […]

  • Cannabis
  • February 10, 2020
  • Rebecca Fryer
marijuana

Illinois Marks Milestone Debut of Legal Cannabis with Impressive Sales

The new decade ushered in sweeping changes for Illinois as recreational marijuana became legal across the state. Thousands of residents lined up on January 1 to be among the first customers to make purchases at the 37 dispensaries across the state. According to the state, more than 77,000 transactions were made, totaling nearly $3.2 million in marijuana product sales on day one of legalization — marking one of the most impressive debuts in the history of marijuana legalization. There were a reported 77,128 purchases made at cannabis dispensaries on Wednesday, generating $3,176,256.71, according to the Illinois Department of Financial and […]

  • Cannabis
  • January 3, 2020
  • Rebecca Fryer
the initiative herbforce

ForceBrands’ Karen Meshkov Presents Cannabis Brand Building Tips to Female Founders

As cannabis grows and evolves, events that foster an open dialogue for cannabis brand builders to share experiences, lessons, and challenges become crucial to moving the industry forward. On December 5-6, Karen G. Meshkov, Client Strategist from ForceBrands‘ cannabis division HerbForce, presented at The Initiative, an accelerator for female-founded CBD and cannabis startup companies located in Portland, Ore. “It was so inspiring to hear about the amazing brands these founders have built, despite incredible challenges with respect to regulations, supply chain, cost of goods, and so many other aspects of running a business that are made more difficult in a new, […]

OSEA Event Venue

Photo Highlights From ForceBrands’ Clean Beauty Roundtable

ForceBrands hosted an exclusive beauty event on November 19 at OSEA’s Skincare Studio in Venice, Calif. Thought leaders from across the industry came together for an intimate discussion on the topic of clean beauty and the policies surrounding it. Guests included founders and executives from Hourglass Cosmetics, Sagely Naturals, Kosas Cosmetics, OSEA Malibu, and more. Moderated by OSEA Malibu‘s CEO Melissa Palmer, the intimate discussion was an opportunity for leaders to share professional challenges and offer actionable business solutions. Attendees addressed topics that included how to sustain team culture during periods of rapid growth; meaningful ways brands can create customer […]

Chobani Incubator

Apply Now to the Chobani Incubator Program’s Spring 2020 Class

America’s No. 1 Greek Yogurt brand Chobani is accepting submissions for its Spring 2020 Chobani Incubator program. The Chobani Incubator helps small food and beverage startups bring better food to more people. Chobani provides companies $25,000 in equity-free capital and access to Chobani’s network and expertise in order to scale their operations and achieve significant growth. The program includes workshops and mentorship from Chobani’s leaders in operations, finance, sales, and marketing, in addition to visits to Chobani’s manufacturing facilities, retailers and trade shows. They’re looking for passionate founders shaking up the food industry with innovative solutions to help bring better food to more people. […]

edibles

4 Cannabis Companies with Unique Edible Innovations

According to a research report from ArcView, the size of the global cannabis-infused edible product market is anticipated to grow by $25.27 billion from 2020 to 2025. As the market expands and consumer demand grows, there’s been an uptick in the number of cannabis companies producing classic edibles in the form of chocolates, candies, and infused beverages. Some brands, however, are taking a more unique approach to edibles, creating inventive ways to consume cannabis. Cannabis tablets can provide a more precise dosage than other varieties of edibles to ensure a more consistent amount of cannabis makes it into the bloodstream […]

  • Cannabis
  • November 7, 2019
  • Madison Troyer
halloween candy corns

Best Healthy Halloween Candy That Will Surprise Trick-or-Treaters

Even as the food industry has shifted to more health-conscious alternatives — swapping nut milks for dairy and plant-based innovations for meat — Halloween has remained largely unchanged in terms of its sweet treats. America’s most popular Halloween candies have historically been a mix of offerings from global companies like Mars Chocolate and The Hershey Company. This year, according to data from CandyStore.com, America’s top-ranked Halloween candies include Skittles, Reese’s Cups, M&M’s, Snickers, and Starbursts. Americans don’t skimp on buying these treats in bulk either; projections estimate that Halloween candy sales this year will be about $2.6 billion with 95 […]

  • Food
  • October 31, 2019
  • Rebecca Fryer
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