The Harvest Growth Podcast

Jon LaClare
  • 4.9 (18)
  • Marketing
  • Weekly

Listen to inspirational stories from successful inventors and entrepreneurs as our host, Jon LaClare, founder of Harvest Growth, leads interviews targeted at helping aspiring inventors and market-leading entrepreneurs alike. If you’d like to see how Harvest Growth can help grow your product business, click below.

  1. 1h ago

    How to Build Customer Trust Before the First Purchase

    How do you convince customers to buy a product they’ve never tried—especially when its biggest selling point is something they can’t experience through a screen? In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Donny Cruz, founder of Pacific Island Sauces, and CEO Troy Zollars to explore how they’re tackling that challenge with a soy sauce inspired by Donny’s Chamorro family heritage in Guam. Donny shares how watching his father prepare finadene’, a traditional Chamorro sauce, sparked a business idea that stayed with him for decades. Together, Donny and Troy discuss the groundwork behind bringing that vision to market, from finding the right manufacturer to securing non-GMO certification and preserving the flavor that made the recipe special. But creating a great product is only part of the challenge. Getting customers to take that first chance requires helping them understand what makes it different. The conversation explores how in-store demonstrations, family storytelling, and simple recipe videos can communicate value and give unfamiliar buyers a reason to try something new. Whether you sell food, consumer products, or anything customers need to experience to appreciate, this episode offers practical lessons in building customer trust, demonstrating product benefits, and turning curiosity into a first purchase. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: - How an authentic founder story can help differentiate your brand - Why getting your product and manufacturing process right matters before scaling - What in-store demonstrations can teach you about customer hesitation - How recipe videos help customers picture using your product - Marketing a food product online when customers can’t taste it first - The persistence behind turning a family recipe into a growing business - And so much more Want to learn more about Pacific Island Sauces? Visit https://pacificislandsauces.com to explore the sauce, discover recipes, and learn the story behind the brand. Do you have a brand you’d like to launch or scale? Visit https://harvestgrowth.com to book a free consultation and learn how our team has helped generate over $2 billion in product sales.

    How to Build Customer Trust Before the First Purchase

  2. 2d ago

    How One Company Reached a 27% Amazon Conversion Rate

    In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Chris Lord, founder and CEO of Can-i Wellness, to explore how product differentiation, Amazon conversion optimization, and authentic influencer marketing helped his brand compete in the crowded sleep supplement market. Chris shares the thinking behind Can-i Sleep, an oral spray developed around a specific customer problem: waking up in the middle of the night and wanting a convenient way to get back to sleep. He explains how that customer-first approach shaped the product’s format, formulation, and memorable branding—and why innovation needs a clear explanation before customers will give it a try. The conversation also follows Can-i Wellness’s journey from Amazon into retail and back again. Chris breaks down the costs of educating shoppers and store employees, the challenges of driving products off shelves, and why Amazon’s data gave his team more opportunities to test, learn, and improve. He shares how continuous testing helped bring conversion rates to approximately 20–22% across the product line, with Can-i Sleep reaching around 27%. One of the episode’s most practical takeaways is how Chris turned different pack sizes into distinct customer journeys. By tailoring messaging for audiences such as women experiencing menopause and people working shifts, his team found ways to make the same core product more relevant to different buyers. He also explains how working with hundreds of creators who try the products before sharing their experiences helps build awareness and trust. If you’re launching a consumer product, improving your Amazon listings, or deciding where to focus your marketing budget, this episode offers practical lessons in turning customer insights into business growth. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: How to differentiate a product in a crowded supplement categoryWhy customer problems should guide product development and brandingWhat Can-i Wellness learned from expanding into retailHow Amazon data helps guide testing and marketing decisionsThe listing improvements behind stronger Amazon conversion ratesHow different pack sizes can serve different customer personasWhy firsthand creator experiences help build consumer trustHow to communicate customer benefits through social proofAnd so much more!Want to connect with Chris? Visit Cani-Wellness.com to learn more, or search for Can-i Wellness on Amazon. Do you have a brand you’d like to launch or scale? Visit HarvestGrowth.com to book a free consultation and learn how our team has helped generate over $2 billion in product sales.

    How One Company Reached a 27% Amazon Conversion Rate

  3. Oct 28

    How Happy Being Became the #1 White Tea on Amazon

    In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Jonathan Propper, founder of Dropps, to explore how smaller consumer brands can compete against industry giants—and how he’s applying those lessons to growing Happy Being, a functional white tea brand. Jonathan shares the growth strategy behind both businesses: build a strong direct-to-consumer subscription base, expand on Amazon, and use that traction to approach retailers with evidence of customer demand. He explains how Happy Being became the number one white tea on Amazon and why that success is central to its plans for broader retail distribution. The conversation breaks down how social media, public relations, and paid advertising work together to drive sales across channels. Jonathan explains why marketing outside Amazon can increase sales on the platform—and how those results helped Dropps build relationships with retailers including Target and Wegmans. You’ll also discover how thoughtful packaging, useful surprises, and ongoing customer education can encourage repeat purchases. From a reusable lid included with Happy Being orders to making products easier to use, Jonathan shares practical ways to create an experience customers want to return to. If you’re building an eCommerce brand, growing subscription revenue, or preparing to pitch retail buyers, this episode offers lessons you can apply to your next stage of growth. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: • How smaller brands can compete with established industry leaders • The role of DTC subscriptions in building recurring revenue • How advertising outside Amazon can help drive Amazon sales • Why Amazon rankings and repeat purchases strengthen your retail pitch • The three channels Jonathan recommends developing before expanding into retail • How unboxing experiences and customer education support retention • Why convenience and product performance are essential to lasting growth Want to learn more about Happy Being and Dropps? Visit drinkhappybeing.com or search for Happy Being on Amazon to explore its white tea beverages. You can also learn more about Dropps at dropps.com. To be a guest on our next episode of the podcast, contact us today! Do you have a brand that you’d like to launch or grow? Do you want help from a partner that has successfully launched hundreds of brands totaling over $2 billion in revenues? Visit HarvestGrowth.com and set up a free consultation with us today!

    How Happy Being Became the #1 White Tea on Amazon

  4. Oct 26

    How Video Marketing Helped BIONATAL Triple Its Business in One Year

    How do you triple your business in one year while selling one of the highest-priced products in your category? In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Rashid Demchenko, co-founder of BIONATAL, to explore how product differentiation, premium positioning, and social media video helped accelerate his brand’s growth. Rashid shares how BIONATAL built its Ethiopian black seed oil business by giving customers clear reasons to pay more. From ingredient sourcing and production to answering detailed customer questions, he explains how deep product knowledge builds trust—and helps communicate the value behind a premium price. The conversation follows BIONATAL’s growth from early YouTube creator reviews to TikTok videos that reached millions of viewers. Rashid explains why short product comparisons have performed particularly well for his brand, how early adoption of TikTok Shop created opportunities, and why demonstrating a visible product difference can make your content more compelling. You’ll also hear how Rashid studies video performance across platforms, approaches ongoing content testing, and continues reaching new viewers through older videos. For founders looking to turn social media attention into product sales, this episode offers practical lessons in communicating value and adapting your video marketing strategy. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we’ll cover: How social media video helped BIONATAL triple its business in one yearWhy premium pricing requires meaningful product differentiationHow product knowledge and customer education build trustThe role YouTube creators played in driving early salesHow BIONATAL approached TikTok and TikTok Shop earlyWhy concise product comparison videos perform well for the brandHow reviewing analytics across platforms informs content decisionsWhy supplement brands need to approach product claims carefullyThe value of consistent publishing and a growing video libraryWant to learn more about BIONATAL? Visit BIONATAL.co to explore its black seed oil and other products. Do you have a brand you’d like to launch or scale? Visit HarvestGrowth.com to book a free consultation and learn how our team has helped generate over $2 billion in product sales. Discover how our Perfect Launch Blueprint can help clarify your audience, messaging, offer, and marketing strategy before you invest heavily in advertising.

    How Video Marketing Helped BIONATAL Triple Its Business in One Year

  5. Oct 21

    Does TV Advertising Still Work for Product Brands?

    In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare welcomes back inventors Salim Mitri and Joel Switzer to discuss how they turned two practical product ideas—Snug Plug and Cord Daddy—into successful licensing partnerships with a major As Seen on TV company. Salim and Joel introduce Cord Daddy, a new cable organization system featuring a patented cord-winding method and a built-in cord tester. They explain how designing a nearly turnkey product, protecting the intellectual property, and finding a partner whose existing portfolio complemented their invention helped them move from concept toward nationwide retail distribution. The conversation also explores how their earlier success with Snug Plug prepared them for this opportunity. After proving demand through Amazon, their website, digital advertising, and a successful television campaign, they attracted the attention of Ontel Products and secured a licensing agreement that expanded Snug Plug into retail stores. Salim and Joel share what inventors should accomplish before approaching a licensing or distribution partner, why the right partner can accelerate growth, and how television advertising now works alongside streaming platforms, paid social media, Amazon, and retail sales. If you have a product idea—or an established online business that is ready to enter retail—this episode offers practical guidance for preparing your product, proving demand, and finding a partner capable of taking it to the next level. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: How to prepare a product for licensingWhy a turnkey product can lead to a faster launch and stronger licensing dealHow Snug Plug’s television campaign attracted a major distribution partnerWhy proven online sales can strengthen your licensing pitchHow to find a partner whose portfolio fits your productWhen to pitch retailers and distributors for a fourth-quarter launchHow TV, streaming, social media, Amazon, and retail work togetherWhy in-store placement can determine a product’s successWhat founders do after a licensing agreement is signedHow persistence helps inventors bring their products to marketWant to learn more about Salim and Joel’s products? Visit SnugPlugStore.com to explore Snug Plug or CordDaddyShop.com to learn more about Cord Daddy. Both products are also available on Amazon. Do you have a product you’d like to launch or scale? Visit HarvestGrowth.com to book a free consultation and learn how our team has helped generate more than $2 billion in product sales.

    Does TV Advertising Still Work for Product Brands?

  6. Oct 19

    Shark Tank Lessons for Building a Product That Lasts

    In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Adam Tash, CEO of GT Water Products, to explore how he is modernizing a family business built on more than 50 years of product innovation. Adam shares the remarkable origin of the Drain King, which his father invented in 1970 using a bicycle tube, a curling iron, and a hose fitting after repeatedly dealing with a clogged drain. That simple solution grew into a successful American-made product line that includes Drain King, the Master Plunger, and professional plumbing test plugs. After spending 20 years in television production—including several years working behind the scenes on Shark Tank—Adam returned to the family business and eventually took over after his father passed away. He explains how bringing an outsider’s perspective helped him eliminate obsolete inventory, improve efficiency, navigate a major culture shift, and grow the company’s cash reserves from six figures to seven figures. The conversation also explores how GT Water Products is adapting its marketing for today’s customers through Plumbing101.com and its interactive Find Your Fix experience. Adam explains why educational content, video, and visibility across search engines and AI platforms are becoming essential for established brands that previously relied on knowledgeable retail employees to recommend their products. Adam also shares what Shark Tank taught him about persistence, how he recovered from a $25,000 product-development mistake, and why flying airplanes helps him clear his mind and return to the business with greater focus. If you’re leading a family business, developing a new product, or trying to modernize an established brand without abandoning what made it successful, this episode offers practical lessons on innovation, execution, and preserving a meaningful legacy. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: How a recurring household problem inspired the original Drain KingWhy entrepreneurs should identify the problem before inventing the productWhat Adam learned while working behind the scenes on Shark TankHow to modernize a multigenerational family businessWhy outdated inventory and bulk purchasing can quietly drain resourcesHow Adam improved efficiency and strengthened the company financiallyWhy educational content is essential for search and AI-driven product discoveryHow Plumbing101.com helps customers solve common plumbing problemsWhat a $25,000 product-development mistake taught Adam about perseveranceHow GT Water Products is expanding with the new Ugly Plug product lineWhy American manufacturing and inclusive employment remain central to the companyHow focus-intensive hobbies can improve creativity and business decision-makingAnd so much more!Want to learn more about Adam and GT Water Products? Visit GTWaterProducts.com and Plumbing101.com to explore Drain King, the Master Plunger, professional plumbing products, and helpful DIY plumbing education. Do you have a product you’d like to launch or scale? Visit HarvestGrowth.com to book a free consultation and learn how our team has helped generate more than $2 billion in product sales.

    Shark Tank Lessons for Building a Product That Lasts

  7. Oct 14

    How to Sell Your eCommerce Business for Maximum Value

    In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Chris Bodnar, Managing Partner at Impact Advisors, to explain how eCommerce and consumer product business owners can prepare for a successful sale and maximize the value of everything they’ve built. Chris explains why exit planning should begin two to three years before a potential transaction. From reducing the company’s dependence on its founder to evaluating inventory, intellectual property, licensing agreements, and succession plans, he reveals the factors that can make a business more attractive to prospective buyers. The conversation also examines how the market has changed since the rise and decline of Amazon aggregators. Chris shares who is acquiring consumer brands today, why omnichannel revenue creates a stronger and more defensible business, and how buyers evaluate growth, profitability, margins, and future opportunities. If you own an eCommerce or consumer product company—even if selling is still years away—this episode will help you start building a more valuable, transferable, and buyer-ready business today. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: Why business owners should begin exit planning two to three years in advanceHow founder dependence can prevent a company from being sellableWhat buyers examine when evaluating a consumer product businessWhy inventory, intellectual property, leases, and licensing agreements matterWhat caused the Amazon aggregator boom—and why the model struggledWho is acquiring eCommerce and consumer product brands todayWhy omnichannel brands are generally more attractive to buyersHow to balance revenue growth with sustainable profitabilityThe importance of maintaining the founder’s influence and brand identity after a saleHow early preparation can help maximize the value of your eventual exitWant to connect with Chris? Visit OfImpactAdvisors.com to learn more about Impact Advisors, explore previous transactions, or schedule a conversation with Chris. Do you have a product or brand you’d like to launch or scale? Visit HarvestGrowth.com to book a free consultation and learn how our team has helped generate more than $2 billion in product sales.

    How to Sell Your eCommerce Business for Maximum Value

  8. Oct 12

    Big-Brand Experience, Startup Budget: How The Root Project Competes With Giants

    In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Patrick Harriman and Lucrecia Jovel, co-founders of The Root Project, to explore how they applied years of big-brand beauty and agency experience to building a premium hair care startup with a lean team and a limited budget. Patrick and Lucrecia share how The Root Project simplifies complicated hair care routines through scalp-focused products designed to support the entire hair ecosystem from root to tip. They explain why they developed every formula from scratch, replaced the water commonly found in hair products with aloe leaf juice, and created sensorial experiences that make customers look forward to using the products. Beyond product development, the conversation explores the realities of transitioning from established companies to entrepreneurship. Patrick and Lucrecia discuss learning to account for every dollar, abandoning ideas when the market tells them something different, and accepting that founders will never feel completely prepared before launching. They also reveal how public relations helped The Root Project establish credibility, why founders need a compelling story in addition to an exceptional product, and what it takes to keep pitching when most editors and publications say no. If you’re launching a beauty brand, developing a consumer product, or trying to compete against larger companies without their budgets, this episode offers an honest look at building something exceptional while learning and adapting along the way. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: How big-brand experience can give startups a competitive advantageWhy The Root Project formulates its hair care products from scratchHow scalp-focused ingredients support healthier-looking hair from root to tipWhy small brands must account for every marketing dollarHow founders can recognize mistakes and pivot more quicklyWhy an exceptional product still needs a compelling brand storyHow PR can build credibility for an emerging consumer brandWhy founders should stay closely connected to customer feedbackThe importance of launching before everything feels perfectWant to learn more about The Root Project? Visit TheRootProject.com, follow @simplerootine on Instagram, or search for The Root Project on Amazon. Do you have a product or brand you’d like to launch or grow? Visit HarvestGrowth.com to book a free consultation and learn how the Perfect Launch Blueprint can uncover the right audience, messaging, offer, and marketing strategy before you spend heavily on media.

    Big-Brand Experience, Startup Budget: How The Root Project Competes With Giants
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About

Listen to inspirational stories from successful inventors and entrepreneurs as our host, Jon LaClare, founder of Harvest Growth, leads interviews targeted at helping aspiring inventors and market-leading entrepreneurs alike. If you’d like to see how Harvest Growth can help grow your product business, click below.

Information

  • Creator
    Jon LaClare
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    309
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Harvest Growth Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Harvest Growth Podcast