Brands for a Better World (formerly Evolve CPG)

Gage Mitchell of Modern Species
  • 5.0 (22)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

We're bringing you the stories behind the people and products building a more just, healthy, and regenerative future for us all. Tune in weekly and together, we’ll learn about why these better products and brands were created, how they’re helping fix broken systems, and what you can do to support them. My hope is that you’ll discover some new brands to love, and get some sparks of inspiration that will help you live your best life. // Hosted by: Gage Mitchell, Founder of Modern Species, a sustainable brand design agency helping better brands grow to scale their impact.

  1. Honey for Health with Madelyn Morris of Mickelberry Gardens

    DEC 19

    Honey for Health with Madelyn Morris of Mickelberry Gardens

    In this conversation, Madelyn Morris, co-owner of Mickelberry Gardens, shares insights into her journey of creating a honey herbal wellness brand that specializes in oxymels – a tonic made of honey, vinegar, and herbs. She discusses the benefits of oxymels, the importance of sourcing local and organic ingredients, and the value of B Corp certification. Madelyn share their founding story, the challenges they faced in the early years of the business, and what they’ve been able to accomplish in their 15 years in business. She offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of passion and adaptability in business, and we wrap up with Madelyn sharing her vision of a better world. Takeaways: Mickelberry Gardens combines honey and herbalism for wellness.Oxymels are a tonic of honey, vinegar, and herbs with roots back to ancient Greece.Natural remedies are increasingly replacing pharmaceuticals.Sourcing local and organic ingredients is crucial for quality.Starting small allows for sustainable growth.B Corp certification provides a framework for improvement.Having a strong business partner can make a big difference.Adapting to change is essential for business longevity.Building a resilient business takes time and effort.A better world is one where all living things thrive. Sound bites: “The word oxymel is from Latin. Oxy is acid and mel is sweet or honey.”“Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, prescribed oxymels for a wide variety of health concerns.”“Honey and vinegar have amazing health benefits just on their own. And when you combine them, it adds a lot of additional benefits.”“The source of where the honey comes from really matters.”“‘I’ve noticed in my own garden that bees are really drawn to the medicinal herbs.”“There was something like really magical about harvesting elderberries for the first time.”"It's okay to start small."“We're still manufacturing everything that we sell.”“Just doggedly pursuing it if you really believe in it. Not giving up and continuing to work at it is really the only way you're gonna get there or get anywhere.”"A better world is one that is holistic where all things, even the tiny unseen things, are thriving.” Links: Promo Code: BRANDSFORABETTERWORLD 15% off on all oxymel honey tonics, sprays, and skin care from our online shop! www.mickelberrygardens.com … Madelyn Morris on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelyn-morris-86642819/ Mickelberry Gardens - https://mickelberrygardens.com/  Mickelberry Gardens on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mickelberry-gardens/ Mickelberry Gardens on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MickelberryGardens/ Mickelberry Gardens on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mickelberrygardens/ Mickelberry Gardens on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@mickelberrygardens2593 … Changing Your Mind by Michael Pollan (Book) - https://michaelpollan.com/books/how-to-change-your-mind/ … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio Chapters: 03:00 Introduction to Mickelberry Gardens 06:09 Understanding Oxymels: The Sweet and Sour Remedy 09:02 Product Offerings: Exploring Unique Formulations 11:46 Transitioning from Pharmaceuticals to Natural Remedies 14:51 The Journey of Starting a Business 17:37 The Importance of Local and Organic Sourcing 20:55 The Health Benefits of Honey and Its Sources 23:59 Lessons Learned in Business Growth 26:43 Reflections on Business Strategy and Growth 33:56 The Evolution of Business Growth 35:45 Current Operations and Challenges 38:23 The Importance of Delegation 41:37 Manufacturing Control and Revenue Streams 43:51 Becoming B Corp Certified 47:47 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 53:44 Personal Insights and Recommendations See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 2m
  2. The Full Experience with Allison Carey of Raw Sugar Living

    DEC 10

    The Full Experience with Allison Carey of Raw Sugar Living

    In this episode, Allison Carey, VP of Marketing at Raw Sugar Living, talks about the brand’s mission to provide better-for-you hair and body products at an affordable price, while also lifting spirits through positive messages, images, and experiences. She touches on the Gen Z consumer’s desire for authenticity, education, and values-alignment in the brands they support, and how the brand appeals to that generation through their raw voice and integrity. Allison sheds insights into their product development guardrails, and the importance of creating products that are safe for sensitive skin, kids, and even fur kids (dogs). We discuss the brand’s commitment to us 100% post consumer recycled (PCR) content in their bottles by 2030, their give back program that has donated over 20 million bars of soap and other clean essentials to families in need, and what the future looks like for Raw Sugar Living. We wrap up by hearing Allison’s personal vision for a better world. Takeaways: The Clean Beauty Movement is a significant trend.Gen Z prefers authenticity, education, and values alignment over big splashy campaigns.Raw Sugar Living is dedicated to making clean beauty accessible and affordable.  The brand avoids harmful ingredients and prioritizes safe formulations.  Fragrance is carefully selected to enhance the consumer experience without compromising safety.  Consumer insights drive innovation, particularly in catering to younger generations.Understanding consumer preferences is essential for marketing.Consistency in messaging is crucial for brand loyalty.Brands need to adapt to changing consumer expectations.Authenticity can differentiate brands in a crowded market. Sound bites: “Gen Z really is not as interested in the big splashy campaigns and trends. They want more authenticity, more education, and they want brands that live into those values.”“We don't just say Clean For All because we're an affordable brand. It also means that we have something for your whole family.”“We formulate without phthalates, without silicones, and we also have a very strict policy on fragrance. So you can be rest assured that everything you're putting on your skin, not only is it safe and better for you, but it's also effective.”“The post consumer recycled (PCR) plastic initiative was one that was started from the brand's inception.”“We believe it's like a full immersive 360 experience. So it's good for you, it smells good, and you walk out of the shower feeling better.”“We put sugar notes on the back of everything and it's always like a positive uplifting message.”“We also have something for your fur kids too, because we have a line called Fur Kids and that is for your dogs.”“A better world, to me, is definitely one where we all strive to make each other feel grateful and happier for what we have and how we use it.” Links: Allison Carey on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-carey-23942849/ Raw Sugar Living - https://rawsugarliving.com/ Raw Sugar Living on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/raw-sugar-living/ Raw Sugar Living on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rawsugarliving/ Raw Sugar Living on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rawsugarliving/ Raw Sugar Living on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@rawsugarliving_ … Joyful (Book) by Ingrid Fetell Lee - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43300050 … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    55 min
  3. Hydration & Regeneration with John Tran with Vita Coco

    DEC 4

    Hydration & Regeneration with John Tran with Vita Coco

    In this conversation, John Tran talks about joining Vita Coco to help evolve their sustainability and social impact programs at the same time that were becoming a publicly traded company and going through the rigorous B Corp Certification process. He shared how they shifted their impact efforts from a collection of passion projects to a more coordinated and comprehensive ESG framework focused on protecting natural Resources, building thriving communities, and championing health & wellness. John then detailed some impact programs, like their ambitious goal of distributing and planting 10 million seedlings and trees globally! This conversation also covers the health benefits of coconut water, some big challenges in the coconut industry, and the importance of collaborating with local organizations to maximize impact in farming communities. John wraps up by sharing that a better world is one in which everyone is thriving, economically, socially, and beyond. Takeaways: Vita Coco became B Corp Certified and a publicly-traded, Public Benefit Corporation in 2021.Vita Coco’s ESG framework focused on protecting natural Resources, building thriving communities, and championing health & wellness.Coconut water has 3.5X the electrolyte of common sports drinks.Aging trees have lower yields, which makes it harder to keep up with demand and reduces farmer income. Over a million seedlings have been distributed, with a goal of 10 million seedlings by 2030.The Vita Coco Community Foundation was founded to make sure that everyone in the coconut industry is thriving.Collaboration with local organizations is crucial for their impact programs.They partner with indigenous communities to train farmers in regenerative agriculture practices. Sound bites: “As brands come online with B Corp certification, it really gives us some kind of litmus to understand where we stand within the sustainability and social governance spaces.”“When you have many passionate people who are driving their passion projects, there isn't always a clear framework in terms of what we're driving towards.”“I very much see myself as kind of an accelerator to be able to support a lot of the projects that are existing within the organization.”“Coconut farming communities are just so inherent to our business, right? They are the heart of our business. And without them, there's really no VitaCoco.”“We want to create more economic empowerment within farming communities and more upward mobility by way of our impact programs.”“The great thing about coconut water is natural hydration. It has three and a half times the electrolytes of more common sports drinks.”“Finding what you're good at and what you're passionate about is really one of the keys to success of this role in any kind of role you'll have within sustainability.” Links: John Tran on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-tran-07047715/ Vita Coco - https://vitacoco.com/ Vita Coco on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-vita-coco-company/ Vita Coco on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VitaCocoUS/ Vita Coco on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vitacoco Vita Coco on X - https://x.com/vitacoco Vita Coco on SnapChat - https://www.snapchat.com/@vitacoco Vita Coco on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@vitacoco? … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 3m
  4. Prove It’s Possible with Jasen Urena and Ted Robb of NestFresh & New Barn

    NOV 26

    Prove It’s Possible with Jasen Urena and Ted Robb of NestFresh & New Barn

    In this conversation, Jasen Urena and Ted Robb tell us how New Barn became part of the NestFresh family, and how the two brands are helping each other scale their positive impact. From New Barn’s long journey toward becoming Regenerative Organic Certified, to NestFesh’s 30+ years of being early adopters of certifications like Non-GMO Verified, Certified Humane, and Humanely Hatched, both brands love to push the industry forward. The conversation touches on the importance of supporting family farms, protecting animal welfare, and making the world better for future generations. Jasen and Ted wrap up by sharing what’s next for the brands, their favorite ways to eat their products, and their definitions of a better world. Takeaways: The innovations NestFresh has made over it’s 30+ years in business.Why New Barn decided to join the NestFresh family.How outside investment means small family farms are getting left behind.Humanely Hatched is sparing millions and millions of male baby chicks.New Barn’s path to becoming Regenerative Organic Certified.The importance of continuous improvement for the whole supply chain.The need for innovation and focus to scale efficiently.How teams believing in their purpose is crucial for impactful initiatives.How both brands strive to keep being the first to take big impact steps. Sound bites: “A lot of these things that we've done over the years, we were always told it's not gonna work. But we believed in the concepts.”“It's actually really fun to make money, but it's only because then you can start thinking about all the things that you can do with it.”“There was a point where we had over 20 SKUs. We're 5 SKUs now and I feel like our business is far better than it was before.”“Continuous improvement is the new North Star because it's so valuable to everybody in the chain.”“We're gonna grow regenerative organic acreage under the New Barn brand for almonds, know, almonds, coconut and eggs. And that will lead to a real impact on our environment for future generations.”“We're gonna make an impact by sparing millions and millions of male baby chicks.”“Our NestFresh brand portfolio is going to be 100% Humanely Hatched by 2027.”“We gotta stay true to our core beliefs, we gotta stay true to our core purpose. And we innovate within that realm.” Links: NestFresh - https://nestfresh.com/ Jasen Urena on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasen-urena-27179013/ NestFresh on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/nestfresheggs/ NestFresh on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NestFreshEggs NestFresh on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nestfresheggs/ NestFresh on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/NestFreshEggs NestFresh on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/ … New Barn - https://www.newbarnorganics.com/ New Barn on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/newbarnorganics New Barn on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/newbarnorganics New Barn on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/newbarnorganics New Barn on Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/newbarnorganics/ … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 8m
  5. Complex to Convenient with Paul Schiefer of Amy’s Kitchen

    NOV 20

    Complex to Convenient with Paul Schiefer of Amy’s Kitchen

    In this conversation, Paul Schiefer, president of Amy's Kitchen, shares the inspiring founding story of the company, which began with a quest for better frozen meals. He discusses the innovative approaches to product development, the importance of company culture and values, and the value of embracing complexity in business. Paul highlights Amy's commitment to sustainability and their B Corp status, emphasizing the impact of organic and vegetarian practices. He also shares insights on the future vision for the company, the importance of curiosity and passion in entrepreneurship, and personal reflections on food and life. Takeaways: Amy's Kitchen was founded out of a need for better frozen meals.The original pot pie was a key product that launched the brand.Innovation at Amy's focuses on quality and culinary techniques.Company culture is deeply rooted in the founders' values.Sustainability is a core principle of Amy's business model.The future vision includes generational sustainability and growth.Curiosity and passion are essential for success in business.Amy's Kitchen embraces complexity in food production.The company aims to make healthy food accessible to all.Doing good in business leads to long-term success. Sound bites: “He started looking for some frozen food options to bring home and feed the family, and just frankly was disappointed.”"The original recipe was Rachel's mom's Elinor. It was kind her pot pie that helped inspire the start of the company"“I think what Amy's has done really well is accept that complexity is actually valuable.”"Doing good is good for business."“We want to protect our mission in part by continuing to be a really profitable and efficient company.”“We're also trying to think about this more on a generational timeframe, not just on like a three to five year timeframe.”“It was such a novel idea to create an organic vegetarian fast food restaurant that, before we knew it, we had a line that literally went across the parking lot.”“We’re buying a hundred plus million pounds of organic agriculture every year and supporting thousands of farmers.”“I’m proud of the fact that we have scaled that type of [impact] business model.” Links: Paul Schiefer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulschiefer/ Amy’s Kitchen - https://www.amys.com/ Amy’s Kitchen on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/amy's-kitchen/posts/?feedView=all Amy’s Kitchen on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/amyskitchen Amy’s Kitchen on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/amyskitchen Amy’s Kitchen on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/AmysKitchenMovies … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio Chapters: 03:00 The Founding Story of Amy's Kitchen 06:01 Innovation and Product Development at Amy's 09:03 Cultural Values and Company Evolution 11:47 Navigating Growth and Market Challenges 15:00 The Drive to Create Quality Fast Food 17:47 Maintaining Independence and Company Values 31:10 Launching a Unique Concept 33:06 The Importance of Sustainable Growth 35:43 Commitment to Impact and B Corp Status 40:04 Holistic Approach to Sustainability 44:47 Future Vision for Amy's Kitchen 52:24 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1 hr
  6. Business to Benefit All with Kevin Bayuk of Lift Economy

    NOV 13

    Business to Benefit All with Kevin Bayuk of Lift Economy

    In this conversation, Kevin Bayuk shares what inspired them to create the Next Economy MBA program, who it’s for, and what the curriculum covers. We talk about the shortcomings of the existing MBA programs and the need for one that goes beyond basic ESG frameworks. Bayuk talks about how they’ve used participant feedback to continuously evolve the program, and how their alumni continue to stay engaged after graduating. We then talk about the Next Economy MBA book, which serves a nice introduction to topics in the program, the other technical assistance Lift Economy provides, and what new offerings are on the horizon. Kevin wraps up by sharing his vision of a better world. Takeaways: Lyft economy’s mission to transform the very nature of the business as usual economy to an economy that works for the benefit of all life.The lack of options available for learning about impact business models beyond basic ESG frameworks.How the Next Economy MBA program was collaboratively developed.The ways in which the program has evolved over the years.Why they decided to write the Next Economy MBA book, and how it related to the program itself.Who tends to go through the MBA program, why, and where it leads them.The other technical assistance programs Lift Economy offers.Kevin’s involvement in the Urban Permaculture Institute.Simplifying life can help you focus on what truly matters.Science fiction can inspire new ideas and perspectives.A world with no one left out is a worthy goal.Passion can drive meaningful change in society. Sound bites: “We got started by listening to what our stakeholders were interested in.”“Do it in ways that are distinct from the structures and patterns and norms of the exploitation-oriented, business-as-usual economy.”"It's an evolving service or product that continues to change every cohort based on participant feedback.”“We're now at about 800 people who have enrolled and participated in the training.”“It's really been kind of electrifying just to seeing the types of collaborations that can emerge.”“The book is a good way to get introduced to the core concepts.”"Explore the imagination landscape."“What would a world look like that works for everybody with no one left out.”“Try and simplify your life to make your needs as simple as possible to meet and then just stick with it.”“How do we orient our life design to reduce our costs of living and live more authentically in alignment with our values.” Links: Kevin Bayuk on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinbayuk/ Lift Economy - https://www.lifteconomy.com/ Lift Economy on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/lifteconomy/ Lift Economy on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LIFTEconomy/ Lift Economy on X - https://x.com/lifteconomy Lift Economy on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5D6TM2pOWwGNcxA-ucd-Eg The Next Economy MBA - https://go.lifteconomy.com/nextmba Book: The Next Economy MBA - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-next-economy-mba-redesigning-business-for-the-benefit-of-all-life-erin-axelrod/028990c9a162693f Podcast: Next Economy Now - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/next-economy-now-for-the-benefit-of-all-life/id1074584017 … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1h 6m
  7. Family, Farmers, & Wildlife with Syed Khaleque & Amer Rabbi and of Auntie Rana’s

    NOV 6

    Family, Farmers, & Wildlife with Syed Khaleque & Amer Rabbi and of Auntie Rana’s

    In this episode, Syed and Amer share how family tragedy, living around the world, and experience in the packaged good industry all led them to launch their own food brand, Auntie Rana’s. They share how their marketing strategy resulted in landing 300 influencers, 4-5 retail partners, and loads of press by the week of their official launch. The discussion covers their 100 year family history in business, their connection to and passion for the food industry, and why they’ve decided to donate 5% of their product to wildlife conservation. Syed and Amer and excited to be the first to introduce North America to the Naga chili, which is beloved for its fragrance in other parts of the world. The conversation then goes on to talk about the challenges they faced launching the brand, their hopes for the future, and what a better word means to Syed and Amer. Takeaways: Syed and Amer’s father passing started them on the path to launching a food brand. Having lived in California, Bangladesh, Singapore, Montreal, Toronto gives them a unique view of global foods and tastes.Their experience in the food industry and large consumer goods companies guided their launch.Auntie Rana’s brand secured 4-5 retail partners on launch day.Launching with over 300 influencers will help promote the product.Auntie Rana’s gives 5% of profits to animal conservation causes.They’re the first brand to introduce the Naga chili to North America.Launching with 4 different products gives them both product range and focus.Their family has been in business for a hundred years. Sound bites: “Our family's been through a lot of turmoil. The 2008 financial crisis kind of wiped out all of our assets and our homes and everything. Then our Dad got cancer in 2016.“Naga chili is absolutely beloved in Eastern Bangladesh to India's Seven Sisters because of the fragrance. It's wildly amazing.”“My mom always said you’ve got to try everything three times. That's why our palate grew so much.”“These are the areas that the exact same wildlife is affected by the agriculture. We’re trying to help those areas.”“Reading history is powerful, because every mistake you're going to make, someone's already made it. Why not just learn from that?”“If you're not passionate about it, you're going to burn out.” Links: Auntie Rana’s - https://auntieranas.com/ Syed Khaleque on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/syed-khaleque-586aaab/ Auntie Rana’s on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/auntie-rana-s/about/ Auntie Rana’s on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/auntieranas/ Auntie Rana’s on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/auntieranas/ Auntie Rana’s on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@auntieranas … Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation - https://www.orangutan.or.id/ Wildlife Alliance - https://www.wildlifealliance.org/ Wildlife SOS - https://wildlifesos.org/ … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    1 hr
  8. Taste The Food Trends with Jordan Buckner of Foodbevy

    OCT 29

    Taste The Food Trends with Jordan Buckner of Foodbevy

    In this conversation, Jordan Buckner, founder of Foodbevy, discusses the Foodbevy Insider Boxes, which deliver curated food and beverage products to food enthusiasts and CPG industry pros. He explains the process of selecting products, the themes behind each box, and the importance of community feedback in deciding which foods to feature. Buckner walks through some of the products you’ll find in the upcoming Winter 2025 box, and teases possible future collaborations, like their box featuring the Naturally Rising Pitch Competition finalists. We wrap up by talking about Buckner’s mission of supporting emerging brands and providing valuable resources for food and beverage founders. Takeaways: Foodbevy aims to support emerging food and beverage brands.The Insider Box is curated quarterly with consumer input.Themes in each box reflect current market trends.Consumer feedback is crucial for product selection.The Insider community provides valuable insights and engagement.Brands can gain exposure through the Insider Box.Future collaborations with other organizations are planned.Customization options for boxes may be explored.Foodbevy offers resources for CPG founders.Understanding consumer preferences is key to success. Sound bites: “The Winterbox is all around those three themes I mentioned earlier, functional indulgence, global comfort, and elevated every day.”"I discovered some of my new favorites."“The taste is absolutely delicious. I crushed like five bags."It's like a trade show in a box that's delivered to your door." Links: Jordan Buckner on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanbuckner Insider Box by FoodBevy - https://insider.foodbevy.com FoodBevy - https://www.foodbevy.com FoodBevy on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/foodbevy FoodBevy on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/foodbevy FoodBevy on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCenY4faC-_51rfYjWUgEGAQ Joyful Co - https://joyfulco.com/ … Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/ Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/ Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/ Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/ Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/ … Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/ … Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/ Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/ Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetwork Heritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_Radio Heritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/ Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radio Chapters: 03:00 Introduction to Foodbevy and Insider Boxes 04:17 Curating the Insider Box Experience 06:21 Themes in Product Selection 08:09 Discovering New Favorites 10:26 Subscription Frequency and Management 10:57 Exploring Unique Products 12:25 Shelf-Stable Convenience 13:54 Controversial Brands and Ingredients 15:16 Emerging Brands and Trends 17:50 Exciting Upcoming Products 19:28 Winter Box Preview 21:04 Innovative Flavors and Ingredients 23:15 Unique Snack Options 25:01 Lower Sugar Movement in Snacks 26:07 Fermented Products and Gut Health 27:04 Exploring Unique Flavors: The Gut Nuts Experience 32:53 Building a Community: The Insider Experience 41:53 Evolving Product Offerings: Customization and Feedback 46:54 Resources for Success: Supporting Food and Beverage Founders 51:08 The Importance of Community and Support in Business See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    52 min
See All (202)

5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

We're bringing you the stories behind the people and products building a more just, healthy, and regenerative future for us all. Tune in weekly and together, we’ll learn about why these better products and brands were created, how they’re helping fix broken systems, and what you can do to support them. My hope is that you’ll discover some new brands to love, and get some sparks of inspiration that will help you live your best life. // Hosted by: Gage Mitchell, Founder of Modern Species, a sustainable brand design agency helping better brands grow to scale their impact.

Information

  • Creator
    Gage Mitchell of Modern Species
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    202
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © © 2025 Copyright - Brands for a Better World and Evolve CPG by Modern Species LLC
  • Show Website
    Brands for a Better World (formerly Evolve CPG)

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