The Harvest Growth Podcast

Jon LaClare
  • 4.9 (18)
  • Marketing
  • Updated 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. 2d ago

    How to Scale a Mission-Driven Brand Without Sacrificing Profit

    In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Angelica Ford, founder of Fueled by AF, to explore how she transformed homemade protein snacks into a growing food brand with a mission extending far beyond the products themselves. Angelica began making high-protein, low-sugar snacks while training for an Ironman. She combined that passion with her experience as an adaptive personal trainer to create Chicago’s first adaptive manufacturing plant, providing meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. But Angelica is clear about one important lesson: you can’t have philanthropy without profitability. She explains why mission-driven companies must maintain high standards, build efficient systems, and grow sustainably if they want to create a lasting impact. Her inclusive workforce has helped make the company 28% more efficient, maintain virtually zero employee turnover, and build a waitlist of 94 people seeking employment. The conversation also explores how Fueled by AF expanded through Amazon and retail, including why certain products perform better online, how convenience stores can offer emerging brands an advantage over crowded grocery aisles, and how networking and accelerator programs helped Angelica add more than 100 retail locations. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: How Angelica turned homemade Ironman snacks into a growing food brandWhy profitability is essential for building a sustainable mission-driven businessHow inclusive hiring made Fueled by AF 28% more efficientWhy Angelica maintains the same standards for every employeeHow better systems can help employees with different abilities succeedWhy Fueled by AF waited to launch on Amazon and focused on the right productsThe key differences between marketing through Amazon and physical retailWhy convenience stores can outperform grocery stores for emerging snack brandsHow networking and accelerator programs helped secure more than 100 retail locationsHow AF Manufacturing Group helps small food brands move from the kitchen to larger-scale productionIf you’re building a purpose-driven company, expanding a consumer product brand, or trying to balance meaningful impact with sustainable growth, this episode offers practical guidance for creating a business that can help more people as it becomes more profitable. Want to connect with Angelica? Visit FueledByAFSnacks.com to explore Fueled by AF’s protein bites and premium nut butters. For questions about small-batch food manufacturing, formulation, packaging, or scaling production, contact hello@afmanufacturinggroup.com. Do you have a product you’d like to launch or scale? Visit HarvestGrowth.com to book a free consultation and discover how the Perfect Launch Blueprint can help clarify your audience, messaging, offer, and marketing strategy before you invest heavily in advertising.

    How to Scale a Mission-Driven Brand Without Sacrificing Profit

  2. 4d ago

    The Simple Marketing Strategy That Tripled This Ecommerce Business

    In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Jonathan Packer, co-founder of GOAT Foods—the parent company behind Licorice.com, Pretzels.com, Caramels.com, Chocolate.com, Cashews.com, and other category-defining food brands. Jonathan explains how GOAT Foods turned simple, memorable domain names into powerful brands that instantly communicate what they sell. He shares why customers should understand your product within the first three seconds, how a brand name can double as a call to action, and why clear positioning makes every part of your marketing more effective. The conversation also explores how GOAT Foods used concise 15-second television commercials to triple its business, then applied the same clear messaging across paid social media, packaging, and its direct-to-consumer websites. Jonathan breaks down why simplicity helped the company advertise more efficiently without sacrificing the quality of its message. Beyond customer acquisition, Jonathan shares how premium products, gift-worthy packaging, cross-selling, email marketing, and the GOAT membership program encourage customers to purchase across multiple brands. He also discusses the importance of financial modeling, repeatable launch systems, and using platforms like Shopify and Klaviyo to scale efficiently. If you’re building a consumer product brand and want to create clearer messaging, improve customer retention, or expand into new products and sales channels, this episode offers practical lessons from a company that has achieved exponential growth by making its marketing remarkably easy to understand. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: How GOAT Foods built a portfolio of category-defining food brandsWhy customers should understand your product within three secondsHow a memorable domain can become both a brand and a call to actionWhy simple 15-second TV commercials helped triple the businessHow premium packaging and product quality drive gifting and repeat purchasesHow cross-selling and email flows increase customer lifetime valueWhy repeatable systems make launching new brands easierHow financial modeling helps founders protect their marginsWhy Shopify and Klaviyo can support rapidly scaling ecommerce brandsWant to learn more about Jonathan Packer and GOAT Foods? Visit GOATFoods.com to explore the company’s portfolio, including Licorice.com, Pretzels.com, Caramels.com, Chocolate.com, and Cashews.com. 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.

    The Simple Marketing Strategy That Tripled This Ecommerce Business

  3. Jul 29

    How Posting 21 Videos a Day Helped Revive a Struggling Product

    In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Matt Olen of Grip Spritz to reveal how a struggling product found new life through a smarter target market, relentless content creation, and strategic Amazon optimization. Grip Spritz originally served the golf industry, but the team recognized that the product could solve a much more urgent problem for basketball players: slippery shoes and dusty courts. Matt explains how they repositioned the product for basketball, traveled to tournaments to demonstrate it firsthand, and earned credibility by winning over respected coaches, athletes, and industry leaders. The conversation also explores the Amazon changes that helped unlock rapid growth. Grip Spritz had already built significant brand awareness through years of social media and in-person marketing—but its Amazon listing was incorrectly placed in the gardening category. Once the listing was rebuilt and moved into sporting goods, the company was finally positioned to capture the demand it had already created. A goal of $25,000 in annual sales quickly turned into approximately $100,000 during one fourth quarter alone. Matt also breaks down the content system that keeps Grip Spritz visible across seven social media platforms. By publishing three core videos across multiple channels every day, recreating proven content, answering customer objections, and giving audiences a behind-the-scenes look at the company, the brand remains consistently top of mind without reinventing its strategy every morning. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: How to identify a more profitable market for an existing productWhy repositioning can be more effective than abandoning a struggling brandHow live demonstrations and trusted industry voices build product credibilityThe Amazon listing mistake that prevented Grip Spritz from reaching its audienceHow organic social media can create demand before a product is widely availableMatt’s system for publishing 21 video posts across seven platforms every dayWhy recreating successful content often works better than constantly chasing new ideasHow responding to comments turns customer questions into effective marketing contentWhy founder-led videos help customers feel like they are buying from a person—not a corporationHow local manufacturing helps Grip Spritz respond to sudden demand and avoid Amazon stockoutsWhy complementary products, bundles, and accessories can increase average order valueHow attainable goals help founders maintain momentum during the difficult early stages of growthIf you have an older product, a plateauing brand, or an eCommerce business that needs a new growth strategy, this episode offers a practical lesson in meeting customers where they are, creating consistent demand, and going deeper into the problems your business already solves. Want to learn more about Matt and Grip Spritz? Visit GripSpritz.com or follow Grip Spritz on your favorite social media platform to explore its shoe traction, team, and court-care products. Do you have a product or brand you’d like to launch, reposition, or scale? Visit HarvestGrowth.com to book a free consultation and discover how the Perfect Launch Blueprint can help you identify the right audience, messaging, offer, and marketing strategy before you invest heavily in advertising.

    How Posting 21 Videos a Day Helped Revive a Struggling Product

  4. Jul 27

    How a CPG Startup Can Compete Against the Biggest Food Brands

    In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Victoria Eicher, co-founder and CEO of WeFoods, to explore how product founders can uncover overlooked sales channels, build strong customer relationships, and compete against much larger companies. Victoria shares the story behind Bagelitos, a handheld breakfast product that combines the chewy texture of a bagel with the convenient shape of an empanada. Rather than immediately competing for space in crowded grocery-store aisles, Victoria and her team selected convenience-store hot food as their focused entry point. Drawing from years of experience in convenience food service, Victoria explains how identifying a neglected market allowed WeFoods to solve problems that larger food manufacturers often overlook. From creating products that are easy for customers to eat on the go to simplifying preparation for store employees, every element of Bagelitos was designed specifically for the needs of convenience-store operators. The conversation also explores how smaller brands can compete when larger companies have more money, employees, and established relationships. Victoria explains why dependable fulfillment, meaningful communication, thoughtful packaging, and a genuine commitment to the customer can create opportunities whenever larger competitors fail to deliver. You’ll also learn how WeFoods is building consumer recognition in a traditionally unbranded category through distinctive packaging, localized influencer marketing, social media, and Tito, the energetic Bagelitos brand mascot. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: ● Why starting with a focused niche can be smarter than entering a crowded market ● How to identify sales channels that larger competitors are overlooking ● What makes convenience-store distribution different from traditional retail ● Why operational simplicity matters when developing a food product ● How dependable fulfillment and strong relationships help smaller brands compete ● Why solving problems for retailers can make your product more attractive ● How packaging can improve product performance while building brand awareness ● The value of localized influencer marketing when entering a new market ● How to build consumer loyalty in a traditionally unbranded product category ● Why establishing a strong beachhead can support future national expansion If you’re launching a product, searching for the right first sales channel, or competing against companies with significantly larger budgets, this episode offers practical strategies for finding an underserved opportunity and turning focused execution into scalable growth. To learn more about Victoria Eicher, WeFoods, and Bagelitos, visit WeFoods.co. You can also follow Tito Bagelitos on Instagram and TikTok. 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 more than $2 billion in revenues? Visit HarvestGrowth.com and schedule a free consultation with our team today!

    How a CPG Startup Can Compete Against the Biggest Food Brands

  5. Jul 22

    20 Million Views to ESPN: How Pop Darts Built a Breakout Product Brand

    In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Jason Carman of Pop Darts and Pretty Dope Games to explore how an entertaining product became a viral social media success—and eventually a nationally televised sport on ESPN. Jason shares the marketing lessons Pop Darts learned through years of testing hundreds of videos, live streams, sales channels, and promotional opportunities. He explains why brands must capture attention within the first few seconds of a video, entertain customers before selling to them, and continually test what works for their specific product instead of blindly copying another company’s strategy. The conversation also dives into the challenges of measuring marketing performance across TikTok, Amazon, a direct-to-consumer website, retail, and television. Jason explains how Pop Darts combines attribution tools, Media Efficiency Ratio, sales data, and founder intuition to determine which marketing investments are actually growing the business. Jason also shares practical ways his team uses AI to solve real operational problems, including connecting Notion, Klaviyo, and Claude to plan email campaigns based on upcoming promotions and product launches. Beyond digital marketing, you’ll hear how Pop Darts transformed livestreaming success into televised tournaments, built a relationship with ESPN, and used entertainment-focused events to establish Pop Darts as more than a game. Jason also discusses the difficult realities of protecting a successful product from thousands of copycat sellers and why intellectual property enforcement must be taken seriously. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: ● How to capture customer attention within the first three seconds of a video ● Why entertaining your audience should come before explaining your product ● How Pop Darts tests social media content and connects views to sales ● The difference between ROAS and Media Efficiency Ratio ● How founders can combine analytics with intuition when attribution is unclear ● A practical way to use AI for email marketing and campaign planning ● How livestreaming helped Pop Darts generate measurable sales growth ● How Pop Darts turned a consumer product into a sport broadcast on ESPN ● Why strong business relationships can unlock unexpected opportunities ● How successful product brands can protect themselves from copycats ● And so much more! If you’re building a consumer product brand and want to learn how viral content, careful testing, AI, live video, strategic partnerships, and traditional television can work together, this episode offers valuable lessons from a company that successfully turned attention into long-term brand growth. To learn more about Pop Darts, visit PopDartsGame.com or follow @PopDartsGame on social media. Do you have a brand you’d like to launch or grow? Visit HarvestGrowth.com to book a free consultation and learn how our team can help you identify the right audience, messaging, offer, and marketing strategy before you invest heavily in media.

    20 Million Views to ESPN: How Pop Darts Built a Breakout Product Brand

  6. Jul 20

    How to Attract Investors with Smarter Marketing: Social Media, Podcasts & AEO

    In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Chris Salerno, founder and CEO of QC Capital Group, to explore how strategic marketing can help businesses attract investors, raise capital, and build stronger portfolio companies. Chris shares how his fascination with business growth and consumer psychology led him from the real estate industry to founding a private equity company focused on businesses that support people’s essential daily needs. He explains why branding, storytelling, customer acquisition, and a compelling pitch are just as important in the investment world as they are when marketing a consumer product. The conversation breaks down how QC Capital reaches accredited investors through social media, educational content, newsletters, targeted podcast appearances, professional referral networks, and memorable in-person experiences. Chris also explains why understanding your ideal investor’s needs—including diversification, cash flow, and potential tax advantages—is critical when developing an effective marketing message. Jon and Chris also discuss the growing importance of Answer Engine Optimization, or AEO. As more consumers and investors use tools like ChatGPT and other AI platforms instead of traditional search engines, businesses must create credible, useful content that helps both people and AI systems understand their expertise. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we’ll cover: ● Why raising capital requires a strong brand, story, and marketing strategy ● How to understand and communicate directly to your ideal investor ● Why educational content builds trust with high-value prospects ● How social media and newsletters can support investor acquisition ● Why targeted podcast appearances can reach the right audience ● How professional referral partners can become powerful growth channels ● Why memorable experiences can outperform traditional networking events ● What Answer Engine Optimization means for the future of marketing ● How third-party content helps businesses establish authority online ● Why businesses must adapt as customers move from Google to AI-powered search Whether you’re preparing to raise capital, looking for investors, or simply trying to reach a highly specific audience, this episode offers practical lessons for building authority, strengthening your message, and getting your business in front of the right people. Want to connect with Chris? Visit qccapitalgroup.com to learn more about QC Capital Group and its current investment opportunities. To be a guest on an upcoming episode of the Harvest Growth 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 more than $2 billion in revenue? Visit HarvestGrowth.com and schedule a free consultation with our team today!

    How to Attract Investors with Smarter Marketing: Social Media, Podcasts & AEO

  7. Jul 15

    How to Stand Out When Your Competitors All Do the Same Thing

    In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Brian Potvin, founder of Ballusionist, to explore how creativity, positioning, and old-school professionalism helped him build a standout entertainment business over 25 years. Brian shares how he challenged the traditional balloon artist business model by refusing to work only for tips. Instead, he created a flat-rate model for restaurants that made the experience feel free and welcoming for customers while opening the door to more birthday parties, private events, corporate work, and long-term referrals. The conversation also dives into the power of thinking differently from your competitors. Brian explains why copying what everyone else does can keep your business stuck, while solving problems in a more customer-friendly way can create a real competitive advantage. From cold calling local restaurants to rebuilding momentum after COVID, his story is a reminder that sometimes the best way forward is to return to the basics. Jon and Brian also discuss the importance of professionalism, communication, showing up early, and making customers feel confident that you’ll deliver. Plus, Brian shares how he uses content repurposing to stay active on social media without constantly creating something new from scratch. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: ● How Brian built a unique business as The Ballusionist ● Why he stopped relying on tips and created a flat-rate restaurant model ● How doing the opposite of your competitors can help you stand out ● Why customer comfort and experience matter in every business ● The importance of showing up early, communicating clearly, and acting professionally ● How Brian rebuilt momentum by going back to the basics ● Why repurposing old content can strengthen your social media marketing ● How service-based business lessons apply to product brands, agencies, consultants, and entrepreneurs If you’re building a business and trying to stand out in a crowded market, this episode is packed with practical lessons on positioning, customer experience, content marketing, and the simple habits that help brands earn trust over time. Want to connect with Brian? Visit Ballusionist.com or follow @Ballusionist on social media to learn more about his work. 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 to Stand Out When Your Competitors All Do the Same Thing

  8. Jul 13

    How Great Product Marketing Turns Skepticism Into Sales

    In this episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, Jon LaClare sits down with Jeff Mroz of Pioneer Pastures to explore how a truly differentiated product can drive growth across Amazon, Target, Sprouts, and beyond. Jeff shares the story behind Pioneer Pastures’ ultrafiltered A2 dairy products and explains why the brand focuses so heavily on gut health, clean ingredients, and products that people can actually feel good drinking. From higher-protein milk to shelf-stable protein shakes, Pioneer Pastures is working to change the way consumers think about dairy by combining taste, nutrition, and science-backed education. The conversation also dives into one of the biggest challenges facing innovative product brands: how do you explain a complex health benefit in just a few seconds? Jeff breaks down how Pioneer Pastures uses health partners, educational content, customer testimonials, and sampling to build trust with skeptical consumers and help people understand why the product is different. Beyond the product itself, Jeff shares practical lessons on retail growth, including how the brand earned shelf space in major retailers like Target and Sprouts, why driving traffic into stores matters after you get on the shelf, and how brands can use online discovery, influencers, shopping hauls, and retail websites to support in-store sales. If you’re building a product brand, launching into retail, or trying to educate consumers about a new category, this episode offers valuable insight into how great products, clear messaging, and smart channel strategy work together to create lasting growth. In today’s episode of the Harvest Growth Podcast, we cover: ● Why Pioneer Pastures built its brand around ultrafiltered A2 dairy ● How gut health, clean ingredients, and product formulation influence consumer trust ● Why education is critical when launching a product people may not immediately understand ● How health partners, testimonials, and sampling help overcome skepticism ● What it takes to drive traffic into major retailers after earning shelf space ● How Target.com, influencers, and shopping-haul content can support retail sales ● Why Sprouts and Target can help innovative brands build credibility ● Why great products create stronger retention, repeat purchases, and word-of-mouth ● How founders can balance product quality, consumer insight, and marketing strategy ● And so much more! Want to learn more about Pioneer Pastures? Visit PioneerPastures.com or look for Pioneer Pastures products at Target, Sprouts, and 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 Great Product Marketing Turns Skepticism Into Sales
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4.9
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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
    284
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Harvest Growth Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Harvest Growth Podcast