The Pop Up Report RareCircles

Bradley Gifford, the founder of Spoonful, discusses his career trajectory—from early roles in PR and communications to founding Spoonful, a health food business specializing in high-quality overnight oats. He shares how health challenges motivated him to address industry pain points, transition into the health and wellness sector, and navigate business growth through food services and local New York partnerships. Ultimately, Bradley gives insights into scaling, community building, and the evolving food industry.
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Spoonful website https://www.spoonful.life/
Spoonful Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/company/grabspoonful/
Spoonful Instagram https://www.instagram.com/grabspoonful
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Show Notes:
02:03 Personal Health Journey
03:44 Entrepreneurial Journey Begins
04:53 Founding Spoonful
06:22 Product Differentiation and Challenges
08:16 Marketing and Distribution Strategy
24:03 Scaling and Logistics
28:32 Future Plans and Vision
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Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy:
How Slowtide Turned Towels Cool and Built a Multi-Million Dollar Business in the Process
How Product Seeding Helped Scent Lab Garner Millions in Earned Media
How Deux Harnessed TikTok to Challenge Incumbents like Pillsbury, Nestle and Hostess
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The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty.
Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepopupreport.com

Kathleen Chan, founder of Calico, shares her background, starting in tech at Microsoft, before creating and scaling two different brands. She emphasizes that efficient product sourcing and maintaining quality is crucial for scaling businesses. Calico serves as a sourcing and production co-pilot for brands, specializing in apparel, footwear and accessories. Calico offers a vetted roster of ethical and innovative factories and provides comprehensive tools to streamline the entire production process from design to payments.
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Calico website https://www.joincalico.com/
Calico LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/calicoai/
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Show Notes:
01:16 Revolutionizing Product Sourcing
05:29 Navigating the Complex World of Manufacturing and Sourcing
10:05 Global Sourcing vs. Local Manufacturing
13:35 Ensuring Quality and Ethical Practices in Manufacturing
19:57 Navigating Supplier Relationships and Inventory Risks
23:57 The Importance of Trust and Quality in Supplier Partnerships
26:32 The Role of Product Knowledge and Industry Experience
29:04 Leveraging Community and Industry Connections
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Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy:
How Slowtide Turned Towels Cool and Built a Multi-Million Dollar Business in the Process
How Product Seeding Helped Scent Lab Garner Millions in Earned Media
How Deux Harnessed TikTok to Challenge Incumbents like Pillsbury, Nestle and Hostess
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The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty.
Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack, YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepopupreport.com

Alexandre Renaud, co-founder of nolk, introduces his latest venture dedicated to acquiring and nurturing e-commerce brands with a strong sustainability ethos. Previously, Alex was the co-founder of PremiumBeat, a music licensing service that successfully sold to Shutterstock. Alex gives his insights on the challenges and opportunities in the consumer brand landscape, including technological shifts, and the strategic focus on building a portfolio of brands promoting responsible consumer habits and environmental responsibility.
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nolk website https://www.nolk.com/
nolk LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/nolkco/
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Show Notes:
01:21 The Story of PremiumBeat
05:21 The Challenges of Entrepreneurship
10:52 Learning from Early Mistakes
14:32 The Vision for Nolk
25:20 The Power of Portfolio Strategy in Brand Performance
28:46 Influence of Private Equity and Brand Builders
30:40 The Importance of Brand Purpose and Mission
35:57 Challenges and Opportunities for Direct-to-Consumer Brands
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Links Discussed
PremiumBeat
https://www.premiumbeat.com/
Shutterstock
https://www.shutterstock.com/
RareCircles
https://www.rarecircles.com/
GymShark
https://gymshark.com/
Theios
https://www.thrasio.com/
Heydays
https://www.heyday.co/
Open Store
https://open.store/
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Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy:
Inside the Scent-Free Revolution with Anie Rouleau, founder and CEO of the Unscented Company
How Product Seeding Helped Scent Lab Garner Millions in Earned Media
How to Launch Your Own Beauty Brand with Blanka
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Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Drew Green (Indochino), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co). 
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The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty.
Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepopupreport.com

Sophie Boulanger, co-founder of BonLook, dives into how the company shook up Canada's eyewear scene. Sophie talks about her entrepreneurial path, inspired by her family and shaped by her experiences at L’Oreal Canada and Luxottica. They delve into BonLook’s inception and strategic decisions, including cutting out middlemen, expanding store presence, and picking prime locations, along with insights on hiring for retail. Finally, Sophie discusses why she sold BonLook, her future aspirations, and her intention to remain active in tech and entrepreneurship.
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BonLook website https://www.bonlook.ca/
BonLook Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bonlook/
Sophie Boulanger https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-boulanger-19b2b71/
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Show Notes:
02:44 From corporate to eyewear entrepreneur
04:57 Disrupting the eyewear industry
10:51 Challenges and innovations in online retail
13:09 The strategic shift to brick-and-mortar stores
21:19 Building a successful retail team
25:43 The financial anatomy of a retail store
29:05 Optimizing sales per square footage
30:22 Navigating challenges of underperforming stores
32:06 The importance of real estate and lease negotiations
35:10 Reflecting on a successful exit strategy
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Links Discussed
L'Oreal https://www.loreal.com/
Luxottica https://www.essilorluxottica.com/
Oakley https://www.oakley.com/
Ray Ban https://www.ray-ban.com/
Vogue Eyewear https://www.vogue-eyewear.com/
LensCrafters https://www.lenscrafters.ca/
SunglassesHut https://www.sunglasshut.com/
Warby Parker https://warbyparker.com/
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Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy:
How Slowtide Turned Towels Cool and Built a Multi-Million Dollar Business in the Process
How Product Seeding Helped Scent Lab Garner Millions in Earned Media
How Deux Harnessed TikTok to Challenge Incumbents like Pillsbury, Nestle and Hostess
- - - - - - - - - - - - 
Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Drew Green (Indochino), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co). 
- - - - - - - - - - - - 
The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty.
Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more.


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepopupreport.com

Fabio Zeppilli, co-founder of Bad Monkey Popcorn, discusses his inspiring shift from academia and legal briefs to creating a buzz in the snack market. He reveals the recipe to the launch of Bad Monkey Popcorn: a blend of passion and innovative marketing tactics. This discussion further delves into Fabio’s initial challenges, significant milestones, and insights on the critical role of cultivating a strong brand and community support. Throughout, Fabio emphasizes the importance of happiness, wellbeing, teamwork, and adaptability in entrepreneurship.
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Show Notes:
00:10 The Unconventional Journey from Law to Popcorn03:20 The Birth of Bad Monkey Popcorn10:04 Achieving Milestones and Embracing the Journey12:16 Retail Success and Marketing Strategies16:06 The Art of Retail Relationships17:06 Leveraging Consumer Demand to Influence Retailers17:34 Building a Passionate Fan Base21:14 Innovating in a Saturated Market: The Popcorn Revolution23:41 The Entrepreneurial Journey: Health, Team Building, and Growth
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Links Discussed
Bad Monkey Popcorn
https://badmonkeypopcorn.com/
Dragons Den
Walmart
https://www.walmart.com/
Starbucks
https://www.starbucks.com/
Red Bull
https://www.redbull.com/
Disney
https://www.disney.com/
Cirque du Soleil
https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/
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Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy:
The Journey of Jaime Schmidt in Entrepreneurship
Inside the Scent-Free Revolution with Anie Rouleau, founder and CEO of the Unscented Company
How Product Seeding Helped Scent Lab Garner Millions in Earned Media
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Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Drew Green (Indochino), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co). 
- - - - - - - - - - - - 
The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty.
Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more


This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepopupreport.com

Camille Benmergui, Director of Marketplace at Reitman’s Canada Limited, unravels the dynamic world of e-commerce marketplaces. Drawing from her journey leading both fashion brands and third-party marketplaces, Camille offers rich insights on third-party marketplaces, their business models, and advantages they bring to brands. This conversation expands on the concept of online marketplaces, uncovering strategies for success and exploring the potential of niche marketplaces, alongside industry giants.
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Links Discussed
Reitman's Canada Limited
https://www.reitmans.com/en/marketplace
Altitude Sports
https://www.altitude-sports.com/
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Marketplace/s?k=Marketplace
Walmart
https://marketplace.walmart.com/
Best Buy
https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/about/what-is-marketplace/blt0abb2e20522802f2
The Bay
https://www.thebay.com/content/marketplace
Farfetch
https://www.farfetch.com/
Etsy
https://www.etsy.com/
eBay
https://www.ebay.com/
Wayfair
https://sell.wayfair.com/

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Show Notes:
01:14 Understanding Third-Party Marketplaces04:04 Different Types of Online Marketplaces and Their Dynamics05:59 The Benefits of Selling on Marketplaces08:44 Setting Up for Success in Marketplaces19:09 Key Success Factors for Brands in Marketplaces23:35 Choosing the Right Marketplace for Your Brand26:13 Predictions for the Future of Marketplaces
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Past guests on the Pop Up Report include Lanny Smith (Actively Black), Drew Green (Indochino), Ryan Babenzien (Jolie Skin Co). 
Stay tuned for new episodes from upcoming guests including Jaime Schmidt (Schmidt’s Naturals), Griffin Spolansky (Mezcla) and many more.
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Additional Episodes You Might Enjoy:
How Slowtide Turned Towels Cool and Built a Multi-Million Dollar Business in the Process
How Deux Harnessed TikTok to Challenge Incumbents like Pillsbury, Nestle and Hostess
How to Launch Your Own Beauty Brand with Blanka
- - - - - - - - - - - - 
The Pop Up Report interviews DTC and CPG founders to uncover how they fostered and scaled their communities to create profitable businesses. Gain a deeper understanding of the tools, tactics and retention strategies that build true customer loyalty.
Subscribe to the Pop Up Report on Substack or YouTube for more.
Thanks for reading The Pop Up Report by Ethan Song! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.thepopupreport.com