Scott Hansen

Excited to announce our most recent transaction in the Food & Beverage sector at the core of the trends we are seeing in the market. We continue to see a lot of activity in the co-manufacturing sub sector as more brands seek out manufacturing capacity with collaborative partners with a history of excellence, such as Axium Foods. As new entrants into the space continue to focus on branding and marketing, the demand for manufacturing capacity across all sectors will continue to increase.

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CELSIUS Holdings, Inc. might still have ample sales and marketing levers to pull...and its core energy drinks continue to resonate with buyers, but I still can't shake this feeling I got when walking the expo floor at last year's The NACS Show... "CELSIUS has transcended the energy drinks category." But what could that mean for CELSIUS? My assumption is that internally, that insight would manifested itself in John Fieldly making this strategic decision: ▪️ we should extend the CELSIUS brand into additional adjacent product categories I'm certain that the executive leadership team has pondered how far the CELSIUS brand could stretch, but I’d caution utilizing a “branded house” or some other more singular brand architecture. Instead, I’d recommend CELSIUS Holdings indirectly leveraging my insight above...and become a “house of brands” that separates the consumer benefit platforms. Protein = Before looking at an outside M&A, I'd start retesting the FAST brand it already owns. Hydration = Since November 2023, I've suggested they buy Vita Coco. Regardless, I don’t expect huge portfolio changes anytime super soon…but this is something to watch on an ongoing basis. #strategy #trends #markets #fmcg #cpg #beverages #energydrinks #sportsnutrition #supplements #mergersandacquisitions #wellness #nutrition #innovation #marketing #branding #productdevelopment #retailing #merchandising #retail #grocery #business #businessintelligence #entrepreneurship Kyle Watson Jarrod Langhans

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Focus on the lifetime value of your customers (LTV) for more profits. Thanks Entrepreneur Magazine for letting me help with this article.

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Pickleball—Americas fastest growing sport, is in the spotlight this month as our latest blog from Entourus explores self-care and wellness recommendations to avoid injury, and how to support your game with the proper cannabis topical products. Pickleball may not be as strenuous as other racquet-swinging sports like tennis, badminton, squash and racquetball, but it does encourage players to hustle. And like any sport, soft tissues can get tweaked, repetitive motions can stress ligaments and joints, and accidents surely happen. Read more about how you can support your Pickleball game in a natural way at Entourus.com!

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Let’s Get It Started! Are you ready for some football? As this 2024 NFL season kicks off tonight with the Baltimore Ravens facing the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, anticipation is high among fans and bettors alike. You’ve probably heard a few - maybe a few thousand - ads from the many national sports books in recent weeks that want you to bet with them. The American Gaming Association (AGA) estimates that a staggering $35 billion will be legally wagered on the NFL this season - a 30% increase from last year. With legalized sports betting expanding to more states like Maine, North Carolina, and Vermont, and the resumption of betting in Florida, sportsbooks are set for a record-breaking year. Amid the excitement, it’s crucial for both seasoned and new bettors to remember that sports betting isn’t as easy or profitable as the relentless advertising might suggest. Sportsbooks are businesses designed to make a profit, and they use sophisticated algorithms and AI tools to set odds that ensure their advantage. That’s why the majority of bettors end up losing money over time. Promotions such as "second chance" or "no sweat" bets may seem like a risk-free opportunity, but they often come with strings attached - like non-withdrawable credits, expiration dates, or minimum odds requirements. While these offers can provide initial value, they are far from a guarantee of long-term profitability. As you gear up for the new season, here are a few very basic pieces of advice to keep in mind: 1. Wagering and winning on football, or any sport, is much more difficult than it seems for even experienced bettors. Most gamblers lose - consistently. 2. Set a Budget: Only ever bet what you can afford to lose. Establish a bankroll and stick to it, ideally wagering no more than 2-3% on any single bet to manage risk effectively. 3. Avoid Emotional Betting: Bet with your head, not your heart. Avoid betting on your favorite teams or against teams you dislike, as emotional bias can cloud judgment. 4. Educate Yourself: Understand the types of bets available, such as moneyline and spread bets, and familiarize yourself with betting terms and strategies. Stay informed about team news and statistics to make more informed decisions. 5. Start Small and Stay Focused: Begin with small bets; track and review your wins and losses to build expertise and increase your chances of making informed bets. 6. Avoid Chasing Losses: Stick to your strategy and avoid making impulsive bets to recover losses, as this often leads to further losses. The thrill of the NFL season is undeniable, but it’s essential to approach sports betting with caution and care. Whether you're a seasoned bettor or just thinking about dipping a toe into the action, remember that the house always has the edge. Stay disciplined, informed, and - most importantly - enjoy the game! About tonight’s season opener: who are you picking, the Chiefs by 3 or more or the Ravens +3 points?

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The soda wars continue. 🥤 US per capita soft drink consumption has fallen annually since the '90s. In their place, US functional beverage sales rose 54% from 2020–’24, with the market set to reach $62B by 2027. Reimagining the classics, brands like OLIPOP PBC and poppi want to be the next Coke and Pepsi, but their health claims and functional benefits may be overstated. An insidious indulgence, soft drinks are the largest source of calories in the US diet—consumed by 63% of adults daily—and major fuel for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Transforming soda culture, better-for-you beverages could wean people off sugar — and become acquisition targets for Big Soda. 💌 Presented by SWEATBASE x FITRADIO.

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What are the linchpins for your brand? Lately, I’ve been tinkering with limited drops as an operational and brand linchpin. Early results have been fascinating for both my fly fishing brand and a clients CPG brand. Hypothesis, For small-medium brands, a limited drop system, and scarcity roll out has been a very effective way to keep customers and production teams happy :) The tricky part, is trying to build automations and calendars around this strategy so that it becomes less of a “fire drill” every time we want to drop a cool unique product. As a specialty brand, these custom exclusive drops are crucial to increasing our AOV and offering unique-engaging product stories to our followers. Any of you all in product or service world have effective patterns for limited drops or scarcity techniques? 💰✨ #FinancialFreedom #ScarcitySale #CashFlow

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Influencer Brad deals are the wave and will be how new brands are structured. Be sure to allow for in the cap table there to be equity for influencers. Identifying the right influencer is not about how many follower, not just the engagement but the key is to hit a home run with knowing that the demographic of the influencer aligns with the product. Reach is the game, conversion is the business. It’s the difference from a $13.00 Cpc to a $$1.39 cpc. With 14% conversion. Trust and community is everything.

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Intention.ly ‘s values and vision inspired Team Lancaster Gift Box. Their mantra—Be Bold. Be Creative. Be Intentional—resonates deeply with us. Intention.ly partners with fintech and financial services companies to transform their business by designing intentional marketing engines. They redefine marketing as the strategic driver of vision and revenue, challenging financial businesses to break through traditional limits. We at Lancaster Gift Box are huge fans of Intention.ly’s work. Exciting things are brewing! Stay tuned as we reveal more soon! #sharedvalues #synergy #collaboration #giftology #appreciationstrategy

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🤔 Wondering if your pitch stood out at the #IDDBA #UNFI #KEHE shows? Don't leave #FancyFoods feeling the same way. 😁 Get your pitch perfected at my free virtual Pitch Power Hour on Monday. DM for link.👇 Julie Nelson and Abby June Richards, CPA-TX, fellow SKU mentors, will join to share their insights and advice. If you have already perfected the pitch, next up - sales materials. Are you ready? My tips for sales materials aka trash that might just make it back to the buyer’s desk. 🤔  Consider the following about your target audience: ❓ What is their Area of Expertise? - What do they already know? What do they need to learn to see your brand’s potential?  ❓ What are their Needs or Decision Criteria? - What is the problem they are solving or the gap in their assortment or portfolio of brands? Why did they come to the show? Then craft your Why, How & What. I believe in @Simon Sinek's adage, "People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” Sales materials are no exception. 1️⃣ Challenge yourself to distill your brand’s why into a single sentence. 2️⃣ Force yourself to communicate only the most important attributes, benefits, or trends. 3️⃣ Provide the specific details your audience needs to take action. For most, this should be easy, then, you can spend your time focusing on being persuasive with tailored information to your target and making the piece memorable. 🚩 A few watch outs I have been guilty of: Repeating Yourself: Stating a few things once will be more effective than a cluttered page repeating elements. 📚 Too Big: Ideal is 5x7 with a QR code to a show-specific landing page with downloadable materials. Only one piece, plus a business card. ❌ Wrong Information (Believe it or Not): Ensure the information is right. Nothing kills momentum like following up to correct details, not closing the deal. Sales and marketing has to share accountability for this information. 💬 Jargon: Be cautious of overly specific industry language or metrics. If you have to explain an acronym or a chart, you lose valuable time with a prospect. #cpg #natural #sales #pitch #marketing  

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We’re working with several emerging franchise brands whose founders have expressed interest in selling their brand and system or in taking on a partner or investor. - Fast Casual & QSR - Less than 20 operating units - Corporate & Franchise locations - Multi-brand opportunities with complementing brands If you’re interested in learning more, please reach out to me here on LinkedIn or by email to [email protected]. Please check out our comprehensive services and resources for today’s and tomorrow’s entrepreneurs at Acceler8Success.com. #businessbrokerage #franchisebrokerage #franchising #franchisor #businessacquisition #privateequity #acquisitions #investmentopportunities

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Had a blast talking all things Dirty Pelican with Caryn Antonini on her podcast earlier this week. If you’d like to hear more about how Dirty Pelican has grown from $0 in sales to over $1.5M in just over two years, it’s a good 30 minute listen. #sales #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #foodandbev #nonalc #startupCPG #CPG #connecticutbusiness #salestips #business #forbes

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Whether you are an avid golfer, runner, pickleball player, or participate in any other active sport, you know that taking care of your body is the key to long lasting and engaged performance. Our consumers continue to choose Entourus salves for both pre and post workout and anytime they are physically active, to lend a helping hand. Our latest blog for the month of June details how to best use CBD muscle cream, how frequently to apply, and how to establish the right dosage for you!

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What's New to The Street... 🌿🌟 Tate & Lyle is making waves in health nutrition with the acquisition of CP Kelco for $1.8 billion. How do you think this move will shape the future of the industry? 💼💡Share your thoughts below! ⬇️💬 👉🏻Follow New To The Street for more! #TateAndLyle #CPKelco #HealthNutrition #BusinessNews #IndustryTrends #businessnews #business #news #newtothestreet

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Connecting buying, planning, inventory management, retail stores, wholesale, operations, and logistics is a challenge in the #cannabis industry. We must take steps to enhance these connections to allow greater efficiency and improved business outcomes. This requires breaking down barriers, eliminating organizational fiefdoms (very important), and celebrating cross functional success stories. I am a big fan of using #scrum methods to create environments for idea sharing, to align functions towards common goals, and to allow for controlled conflict. This last part is key: scrum teams need diversity of thought, title, and function to be successful. Teams that practice "leave your title at the door" + open meetings to more junior team members = are better set up to embrace new ways of thinking. You’d be surprised at the magic that happens when silos are broken down. It's breaking down the silos where teams struggle. This is the goal: foster a culture of #collaboration and #innovation. Think different, act different. It’s not always perfect, but we embrace the concept of failing forward. Each misstep is a learning opportunity, bringing us closer to the operational excellence that we all desire. #retail #sales #wholesale #cpg #branding #marketing #digitalmarketing #socialmedia #management #technology #finance #cannabis #humanresources #hiring #motivation #inspiration

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Kicking off the next chapter of my CEO journey with Good Twin—one of the top-selling, fastest-growing non-alcoholic wines in the U.S.! 🍇 Yep, it’s the “good twin” that actually tastes like its alcoholic counterpart. 👬 My non-alc journey started 7+ years ago, from building NA options at ZX Ventures to bringing Corona Cero Sunbrew to life globally at AB InBev. This space pulled me in professionally and personally—weekend trips to Spirited Away and Boisson came routine in my own quest for balance. But let's be real: most NA wines taste like grape or apple juice, or worse—an overly engineered “wine” with mile-long ingredient lists. BAD twins, to put it lightly. Good Twin changes all of that. It’s crafted from the same grapes used in traditional Prosecco, sourced directly from Italy, with only four ingredients and 100% organic. It’s fundamentally different—and it’s actually GOOD. If you're intrigued by the NA space as a consumer, investor, broker, retailer, influencer, marketer or otherwise, let’s talk! The category’s booming, but we’re growing even faster—and we'd love to have you on board for the journey. 🚀 Here’s to a world with healthier options, more choice, and more GOOD! 🥂 Available to on and off-premise through major beverage distributors (RNDC, Union, Opici, etc.) and digitally on Airgoods & Faire. Available to consumers at www.drinkgoodtwin.com, 300+ Whole Foods nationwide, Pavilions CA, Safeway CA and more.

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💡This question is for the successful franchisors/executives: What strategies do you recommend for an emerging franchisor to land some of the initial franchisees? I’m trying to determine which routes to take as we begin this franchising journey and would love to learn from you! #franchising #franchisebusiness #franchisor #FranchiseFamily

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