Che Brown’s Post

Beyond the Meat Aisle - How Impossible Foods Redefined Sales Leadership. In 2011, Pat Brown, a former Stanford professor, embarked on a mission to tackle one of the world's most pressing environmental issues: meat production. The challenge was clear — people are addicted to meat, and breaking this addiction seemed impossible. With the meat industry contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and land degradation, a solution was needed. Fast forward to 2019, Impossible Foods faced an unexpected hurdle — an overwhelming demand for its Impossible Burger. The shortage, akin to the great oat milk drought, turned into a PR triumph. Customers remained loyal, showcasing the brand's cultural impact. The struggle underscored the need for scalable solutions and effective sales management. Impossible Foods revolutionized plant-based meat by understanding the science behind the taste of meat. The solution lay in replicating meat using plants, and the Impossible Burger, with its soy and potato protein, yeast-fermented heme, and culinary binders, was born. By strategically targeting foodies and chefs first, the brand successfully transitioned from niche to mass market, penetrating major chains like Burger King and White Castle. My Big Takeaway: Sales systems matter. Pat Brown's visionary approach to transforming an industry showcases the power of a well-executed sales strategy. CEOs looking to grow revenue, be profitable, and impact lives can learn from Impossible Foods. Whether it's understanding customer addiction (the problem), navigating unexpected challenges (the struggle), or crafting innovative solutions (the solution), having a robust sales system is paramount. Join the www.CEOSalesHuddle.com for sales growth and business strategies. Stay Hungry. Stay Humble. Che Brown www.CEOSalesHuddle.com Connect with me: @IamCheBrown #CEOSalesHuddle #CEOSalesDashboard #CEOMasteryNetwork

Juice and Jeopardy - How Naked Juice's Journey Can Guide Your Sales Strategy. Back in the early 1980s, two friends, Jimmy Rosenberg and David Bleeden, noticed something. People loved healthy, natural drinks but didn't have many options to choose from. Walking along the sunny beaches of Santa Monica, they decided to change that. They started making fresh fruit juices with no artificial ingredients, calling it "Naked Juice." But starting a successful business from scratch was no easy task. The initial journey was tough. Imagine selling juice right on the sandy beaches with only a small stand. An interesting fact is that the name "Naked Juice" came from their idea of keeping the juices free from any artificial stuff, just like being "naked." Despite their passion, expanding the business wasn't simple. They had to find ways to get their products in more places while staying true to their natural roots. The big break came when Naked Juice tapped into the growing health food movement, appealing to people looking for nutritious options. To manage nationwide demand, they set up new delivery centers and even got bought by PepsiCo in 2007. This was a game-changer. With PepsiCo's wide distribution network, Naked Juice became available everywhere. This strategic move highlighted the importance of good sales systems and partnerships to grow a business. My Big Takeaway: The story of Naked Juice shows the power of a solid sales strategy and leadership in growing revenue and making an impact. Having an effective sales system and forming strategic partnerships can help scale operations and meet customer demands. Naked Juice’s road from a small beach stand to a nationwide brand teaches us that passion, coupled with smart sales strategies, can transform a business. Join the www.CEOSalesHuddle.com for sales growth and business strategies. Stay Hungry. Stay Humble. Che Brown www.CEOSalesHuddle.com Connect with me: @IamCheBrown #CEOSalesHuddle #CEOSalesDashboard #CEOMasteryNetwork

In the realm of food sales, when faced with what seems impossible, the relentless pursuit of solutions and innovations becomes the hallmark of success. Despite daunting challenges, a steadfast commitment to hard work and perseverance fuels the journey towards transforming the impossible into the achievable. Innovation becomes the guiding force, propelling individuals and organizations to explore uncharted territories, challenge conventional wisdom, and reimagine possibilities. Whether it's devising groundbreaking recipes, pioneering novel production techniques, or revolutionizing distribution channels, the pursuit of innovation opens doors to previously unattainable opportunities. Each obstacle encountered serves as a catalyst for creativity and problem-solving. Rather than succumbing to the belief that certain goals are unattainable, the resilient spirit of those in the food industry drives them to delve deeper, analyze root causes, and uncover alternative pathways to success. Amidst the grind of daily operations, the unwavering dedication to excellence becomes the driving force behind every action. Whether it's meticulously crafting products, fine-tuning marketing strategies, or nurturing relationships with customers, every effort is infused with a passion for surpassing limitations and surpassing expectations. Through this relentless pursuit, what once seemed insurmountable gradually becomes within reach. It is in the moments of uncertainty and doubt that true breakthroughs are forged, as perseverance, grit, and unwavering determination illuminate the path forward. In the end, the journey from impossibility to possibility is not merely a testament to perseverance, but a testament to the power of human ingenuity, resilience, and the unwavering belief that no challenge is too great to overcome.

How Koia's Founders Mastered Sales to Transform the Beverage Industry. When Maya French and Dustin Baker met in 2013, both were on a mission to improve their health. French had just discovered she was lactose intolerant and found there were very few products that suited her needs. Baker, who worked in medical sales, wanted to move away from his unhealthy college diet. They quickly realized that there was a lack of healthy and delicious options in the market. French and Baker dreamed of starting a juice bar, and they began their journey with research and development. They eventually pivoted to selling juice in grocery stores, conducting demos, and gathering customer feedback. An interesting fact is that French’s lactose intolerance led them to experiment with nut milks, which revealed a bigger opportunity for a plant-based, low-sugar protein drink. Customers immediately loved it, showing there was a market hungry for their product. Their big break came when they met with the buyer from Mrs. Green's, a new store in Chicago. Though inexperienced, their passion and persistence shone through. This led to the creation of Koia. They even printed their contact information on the bottles, which attracted not just customers, but also investors. One particularly supportive investor sponsored their attendance at a major trade show, Expo West. This opened more doors, eventually leading to a pivotal meeting with Whole Foods. Their high-stakes pitch was successful, leading to a national rollout of their product. My Big Takeaway: The story of Koia teaches us the importance of having a solid sales system and strategy. By leveraging their passion and pivoting when necessary, French and Baker were able to take their vision from an idea to a national success. They also exemplified strong sales leadership by building relationships and effectively pitching their product. For CEOs looking to grow revenue and impact lives, having a clear sales strategy and being adaptable are key.

As we've started to work with more and more breweries, one thing continues to stand out: the critical importance of viewing and treating your wholesalers as true partners, not just another sales channel. This approach goes beyond business processes and by the book strategies—it's about relationship building and creating a partnership that can significantly influence a brand's success in the market. 🤝 Mutual Investment: Trust me, your distributors can tell whether you view them as partners or not. Your daily interactions and communication with distributors clearly reflect your attitude towards them, impacting the relationship significantly. Nothing can compensate for a lack of respect and support. Remember, distributors are not just another sales outlet; they are your business partners in each market. The more you invest in and support this relationship, the more success you will achieve. Such a constructive relationship motivates distributors to go above and beyond in marketing and selling your products, directly boosting your brand’s growth and reach. 😕 Avoiding the Pitfalls of Transactional Relationships: A purely transactional view where distributors are seen as just another sales avenue can breed resentment. If a brewery starts wondering, "Why aren't they selling more?" without understanding the distributor's challenges and market conditions, it creates a divide. This often leads to distributors prioritizing other brands that value a collaborative approach. 🌟 Building Strong Relationships: By engaging positively and recognizing the critical role that distributors play, breweries can foster a spirit of teamwork and shared objectives. We are all human, and when we are working hard to achieve a goal, all we really want is someone in our corner supporting that effort. When we are getting that support, we are so much more likely to go above and beyond to help achieve additional success for that partner. The shift from viewing distributors as mere vendors to recognizing them as key partners is crucial. Having witnessed these relationship dynamics for nearly a decade from a wholesaler's perspective, and now while working with beverage companies, the importance of this dynamic could not be more clear. Before you do ANYTHING else for your beverage company, you have to evaluate and adjust the perspective of your distributor relationships. Are you working alongside them towards shared goals, or are you just hoping they hit sales targets? Until you get the right approach to your distributor relationships, nothing else matters. #BeverageIndustry #Partnership #BusinessStrategy #BrandGrowth #Leadership #FiveStarBeverage #FiveStarStrategy

🌟 Rethinking Distributor Relationships: A Strategic Imperative for Breweries 🌟 As we collaborate with an increasing number of breweries, a crucial insight has become evident: the success of a brand often hinges on how well it treats its wholesalers. Moving beyond mere transactional interactions to building meaningful partnerships is not just beneficial—it's essential. The transformation from viewing distributors as mere vendors to seeing them as key partners is a strategic shift that can redefine your market presence. With nearly a decade of firsthand experience in wholesale and now in advising beverage companies, we understand the nuances of these relationships better than anyone. 🚀 Elevate Your Brand with Five Star Beverage: Before you focus on any other aspect of your business, consider how you're engaging with your distributors. Are your interactions paving the way for shared success, or are they just ticking boxes? Let us help you develop a strategy that aligns with true partnership principles, ensuring sustainable growth and a competitive edge in the market. Connect with us today to transform your distributor relationships and propel your brand to new heights. Let's create success together! #BeverageIndustry #PartnershipExcellence #BusinessStrategy #BrandGrowth #DistributorRelations #FiveStarBeverage #FiveStarStrategy

From Small Beginnings to Retail Giant - Honestly Phresh to Sales Success. Starting and growing a business is never easy, especially in the competitive world of personal care products. How do you go from being a small brand to becoming a retail sensation? This is where Honestly Phresh, a baking soda-free deodorant brand, faced a significant challenge. The journey wasn't smooth. Founder Hilary Orr-McMahon remembers the early days when Honestly Phresh was trying to get into Whole Foods. Despite her repeated attempts to break into new regions of Whole Foods, she received no feedback. Instead, the brand found more success in mass markets like Meijer and Bed, Bath & Beyond. Did you know? During this time, Target had Honestly Phresh in 30 stores for a short-term program. It was a glimpse of success that pushed Hilary to keep striving for wider retail distribution. Hilary Orr-McMahon’s persistence paid off. Now, Honestly Phresh is not only in Whole Foods but also expanding into Target. The secret? A strong sales strategy focused on clean beauty, engaging packaging, and expanding beyond niche markets. For businesses aiming to grow, it's crucial to have a resilient sales leadership and a flexible strategy. Honestly Phresh avoided harsh chemicals, appealed to a broader audience beyond natural beauty enthusiasts, and kept pushing even when doors initially seemed closed. By tapping into customer desires for clean and effective products, Orr-McMahon could convince large retailers like Whole Foods and Target of the brand's value. My Big Takeaway: Consistency and a strong sales system are vital to growing revenue, being profitable, and impacting lives. Having a determined leader like Hilary Orr-McMahon at the helm helps, too. Her journey shows that despite initial setbacks, a clear and focused sales strategy can turn things around dramatically. Stay Hungry. Stay Humble. Che Brown www.CEOSalesHuddle.com Connect with me: @IamCheBrown #CEOSalesHuddle #CEOSalesDashboard #CEOMasteryNetwork

Brands that want to grow in foodservice distribution need to add value to their distributor partner. It is more than just getting product slotted. Here are 5 things I have seen great brands do in foodservice. 1) Have and create a relevant brand. 2) Build relationships with your distributor partner. 3) Put in the work. 4) Create engagement. 5) Follow up and follow through. Today we look at follow up and follow through. As a brand, you've invested time and money to come to market. The distributor has tee'd up (hopefully) some meetings for you relevant to your business. One of the worst things you can do is take too long to follow up, either with pricing, samples or information. Creating a follow up and follow through at the distributor level and customer can be a valuable relationship builder for you. Additionally, if you are not in market all the time, how are you following up on things? Hey buyer/salesperson/leader, thanks for the order, I noticed you didn't get X, or you increased in your order for X super excited but can we find time to learn about how it has grown? Create, Engage and Follow Up. Geography does not have to play as strong a role anymore. You just have to find time and ways to follow up and follow through.

From Small Beginnings to Retail Giant - Honestly Phresh to Sales Success. Starting and growing a business is never easy, especially in the competitive world of personal care products. How do you go from being a small brand to becoming a retail sensation? This is where Honestly Phresh, a baking soda-free deodorant brand, faced a significant challenge. The journey wasn't smooth. Founder Hilary Orr-McMahon remembers the early days when Honestly Phresh was trying to get into Whole Foods. Despite her repeated attempts to break into new regions of Whole Foods, she received no feedback. Instead, the brand found more success in mass markets like Meijer and Bed, Bath & Beyond. Did you know? During this time, Target had Honestly Phresh in 30 stores for a short-term program. It was a glimpse of success that pushed Hilary to keep striving for wider retail distribution. Hilary Orr-McMahon’s persistence paid off. Now, Honestly Phresh is not only in Whole Foods but also expanding into Target. The secret? A strong sales strategy focused on clean beauty, engaging packaging, and expanding beyond niche markets. For businesses aiming to grow, it's crucial to have a resilient sales leadership and a flexible strategy. Honestly Phresh avoided harsh chemicals, appealed to a broader audience beyond natural beauty enthusiasts, and kept pushing even when doors initially seemed closed. By tapping into customer desires for clean and effective products, Orr-McMahon could convince large retailers like Whole Foods and Target of the brand's value. My Big Takeaway: Consistency and a strong sales system are vital to growing revenue, being profitable, and impacting lives. Having a determined leader like Hilary Orr-McMahon at the helm helps, too. Her journey shows that despite initial setbacks, a clear and focused sales strategy can turn things around dramatically. Stay Hungry. Stay Humble. Che Brown www.CEOSalesHuddle.com Connect with me: @IamCheBrown #CEOSalesHuddle #CEOSalesDashboard #CEOMasteryNetwork

In the evolving landscape of the food service industry, the right sales representation can make all the difference. We specialise in providing comprehensive sales strategies that not only boost product sales but also enhance your brand's market presence. Here's how you can benefit from our expertise: - Targeted Marketing Strategies: Tailored plans that align with your brand's objectives. - Expert Regional Management: Navigate regional nuances to maximise market penetration. - Optimised Team Performance: Equip your teams with the skills and resources needed to excel. Partner with us to drive your success. #FoodService #SalesExcellence #MarketLeadership