The Food Startups Podcast

Once you have the chance to eat organic chicken, it is difficult to return to the conventional. I say this from experience.

Jefferson Heatwole and Shenandoah Valley Organics (SVO) are trying to affordably provide organic chicken. They have an innovative, farmer-focused business model and encourage healthy eating and cultural awareness.

The company is growing in number of farms, chickens, and sales. In fact they have an exclusive brand developed just for Costco.

SVO operates out of the beautiful Shenandoah valley in Virginia. Jefferson and I demystify the chicken industry and elaborate on their business model:
<ul>
<li>What certified organic farms look like</li>
<li>Antibiotic free chicken vs organic chicken</li>
<li>Health differences of organic vs conventional chicken</li>
<li>Quality of life differences for the chickens!</li>
<li>Teamwork and relationships with independent farmers on over 25 farms (24:40)</li>
<li>Tips for working with USDA Organic certifiers</li>
<li>Tim Heydon of <a href="http://www.foodstartupspodcast.com/freshherbs/" target="_blank">Shenandoah Growers</a> an an advisor</li>
<li>Keys to success and rapid sustainable growth</li>
<li>Why is organic turkey so expensive? (31:45)</li>
</ul>
<strong>Note:</strong> For the chicken raising standards chart mentioned at (13:30) <a href="http://www.svorganic.com/our-brands/" target="_blank">scroll down on this page</a>
Book recs.

Direct download: SVO.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 11:19am CDT

It started off as an Amazon.com side business. Now it is one of the fastest growing companies in the United States.

But Courtney Gould had to evolve as a person and leader in order to make SmartyPants Vitamins a successful AND healthy company.

They have disrupted the vitamin industry. The company's products are top ranked on Amazon and sold everywhere from Whole Foods and Target to Costco and beyond.

Courtney is sharp and agile. A talented CEO. Learn about business and personal development:

  • “I like complex problems!!!”
  • No such thing as work/life balance - it is all connected
  • Dealing with the fear of not crushing it
  • The power of knowing yourself
  • Understanding that you suck at most things (humility)
  • Why the name SmartyPants?
  • “I use to lead from fear”
  • Going from Student of Life to Expert
  • Becoming a 'Superager'
  • Online/Amazon versus retail
  • Unaided awareness vs aided awareness
  • Methylfolate folate vs folic acid
  • Recognizing and transforming your personal traits
  • The personal development fund
  • 1-for-1 nutrient grants to a child in need
Direct download: FINAL_Smarty_Pants.mp3
Category:Food -- posted at: 4:24pm CDT

And I asked him: Why are you doing this? Your grandchildren won't have to work..” -Greg to his co-founder Wade who owns more than 50 Papa John's pizza franchises.

Greg Sausaman has worked in food since the 1980's. By the time he was 30 years old, he owned eight Domino's pizza locations. Then he transitioned to Allied Domecq, one of the largest food/liquor conglomerates in the world.

Now he is cofounder of Topper's Creamery, a custard franchise currently in Florida.

Upon the company’s inception, Sausaman fully designed an entire new brand; image, operational flow, menu, pricing strategy, training processes, and financial. AND he undertook full strategic and tactical plans for this new brand.

I had a great time speaking with Greg. He talks about the long term mindset, what he would have done differently, how to manage people and much more:

  • The transition from entrepreneur to employee
  • On choosing retail locations
  • The question he asks employees that has made a huge difference
  • Creating a legacy company
  • Baby boomer vs Millennial definition of "long-term"
  • Developing an award-winning custard recipe
  • All about vanilla
  • Cobranding vs Multibranding
  • Lessons learned from mistakes
  • How they incentivize their employees for high performance and long-term commitment
Direct download: Toppers.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:02pm CDT

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