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In: Retailing Tips|Last Updated:
Unmasking Imposter Syndrome for Better Business Relationships

A few years ago, I was moderating a training conference with the senior leadership of a small, emerging company. During the meeting, I asked the CEO to share a moment that had transformed how he now leads. This individual was truly loved, admired, and respected by the members of his team because he was known for inspiring others with both his head and his heart. His response to the question shifted the atmosphere immediately, bringing tears to some people’s eyes.

After a successful prior 10 years at a company, he had lost the support of his team and had grown apart from his boss. He recalled walking the city streets until 4 AM, feeling bewildered and empty as he assessed leaving the company because he felt he no longer fit the culture. Tears filled his eyes as he shared the story, recounting the feelings and stress it put on his family. He paused and shared, “That emotion is still with me.” It was a moment of truth and openness. Everyone recognized the authenticity of this remarkable leader because he had removed his mask.

Many of us have had these moments and empirically understand this feeling. It has been estimated that …

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Three Pitches. Three Major Retail Wins: Here’s How Clean Age Did it With ECRM & RangeMe

Clean Age is batting a thousand when it comes to landing major retail deals. The brand, which makes personal care products aimed at the teenage market, is on the shelves at Fred Meyer thanks to Kroger’s 2021 Natural & Organic Innovation Summit; it also scored a coveted golden ticket from Walmart’s 2022 Open Call; and this past month launched nationwide at RITE AID from the retailer’s 2022 Sustainability Summit.

Each of these opportunities began with a submission on RangeMe and — in the case of Kroger and Rite Aid — included a virtual meeting on ECRM Connect. Three at-bats, three home runs. 

I spoke with Clean Age Co-Founder & CEO Rachel Peters and VP of Sales and Operations Brady DeLong to uncover the secret behind their consistent success with these retailers, and by the time we wrapped up, it was clear why they did so well. First, the brand has amazing products made with natural, clean ingredients and sustainable packaging. The products are also gender-neutral, which aligns with the brand’s strong focus on inclusivity. What’s more, the company speaks well to the younger generation of consumers, a coveted market for any retailer.

On the B2B side, the Clean Age team …

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5 Unique Trends From Natural Products Expo West 2023

The 2023 Natural Products Expo West is an annual event that brings natural and organic products industry leaders and enthusiasts together worldwide. The event, which took place in Anaheim from March 7-12, was the perfect place for showcasing the latest trends, innovations, and breakthroughs in the industry. More than 100,000 attendees and 3,500 exhibitors gathered to discover new products or showcase their own, network with industry professionals, and attend informative sessions and workshops.

The RangeMe & ECRM team at Expo West 2023

As our RangeMe team strolled through the different exhibition halls, we were thrilled to witness many of our suppliers proudly displaying their products. Natural products continue to gain popularity, and we’ve compiled a list of the most promising trends from the show that we expect to pick up even more steam this year.

Asian fusion 

This year’s showcase was all about shaking things up with global flavors and funky takes on classic favorites. Condiments like Japanese miso barbecue sauce or Fila Manila®’s Filipino banana ketchup had mouths watering, and some brands got creative with their own versions of chili crisp and Asian-inspired bites like mochi, dumplings, and ramen. And don’t even get us started on the flavor explosion …

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In: Retailing Tips|Last Updated:

We are all endlessly bombarded with marketing messages and tactics attempting to get us to purchase one product over another. Whether a company is promoting its formula (“New and Improved”), showing its popularity (“America’s #1 Choice”), or highlighting benefits (“Keeps you Fuller Longer”), it can be hard to wade through the messages and know what’s true and what truly matters. All consumers ever want is what is best for them and their families.

Understanding FDA regulations

It’s critical to know and understand what these claims mean and how companies use them. Regarding claims, there are varying degrees of oversight from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). These are the two big agencies tasked with ensuring the safety of the food that Americans eat every day. The FDA oversees all processed food, while the USDA regulates meat, poultry, eggs, and produce.

The FDA groups the claims that they oversee into three different categories:

Nutrient content claims: These claims help put the level of a nutrient in the product into perspective for the consumer by using terms such as free, high, and low, or compare the  nutrient levels in a food to that …

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Introducing the Story to Shelf Series with First Guest Creative Nature

The Story to Shelf interview series delves into the stories behind successful brand founders on RangeMe and their journeys of building their companies and bringing their products or services to retail. Our team is thrilled to interview these entrepreneurs and gain first-hand insights on their challenges, the creative solutions they used, and the tactics that helped them succeed. Get ready to learn from those who have been there and done that, and discover the secrets to success in the retail industry.

RangeMe founder Nicky Jackson kicks off the series with a 1:1 interview with Creative Nature’s founder Julianne Ponan.

The Story Behind Creative Nature

For people with major food allergies, shopping at a grocery store can be a series of Noes. No food with nuts. No food with seeds. No foods with certain additives. And for Julianne Ponan, who suffers from anaphylaxis to all of these, many of the allergen-free products she was able to consume had no taste. 

Ponan was determined to change that with the launch of Creative Nature, a brand that specializes in baking mixes, snacks and confectionery products. Her mission was two-fold: to create products completely free of the top 14 common allergens and that taste …

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In: Retailing Tips|Last Updated:

The Story to Shelf interview series delves into the stories behind successful brand founders on RangeMe and their journeys of building their companies and bringing their products or services to retail. Our team is thrilled to interview these entrepreneurs and gain first-hand insights on their challenges, the creative solutions they used, and the tactics that helped them succeed. Get ready to learn from those who have been there and done that, and discover the secrets to success in the retail industry.

RangeMe founder Nicky Jackson kicks off the series with a 1:1 interview with Creative Nature’s founder Julianne Ponan.

The Story Behind Creative Nature

For people with major food allergies, shopping at a grocery store can be a series of Noes. No food with nuts. No food with seeds. No foods with certain additives. And for Julianne Ponan, who suffers from anaphylaxis to all of these, many of the allergen-free products she was able to consume had no taste. 

Ponan was determined to change that with the launch of Creative Nature, a brand that specializes in baking mixes, snacks and confectionery products. Her mission was two-fold: to create products completely free of the top 14 common allergens and that taste …

Read More