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Ugly Talk - Consumer Packaged Goods Businesses
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| With April Wachtel (Founder/CEO, Cheeky Cocktails), JW Wiseman (Founder, Curious Elixirs), Nicole Light (Founder, Power In Packaging), Glenn Johnson (Fractional CMO). |
| The Yard: Herald Sq, 106 W 32nd St |
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Mar 26 (Wed) , 2025 @ 06:00 PM
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FREE |
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| DETAILS |
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Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) founders know the journey can be tough-from ever-rising production costs to finding loyal customers in a crowded market. This Ugly Talk event dives straight into the gritty realities of building, distributing, & scaling products people love. Expect candid confessions of epic wins, near-misses, & everything in between, all wrapped into an evening of practical insights & genuine connections.
Who Should Be in the Room?
CPG Founders looking to launch, refine, or grow their product lines.
Early-Stage Entrepreneurs aiming to avoid costly production & branding pitfalls.
Industry Experts & Mentors wanting to share expertise & support growing brands.
Professional Services & Suppliers ready to collaborate with emerging CPG ventures.
What You'll Walk Away With
Practical Lessons for Overcoming Challenges
Hear how experienced founders tackled manufacturing mishaps, supply chain hurdles, & brand-building headaches. Learn how each failure became a stepping stone to better, smarter business decisions.
Resilience, Innovation, & Identity
Discover how creative branding, customer feedback loops, & continuous product improvement keep CPG brands fresh & authentic. Explore how to stay true to your core identity even while you expand to new categories or markets.
Connections & Resources
Meet fellow founders, mentors, & industry supporters who've been there & done that. Walk away with real contacts, proven strategies, & resource networks that you can tap into for every stage of your CPG journey.
Discussion Topics
Manufacturing & Supply Chain Realities
Candid stories on production costs, lead times, & quality control. Find out what it really takes to partner with suppliers & co-packers who can help you scale.
Branding, Marketing, & Distribution
From packaging design to retail shelves & e-commerce strategies-uncover methods for standing out in a saturated market.
Scaling & Funding
Explore how founders fund growth, whether through bootstrapping, crowdfunding, or VC investments. Learn tips for scaling up without losing your brand's soul.
Customer Feedback & Product Iteration
See how listening closely to customers spurs innovation & brand loyalty. Learn how to refine your offerings using data & real-world insights.
Why You Can't Afford to Miss This
Gain Hard-Earned Wisdom: Learn from panelists who turned mistakes into triumphs, & discover how to refine your own approach.
Network with Like-Minded Founders: Connect with fellow CPG entrepreneurs facing similar challenges-and unlock potential collaborations.
Meet Future Partners & Investors: Build relationships with the folks who can provide the capital, expertise, or distribution channels to scale your brand.
Panel Lineup
April Wachtel - Founder & CEO of Cheeky Cocktails
April Wachtel has spent over two decades in the beverage & hospitality industry. She is an experienced mixologist, a cocktail & spirits instructor, the Founder & CEO of Cheeky, & the Host of the Movers & Shakers podcast. In her spare time she coaches early-stage CPG founders with a focus on idea phase to $500K+ in revenue.
JW Wiseman - Founder of Curious Elixirs
JW Wiseman, founder of Curious Elixirs, pioneered the booze-free movement a decade ago, crafting bold, non-alcoholic cocktails before sober curious became a term. Under his leadership, Curious Elixirs has become a category leader, promoting mindful consumption through initiatives like The Great Curious Cocktail Party & the upcoming Stay Curious podcast. Committed to redefining social drinking, Wiseman inspires a global community to embrace joy, flavor, & connection without compromise.
Nicole Light - Founder of Power in Packaging
Award-winning designer combines product development, package design & manufacturing services, helping entrepreneurs & enterprise companies bring innovative products & ideas to the market with powerful & cost-effective branding & packaging.
Moderated by
Glenn Johnson - Marketing Consultant at Fractional CMO
Glenn Johnson works with small brands, startups, & founders to address their marketing needs. Formerly a VP/Creative Director at a Madison Avenue marketing & branding agency specializing in luxury & bespoke audiences, he brings expertise across multiple verticals. As a category-agnostic brand storyteller, he helps founders define their vision & develop their brand.
Supported by
PRIVATE OFFICES AND SHARED WORKSPACES FOR INDIVIDUALS AND TEAMS
For a limited time, enjoy 20% off at The Yard Coworking Space. Use code GREYJ24 or mention Grey Journal when scheduling your tour.
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