Marc Wandler, co-founder of Susgrainable and a pioneer in transforming beer waste into sustainable flour, shares his innovative journey. He discusses launching an upcycled barley flour product stemming from a student project, the challenges of sourcing during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the crucial role of consumer feedback in shaping his business. Marc dives into A/B testing methods, partnerships, and his vision for sustainability, all while navigating the unpredictable landscape of food entrepreneurship.
Marc Wandler emphasized the importance of rapid testing and direct consumer feedback in refining product development and ensuring market fit.
Despite pandemic challenges, he adapted Susgrainable's business model to focus on sustainability and consumer packaged goods for future growth.
Deep dives
Founding the Business with a Purpose
The idea for the company emerged from a class project during an MBA program aimed at addressing food waste. By transforming spent grains from breweries into nutritious baking flour, the company tackles a significant $49 billion food waste challenge. The founder's diverse professional background, which includes roles in healthcare and customer service, contributed to a holistic understanding of entrepreneurship and the food industry. The company started with a clear mission: to make sustainable, accessible food products while emphasizing health over profit.
Importance of Rapid Feedback Loops
Rapid testing and feedback were crucial during the early stages of product development, with initial iterations produced within weeks of forming the concept. The founder conducted taste tests with fellow students, gathering immediate insights that influenced product refinement. This approach highlighted the necessity for direct consumer engagement to identify product shortcomings, ensuring the flour met practical and taste requirements. The iterative design process allowed for adjustments that led to an acceptable product within a short timeframe.
Scaling through Farmers Markets and Local Partnerships
Farmers markets played a critical role in the company's growth strategy, serving as both a testing ground and an opportunity for direct consumer engagement. The founders planned to participate in a high number of markets to generate feedback while simultaneously expanding their network with local vendors. Collaborations with brewers for sourcing spent grains and the hiring of a baker allowed the company to scale product offerings effectively. This strategy of diversifying distribution channels further solidified their presence in the local food community.
Adapting to Challenges during the Pandemic
The onset of COVID-19 presented significant challenges, including the loss of farmers market traffic, prompting the company to rethink its strategy. The founders utilized the downtime to explore non-dilutive funding and strengthen their product narrative, focusing on their commitment to sustainability. They adapted their business model to include consumer packaged goods, adjusting production strategies to accommodate changing market dynamics. Throughout the pandemic, the company maintained its focus on impact and sustainability, continuing to refine their approach while preparing for future growth.
Marc Wandler, the co-founder of Susgrainable, shares his journey of turning beer waste into sustainable flour and baked goods.
He started the business as a student project and quickly learned from rapid feedback cycles. By sampling the product at farmers markets and cafes, he honed in on his target market and gained valuable customer feedback. He also leveraged media opportunities to generate buzz and attract customers.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges, and Marc had to adapt by observing the market and focusing on food service partnerships. Despite the difficulties, he remained committed to his vision and continued to innovate. Susgrainable was born out of the university and focused on learning about consumer packaged goods and non-dilutive funding opportunities.
They secured non-dilutive money to build the foundation of the business and focused on scaling their flower production.
They conducted A/B tests and gathered consumer feedback to inform their product development and packaging decisions. They also explored collaborations and partnerships to expand their impact.
The next six months will be focused on managing risks, navigating potential partnerships and investments, and continuing to build towards their vision of creating impact through sustainability.
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