Startup Confidential

In the last episode I described the content studio revolution inside high growth brands and how it is upending traditional assumptions about how to use promotional agencies, especially social media agencies. Have a listen!Your Host: Dr. James F. Richardson of Premium Growth Solutions, LLC www.premiumgrowthsolutions.com Please send feedback on this or other episodes to: admin@premiumgrowthsolutions.com

Explore how brands are transforming into content studios to stay relevant in a fast-paced digital landscape. Learn about Liquid Death's pre-launch content strategy and the evolution of owned media. Discover why in-house teams are crucial for rapid content creation, allowing brands to adapt quickly to platform changes. The discussion highlights the limitations of traditional agencies, revealing why marketers often rely on them despite the drawbacks. Understand the importance of high-volume, on-brand content for engaging audiences across various platforms.

Explore the critical decisions faced by early-stage food startups when it comes to premium pricing. Discover why many brands fall into two extremes: small, profitable artisan ventures versus fast-growing, cash-burning operations. Learn about the pitfalls of a markup-first pricing strategy and the importance of understanding realistic premiums. Delve into how slight changes in cost of goods sold can dramatically impact shelf prices, and consider alternative strategies like direct-to-consumer models or reformulating products to lower costs.

This is part two of my interview with Yoni Reisman, founder of Tip Top Cocktails. In this episode, we explore how he came to realize others were better suited to manage the day-to-day operations of the business, a very tough call for any founder Riding the Ramp. Your Host: Dr. James F. Richardson of Premium Growth Solutions, LLC www.premiumgrowthsolutions.com Please send feedback on this or other episodes to: admin@premiumgrowthsolutions.com

This episode launches a new series I’m calling Rising Stars - Founders new to CPG who have defied the odds, built growing eight-figure businesses without the interference of premature institutional money.  This is part one of my interview with Yoni Reisman, Co-Founder, Chairman, and former Chief Executive Officer of Atlanta-based Tip Top Proper Cocktails. Established in 2018 by Yoni and his childhood friend and fellow music industry veteran, Neal Cohen, Tip Top offers high-quality, classic cocktails in a can. In this episode, we explore the origins of the business and the bumps in the road on the way to national retail presence. Your Host: Dr. James F. Richardson of Premium Growth Solutions, LLC www.premiumgrowthsolutions.com Please send feedback on this or other episodes to: admin@premiumgrowthsolutions.com

Every creative mind on LinkedIn has railed against the upcoming launch of Pepsi prebiotic. That’s because it’s NOT very creative. Growth strategy for a legacy brand is very different from what works in the early-stage. Making trends and following trends each have their place in the ecosystem. Watch my take on what’s going on here. It’s not AI-psychosis, I assure you. Your Host: Dr. James F. Richardson of Premium Growth Solutions, LLC www.premiumgrowthsolutions.com Please send feedback on this or other episodes to: admin@premiumgrowthsolutions.com

Hopping from buyer meeting to meeting may get you into the seven figures, but it won’t garner your business fast growth through $100M and beyond. Not without really lucky amounts of word-of-mouth. Really lucky. Waiting until you’re $10M in ARR to get strategic is a surefire path to misfires and stagnation.Your Host: Dr. James F. Richardson of Premium Growth Solutions, LLC www.premiumgrowthsolutions.com Please send feedback on this or other episodes to: admin@premiumgrowthsolutions.com

How could creativity be a founder liability? When it distracts you. This is the third installment in my series on founder archetypes. I think many of you will recognize yourselves in this episode. The good news? You can be cured! Check it out and let me know if you agree.Your Host: Dr. James F. Richardson of Premium Growth Solutions, LLC www.premiumgrowthsolutions.com Please send feedback on this or other episodes to: admin@premiumgrowthsolutions.com

This is the second installment in my series on founder archetypes. While I’m glad to see MBAs and finance-trained folks launching CPG brands, they do have a huge problem taking some of the most critical risks necessary to achieving fast growth. Have a listen!Your Host: Dr. James F. Richardson of Premium Growth Solutions, LLC www.premiumgrowthsolutions.com Please send feedback on this or other episodes to: admin@premiumgrowthsolutions.com

Business doesn’t teach you how to say “no” to bad deals. Yet, it’s the most important skill you have to learn, not just to deflect unsolicited pitches from creepy agencies and suppliers. You need to learn how to say “no” to a bad deal you originally sought out…but which now looks horrible. This is very hard for new founders. Have a listen!Your Host: Dr. James F. Richardson of Premium Growth Solutions, LLC www.premiumgrowthsolutions.com Please send feedback on this or other episodes to: admin@premiumgrowthsolutions.com