Predicting the Turn

In an era when many consumer brands chased venture capital and rapid expansion, Andrew Benin, CEO and Co-Founder of Graza, took a different path. Since launching in 2022, his olive oil brand has become known for its distinctive squeeze bottle packaging and methodical approach to growth, prioritizing product quality and strategic partnerships over instant gratification. Benin's journey from cooking at Gramercy Tavern to building what he believes will be a top-two olive oil company offers a masterclass in patient brand building. In this conversation, we explore Graza's unconventional approach to sourcing, the strategy behind its iconic packaging, how the brand navigated early retail partnerships, and what Benin sees as the future of consumer brand building.

Andrew Benin

Co-Founder, Graza

In an era when many consumer brands chased venture capital and rapid expansion, Andrew Benin, CEO and Co-Founder of Graza, took a different path. Since launching in 2022, his olive  oil brand has become known for its distinctive squeeze bottle packaging and methodical approach to growth, prioritizing product quality and strategic partnerships over instant gratification. Benin's journey from cooking at Gramercy Tavern to building what he believes will be a top-two olive oil company offers a masterclass in patient brand building. In this conversation, we explore Graza's unconventional approach to sourcing, the strategy behind its iconic packaging, how the brand navigated early retail partnerships, and what Benin sees as the future of consumer brand building.

How Graza Rejected Growth-At-All-Costs For Brand Building

When most organic food brands faced pressure to sellto multinational corporations, Arjan Stephens and his family chose a different path. As President of&nbsp;<a href="https://naturespath.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooaj3qH1EBtDLp-a0V96vD7F28YLCX6KnPKuhQX0XhUgB6Gtd7G" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nature's Path Organic Foods</a>, Stephens has helped steer the company his parents founded 40 years ago to become one of the last major independent organic brands in North America. Under his leadership, the company has not only resisted acquisition offers but has built a $40 million food bank donation program that proves purpose and profit can coexist. In this conversation, we explore how Nature's Path educated consumers on organic food before it was mainstream, thecompany's approach to brand architecture and innovation, why staying family-owned matters to their mission, and how they're using product lines like Love Crunch to address food insecurity.

Arjan Stephens

President - Nature's Path

When most organic food brands faced pressure to sell

to multinational corporations, Arjan Stephens and his family chose a different path. As President of Nature's Path Organic Foods, Stephens has helped steer the company his parents founded 40 years ago to become one of the last major independent organic brands in North America. Under his leadership, the company has not only resisted acquisition offers but has built a $40 million food bank donation program that proves purpose and profit can coexist. In this conversation, we explore how Nature's Path educated consumers on organic food before it was mainstream, the

company's approach to brand architecture and innovation, why staying family-owned matters to their mission, and how they're using product lines like Love Crunch to address food insecurity.

How Nature’s Path Pioneered Organic Breakfast Cereal 40 Years Ago

How can a century-old family tradition from Greece successfully disrupt the competitive U.S. snack aisle. I sat down with OLYRA President and CEO Yannis Varellas to discuss his fascinating journey transforming a fifth-generation flour mill into a modern consumer brand. He details his approach to market entry, the distinction between Amazon and D2C strategies, and how his vision started with a single shipping container filled with Greek cookies.

How can a century-old family tradition from Greece successfully disrupt the competitive U.S. snack aisle. I sat down with OLYRA President and CEO Yannis Varellas to discuss his fascinating journey transforming a fifth-generation flour mill into a modern consumer brand. He details his approach to market entry, the distinction between Amazon and D2C strategies, and how his vision started with a single shipping container filled with Greek cookies.

Why OLYRA's CEO Says Ignorance Is A Founder's Best Asset

Ever wondered how a company goes from a single steam mop to a global empire of home and outdoor products? In this interview, SharkNinja's Chief Commercial Officer Neil Shah reveals the company's problem solving philosophy that fuels its rapid growth. He discusses how SharkNinja identifies consumer pain points, balances performance and value, and has evolved its retail and marketing strategies to win in a crowded marketplace.

Neil Shah

Chief Commercial Officer, SharkNinja

Ever wondered how a company goes from a single steam mop to a global empire of home and outdoor products? In this interview, SharkNinja's Chief Commercial Officer Neil Shah reveals the company's problem solving philosophy that fuels its rapid growth. He discusses how SharkNinja identifies consumer pain points, balances performance and value, and has evolved its retail and marketing strategies to win in a crowded marketplace.

The Secret Behind SharkNinja's Unstoppable Innovation

How do you tackle a challenge as vast as closing America’s brain nutrition gap? Mark Brooks, CEO and co-founder of <a href="https://brainiacfoods.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Brainiac Foods</a>, is answering that question by creating everyday foods packed with the nutrients kids (and adults) need for brain health and development. In this interview, he shares the brand's science-first approach, its unique retail strategy, and the mission to make "brain food" accessible to every family

Mark Brooks

CEO, Brainiac Foods

How do you tackle a challenge as vast as closing America’s brain nutrition gap? Mark Brooks, CEO and co-founder of Brainiac Foods, is answering that question by creating everyday foods packed with the nutrients kids (and adults) need for brain health and development. In this interview, he shares the brand's science-first approach, its unique retail strategy, and the mission to make "brain food" accessible to every family

Brainiac's Mission to Feed Young Minds🧠

Ever wondered if your bathroom routine could be a little more... luxurious? Charlie Siciak, co-founder of goodwipes is leading a charge to transform the traditionally unglamorous toilet paper category into a vibrant, beauty-inspired experience. In this interview, Charlie delves into goodwipes' unique brand-building strategies, innovative experiential activations like the Porta Palace, and the balance of e-commerce and retail in their mission to convert the world to a "wet wipe" clean.

Charlie Siciak

Ever wondered if your bathroom routine could be a little more... luxurious? Charlie Siciak, co-founder of goodwipes, is leading a charge to transform the traditionally unglamorous toilet paper category into a vibrant, beauty-inspired experience. In this interview, Charlie delves into goodwipes' unique brand-building strategies, innovative experiential activations like the Porta Palace, and the balance of e-commerce and retail in their mission to convert the world to a "wet wipe" clean.

goodwipes Is Disrupting the Dry World of Toilet Paper

The journey from a booming pancake empire to a new venture in protein-packed pretzels is not straightforward, but for Cameron Smith, it's a path paved with intentional growth and invaluable lessons. In this interview, the co-founder of Kodiak Cakes and now founder of Kindling discusses his strategic approach to building a brand, disrupting categories, and the evolving landscape of health-conscious snacking. He shares insights on community building, financial sustainability, and the relentless pursuit of innovation in the CPG space.

The journey from a booming pancake empire to a new venture in protein-packed pretzels is not straightforward, but for Cameron Smith, it's a path paved with intentional growth and invaluable lessons. In this interview, the co-founder of Kodiak Cakes and now founder of Kindling discusses his strategic approach to building a brand, disrupting categories, and the evolving landscape of health-conscious snacking. He shares insights on community building, financial sustainability, and the relentless pursuit of innovation in the CPG space.

Fueling Adventures: Kindling's Disruptive Snack Journey

Predicting the Turn is a podcast dedicated to equipping business leaders with the tools they need to navigate today’s ever-changing business landscape. Our host, Dave Knox, is a global thought leader in digital transformation, an international public speaker, and an award-winning author with experience in the worlds of both Fortune 500 companies and startups. Through this podcast, you will learn how to meet your industry's inevitable disruption head-on.

How Graza Rejected Growth-At-All-Costs For Brand Building

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