Predicting the Turn

As a Partner at First Round Capital, Phin Barnes is one of the leading seed venture capitalists in the country. But his path to venture capital isn’t the typical one. In his first job after college, Phin spent six years helping to scale AND 1 Basketball from $15 million to over $225 million in revenue including developing their signature AND 1 marketing property — the AND 1 Mix Tape. We sat down to talk his journey, why relationships and process matter, and how he went from marketing basketball shoes to investing in disruptive startups such as GOAT, Blue Apron, and Birchbox.

Phin Barnes of First Round Capital On How Great Process Leads To Great Outcomes

Unlike many of her peers in Venture Capital and Private Equity, Melissa Facchina comes from a background in Operations with a focus on food and beverages. Today, Facchina is the Co-Managing Partner of Siddhi Capital, which was born from a joint venture between her operating firm, Siddhi Ops, and the family office of her co-founding partners Steven and Brian Finn.&nbsp; I sat down with Facchina for a comprehensive look into the complexities of CPG investing, offering practical advice and strategic considerations for entrepreneurs navigating this dynamic landscape.

Unlike many of her peers in Venture Capital and Private Equity, Melissa Facchina comes from a background in Operations with a focus on food and beverages. Today, Facchina is the Co-Managing Partner of Siddhi Capital, which was born from a joint venture between her operating firm, Siddhi Ops, and the family office of her co-founding partners Steven and Brian Finn.  I sat down with Facchina for a comprehensive look into the complexities of CPG investing, offering practical advice and strategic considerations for entrepreneurs navigating this dynamic landscape.


Navigating The New Reality Of CPG Investing with Siddhi Capital

Soley is the fastest-growing natural fruit snack brand in the US and their unique approach saves 1.6 million pounds of fruit per year.&nbsp;I sat down with Solely's founder, Simon Sacal, to discuss this extraordinary journey from attempting a fat-free potato chip to pioneering a unique and sustainable vertical supply chain for disruptive fruit-based products. Sacal reflects on the challenges, successes, and future innovations of Solely, emphasizing the brand's commitment to long-term growth and providing wholesome, clean alternatives in the food industry.

Soley is the fastest-growing natural fruit snack brand in the US and their unique approach saves 1.6 million pounds of fruit per year. I sat down with Solely's founder, Simon Sacal, to discuss this extraordinary journey from attempting a fat-free potato chip to pioneering a unique and sustainable vertical supply chain for disruptive fruit-based products. Sacal reflects on the challenges, successes, and future innovations of Solely, emphasizing the brand's commitment to long-term growth and providing wholesome, clean alternatives in the food industry.


From Potato Chips to Fruity Jerky: Solely's Unconventional Entrepreneurial Path

DEUX has the lofty goal to offer a healthier alternative to iconic food brands like Nestle.&nbsp; I sat down with Sabeena Ladha, founder of DEUX, a better-for-you snack brand of edible cookie dough,donut holes and dessert spreads, to share her journey from extensive experience in big CPG, McKinsey, and venture capital to disrupting the consumer category.&nbsp; We discussed her strategic approach to product innovation, marketing, and navigating various retail channels that has shaken up the refrigerated baked goods section in grocery stores.

DEUX has the lofty goal to offer a healthier alternative to iconic food brands like Nestle.  I sat down with Sabeena Ladha, founder of DEUX, a better-for-you snack brand of edible cookie dough,donut holes and dessert spreads, to share her journey from extensive experience in big CPG, McKinsey, and venture capital to disrupting the consumer category.  We discussed her strategic approach to product innovation, marketing, and navigating various retail channels that has shaken up the refrigerated baked goods section in grocery stores. 


Why DEUX’s Founder Believes Your Need To Learn The Rules Before You Break Them

Why DEUX’s Founder Sabeena Ladha Believes Your Need To Learn The Rules Before You Break Them

Over the past five years, the collectibles world of sport and trading cards has seen a massive resurgence as a new generation of collectors have discovered the “Hobby”.&nbsp;This growth has led to innovative new business models like Loupe with box breaking and Goldin with auctions.&nbsp;But perhaps the biggest beneficiary has been <a href="https://www.psacard.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Professional Sports Authenticator</a>, better known as PSA, which authenticates and grades collectibles.&nbsp;I sat down with PSA President Ryan Hoge to discuss the hobby’s growth, how PSA has evolved in recent years, and how his background as a Technology Product Leader has helped him in his role.

Over the past five years, the collectibles world of sport and trading cards has seen a massive resurgence as a new generation of collectors have discovered the “Hobby”. This growth has led to innovative new business models like Loupe with box breaking and Goldin with auctions. But perhaps the biggest beneficiary has been Professional Sports Authenticator, better known as PSA, which authenticates and grades collectibles. I sat down with PSA President Ryan Hoge to discuss the hobby’s growth, how PSA has evolved in recent years, and how his background as a Technology Product Leader has helped him in his role.


How PSA Built an Industry Leader Around Grading And Authentication

Coming out of the global pandemic, consumers have increasingly been searching for non-alcoholic alternatives.&nbsp;Hop Water has been one of the fastest growing categories, with sales up nearly 200% in the past year. The market leader in this space is HOP WTR, a sparkling hop water crafted with a proprietary blend of stress-busting hops, adaptogens (ashwagandha) and nootropics (L-Theanine).&nbsp;I sat down with Jordan Bass, CEO and Co-Founder of HOP WTR, to learn about his entrepreneurial journey and where the category will be headed in the years to come.

Coming out of the global pandemic, consumers have increasingly been searching for non-alcoholic alternatives. Hop Water has been one of the fastest growing categories, with sales up nearly 200% in the past year. The market leader in this space is HOP WTR, a sparkling hop water crafted with a proprietary blend of stress-busting hops, adaptogens (ashwagandha) and nootropics (L-Theanine). I sat down with Jordan Bass, CEO and Co-Founder of HOP WTR, to learn about his entrepreneurial journey and where the category will be headed in the years to come.


How HOP WTR Is Changing The Non-Alc Category

Inspired by their own morning routines, Hannah Mendoza and Roger Coppola co-founded Clevr Blends. As pioneers in the better-for-you coffee category, Hannah and Roger have reshaped classic cafe-style drinks like Matcha, Chai, and Coffee lattes, and infused them with adaptogens, functional mushrooms, and better-than-barista ingredients. Along the way, they have been named one of Oprah's Favorite Things two years in a row and brought in notable celebrity investors. I sat down with Hannah to learn more about her journey as an entrepreneur, what inspired Clevr, and how the challenges of a CPG entrepreneur have changed in recent years.

Inspired by their own morning routines, Hannah Mendoza and Roger Coppola co-founded Clevr Blends. As pioneers in the better-for-you coffee category, Hannah and Roger have reshaped classic cafe-style drinks like Matcha, Chai, and Coffee lattes, and infused them with adaptogens, functional mushrooms, and better-than-barista ingredients. Along the way, they have been named one of Oprah's Favorite Things two years in a row and brought in notable celebrity investors. I sat down with Hannah to learn more about her journey as an entrepreneur, what inspired Clevr, and how the challenges of a CPG entrepreneur have changed in recent years.


How Clevr Created A Functional Take On Coffee Shop Favorites

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.

Phin Barnes of First Round Capital On How Great Process Leads To Great Outcomes

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Today's Host

Dave Knox

Recent Episodes

Phin Barnes of First Round Capital On How Great Process Leads To Great Outcomes

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Today's Host

Dave Knox

Related Resources

Recent Episodes

Navigating The New Reality Of CPG Investing with Siddhi Capital

From Potato Chips to Fruity Jerky: Solely's Unconventional Entrepreneurial Path

Why DEUX’s Founder Believes Your Need To Learn The Rules Before You Break Them

How PSA Built an Industry Leader Around Grading And Authentication

How HOP WTR Is Changing The Non-Alc Category

How Clevr Created A Functional Take On Coffee Shop Favorites