What's Happening in the Park 🌳
🚀 November Wins, Big News & Tips for CPG Founders!
November has been buzzing with excitement, and we’re here to spill the tea (literally)! From exciting alumni acquisitions to accolades and resources to supercharge your brand, this month’s Park News is packed with inspiration and opportunities. Whether you're eyeing a spot in our Spring 2025 Accelerator or just looking for tips to level up, we've got you covered.
Let’s dive into the latest stories, successes, and strategies shaping the CPG world!
3 Takeaways for CPG Founders from Graydon Moffat, founder of Graydon Skincare
This month, Cohort 18 had the privilege of learning from Graydon Moffat, founder of Graydon Skincare and an Accelerator alum. Graydon shared her inspiring journey from being a vegan chef to leading a clean beauty brand known for its natural and age-positive skincare. Here are a few valuable takeaways from her presentation!
1. Make Self-Care a Priority to Prevent Burnout As a founder, you’re at the heart of your business, but running on empty will only slow you down. Graydon shared how prioritizing mindfulness and self-care helped her sustain her energy and creativity. Take a step back regularly, check in with your mental and physical health, and build habits that allow you to recharge. Remember, your well-being is just as important as your business's success.
2. Build a Team That Aligns With Your Vision You can’t do it all on your own—and you shouldn’t try to. Graydon emphasized the value of hiring team members who not only understand your product and brand but also bring expertise in areas like social media, regulatory compliance, and innovation. By investing in the right people, you’ll free up your time to focus on what you do best: leading your company.
3. Stay Ahead by Responding to Market Trends The market is always changing, and your ability to adapt will determine your success. Graydon talked about how her brand evolved to meet consumer needs, especially during shifts like the pandemic. Pay attention to trends, explore new niches, and keep innovating while staying true to your brand values. Whether it’s launching fresh products, exploring new markets, or refining your messaging, continuous learning and adaptability are key.
Creating a packaged goods label is more than just design—there are strict regulations that need to be followed.
But where do you start? Lucky for you, our Head of Resource Development, Marlis Bens, shared her expert tips on label requirements in Canada!
Here are her top 3 labelling tips for Canadian food and beverage brands:
1. Get to know the Food Industry Labelling Tool on the CFIA Website
2. Focus on building complete and accurate ingredient lists and nutrition panel data
3. Be sure to review any nutrient, health benefit or compositional claims, before committing them to having them on your package.
Applications for our Spring 2025 Accelerator are now open!
What you’ll gain by being a member of Cohort 19:
🚀 Unmatched Mentorship: Tap into unparalleled guidance from industry veterans and seasoned entrepreneurs.
💼 Access to Vital Resources: From suppliers and distributors to legal counsel, you’ll have access to our network and essential tools to grow your brand.
🤝 Community & Networking: Forge valuable connections with fellow founders, investors, and industry luminaries for invaluable insights and collaborative opportunities.
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🎯 Tailored Support: You’ll work hand-in-hand with our program leaders to craft a roadmap tailored to your success.
💡 Demo Day: Shine the spotlight on your startup at our exclusive Demo Day event. Showcase your vision to investors and unlock potential funding opportunities to propel your growth.
Let's fast-track your startup's journey to success together!
Drizzle acquired by Wisdom Natural Brands 🍯
A huge congratulations to Cohort 3 Alumna Aja Horsley on the exciting acquisition of Drizzle Honey! 🎉 After eight years of building Drizzle into a beloved Canadian brand, Aja is taking it to new heights with expansion into the U.S. through Wisdom Natural Brands, the parent company of SweetLeaf. Cheers to Aja and the entire Drizzle team on this incredible milestone! 🌟
Canada Heritage Roasting Company | Top 40 Under 40 2024 🌟
Congratulations to Cohort 3 Alumni Jamie Parker and Mike Wenzlawe, founders of Canada Heritage Roasting Company (CHRC), for making Avenue Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40! 🎉 From wildland firefighters to celebrated entrepreneurs, Jamie and Mike have grown CHRC into a nationally recognized brand, with coffee stocked in over 1,200 stores and a bustling café now five years strong.
Goodfood Market has acquired a majority stake in Genuine Tea 🍵
We’re thrilled to celebrate the success of our Cohort 6 Alumni, Sarah Wilcox and David O'Connor, founders of Genuine Tea, on their recent acquisition by Goodfood Market. Sarah and Dave have built Genuine Tea into a leading third-wave craft tea brand, loved by baristas and available at top retailers like Whole Foods. With this new partnership, they’ll continue to lead the brand’s growth while scaling its reach even further. Congratulations on this exciting milestone! 🍵✨
The Secret to Getting Your Product on Shelves (and Keeping It There)
Mark + Justin are joined by frequent guest and veteran CPG expert David Biernbaum to discuss the do's and don'ts of preparing for ECRM meetings and the critical importance of a solid marketing plan. They dive into how retailers evaluate new products, and common mistakes to avoid, and how to ensure your product gets and stays on the shelf.