Welcome to Eating Glass! It's a podcast where we ask startup founders the questions no one else will. Our goal? Reveal what it's actually like to start, scale, and exit a company. Hosted by Joe Lemay, who bootstrapped his reusable notebook company Rocketbook to a $50M exit and Will Nitze, Founder/CEO at IQBAR, a nutrition company he's taken to $40M+ in annual revenue.
Eating Glass
Claim This Podcastby Will Nitze (IQBAR) + Joe Lemay (Rocketbook)
5.0(20 reviews)
13 episodes
Updated Weekly
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Podcast Overview
Welcome to Eating Glass! It's a podcast where we ask startup founders the questions no one else will. Our goal? Reveal what it's actually like to start, scale, and exit a company. Hosted by Joe Lemay, who bootstrapped his reusable notebook company Rocketbook to a $50M exit and Will Nitze, Founder/CEO at IQBAR, a nutrition company he's taken to $40M+ in annual revenue.
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Publishing Since
3/8/2024
1 verified contact email on file for Eating Glass
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Recent Episodes
July 31, 2024
Tom First (Nantucket Nectars & Culture Pop) | Juicing a $100M Beverage Brand
<p>We delve into the journey of Tom First, founder of Nantucket Nectars & Culture Pop. Discover the challenges and triumphs of building a beloved brand, the importance of authenticity in product development, and the lessons learned from navigating the beverage industry. Tom shares his experiences from the early days of creating a juice company that redefined the market to the strategic decisions that led to its success. Learn about the critical moments that shaped Nantucket Nectars, the philosophy behind making a product to be proud of, and the personal and professional dynamics of co-founding a business. Tom also discusses his new venture, Culture Pop, and how it continues his passion for creating innovative and healthy beverages.</p><p><strong>Sponsors:</strong></p><p><a href="https://ramp.com/250-signup-bonus?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=paid-podcast&utm_campaign=podcast-250bonus&utm_content=glass">Ramp</a></p><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/A053EA40-A6E4-4960-B3AC-61A8CF7473FD/?_encoding=UTF8&store_ref=SB_A01431842CJT1XJBK6ZBD-A04855701OLUZ0LZKIRHT&pd_rd_plhdr=t&aaxitk=2c58b58e8366a8744f331567b3e52a1a&hsa_cr_id=0&lp_asins=B086XMKYWZ%2CB07Y7H3FHB%2CB086XHCYDL&lp_query=iqbar%20protein%20bars&lp_slot=auto-sparkle-hsa-tetris&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_sccd_ls&pd_rd_w=MLdYK&content-id=amzn1.sym.8591358d-1345-4efd-9d50-5bd4e69cd942%3Aamzn1.sym.8591358d-1345-4efd-9d50-5bd4e69cd942&pf_rd_p=8591358d-1345-4efd-9d50-5bd4e69cd942&pf_rd_r=F2MXG3VMCTQCX17PN14R&pd_rd_wg=jaYFa&pd_rd_r=cd8b06e6-1433-4713-ab46-f101aaef0c06">IQBar - Amazon</a><strong></strong></p><p>Chapters:</p><p>[00:00:00] Brand Building Challenges <br>[00:00:34] Meet the Hosts <br>[00:02:00] Introducing Sponsors <br>[00:02:45] Welcome Tom First <br>[00:04:00] Culture Pop Origins <br>[00:06:30] Early Business Lessons <br>[00:08:00] Nantucket Nectars Beginnings <br>[00:10:45] Defining Soda and Seltzer <br>[00:15:00] Early Business Challenges <br>[00:17:30] Competing with Big Brands <br>[00:20:00] Building a National Brand <br>[00:21:45] Importance of Storytelling <br>[00:24:00] Key Decisions in Business <br>[00:27:00] Impact of Selling Business <br>[00:31:00] Moving Beyond Nectars <br>[00:34:00] Investor Dynamics <br>[00:37:30] Post-Nectars Ventures <br>[00:43:00] Developing Culture Pop <br>[00:49:00] Market Positioning <br>[00:52:30] Raising Capital <br>[00:54:00] Future of Functional Soda <br>[01:00:00] Advice for Entrepreneurs <br>[01:02:00] Building a Strong Team <br>[01:05:00] Personal Impact of Business <br>[01:07:00] Defining Success Today</p><p><strong>ABOUT THE HOSTS:</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Will Nitze is the Founder & CEO at IQBAR - America's leading "brain + body" nutrition startup. With minimal funding, Will has taken IQBAR from zero locations and zero in revenue in 2018 to 10,000+ doors and a projected $50 million in sales in 2024.</p><p><br></p><p>Joe Lemay founded Rocketbook with business partner Jake Epstein. After being featured on “Shark Tank”, where the sharks passed on a chance to invest – Joe would go on to grow Rocketbook and sell it to BIC for 40 million dollars just three years later.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Tom:</strong></p><p><br>Culture Pop: https://drinkculturepop.com/<br>X: https://x.com/drinkculturepop</p><p>LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-first-532ab55/</p><p><br></p>
July 24, 2024
Mike Beckham (Simple Modern) | Missionary turned $225M drink-ware mogul
<p>Join us as we sit down with Mike Beckham, the co-founder and CEO of Simple Modern, a company that has gone from challenger to incumbent in the drinkware industry with a unique blend of style, quality, and philanthropy. Mike shares his journey from the nonprofit world to building a $250M+ profitable business, emphasizing the importance of mission-driven entrepreneurship. Discover how Simple Modern's commitment to giving away 10% of their profits has not only shaped their company culture but also fueled their remarkable success. This episode is packed with insights on scaling, maintaining a strong organizational ethos, and the real meaning behind business excellence. Don’t miss out on this inspiring conversation that goes beyond business to explore deeper questions of purpose and impact.</p><p><strong>Chapters:</strong></p><p>00:00:00 - Scaling and Overstimulation <br>00:00:25 - Welcome to Eating Glass <br>00:02:45 - Introduction to Mike Beckham <br>00:03:45 - Nonprofit World Insights <br>00:05:45 - Business with Dual Purposes <br>00:07:45 - Impact of Previous Experiences <br>00:09:00 - Quality of Life Insights <br>00:11:00 - Money and Contentment <br>00:12:00 - Responsibility and Trade-offs <br>00:13:45 - Rapid Company Growth <br>00:16:00 - Working with Family <br>00:17:45 - Business Partnerships <br>00:19:00 - Product Longevity Surprises <br>00:21:15 - Breaking Growth Barriers <br>00:22:30 - Sales Channels Expansion <br>00:23:00 - Drinkware Market Fragmentation <br>00:24:45 - Fashion and Trends <br>00:25:45 - Domestic Manufacturing <br>00:26:15 - Oreo Principle <br>00:27:45 - Challenges of Growth <br>00:29:45 - Entrepreneurship Motivations <br>00:31:00 - Market Opportunities <br>00:33:45 - Customer Satisfaction <br>00:34:45 - Amazon Strategy <br>00:36:15 - Product Excellence <br>00:38:00 - Digital Tools Advantage <br>00:40:00 - Brand Evolution <br>00:42:00 - Pricing Strategy <br>00:43:00 - Operational Excellence <br>00:45:15 - Competitive Advantages <br>00:47:00 - Challenger Brand Strategies <br>00:49:00 - Value and Quality <br>00:51:00 - Growth and Inventory <br>00:53:00 - Product Trends <br>00:55:00 - Licensing and Customization <br>00:57:15 - Focus vs. Variety <br>00:58:45 - Scaling and Distribution <br>01:00:15 - Strategic Insights <br>01:02:15 - Direct Response Marketing <br>01:04:00 - Business Model and Philanthropy <br>01:07:00 - Motivating the Team <br>01:10:00 - Building Organizational Values <br>01:12:45 - Financial Discipline <br>01:15:00 - Banking Relationships <br>01:18:00 - Forecasting and Growth <br>01:20:00 - Collateral and Credit <br>01:22:45 - Rapid Fire Questions <br>01:24:15 - Entrepreneurial Truths <br>01:25:45 - Startup Myths <br>01:27:15 - Personal Value Proposition <br>01:28:45 - Biggest Mistakes <br>01:30:00 - Personal Life Impact <br>01:32:45 - Long-Term Impact <br>01:35:00 - External Validation <br>01:36:15 - Hiring Strategy <br>01:37:30 - Cultural and Character Moats <br>01:39:00 - Wrapping Up</p><p><strong>ABOUT THE HOSTS:</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Will Nitze is the Founder & CEO at IQBAR - America's leading "brain + body" nutrition startup. With minimal funding, Will has taken IQBAR from zero locations and zero in revenue in 2018 to 10,000+ doors and a projected $50 million in sales in 2024.</p><p><br></p><p>Joe Lemay founded Rocketbook with business partner Jake Epstein. After being featured on “Shark Tank”, where the sharks passed on a chance to invest – Joe would go on to grow Rocketbook and sell it to BIC for 40 million dollars just three years later.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Mike:</strong></p><p><br>Website: https://www.mikebeckhamblog.com/<br>X: https://x.com/mikebeckhamsm</p><p>Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikebeckham/</p><p>LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebeckhamsm/</p>
June 26, 2024
Peter Rahal (RXBAR & David Protein) | The $600M Man Gets Back Into Bars
<p>Joe and Will sit down with Peter Rahal, co-founder of RXBAR, to delve into his journey from a challenging school experience to creating one of the most iconic protein bars on the market. Peter shares how early adversity shaped his relentless drive, the innovative approach behind RXBAR's success, and the pivotal moments that led to a $600 million exit to Kellogg's. Tune in to hear valuable insights on product development, navigating the nutrition bar market, and the importance of embracing failure.</p><p><strong>Chapters:<br></strong><br></p><p>[00:00:00] Peter Rahal's early challenges</p><p>[00:03:00] Harnessing adversity</p><p>[00:08:00] The origin of RXBAR</p><p>[00:14:00] The importance of product iteration</p><p>[00:23:00] Scaling without external funding</p><p>[00:32:00] The legendary rebranding of RXBAR</p><p>[00:45:00] The decision to sell</p><p>[01:00:00] Launching David</p><p>[01:12:00] Rapid fire</p><p><strong>ABOUT THE HOSTS:</strong></p><p><br></p><p>Will Nitze is the Founder & CEO at IQBAR - America's leading "brain + body" nutrition startup. With minimal funding, Will has taken IQBAR from zero locations and zero in revenue in 2018 to 10,000+ doors and a projected $50 million in sales in 2024.</p><p><br></p><p>Joe Lemay founded Rocketbook with business partner Jake Epstein. After being featured on “Shark Tank”, where the sharks passed on a chance to invest – Joe would go on to grow Rocketbook and sell it to BIC for 40 million dollars just three years later.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Peter:</strong></p><p><br>Website: https://davidprotein.com/</p><p>Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peterrahal/?hl=en</p><p>LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-rahal-037bba43/</p>
13 total episodes available
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- What is Eating Glass?
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This podcast updates weekly.
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This podcast is available on 9 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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