Giannuzzi Lewendon, LLP

Turning Roadblocks into Runways: Founder Stories of Perseverance ?? Entrepreneurship is rarely a straight path—it’s full of unexpected turns, challenges, and moments of reinvention. At Expo West, we sat down with three founders who turned obstacles into opportunities, sharing hard-earned lessons on scaling, pivoting, and staying resilient in a competitive market. Key Takeaways from Our Founders: ?? Yanni Hufnagel, The Lemon Perfect Company ?? Raising capital is always a hurdle, but it’s about selling the why as much as the what. Investors buy into belief just as much as the product. ?? Brand matters—build something people want to talk about. Consumer love creates organic momentum. ?? The best ideas often come from outside the industry. Leverage fresh perspectives to challenge conventional thinking. ?? Daniel Goetz, GoodPop ?? Disruption doesn’t necessarily mean reinventing the wheel—often it means improving what already exists. ?? Scaling comes down to consistency. If you can’t execute flawlessly at a small level, you won’t succeed at a larger one. ?? The hardest part of entrepreneurship isn’t starting—it’s sustaining. Momentum fades, and the ability to push through plateaus separates great founders from the rest. ?? Jesse Merrill, good culture ?? Trust your instincts, but validate them with data. Balancing intuition with analytics is key to making the right decisions. ?? Surround yourself with people who challenge you. Honest feedback is a competitive advantage. ? Pivots aren’t failures—they’re course corrections. The best founders recognize when to shift before it’s too late. ?? Expertly moderated by Blake Horn ?? Final Thought: Success in CPG isn’t just about having a great product—it’s about resilience, adaptability, and surrounding yourself with the right team. ? #ExpoWest #NewHopeNetwork ?

Turning Roadblocks into Runways: Founder Stories of Perseverance Every founder faces roadblocks, but the most successful ones turn them into opportunities. At Expo West, we heard firsthand how resilience, adaptability, and strategic pivots shaped the journeys of these incredible entrepreneurs. ?? Jason Wright, WILDE CHIPS emphasized the importance of differentiation and the ability to pivot—his shift from a meat-based bar to chips came from recognizing a missed opportunity and embracing change. Raising capital was an early challenge, requiring clarity in vision and passion to attract investors. ?? Christopher Hunter, Koia highlighted the real test of entrepreneurship: sustaining momentum after launch. He underscored the power of trusting your gut, staying in your lane, and maintaining openness and accountability to assess progress and pivot when necessary. ?? Albert Matheny IV, Promix Nutrition stressed the value of self-awareness—knowing your strengths and building strong partnerships to complement them. He advocated for a culture of ownership, direct communication, and prioritizing health to optimize performance. ? Key Takeaways: Stay adaptable, trust your instincts, surround yourself with the right people, and embrace perseverance. ?? Expertly moderated by Ryan Lewendon, Giannuzzi Lewendon, LLP Thank you all for joining us at Expo West! See you again next year! #ExpoWest #NewHopeNetworks

?? Exciting News! ?? Join us at Natural Products Expo West for an inspiring panel discussion: Founder Stories of Perseverance—where some of the most innovative leaders in the natural products space will share their journeys, challenges, and hard-earned wisdom. ?? Thursday, March 6, 2025 ? 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM PT ?? Marriott Anaheim, Platinum Ballroom 3 This event, hosted by Giannuzzi Lewendon, will feature two powerhouse panels of leading voices in the CPG industry. ?? Panel 1: Christopher Hunter (Koia) Albert Matheny IV (Promix) Jason Wright (Wilde Brands) ? Panel 2: Yanni Hufnagel (Lemon Perfect) Jesse Merrill (Good Culture) Daniel Goetz (GoodPop) ?? Moderated by: Ryan Lewendon, Partner at Giannuzzi Lewendon, LLP If you're in Anaheim for Expo West, join us for a conversation with founders who have built, scaled, and navigated the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. Whether you're launching a brand or leading an established company, you won’t want to miss this! ?? Who’s coming? Drop a comment if you’ll be there! #ExpoWest #NaturalProducts #CPG #Entrepreneurship #FounderStories ? Link to add to your EXPO App: https://lnkd.in/eufyUbNE Natural Products Expo, New Hope Network