JYVE

One Week Post-Expo West: Reflections from a Fresh Perspective Officially a week out from my first Expo—and what a wild experience it was. As someone still relatively new to the CPG industry, I wanted to share a few takeaways from a fresh perspective, grounded in first principles. 1. The People Make the Industry The CPG space is filled with incredible people. Take Martin Forde, for example—he generously opened up his beautiful home (with an insane view of LA!) for a working session with the Jyve team. Absolute legend. 2. Unforgettable Experiences The Jyve team was fortunate to attend some amazing events, including Snax LA, masterfully put together by the amazing Andrea Hernández from Snaxshot, and a private Third Eye Blind show hosted by Bitchin' Sauce. (Special shoutout to CVS for the $20 Mickey crewneck ?? — a clutch find after forgetting my jacket. Safe to say, my daughter is a huge fan ??.) A big thanks to the Ketone-IQ team for organizing a run around Disneyland—it was definitely a highlight! 3. Great Partnerships Huge appreciation for our partners, like Wow Bao—it’s been awesome reconnecting with Geoff. If you haven’t tried their buns, stop what you’re doing and head to your nearest Target, Walmart, or Kroger to grab a box (or four). And, of course, I have to recognize my two incredibly talented colleagues, Lamar and Travis—both industry vets who bring a ton of expertise to the table. I’m beyond grateful to have them in our corner, and our partners are lucky to have them in theirs. 4. My Biggest Takeaway The level of innovation on the brand side is staggering—companies like meati?, Sang, hiyo, Bloom Nutrition, Pricklee, Pistakio and so many others are pushing boundaries in amazing ways. Yet, I can’t help but notice how antiquated, stagnant, and perhaps even mafia-like the infrastructure supporting the industry remains—controlled by a handful of legacy players. But it doesn’t have to be this way. At JYVE, we’re working on some groundbreaking initiatives that leverage the latest technology to create real, industry-wide benefits. It won’t be easy, but this mission is worth every ounce of effort. If you’re a brand—big or small—I’d love to connect and show you what we’re building. Already looking forward to my next Expo! ??

Did you know most third-party labor providers charge a 50–100% markup? That means businesses are overpaying—big time. With Jyve’s AI-driven platform, we’ve slashed those costs to a fraction of what others charge. No inflated fees. No middlemen. Just high-impact, AI-enabled efficiency that saves you money. Curious how much you could save? Chat with us for free and see how our low-effort, high-impact solution can transform your workforce strategy. Don’t be like Blockbuster—adapt before it’s too late. Check out how AI is shaping the future of work.

Almost 13 years ago to the date, my then-girlfriend, now-wife, Kacie, and I left Denver and drove to New York City with $5,000 from selling my car and no plan for where to live. If you’ve ever rented in NYC, you know how insane that is. At 22, we didn’t care—we were all in. That leap of faith set the tone for everything we built together. This anniversary feels like the right time to reflect on a year of change. Earlier this summer, after more than a decade in New York, we moved back to Colorado with our kids, Jones and Miles, and our pup, Jerry. New York was where we grew as a couple, built careers, and made lifelong friends. It shaped us in ways I’ll always appreciate, but as our family grew, so did our vision for the future. Colorado felt right for this next chapter. Growing up here, I took it for granted. Only after leaving did I understand its value. The space, pace, and community make it ideal for raising kids—and giving Jerry room to roam. We’ve already embraced the outdoors with hikes, parks, and exploring. Jones is attending a Montessori school and rides a horse named Buttercup weekly—we're not in NYC anymore! This move also marked a shift in my career. After leaving Kitchen United late last year—and buying the Zuul technology back with my co-founder—I faced a tough decision. Another side project, Nitehawk, was gaining traction, and I was torn between pursuing those two or a completely new opportunity. But the chance to join Jyve's second iteration as CEO, with its incredible team and potential, was too good to pass up. More on Nitehawk and Zuul 2.0 later... JYVE is a labor marketplace partnering with major CPG brands like Frito-Lay, MARS, and more to tackle the critical challenge of stocking shelves—a task many might not realize grocery store employees rarely handle themselves. Jyve provides both labor efficiency and real-time analytics for merchandising, enabling brands to optimize their operations and scale effectively. By combining technology and data, Jyve addresses real-world challenges in a way that perfectly aligns with my experience and passion for driving innovation. On the other side of the platform are tens of thousands of talented Jyvers who love working for Jyve. They enjoy the flexibility of gig work while benefiting from the ability to forecast their income—much like a W-2 or salaried employee. What truly sets us apart is our commitment to putting Jyvers first. Our top core value, “Jyver First,” ensures that every decision we make at the corporate level prioritizes their best interests. There’s a lot more to share about this… stay tuned. The move to Colorado and Jyve has been transformative for my family and career. We’re building a life rooted in purpose while working on something I deeply believe in. It’s a new chapter, and I’m excited for what’s ahead. If you’re interested in the journey, I’ve started a newsletter to share insights and lessons. Subscribe in the comments—I’d love to have you along for the ride.

Consumers can’t seem to get enough protein... The focus on high protein diets started in those shadowy niches of sports nutrition and weight management, but now there’s increasingly diverse consumer cohorts coming in...making it a battleground category within functional beverages! But what do mainstream consumers really want? Scott Dicker, Barb Stuckey, and I shared tons of different insights throughout the latest BevNET.com Magazine article ? https://bit.ly/4cd35oU P.S. - thanks to Adrianne DeLuca for combing through my post-baby gibberish and finding some gems #strategy #trends #markets #fmcg #cpg #food #protein #snacking #sportsnutrition #supplements #wellness #nutrition #health #innovation #licensing #marketing #branding #productdevelopment #retailing #merchandising #retail #grocery #business #businessintelligence #entrepreneurship

Exciting news! We’re hiring a Supply Engagement Specialist to join our growing team at JYVE. If you’re passionate about onboarding and engagement, check out the job details and apply today! Check it out: https://lnkd.in/gPcNwn8u #Hiring #JobOpportunity #RemoteWork