Camino Partners Update - December 2024

Building Value with Values:?Todd Siwak of Encore Group?

Through our newest partnership with Encore Group, we are excited to expand into the longevity space by supporting Managing Partner Todd Siwak as he builds Well Labs, an aggregated med spa business, and LiveWell, a similarly innovative concept in the home healthcare provider space.?

Todd has been a long-time important member of the Camino Partners family whose unconventional “camino” took him from his family’s business to the co-founding of Swiss Army travel gear to L Catterton investments. Todd later took on executive roles at Ferrero and Ferrera, shaping his view that businesses driven by culture and principles generate the most meaningful enterprise value. We couldn’t agree more.?

At a recent team gathering, Todd spoke with us about the key values guiding his approach. Here are a few:?

1. Love to Build: By the time Todd was eight years-old, he had a time card at his grandfather’s baseball cap business. In high school, he turned on the steam heat compressors before school started. Working was always part of his life - not because it was required of him, but because he loved the empowerment that came from the act of building itself.?
2. Embrace the “Relentless Drumbeat” of Improvement: Todd discussed how great entrepreneurs cultivate endless intellectual curiosity, personal growth and professional improvement. They constantly seek opportunities to create better mousetraps, innovate, and do things better.?
3. Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast (and Lunch and Dinner): Over the course of his career, Todd has observed that the the companies that are “crushing it” invariably deploy more than just clever strategies; they foster the strongest cultures and deepest commitments to living their values daily.?

Click to listen to a highlight from the conversation

Culture for Breakfast

Snack-able Insights from Building

• Business With Purpose – As Long as It’s Not Performative. “If you care about an issue and can use market forces to channel that impact, it could make sense for your business to have a social mission. But if a mission doesn’t have an authentic connection to you and your brand, you run the risk of appearing performative.” Daniel Lubetzky shares when and when not to build a social mission into your business. (Barrons)??

• Balancing Curiosity & Openness with a Strong Point-of-View. Camino Partners President Elle Lanning shares that Camino prioritizes partnering with leaders who are agile enough to adapt to change while maintaining a strong POV and clear direction for their business. (Forbes)??

• The Value of Complementary Skillsets in Teams. Daniel discusses the importance of surrounding yourself with people whose strengths are your weaknesses in order to be successful in the workplace. (CNBC Make It)?

Newest Shark on Shark Tank: Daniel Lubetzky

This fall, ABC announced Camino Partners and KIND Snacks founder, Daniel Lubetzky, as the newest shark to become part of the regular cast of Shark Tank. Daniel joins Mark Cuban, Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, and Kevin O’Leary, following five consecutive seasons as a recurring guest.?

“It’s an honor to be part of a production that continues to educate, entertain, and unite Americans behind the spirit of building together. I’m excited to be part of this fun, hilarious, exceptionally smart cast and crew. Most of all, I am looking forward to meeting entrepreneurs from all walks of life as they come to Shark Tank for their chance to realize the American dream.” - Daniel Lubetzky?

Learn more in NYT, Fortune, Inc., Cheddar, and CNBC Squawk Box.?

Investments of the size and scale seen on Shark Tank are only considered by Camino Partners through our participation in the ABC television series. Interested in being on Shark Tank? Learn more about how to apply here.?

Partner News

SOMOS I The TODAY Show: SOMOS’ “Mexican Chili Crisp Artisanal Gift Set” as a Fall Food Trend on The TODAY Show. ?

CAVA I Fortune: Cava CEO Brett Schulman talks about the challenges of merging two cultures when Cava acquired Zoe’s Kitchen.??

Prose I GQ: GQ tested Prose’s custom hair care system and can confirm that the personalization isn’t a gimmick – “it’s the real deal.”??

Belgian Boys I ModernRetail: Belgian Boys CEO Anouck Gotlib shares how understanding their core consumer impacts their approach to selecting priority retailers and ad spend.??

Ellenos I Eat This, Not That!: Ellenos’ limited-edition Pumpkin Pie yogurt is a must-have thanks to the pumpkin cookie crumble topping.??

Gimme Seaweed I Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery: Gimme’s newest flavor, Korean BBQ, pays homage to Gimme Founder Annie Chun’s birthplace and the country where Gimme grows their organic seaweed. ??

Whataburger I Food Business News: Whataburger expanded its spicy menu lineup with the launch of their Bacon Blaze Jalapeno Double burger, topped with Whataburger’s signature jalapeno ranch.?

Happy Holidays from Our Team

From our team to yours, we wish you a very happy holiday season filled with good health, peace, and joy.?

Join Us!

Be part of our journey.

Partner Opportunities

LiveWell I VP of Operations: To apply, contact Florencia Luchini-Baxter ([email protected])?

Well Labs Plus I Controller: To apply, contact Florencia Luchini-Baxter ([email protected])?

Gimme Seaweed I Controller?

Cava I Public Relations Manager I Human Resources Business Partner?

Prose I Social Media Content Creator?I People & Culture Manager?