What's Happening in the Park ??
?? July Brought the Heat ??
As the temperatures soared, so did the excitement within our community.
This sizzling summer month started with some big news! We were delighted to welcome our new President, Marla Larock, to the team (read more about her below).
As we cool off from June's Demo Days East and West, we want to thank all the participants, mentors, and attendees who made it a blazing success.
Looking ahead, we're excited to invite you to our upcoming webinar on August 8th with our Cohort 17 alumni, grazyna szawlowski , who will discuss her recent experience in our Accelerator, followed by a Q&A.
Stay cool, and keep reading for all the details!
Couldn't make it to Demo Day? Don't worry!
You can still catch up on all the excitement.
In June, we hosted two incredible Demo Days — one for Western founders and one for the East — where our Cohort 17 members from the Accelerator program wowed us with their innovative brands and presentations.
Relive the action and peek behind the scenes by checking out our latest blog!
Save the Date! ??
We're hosting a can't-miss webinar and you’re invited!
Curious to find out more about our unique approach of growing consumer packaged goods brands? Tune in to our informational webinar on August 8, 2024, from 4 to 5:30 pm MST (6 to 7:30 pm EST) for an engaging session featuring grazyna szawlowski , the innovative founder of North Hound Life and a standout alumni from Cohort 17.
Grazyna will discuss her transformational experience in our program, including how it helped her scale her business, key takeaways, milestones achieved, and offer advice for prospective applicants.
Following that, Kalyan Chinnamanthur, our Head of Program Operations, will provide an overview of the Accelerator program. We'll conclude the session with a Q&A, giving you the opportunity to ask any burning questions.
Take advantage of this opportunity to learn about our programs and resources that give food, beverage, and wellness entrepreneurs the edge!
Secure your spot by registering today:
Jamie Parker : July's Park Person of the Month and Co-Founder of Canadian Heritage Roasting Company ???
We’re pleased to recognize Jamie Parker in the month of July! His adventurous spirit and rugged determination are at the heart of his brand, which blends fresh, bold roasted coffee with a love for exploration.
Inspired by a coffee break during a backpacking trip in Alberta, Jamie and co-founder Michael Wenzlawe founded CHRC as a tribute to their firefighting days. They were inspired by the memories of fighting fires in the wild and weekend mountain getaways that have profoundly shaped the brand behind Canadian Heritage Roasting Company.
The commitment to environmental stewardship shines through in the company’s “1 Million Trees Planted” initiative, supported by their “Buy A Bag = Plant A Tree” program, which has seen over 129,000 trees planted.
His generosity and drive doesn’t stop with the outdoors! Since joining Cohort 3 of our Accelerator program, Jamie has been a steadfast supporter of fellow entrepreneurs, lifting up our community with the expertise he has gained throughout his journey.
His learnings span various areas, including operations, financial management, long-term brand vision, cultivating patience, improving negotiation skills, and independence — all knowledge he is eager to share with the next generation of founders.
In a recent conversation with Jamie, he revealed a glimpse into his entrepreneurial journey, sharing some pivotal experiences, learnings and achievements.
One of Jamie's most memorable milestones was the opening of Canadian Heritage Roasting Company's flagship coffee shop and roastery in June 2019 within the C.C. Snowdon building in Calgary. This space, once an oil refinery built in the early 1900s, was transformed into a cafe and venue full of rustic character, featuring iron fixtures, brick walls, and century-old wooden tables.
This achievement, four years after the company's founding, was a significant moment where Jamie and his team could finally showcase their vision directly to the community. The journey to this point was marked by intense work, including late nights and hands-on carpentry, all culminating in the creation of their dream space. The day they opened their doors and welcomed a wave of supporters was one of the most gratifying experiences of his entrepreneurial career.
When it comes to cultivating the patience for allowing the brand to grow organically and sustainably, Jamie advised founders to, "find the beauty in the hardships and successes along the way, all while staying the course long term..."
Jamie emphasized that financial prudence in managing personal finances is more than just saving money — it's about developing the habits necessary for running a lean and successful company. He advised always being prepared for potential cash-flow constraints, as this foresight not only strengthens financial resilience but also significantly mitigates operational risks. By mastering personal financial discipline, individuals can lay a solid foundation for robust and agile business practices to ultimately de-risk their business.
Jamie’s reflections offer a look into the realities of entrepreneurship, highlighting perseverance, patience, and passion as the foundations of a successful business journey.
领英推荐
Let’s raise a mug and celebrate Jamie. Here’s to many more adventures and great coffee!
Meet Our New President, Marla Larock
Arlene Dickinson and our Board of Directors are thrilled to announce the appointment of Marla Larock as the new President of Venturepark.
Marla brings 25 years of marketing and innovation expertise in the food and beverage sector across CPG, retail, and restaurant industries in both Canada and Australia. Marla's experience spans client and advisory roles, where she has successfully driven brand and organizational growth in highly competitive environments. Her impressive portfolio includes work with industry giants like General Mills, Procter & Gamble, Nabisco, Second Cup, Kellogg's, Goodman Fielder, and Australian icon Arnott’s, managing both market leaders and emerging?brands.
As an accomplished and entrepreneurial leader, she’s an invaluable addition to our team in this time of growth and expansion. Her passion for Canadian-led innovation and fostering growth in this space aligns perfectly with our mission of helping early-stage entrepreneurs thrive and overcome barriers they face by increasing access to resources, mentorship, and networks.
In her new role as President, Marla will lead Venturepark in advancing our mission as Canada’s leading accelerator for food, beverage, and wellness entrepreneurs. She is committed to expanding our organization’s reach and impact nationally, and to furthering important relationships with our valued partners. Marla holds an HBA and MBA from the Ivey Business School at Western University.
Please join us in welcoming Marla to Venturepark!
Not Goodbye, But a New Chapter: Thank You, Mike McNeil !
We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mike for his dedicated leadership as our Vice President. He has been a valuable member of our team, guiding us through significant milestones. His unwavering support continued as we searched for our new president, and we are grateful for his commitment.
As Mike transitions to his new role as CEO in Residence with Regenerative Capital Group, we wish him all the best in this exciting venture. We are also pleased to share that he will continue to serve on our Board of Directors, providing his expertise and insights as we continue forward.
Thank you, Mike, for your outstanding contributions and leadership. We look forward to seeing the amazing things you'll accomplish in your new role.
Graydon Moffat , founder of Graydon Skincare and an alumni of Cohort 7 of our Accelerator program, has been named Founder of the Year by ICON/REFINED ! ??
Graydon’s innovative work in revolutionizing the beauty industry is truly inspiring, and we're thrilled to see her hard work recognized.
Gain Your Competitive Lead ??
In the ever-evolving consumer packaged goods industry, staying ahead of the competition is crucial for brand owners. The market is highly competitive, requiring constant innovation to stand out.
Understanding the landscape is not just about knowing who your competitors are, but also about identifying unique selling points that resonate with consumers to keep them coming back.
To help you navigate this complex aspect of entrepreneurship, we offer a FREE Park Guide filled with insights and strategies on the topic.
Gain a deeper understanding of the market and elevate your brand. Check out the Park Guide today and equip yourself with the knowledge to thrive.
CPG Insiders Podcast Explores the Secrets of Creating a Lasting CPG Brand
CPG Insiders digs into the strategies and qualities needed to build a CPG brand that stands the test of time. They offer practical tips on avoiding common mistakes, maintaining brand trust, and turning customers into loyal advocates.