Jake Karls’ Post

The Power of Friendship in Business... For five incredible years, Stewart and I have met every week for a hand-delivery of Mid-Day Squares, And of course our famous dance-off. Every-time we dance in the grocery aisles. Stewart now manages our account, and has become more than a business partner – he’s a friend. Our weekly dance-offs are more than just fun; They’re a reminder that genuine relationships and joy in the workplace lead to extraordinary outcomes. Business isn’t just about numbers; It’s about the people who make it all worthwhile. Here’s to Stewart, our dance-offs, and the power of friendship in business. Keep dancing through life and work! 🕺 PS: We sold over 400,000 squares in 5 years with Marche Tau (5 stores). #retail #sales #cpg #grocery #foodandbeverage #chocolate

Last Week, I Felt Like Throwing In The Towel... But today, my team delivered incredible news: WE JUST SOLD OUR 40TH MILLION CHOCOLATE BAR! That's more than the entire population of Canada (39.1 million). The country which I live in... When we started, selling even a million bars seemed impossible. The journey ain't always glamorous, so celebrating the small wins/moments is critical. Here's the side that not everyone sees from the journey: -It's a relentless grind with no guarantees. There are days when the stress feels unbearable, and sleep becomes a luxury. - I've faced countless moments of doubt. The kind that makes you question your path, your choices, and even your worth. - Every step feels like a tightrope walk, where one misstep could end it all. The stakes are high, and the pressure is immense. - Loneliness often accompanys you along the journey. Late nights in the office, missing family events, and the weight of responsibility can be overwhelming. - Misunderstanding and judgment from others are constant companions. People see the success but not the sleepless nights, the sacrifices, and the endless hustle. - Rejection and failure become familiar friends. Every door that closes, every setback, teaches resilience, even when it feels like the world is against you. Yet today, we celebrate a remarkable milestone. The rush of adrenaline and the sense of momentum are unmatched. Moments like these remind us why we endure the hardships. The true beauty of entrepreneurship lies in experiencing: The highs, the lows, and everything in between… and that, in itself, is a privilege. Each challenge shapes us, and every victory, big or small, fuels our passion. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Here's to Mid-Day Squares reaching 100 million bars sold one day! #cpg #entrepreneurship #sales

From $80K to $1M per year (case study): The Incredible Journey with Longo's 38 stores... In our initial days with Longos, Mid-Day Squares were hidden away in a quiet corner... With sales far from our expectations. Performing average at best. Then we met Daniel Baldin and Mimmo Franzone. Their belief in a true partnership sparked a transformation. Through real friendship, open communication, data, strategy sessions, and trust. We moved and merchandised our products to a prime spot in the store. This simple change, powered by collaboration and data, Took our sales from $80,000 a year to close to a million dollars per year. The key drivers of this success were: 1) Building Real Friendships: Daniel and Mimmo became more than business partners. Their unwavering support and belief in our product made all the difference. It became a two way road. 2) Proper Strategic Merchandising: Their dedication to creating a visually appealing and functional display turned our section into a customer destination for this new set. They were pioneers. 3) Easy Accessibility: We made it simple for customers to find us, enhancing their shopping experience. No longer a scavenger hunt for our fans to find our bars. 4) Selling Different Forms: We worked hard with the Longos team to list different options of form of MDS. 4 packs, caddies and single serve. This gave our fans optionality and proper pricing. Longos, thank you for believing in us. Daniel and Mimmo, you are the GOATs of retail. This journey proves that when you invest in relationships, you achieve greatness. Take a look at the incredible new setup they've crafted – it’s more than just a display; it’s an experience and a destination for functional snacks. #retail #grocery #cpg #sales #chocolate #foodandbeverage #entrepreneurship

1.7 million bars sold in the month of June! Our highest sales month yet... This is a CELEBRATION. We started 6 years ago and I remember our first month we sold about 2400 bars. Honestly, it feels like we’re always 4 seconds, and one wrong decision away from crashing and burning . I know for some people that’s hard to believe but it’s the truth. Building our own manufacturing plant, figuring out how to be a relevant brand, And ensuring that we deliver epic product, is way more intense and stressful than we ever thought it would be. So when Vanessa, our COO/CFO, told us that in June, MDS broke our record for most bars sold in a single month, we got REALLY AMPED!!! Here’s to everyone at MDS who makes this happen every day. To our team, thank you for all the effort you give everyday.   To our retailers who took a chance on us, thank you. To our community, without you we don't have MDS. To our investors, thanks for leaping and taking the risk. We’re going to keep going, no matter how many fires we have to deal with Or how many headwinds we have ahead of us, the hard days are hard but when you get to feel the wins there’s nothing like it! LFG Mid-Day Squares! #cpg #grocery #retail #sales #finance #foodandbeverage #chocolate

Today, I am celebrating my biggest supporter... Last week marked a very special milestone in my life: My one-year anniversary with my wife, Melissa Zoltak. We've been together for five and a half years, and she's been my support from the very beginning of launching Mid-Day Squares. Without Melissa's love, honesty, and support, I wouldn't be where I am today. She has been my rock, helping me navigate the challenges, the pain and loneliness of entrepreneurship. She has also celebrated the incredible highs of the journey. While the spotlight often shines on the business, today I want to shine it on her. Melissa, you are not only my life partner but also a crucial part of Mid-Day Squares. I would argue that you're our 4th partner... Your influence is felt in everything we do, and I am deeply grateful for you. Moral of the story: Success is rarely achieved alone. Recognize and celebrate those who support and uplift you. Thank you, Melissa, for being my constant source of strength. Take a minute today to thank those who are always in your corner!! #love #marriage #entrepreneurship

We got featured on Entrepreneur Media... A full circle moment... Here's why: 10 years ago, when I started my first business, I felt lost and scared. The path of an entrepreneur can be incredibly lonely and confusing. I didn’t know where to turn or what to do. In those moments of doubt, I found comfort in reading Entrepreneur magazine. I would read and scroll through their articles to get inspiration, feel part of a community, and find the resources, advice, and mentorship that I needed. These stories kept me going. I don’t know if I’d be here today without some of that guidance found in those stories. They made me feel less alone and gave me the energy to keep pushing forward. Without them, I might not be celebrating my 10th year as an entrepreneur. I’m thrilled to share that our company was featured on Entrepreneur.com! This isn’t just a personal milestone; it’s a full-circle moment. The same publication that helped motivate me through some of my toughest times is now giving us a platform to share our knowledge and support others. Starting a business often feels like navigating uncharted waters. Every decision is critical, and the journey is filled with unpredictable challenges. But, like any career, it requires perseverance, adaptability, and a relentless drive to succeed. Whether you're launching a startup, climbing the corporate ladder, or following any passion, remember that the journey is fraught with challenges. But it's these challenges that make the successes so rewarding. To all the dreamers and achievers out there, keep pushing forward. Stay inspired, stay resilient, and know that you have so many communities that support you online. If anyone out there feels alone or lost on their journey, whether it’s starting a business or navigating a career, DM me.I’m happy to get on a call, chat, FaceTime, or grab a coffee. We’re all in this together. Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eM4ZNwwS Shoutout to Jon Bier for giving us a voice. #media #cpg #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #retail #sales #chocolate #grocery Mid-Day Squares

Six Years Ago Today: I Made A Life Changing Decision... I was at a crossroad in my life. Having just closed my previous business, I was ready to give up on entrepreneurship. I was about to apply for a job at Snapchat at the time... But then my brother-in-law and sister asked me a question that would change everything: "Do you want to join us as the third founder of Mid-day Squares and help build the next biggest chocolate snacking company?" I thought they were out of their minds. I told them "The world doesn't need another chocolate bar." But their unwavering belief and dedication to this vision made me reconsider. In my mind, I was thinking: Maybe, just maybe, I should join them. I decided to take the leap, and it turned out to be one of the greatest decisions of my life. Over the past six years, we've achieved what I never thought possible: - Selling 40 million chocolate bars. - Partnering with some of the best retailers in the world. That I shop at weekly. - Owning and building our own chocolate factory that can produce 90,000 bars per day. And many more amazing milestones. From that fateful day to now, the journey has been nothing short of incredible. And the best part, we've done nothing... We're just getting started. The moral of the story: You're always one decision away from changing your life... You never know what or where it is, but you should always try (have an open mind). LFG Mid-Day Squares #entrepreneurship #founder #cpg #retail #grocery #foodandbeverage #career #chocolate

Hey LinkedIn Fam, I NEED YOUR HELP.... I’m on a mission to connect with the incredible folks at the Diabetic Association or any diabetes-related organizations in Canada and the United States. Looking to connect with anyone involved in organizations affiliated with Diabetes. Or advocates/ambassadors for Diabetes. We’re (Mid-Day Squares) looking to collaborate and make magic together! If you have any contacts, know someone who does, Or have valuable information about diabetes, I’d love to hear from you and connect. Comment below or send me a message so we can chat and hang out! #diabetes #network #foodandbeverage #grocery #cpg

36 Days, 3 Cities, 3 Warehouses & Over 200,000 Bars Sold: That is equivalent to 10 sold out (NHL) hockey arenas... The Unforgettable Mid-Day Squares Costco Canada Roadshow. We made a promise: to break the record at the Costco Canada roadshow. We did it! Over 200,000 bars sold in just 36 days across three cities. We made another promise: To wow the Costco members... Proud to say we kept both our promises. It was an exhausting journey, but every moment was worth it. For 12 hours a day, We had the privilege of meeting and engaging with Costco members face-to-face. In a world where digital interactions dominate, This human connection was refreshing and incredibly powerful. A huge thank you to Costco for this amazing opportunity, To our dedicated team for your tireless work, And to the Costco members and staff for your unwavering support. This journey has shown us that anything is possible with unparalled belief, hard work and a great team. Promise made, promise kept! #retail #grocery #costco #canada #sales #cpg #chocolate

Living an extraordinary life requires making uncommon choices. Every average decision leads to average, mediocre outcomes. But when you embrace your authenticity and unique experiences, You unlock your true potential. Think about it—nothing great has ever come from playing it safe. The greatest achievements in history were born from unaverage decisions. Your authenticity, your unique stories and experiences, are your superpower. They set you apart from the crowd and give you the edge to achieve greatness. The journey to outlier outcomes involves both highs and lows. These aren't just challenges—they are opportunities for growth. Embrace them. Every setback is a lesson, every failure a stepping stone to greater things. When you understand this, you start seeing every experience, good or bad, as a chance to learn, improve and win. Choose to be different. Choose to make the uncommon choices that lead to remarkable success. Dare to step away from the herd mentality. Dare to be unaverage. Let's stop glorifying mediocrity. Let's start celebrating uniqueness and bold choices. By making unaverage decisions, You pave the way for a life of success and fulfillment. #entrepreneurship #founder #cpg #marketing #socialmedia #sales #grocery #chocolate #foodandbeverage Mid-Day Squares