Jia Liao’s Post

After starting, growing, and exiting multiple #CPG brands (including investing in a distributor to learn about how supply chain mgmt works), I’d say it all boiled down to one thing: you have to know and understand #cashflow (all the other things are table-stakes as they say in poker) From a timing perspective, you place an order (x percent down), then another payment upon completion/delivery. Only to then send to a distributor (who gets paid today), but you usually get paid after it sells, net 10/15/30/60/90. Between placing the first order, and getting paid, it could be 9-10 mos before you see any capital or profits back… And best case scenario, you get into larger orders (say retail and nationwide chains), and while margins may go up, your nominal amounts go up), so more money is put in to cover larger and larger orders. (Scary part is what if one order gets lost or doesn’t make it….) It took me several years to crack the code and formula to making all this all work for any #CPG (but I’m empathic to my fellow #investors and #founders out there bc how are we supposed to know what we don’t know, or if this is your first #startup …) If anyone out there needs help, happy to discuss and best of fun out there.

Entrepreneurship in the CPG Industry: Navigating the Solitude Embarking on an entrepreneurial journey within the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) sector is an adventure filled with innovation, passion, and the relentless pursuit of bringing value to consumers’ lives. Yet, behind the bustling production lines, vibrant packaging, and shelf success stories, lies an untold narrative of solitude that many of us, as founders and entrepreneurs, navigate in silence. The path to transforming an idea into a tangible product that graces shelves nationwide is no small feat. It demands not only a deep understanding of market needs but an unwavering commitment to overcoming the myriad challenges that come our way. From securing funding and perfecting product formulations to navigating distribution complexities and fostering retailer relationships, each step requires a piece of our soul. But amid these triumphs and trials, it's the quiet moments of solitude that can be the most daunting. The late nights spent pondering over a strategy pivot, the early mornings questioning if our product will resonate with consumers, and the countless moments in between when the weight of decision-making rests solely on our shoulders. Yet, it is precisely within this solitude that the magic of entrepreneurship unfolds. It's where resilience is built, where creativity flows freely, and where true passion for our mission is reaffirmed. It’s also a reminder that, though the journey may feel lonely, we are a community bound by shared experiences, challenges, and aspirations. So, to my fellow CPG entrepreneurs, let’s remember to reach out, connect, and support one another. Our paths may be paved with solitude, but our collective spirit and camaraderie can light the way forward. Together, we can transform the challenges of today into the triumphs of tomorrow. #Entrepreneurship #CPGIndustry #Community #Innovation #Resilience

[🇺🇸] In the whirlwind world of entrepreneurship, decision-making stands as the rudder that steers the ship. Through my journey and the invaluable insights from "Decisive" by Chip Heath and Dan Heath, I've learned the sheer power of approaching decisions with a WRAP process: Widen Your Options, Reality-Test Your Assumptions, Attain Distance Before Deciding, and Prepare to Be Wrong. Let me share a personal experience that embodies the essence of this methodology. When faced with the challenge of choosing a new market for our product expansion, the typical approach would be to analyze our current successes and replicate them. This, however, can be a narrow path that blinds you to other potentially lucrative opportunities. Inspired by "Decisive", we widened our options by exploring markets not just similar to our existing one, but also those that differed, yet shared underlying consumer behavior patterns with our current audience. This approach led us to consider a market we had initially ruled out, eventually becoming one of our most successful ventures. Reality-testing our assumptions involved reaching out to potential customers in this new market for direct feedback instead of relying solely on market research reports. The insights gained were invaluable and significantly different from what we initially anticipated. It underscored the importance of grounding decisions in reality rather than assumptions. In terms of attaining distance, we separated the decision-making process from immediate company pressures by setting up a small, dedicated team to explore this expansion independently. This detachment provided a clearer perspective, free from the bias of ongoing operations. Lastly, preparing to be wrong led us to develop a flexible entry strategy, allowing us to adjust quickly to unforeseen challenges and learnings in the new market. This agility was crucial in navigating the complexities that came with the expansion. The WRAP process transformed our approach to decision-making, turning potential pitfalls into opportunities for growth. It's a testament to the power of strategic thinking and the value of guidance from experts like Heath and Heath. Books references / Amazon Link: "Decisive" by Chip Heath and Dan Heath: https://amzn.to/48U3ESD To all entrepreneurs and decision-makers out there, take a moment to reflect on your process. Could the WRAP method reshape your decision-making landscape? Share your thoughts and experiences below. #Entrepreneurship #DecisionMaking #BusinessGrowth #StrategicThinking #BookRecommendations Let's keep the conversation going, connect, and grow together.

Understanding Your #Growth Stage Is Crucial to Your Success Dear #Entrepreneurs and Dreamers, Today, let's talk about a foundational principle in the entrepreneurial world: knowing your growth stage. Whether you're launching a #startup or steering an established business, comprehending where you are on the growth continuum can be the compass guiding your decisions and shaping your journey to success. Early Stage: In the early days, it's all about validation. Your focus should be on refining your idea, identifying your #targetaudience, and proving your concept's viability. This is the time for experimentation, learning, and adapting to feedback. Growth Stage: Congratulations, your idea has gained traction! Now it's time to scale. Your priority shifts to expanding your #customer base, optimizing operations, and solidifying your market position. Keep a keen eye on metrics and customer #feedback to fuel sustainable growth. Expansion Stage: At this juncture, you've established a foothold in the market. Expansion becomes the name of the #game. Whether it's entering new markets, diversifying your product line, or strategic partnerships, the focus is on maximizing opportunities while maintaining organizational agility. Maturity Stage: Your company has reached a stable position in the market. While #growth may stabilize, innovation remains paramount. Continuously evolve your offerings, streamline processes, and foster a culture of creativity to stay ahead of the curve. Key Takeaway: Understanding your growth stage isn't just about recognizing where you are—it's about charting your path forward. Embrace the unique challenges and opportunities of each stage, and remember, growth is not just about numbers; it's about evolving as a leader and as a #company. Keep growing, keep innovating, and remember, every stage of the journey is a step closer to your vision. Follow>> Sukhchain Singh & Share with your Network Seek Expert Guidance Today! #Entrepreneurship #GrowthMindset #FoundersJourney #BusinessStrategy

I guess you could call me the "King of Pivots". Don't Let Pivoting Paralyze You: Here's Why ⚖️ In the business world, pivot isn't a dreaded term. It's an opportunity to reassess and realign with what the market actually needs. My entire entrepreneurial journey is marked by major pivots. -> Protein Bar: Shakes to Food -> Limitless: Cold Brew to Sparkling Water -> Shopflix: B2B2C to B2C Pivot or perish - sounds bleak, doesn't it? But true innovation is born out of necessity. Here are my top 3 reasons why you shouldn't fear pivoting: 🔑1. New Customer Base: Pivoting opens doors to new customer segments - that may be better! 🔑2. Stay Relevant: It helps you stay in tune with market trends 🔑3. Survival: Sometimes, it’s the only way to survive, as in my experiences Don’t let fear hold you back from making the changes your company needs to thrive. It might be your path to an 8-figure exit, like mine. How have your business pivots worked out? Share your experience! ⬇️ 📷 With all the Inc 5000 accouncements this week, posting from when Protein Bar made the list in 2014 #startup #pivot #rossgeller #entrepreneurship

I’ve been in the Entrepreneurship Game for 8 years now. Here are 5 Non-Negotiables to guide YOUR entrepreneurial journey: 1/ Build a User-First Approach If you’re a product company, you NEED to be immersed in your users' world. Hear them, deliver solutions with genuine value for them, and build lifelong connections with them. Everything else will fall in place when your customers receive the premium quality they deserve.  2/ Define a North Star Metric To thrive in a sea of possibilities, your team needs clear direction, and a common aim. For example, at Exly, our North Star Metric is to help at least 2X the growth of our customers. All our efforts, KPIs, and strategies revolve around this single mission. 3/ Design A Top-Down Model of Goal-Setting From the North Star metric, draw down individual goals. Then, use regular weekly checkpoints to assess individual & team-level progress. This will help ensure every level of your organization is in alignment. 4/ Agree to Disagree Not all disagreements call for resolution. When you understand an issue will not be agreed upon: move on, QUICK. Focus on driving action. That way, you sustain momentum. 5/ Bandwidth Consideration in Goal-Setting Setting goals is essential, but so is ensuring we have the bandwidth and skills to achieve them. When your team takes up a new project, it’s highly likely they lack the skill-set for it. So, when setting a time frame for projects, factor in time for skill development. This would help you set reasonable expectations from your team. Anything you’d like to add? #entrepreneurship #startup #customerexperience #leadership #Exly

Last year. Real case. Founder selling his thing for ten years. Couldn’t crack 4 million…for years… Playing account whack a mole to stay flat… Losing money… His formula was unique when he started. 2-3 years in, the two market leaders put out the same formula with the same outcome bundle and good taste and captured the addressable market. And their offerings were cheaper per unit and ounce. It is every founder’s nightmare. Because without a different attribute-outcome bundle…and no brand awareness…or trust…AND a premium price. You are left with brand identity and marketing. This creates a huge need to spend money very early on…because you are too expensive and don’t stand out. But the founder just kept pushing and didn’t react strategically. For years…draining angel money… He should have wound down and started something new. Arrogance and stubbornness don’t change the final outcome when you have only have brand as your means of standing out and zero expertise in marketing. The Liquid Death strategy won’t save you if you started as a non-creative founder focused on product innovation. You don’t have the skills or sensibilities. Product-led innovation’s biggest risk is being outflanked by the market leaders. Know where you are in the trend cycle of your category before you pump tons of cash into your thing. #business #startups #entrepreneurship

Thank you so much for your kind words, Alan! Your appreciation means a lot to us. We're grateful for your recommendation and look forward to helping more businesses succeed. If there's anything else we can assist you with, please don't hesitate to reach out! #mobile #socialmedia #business #startups #leadership #sales #entrepreneurs #ecommerce #marketing

Thank you so much, Stuart! Your positive feedback means a lot to us. We're glad to hear that our marketing advice has been helpful and well-reasoned for you. If you ever need any further assistance or have any questions, feel free to reach out. We appreciate your support! #mobile #socialmedia #business #startups #leadership #sales #entrepreneurs #ecommerce #marketing

Appearing on shelves is the beginning of your business. I don’t care how long it took to secure that placement or how long it took you to develop your product. And neither do consumers. Your plan to promote your brand and work the streets should be developing as you develop the product and before you approach retailers. Buyers all want to know what your team will do to move product off the shelf. Don’t confuse B2B wins with business success in CPG. Stop over celebrating intermediary steps. Put your head down and focus only on the end consumer. #business #startups #entrepreneurship