Ugly Talk: Consumer Packaged Goods Businesses

Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) founders know the journey can be tough—from ever-rising production costs to finding loyal customers in a crowded market. This Ugly Talk event dives straight into the gritty realities of building, distributing, and scaling products people love. Expect candid confessions of epic wins, near-misses, and everything in between, all wrapped into an evening of practical insights and genuine connections.

🙋 Who Should Be in the Room?

1. CPG Founders looking to launch, refine, or grow their product lines.
2. Early-Stage Entrepreneurs aiming to avoid costly production and branding pitfalls.
3. Industry Experts & Mentors wanting to share expertise and support growing brands.
4. Professional Services & Suppliers ready to collaborate with emerging CPG ventures.

🤔 What You’ll Walk Away With

1. Practical Lessons for Overcoming Challenges

• Hear how experienced founders tackled manufacturing mishaps, supply chain hurdles, and brand-building headaches. Learn how each failure became a stepping stone to better, smarter business decisions.

1. Resilience, Innovation, and Identity

• Discover how creative branding, customer feedback loops, and continuous product improvement keep CPG brands fresh and authentic. Explore how to stay true to your core identity even while you expand to new categories or markets.

1. Connections and Resources

• Meet fellow founders, mentors, and industry supporters who’ve “been there and done that.” Walk away with real contacts, proven strategies, and resource networks that you can tap into for every stage of your CPG journey.

💰 Discussion Topics

1. Manufacturing and Supply Chain Realities

• Candid stories on production costs, lead times, and quality control. Find out what it really takes to partner with suppliers and co-packers who can help you scale.

1. Branding, Marketing, and Distribution

• From packaging design to retail shelves and e-commerce strategies—uncover methods for standing out in a saturated market.

1. Scaling and Funding

• Explore how founders fund growth, whether through bootstrapping, crowdfunding, or VC investments. Learn tips for scaling up without losing your brand’s soul.

1. Customer Feedback and Product Iteration

• See how listening closely to customers spurs innovation and brand loyalty. Learn how to refine your offerings using data and real-world insights.

💰 Why You Can’t Afford to Miss This

1. Gain Hard-Earned Wisdom: Learn from panelists who turned mistakes into triumphs, and discover how to refine your own approach.
2. Network with Like-Minded Founders: Connect with fellow CPG entrepreneurs facing similar challenges—and unlock potential collaborations.
3. Meet Future Partners & Investors: Build relationships with the folks who can provide the capital, expertise, or distribution channels to scale your brand.