310. Jake Muise, Co-founder & CEO of Maui Nui Venison

Today, I'm joined by Jake Muise, co-founder and CEO of Maui Nui Venison.   Making meat planet-friendly, the company harvests wild, invasive axis deer on Maui to balance ecosystems while providing nutrient-dense protein. In this episode, we discuss turning an ecological crisis into a regenerative food business.   We also cover:   Balancing commerce, conservation, and community The pitfalls of the hyper-processed high-protein craze Why nutrient density labels could change the food system   Subscribe to the podcast → insider.fitt.co/podcast Subscribe to our newsletter → insider.fitt.co/subscribe Follow us on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/company/fittinsider   Website: mauinuivenison.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/mauinuivenison FB: https://www.facebook.com/mauinuivenison   -   The Fitt Insider Podcast is brought to you by EGYM. Visit EGYM.com to learn more about its smart workout solutions for fitness and health facilities.   Fitt Talent: https://talent.fitt.co/ Consulting: https://consulting.fitt.co/ Investments: https://capital.fitt.co/   Chapters: (00:00) Introduction (01:00) Jake's background and Maui Nui Venison overview (02:00) Axis deer problem and invasive species impact (05:00) The founding moment witnessing mass deer die-offs (07:00) Seven years as nonprofit before becoming for-profit CPG (09:00) Current scale (11:00) Product mix (14:00) Accidentally creating extraordinary nutrient density (16:00) Critique of protein-washing and empty protein products (21:00) Balancing commerce, conservation, and community (23:00) Running constant experiments to solve complex systems (26:00) Authentic mission-driven business as competitive advantage (29:00) Four pillars: transparency, energy balance, purpose, taste (32:00) Why nutrient density labels could transform food system (36:00) Profitable regenerative agriculture through proper pricing (38:00) New aged venison line and summer sausage launch (40:00) Conclusion