46. How Community Builds Winning CPG Brands With Alex Hanifin, Naturally Boulder and Alpine Start Foods

46. If you're trying to build your CPG brand alone, you're making it harder than it needs to be. The fastest path to retail growth isn't hustle—it's community, mentorship, and aligned partnerships.  In this powerful conversation with Alex Honnold (Alpine Start) and Vice President of Naturally Boulder, we unpack how conscious growth, leadership, and innovation fuel sustainable CPG success. From learning directly under founders like Justin Gold and Jane Miller, to launching Alpine Start into REI nationally from day one, Alex proves that education doesn't just happen in a classroom—it happens in the community. We discuss alternative channel strategy (outdoor retail before grocery), leveraging mentors to say "yes" to big retail opportunities, building ambassador ecosystems instead of buying ads, and why mission-driven brands outperform commodity products. If you want to get on shelf—and stay there—you must plug into the right ecosystem. Get instant access on the show webpage: RetailSolved.com/session46