EP 17 - The Power of Branding and Intention in the Natural Foods Industry - Ari Raz

Ari Raz is a distinguished entrepreneur and executive in the natural foods industry, renowned for his leadership and innovative contributions.   Before joining The Coconut Cult in August 2021, Ari co-founded Once Upon a Farm, a company specializing in cold-pressed baby food, where he held the positions of CEO and later President from 2015 to 2021. Once Upon a Farm is currently on a $250M revenue run rate and valued at over $1B. His tenure was marked by significant growth and the establishment of the brand as a trusted name in children's nutrition. Under Ari's leadership, The Coconut Cult has grown from a $2.7M annual revenue business to a $36M revenue run rate actual and $57M revenue run rate if capacity existed to fill all orders.  His strategic vision continues to propel The Coconut Cult toward new heights in the plant-based yogurt market.  He is also the President of Naturally San Diego, a nonprofit organization and business network that fosters sustainability and responsible business practices, stimulates conscious growth, supports entrepreneurship, and develops leadership in the San Diego natural products community.   Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Ari Raz and His Journey  01:01 Inspiration from Family and Early Experiences  05:45 The Birth of Once Upon a Farm  10:51 Branding and Marketing in the Food Industry  15:09 The Role of Jennifer Garner in Once Upon a Farm  24:12 Commitment to Growth  26:00 Navigating Leadership Transitions  28:42 The Impact of COVID-19 on Business  30:51 Manifestation and Intuition in Entrepreneurship  33:54 Building Naturally San Diego  40:22 Personal Biohacks for Entrepreneurs  48:05 Mindfulness and Global Awareness    Contact Ari Raz:  [email protected]  https://naturallysandiego.org/  https://thecoconutcult.com/  Contact Liesl Bernard:  [email protected]   https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslbernard/   www.leadingforwellness.com