Mid-Day Squares Co-Founder Jake Karls on How They Built a $38 Million Brand by Being Themselves

In this episode of The CEO Series, William Salvi sits down with Jake Karls, co-founder and Chief Rainmaker of Mid-Day Squares. Jake walks through the early version of the business which was three people making 50 to 100 bars a day in a condo kitchen and hand delivering samples with a Polaroid and a handwritten note. He explains how they raised money and built their own manufacturer. Jake talks about why he doesn't believe he is a good manager, his burnout, pitching to Wall Street in shorts and a buttoned down shirt and why after 8 years he still does therapy with his co-founders. He also gets into what it actually takes to get a CPG product into stores, from showing up to trade shows and road shows to using storytelling and social media to drive sales.