Jay Stefanski

New Twitter - lost access to @jaystefanski

[Jay Stefanski @jay_stefanski]

@EyeforRetail_ As expected, exclusive distribution through Big Geyser

[Crumbl @crumbl]

can i get a little commotion for the new Pistachio Gelato ft. Muddy Bites®️ cookie 💚

[Jarod Steffes @jarodsteffes]

5/12 👀

[Elon Musk @elonmusk]

Yup

[Eye for Retail @EyeforRetail_]

Expo West is this week. The Superbowl of CPG trade shows.

Wandering the aisles can be inspiring, eye opening and overwhelming. It certainly gets the creative juices flowing to see the new products and ideas. So much energy.

It might even tempt those thinking about starting a CPG business to take the plunge.

But before you do, understand what you are in for. Is this really what you want? Do you understand the sacrifices required? What do you need to succeed?

Here are the three most important traits of a CPG founder:

1. Vision – combined with a little stubbornness, someone needs to hold the vision for the product and where the business is headed.

2. Endless stamina – getting punched in the face all day every day requires incredible stamina. You need to keep your head up and stay positive for yourself and those around you.

3. Original thinking – the ability to think from first principles as new and difficult situations reveal themselves everyday.

There’s no playbook to tell you what to do when your copacker just called to say they messed up the formulation of the new batch, while you are already late to supply your biggest supermarket customer again for the second time this month, your sales manager in your biggest territory just quit, another crashed their new company car, the colors on the new label run are incorrect, you might have a quality issue in a previous batch that could need to be recalled, but maybe not – it’s a grey area, you learned your biggest competitor is trying to court your biggest distributor and making some ground, and your spouse is asking what time you will be home since you came home at midnight last night. This all before 11am.

These problem solving abilities are just as important on the offensive too.

New sales tactics at store level, incentive structures for distributors, clever trade marketing initiatives, understanding the workings of a supermarket customer and how to incentivize them, the ability to convince great people to work with you.

And a thousand iterations of these examples over and over. All while keeping an eye on the brand and strategy from a 30,000 foot level to ensure you are heading in the right direction.

It looks sexy and fun on the outside but the daily reality of being a CPG founder is painful. And lonely. Even if you are often surrounded by people, most of them don't know the half of what you are personally dealing with as the founder.

Only looking in the rearview mirror does the sense of accomplishment start to overcome the hard work that got you there. And for some reason, that’s enough to make you want to do it.

And maybe even go back to try it again.

Enjoy the show.

[Mark Gallo @guhlo]

A beverage HERO amongst us !!

[Jay Stefanski @jay_stefanski]

@_kylepeters Not even, shipping in from Thailand 🤷🏼‍♂️

[CPG WIRE @cpgwire]

You can now find Muddy Bites at Kroger 📈

[Kurt Benkert @KurtBenkert]

Nah dude wtf

[☔ @Whotfismick]

“your 20s will be the greatest years of your life”

me in my 20s:

[Jay Stefanski @jay_stefanski]

@lifeofkchops @createwithcura Not able to send you a DM but would like to learn more for @eatmuddybites if there is an opportunity.

Thank you!

[Nate Rosen @RosenZone]

I’m live streaming right now with snacks!

@endingwithali 🙌

@drinkjuvee @drinkyabai @eatmuddybites @Feastables @drinkaurabora

https://t.co/fJQoSmfcXT

[Jay Stefanski @jay_stefanski]

@KeirYonge love this

[Warren Sharp @SharpFootball]

this was one of the best postgame interviews I can remember

impossible to not feel ecstatic for Drew Lock

great job Lisa Salters for navigating thru it

[Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) @shannonsharpeee]

Ochocinco told unc Shannon sharpe he use to strip for BBW’s 😂

Ocho:”BBW’s tip real good! I was making 2,500 a night”

Unc:”U ain’t a lady if U ain’t 180…210 count ya boy in”

Ocho:”I like that”

Unc:”Sometimes u gotta slay a lot of dragons to get the queen”

🎥:@NightcapShow_

[Jarod Steffes @jarodsteffes]

Our new flavor dropped, Muddy Bites Girl Scout Thin Mints!

Inspired by everyone's favorite Girl Scout Cookie - it's the perfect ratio of mint chocolate mini-cone to dark chocolate filling.

Order here before we sell out 👉🏼 https://t.co/qTvioWGQNt

[Nate Rosen @RosenZone]

oh yeah baby, @eatmuddybites x @girlscouts thin mints collab just dropped!!

This is the best thing ever, it's perfect 😍

[CPG WIRE @cpgwire]

These are gonna go quick.

More info ➡️ https://t.co/xkBJMJGONJ

[CPG WIRE @cpgwire]

Muddy Bites is dropping a new flavor on 12/6 👀

[Jay Stefanski @jay_stefanski]

@jarodsteffes @RosenZone About 2 - 2 1/2 inches of cushion, the insole is comfy as well. I also added on the carbon fiber foot plate that goes under the insoles and notice a difference. They’re made for trail running but I use them on the treadmill, hikes, dog walks and love them so far.