Episode 184: Approaching Co-Branded Collabs and Combining your Social Mission with your Biz Strategy with Ground Up PDX

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Knowing just how to approach celebrities or influencers for brand collaborations is hard. That’s why we’re so excited to share this episode with you! Today, we chatted with Carolyn Cesario and Julie Sullivan, the co-founders of Ground Up PDX. Ground Up PDX is a nut butter company that has a social mission to provide job training to women in the Portland area. They have just launched a new nut butter flavor with health and wellness expert, Liz Moody.

In this episode, you’ll hear more on…

⬆️ How Julie and Carolyn approach co-branded celebrity collaborations

⬆️ What tips they have for success in co-branded collabs

⬆️ Ground Up PDX’s new flavor with Liz Moody, their Strawberry Black Pepper!

⬆️ How they balance their social mission with their day-to-day logistics and strategy

⬆️ And more!

🔗 As I mention, be sure to follow me on Instagram and let me know which tips you’ll be using. Find me at @itsalliball or connect with me on LinkedIn here! You can also join our Food Biz Wiz Facebook group for more CPG conversations!

MEET JULIE SULLIVAN:

Julie is a co-owner of Ground Up PDX. She leads sales, partnerships and workforce development at Ground Up. She has 10 years of program development experience, including 2 years spent in Uganda as Director of Development at 31 Bits Designs, where she oversaw a training program for over 150 women overcoming poverty.

MEET CAROLYN CESARIO:

Carolyn is the co-owner of Ground Up PDX. She leads marketing, product development and eCommerce at Ground Up. She has over 12 years of marketing/ eCommerce experience, previously serving as Director of Marketing at ethical fashion brand Sseko Designs and as Business Strategist at digital agency SapientNitro.

CHECK OUT GROUND UP PDX:
Ground Up PDX is a not-just-for-profit business that provides job training to womxn overcoming adversity in the Portland area. Through the sale of healthy and delicious nut butters, we empower womxn with the confidence and skills they need to get back on their feet.

Check them out at their site here or on Instagram here. Their social media handle is @grounduppdx!

SPONSORED BY: RETAIL READY® RIGHT NOW!

This episode is sponsored by Retail Ready® Right Now! If you listened in and were wondering how YOU can have Alli’s buyer support on your CPG questions, then Retail Ready® IS the perfect place for you! Retail Ready® is our online course and support community for producers who are looking to increase their sales THIS year. Click here for our quickstart enrollment so that you can learn more and get started TODAY!