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In my dialog with Ben Goodwin, CEO of OLIPOP, one factor was instantly clear — his imaginative and prescient extends far past promoting drinks. In contrast to many executives who inherit management roles, Ben is each the formulator and the driving power behind the model’s mission. Ben showcased a dedication to making a more healthy soda various and needed to shift shopper habits and enhance public well being. That form of dedication is uncommon within the trade, and it is fascinating to see how OLIPOP has carved out an area in a market lengthy dominated by giants like Coke and Pepsi.
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Probably the most hanging features of our dialogue was Ben’s emphasis on authenticity in product improvement. He personally crafts every OLIPOP taste, making certain that each sip delivers nostalgia and pleasure whereas sustaining a health-conscious profile. In contrast to most main beverage corporations that outsource formulation to giant taste homes, Ben nonetheless operates from his personal lab — one thing almost unparalleled at a company valued at $1.8 billion. His hands-on method ensures the standard of OLIPOP stays uncompromised as the corporate scales, a problem many manufacturers wrestle with once they develop too shortly.
One other key takeaway I had was the problem of breaking into the beverage trade. Ben described it as “enterprise on professional mode,” and he is proper. With excessive distribution prices, razor-thin margins and cutthroat competitors, it is an trade the place solely 0.4% of manufacturers ever cross the $10 million income mark. But, OLIPOP has not solely crushed these odds however has continued to double its gross sales yr over yr. The problem now’s sustaining that momentum whereas staying true to the corporate’s mission and avoiding the pitfalls that usually include rapid expansion.
Past enterprise technique, I used to be struck by Ben’s resilience. He spoke overtly about earlier ventures that did not work out, but somewhat than strolling away, he doubled down and took one other shot. That form of mindset is what separates good entrepreneurs from nice ones. He understands that success in enterprise — particularly in an trade as difficult as drinks — requires a deep properly of ardour and perseverance. His capacity to bounce again, refine his imaginative and prescient and construct one thing even better is a testomony to his management and perception in what he is creating.
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In the end, my largest query popping out of this interview is: Might OLIPOP redefine soda as we all know it? With shopper well being tendencies shifting away from conventional gentle drinks and away from pointless sugar consumption, it is completely potential that OLIPOP, or manufacturers prefer it, will take over the house lengthy dominated by legacy beverage corporations. Ben’s method — balancing innovation with authenticity — places him in a major place to make that imaginative and prescient a actuality. Time will inform, but when the previous 5 years are any indication, OLIPOP’s journey is simply getting began.
