Encore Presentation: Take Healthy Snacking to the Next Level, Recipe 33 on the NexxtLevel Podcast.

Encore Presentation: Daniel Smith enjoyed healthy snacks while studying at school.  He loved flavored almonds - but what a mess! I’m sure you are familiar with that salty, greasy hand scenario when you finish off a package of Blue Diamond nuts, for instance. That’s how his idea for infused almonds came about.  As founder and CEO of Recipe 33, Daniel set out to innovate a largely stagnant category.

Through a unique, slow, craft process, Recipe 33 infuses nuts with flavors like black truffle, smoky serrano, cinnamon vanilla, and lemon rosemary. The infused almonds are not just a great source of protein, but perfect to enjoy while using your computer, phone, or tablet, reading a good book or magazine, or playing your guitar or video game.

In today’s episode, I speak with Daniel about the recent Natural Products Expo show, his process for development at Recipe 33 and his marketing, distribution, and plans for the future.

The “NexxtLevel Brands Podcast’ is hosted by G. Steven Cleere, Founder and “Chief Pot Stirrer” of NexxtLevel Brands. This show focuses on disruptors and thought-leaders from the Entrepreneurial Food, Beverage, and CPG Industry, but we also share tips from veterans and key suppliers that may help fellow CPG professionals achieve their goals.

Discussion Points

• What are “infused” nuts?
• Did you plan to develop this product or did you look for space in the market?
• Recipe 33’s unique flavors are not meant to compete with huge players like Blue Diamond
• The unique flavors may need some introduction to consumers, how did you work through the pandemic without demos?
• Differences in Daniel’s business plan vs. reality
• What did you look at for distribution options?
• Recipe 33 future plans– new nuts, flavors, and functional snacks
• Business functions that Daniel outsourced as a solopreneur
• Daniel’s success being a “local” producer
• Expo west had an incredible turnout, 57K attendees?  Did you see anything super innovative?
• Words to grow by: Discipline, focus, and put yourself in uncomfortable positions, don’t get complacent.

Resources:

Daniel Smith LinkedIn

Recipe 33 Website

NexxtLevel Brands Website

Steven Cleere LinkedIn