The Packology Podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Connie on her LinkedIn.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connie-nguyen-05341/

The views and opinions expressed on the “Packology” podcast are solely those of the author and guests and should not be attributed to any other individual or entity. This podcast is an independent production of Packology, and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2025.

Sustainable Packaging and the Circular Economy with Natalie Betts

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0700

In this episode of the Pathology podcast, host Brandon Frank welcomes Natalie Betts, a partnership builder, strategist, and circular economy champion from the Recycled Materials Association (RMA). They engage in a compelling conversation about sustainability in packaging, discussing Betts' unique journey into recycling through economic development in Austin, Texas. Betts provides insights into recycling processes at Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs), the complexities of the recycling industry, and the importance of using recycled materials to reduce environmental impact. She also shares practical advice for consumers on recycling common household items and highlights tools developed by RMA to assist packaging designers in creating recyclable materials. The discussion extends to broader industry topics including global trade in recycled commodities, policy shifts, and collaborative efforts within the US Plastics Pact to make plastics packaging circular.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

Natalie's Journey into Recycling
Understanding Recycling Facilities
Recycled Materials Association Overview
Challenges and Innovations in Recycling
Practical Recycling Tips
Paper Packaging and Recycling Readiness Tool
Global Trade and Recycling
Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Natalie Betts is a skilled strategic planner, writer, and partnership builder. 10+ years of experience working at the intersection of government & private industry, and subject matter expertise in circular economy, recycling & economic development. Strong program and project management professional with a Master of Public Affairs focused in Policy Analysis; Sustainable Development from Indiana University Bloomington and a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) credential from the International Economic Development Council.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to https://www.ppcpackaging.com/packology-podcast-1

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PPCPackaging/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Website: http://www.ppcpackaging.com/

Find out more about Natalie on her LinkedIn.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/natalie-betts-b2296831

The views and opinions expressed on the “Packology” podcast are solely those of the author and guests and should not be attributed to any other individual or entity. This podcast is an independent production of Packology, and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2025.

AI-Powered Packaging Solutions & Business Agility | The Packology Series with Ben Gold

Fri, 09 May 2025 14:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Brandon Frank and Ben Gold discuss the impact of AI across various industries and its potential to reshape business practices. They explore the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, from its transformative power to its potential pitfalls.

Key Discussion Points:

AI Impact on Supply Chains: The conversation begins with a discussion on how AI is helping businesses navigate supply chain disruptions, particularly in the packaging industry.
AI as a Consultant's Tool: Ben highlights the effectiveness of AI tools like ChatGPT Deep Research in analyzing complex data, using the example of evaluating proposals from a client's strategy session.
The AI-Driven Transformation: The discussion covers the potential for AI to drive significant change in businesses, including automating processes and streamlining operations.
The Future of the Workforce: Ben and Brandon delve into the implications of AI for the workforce, discussing the need for adaptation and the potential for job displacement.
AI Literacy and Adoption: The importance of AI literacy within organizations is emphasized, along with strategies for integrating AI tools into business processes.•LinkedIn Automation Strategies: Ben shares his experiences with using AI to enhance his LinkedIn strategy, including content creation, lead generation, and engagement.

About Ben Gold:

Ben Gold is an AI strategist and consultant with over 20 years of experience in technology and sales. He specializes in helping organizations adopt AI to improve efficiency, quality, and client engagement. Ben is passionate about making AI accessible and practical for businesses of all sizes.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to https://www.ppcpackaging.com/packology-podcast-1
Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PPCPackaging/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en
Website: http://www.ppcpackaging.com/

Find out more about Ben on his website and connect with him on LinkedIn and Email.

Website: bengoldai.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bengoldsales
Email: ben@bengoldai.com

AI's Impact on Business & Society: An In-Depth Discussion | The Packology Series with Ben Gold

Fri, 02 May 2025 10:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Brandon Frank and Ben Gold reconnect to discuss the rapid advancements and transformative impact of AI on business and society. Ben provides an update on his recent work with AI, including developing an AI CRM and consulting with various companies. The conversation covers the impact of AI on the workforce, the pace of AI development, and potential dangers, such as AI character apps.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

The AI Arms Race: The rapid development of AI and the potential dangers of releasing models without proper safeguards.
The Impact of AI on the Workforce: Ben and Brandon discuss how AI is changing job roles and the importance of adapting to new technologies.
Practical Applications of AI in Business: Using AI tools to improve efficiency, automate tasks, and enhance research capabilities.
The Dark Side of AI Character Apps: Ben warns about the potential dangers of AI character apps, which are designed to be manipulative and can form unhealthy emotional bonds with users.
Analyzing Transcripts with AI: Ben provides guidance on using Claude and ChatGPT to analyze call transcripts, extract key insights, and improve business processes.
The transformative impact of AI Ben shares how AI has transformed his business, enabling him to provide clients with in-depth analyses and solutions in record time.

About Ben Gold:
Ben Gold is an AI strategist and consultant with over 20 years of experience in technology and sales. He specializes in helping organizations adopt AI to improve efficiency, quality, and client engagement. Ben is passionate about making AI accessible and practical for businesses of all sizes.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to https://www.ppcpackaging.com/packology-podcast-1

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PPCPackaging/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en
Website: http://www.ppcpackaging.com/

Find out more about Ben on his website and connect with him on LinkedIn and Email.
Website: bengoldai.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bengoldsales
Email: ben@bengoldai.com

The views and opinions expressed on the “Packology” podcast are solely those of the author and guests and should not be attributed to any other individual or entity. This podcast is an independent production of Packology, and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2025.

Sustainable Packaging in the Pet Industry with Allison Burdick from PSC

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 09:00:00 -0700

In this episode of the Packology podcast, host Brandon invites Allison Burdick, a sustainability analyst from the Pet Sustainability Coalition (PSC), to discuss the challenges and innovations in sustainable packaging within the pet industry. They explore the goals and initiatives of PSC, the importance of collaborative efforts, and the complexities of recyclable and compostable packaging. Allison shares insights on PSC’s resources, including their packaging supplier directory and industry-wide pledge for more sustainable packaging by 2025. The episode highlights real-world examples of successful initiatives and discusses future trends and potential solutions for reducing the environmental impact of pet product packaging.

Meet Allison Burdick: Sustainability Analyst
Sustainable Packaging in the Pet Industry
Challenges and Innovations in Packaging
PSC's Collaborative Efforts and Tools
Defining Sustainability and Future Goals
Consumer Education and Recycling
PSC's Packaging Pledge and Success Stories
Membership Benefits and Events
Choosing the Most Sustainable Packaging
Flex Forward Program and Chemical Recycling
Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Allison Burdick is a Sustainability professional helping businesses meet ESG goals through practical, science-driven solutions. With experience across federal, corporate, and non-profit sectors, she thrives in both independent and team settings. A nature lover and problem-solver—she’s always ready to collaborate.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to https://www.ppcpackaging.com/packology-podcast-1

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PPCPackaging/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Website: http://www.ppcpackaging.com/

Find out more about Allison on her on PSC website and LinkedIn.

Website: https://petsustainability.org/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/allison-burdick-5b354a10a

The views and opinions expressed on the “Packology” podcast are solely those of the author and guests and should not be attributed to any other individual or entity. This podcast is an independent production of Packology, and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2025.

Understanding Tariffs: Insights from Moushami P. Joshi on the Current Trade Landscape

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 08:00:00 -0700

In this episode, the host Brandon Frank welcomes Moushami P. Joshi, a senior counsel at Hush Blackwell, to discuss the complexities and impacts of tariffs on trade and the US economy. Moushami brings her vast experience in international trade law, shedding light on the technical distinctions between customs duties and tariffs, the significant role tariffs play in current economic policies, and the implications for various industries, particularly packaging. Highlights include a deep dive into the utilization of old statutes like Section 232 and 301 under recent administrations, the consequences of retaliatory tariffs, and the critical considerations for businesses to avoid significant penalties.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

Introduction
The Impact of Tariffs on the US Economy
Understanding Tariffs and Their Implications
Tariffs on Packaging and Industry Insights
Current and Future Tariff Policies
Retaliatory Tariffs and Global Trade Dynamics
Consequences of Misreporting Tariffs
Conclusion and Future Discussions

Moushami is an experienced international trade attorney with a background spanning India and the U.S. She specializes in tariffs, customs matters, and trade remedies, representing foreign governments, multinational corporations, and the Indian government in WTO litigation, antidumping, and countervailing duty actions. Moushami has practiced in both India and the U.S., with expertise in complex trade issues like Section 301 and 232 tariffs and "Made in U.S.A." rules. Known for her clear communication and problem-solving skills, she currently serves as president of the Association of Women in International Trade (WIIT) and is a respected thought leader in the field.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to https://www.ppcpackaging.com/packology-podcast-1

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PPCPackaging/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Website: http://www.ppcpackaging.com/

Find out more about Moushami on her LinkedIn.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/moushami-p-joshi-1a08104

The views and opinions expressed on the “Packology” podcast are solely those of the author and guests and should not be attributed to any other individual or entity. This podcast is an independent production of Packology, and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2025.

Navigating Extended Producer Responsibility: An In-Depth Look at California's SB 54 with Maggie Spicer

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 09:00:00 -0700

In this episode, the host Brandon Frank welcomes back Maggie Spicer to discuss California's SB 54, a major piece of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation. They explain the intricacies of SB 54, its impact on CPG brands and packaging companies, and the broader implications for the packaging value chain. The conversation covers the basic principles of EPR, the specific obligations for producers, including the financial responsibilities, and the importance of understanding and complying with the new regulation to avoid significant penalties. Maggie also highlights the support available for companies navigating this complex landscape.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

Introduction to SB 54
Understanding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
SB 54: California's Aggressive EPR Program
Defining Producers Under SB 54
Responsibilities and Exemptions for Producers
Financial Obligations and Eco Modulation
Common Mistakes Brands Make with SB 54
Understanding EPR Laws and Registration
Importance of Packaging Specifications
Navigating State Regulations
Resources and Support for Brands
Future of EPR and SB 54
Federal vs. State EPR Regulations
Penalties for Non-Compliance

Maggie is the founder of Source Beauty ESG. She combines a background as a supply chain lawyer for global technology companies with experience in skincare product design to help beauty brands and retailers with sustainability-focused compliance, design, and strategy.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to https://www.ppcpackaging.com/packology-podcast-1

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PPCPackaging/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Website: http://www.ppcpackaging.com/

Find out more about Maggie on her websites and connect with her on LinkedIn.

Website: sourcebeauty.co

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/margaretjanespicer

The views and opinions expressed on the “Packology” podcast are solely those of the author and guests and should not be attributed to any other individual or entity. This podcast is an independent production of Packology, and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2025.

Unlocking AI Potential in Traditional Industries: Insights from Ian Tappan

Sat, 25 Jan 2025 04:00:00 -0800

In this insightful episode of The Packology Podcast, Brandon Frank sits down with Ian Tappan, an AI business consultant, to explore the game-changing impact of AI on traditional industries, with a focus on the packaging sector. Ian delves into the evolution of AI technologies, the different phases of AI adoption, and how businesses can strategically incorporate AI to boost operations and drive innovation.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

Meet Ian Tappan: AI Business Consultant Extraordinaire
The Evolution of AI in Business
Navigating the AI Journey: From Cautious Observer to Strategic Pioneer
Tools and Technologies to Boost AI Integration
The Future of AI: Betting on the Big Players
Agents and AGI: The Next Frontier in AI
Transforming Traditional Industries with AI
Overcoming Challenges in AI Adoption
Ian Tappan’s Vision for the AI-Driven Future

Ian Tappan is a seasoned AI leader and the founder of DiscoverFire.ai and Quantum Leap AI, with over 12 years of experience in creating tech solutions. Initially trained as a Mechanical Engineer, Ian transitioned to developing tech systems for Uber before focusing on AI-driven sales and lead generation. He specializes in custom AI software and training, helping businesses leverage AI for growth and innovation. His work at DiscoverFire.ai and Quantum Leap AI has made him a respected figure in the AI community, known for driving strategic advancements and empowering companies to enhance workflows in a competitive market.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to https://www.ppcpackaging.com/packology-podcast-1

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Ian on his websites and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Website: discoverfire.ai

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ian-tappan

Embracing the Extraordinary: Kara Duffy on Leadership, Business, and Living Ridiculously

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 08:00:00 -0800

In this episode of The Packology Podcast, host Brandon Frank welcomes Kara Duffy, an entrepreneur, business coach, and consultant known for her unique approach to business and life. Kara shares insights into her "Have It All" method, which she uses to coach CEOs toward becoming extraordinary leaders. She also discusses her new program, "A Ridiculous and Extraordinary Life," and explores themes of business leadership, personal development, and finding one's passion.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

Kara Duffy, entrepreneur and business coach, joins the Packology podcast to share her unique approach to business success.
She discusses a powerful method designed to help leaders reach their full potential.
The conversation focuses on business leadership and strategy.
With over 20 years of experience in the footwear and apparel industries, Kara now coaches others to develop their businesses.
Kara talks about aligning business strategies with core values and creating tailored solutions.
She shares insights on streamlining operations and maximizing efficiency.
Her "ridiculous and extraordinary life" philosophy encourages entrepreneurs to achieve their goals without compromise.
The episode also touches on the role of technology and AI in business, while maintaining authentic connections.

Kara Duffy is an entrepreneur, business coach, and consultant with over 20 years of experience launching and scaling brands globally. From her first business at age 9 to advising over 100 companies, she’s driven success in industries like fashion, sports, and food. Kara specializes in product development, strategy, and operations, helping both global brands and startups optimize and grow. She’s also worked with athletes, musicians, and designers to create innovative products and new brands. Now, Kara helps entrepreneurs elevate their businesses, stay true to their mission, and achieve their goals while having fun.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to https://www.ppcpackaging.com/packology-podcast-1

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Kara on her websites and connect with her on LinkedIn.

Website: karaduffy.com

Website: thepowerfulladies.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/karawduffy

AI in PPC and Business Applications | The Packology Series with Ben Gold

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0800

In this episode, Brandon Frank and Ben Gold discuss how AI is transforming business processes and creating opportunities for small businesses to gain a competitive edge. From improving sales and marketing strategies to streamlining operations, the duo highlights practical applications of AI tools like Humantic for sales profiling, content creation, and CRM optimization. They also share success stories that showcase how AI adoption has enhanced efficiency and quality at PPC Packaging.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

AI-Driven Business Transformation:
- How PPC Packaging is integrating AI tools across departments, from marketing to engineering.
- Leveraging AI to improve lead acquisition, sales calls, and project management.
Enhancing Sales and Marketing with AI:
- Using tools like Humantic to personalize sales pitches and close deals faster.
- Creating automated workflows to handle repetitive tasks and free up time for meaningful client interactions.
Success Stories and Practical Insights:
- Brandon shares how AI helped secure a major client by tailoring a sales strategy using Humantic insights.
- The long-term vision of making PPC an AI-native company with automated and interactive processes.

About Ben Gold:

Ben Gold is an AI strategist and consultant with over 20 years of experience in technology and sales. He specializes in helping organizations adopt AI to improve efficiency, quality, and client engagement. Ben is passionate about making AI accessible and practical for businesses of all sizes.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to https://www.ppcpackaging.com/packology-podcast-1

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Ben on his website and connect with him on LinkedIn and Email.

Website: bengoldai.com

Email: ben@bengoldai.com

Election Impact on AI and Global Politics | The Packology Series with Ben Gold

Fri, 20 Dec 2024 08:00:00 -0800

In this episode, Brandon Frank and Ben Gold delve into the intersections of AI, geopolitics, and international business. They explore the implications of AI's rapid development within a shifting political landscape, including an AI arms race between the United States and China, regulatory challenges in Europe, and what a Trump presidency might mean for AI innovation and safety. This conversation provides a global perspective on how AI is shaping national security, military strategy, and even cross-border business relations.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

AI and International Geopolitics:
- Insights into how the U.S. and China are investing in AI for military and economic dominance.
- Predictions for AI's role in national security, including the creation of country-specific AI models.
Regulatory Challenges and Innovation:
- How European Union regulations are slowing AI adoption compared to the U.S. and UK.
- The balance between fostering innovation and ensuring AI safety on a global scale.
The Future of AI Under a Trump Presidency:
- Speculation on the dismantling of AI safety initiatives in favor of rapid development.
- Discussion on the risks and ethical concerns surrounding unregulated AI advancements.

About Ben Gold:

Ben Gold is an AI strategist and consultant with over 20 years of experience in technology and sales. He helps organizations navigate AI adoption by bridging technical concepts with actionable business strategies. Ben's expertise includes AI strategy development, ethical AI deployment, and workflow optimization.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to https://www.ppcpackaging.com/packology-podcast-1

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Ben on his website and connect with him on LinkedIn and Email.

Website: bengoldai.com

Email: ben@bengoldai.com

From Sales Enablement to AI in Education: Big Ideas and Practical Tools | The Packology Series with Ben Gold

Fri, 15 Nov 2024 12:00:00 -0800

In this episode, Brandon Frank and Ben Gold take a deep dive into how AI continues to shape PPC Packaging’s workflows and beyond. They discuss tools like Apollo and SIG Parser for sales enablement and CRM insights, explore AI’s potential in packaging design, and even touch on personal projects like AI’s role in education and family safety. Whether it’s streamlining lead generation or rethinking the future of work, this episode has something for everyone curious about leveraging AI effectively.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

Streamlining Sales with AI:
- Ben and Brandon discuss how tools like Apollo and SIG Parser are improving PPC’s lead generation and CRM management, saving time while maintaining personalization.
- Exploring automation tools like Make and Zapier to enhance efficiency.
Packaging Design and Ideation:
- Brainstorming how AI tools like DALL-E 3 and MidJourney can help with packaging design by generating visual concepts based on specific requirements.
AI in Education and Family Safety:
- Ben shares plans for his upcoming AI family safety workshop, aimed at helping parents and kids prepare for the future of work and education.

Ben Gold is an AI strategist and consultant with over 20 years of experience in the technology sales sector. He helps organizations navigate the complex landscape of AI adoption and implementation, bridging the gap between technical concepts and business objectives. Ben's specializations include AI strategy development, change management, talent acquisition, ethical AI deployment, and AI-driven workflow optimization. Passionate about making AI accessible, Ben focuses on providing actionable steps and working hands-on with clients to implement and optimize AI strategies. He is the first video game world champion and a thought leader in the technology industry.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to https://www.ppcpackaging.com/packology-podcast-1

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Ben on his website and connect with him on LinkedIn and Email.

Website: bengoldai.com

Getting Creative with AI: Visuals, Content, and Personal Branding | The Packology Series with Ben Gold

Fri, 08 Nov 2024 17:00:00 -0800

In Episode 6, Brandon Frank and Ben Gold discuss new ways AI can help businesses create engaging content, from transforming ideas into images and videos to customizing presentations for specific audiences. They explore popular AI tools for visual and video content creation, including Midjourney, DALL-E 3, HeyGen, and Eleven Labs. Brandon also shares recent updates from PPC Packaging, highlighting how the team is diving deeper into Claude for automating tasks like quality control and call analysis. The episode wraps up with a discussion on using avatars for video content and the question of balancing human presence with AI-driven presentations.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

Current AI Tools for Visuals and Video:
- Ben shares popular AI tools like DALL-E 3 and Midjourney for creating images and HeyGen and Eleven Labs for video and voice cloning, making it easy for businesses to produce multimedia content.
Going Deeper with Claude at PPC:
- The PPC team is using Claude to assist with quality control processes, call analysis, and custom SOPs, bringing new efficiencies to their workflows.
Personalized Content Creation:
- Brandon and Ben brainstorm how AI can streamline content creation by generating multiple posts from one case study and even automating voice and video content.
AI for Branding and Avatars:
- With AI’s ability to create lifelike avatars, Brandon considers whether to create a consistent avatar for PPC’s branding or stick with live presentations.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to https://www.ppcpackaging.com/packology-podcast-1

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Ben on his website and connect with him on LinkedIn and Email.

Website: bengoldai.com

Catching the AI Wave: Practical Wins and Future Plans | The Packology Series with Ben Gold

Fri, 01 Nov 2024 08:00:00 -0700

In this episode, Brandon Frank and Ben Gold share insights from their visit to the Los Angeles Business Show, where AI dominated the conversation across industries. They dive into how PPC Packaging is turning AI concepts into practical wins, like automating email drafts and personalizing LinkedIn outreach. Ben and Brandon also discuss ways to optimize Brandon’s upcoming trip to China with AI and outline the roadmap for PPC’s next steps in their AI journey.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

AI at the Business Show:
- AI is everywhere, with companies from all sectors exploring how it can drive efficiency and impact. Brandon and Ben discuss how PPC Packaging’s AI adoption puts them just ahead of the curve.
AI in Action at PPC:
- PPC team members are finding creative ways to use AI, from LinkedIn outreach to email drafting, which saves time and improves communication.
Future AI Plans for PPC:
- With a new roadmap in place, Ben and Brandon outline PPC’s next goals for AI, including expanded automation and smarter lead generation.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to https://www.ppcpackaging.com/packology-podcast-1

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Ben on his website and connect with him on LinkedIn and Email.

Website: bengoldai.com

Leveraging AI for Practical Wins in Business Efficiency | PPC AI Series with Ben Gold

Fri, 25 Oct 2024 17:00:00 -0700

Welcome back to The Packology Series! In this episode, host Brandon Frank is joined once again by AI expert Ben Gold to explore how AI is creating real wins for PPC Packaging. They discuss practical, hands-on ways AI is transforming workflows, from automating customer emails to tailoring content that feels personal and on-brand. Ben also shares insights on the advantages of open-source AI models for secure data handling, plus the latest news on OpenAI's shift to a for-profit model. This episode is packed with ideas for making AI work smarter, not harder, in your business—so let’s dive in!

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

Real Wins with AI:
- A PPC team member used the Claude tool to transform a recorded conversation into a detailed, customer-ready email, saving valuable time and effort.
Personalizing AI for Company Voice:
- Brandon and Ben talk about training Claude to match PPC’s writing style, making AI-generated content feel more authentic.
AI in Data Security and Open-Source Models:
- Ben shares insights on open-source models like Meta's LLaMA, highlighting how they enable secure, contained AI systems without data leaving the company’s environment.
Insights on OpenAI's New Direction:
- They briefly touch on OpenAI’s recent transition to a for-profit model, including the controversy around this shift and its potential impacts on the AI industry.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to https://www.ppcpackaging.com/packology-podcast-1

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Ben on his website and connect with him on LinkedIn and Email.

Website: bengoldai.com

Exploring AI Innovations in PPC Packaging | PPC AI Series with Ben Gold

Fri, 18 Oct 2024 14:00:00 -0700

In this episode of the PPC AI Series with Ben Gold, Brandon Frank and Ben Gold discuss recent AI developments and their impact on PPC packaging. They explore exciting innovations from OpenAI and Google, focusing on how businesses can leverage these tools to improve efficiency and customer service. The episode also covers AI integration in sales processes, personalized communication strategies, and the use of tools like Claude and ChatGPT for better task management.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

AI Developments:
- OpenAI's recent transition to a private company and leadership changes coincide with Google's new AI tools, such as Notebook LM, which are transforming business applications of AI in document management and other areas.
AI in PPC Packaging:
- PPC Packaging is leveraging AI to streamline sales, marketing, and operations. Ben Gold and Brandon Frank discuss how tools like Claude, ChatGPT, and Google Gemini enhance team efficiency and focus on high-impact tasks.
Smarter Communication with AI:
- AI is transforming PPC's communication by personalizing outreach, preparing for meetings, and quickly qualifying leads. Tools like Humantic help understand prospects' personality profiles, enabling more tailored and effective interactions.
AI for Sales Coaching:
- Ben and Brandon discuss using AI to review sales calls and provide real-time feedback, helping sales reps improve their approach. AI's role in sales coaching could enhance performance by pinpointing key areas for improvement in customer interactions and follow-ups.
Next Week’s Teaser:
- Next week's episode will explore AI-driven video editing tools like Opus Clips and Descript, discussing how they enhance speed and efficiency in content creation.

Ben Gold is an AI strategist and consultant with over 20 years in technology sales. He helps organizations navigate AI adoption, bridging technical concepts and business goals. His specialties include AI strategy development, change management, talent acquisition, and ethical AI deployment. Passionate about making AI accessible, Ben provides actionable steps and works closely with clients to optimize their AI strategies. He is also the first video game world champion and a thought leader in the tech industry.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to https://www.ppcpackaging.com/packology-podcast-1

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Ben on his website and connect with him on LinkedIn and Email.

Website: bengoldai.com

Insights from the MAICON Conference: AI Deployment in Organizations

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 09:00:00 -0700

Welcome back to our ongoing Packology Series! In Episode 2, we join Ben Gold to explore the latest trends in AI, particularly in marketing and sales. Recently, Ben attended the MAICON conference in Cleveland, which focused on the practical deployment of AI in organizations. Let’s dive into what he learned and how it can impact our approach to PPC.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

Discussion on the importance of culture in AI deployment within organizations.
The role of C-level executives in fostering a culture that embraces new technologies.
Need for employee participation and appropriate training in AI processes.
Overview of operationalization meetings focused on building custom AI models.
Comparison of AI deployment strategies for small vs. large companies.
The significance of reasoning in AI to prevent hallucinations.
Example of using AI for drafting emails and the importance of personalization.
Debate on whether to standardize communication styles across the company or allow individual variations.
Insights into recent marketing projects, including packaging for notable brands.
Emphasis on the balance between automation and human involvement in the workplace.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to https://www.ppcpackaging.com/packology-podcast-1

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Ben on his website and connect with him on LinkedIn and Email.

Website: bengoldai.com

Exploring the Future of Engineering and Packaging with Dr. Karen Eng

Sun, 06 Oct 2024 14:00:00 -0700

Welcome back to the Packology Podcast! In this episode, Brandon Frank sits down with Dr. Karen Eng, the CEO and owner of CSMI Manufacturing. With over two decades of experience in engineering and packaging services for USDA and FDA regulated industries, Dr. Eng shares her insights on the evolving landscape of manufacturing, sustainability, and the role of technology in the industry.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

Dr. Eng's background and experience in engineering and packaging services.
Overview of CSMI Manufacturing and its focus on USDA and FDA regulated industries.
Transition from plastic packaging to corrugated materials for sustainability.
Historical context of sugar and high fructose corn syrup in beverage manufacturing.
Importance of sustainability and reducing carbon footprint in manufacturing.
Employee engagement and retention strategies at CSMI.
Implementation of ISO 9001 certification and its impact on company processes.
Embracing technology (AI, Industry 4.0, blockchain) for operational efficiency.
Discussion on ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) and its relevance in the industry.
Invitation for listeners to reach out to CSMI for manufacturing needs or inquiries.

Dr. Karen Eng is an accomplished executive with 27 years at CSMI, where she has led its transformation into a global engineering leader since 2009. As CEO, she drives business development and professional growth for the engineering team. Also CEO of Diversity Gaming Solutions, Dr. Eng has secured video terminal and casino licenses. She actively supports minority and women-owned businesses and the AAPI community, serving as a Trustee for New England College of Optometry and chairing the boards of National ACE's Foundation and APIAVote. Known for her disciplined leadership, Dr. Eng specializes in negotiation and family business transitions, dedicating herself to mentoring entrepreneurs and promoting diversity and inclusion in all her efforts.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to https://www.ppcpackaging.com/packology-podcast-1

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Karen on her website and connect with her on LinkedIn.

Website: drkareneng.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drkareneng

Embarking on the AI Journey with Ben Gold

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 17:00:00 -0700

In this inaugural episode of The Packology Series, Brandon, from PPC Packaging, teams up with AI consultant Ben Gold to explore the integration of artificial intelligence into their family-run business. The series is set to document their journey over the coming months, sharing lessons, challenges, and successes in implementing AI and automation across different systems within the company. This episode focuses on the early stages of AI adoption and the exciting potential it holds for increasing efficiency and effectiveness in operations, sales, and marketing.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

Introduction
AI Deployment Phases Overview: Ben outlines the 7 phases of AI deployment that companies like PPC Packaging may go through, from being AI beginners to becoming AI proficient and emergent.
AI Tools & Challenges: Discussion on the rapid evolution of AI tools like Claude and the future implications for PPC Packaging.
Conference & Industry Insights: Ben shares his plans to attend the Mekon conference to stay updated on the latest trends in AI for better strategy deployment.
Adoption Strategy & Challenges: Brandon discusses how they’ve introduced AI to the company and how employees are reacting to the changes.
Individual Training Importance: Ben emphasizes the need for personalized, one-on-one training sessions to ensure successful AI adoption

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to https://www.ppcpackaging.com/packology-podcast-1

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Ben on his website and connect with him on LinkedIn and Email.

Website: bengoldai.com

From AI Beginner to AI Native: A Roadmap for Success with Ben Gold

Tue, 20 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0700

In a recent episode of the Packology Podcast, host Brandon welcomed back AI expert Ben Gold for a captivating discussion about the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) for businesses. With a passion for AI that is almost infectious, Ben shared valuable insights on how entrepreneurs, business leaders, and organizations can harness AI to enhance productivity and streamline operations.

In this episode, we’ll talk about:

• Highlights 7 stages of AI adoption, including emergent and native stages.

• Highlights the need to overcome cultural barriers for effective AI deployment.

• AI can enhance sales processes, meeting notes, and personalized follow-ups.

• Advocates for AI licenses for data protection and collaboration.

• Highlights the risk of outperforming competitors without AI adoption.

• Emphasizes the need for AI integration across all functions.

• Highlights the potential of custom AI models for large data sets.

• Discusses the need for AI governance council and budget for testing AI tools.

• Highlights the need for employee training and AI readiness assessments.

• Notes concerns about AI's potential to reduce workforce and the need for societal awareness.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to https://www.ppcpackaging.com/packology-podcast-1

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Ben on his website and connect with him on LinkedIn and Email.

Website: bengoldai.com

Navigating Sustainability in Packaging: A Collaborative Approach with Maggie Spicer - Part 3

Sun, 09 Jun 2024 11:00:00 -0700

Welcome to the Packaging Brothers podcast, where we explore the world of sustainability and packaging. In this third and final episode, we are joined by returning guest Maggie Spicer to discuss collaborative solutions for navigating the challenges and opportunities in sustainable packaging. If you missed the previous episodes, don't worry, as this episode stands alone. However, we highly recommend checking out the previous episodes for a comprehensive understanding of sustainability topics.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

Part 1 covered ESG framework.
Part 2 discussed greenwashing and environmental marketing claims.
The FTC is reviewing Green Guides, but no new updates have been announced.
The need for brands to adapt to changing sustainability regulations.
Transitioning to sustainable packaging from traditional considerations of product fit, shelf appeal, and budgetary constraints.
Importance of considering sustainability in product development and marketing process.
Advice for brands to test compatibility when switching from 100% virgin plastic to 50%.
Designing packaging with end-of-life in mind to improve recyclability rates.
Engaging with stakeholders on sustainability.
Creating a plan for each packaging item based on specific business, quantities, budgets, and distribution channels.
Consideration of material choices and offsetting environmental impact within the supply chain.
Positioning for growth and differentiation in the market by embracing sustainability.

Maggie is the founder of Source Beauty ESG. She combines a background as a supply chain lawyer for global technology companies with experience in skincare product design to help beauty brands and retailers with sustainability-focused compliance, design, and strategy.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PPCPackaging/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en
Website: http://www.ppcpackaging.com/

Find out more about Maggie on her website and connect with her on LinkedIn.
Website: http://www.sourcebeauty.co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaretjanespicer/

The views and opinions expressed on the "Packaging Brothers" podcast are solely those of the author and guests and should not be attributed to any other individual or entity. This podcast is an independent production of Packaging Brothers, and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2024.

The Impact of AI on Supply Chain Logistics: A Conversation with Pete Grett

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 09:00:00 -0700

Welcome to the latest episode of the Package Brothers podcast, where we had the pleasure of hosting Pete Grett from The BlackRock Group. Pete is a supply chain and logistics expert with a keen interest in the impact of AI on the industry. In this episode, we delved into the challenges and opportunities in the shipping logistics space and how AI is transforming the way businesses operate. Here's a summary of our insightful conversation with Pete Grett.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

Pete Grett, a supply chain and logistics expert from BlackRock Group, discusses the impact of AI on supply chain logistics and SaaS.
The Amazonification of direct-to-consumer and B2B markets has created challenges for supply chains, exacerbated by COVID-19.
The aftermath of COVID has highlighted the vulnerability and interconnectedness of supply chains, leading to strategic shifts like nearshoring and onshoring.
The complexity of global manufacturing and customer demands, including sustainability and last-mile delivery, requires creative solutions and a flexible approach to supply chain management.
The BlackRock Group focuses on improving data quality, defined processes, and training, advocating for a SaaS mentality for flexibility and adaptability.
The importance of learning and iterating quickly, and predicts a future of niche, customer-centered logistics companies enabled by generative AI and technology advancements.
The need for a holistic approach to supply chain management, including flexibility and regionalization in inventory management.

Pete has spent over 25 years in the logistics business. He started first as a temporary floor worker in a warehouse and is now leading The Blackrock Group, a Blue Yonder certified WMS partner. In between, he's held roles of increasing responsibility in operations, IT, and client management. These experiences ultimately led to the formation of The Blackrock Group—a company focused on providing a unique service to customers in need of supply chain services.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Pete on his website and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Website: https://www.theblackrock.group/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/petegrett

The views and opinions expressed on the "Packaging Brothers" podcast are solely those of the author and guests and should not be attributed to any other individual or entity. This podcast is an independent production of Packaging Brothers, and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2024.

The Green Beauty Community: Uniting Voices for Sustainability in the Beauty Industry with Daniel Johnson and Hannah Craik

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 16:00:00 -0700

Welcome to the Packaging Brothers podcast! In today's episode, we are excited to have the founders of the Green Beauty Community, Daniel and Hannah, join us to discuss the community they have built and the impact it is making in the beauty industry. Their approach to sustainability is refreshing, and we are thrilled to share their insights with our listeners.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

The community aims to unite sustainability voices in the beauty industry
Inspired by the need for a brand agnostic organization to champion sustainability
Daniel's interest in sustainability came from repairing and upcycling salon equipment, while Hannah's passion for eco-conscious beauty was influenced by her family's love for the outdoors and her education at an Aveda school
Motivated by the 2020 wildfires, they decided to be more environmentally conscious, particularly within the beauty industry
Created curated education to support sustainability in the beauty industry and aim to inspire and encourage others to make positive changes
Emphasize the importance of community conversations about sustainability and providing real data for informed decisions
Promote the idea of letting individuals decide which products align with their personal values
The community offers forums, webinars, and a directory to help members connect and learn about sustainable practices.

Daniel Johnson, founder of The Green Beauty Community, promotes sustainable salon practices and educates eco-conscious beauty enthusiasts. He also leads The Salon Chair Guys, offering equipment services and eco-conscious cleaning products.

Hannah Craik, an environmental consultant and freelance hair and makeup artist, is dedicated to promoting a cleaner and more sustainable beauty industry by offering coaching, resources, and environmental regulations.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers
Follow PPCPackaging on social media!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PPCPackaging/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en
Website: http://www.ppcpackaging.com/

Find out more about Daniel on his website and connect with him on LinkedIn.
Website: https://greenbeautycommunity.com/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/daniel-johnson-05157a96

Find out more about Hannah on her website and connect with her on LinkedIn.
Website: salonvironment.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-craik-michigan/

The views and opinions expressed on the "Packaging Brothers" podcast are solely those of the author and guests and should not be attributed to any other individual or entity. This podcast is an independent production of Packaging Brothers, and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2024.

ESG and Sustainable Packaging Claims in the Beauty Space with Maggie Spicer - Part 2

Sun, 10 Mar 2024 04:00:00 -0700

Welcome back to the Packaging Brothers podcast! In part 2 of our series on ESG and sustainable packaging claims in the beauty space, we dive into the intricacies of recyclability, biodegradability, compostability, and carbon emissions. Our guest, Maggie Spicer, provides valuable insights into what brands should be communicating to consumers and what packaging companies should consider when making environmental claims.

On this episode, we'll talk about:
•Discusses topics like recyclability, biodegradability, compostability, and carbon emissions.
•Highlights the issue of greenwashing and green hushing in the industry.
•Uses Colgate's recyclable toothpaste tubes as an example of challenges in making accurate recyclability claims.
•Emphasizes the need for brands to make better green claims and understand the environmental impact of packaging materials.
•Highlights the need for collaboration and communication with all stakeholders in the process of determining recyclability.
•Highlights the need for specialty recycling programs for beauty and personal care products with complex packaging.
•Stresses the need for better communication and education on recycling for consumers and brands.
•Highlights the importance of considering both material composition and product format in sustainability claims and decisions.
•Discusses the evolution of green claims, focusing on respecting the format of packaging to drive recycling at the end of life.
•Suggests using technology tools like QR codes and website links to supplement claims on packaging.
•Suggests brands to take ownership of end-of-life recycling and engage in pilot programs for specialty recycling.

Maggie Spicer is the founder of Source Beauty ESG. She combines a background as a supply chain lawyer for global technology companies with experience in skincare product design to help beauty brands and retailers with sustainability-focused compliance, design, and strategy.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PPCPackaging/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en
Website: http://www.ppcpackaging.com/

Find out more about Maggie on her website and connect with her on LinkedIn.
Website: http://www.sourcebeauty.co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaretjanespicer/

The views and opinions expressed on the "Packaging Brothers" podcast are solely those of the author and guests and should not be attributed to any other individual or entity. This podcast is an independent production of Packaging Brothers, and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2024.

Understanding ESG in the Beauty Industry with Maggie Spicer - Part 1

Sun, 18 Feb 2024 04:00:00 -0800

Get ready to dive into the exciting world of sustainable packaging claims in the beauty industry with Maggie Spicer, a marketing and legal expert, on the Packaging Brothers Podcast! In this captivating series of three episodes, join Maggie as she explores the fascinating realm of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. Discover how ESG standards play a pivotal role in shaping the beauty industry's future. With infectious enthusiasm, Maggie unravels the challenges and opportunities that come with implementing ESG guidelines. She highlights the pressing need for industry-specific regulations and emphasizes how ESG not only attracts top talent but also appeals to conscious consumers. If you're passionate about sustainability and innovation in beauty, this podcast is an absolute must-listen!

On this episode, we'll talk about:

•ESG is an investment reporting framework for publicly traded companies to report on environmental, social, and governance themes.
•The beauty industry has become pioneering in sustainability and reporting due to consumer interest and tangibility of beauty and personal care products.
•ESG encompasses governance, environmental, and social aspects, with governance focusing on corporate operations and data privacy.
•The use of AI in retail raises ethical questions about consumer privacy and data rights.
•Corporate governance includes diversity, equity, inclusion efforts, and supplier due diligence policies.
•The social aspect of ESG focuses on human health and safety, and sourcing policies for ethically sensitive materials.
•Challenges of verifying ethical sourcing in the absence of governing bodies are discussed.
•The importance of a holistic view of the supply chain for a responsible and sustainable industry is emphasized.
•Emphasizes the importance of considering sustainability at the ideation stage of product development.
•The need for industry-specific guidelines and standardization in green claims is emphasized.
•The importance of ESG in attracting young talent and appealing to consumers is highlighted.

Maggie Spicer is the founder of Source Beauty ESG. She combines a background as a supply chain lawyer for global technology companies with experience in skincare product design to help beauty brands and retailers with sustainability-focused compliance, design, and strategy.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers
Follow PPCPackaging on social media!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PPCPackaging/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en
Website: http://www.ppcpackaging.com/

Find out more about Maggie on her website and connect with her on LinkedIn.
Website: http://www.sourcebeauty.co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaretjanespicer/

The views and opinions expressed on the "Packaging Brothers" podcast are solely those of the author and guests and should not be attributed to any other individual or entity. This podcast is an independent production of Packaging Brothers, and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2024.

Entrepreneurial Gold: Learn How to Scale and Sell from Expert Christine McDannell

Sun, 24 Dec 2023 09:00:00 -0800

With her expertise in entrepreneurship and strategic exits, Christine brings a unique perspective that can offer invaluable guidance to those navigating the complex landscape of business ownership. Whether you're considering selling your own venture or aiming to scale it to new heights, Christine's insights are bound to provide practical wisdom and actionable advice for entrepreneurs at any stage of their journey. So sit back and get ready to delve into the world of entrepreneurship with someone who has been there, done that, and is here today to share her wealth of knowledge with all of us.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

Christine McDannell shares 20 years of business experience
Started Cleanology in 2003, sold 6 years later
Emphasizes online business approach, pre-selling memberships, and borrowing capital
Launched Magnolia Firm for mergers, acquisitions, and private buyers
Importance of having a plan B, focusing on marketing and customer acquisition
Advises against selling unprofitable or difficult-to-run companies
Recommends two years of industry experience for success and avoiding failure
Focus on digital marketing, branding, design, and content studios
Emphasizes industry experience and avoiding unnecessary risks
Discusses challenges of businesses without AI, transitioning to digital systems, and investing in digital technology

Christine McDannell, founder of The Magnolia Firm, is an experienced M&A and business brokerage firm with over 10 successful companies across various industries. She has experience in building, acquiring, and selling companies in cleaning, wellness, cars, real estate, and tech. In 2018, she founded a SaaS company and learned trade raising techniques. McDannell enjoys working with entrepreneurs to disrupt the status quo and discovered gaps in her own companies during the process of selling her own.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Christine on her website and connect with her on LinkedIn and Twiiter.

Website: https://themagnoliafirm.co/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinemcdannell/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SS_Christine

Unleashing the Power of Positive Impact with Sustainable Packaging Expert, Lindsay Dahl

Sat, 04 Nov 2023 06:00:00 -0700

Get ready to dive into the world of sustainable packaging with our incredible guest, Lindsay Dahl! With her expertise and passion, Lindsay has been instrumental in helping brands transform their practices and make a positive impact on the environment. From reducing negative footprints to increasing positive contributions, she knows just how to guide businesses towards a more sustainable future. If you're curious about how corporate social responsibility intersects with activism, product safety, sustainability, traceability, and wellness, this episode is an absolute must-listen!

On this episode, we'll talk about:

Her experience in government lobbying, including the level of difficulty, bureaucracy, and passionate individuals in the field. Is there were any negative aspects that affected her career choice?
What dirty tactics are big industries or companies using that impact our lives?
What work have she been doing at the beauty counter ritual? What she's focusing on now?
The importance of sustainable packaging and the challenges of traceability for raw materials.
Many brands struggle with transparency due to fear of backlash.
The challenges brands, packaging suppliers, retailers, and consumers face in understanding the environmental impact of products. The difficulty in determining carbon emissions and waste impact. Lindsay recommendation on tools, resources, websites, or companies that make LCA data more accessible.
What does she think about refillable packaging? Is it as good as people think? Should everyone be using it? Are there any things to consider?
Brands should assess demand and product availability before transitioning to a refill model to avoid waste and financial loss. At what point does she think a brand should start to look at going more refillable?

Lindsay Dahl, Chief Impact Officer at Ritual, collaborates with brands to create and execute social impact campaigns, focusing on activism, product safety, sustainability, traceability, and wellness. With expertise in advocacy, product safety, responsible sourcing, and sustainability, she has successfully led in enforcing public health laws and mainstreaming clean practices.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PPCPackaging/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en
Website: http://www.ppcpackaging.com/

Find out more about Lindsay on her website and connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Website: https://lindsaydahl.com/
Company: beautycounter.com
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/lindsay-dahl-3617076
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lindsay_dahl/

Unlocking the Power of AI with Consultant and Expert Ben Gold

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 07:00:00 -0700

Brace yourselves, because the future is here! Our guest today is none other than Ben Gold, a renowned AI consultant and expert who will take us on an exhilarating journey into the world of artificial intelligence. As we explore what lies ahead for this groundbreaking technology, Ben shares his practical advice on how individuals and industries can effectively navigate the upcoming AI revolution. With his incredible expertise and compelling insights, this episode promises to be an absolute treasure trove of knowledge that you won't want to miss!

On this episode, we'll talk about:

How does Ben specialize in generative AI and how does it relate to the job industry, hiring, and recruiting?
What is the value of AI and why is it important?
Which other companies, apps, or resources does he believe will play a crucial role in the future?
In AI, for those who want to explore the future, what advice does he have for those who want to adopt it and move forward quickly but don't know where to start?
Which industries or spaces does he believe will be affected first?
Can AI do everything it can do to allow people to focus on other personal things?
Can AI disrupt industries like law and taxes by learning laws and saving money? Do you think AI has the same opportunity to disrupt these spaces?
In terms of design, packaging design is quite popular. Many people are interested in it, as well as other forms of graphic design. What are some interesting tools that he think people should try out? Are there any other new or recommended tools?
What are some surprising moments when AI applications were combined? Have he seen any interesting examples of these combinations?
Who does he want to connect and work with?

In January 2023, Ben Gold found himself jobless after leaving his sales engineering job at a technology company. He explored the AI innovation ChatGPT, which helped personalize job search, and recognized generative AI as a game changer. He created an AI-powered career coaching startup, JobCo.ai, and spoke with recruiters, career counselors, and job seekers to understand their issues. His mission is to empower job seekers and career counselors with AI tools and personalized guidance, transforming the employment landscape. Ben Gold has a global perspective and is recognized as the first video game world champion from the early 1980s.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Ben on his website and email and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Company: bengoldai.com

E-mail: bendgold2018@gmail.com

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/bengoldsales

Unveiling the Future of Hiring: Insights from Beauty Industry Recruiter Barbara Driggers

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 09:00:00 -0700

Are you curious about the secrets behind successful hiring in the beauty industry? Today, we have a special treat for you as we sit down with Barbara Driggers, an expert recruiter from the BG Executive Group. With her invaluable expertise and insider knowledge, Barbara will be sharing her unique perspective on the industry, uncovering what it really takes to land your dream job in this ever-evolving field. So buckle up and prepare for an episode that will leave you feeling inspired and ready to conquer the beauty world.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

How did she start in this crazy business, particularly in the beauty industry?
How long has she been recruiting? Did she struggle at first or did she quickly find success?
Has she learned any important lessons over the years that she would like to share with someone who is looking to employ or who could be considering a role switch?
What are some of the most memorable moments in her career?
In the process of determining if someone is a good fit for the role, how does she do it without giving away too much of the secret sauce?
Has she ever been hired or asked to work for a company? And she said no. And why was that?
A shift in the job market due to COVID and her advice on positioning oneself or their business to benefit from the changes.
Have she noticed any changes in terms of working on-site versus working remotely?
As things swing back to hybrid or on-site, are we going to see a lot of people having to relocate back to major metropolitan areas?
Some people who work from home have multiple jobs at different companies without telling their employers.
Is having Chief Heart officer, someone who takes care of people in companies, is a good idea? Has this concept been implemented in any companies?

Barbara Guimaraes Driggers, has a successful career spanning from sales representative to Fortune 500 company. She values personal life experiences and aims to match exceptional candidates with organizations for mutual excellence. Barbara's passion for success has led her to become a search consultant, creating the best opportunities for candidates and clients.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PPCPackaging/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en
Website: http://www.ppcpackaging.com/

Find out more about Barbara on her website and email and connect with her on LinkedIn.

Company: https://bgexecutivegroup.com/
E-mail: barbarag@bgexecutivegroup.com
Phone Number: (858) 780-9960
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/barbaraguimaraes

The Power of Perspective: John Abplanalp's Insights on Productivity and Growth in Manufacturing

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 19:00:00 -0700

Our guest for today is John Abplanalp from Tight Lines Advisors. His story is not only interesting, but also compelling and inspiring. I truly appreciate his willingness to join us on the show. During our conversation, we delve deep into his personal and business history, as well as explore his unique perspectives on enhancing productivity in the manufacturing sector.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

John Abplanalp's background and how it relates to Tight Lines Advisors.
Why do many companies struggle with collaboration and what is missing among stakeholders instead of shareholders?
His opinions on how ESG plays into all of this and What about governance?
The role of technology in improving businesses and John's recommendations for adopting new technologies.
How the people element affects productivity and the company's responsibility towards its employees.

John Abplanalp has over 35 years of manufacturing experience, starting as an assembly mechanic and eventually becoming CEO of Precision Valve Corporation. He has a wide range of expertise in strategic planning, management, and international business. He has also been involved in the Consumer Specialty Products Association and is a strong advocate for the aerosol products industry. John has been married for 24 years and has two children.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about John and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Company: https://www.tightlinesadvisors.com/

Phone Number: 914-282-3469

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/johnpabplanalp

Beyond the Box: Unleashing Chelsey Crofts' Innovations in Secondary Packaging

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 06:00:00 -0700

At Pacific Packaging Components, we recently had the pleasure of hosting Chelsey Crofts, one of our exceptional employees, as a guest speaker on the topic of secondary packaging. Known for her unwavering passion and enthusiasm, Chelsey's expertise in this field makes her the perfect candidate to lead this discussion. Secondary packaging plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall appeal and functionality of products. With Chelsey's extensive knowledge, her insights into the latest trends and innovations were unparalleled. Her genuine excitement and dedication to the subject were evident throughout the episode, making it a truly captivating experience for our audience.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

Which projects did she enjoy working on the most or learn the most from?
When a beauty brand approaches her with a project, how does she begin the creative process? How does she set the project up for success from the start?
What are some common mistakes that brands make when they think about or consider secondary packaging?
where does want brands to be at their minimum order quantities (MOQs) when they're thinking about entering secondary packaging?
The difference between manufacturing domestically and overseas and when brands should choose each option.
Sustainability and packaging in the beauty industry have long been discussed. How can brands make their secondary packaging more attractive? Should they focus on sustainability or eco-friendliness?
What does she think is the best option to combine with secondary packaging? Should it be glass dropper pipettes or tubes? Which ones would she recommend brands to consider?
What are the common parts of holiday kits, ambassador kits, and retail displays, and how are they different from standard units, cartons, or shippers?
Smart packaging, such as a QR code, has been around for a while. Are there other advancements in decorating or designing secondary packaging to encourage customer interaction?

Chelsey Crofts is the Senior Project Manager at Pacific Packaging Components, Inc. She is an outgoing person who loves to interact with others. She has a strong background in customer service, procurement, and supply chain management. She pride herself on her ability to build and maintain strong relationships with my customers, coworkers, and vendors. She is a very passionate person and She put her heart and soul into everything she do.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Chelsey and connect with her on LinkedIn.

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chelseycrofts/

The Future of E-Commerce Fulfillment with Harry Drajpuch of Amware Fulfillment

Sun, 25 Jun 2023 06:00:00 -0700

In this session, we will discuss fulfillment with Harry Drajpuch, who has 43 years of experience in the industry. He possesses extensive knowledge of shipping and fulfillment for e-commerce DTC brands. Currently, he is particularly focused on the beauty personal care sector, but they offer many other services as well.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

Amware ownership and Does the size of a business and the number of shipments it handles affect the ease or difficulty of shipping and logistics?
How long has he worked in shipping and logistics? What are the biggest changes in the industry in the last 40 years?
Do robots have any problems? Do they break or crash often, or do they work well without issues?
How does he think AI will impact his space?
Where should someone go if they are interested in working with Amware and how can they initiate the process?
Who is their ideal customer that they can provide the most value to?
How does the Amware platform integrate with a brand's e-commerce platform?
COVID caused problems for shipping in recent years. Now, there is an excess of products due to overbuying during the pandemic. Brands are having trouble dealing with this. Products are staying in fulfillment centers longer than expected. Have he noticed this too?
As a CEO, he need to balance customer service and what's best for his business during tough times. How does he approach this challenge?
How does he plan to find new customers and grow the business? What is his approach to marketing and sales for this growth strategy?
Are sustainability and social impact affecting his business? Have he considered setting sustainability goals? If yes, what are they?
Is he seeing a shift to different kinds of pallets from a sustainability standpoint or lightweight or structure? Has there been a big shift there?

Harry Drajpuch is the Chief Executive Officer at Amware Fulfillment. He has worked in logistics for 30 years and has been a CEO and senior manager at big logistics companies. He has made many improvements in different logistics areas like eCommerce, retail, service parts, reverse logistics, and transportation. Harry loves making operations better and likes flying planes as a hobby. He lives with his wife in Chandler, Arizona but travels a lot to visit customers and Amware facilities.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Harry and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Website: www.amwarelogistics.com

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/hdrajpuch

How EverestLabs.AI Is Transforming Recycling with Apurba Pradhan

Thu, 20 Apr 2023 10:00:00 -0700

EverestLabs.AI is a startup that focuses on the sorting facilities within recycling. They use a camera, a 3D camera, and robotics to sort valuable recyclable commodities. The AI model can detect hundreds of objects within a frame very accurately, which is a hard technical problem to solve. They are deployed in several facilities and are growing rapidly.
On this episode, we'll talk about:

Does the robotics have the capability of even doing a better job than humans sitting there going through it?
Does having these robotics sort out the materials at the end, boost the MRF's profitability, or is it a break even point?
What are the materials that the robots are optimized to collect the most of, and which ones are they unable to capture?
Does it ever get tricked?
With materials like glass and aluminum, are there different ways that those are collected at MRF's currently? And can robots be used to improve that collection rate or not?
How did they settle on the type of robot that they picked?
Do they see that there's a lot of room for the robotics to continue to improve to make their robotics process that much more effective, or is it pretty good right now?
When Apurba first started getting into the recycling industry, what surprised him the most?
What does he put in the recycling bin as someone who has a solid understanding of what is genuinely recycled?
Are we still in the early adopter stage for MRFs using robots, or have we passed that point? Is it approaching mass adoption?
Of all the things Apurba could be focusing on, why did he pick this?

Apurba Pradhan has over 18 years of experience in the technology industry. He began his career as a Product Design Engineer at JDS Uniphase in 2002 and moved to Luxim Corporation in 2006 as Director of Product Marketing. In 2012, he joined Waterstone Management Group as a Management Consultant. In 2013, he became Vice President of Strategy, Marketing and Partnerships at LUMA Lighting Group. In 2016, he moved to Echelon as Head of Product Management and Senior Director. In 2019, he joined Adesto Technologies as Vice President of Products and Marketing. In 2021, he became Head of Business Unit and General Manager at Renesas Electronics, and in 2022, he joined EnOcean and EverestLabs.AI as SVP Strategy and Head of Product respectively.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media! :arrow_down:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Apurba and connect with him on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/apurba-pradhan-a5962114

Website: https://www.everestlabs.ai/

Exploring Molecular Recycling: Tara Cary of Eastman

Sat, 01 Apr 2023 05:00:00 -0700

Molecular recycled plastics are a new type of material that is attracting a lot of attention, especially in the beauty and cosmetics industry. Tara Cary, from the Eastman Chemical Company, is an expert in this field and will provide some insight on this topic. Tara's expertise will guide us through what molecular recycled plastics are and why they're important.
On this episode, we'll talk about:

Tara Cary's experience at Henkel prepared her for Eastman Chemical Company's future development of new technology.
What makes the cosmetic packaging market unique from other markets?
Aesthetics are important in cosmetics and beauty.
What characteristics about a molecular plastic is well suited for the cosmetic market compared to a manual machine recycled content?
Molecular recycled plastic is the only way to get recycled content to have that really clear virgin plastic look and feel.
In Molecular Recycling, how does it all work?
The process use for recycling x-ray film that Eastman has used for over 40 years and Why hasn't this technology been more widely used?
Why not recycle all plastics using a molecular process?
The carbon emissions impact of molecular recycling is astronomically or exponentially larger than the manual machine approach, according to critics. Is it true, and what would her answer be to that criticism?
different kinds of molecular recycled processes.
How can brands or interested parties use it in their business? What is the process to qualify the material and go through those steps?

Tara Cary is an experienced Strategic Marketer with a demonstrated history of working in the consumer goods industry. Strong product management professional skilled in Research and Development (R&D), International Marketing, Polymers, Market Analysis, and Adhesives.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media! :arrow_down:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Tara and connect with her LinkedIn.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/taracary-mkt-innovation

Website: https://www.eastman.com/en

Unlock the Secrets of Sales Success with Michael Gordon

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0700

Michael's background has little to do with how he got into sales, but he was a Marine right out of high school and went to UCSB. He got a degree in political science, and his first job out of college was in sales. He continued down that path and eventually ended up in tech sales. He was working at a startup in 2012 when he brought in an organization called Sandler Training, which is a global training organization. After going through a number of acquisitions, he decided to start the Sandler business.

Sandler is a franchise model, and then what is its ethos, like what is it trying to accomplish? Or what value does it provide to its customers?

Has Michael had a lot of success in helping companies or individuals get over that taboo expectation of the typical salesperson?
The Importance of Listening and Asking Good Questions
Has Michael found that empathy is one of those skills that are difficult to train, but if someone has it, they can develop it a little bit more in a sales environment?
What are some of the top mistakes or issues that Michael encounters when he's talking with a business?
From a sales training standpoint or an organizational structure standpoint, are there the kinds of things that are like systemic problems that he often comes across?
What about sales training? Like, how much really good sales training is currently happening in the businesses that he's working with?
How does he approach the topic of sales training? Like, what are maybe the categories that he focuses on? How does he structure it?
With all of the changes and the evolution of technology in the world of sales, what does he think is going to happen in the future with the incorporation of AI or just automated systems?
What does he recommends like resources, books, podcasts, and tools to help sales professionals improve their communication and persuasion skills?
As like a fellow podcaster, has he enjoyed creating it? What's been some of the biggest takeaways for him?

Michael Gordon brings over 15 years of real-world sales, training, coaching and management experience ranging from seed stage technology startups to fortune 1000 companies. Michael was first exposed to Sandler Sales Training in 2012. As a Sandler Training center owner, he helps corporate clients and sales professionals achieve higher levels of success through training, coaching and ongoing reinforcement.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media! :arrow_down:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PPCPackaging/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en
Website: http://www.ppcpackaging.com/

Find out more about Michael on his website and connect with him on email and LinkedIn.

Website: https://www.gordon.sandler.com/
Email: michael.gordon@sandler.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeljgordon/

Surrounded by War : A Packaging Engineer Working in Kyiv, Ukraine

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 14:00:00 -0700

Andriy Pereuda is a packaging engineer living in Kiev, Ukraine, and his story is an interesting one. He talks about his hometown being destroyed, his new wife living outside of the country, and his potential to join the Ukraine military and fight against Russia.
On this episode, we'll talk about:

What has it been like for the last couple of years, or at least since Russia invaded?
How has it been being a packaging designer? What are some of his specialties that he's currently working on?
Has he already been trained to serve in the military, or would he have to go get training first?
Does he have any idea when this is going to end?
How does he feel about his country and how it has dealt with Russia? Does he feel pride?
Local crisis regarding packaging in Ukraine

Andriy Pereuda is an experienced packaging designer and process engineer. Deep knowledge in specialized software (ArtiosCAD, Adobe Suite, Rules, Cape Pack, Truck Fill, Autocad Mechanical, Inventor, Solidworks). Understanding of SDLC and QA process; Good knowledge of theoretical bases testing;

Knowledge of HTML, CSS; Good bug reporting skills and knowledge in bug tracking system – Jira; Good social and communication skills; Focus on continual process of obtaining new skills and qualification.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Andriy and connect with him on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andriy-pereuda-76118364

McCormick & Company's Global Food Contact Expert: Kimberly Sheehy

Sun, 12 Mar 2023 03:00:00 -0700

Kimberly Sheehy has always been interested in science and aspired to be a veterinarian. She earned her bachelor's degree in biology before attending graduate school for biochemistry. She worked in a few academic research labs and at the University of Chicago for a few years, undertaking protein engineering research. She found out about a job at a consulting firm and took it. She loved it and eventually ended up managing a team of consultants in food contact. And now she's with McCormick & Company.

On this episode, we'll talk about but not limited to:

What does a global food contact regulatory expert do?
McCormick & Company
What are some of the most interesting parts of testing packaging and food?
When it comes to different packaging formats, glass versus plastic, what are some of the things that she have learned or she think would be important to know?
The complexities of different types of packaging and how it actually benefits our life.
In a multi-layer plastic package, what are all the different layers in there and what are the functions that they serve, ideally?
What special considerations are made with that internal layer that's actually touching the food? Is that different than the other plastic layers at all?
Have she worked at all with recycled content in flexible packaging? Or rigid plastic packaging?
from her standpoint and what she's looking at, which is mostly food safety, is it worth the risk to use recycled content? Or would it just be better for the entire packaging value chain or even consumers to just stick with virgin material?
What's her take on using glass for food packaging?
What advice would she have for students that were thinking about getting into packaging?
So what's her take on the BPAs and the PFAs that are in a lot of the headlines right now?

Kimberly Sheehy is a food contact regulatory professional with expertise in US FDA, EU, and China food contact regulatory compliance requirements. Experience with other global food contact regulatory requirements, FDA Food Contact Notification submission, and California Proposition 65. Skilled at multi-project management and providing risk assessment, compliance strategies, regulatory compliance review, and regulatory training. Strong operations professional with a Master of Science (MS) focused in Biochemistry from Northern Illinois University.

Find out more about Kimberly and connect with her on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kimberly-sheehy-081a6362

Meet the Man that Knows the Secrets to Retail Success: Kevin Smith

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 06:00:00 -0800

When it comes to creating a successful brand, Kevin Smith is the go-to guy. His packaging and launch strategies have been instrumental in helping many brands reach new heights of success. He doesn't shy away from challenges and knows his strength lies in understanding what appeals to customers on an aesthetic level.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

How did Kevin get started with all of this?
Was it just something Kevin were interested in, or did he notice a white space in the industry?
If Kevin is willing to share his secret sauce, what are some of the things he discovered or found that have led to his success with these brands?
For Kevin, he always starts with the words, whereas most people start with the visual, or is it going to pop online, off the shelf, or whatever?
How many brands that come to him or aware of started with the way most entrepreneurs go, which is basically by their gut, versus the more data-driven, analytic route that he's describing?
What does Kevin think of Liquid Death's unique branding or their approach to the product that has contributed to their success? Was it a lightning strike that caused them to turn into unicorns?
Is there any other brands he likes that are executing a really good idea, whether it was data driven or another unicorn?
When it comes to AI and data and analytics that are happening in techs specifically in packaging design or data driven launching space. How does he think it will change the game for him?
Is Kevin thinking of starting something in this space, or is he piggybacking on some company that's already there?
Kevin top advice for brand founders and other people involved in launching or rebranding brands.
How much it cost or does it really depend on each specific account?
Is sustainable packaging really a thing with consumers? Is it actually impacting the decisions they're making when they're buying products?

Kevin Smith is currently the Founder/CEO of INC 5000 Company SmashBrand, the only CPG data-first brand development agency that can guarantee retail market outcomes and increased sales velocities. They help brands confidently put products on the shelf that sell. Combining strategy and design expertise with consumer testing at multiple points throughout our process, we create brands that win customers, not just awards. He is an established entrepreneur in the food + beverage and wellness industries with 20+ years experience as a Founder/CEO in four successful start-ups with over 50mm in profitable revenue.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Kevin on his website, and connect with him on LinkedIn.
Website: smashbrand.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smashkcs/

Untangling the Confusing World of Recyclables with Bradley Kelley

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 06:00:00 -0800

Bradley Kelley developed MRF processing systems, also known as MRFs or material recovery facilities, before joining GBB. It's a material recovery facility for recycling, and there are these great, big, huge machines that would pull all the material back apart. You'd sort your paper into one bin, your containers into another, and your metals into yet another so that you could get paid for the recyclables you put in the curbside bin.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

On this episode, we'll talk about:

the state of the recycling industry as a whole. There is a lot of confusion around the topic of recyclability. What items are captured, why and how the whole thing really works
How much damage does wish-cycling do to the recycling stream or process?
when it comes to recyclable items, the material is important, but what's almost most important there is the right shape, that it's the shape of a bottle, a water bottle, soda bottle, or a milk jug for HDPE.
most people don't realize that even though it is the same material, it does need to be treated differently. And that does impact its likelihood of being captured.
any plastic that is black cannot be recovered in a MRF.
The recycling or plastic industries choose the items they do because there is value later down the value chain.
the reasons that smaller items aren't often collected or captured
Many brands are switching over to aluminum instead of plastic. Is it true that it could be infinitely recycled?
How does that Eddy Current work?
Because glass is heavy and breaks easily, there are many different views and ideas about recycling it. What is his opinion of glass in terms of whether it will be recycled or not?
What are some of the weirdest things he's seen in a recycling stream?
What's his opinion of just the recycling part? Are all the claims made about biodegradable or compostable materials that are entering or already available in the market making things more difficult for the recycling stream? What effect does that have?
Does he think that the molecular advanced chemical recycling process will be the solution for those hard to recycle items that mechanical or manual processes cannot collect?
Do he think that the implementation of extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs, which requires companies throughout the packaging value chain from manufacturers to retailers to take responsibility for the disposal of their products, is here to stay?
The topic of sustainability is clearly becoming more popular, and it appears that more companies are developing goals or objectives. Has he noticed this in his line of work? More companies want to do more. They want to collaborate. They want to try to find solutions.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers
Follow PPCPackaging on social media!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PPCPackaging/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en
Website: http://www.ppcpackaging.com/

Find out more about Bradley on his website, and connect with him on LinkedIn.
Website: https://gbbinc.com/about/our-experts/bradley-kelley-bsme
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/bradley-kelley-58388370

The views and opinions expressed on the "Packaging Brothers" podcast are solely those of the author and guests and should not be attributed to any other individual or entity. This podcast is an independent production of Packaging Brothers, and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2023.

Protective Film and Packaging Solutions The Printpack Way with David McLain

Fri, 17 Feb 2023 09:00:00 -0800

Print Pack is a converter that makes various forms of plastic films. They are well known for their shelf-stable goods, which make them a popular choice among many industries. They also manufacture their own line of films and polymers to meet customer demands for specialty items. With their expansive product offering, they can ensure customers get exactly what they need when it comes to protective film and packaging materials.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

Printpack and what are the core competencies specialties?
What drew David to packaging?
Sustainability at Printpack.
What have been some of the fundamental objectives or goals from a sustainable basis that they have kind of put their flag on? Which one is the most important to focus on out of those three?
the downside is what is captured, that most of the flexible packaging is never going to be recycled if any of it.
what are some of the things that David wish people knew about flexible packaging?
What are his thoughts on EPR in general? Extended producer responsibility?
seeing the complexities from individual states coming up with programs of this EPR and how do they navigate those waters? And every state has their own kind of set of rules.
Shifting a little bit over to supply chain. We've gone through COVID it was crazy. Lead times, machines down, finding people to even run. The machines were tough. What does he see now? What's next for the world in terms of production, manufacturing, and packaging in general?
Does he think lead times are going to get extended out again or it's just the industry kind of resetting, kind of like an active recovery type of thing? Like we got to keep moving and recover at the same time?

Dave graduated from Virginia Tech in 2000 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and spent five years in the automotive industry. He began his career in packaging with Printpack's Rigid Division in 2004 as Maintenance Manager and eventually served as Plant Manager for two rigid facilities. He then relocated to China and Thailand, and is now based in Atlanta at Printpack's global headquarters. He spent several years in Marketing and Sales focused on Printpack's PE business and Sustainability, and is a member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition's Executive Committee and the Plastics Industry Association's Sustainability Advisory Board. He now leads Printpack's efforts to help customers realize a more sustainable future.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about David on his website, and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Website: printpack.com

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/david-mclain-08a95644

The Secrets to Success in a Family-Run Business with Ed Delia

Sun, 29 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -0800

Ed Delia, the president of Delia Associates and a second-generation family member, is leading the company forward with the assistance of his unique expertise in B2B marketing, sales process strategy, and branding. It will be interesting to just talk about the family business and some of the insights, experiences, and things he has learned from working with various family businesses over the years.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

The opportunity that led him to return to the family business? What caused him to have a change of heart?
Where does he think are the most significant things or what's the main thing we must address first when thinking and talking about a family business?
How does someone who may not be naturally inclined to have a vision or think about leading the company forward but who is very good at operating transition into that role?
What advice would he give for managing and communicating with family members?
His point about separating the family and the business.
His thoughts on the situation of employees who are now working in a family business and are dealing with family dynamics as well as potential challenges that come with the family business?
The thought of having an opportunity in the family business.
What, in his opinion, are the main mistakes or, on the other hand, the guiding principles that family businesses should follow when considering marketing their business?
Does he think that the family business should be vocal, talk, or express to their clients or prospects that they are a multigenerational family business, or should they just let the business speak for itself? What's his take on it?
His thoughts on his business or on family business in general.

Ed Delia became President of Delia Associates in 1998, assuming full control of the company founded by his father, Michael A. Delia, in 1964. Under Ed’s leadership, Delia Associates has contributed directly to the success and growth of a wide variety of clients, from global to regional organizations. The firm has helped many businesses to grow and expand their sales opportunities through the development and implementation of highly successful brand-based programs. Known for its business-centric creativity, Delia Associates has received numerous professional awards and industry commendations.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Ed on their website and connect with him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Website: https://www.delianet.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/EdDelia

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddelia/

The views and opinions expressed on the "Packaging Brothers" podcast are solely those of the author and guests and should not be attributed to any other individual or entity. This podcast is an independent production of Packaging Brothers, and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2023.

Meet Krupa Koestline, the Clean Beauty Expert Behind KKT Consulting

Sat, 17 Dec 2022 05:00:00 -0800

Krupa Koestline is a Clean Cosmetic Chemist, Ayurvedic Practitioner, and Founder of KKT Consultants. She helps companies create their products, design product strategies, formulate product formulations, and work with copyright holders and regulatory agencies.

If you love beauty, seeking out new brands, and talking business, you'll be very pleased with this episode.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

KKT Consultants
How did she go from working at a great number of reputable companies and then decide to start her own company?
Did the epidemic make her thoughts change in any way? Was it good for business or bad for business? As for her, what impact did it have?
How did she become acquainted with Credo? Was it through one of the brands she works with? Was it her reputation in the industry for focusing on clean, all-natural materials, or something else?
Krupa's step-by-step guide to creating your own personal care product line.
Why does the person who is launching a brand right now need to have a very clear why and it has to be special, and what does she consider to be a really bad reason to start a brand right now?
When an existing brand that wants to maybe think about adding on additional product lines.
How Ayurveda quickly entered the beauty space
Does she see that changing in the near future, where there will be regulation, a system similar to the FDA for food and beverage and any injectables, but as that applies to the beauty industry?
What is her perspective on all of the celebrity brands that have entered the market in recent years?

Clean Cosmetic Chemist Krupa Koestline is a thought leader, trend forecaster, and industry pioneer in Clean Beauty. Merging her background in biology, biochemistry, and biotechnology with her lifelong practice of Ayurveda, Krupa has created award-winning formulations with breakthrough technology for brands like Kopari, May Lindstrom Skin, and Tower 28. Krupa also consults for brands and retailers on improving their Clean Beauty guidelines based on the latest research in ingredient safety, environmental impact, and sustainability impact.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Krupa on her Instagram, and connect with her on LinkedIn.

Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/krupa-koestline

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kktconsultants/

Packaging for a Sustainable Solutions How Businesses Can Collaborate to Make a Difference

Sun, 20 Nov 2022 11:00:00 -0800

GreenBlue is an environmental non-profit that focuses on the sustainable use of materials in society, encompassing all types of materials. However, because there is such a demand for jobs in that field, Under the umbrella of GreenBlue, one of them is the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (or SPC), a membership-based collaborative dedicated to everyone throughout the packaging value chain, from brands and retailers to packaging converters and materials suppliers to governmental academic members, to bring together all of those different members of the supply chain and value chain to talk about some of these challenging issues.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

What is the overall mission of each?
There was a lot of collaboration between members of the packaging value chain, which seemed to be a trend for the event. Is it something she's noticed as well?
How much has changed since SPC's membership has grown?
Are there still sectors or areas that she sees as underrepresented where SPC feels like we need to get some of those people at the table?
Was there one that kind of stood out to her as an example of a great benefit or an idea where there was this great collaboration between companies that produced something innovative and exciting?
With all of this business collaboration, what role does the SPC play, and how are you becoming involved?
So, with all of the misinformation, confusion, and need for education, if she could simply snap her fingers and the entire world would understand this about sustainable packaging, what is the best thing she can think of? or maybe she wishes everyone knew about?
The differences and challenges with the single stream of recycling collection points that we have in the United States vs Europe?
What are her views on molecular, chemical, and advanced recycling? Is it a good thing? Is it a potential solution for a lot of these recycling problems?
Which business or what business should consider joining the SPC if they're not members yet?
How did Karen Hagerman manage to go from the United States Naval Academy to the Director of the SPC?
Looking back on her time as a marine in the Navy, are there any characteristics or lessons she learned that she is implementing for SPC?

Karen Hagerman is the Director of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) at GreenBlue. Karen holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the United States Naval Academy. Always looking for ways to improve herself and her surroundings, Karen is a trained yoga teacher, avid trail runner, and committed trash-picker-upper.

Find out more about Karen and connect with her on LinkedIn.
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/karen-hagerman

Sustainability in Beauty What I Learned as a Beauty Editor

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 14:00:00 -0800

Sustainability in Beauty: What I Learned as a Beauty Editor

Megan McIntyre has been a beauty editor for about 17 years now, and she was involved with companies and the inner workings of how things came to be, and it gave her a front-row seat to learning every aspect of the business and satisfying her curiosity, especially when sustainability came up as something that was both interesting to consumers and brands.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

Have there been a lot of intentional dishonesty or has it been more of a lack of education and awareness?
How has the conversation changed in her 17 years as a beauty editor? What is different now in terms of how people talk about sustainability?
Are there certain brands that are doing it well?
Have she come across an audience that's very vocal and makes a very strong argument in favor of virgin plastic in reducing carbon emissions because of the other material's weight and processing time?
What she thinks of The PACK Collective?
Her take on the beauty industry's use of refillable packaging, like, what is this all about? Where do you think it's going?
What makes her excited about Biotech Packaging?
Could she sort through the topic of recyclability into what she thinks we should be talking about or how we should be thinking about it?
How different are recyclers across the country?
How often is recycling happening?
What is her take on being a journalist in today's world of distrust and fake news, and what is the overall situation? How have things changed for her in the field of journalism or is it still the same? And all of the world's noise is just out there.

Megan McIntyre is a beauty and wellness writer based in Denver. You can read her work on Byrdie, Glamour, Coveteur, Marie Claire, Elle, Gossamer, and Fashionista. She is also a freelance copywriter and brand consultant for a diverse array of brands, including Shen Beauty in Brooklyn, Kiehl's, Ulta, Aveda, Pantene, Nexxus, and many more. Prior to her freelance life, Megan was the beauty director at Refinery29, a senior editor for Daily Makeover, and an assistant editor at Women's Wear Daily. She lived in Brooklyn for 15 years before deciding she liked proximity to skiing better than proximity to bagels (for shame!) and packed up her husband, 13-year-old Schnoodle, and borderline hoarder levels of face serums to head to Colorado. She loves the mountains and easy access to cannabis edibles, but TBH really misses decent bagels.

Get Your Life Back: The Revolutionary Way to End 'Throwaway Culture'

Sat, 05 Nov 2022 07:00:00 -0700

Returnity works with brands and retailers who are looking to implement reuse in their shipping and delivery packaging system. They are the alternative to cardboard boxes and polybags, but they do it with the product that can be used over and over again. Returnity also help them identify and implement the system to make sure it's the right choice.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

Considering the whole system change, Returnity is supplying the packaging that will be reused, but also looking at the whole business model.
What are some of the core systems? either hang-ups or issues that would prevent it from succeeding?
A great example of a case study of how it kind of started? what was the packaging used for some of the systems and how successful was it?
How much more valuable or how much more pride or trust does it build when you have this more robust package being sent back and forth not just on the sustainability concerns, but just the quality of the packaging?
How did Mike Newman get into this crazy reusable packaging idea?
Is legislation regulation coming down the pipe?
seeing any use of incentives for kind of encourage return rates to get to that 95% with consumers staying in the program?
What are the easiest problems to solve today with reuse? not the hardest.
what kind of movement or changes in the grocery sector that are going to be exciting going forward?
concerns about the cleanliness of sterilization with the reusable model?
Where do you think this industry will be in 5, 10 years in terms of reusable packaging?

Mike Newman is considered one of the leading experts in the transformation of logistics platforms from single-use packaging to reusables, combatting the mountains of corrugated cardboard entering our waste stream while saving millions in logistics expenses. He received his MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. Over the last 20 years, He worked at the intersection of supply chain and sustainability He directed the Sierra Clubs political operations in 20 states and built e-waste programs that saved millions of used cell phones from landfills for companies such as Verizon, ATT, Walmart, and Best Buy during my tenure as the Sales and Marketing Vice President for ReCellular.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Mike on his website and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Website: https://www.returnity.co/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/newmanmi/

Solving Some of the World's Biggest Problems with AMP Robotics, Amanda Marrs

Sat, 29 Oct 2022 09:00:00 -0700

After Amanda had identified a number of work experiences with a number of different companies, she took an interest in product management. She felt that this was the right spot for her skill set to enter. She gets to take part in technologically advanced work and enjoys working on an important issue with AMP Robotics.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

How do these sensors view and process each type of waste material?
How would technology read the materials and what would it do with them?
The actual robots that are doing this sorting? How does that work?
Why is there no glass in the processing, and why is glass better for reuse?
Electronic waste
How does AMP track or trace the materials that are processed?
What is Amanda's background? How did she do it? Or is it just a matter of chance?
Is she seeing a lot of support for AMP from large companies?
When it comes to general recycling, what are some of her biggest lessons, takeaways, or pieces of advice she likes to give?

Amanda Marss is the Sr. Director of Product of AMP Robotics. She believes technology can help create value for customers and solve tough problems. Her experience includes building new product lines, scaling products globally, and managing full product lifecycles. She excels in industrial technology spaces where products combine hardware, software, and human processes.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Amanda, and connect with her on LinkedIn.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandamarrs/

Website: https://www.amprobotics.com/

Let's Celebrate Abigail Frank's 4th Birthday!

Sat, 22 Oct 2022 06:00:00 -0700

We are so excited to have Abigail as our special guest for today's episode. Abigail is turning four years old this coming October 22nd, and we can't wait to wish her a happy birthday.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

what's her favorite food?
what's her favorite animal?
about her brother and sister.
what does she love about playing soccer?

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

The True Meaning of Recyclable with Mike Indursky, CEO of Hear Me Raw

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 08:00:00 -0700

Mike never wanted to be in the beauty business for 30 years, but it simply happened. He thought he'd be in sports marketing or entertainment marketing. He wanted to be the HBO Boxing Head of Marketing since he loved boxing, but he ended up working with Unilever. He simply liked the people there because they were diverse and he fit into a group of very excellent people, and after working in a couple of categories, they put him in skincare, He didn't understand why skincare, why women put stuff in their pinkies, and other things. And after about six months, he understood it, and it's all about helping women feel wonderful about themselves and giving them options so they can live better lives with their skin and health.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

Everything he's learned and potential advice he has for people in this field
What's the purpose and the passion behind doing Hear Me Raw?
Being able to identify the cost savings and the ability to bring effective good products that maybe aren't natural to the public in some way is better than nothing.
The Four Groups of Industries
His biggest learnings about refillable packaging? How had he been able to communicate with his consumers to get buy-in?
Does he think there will be a wholesale industry organization, with the entire chain coming together to get this massive buy-in for change?
Is there any brand or business that he is particularly proud of or that he thinks is doing an excellent job?
His general thoughts and where he thinks this whole beauty industry is going? Does he think consumers are going to catch on? What timeline does he think people are going to be buying in more to this kind of clean, true, truly clean, natural ingredient?

Mike Indursky is the founder and CEO of HEAR ME RAW. He has spent the the last 30 years in the beauty and wellness business. Mike is a two-time winner of Advertising Age's Top Marketers of the Year and WWD's Most Innovative Marketer.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

Follow Hear Me Raw on Social Media!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hear-me-raw/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/hearmerawbeauty?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hearmerawbeauty/?hl=en
Website: https://hearmeraw.com/
Find out more about Mike and connect with him on LinkedIn and Instagram.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-indursky-58715b
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikeindursky/?hl=en

Sightline Systems is Providing an AI-powered Data Monitoring and Analytics Solution

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 05:00:00 -0700

Sightline System is a software company based in Fairfax, Virginia, and has a pretty colorful history. The company first started doing data performance monitoring collection for mainframe environments. About 15 years ago, Brandon was on a trip to Japan, and one of the customers there said his work would be great for their manufacturing plant. They were having issues and were trying to understand what was causing them. With Sightline, they were able to go in and collect data in real-time and give them an easy-to-use way of seeing what was happening, and that's kind of how their journey into manufacturing started just by accident.
On this episode, we'll talk about:

When it comes to data collection, how does the system work, particularly in areas such as packaging and manufacturing?
How do they use artificial intelligence to optimize either information collection or processing?
When things start to go wrong, can the data or the AI predict potential fixes, potential solutions, or even potential problems?
How many manufacturers in the United States use systems to optimize production?
Have they come across any circumstances where data has been able to be shared with other members of the supply or value chain to assist in improving production timelines, preventing issues, inventory levels, or something similar?
Is there any other way that sightline may be used to improve the sustainability of package manufacturing?
Who is their ideal customer, or who do they think would benefit the most from the sightline in the packaging or manufacturing industries?
Is he seeing many opportunities or changes for sightline to adopt some of those technologies as the world shifts into web 3.0 and blockchain and all of that?
Where does he see the sightline system heading in 10 years, 20 years, or 50 years? What is the potential?

Brandon Witte, CEO of SightLine System, experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the computer software industry. Skilled in Requirements Analysis, Enterprise Software, Enterprise Architecture, IT Strategy, and Professional Services. Strong business development professional with a Bachelor of Science (BS) focused in Management Science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University - Pamplin College of Business.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Brandon on his website and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Website: https://www.sightline.com/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brandon-witte-76a5653

Charles Paul's Approach to Sustainability and Packaging

Thu, 15 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0700

Charles is in charge of new business development and venture capital investment in Henkel Adhesive Technologies. I admire his approach to sustainability and packaging, and with his years of experience and knowledge, I think it's something worth paying attention to.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

How did Charles end up in his current position at Henkel?
What have been some of the most significant changes or advancements, or types of challenges that he has witnessed during the last 30 years?
Plastic Bank
Does he believe that any of the plastic producers or brands should be involved in developing a more robust waste system to deal with the waste that they are partially or entirely responsible for producing in the first place?
What is he most excited about or where does he think the greatest innovation will come from as we are looking at the current situation and looking toward the future?
What are his thoughts on reusable or refillable packaging options that are becoming popular?
Has he kind of seen that gap as well between the interest and the desire for change, but the reality is significantly less?
With the desire for more sustainable packaging and cleaner earth, what does he think the future is going to look like?
What is a mass balance?
Sequestration issue

Dr. Charles W. Paul, Vice President – Technology, Henkel Adhesive Technologies, is responsible for technology assessments for M&A and Venturing, and supports Open Innovation within North America for the R&D teams.

Since joining Henkel in 1988 he has held a number of positions within R&D. His experience covers almost all categories of adhesive and wide ranging applications: from jet engines to hair spray, polyimides to starch. Chuck holds over 50 US patents and coauthored numerous publications including five book chapters on adhesives.

Chuck has a BS in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University and a PhD from the University of California at Berkeley, College of Chemistry.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media! :arrow_down:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Charles:

Website: https://www.henkel-tech.ventures/

Email: charles.paul@henkel.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/charles-chuck-paul-35a37018

A Former CEO Becomes a Successful Entrepreneur

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 07:00:00 -0700

Lynn Power spent 30 years in advertising and marketing and loved it for a long time. She was running an agency and became the CEO of a large company, but she wasn't loving it so much anymore, so she decided to become an entrepreneur.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

What was it that she didn't like, or was there anything on the entrepreneurial side that was pulling her away?
Has the marketing and advertising industry changed a little bit?
Is the push for data analytics preventing that type of creative genius moment or the opportunity to do something new and innovative?
When did she decide to go out on her own and establish her own business?
The Conscious Beauty Collective
Masami Haircare
Does she believe that activities like this will become more common as smaller independent brands or even other industries come together and pull their resources?
What was her vision for designing and selecting their packaging, and how did she make that decision?
Why she doesn't want to skimp on the package?
What direction does she see clean beauty/conscious beauty taking? Does she think it's in a good spot right now? Does she think it's just a lot of marketing and promotion, or is there really something there?

Lynn is a longtime ad agency executive (formerly CEO of J. Walter Thompson NY) with a love for beauty. Her career has spanned the top ad agencies in the world (BBDO, McCann, Grey, Ogilvy & Mather are just a few) as well as some of the most iconic brands (American Express, Pizza Hut, Campari, Hershey's). She's been fortunate to work on many global beauty brands, including Gillette, Clinique, L'Oreal, Nexxus, Vichy, La Roche-Posay and St. Ives. She loves building teams, reinventing cultures and creating disruption.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

https://www.isledenature.com/

Find out more about Lynn on her website and connect with her on LinkedIn.

Website: https://www.lovemasami.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynn-power-02b8904/

How Deanna Utroske Landed in Beauty and Packaging as a Writer

Sat, 27 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -0700

Deanna Utroske is one of the most respected critical thinkers in the cosmetics and personal care industry today. She began her career in cosmetics and personal care as a news writer for cosmeticsdesign.com, a trade media publication. She covered cosmetics news, personal care ingredients, and, of course, packaging, which is an important topic in the publication where she worked for several years before becoming the editor of cosmeticsdesign.com for many years as well. She continues to do all that thinking and writing today as an independent contractor.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

What does she think of the most interesting things about the beauty industry that she gravitated toward or was interested in as a person?
Since the ingredients side is the evolution of clean beauty and clean ingredients, how are those changing the world right now?
What are her thoughts on sustainable packaging, as well as sustainability and beauty packaging?
Her advice or points on how brands could communicate with customers regarding their packaging or products?
Her advice or suggestions for those who want to get picked up or featured?
Her thoughts on how important social media is or what role she thinks social media will continue to play as the beauty industry evolves?
Has the world of beauty reached its saturation point?

Deanna Utroske, Formerly Editor of CosmeticsDesign.com, she is a sought-after public speaker, addressing beauty business audiences in Paris, London, Bologna, Amsterdam, Barcelona, New York City, Las Vegas, and LA as well as viewers around the world via zoom and video.

Her writing and commentary appears in trade, business, and consumer media: NewBeauty Magazine, Beauty Store Business Magazine, Beauty Industry Report, Beauty Independent, Luxe Packaging Insight, CoveyClub.com, CEW.org, Stylist.fr, womansday.com, The Huffington Post, PBS Media Shift, Yahoo! Finance, and AdWeek (Publishing Executive). And she’s regularly invited to share her perspective on the cosmetics and personal care industry with market strategy firms and their clients.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Deanna on her website and connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Website: https://www.deannautroske.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannautroske/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/deannautroske

Jennifer Benolken Came to Packaging by Accident

Sat, 20 Aug 2022 05:00:00 -0700

Jennifer Benolken came to packaging by accident during her collegiate years. She doesn't have a packaging engineering degree, so she went to Kettering University in a five-year program. She just fell in love with the packaging during her entire Coop experience and ever since she has always gone back to packaging sterilization and labeling.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

What was it about that specific part of the packaging that excites her?
What's her specific role at Dupont right now?
ISO 11 607 and ISO 16 775.
What are the most fascinating parts that she finds about working with medical devices and packaging?
Is she seeing any great innovations or new trajectories in the medical device manufacturing packaging world right now?
Is sustainability in the medical world going to become the main priority in the foreseeable future?
The Institute of Packaging Professionals or IOPP
What are the goals of some of these committees in IOPP? Is it just going to create a platform where discussion can happen or are there some objectives?
IOPP's new fundamentals course will be offered.
What are her thoughts on leadership, career development, and how to cultivate a personal brand?
What she has to share with the audience?

Jennifer earned her undergraduate degree in Manufacturing Systems Engineering and her master’s degree in International Management. Jen has worked in the medical device community since 1991 in a variety of packaging roles – packaging, labeling, and sterilization engineer in operations and R&D, flexible packaging sales representative, and manager of packaging engineering and labeling groups. She is currently the sub-committee chairperson for ASTM F02.50, Package Design and Development, as well as co-chair for AAMI’s ST/WG 7, Packaging Working Group. Jen is an active member of the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP). She is also on the Board of Directors and is Vice Chair on its Medical Device Packaging Technical Committee (MDPTC). She works with downstream customers at medical device and pharmaceutical organizations, providing education and answering questions about Tyvek® packaging and sterilization using her wide range of knowledge.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Jennifer on her on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbenolken/

A Packaging that Dissolves and Melts Away with Ben Stern

Sat, 13 Aug 2022 20:00:00 -0700

Ben Stern, founded Nohbo which is on a mission to literally get rid of unnecessary plastics. It is by simply converting the existing personal care packages to a pod-friendly packaging format. Therefore, saving thousands of pounds of water, plastic, and preservatives! Nohbo has been featured in Shark Tank and Mark Cuban invested in his business.

Learn more about the fascinating multiple patents of technology and how to get involve with the company!

Benjamin Stern founded Nohbo as a passion project freshmen year of high school, after learning about the insanely destructive impacts of most single-use plastics.

Nohbo made waves with an appearance on Shark Tank, and went on to secure a deal with Mark Cuban. Today, Ben leads a team of mission-driven beauty and personal care experts that are determined to rid the world of unnecessary plastics. Partner with CPG's and hotels to convert existing lines into podded solutions, collaboratively making products that melt away and leave no trace behind. Nohbo has 3 issued patents.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

Find out more about Ben Stern:

Website: http://www.nohbo.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-stern-746812a4/

IN BOLD PRINT, A Sustainability Scoring Platform

Sun, 07 Aug 2022 13:00:00 -0700

Ashley Pradhan and Cierra Valor built a platform that integrates with brands and retailers' websites to dynamically score their products based on their sustainability. Scores are expressed on a 1-10 scale so that customers can simply take in that information and easily discover products that match their values.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

Everything about In Bold Print, what it does, where it fits in, and what value it adds.
How likely is it that companies will share complete disclosure, all of the information that you'll need to create this final number?
There are some adverse relationships between different sustainable goals and different types of packaging. How have they navigated through when glass has a larger carbon footprint than plastics but is viewed as being more sustainable at the end of its life? Have they taken any of these things that are a little more complicated and reduced them to a number or two?
What have been some of the biggest learnings or the biggest obstacles they have had to go through?
What is their background schooling or work experience that brought them into this new venture?
What more would they like to share about In Bold Print, where it is now and where it is going in the future?
What is their hierarchy for the most sustainable types of packaging and the least sustainable types based on their analysis and the different examples or samples that they have researched?
How much of a difference does that make in terms of the final score of a sustainability score for that specific piece of a package?
How have they balanced the difference between focusing on carbon emissions and packaging waste for the product's packaging and ingredients?

In Bold Print was founded by Ashley Pradhan and Cierra Valor. During quarantine, Ashley and Cierra, like many, had a lot of time to look inward and do some reflecting—mostly about their place in, and contributions to, this world they are living in. Ashley and Cierra talked a lot about the desire they had to contribute more, research more, know more, and BE more. The problem? There’s information everywhere that you have to sort through. It’s just not easy. So they decided to put their backgrounds in data and technology to good use.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Ashley and Cierra on their website and connect with them on LinkedIn.

Website: https://inboldprint.co/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cierravalor

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ashley-pradhan

Beauty and Product Development with Karen Young

Thu, 23 Jun 2022 16:00:00 -0700

She began her career in the 1970s with Este Lauder, where she worked for many years in marketing and product development, before moving on to L'Oreal until establishing her own company, The Young Group. She has been in the world of sustainability, beauty and products, product development, and packaging. She just has a wealth of knowledge and experience to impart to the entire industry.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

Her journey of being in the beauty industry, like what first attracted her to the space and why she stayed for as long as she did?
That emotional connection to a buying decision. Does she think that's one of the reasons why Indie beauty brands have had such a successful run over the last 5, or 10 years, whereas bigger brands may have had a harder time connecting with consumers?
What kind of that emotional secret sauce to building a brand, being an indie beauty, and interacting with your consumers on a more personal level on social media? Can a big company acquire it and then scale a brand successfully?
Her decision to create her own company, the Young group. What is the backstory and what does it do?
What have been some of the biggest important lessons she has learned in her years of product development and marketing, or perhaps the importance of packaging and how it has played a role in all of the work that she has done?
We see a lot of brand marketing to customers that are honest and transparent about what packaging is and what they should do with it at the end of life. Has she seen the big shift on the brand side from a marketing and communicating side?
What advice does she give to students and young professionals that into the product development world?

Karen Young has been a key player in the beauty industry for decades. She founded her global beauty marketing business, The Young Group, in 1999. Young is inspiring the next generation of beauty executives by teaching at SUNY Fashion Institute of Technology. Her passion for developing innovative products and effective marketing strategies continues.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Karen on her website and connect with her on LinkedIn.

Website: https://www.theyounggroupny.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-young-704738/

Cory Connors, The Star of the Packaging World

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 12:00:00 -0700

We'll get to know more about Cory Connors, host of the Sustainable Packaging Podcast, and other interesting facts about him.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

Why is he concerned about sustainable packaging?
What is one of his greatest fears when he considers our children's future living and going through life? What does he think is at stake here?
Cory Connors' advice to his younger version of himself and some of the biggest challenges he had back then helped him get through.
What are some of his biggest pet peeves that he has come across in the sustainable packaging world?
What has been the biggest kind of opposition? or the people that may have the most to lose when it comes to sustainable packaging solutions. Where does he think this resistance to change is coming from?
What piece of information would he want to share that he hasn't been able to do on other platforms?
Blockchain and Web 3 in the context of packaging, sustainability, circularity, upcycling, and traceability. What does he think is going to happen? Who does he think are going to be the players who are going to help move forward?
What does his favorite quote from Adam Peek mean to him?

Cory Connors has been a packaging professional for his entire adult life. Right out of high school, he started making boxes at a Weyerhaeuser plant in Oregon. He paid my way through college with corrugated production! That early experience prepared him for the next 19 years at Landsberg ORORA, and he now guides clients through the complete design and packaging process.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Cory on his website, personal blog and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Website: http://www.landsberg.com/

Personal Blog: https://sustainablepackaging.buzzsprout.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-connors/

Medical Device Packaging Innovation with Kate Stephenson

Sat, 04 Jun 2022 13:00:00 -0700

Kate is a fourth-generation machinist and Stanford University engineering Ph.D. Her research and private consulting practice focus on matching medical innovation with the manufacturing technologies needed to develop, test and manufacture them.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

What are some of the ways that medical device packaging differs from the packaging we encounter on a daily basis?
the very critical functions that packaging actually performs and making sure that the device works the way it's supposed to.
What are the other changes she has seen in the last couple of years as the world has battled against COVID?
Have there been certain parts of the packaging value chain that have been more difficult to trace?
What is unique or special about the labeling requirements in medical device packaging or the different considerations that must be made?
How does medical device packaging help against all of the different counterfeits and fakes out there? the significant role of packaging in this.
Sustainability and packaging have been a big topic. Has it also kind of been a part of the medical device packaging world?
How to accomplish all of these things and still try to save pennies on the packaging?
Packaging is expensive in developed nations around the world. In comparison to the actual drug, it's quite low. Is this true or untrue?
Her advice or thoughts for the packaging industry as a whole as they're thinking about the medical device packaging industry.
DYAD Engineering
What does her favorite quote from Steven Johnson mean to her?

Dr. Katherine J. Stephenson is an engineer, researcher, public speaker and writer with over 20 years and 60+ products worth of design and development experience. She has a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University and has developed and taught multiple classes and workshops in medical device innovation. She is particularly passionate about the ways manufacturing technologies can support and even drive innovation in medical devices

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media! :arrow_down:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Kate on her website and connect with her on LinkedIn.

Website: https://www.dyadengineering.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dyadengineering/

As an Industrial Scrap Specialist with Elizabeth Munoz-Lebaron

Wed, 25 May 2022 12:00:00 -0700

Elizabeth launched her company five years ago, and it was then that she decided to work as a consultant for manufacturing companies, putting her recycling experience to good use. Her idea was to go and assist them and get the best describe recycling out there for better processes.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

What are some of the things that companies need the most amount of help with?
Her view on the circular economy and what people need to know about it.
a recent example of something that functions within the circular model
how would she define the value of waste and how important is it to circularity?
Mast Scrap Management Advisors' four main pillars
What does she think the future holds for the circular economy?
Her advice to either individual consumers or businesses that are currently developing packaging for their products?
Her advice to everyone

MAST founder and an Industrial Scrap Specialist, Elizabeth Muñoz-Lebaron was born in the U.S. and raised in Mexico. As a teenager, she helped her father with his family's lead smelting business. After six years at Shapiro Metals, Elizabeth decided to revive MAST. Joining forces with her trusted mentors and a network of recycling professionals, she turned her attention again to the manufacturing and maquiladora industry. Her top priority, besides her family, is to help clients to embrace the revenue potential of their by-products and design recycling programs that achieve higher value.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media! :arrow_down:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Elizabeth on her website and connect with her on Email and LinkedIn.

Website: http://www.scrapadvisors.com/

Email: elizabeth@scrapadvisors.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mastscrapdvisors

Advancing The Global Digital Packaging Industry with Dustin Steerman

Sat, 21 May 2022 11:00:00 -0700

Dustin began working with digital labels in 2013 and made his first investment in a digital packaging startup in 2017. He discovered personally that there are no playbooks to follow in emerging industries after investing in two digital packaging startups and leading the commercial development of three more.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

A quick summary of Digital Packaging
How has digital packaging evolved?
What the future holds for Digital Packaging and what are some of the key drivers as we look toward the future?
Digital Packaging and Smart Packaging coming together
How can digital packaging kind of create those individual personalized experiences between a brand and each customer?
His advice on how they should approach the next wave of packaging and smart packaging, web three, and how it relates to digital packaging and other issues.
What role does Web three play in the packaging business?
What is CMYK?
As we look to build this community around disruptors in packaging and digital print, collaboration may provide some value.

Dustin Steerman founded CMYK and today, He is building a boutique agency, for global packaging executives who seek to or have already begun investing in their digital transformation, Developing a community for digital packaging disruptors and industry enthusiasts, and Coaching a select few sales leaders and sales professionals in the digital packaging sector and Writing about the industry and how others can create their success within this rapidly emerging sector. All intended to further advance the global digital packaging industry. He believes our niche provides the opportunity to rewrite the narrative around the global packaging sector. One that places people, diversity, sustainability, collaboration, and innovation at its core.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Dan on his website and connect with him on Email, LinkedIn and Twiiter.

Website: https://www.dustinsteerman.com/

Email: hey@dustinsteerman.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinsteerman/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PKGingDisruptor

Ameripen Leads The Packaging Industry in the USA with Dan Felton

Sun, 15 May 2022 10:00:00 -0700

Ameripen is the acronym for American Institute for Packaging in the Environment. They were a US-based trade association that primarily served as an advocacy and lobbying organization. They represent the packaging industry in the United States. Ameripen represents the whole packaging value chain, which means they include material suppliers, package manufacturers, brand owners who utilize that packaging, recyclers, and other end-of-life materials managers among their members. They have a number of product-specific and materials-specific trades as members, and Ameripen works with them to lobby for them on issues and to learn about the specifics of different industries and types of packaging. Ameripen's main focus is on federal and state work.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

How long has he been working in this field?
When there is more discussion about sustainability and sustainable packaging now than there has been in the past. Has he noticed this or is it just a passing fad or trend?
What kind of legislation does he expect the new sustainability committee to pass? Where is it coming from? What is his perspective on it?
What does packaging producer responsibility mean for the packaging producers around the country?
Is there a sense that there should be more federal law or guidance on how recycling works or is it really up to the individual states to exercise?
What does he have to say to those who question the US manufacturing industry's ability to compete globally? The extra fees and charges will only make bringing manufacturing back to the United States more difficult.
When it comes to the recycled content mandates, what are the core materials that are being focused on? is it mostly plastic or are there other kinds of materials that are being considered as well?
The impact he believes these mandates will have on the packaging value chain?
What legislation is currently kind of being looked at or has been passed recently that deals with the beauty industry?
We manufacture a lot of plastic and glass molds, and many of them, both locally and internationally, have the chasing arrows symbols on the bottom with the resin identification code. If legislation were to pass, would molds have to be changed as well?
What are the dangers of toxic chemicals?

Dan Felton is executive director of AMERIPEN, an organization that leads the packaging industry through advocacy based on science and enhances understanding of the role packaging plays in a more sustainable society, economy, and environment. A well-known leader in the state government affairs arena for nearly 20 years. A graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, Dan has lived in the Washington, DC, area for nearly 30 years.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media! :arrow_down:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Dan on his website and connect with her on LinkedIn.

Website: https://www.ameripen.org/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dan-felton-398a505

The views and opinions expressed on the "Packaging Brothers" podcast are solely those of the author and guests and should not be attributed to any other individual or entity. T

How Kathryn Madison Started Her Own Business, Dye Candy

Sat, 07 May 2022 10:00:00 -0700

Dye Candy is a company that Kathryn founded, and under the umbrella of Dye Candy, its flagship product is the hummingbird, a hair color applicator. She is very highly trained and then move to Portland, Oregon where she stepped away from her salon career to take care of her family. She discovered that coloring her hair at home was a completely different experience than the very caring boutique feeling of getting her hair done. she also discovered that applying color to your head took time and the precision that was lacking with the tools that she had, and that she was pretty much-wrecking hair within a few months.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

What inspired her to design a fully reusable product
What has been the feedback on her product since its launch?
How did she navigate all of the different aspects of designing custom packaging and the process of manufacturing design?
With so many different samples delivered to her, how did she choose which one was the one?
Where are the other parts being made?
Were there any big moments during the development of the packaging?
When there is a significant difference between molds that are made domestically and overseas, especially in smaller quantities.
Where did she get the conviction from overcoming all the challenges and still stay persistent?
What does her family think while she goes through all of this?
What advice does she have for anyone who is designing and developing something new?

A former salon professional with 15 years in the industry, Kathryn Madison was surprised by how frustrating (and damaging) it was to dye her own hair at home. Mass-produced applicators were flimsy, messy, single-use plastics better suited for dressing a garden burger than putting fine touches on her roots. So Kathryn decided to put her salon experience to work. She knew this new tool had to be reusable. It needed precise flow control - no more blobs on blouses, no more sloppy over-dyeing. And it had to be easy. After years of research, design, and dozens of prototypes, The Hummingbird™ was ready to spread its wings.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media! :arrow_down:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en

Find out more about Kathryn on her website and connect with her on LinkedIn.

Website: https://dyecandy.com/

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kathrynmadison

U.S. Plastics Pact towards Circular Economy with Emily Tipaldo

Sat, 30 Apr 2022 18:00:00 -0700

The U.S. Plastics Pact brings together businesses, not-for-profit organizations, government agencies, and research institutions that work together toward a common vision of a circular economy for plastics, as outlined by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Initiative.

This vision aims to ensure that plastics never become waste by eliminating the plastics we don’t need, innovating to ensure that the plastics we do need are reusable, recyclable, or compostable, and circulating all the plastic items we use to keep them in the economy and out of the environment.

On this episode, we'll talk about:
•What does US Plastic Pact trying to accomplish and what impact will it have?
•Why do they think plastic is the most important issue to address?
•What are the negative things that plastic packaging is doing right now to our world that the Plastic Pack is trying to solve?
•What are the biggest challenges caused by the mismanagement of plastic waste?
•Have other countries filled in the gap since China stopped buying our waste, or is it just staying here in the US and ending up in landfills?
•Water bottles made of PET and milk jugs made of polyethylene are arguably the two most widely recyclable and approved items in the US
•The shift in the investor mentality with more sustainable objectives, goals, and business model
•What role the government will have in accomplishing a lot of these changes?
•commending companies that have formed an organization, not just the companies, but everyone who signed on to the US Plastic Pact and made a voluntary commitment to openness.
•Different viewpoints on the term Recyclable
•Is it preferable to use plastic bottles over glass bottles in terms of climate change, if plastic bottles have a lower carbon footprint?

Emily Tipaldo, with more than a decade of experience with plastics, recycling, and materials management, brings her skills of stakeholder engagement, industry expertise, and passion for reducing climate change to the U.S. Plastics Pact. The U.S. Plastics Pact is a solutions-driven consortium with more than 100 diverse businesses and organizations across the plastics value chain working to rethink the way we design, use, and reuse plastics, to create a path toward a circular economy for plastic in the United States. Through previous work with the research and consulting company MORE Recycling and the Plastics Division of the American Chemistry Council, Emily built incredible knowledge and value chain connections that support her work today as Executive Director of the U.S. Plastics Pact.
For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PPCPackaging/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en
Website: http://www.ppcpackaging.com/

Find out more about Emily on her website and connect with her on Twitter and LinkedIn.Website: https://usplasticspact.org/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EmmTip
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/emily-tipaldo-305b86a

The views and opinions expressed on the "Packaging Brothers" podcast are solely those of the author and guests and should not be attributed to any other individual or entity. This podcast is an independent production of Packaging Brothers, and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2022.

Jay Marks talks about Culture, Leadership, and the Great Resignation

Fri, 22 Apr 2022 22:00:00 -0700

Jay Marks is a workplace strategist, looking at what happens at work and how to make work be a good place as it can be. He has a background in Organizational Development or Leadership Development, Leadership Training, and Organizational Psychology. He also worked as an Independent Consultant and worked with consulting companies and as a VP of organization development at a large corporation.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

•what are the main contributors or things that leaders or people in an organization can do to improve work
•what has changed in the workplace in the last ten to twenty years?
•how to find out or judge if a leader is being effective and if they are leading things in the right way
•Psychological Safety
•experiences of seeing a team or a project where people aren't on the same page
•thoughts on people are getting more sensitive and more easily offended today than maybe in the past
•emotional intelligence
•when people become more comfortable or empowered in sharing their discomfort or when they have been offended
•why many people are changing jobs
•the alignment/balance between a leader and the team

Jay Marks, Principal, is a workplace strategist with expertise in organization and leadership development. He’s helped leading organizations become better places to work. He has worked as Vice President of Management Learning and Organization Development at The Capital Group, a premier global investment management firm. While there, the firm grew from 600–9,600 employees. He learned a great deal about growth and growing pains, working with dispersed teams, and integrating new leaders into a rapidly evolving culture and business organization. In addition, he's assisted industry leaders in other sectors evolve their workplace culture, manage change and growth, and improve their overall employee experience—allowing them to retain and attract top talent.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers
Follow PPCPackaging on social media!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PPCPackaging/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en
Website: http://www.ppcpackaging.com/

Find out more about Jay on his website and connect with her on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Email.
Website: https://www.jaymarksgroup.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jaymarks1
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jaymarks
Email: jaymarksgroup@gmail.com

The views and opinions expressed on the "Packaging Brothers" podcast are solely those of the author and guests and should not be attributed to any other individual or entity. This podcast is an independent production of Packaging Brothers, and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2022.

Sustainability in the Cannabis Industry with O’Neil Rudolph

Fri, 15 Apr 2022 07:00:00 -0700

O'Neil as a consumer and accumulates a lot of waste and didn't know what to do with it. She knew that a lot of it, especially with more packaging moving towards being compostable, recyclable, and reusable that a lot of it could be disposed of more sustainably, but there was no direct solution and place to return that or really do much with. So that was where her idea for Cannachange started and giving consumers a more direct way to return that packaging and then from there just kind of turned into an app.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

The problem with cannabis packaging waste and how it all started
The obstacles and challenges she experienced, particularly in obtaining dispensaries
The challenges she encountered in bringing Cannachange to life, whether it was dispensary side, consumer engagement, or other issues
What other aspects of cannabis and sustainability that she's interested in?
When did she realize she was truly passionate about these topics?
Her experience in creating an app and building an online platform that would connect so many people to recycled packaging, dispensaries, and everything else
Her favorite quote from Taylor Swift
Her advice to young people, students, or professionals who are out of the workforce right now or who are just seeing problems all around them but don't have the courage, confidence, or desire to make the type of change she's trying to make.
How can listeners support Cannachange and what she's trying to accomplish?
O’Neil Rudolph is an entrepreneur with a passion for sustainability used to shift the Cannabis Industry. Advocate for Women, POC, and LGBTQ+ owned businesses.

O’Neil Rudolph is the CEO of cannachange, a company that partners with dispensaries to issue credits to consumers for their sustainability efforts using their mobile app. She has a mission for increasing overall sustainability in the Cannabis Industry and making sustainability practices more accessible and easier for consumers to incorporate into everyday life.

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers
Follow PPCPackaging on social media! :arrow_down:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PPCPackaging/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en
Website: http://www.ppcpackaging.com/

Find out more about O’Neil on her website and connect with her on LinkedIn.
Website: https://cannachange.co/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oneil-rudolph

The views and opinions expressed on the "Packaging Brothers" podcast are solely those of the author and guests and should not be attributed to any other individual or entity. This podcast is an independent production of Packaging Brothers, and the podcast production is an original work of the author. All rights of ownership and reproduction are retained—copyright 2022.

Bringing Manufacturing Back to the United States with Rosemary Coates

Thu, 31 Mar 2022 15:00:00 -0700

Rosemary Coates was instrumental in establishing the Reshoring Institute, a non-profit dedicated to helping companies in deciding where they should manufacture, with a focus on bringing manufacturing back to the United States.

On this episode, we'll talk about:

Rosemary Coates's background and the work she's doing at the Reshoring Institute

Why companies are looking to shift manufacturing to the USA
What was it about the pandemic that made companies consider reducing their risk or analyzing the risk tolerance?
The pivotal shift in how companies think about inventory or the way they're manufacturing goods.
Her thoughts on the impact of supply chain issues on packaging manufacturing, as well as the desire to bring that manufacturing back to the United States.
Her most recent published book called 'Illegal Blacksmith"
Companies that bring manufacturing back to the US and the impact on their business
What are the biggest mistakes or pitfalls that some companies make while trying to bring manufacturing back to the United States, or maybe fail in the process?
When do most businesses approach her, when they're just getting started with the processes or after they've tried and failed to figure it out?
Are there any states in the United States that are better or more suitable for manufacturing, or are there any that are less so?
The impact of the partisan way that both sides have looked at US manufacturing or bringing things in, or is there a political party that has a more agreeable tone or approach?
Her advice for young listeners students that either in the packaging field or business in general.

and many more!

Rosemary Coates is a highly-skilled executive with deep experience in corporate strategy and global operations. Founder and Executive Director of the Reshoring Institute and President of Blue Silk Consulting.

She is a Global Supply Chain Architect and Strategist and author of five books: "42 Rules for Sourcing and Manufacturing in China" (a Best Seller at Amazon.com); "42 Rules for Superior Field Service," "The Reshoring Guidebook," and "Legal Blacksmith - How To Avoid and Defend Supply Chain Disputes."

For more information and to explore other episodes, go to www.ppcpackaging.com/the-packaging-brothers

Follow PPCPackaging on social media! :arrow_down:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-packaging-components-inc-/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppcpackaging/?hl=en