Bill Shufelt, the co-founder and CEO of non-alcoholic beer maker Athletic Brewing Co., spoke about the critical importance of market research, how he dealt with consistent rejection from beer industry professionals and why he believes that “drama is so unproductive.” He also discussed how he planned for and is managing explosive growth and how he evaluates strategic partnerships.

Organifi CEO Mae Steigler spoke about the origins of the powdered juice and supplement brand, the company’s impressive DTC business and how she and her team crafted an effective consumer acquisition and retention strategy. She also discussed how Organifi scaled while being bootstrapped and how daily huddles and employee empowerment are key to the company culture.

Home workout pioneer Denise Austin, the founder of snackable protein bite brand Ever Better, spoke about her rise from college gymnast to one of the most recognized names in fitness, why she advocates for people to eat healthy food 80% of the time and indulgent foods for the other 20% and why integrity is the key factor in everything she does.

Denise Woodard, the founder and CEO of fast-growing allergen-friendly food brand Partake Foods, spoke about the benefits of “leaning into” cost-saving retailer programs, how she went from raising thousands of dollars at a time to multi-million, celebrity-led funding rounds, how the tragedy and social unrest of 2020 impacted Partake and why she sings the praises of a having a leadership coach.