Thanks for the opportunity--I'd love to be considered. I'm Hans Graubard, Co-Founder and COO of Happy V, where we develop science-driven wellness products focused on women's microbiome health. Because we handle R&D, sourcing, and GMP manufacturing in-house, we stay close to every ingredient and decision that goes into our products. We're gearing up to roll out a new category extension in early 2026 and are also moving into a few new delivery formats shaped by feedback from clinicians and our community. Most of our work right now centers on improving bioavailability and stability while keeping formulations clean and straightforward. We're not chasing fads--we're focused on efficacy and trust, and I'm always glad to talk through what we've learned building in this space. Here's my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hansgraubard/ Headshot: https://happyv.com/cdn/shop/files/happyv_team_Hans.jpg Happy to share anything else you need.
When I hear a podcast asking for CPG entrepreneurs launching new products, I immediately think back to how I've helped several consumer product founders use digital marketing to build momentum before their products ever hit shelves. The question about whether you're launching a new consumer goods company or expanding into new categories matters because your story becomes a powerful part of your brand's initial traction. I've seen early-stage CPG companies explode in visibility simply by sharing their launch journey on the right platforms at the right time. One founder I worked with had a health-focused snack line that wasn't even in stores yet. We built a digital pre-launch strategy—SEO, email capture, and influencer outreach—which led to a waitlist of thousands. When the product finally entered the market, they sold out within days. That experience taught me that visibility before launch is more valuable than most people realize. Opportunities like the ContenderCast can accelerate that visibility in ways paid ads alone cannot. If you're planning to release a new product in the next 6-12 months, my advice is simple: lock in storytelling platforms early. Podcasts, especially those highlighting emerging CPG brands, allow you to build credibility, gather interest, and validate your product with real audiences. Even established brands expanding into new categories can benefit from this kind of exposure because consumers respond to authenticity, not just polished marketing. A podcast spotlight can become the spark that sets your product launch in motion long before it reaches the market.
I often see consumer marketplaces struggle when they expand product offerings too fast without signaling what's actually new or different. At Artmajeur, we faced this when expanding into additional product categories beyond original artwork. When new formats were introduced quietly, engagement stayed flat. Artists uploaded, but collectors didn't react differently. There was no sense of discovery. It felt like more inventory, not a new experience. We reworked our approach and treated each new product category like a launch, not an addition. We reframed how artists presented these works and redesigned category entry points so collectors immediately understood why this was new and how to buy confidently. The shift didn't require more traffic. It required better cues. Once collectors recognized the difference, browsing time and repeat visits increased without changing pricing or promotion. The lesson for me is that expanding a consumer product portfolio isn't about scale it's about signaling. New products need a narrative that helps customers recalibrate expectations. When people understand what's different, momentum follows naturally.
One thing I consistently see in physical product expansion is brands underestimating how much context customers need when a familiar brand enters a new category. We experienced this firsthand while expanding our tool lineup at ConcreteToolsDirect. When we launched complementary products, we assumed existing customers would automatically trust them. Sales were slower than expected, not because of quality, but because buyers weren't sure how the new tools fit their existing workflows. We adjusted by reframing launches around use cases instead of product specs. Each new item was introduced as a solution to a specific job-site problem customers already recognized. That clarification shortened decision time and reduced pre-sale questions. What surprised me was how quickly behavior changed once customers understood placement, not features. Expansion gained traction when products felt like natural extensions of daily work, not experiments. The broader insight is that retail expansion succeeds when it respects how customers make decisions in real life. New categories need familiar anchors. When buyers see where something fits, they're far more willing to try it.
I'd love to put Oakwell in the mix. We took a small European spa tradition and rebuilt it as a modern wellness concept in Denver, blending craft beer, hydrotherapy, and a laid-back hospitality approach. Since opening, we've welcomed thousands of guests, introduced our own at-home soak kits, and started work on a second location. The podcast feels like a great place to talk about how we adapted a Czech beer bath ritual for an American audience. Happy to chat anytime.
We're combining AI, blood tests, and the data from your wrist to catch health issues before symptoms show up. Turning complex lab results into something people can actually understand was a huge hurdle. Now our early risk tools are starting to work. If ContenderCast is interested in how health-tech goes mainstream, I can share what we've learned so far.
When gold prices got wild, working with materials like black zirconium really changed things for us. We started getting more clients who had their own specific ideas instead of picking from a catalog. That shift to custom design has led to some amazing pieces people love. If you're curious how a family business can honor its legacy while still trying new things, I'd enjoy talking about it on your podcast.
I started Japantastic in 2022 because I kept meeting people who loved Japanese culture but couldn't find the real stuff beyond bento boxes. So I began importing those hard-to-find snacks and home pieces you'd actually see in Tokyo homes. What surprised me was how designers started reaching out, not just regular customers. If you want to talk about what happens when you mix obsession with Japanese goods and basic business sense, I'd love to come on your podcast.
I appreciate the opportunity, but I need to be transparent - while I've built Fulfill.com into a leading 3PL marketplace serving hundreds of consumer brands, I'm not launching a new consumer product myself. However, I work daily with CPG entrepreneurs who are exactly who you're looking for, and I'd love to help connect you with some incredible founders. Through Fulfill.com, I've watched dozens of consumer brands go from garage startups to major retailers. What I've learned is that the logistics and fulfillment strategy can make or break a product launch. I've seen brilliant products fail because founders underestimated the complexity of getting their product into customers' hands reliably and profitably. The most successful CPG launches I've witnessed in the past year share three common threads. First, they treat fulfillment as a competitive advantage, not just a cost center. One beverage brand we work with built their entire go-to-market strategy around being able to deliver within 48 hours anywhere in the continental US, which became their key differentiator against established competitors. Second, they plan their logistics infrastructure before they need it. I can't tell you how many founders come to us in panic mode after a successful launch overwhelms their garage or small warehouse. The brands that scale smoothly are the ones who partner with the right 3PL six months before launch, not six days after they go viral on social media. Third, they understand that modern consumers expect Amazon-level fulfillment speed and accuracy, regardless of brand size. The barrier to entry for CPG has never been lower thanks to platforms like Shopify and social media marketing, but the fulfillment expectations have never been higher. If you're open to it, I'd love to suggest some of the innovative CPG founders in our network who are launching exciting products in categories ranging from sustainable packaging to functional beverages to pet care. These entrepreneurs have fascinating stories about building brands in today's challenging retail environment, and many are in that sweet spot of launching or expanding in the next 6-12 months. I've also gained unique insights into what separates successful CPG launches from failures by seeing the operational side that most people never discuss. Happy to share those perspectives or make introductions to founders who would be perfect guests for ContenderCast.
I'm Albert Richer, founder of WhatAreTheBest.com, and I'm expanding into a new consumer-goods product line that pairs physical items with our digital comparison platform. We're launching a series of data-driven, AI-validated "Best Of" consumer kits in early 2026 — curated bundles in categories like productivity, wellness, travel essentials, and kitchen upgrades — each designed using real user-choice data from our platform. It's a hybrid CPG model: physical products guided by behavioral insights, built to help shoppers make confident decisions without the overwhelm of infinite options. This is our first move from digital-only into actual CPG, and the product line is scheduled to hit the market within the next six months. We're looking to build early momentum, share the story behind how we use analytics to shape physical goods, and talk about bridging the gap between digital decision-making and real-world consumer experience. Albert Richer, Founder, WhatAreTheBest.com.
I'd love to be part of ContenderCast. I'm the founder of Mermaid Way, a fashion and wellness brand that began with lingerie and swimwear, built around a philosophy of intentionally sensual design. We're now expanding into new categories that explore themes of softness, beauty, and embodied confidence--creating pieces that live in that space where comfort meets seduction, and wellness becomes part of the daily ritual of getting dressed. We're launching new product lines from late 2025 into early 2026, crafted for women who want to feel truly seen--in their curves, the way they move, and the energy they bring. I'd be excited to share the creative drive, design process, and emotional spark at the core of this next chapter.
Hi, While many CPG entrepreneurs focus solely on social media buzz or influencer hype, the overlooked key to sustainable growth is strategic SEO visibility. For instance, in one of our recent campaigns for a new health-focused product brand, 30 targeted backlinks generated a 5,600 increase in organic traffic in just five months propelling the brand from zero recognition to a thriving online presence and positioning it for revenue growth faster than traditional marketing alone. I'd be happy to share insights on how emerging CPG brands can leverage link building from day one, avoid common launch pitfalls, and use digital PR to turn a new product into a global contender. If you're looking for actionable strategies and real-world results that go beyond typical "launch hype," I'd love to contribute to your podcast.