not just co.

A big week for not just co. as we launch our not just pasta sauce line into 240 Target stores across the country. 🎯 While this is obviously a huge distribution win for our small but growing company, I think the best part of this opportunity is how it has allowed/pushed us to level-up every part of the business. ✅ My brilliant and tenacious co-founder Jacqueline Grady Smith scaled up production in a major way - while improving the product AND margin. ✅ I tapped into dormant creativity from my former life in food media, and wow did it feel good to use those muscles. ✅ We collaborated with smart/funny/passionate women like Katie Siff, Maggie Belshé, Nina Gallant, Phoebe Lobkowicz and Grace Lee Kang to introduce our brand in a bigger way, that feels just like us. Huge thank you to Markus Lasky from FDM Sales for understanding and continually going to bat for our small brand, and Haerim Ryan H. for believing we deserve a shot. Next time you visit your local Target store please check out the pasta sauce section, we can’t wait to help you get dinner done. #target #cpg #femalefounders #betterforyou #notjustco #womenowned

Absolutely so thrilled that Catherine Smart got *her first* (😉) segment on How I Built This with Guy Raz. Give it a listen! Couldn’t be prouder of my amazing cofounder for this well deserved recognition of her not just co. work. https://lnkd.in/erX9C7iG

Today's #Foxtrot & #Dom's news is shocking and such a bummer for emerging CPG brands, as they've been early adopters. It does, however, serve as such a good reminder that: 1) Being sexy & raising tons of money does (necessarily) ≠ success. (Catherine tells me that being cool "can be a nice-to-have" though so maybe I should back off here. 😅) 2) Ops & execution matter (and I will happily show you not just co. ops any time.) 3) A reminder to stay true to my personality - all the way from HS sports to now - I have always cared more about fundamentals than flash. (Shoutout to my basketball coaches for working with me after hours on defense and post moves.) 4) Slow, thoughtful growth isn't the worst thing. Thoughts? Drop 'em below!

One thing I've learned over the last few years is running not just co., is that there are not many "normal" days. There are hard days, and there are great days. 🎢 Catherine and I have gotten some hard-won wins this last couple of weeks (big & little) which are feeling so good. In no particular order: - Albertsons Companies Launchpad accepting us to pitch at Expo West! 📣 - Some fresh and exciting folks on our cap table 👯♀️ - 600% growth over this same YTD period last year (!!)📈 - An industry partner telling me that I'm among the most prepared & resourceful founders they work with and that I know the financials of our business better than almost anyone at our stage. 🤓 - Some fresh, bright packaging for our trio of not just salad dressings.🥗 - The second event (sold out!) for Naturally New England coming up tomorrow in Maine. 🌲 - Some sunshine (not biz related, but good for the soul nonetheless) ☀️ Just really feeling these during the darkest stretch of the New England year.

We're hiring a social media marketing intern at not just co. It's a paid, part-time, hybrid position, with lots of opportunity for growth! Perfect for Boston area college students or recent grads looking to jump into an exciting independent social media manager role at a fast-growing food startup.

SO...As we embark on the Wild West of seasonal retail (RIP to our nice, low paid social CAC!) you will be bombarded with stuff. Some you need, most you don't. You will also probably be thinking about what to give other people who also don't need anything. Yes, your friends/customers/clients do not need whatever thing you're thinking about buying as a token of your appreciation for their continued support in 2023 (right?? right.) Voila, I have an answer (duh.) not just co. does corporate gifting. Yes, you can give your friends/customers/clients a healthy, consumable product that looks beautiful AND that they will love AND that will not get thrown out on January 1st, that is Non-Alc, AND THAT WILL WORK FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST. We are: 1. Gluten free 2. Dairy Free 3. Vegan 4. Use no refined sugars 5. Taste amazing 6. Can be used a million ways (scan a QR code on the jar or for big enough orders I will include recipe cards.) 7. Kid friendly (yes, kids will eat this.) 8. Adult friendly (yes, food snobs also love) 9. Pretty packaging makes it feel special! 10. Price approachable I think it's a win! Popping our landing page here, but feel free to DM me or email too. let's get some sh*t checked off of your to-do list, and mine, before it eats me. (cc: Catherine Smart) https://lnkd.in/eG9AAsXV

Happy 35th birthday to H.R. 5050, the Women's Business Ownership Act. Wild to believe that this became law when I was a toddler, and my mom was already 4 years into running her environmental consulting firm. Prior to this bill being signed, a woman was required to have a male relative co-sign a business loan. In a Forbes article by Deborah Sweeney on the subject, I read that one woman testified that she was only able to secure a loan after her 17-year old son offered up his signature. The late 80s were not that long ago. I own vintage jeans that predate this legislation. I won't go on about how far we have come (very far!) Or get into how far we all know we have to go *gestures wildly towards statistic about female founders raising just 2% of the VC capital* But I will continue to shout big thank yous to the women like my mom, and the ones who came before and after her. They paved a way with their grit, resilience, and self-determination, making my entrepreneurship journey, and those of so many others feel like a realistic possibility. #womenowned #startup #femalefounders #women #SBA #WOSB