Tom First (Nantucket Nectars & Culture Pop) | Juicing a $100M Beverage Brand
We delve into the journey of Tom First, founder of Nantucket Nectars & Culture Pop. Discover the challenges and triumphs of building a beloved brand, the importance of authenticity in product development, and the lessons learned from navigating the beverage industry. Tom shares his experiences from the early days of creating a juice company that redefined the market to the strategic decisions that led to its success. Learn about the critical moments that shaped Nantucket Nectars, the philosophy behind making a product to be proud of, and the personal and professional dynamics of co-founding a business. Tom also discusses his new venture, Culture Pop, and how it continues his passion for creating innovative and healthy beverages.
Sponsors:
Ramp
IQBar - Amazon
Chapters:
[00:00:00] Brand Building Challenges
[00:00:34] Meet the Hosts
[00:02:00] Introducing Sponsors
[00:02:45] Welcome Tom First
[00:04:00] Culture Pop Origins
[00:06:30] Early Business Lessons
[00:08:00] Nantucket Nectars Beginnings
[00:10:45] Defining Soda and Seltzer
[00:15:00] Early Business Challenges
[00:17:30] Competing with Big Brands
[00:20:00] Building a National Brand
[00:21:45] Importance of Storytelling
[00:24:00] Key Decisions in Business
[00:27:00] Impact of Selling Business
[00:31:00] Moving Beyond Nectars
[00:34:00] Investor Dynamics
[00:37:30] Post-Nectars Ventures
[00:43:00] Developing Culture Pop
[00:49:00] Market Positioning
[00:52:30] Raising Capital
[00:54:00] Future of Functional Soda
[01:00:00] Advice for Entrepreneurs
[01:02:00] Building a Strong Team
[01:05:00] Personal Impact of Business
[01:07:00] Defining Success Today
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Sponsors:
Ramp
IQBar - Amazon
Chapters:
[00:00:00] Brand Building Challenges
[00:00:34] Meet the Hosts
[00:02:00] Introducing Sponsors
[00:02:45] Welcome Tom First
[00:04:00] Culture Pop Origins
[00:06:30] Early Business Lessons
[00:08:00] Nantucket Nectars Beginnings
[00:10:45] Defining Soda and Seltzer
[00:15:00] Early Business Challenges
[00:17:30] Competing with Big Brands
[00:20:00] Building a National Brand
[00:21:45] Importance of Storytelling
[00:24:00] Key Decisions in Business
[00:27:00] Impact of Selling Business
[00:31:00] Moving Beyond Nectars
[00:34:00] Investor Dynamics
[00:37:30] Post-Nectars Ventures
[00:43:00] Developing Culture Pop
[00:49:00] Market Positioning
[00:52:30] Raising Capital
[00:54:00] Future of Functional Soda
[01:00:00] Advice for Entrepreneurs
[01:02:00] Building a Strong Team
[01:05:00] Personal Impact of Business
[01:07:00] Defining Success Today
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Will Nitze is the Founder & CEO at IQBAR - America's leading "brain + body" nutrition startup. With minimal funding, Will has taken IQBAR from zero locations and zero in revenue in 2018 to 10,000+ doors and a projected $50 million in sales in 2024.
Joe Lemay founded Rocketbook with business partner Jake Epstein. After being featured on “Shark Tank”, where the sharks passed on a chance to invest – Joe would go on to grow Rocketbook and sell it to BIC for 40 million dollars just three years later.
Connect with Tom:
Culture Pop: https://drinkculturepop.com/
X: https://x.com/drinkculturepop
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-first-532ab55/
Creators and Guests
Host
Joe Lemay
Joe Lemay founded Rocketbook with business partner Jake Epstein. After being featured on “Shark Tank”, where the sharks passed on a chance to invest – Joe would go on to grow Rocketbook and sell it to BIC for 40 million dollars just three years later.
Host
Will Nitze
Will Nitze is the Founder & CEO at IQBAR - America's leading "brain + body" nutrition startup. With minimal funding, Will has taken IQBAR from zero locations and zero in revenue in 2018 to 10,000+ doors and a projected $50 million in sales in 2024.