Minimizing Growing Pains with Zachary DeAngelo of Rodeo CPG

Written By Modern Species

Being an entrepreneur through the COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly challenging for those in the food industry. However, with some key insights into your business and product, you can thrive in this environment, as exemplified by Zachary DeAngelo, Founder, and CEO of Rodeo CPG. 

Join us today to find out how Zachary got to where he is now, what he has learned from his experience as an entrepreneur, and where he sees the food industry going in the future. We also hear some great advice for entrepreneurs across all industries and why being an entrepreneur is so rewarding. 

You'll also learn about the clients that Rodeo CPG works with, what their role is and how it evolves, and how data is crucial in understanding what's impacting your business.

Key Points From This Episode:

  • Why this is such great timing for Zachary: defining their mission statement and value proposition.

  • How he got to where he is now, and why nothing was mapped out.

  • Launching his first business and the lessons he learned through Cocomama.

  • The difference between studying for an MBA and founding a business in the real world.

  • Zachary’s advice for those starting a business: you don’t need to innovate every step.

  • How Zachary ended up in sales and his move from New York to Colorado.

  • Insider knowledge in each industry and how Rodeo CPG is helping to share this.

  • Zachary’s experience of a service-driven business versus product-based businesses.

  • The evolution of the food industry and where technology is impacting this.

  • Examples of businesses that Rodeo CPG has helped grow and what their role is.

  • The three most common entry points for Rodeo CPG: complete startups, brands in their growth phase, and larger CPG companies.

  • The future of technology and data use: where Rodeo CPG helps with this and brands using technology well.

  • The biggest challenges and wins Rodeo CPG has experienced.

  • Signs of success for Rodeo CPG and scaling their business to support brands.

  • What both Gage and Zachary love about being entrepreneurs: the constant change.

  • How data can show you the small changes that have a big business impact.

  • Tips from Zachary to address common problems: the product is always critical, velocity is key, always be willing to check your assumptions, and more!

Tweetables:

“Where you start isn’t necessarily where you want to end up, and that's a lesson [that] I think is very relevant, even around sustainability.” — Zachary DeAngelo [0:11:39]

“[The food] industry is evolving a lot right now and all of that is going to be driven by data and technology, in my opinion.” — Zachary DeAngelo [0:21:38]

“We have continually had to reinvent who we are and what we do, and that won’t stop. I think that the willingness to do that is one reason that we have found a nice growth phase in this industry and have built a reputation.” — Zachary DeAngelo [0:32:31]

Episodes Archive

Modern Species

A sustainable brand design agency helping better-for-the-world brand launch, evolve, and grow to scale their impact.

https://modernspecies.com/
Previous

From Their Cart to Yours with Steven Clift from GoodCarts
Next

Intentionality Deficit with Subtle Distinctions