New DFW CPG members, Keith Bailey(shown) and Mark Fuentes, know a lot about partnerships. They are partners in life and in their business, White Rock Soap Gallery. The company has grown from farmers market sales to 4 retail locations plus they ship their products all over the US and even do custom candle & soap projects for retailers such as Central Market. But the journey hasn’t always been easy. In addition to opening their newest store in The Colony just as the pandemic hit, Keith also lost his brother last year after an unexpected illness. Luckily, Mark was always there for him. That’s the best kind of partner.
Another LGBTQ member, Justin Anderson, is getting attention from Martha Stewart. Learn more about that in our next next issue of the Insider.
Do you know of a local LGBTQ-run company? Let us know about it and we may just feature them in the next Insider!
Have a story for the Insider? Tell us about it and we will possibly feature you in an upcoming edition.
Founder, Abena Foli, is excited to announce that her DFW company, POKS Spices, makers of the holy trinity of West African spices, was one of the 30 brands accepted into Cohort 3 of Target’s Forward Founder’s Program! Abena will be participating this fall and perhaps she can share some of her new knowledge with her DFW CPG friends.
DFW barbeque joint, Zavala’s Barbeque, scores shelf space at 500 Walmarts in Texas
Read full article in the Dallas Morning News.
Impact Ventures has partnered with Santander Corporation’s Cultivate Small Business Program for food-industry or food-adjacent businesses, taught by Babson College. The program will have a focus on women-, immigrant-, and BIPOC-owned businesses and includes a FREE 12 week (September-November) mini-MBA for eligible food entrepreneurs. Apply here through June 15th.
Thanks to Kathy Guzmán Galloway, kgalloway consulting, for her graduate school-level instruction on Brand Purpose. She lived up to her reputation as a CPG Strategy & Innovation Wizard, Consultant, and Mentor as the attendees learned not only what purpose is, but how to define it for themselves. Click here to view Kathy’s informative presentation.
Our own DFWCPG Ambassador, Kathy Guzmán Galloway, kgalloway consulting, will also be speaking on mission, purpose, and vision at BevNET Live on June 15-16 in New York City. BevNET Live is the beverage industry’s opportunity to initiate conversations that lead to partnerships, have your toughest questions answered by leaders who have been in your shoes, learn from expert talks on-stage, and sample the latest beverage innovations. Register here.
If you’re in the natural food space, consider attending NOSH Live in conjunction with BevNET on June 15-16 in New York City. With speakers coming from the industry’s top brands, investors, retailers, and service providers, NOSH Live will provide attendees with two days of learning and networking opportunities designed to help you grow your business. Register here.
DFW CPG Partner News:
Shannon Ross and brother, Griffin Ross, with Springer Dog Water Bottles in Austin, were featured on Shark Tank on May 13th and received offers from both Kevin O’Leary and Lori Greiner. They accepted Lori’s offer of $400,000 for 10% equity and preferred stock. Shannon and her family were in the first SKU Dallas cohort in 2020 and their mentor was our very own Executive Committee member,Genevieve Poirier-Richards at The Marketing Spectrum. Congratulations!
GO TEXAN Member Alert: Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) will be accepting applications soon for two grant programs, from $5,000-$40,000, under the Marketing Enhancement Grant Assistance (MEGA) Program. On June 7th applications will be live for the GO TEXAN – Product Promotion Program (GTPP). By June 10th, applications will be live for the GO TEXAN – Event Grant Program (GTEG). For more info, please email GO TEXAN.
If you have something you would like to share with the DFW CPG community, send us an email.