Meet the Mentors Powering SEED SPOT’s First Retail Brand Accelerator!

We are thrilled to announce the Retail Mentor Cohort for SEED SPOT’s inaugural Retail Brand Accelerator program. This fully-funded 10-week accelerator provides tailored education, mentorship, and resources to prepare diverse founders to breakthrough and succeed in mass retail. Participants will refine their sales presentations, increase their inventory and supply chain capacities, build a standout brand identity, and be guided through retailer compliance requirements.

Retail Mentor Liz Whitehead is excited to serve as a mentor in this unique cohort because of its closely aligned mission with her own work. “For two decades, I have consulted with businesses on how to leverage diversity to achieve their business goals with national diversity certification, both domestically and internationally. My clients include Fortune 500 companies who want to bring their supplier diversity education to the next level and small to medium sized businesses who want to sell to those companies.” 

Liz takes a collaborative, additive approach to supporting founders that leverages their expertise and challenges them with questions to consider. “For all mentorship engagements, I want to ask questions that bring out the answers from the entrepreneur rather than direct them the way that I do things. I also don’t get into their business model or whether or not I think their idea will ‘work’, but rather, what are the environmental, economic, personal, and operational things that have to happen for them to be successful. Then identify where they have influence, what their priorities are, and how to plan for that success.”

Learn more about Liz and the other 16 mentors in this Retail Mentor Cohort below, including how each expert plans to leverage their own experience and connections to help drive their paired Retail Brand Accelerator brand’s goals forward and make the retail environment a more equitable place.

Meaghan Barry

Meaghan Barry is co-founder of Unsold Studio and an expert in user experience design and branding. Meaghan’s creative approach helps startups build intuitive and engaging products that resonate with consumers. Her work has received numerous accolades for its impact on brand perception and user satisfaction.

Meaghan will be working with Sip & Share Wines to prepare her brand for grocery channel placement and two highly anticipated brand events.

Connect with Meaghan on LinkedIn

Tara Bethell

Tara Bethell of Copper Quail Consulting brings a wealth of experience in human resources and organizational development. Tara’s expertise in HR strategy, employee engagement, and leadership development is crucial for startups navigating the complexities of team dynamics and company culture.

Tara is paired with Ashunta Inc to help strengthen leadership muscles that will support their next stage of sales growth and readiness for mass retail.

Connect with Tara on LinkedIn

Michael Byron

Michael Byron, an expert in technology and innovation, provides startups with the technical know-how to implement cutting-edge solutions and drive technological advancement. Michael has a background in software development and product management, making him a valuable resource for undertaking large projects and scaling growth in a thoughtful, sustainable way.

Michael will be mentoring Orijin Bees, LLC as they plan for retail distribution scale and profitability.

Connect with Michael on LinkedIn

John Canter

John Canter is a seasoned retail executive with deep expertise in sales and marketing. John’s experience in the retail industry provides startups with practical advice on market penetration and customer engagement. He has successfully led sales teams and driven significant revenue growth for multiple retail brands.

John and Rejuvenation will work together to swiftly ramp their monthly recurring revenue through strategic channel development and expansion.

Connect with John on LinkedIn

Nicole Cocuzzi

Nicole Cocuzzi from ProAmpac brings extensive knowledge in packaging solutions and sustainability. Nicole’s expertise is crucial for startups aiming to create environmentally-friendly products. She has worked with leading brands to develop sustainable packaging solutions that meet industry standards.

Nicole will help Southeastern Roastery to translate and package their brand for online sales on a high-conversion eCommerce site.

Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn

Thomas Crookham

Thomas Crookham, an expert in supply chain management and operations, brings critical knowledge to startups looking to optimize their logistics and operational efficiencies. Thomas has helped numerous companies streamline their supply chains, reducing costs and improving service levels.

Thomas joins Z&Z as their mentor to support their operational and manufacturing capabilities so they can expand to more grocery chains and increase their sales velocity.

Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn

Lilian Crum

Lilian Crum is the co-founder of Unsold Studio, where she excels in graphic design and visual communication. Lilian’s innovative approach to design helps brands develop unique and engaging identities. Her work has been featured in numerous design publications and showcases her ability to blend creativity with strategic thinking.

Lillian will be working with Machisma Beauty as they build a standout brand identity that can distinguish their inclusive and equitable beauty brand in a competitive market.

Connect with Lilian on LinkedIn

Nicole Greene

Nicole Greene of Time by Design offers expertise in time management and productivity. Nicole’s guidance is invaluable for startups looking to maximize efficiency and achieve their goals. She has a proven track record of helping businesses streamline operations and enhance productivity.

Nicole and Private Packs will work together on effective shelf growth and marketing strategies, especially unpacking the intricacies of product placement and marketing for retail brand growth.

Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn

Victor Leal

Victor Leal, founder of Theramart, specializes in innovative health and wellness products. With a background in biomedical engineering and extensive experience in product development, Victor helps startups navigate the complex process of bringing health-related products to market. His expertise in regulatory compliance and market strategy ensures that startups can efficiently and effectively launch their products. 

Victor will work closely with Crease Beast on their strategy to scale to international markets and consider related marketing and regulatory implications.

Connect with Victor on LinkedIn

Stephanie Louie

Stephanie Louie, founder of One10 North, specializes in brand strategy and marketing communications. Stephanie’s strategic insights help startups craft compelling brand stories and execute marketing campaigns that drive customer engagement and brand loyalty.

Stephanie will mentor Intriguing Hair to identify a clear strategy for expansion into mass retail and increasing presence in beauty supply stores.

Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn

Sergio Mankita

Sergio Mankita is a seasoned entrepreneur and business strategist with a rich history of helping businesses scale. Sergio’s deep understanding of market dynamics and strategic growth enables him to provide startups with actionable insights and strategies for sustainable growth.

Sergio will be supporting iba Plant Powered Energy Drink as add new retail chains and scale their sales.

Connect with Sergio on LinkedIn

James Martinez

James Martinez, founder of JDM Research and Recruiting, specializes in market research and talent acquisition. James has a unique ability to identify market trends and align them with talent strategies, making him an invaluable asset for startups aiming to build strong, knowledgeable teams. 

James will be helping SEEDLY Foods to leverage consumer insights to position SEEDLY Foods for significant growth and make its nutritious, seed-based snacks a household staple. 

Connect with James on LinkedIn

Anusha Mohan

Anusha Mohan is a retail and consumer-tech professional with 15 years of experience in strategy consulting and operations across a wide range of companies, spanning seed-stage startups to Fortune 50. Her expertise is particularly valuable for startups looking to scale their operations while maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency.

Anusha will support Caire Beauty as they navigate entry into new retailers and strategically grow door count, considering operational and financial needs.

Connect with Anusha on LinkedIn

Gabriel Ramirez

Gabriel Ramirez, a senior strategist at McKinney, brings extensive experience in digital marketing and strategic planning. Gabriel has successfully led marketing campaigns for major brands, leveraging data-driven insights to maximize reach and engagement. His focus is on helping startups navigate the complexities of digital advertising and branding.

Gabriel will be working closely with Hello Health to grow revenue while continuing to bootstrap.

Connect with Gabriel on LinkedIn

Courtney Sawyer

Courtney Sawyer is the creative force behind Love Beyond Studio. With her expertise in brand development and design, Courtney has helped numerous startups create compelling narratives and visual identities. Her passion lies in using design to solve real-world problems and foster brand loyalty.

Courtney will be working with Herb & Root to leverage their brand messaging and unique value proposition to identify and secure partnerships with new retailers and distributors.

Learn more about Courtney and her work

Carolyn Spencer

Carolyn Spencer is the co-founder of Copivot, a company focused on collaborative innovation and strategic growth. With over a decade of experience in business development, Carolyn has a proven track record of helping startups scale efficiently. Her expertise spans market analysis, strategic partnerships, and business model refinement.

Carolyn will be supporting the Soapen Inc. team to prepare for mass retail expansion through strategic planning for design, pricing, and fundraising activities.

Connect with Carolyn on LinkedIn

Liz Whitehead

Liz Whitehead is an expert in diversity and inclusion within the business sector, focusing on integrating these crucial elements into core business strategies. With her deep understanding of supplier diversity, Liz helps organizations enhance their vendor networks by leveraging diverse partnerships. Her strategic approach aids startups in building inclusive business practices that contribute to sustainable growth and broader market reach.

Liz and Sweet Fields LLC will work together to secure new food service and retail contracts, and identify capital sources to support this growth.

Connect with Liz on LinkedIn

We are incredibly excited about the expertise and passion this mentor cohort brings to our Retail Brand Accelerator program. Their collective knowledge and experience will undoubtedly be a tremendous asset to our participants, helping them to innovate, grow, and succeed in the competitive retail landscape. 

Are you a brand looking to grow your retail presence? The next Retail Brand Accelerator is coming up this fall from October 7 to December 13, 2024. Apply by August 18, 2024 for consideration or by the final application deadline on September 15, 2024.