Honorees’ Insights Capped an Epic Founders’ Gala
Naturally Chicago Founders’ Gala honorees Tony Olson, Brandon Barnholt and Bill Weiland. All photos by Tori Soper Photography.
The Naturally Chicago Founders’ Gala on October 10 was a tribute to organization co-founders Brandon Barnholt of KeHE, North America’s leading distributor of natural products; Tony Olson of SPINS, the leading provider of data and insights for the industry; and Bill Weiland of Presence Marketing, the leading and pioneering broker for natural product brands.
Attendees enjoy bacon-wrapped dates at the Naturally Chiicago Founders’ Gala VIP reception.
Donnie Madia, One Off Hospitality co-founder and director and James Beard Award winner for Best Restaurateur, posed with guests at the Founders’ Gala VIP reception held at his The Publican restaurant.
The evening, encompassing two locations in Chicago’s Fulton Market District, was a complete package. The VIP reception at The Publican restaurant was titled Bite of “The Bear” and featured delicious food items from the hit TV series set at a restaurant.
The main event was across the street at The Dalcy event space, which provided a beautiful atmosphere, great food and expert beverage service.
Naturally Chicago Managing Director and Co-Founder Jim Slama addressing attendees at the Founders’ Gala.
Naturally Chicago Managing Director Jim Slama (himself a co-founder) welcomed guests. He laid out the organization’s mission and programs; these include the thriving Locally Made program, connecting brands and retailers, that is the recipient of the evening’s proceeds.
Slama also recognized philanthropist Jennifer Steans, the lead funder on Locally Made.
A short video about Locally Made, with testimonials by owners of brands that have benefited from the program, was debuted.
Ayo Foods Fo’under-Owners Perteet and Fred Spencer accepting the Emerging Brand of the Year Award at the Naturally Chicago Founders’ Gala.
Entrepreneurs Fred and Perteet Spencer, makers of Ayo Foods’ West African-themed products, received the Emerging Brand of the Year Award.
Strongly personal tributes were paid to the honorees, with Presence President Brian Naylor doing the honors for Weiland; SPINS President of Retail Andrew Henkel and former 15-year executive Michael Movitz hailing Olson; and Deb Conklin lauding Barnholt, who she succeeded as KeHE President and CEO when he stepped down last year.
Emcee Karuna Rawal of Nature’s Fynd.
Yet not surprisingly, the highlight of the evening was a “fireside chat” in which the co-founders answered questions from Karuna Rawal – Nature's Fynd Chief Revenue Office and Chief Marketing Officer – who served as the event emcee.
The conversation began with the honorees discussing how they became involved in creating Naturally Chicago.
Tony Olson speaking at Naturally Chicago Founders’ Gala.
Olson noted that Slama, then Founder/CEO of the FamilyFarmed non-profit, worked across the street from SPINS. Slama approached him several years ago with the idea of launching an association for Chicago’s burgeoning Natural Products industry, which would be affiliated with the existing Naturally Boulder organization in Colorado.
Olson agreed, and, he said at the dinner, “There were no better people to approach on this than Brandon and Bill. These are guys I have a ton of respect for, and we've been friends for a really long time, and I'm just so honored to get on a stage with you guys.”
Weiland noted that he and Olson met years ago while working out, were roommates for a time, and have worked closely together since. He also praised Slama, who he said “has been toiling for decades building the good food movement in Chicago.”
Barnholt said he jumped at the chance “to work with these two gentlemen, and a chance to help the Chicago food community, which I think is the biggest and the best in the United States.” He also aimed his reply to entrepreneurs in attendance, focusing on the present and future of the industry:
“Now you have to be extraordinarily prepared. You have an ecosystem. Our most important attributes in life are our language and our relationships. So we're here to support you guys in every way, supply chain, finance, building an ecosystem of diversity and strength, so you guys have the best fighting chance to have your special idea come to fruition.”
Rawal stayed with that theme, asking the founders to discuss what it takes for emerging brands to succeed in this era.
Olson said that exits – entrepreneurs growing their businesses and then selling them to larger companies or investors – weren't even a thing 25 years ago when SPINS itself was a startup, but they are today.
He also said that a company getting its products distributed widely is great, but velocity, the rate at which products move off retailers’ shelves, is even more important. Starting with smaller distribution and building velocity enables brands to better know their customers, set price points correctly, and right-size their promotions and advertising, only then taking those learnings into broader distribution.
Barnholt concurred from the powerful perspective of the leader who built KeHE into a powerhouse distributor. “You're much better off to get in one warehouse,” Barnholt said. “Go deep in that warehouse, get full penetration, get movement at the shelf and just kill it in that one local market than you are to go for distribution across the country.”
Bill Weiland speaking at Naturally Chicago’s Founders’ Gala.
