About the Show:
“I’m a CPA by trade, and my background was in audit and doing financial analysis.”
- Bret Raymond
About the Guest:
Bret Raymond is the co-founder and CEO of PacShack and the General Manager of Neighborly Food Co. With a foundational career as a CPA focused on audit and financial analysis, Bret’s life changed dramatically through his international experiences in Romania and Africa, notably in Uganda and Rwanda. These experiences in sustainable economic development and malnutrition treatment inspired his transition into food production. Through his work with Manna Nutrition and the Pack Shack, Bret has championed local and global initiatives to address food insecurity, reaching significant milestones such as producing 50 million meals. He is now paving new paths in retail with Neighborly, a mission-driven food company dedicated to producing nutritious, culturally infused rice and bean meals while supporting local communities.
Episode Summary:
In this engaging episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas® podcast, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Bret Raymond, CEO of PacShack and General Manager of Neighborly, to explore the journey from CPA to impact-driven entrepreneur in the food industry. The episode unveils how Bret’s transformative experiences in Uganda and Rwanda fueled his mission to combat food insecurity through the Pack Shack, ultimately leading to Neighborly Food Co., a socially conscious food brand. With a focus on providing affordable, allergen-free, and flavor-infused rice and bean meals, Bret discusses how Neighborly aims to revolutionize the staple foods market while dedicating 100% of its profits to feeding neighbors in need, resembling the impact model of Newman’s Own.
As Bret outlines his strategic growth from local beginnings at Ozark Natural Foods to gaining shelf space in Walmart stores, listeners gain insight into the persistent innovations behind Neighborly’s products. Highlighting both the rewarding and daunting aspects of retail entry, Bret emphasizes the importance of community support, local sourcing, and an unwavering commitment to quality and taste. The conversation also delves into the entrepreneurial spirit fostered by Northwest Arkansas, underscoring how the region’s wealth of CPG expertise and its community-driven ethos provided Bret with a fertile ground for launching and scaling mission-driven ventures like Neighborly.
Key Takeaways:
- Bret Raymond’s career transition from CPA in financial analysis to mission-driven entrepreneur began with impactful international experiences in Romania and Africa, leading to sustainable food solutions through PacShack and Neighborly.
- The Pack Shack has provided over 50 million meals addressing food insecurity, demonstrating community-centric solutions for local and global hunger.
- Neighborly Food Co. offers clean-label, plant-based meals aimed at introducing diverse global flavors through everyday staples while committing 100% of profits to support local communities.
- Access to resources and expertise in Northwest Arkansas enables CPG entrepreneurs to innovate and succeed, as evidenced by Neighborly’s path from a local favorite to securing Walmart distribution.
- Bret emphasizes community support and customer feedback as essential components of product development and successful entrepreneurship.
All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast.
Important Links and Mentions on the Show*
Neighborly Food Co on Instagram
Neighborly Food Co on Facebook
Neighborly Food Co on LinkedIn
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This episode is sponsored by*
Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"
Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!"
*Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.
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