Naturally Chicago

Naturally Chicago Members... Join us on April 2 for our IN-PERSON event in downtown Chicago to learn more about working with brokers — and to celebrate the success of our Mentorship program. This MEMBERS ONLY gathering will take place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the headquarters of C.A. Fortune, a leading brand broker, at 651 W. Washington Blvd. in the West Loop neighborhood. Doors will open for registration at 3:30 p.m. The meeting will have two components: a panel discussion on brokers, as well as a social and networking finale to thank all of the Mentors and Mentees who have participated in the 2nd cohort of our Mentorship program. Click the link for more details — include our expert guest panelists — and to register. https://lnkd.in/eE_J9-Ux Jim Slama Gregory Keller Rachel (Kurowski) Iglesias Milton Zimmerman Ali Shouman Tracy Pernatozzi Naturally Network Bob Benenson

🗞️ News Alert: The Naturally Rising Chicago Pitch Slam Applications are now open! WHO: Naturally Chicago Brand Partners WHAT:  The Conscious Business Pitch Competition. A competition showcasing emerging, purpose-driven brands and celebrating conscious leaders in the natural products industry. WHEN:  Pitch Slam is June 2. Applications due April 11. WHERE:  Downtown Chicago WHY:  Winners are eligible to win nearly $200,000 in service prizes. Pitch in front of dozens of investors, retail and foodservice buyers, and industry leaders in attendance. 🎤 Pitch Application HERE: https://shorturl.at/bEBhM Jim Slama William Madden, PhD Debarshi Sengupta Jennifer Amdur Spitz Jessica Murphy Katie Paul Jennifer Paulson Milton Zimmerman Bob Benenson Alison Velázquez Jason Mercer

Whether you're pitching to investors, for grants, or preparing to compete in Naturally Chicago's Pitch Slam, your ability to communicate a clear, compelling and confident pitch is key to securing funding. That's why Naturally Chicago is hosting the webinar, Power to Pitch: 10 Keys to a Successful Pitch, on Thursday (March 13) at 2 p.m. central time. This event will be a tour de force by Kat Weaver, the fundraising and pitch expert who founded and runs the Power to Pitch company. Kat helps entrepreneurs craft winning pitches, decks and fundraising strategies — and she's helped founders raise more than $35 million (and counting!). In this session, Kat will break down the top 10 keys to crafting a successful pitch — and avoiding mistakes that could hurt your chances. You'll walk away with actionable insights to refine your pitch, avoid common pitfalls, and position yourself for fundraising success. Click the link to register for this business-building free webinar! https://lnkd.in/d7ryXZwf Jim Slama Gregory Keller Rachel (Kurowski) Iglesias

We're are thrilled to congratulate Tracey Warner Halama, a Naturally Chicago Board member, who is the new Chief Executive Officer at Supergut! Supergut makes a wellness supplement and snacks that naturally boost GLP-1 satiety hormones — making them alternatives to the GLP-1 drugs that are so much in the news these days because of their impact on weight loss and management. Tracey sees Supergut as a potential legacy company, and she knows whereof she speaks: She got in on the ground floor at Vital Proteins and rode its exponential success to become CEO of that company. Tracey adds that Supergut to more than a brand to her, as focusing on gut health helps her address her own health and wellness issues. "I’m excited to bring my extensive CPG expertise and passion for wellness, brand, and growing teams to a company whose mission resonates so deeply with me," Tracey said. We at Naturally Chicago wish Tracey the best of success and look forward to learning more about Supergut. Jim Slama

Naturally Chicago is proud of its outstanding 50-member Board of Directors, made up of leaders and successes from across the Natural Products industry spectrum. The Board, at its meeting on January 29, burnished its membership further by agreeing unanimously to bring on the following six new members. Click the link below to access our blog post with more details about each of these industry leaders. * Meagan Arensdorff, Vice President, C.A. Fortune Build * Emily Cole Groden, Founder/CEO, Evergreen * Amanda Puck, Communications & Brand, Mariano's * Aalap Shah, Founder/CEO, 108 Agency * Patricia "Trish" Thomas, Co-Founder/CEO, WFF Inc. - Every Body Eat® * Ryan Woody, Chief Operating Officer, SG Credit Partners https://lnkd.in/gp2qB7Gm Jim Slama William Madden, PhD Debarshi Sengupta Jennifer Amdur Spitz. Jason Mercer. Jessica Murphy Milton Zimmerman. Katie Paul Jennifer Paulson Alison Velázquez

Naturally Chicago is seeking an Executive Assistant to support CEO Jim Slama in growing a comprehensive network and community to support natural product entrepreneurs. Click the link below to visit the Naturally Chicago website and learn all about this impactful position. Please apply or share with anyone you know who might be interested. https://lnkd.in/gUgYaiaX

Naturally Chicago is seeking an Executive Assistant to support CEO Jim Slama in growing a comprehensive network and community to support natural product entrepreneurs. Click the link below to visit the Naturally Chicago website and learn all about this impactful position. Please apply or share with anyone you know who might be interested. https://lnkd.in/gUgYaiaX

Join us for "Early Look: Growth and Disruption in 2025 Trends for Natural Brands and Retailers" — our business-building free webinar on Tuesday, December 17 starting at 2 p.m. central. You'll enjoy a lively, evidence-based discussion with SPINS and KeHE Distributors on the dynamics set to have the greatest impact on the Natural Product Industry in 2025. Enjoy a lively discussion among these industry experts: Kathryn A Peters, Head of Industry Relations, SPINS Marc Nehring, Senior Director of Growth Solutions, KeHE Hannah Law , Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategy & Communications, SPINS (Moderator) This is Naturally Chicago's final event of 2024, and you won't want to miss it. Click the link below to register. Naturally Chicago is a chapter of Naturally Network, which promotes the natural products industry in 11 regions across the nation. https://lnkd.in/gZAnjXPq

At Naturally Chicago, we’ve always said that our live events are where the magic happens – the networking, connections, new friendships and maybe some future business partnerships. And our Women in CPG celebration, held Tuesday night at Time Out Market Chicago and its Tony’s Rooftop Bar, was truly magical. Our thanks to: * NielsenIQ (NIQ), our event sponsor, for its support and for providing the drinks and snacks that helped make the conversations flow. To learn more about NielsenIQ and its business-building analytics services, visit https://lnkd.in/eZrHmsH. Time Out Market, for providing the amazing space and hospitality. The members of our host committee, who played a key role in the evening’s success: Jennifer Amdur Spitz (Amdur Spitz & Associates, Inc) and Perteet Spencer (Ayo West African Foods), both of whom spoke to the assembled guests; Kim Feil (Aspire Brands, Inc. (Aspire Drinks); Bethany Gomez; Tracey Warner Halama (Creekside Ventures); Kim Oster-Holstein (Twisted Alchemy); Erica T. Kuhlmann (BMO); Colleen McGinnis (NielsenIQ); Katie Paul (KeHE Distributors); Sarah McCarron (J.P. Morgan Private Bank); Jennifer Paulson; Amanda Puck (Mariano's); Karuna Rawal (Nature's Fynd); Suzy Richard (SPINS); Christie Schuessler (Naturally Chicago); Alison Velázquez (Brand Blueprint CPG); and Jenny Yang (Jenny's Tofu). A special shoutout to Amanda Puck and her Mariano’s teammates, who stepped into the breach when we needed help at check-in. And last, but certainly not least, the attendees who packed the room with lots of buzzy energy.

October was quite a month for Naturally Chicago! We hosted 3 in-person events, including our Founders' Gala as well as one impactful webinar! Learn more on our blog (https://lnkd.in/gghFWY4r) or on the links below! Becoming a Category King webinar recap: https://lnkd.in/gtxpdw9R Founders' Gala recap: https://lnkd.in/gPB8sxfQ Debt and Equity Event: https://lnkd.in/gtM2yh6K Day of the Dead recap: https://lnkd.in/gxT34Q77