Some exciting news: Beanitos will be featured on Dr. Oz … Wed, May 16th.  Here’s a link to local area show air times … http://www.doctoroz.com/find-station.

The show producers have also told us this show will air again, one week later, on Wednesday, May 23.

NOTE: In many markets, the Dr. Oz Show airs twice daily; the NEWEST show airs AFTER the older show. So on May 16, Dr OZ’s Beanitos recommendation will be in the 2nd airing, and on May 23 it (when it runs again) will be the 1^st airing.

Read the interview at http://newhope360.com/food-based-supplements/megafood-ceo-robert-craven-whole-food-supplement-trend.

In the past few months we’ve received lots of reader requests for a goop issue on pregnancy, and so we got to work on the subject. Below are all my essentials plus our most recent sources of inspiration for everything from wearable maternity clothing to putting together a nursery.
Love,
gp

gDiapers: A ridiculously cute eco-friendly diaper system. Choose one or two outer layer diapers that you can use over and over again and then replace the inner layer with biodegradable refills or washable cloth inserts (both viable eco options). The diapers come in lots of great colors and patterns.

Source:  Goop.com

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Check out NY Times article.  http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/09/drilling-down-what-small-businesses-should-know-about-crowdfunding

# 1:  Drivers of Success for Startups. Do I have a Good Business Idea?  http://redrocketvc.blogspot.com/2011_02_01_archive.html.

# 2:  Building the Right Team for Your Start-Up.  http://redrocketvc.blogspot.com/2011/03/lesson-2-building-right-team-for-your.html.

# 3:  The Importance of Timing and Luck for Your Startup.  http://redrocketvc.blogspot.com/2011/03/lesson-3-importance-of-timing-and-luck.html.

# 4:  How to Raise Capital for Your Startup.  http://redrocketvc.blogspot.com/2011/03/lesson-4-how-to-raise-capital-for-your.html.

# 5: Finding Angel Investors for Your Startup.  http://redrocketvc.blogspot.com/2011/03/lesson-5-finding-angel-investors-for.html.

# 6: Structuring Strategic Partnerships for Your Startup.  http://redrocketvc.blogspot.com/2011/03/lesson-6-structuring-strategic.html.

# 7: Key Components for Writing a Business Plan.  http://redrocketvc.blogspot.com/2011/03/lesson-7-key-components-for-writing.html.

# 8: Startups Require Flexibility to Optimize Business Model.  http://redrocketvc.blogspot.com/2011/03/lesson-8-startups-require-flexibility.html.

# 9:  Spreading Equity to Key Employees and Partners.  http://redrocketvc.blogspot.com/2011/03/lesson-9-spreading-equity-to-key.html.

#10: How Best to Approach VC’s or Angel Investors.  http://redrocketvc.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html.

See online at http://newhope360.com/retailing/future-healthy-living-5-brands-watch-2012?cid=nl_360_daily#slide-2-field_images-226741.

Orabrush was named one of 10 new products to watch for in 2012 by USA Today.

Gosh, I’m smart.  That’s how the big consumer-packaged-goods players — from Procter & Gamble to Kraft to Kimberly-Clark — want you to feel about yourself for buying the new household products that they’ll be rolling out in 2012.

Some will try to make you feel smart for saving money. Some, for saving time. And some for being a tad ahead of the cultural curve. New products are the life blood of brands — making them even more crucial in a topsy-turvy economy. The goal in 2012 isn’t just to get you to buy the new product, but also to nudge you to very publicly gloat on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube about how savvy you were to make the purchase.

Not only is it free advertising, it’s the most effective kind. It’s where we increasingly go to find out about new products. The number of folks who turned to social media as a source to learn about new products more than doubled over just the past year — from 24% in 2010 to 49% in 2011, reports a new study by Sentient Decision Science for Schneider Public Relations.

“Smart is the ultimate weapon in social volleyball,” says trends spotter Marian Salzman. “It’s the new game people play, lobbing 140 characters here, there and everywhere.”

But the great race to catch the public’s fancy with a new food, drink or gadget will almost certainly have fewer entries next year. U.S. product introductions will likely shrink in 2012, projects Mintel, the research giant. They shrank in 2011, too, to about 37,600 vs. roughly 41,000 in 2010, Mintel reports.

In some cases, consumers will even be willing to spend more to get less. “But there must be a benefit that outweighs the ‘less-ness’ of the product,” says Lynn Dornblaser, new products guru at Mintel.

One thing’s for sure in 2012: Whatever you’re selling had better do what it claims to do. Or it’ll take social media heat.

The key trend-within-the-trend of 2012’s new products is this simple consumer demand of new product makers: Prove it. So says Dornblaser. “Companies must be crystal clear with consumers on everything,” she says.

At the same time, many products will continue to shrink. Companies can charge less for stripped-down products made with less material.

“Less is less,” says Tom Vierhile, innovation insights editor at Datamonitor, the research specialist.

Here are 10 key trends — and some products latching onto them — that appear to have potential to be hits in 2012:

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#10:  Weird hygiene. We have gotten used to wacky whitening strips and flavored fluoride rinses. But does the thought of brushing your tongue sound icky?

Get ready to brush.

A tiny brand called Orabrush last year rolled out via social media and caught fire, convincing millions to buy its $4.99 tongue-cleaning brush. Now, in 2012, it’s rolling out a companion Orabrush Tongue Foam that uses natural enzymes to rid the mouth of bacteria — and bad breath.

See online at http://mediagallery.usatoday.com/Hot+products+and+marketing+trends+for+2012/G3190.

January 5, 2012 (Austin, TX and Chicago, IL) — Today, Beanitos brand bean chips announced a substantial investment by 2x Consumer Products Growth Partners (“2x Partners”) and Managing Partners Sharon Kieffer and Andy Whitman joined the company’s board of directors. In addition, Sweet Leaf Tea founder and former CEO Clayton Christopher has invested in Beanitos, Inc. and joined the board. Together they will leverage their expertise and work closely with Beanitos CEO Doug Foreman and the management team to build the business.

“It looks like the new year is off to a great start. We’re proud that the 2x Partners team is now on board with Beanitos,” says Foreman. “Their experience working with both Fortune 500 companies and savvy entrepreneurs will help Beanitos become a dominant marketplace brand that much faster. We’ve got a great product and now our resources and team are even stronger.”

Beanitos is a leader in the better-for-you snack category. According to SPINS, the leading provider of natural product industry data, Beanitos is the #1 growth brand in sales dollars and product volume in the corn chips, tortilla chips and all other snacks categories. Foreman says, “Beanitos launched in 2010 and our sales are already surpassing our original goals. Americans are looking to eat healthier and Beanitos is helping them do it.” Beanitos bean chips are made from whole pinto and black beans … and a 1.25 oz. bag packs a whopping 6 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber. All four flavors — Black Bean, Pinto Bean & Flax, Chipotle BBQ and Cheddar Cheese Pinto Bean — are gluten-free, corn-free, low glycemic and non-GMO.

“The 2x Partners team evaluates hundreds of companies a year, looking for branded consumer businesses that are both highly differentiated and have strong growth potential,” commented Kieffer. “We believe in Beanitos because of the product’s great taste, strong nutritional profile, sales and the management team’s successful track record in the better-for-you snack space. We’re looking forward to working with the management team in growing this exciting and innovative company.”

Terms of the investment were not disclosed.

About Beanitos

Beanitos, Inc. produces and distributes Beanitos brand bean chips — great-tasting, natural and healthful snack chips. The company is dedicated to the research and development of delicious and innovative all-natural healthful food products centered on the powerfully nutritious yet humble legume. Beanitos is an Austin, Texas-based company, formed in 2009 by brothers Doug and Dave Foreman, who together have more than 60 years of food industry expertise, primarily focused on the better-for-you and natural snacks space. Learn more at www.Beanitos.com.

About 2x Consumer Products Growth Partners

2x Consumer Products Growth Partners joins with founders and management in emerging branded consumer products businesses capable of growing exponentially via an infusion of capital and industry expertise. The firm’s principals and industry venture partners have 375 years of combined experience, contacts and connections. Focus areas include food, beverage, personal care, home care and pet care — particularly in the organic/natural, specialty/gourmet and ethnic sectors. The firm or its principals have invested in such companies as gDiapers eco-friendly diapers, Orabrush bad breath eliminator, Tasty Bite Indian foods, MegaFood & Innate Response nutritional supplements, Eagle snacks and Wellness & Old Mother Hubbard all-natural foods for pets. Additional information is available at www.2xPartners.com.

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