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Read Our Latest Blog Post
Casey Sullivan, a veteran environmental science teacher, shares the decade-long journey of scaling Two River Mushrooms from a local organic farm into a national award-winning functional broth brand.
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MEET THE HOST
Bryan Dennstedt
The Host and a Plant-Based Man
Bryan Dennstedt is a C-suite tech executive and a leader in the plant-based community, hosting the Plant Based On Fire podcast and founding Real People Eat Plants. His career, marked by strategic technology leadership and successful team building, now extends into supporting the plant-based industry. Bryan combines his business expertise with a passion for plant-based living, aiming to drive growth and innovation within the sector. Through his podcast, he connects with entrepreneurs and explores investment opportunities that propel the plant-based movement forward, offering valuable insights for businesses aiming to make a significant impact.
🌿 Welcome to another episode of the Plant Based On Fire pod! 🌿
🍫🌱 Today, Bryan interviews Katie Lefkowitz, the founder and CEO of Harken Sweets. Katie shares her journey from being a Snickers fanatic to creating a plant-based candy bar following a colon cancer diagnosis. Harken Sweets uses date-based caramel and oat chocolate to offer a healthier alternative to traditional candy bars.
📈👥 Katie discusses the challenges of scaling production, the importance of persistence, and the positive consumer feedback that fuels her passion. She also touches on future innovations and the role of strategic partnerships in her business growth.
🗣 In This Episode, We Cover:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
01:21 Inspiration and Journey to Create Harkin Sweets
04:40 The Benefits of Dates in Plant-Based Candy Bars
06:02 The Importance of Fiber in Candy Bars
07:04 Finding the Balance Between Health and Taste
08:37 Consumer Feedback and Response
10:40 Differentiating in a Competitive Landscape
11:42 Challenges in Scaling and Overcoming Them
14:05 Successful Marketing Strategies
16:20 Key Leadership Lessons and Challenges
18:59 Challenges in the Chocolate Confectionery Space
19:28 The Power of Consumer Support
21:18 Future Products and Innovations
22:39 Advice for Starting a Plant-Based Business
24:39 The Future of Harkin Sweets and How to Support
26:04 Conclusion and Keep the Fire Burning
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🔗 Useful Links:
Social Media:
Website: https://harkensweets.com/
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Listen and Subscribe to our Podcast Through Your Favorite Channel
MEET THE HOST
Bryan Dennstedt
The Host and a Plant-Based Man
Bryan Dennstedt is a C-suite tech executive and a leader in the plant-based community, hosting the Plant Based On Fire podcast and founding Real People Eat Plants. His career, marked by strategic technology leadership and successful team building, now extends into supporting the plant-based industry. Bryan combines his business expertise with a passion for plant-based living, aiming to drive growth and innovation within the sector. Through his podcast, he connects with entrepreneurs and explores investment opportunities that propel the plant-based movement forward, offering valuable insights for businesses aiming to make a significant impact.
