This is a multiple part interview conducted by the Target Accelerators team. Participating companies have been asked to share details about themselves and their brand after completing a Target Accelerators program.
“Remember Me‘s Mission is to celebrate uniqueness by discovering new things about each other and sharing it with the world” as described by their co-founder Corina. Our team took a few moments and a quick email exchange to catch up with Target Forward Founders Cohort 1 Alumnus to talk about the Remember Me story and what’s next for their card game.
Target Accelerators: What inspired you to you start your brand?
Corina: Benito and I started Remember Me when we both lacked connections and were tired of the “surface-level” conversations. We wanted to know the random quirks about people that often get overlooked, what made them laugh, and get to know who people are. We thought games bring people together, so why not make a game? After brainstorming, testing on friends, family, and strangers, and tweaking our prototype a lot! We finally landed on the final version of Remember Me.
Target Accelerators: What is something you’ve learned from your program that you still use til this day?
Corina: We learned so much every day in this fantastic program. We learned to believe in ourselves and that we are in the right place to be the founders of our business. It sounds cliche, but this is the foundation of what propels us forward. I remember the first day we were on a call with the other founders and leaders from the Target Accelerators program. It was daunting, and imposter syndrome kicked in, “I don’t think our business is ready enough to be here,” we thought. Shortly after Alana (our Program Manager) said, “I want you to know that each of you is here for a reason because we saw something special in your business, and you belong here.” These words were the encouragement we needed then, and we kept repeating them to ourselves throughout the program and afterward, too.
Target Accelerators: What is next for your brand?
Corina: Our goal is to buckle down and execute a new social media strategy for Remember Me. In addition to that, we are getting ready for 2023, which will be a year of new games for us! We’re excited to bring out Recuerdame, the Spanish version of our ice-breaker game. Recuerdame is a tribute to our culture and background of being first-generation Mexican-Americans.
Target Accelerators: What is one piece of advice you have for fellow entrepreneurs?
Corina: Remember that every business grows differently. The best thing to do is focus on your individual growth and what will work for your business. When times get tough, always refer back to your “Why”! 🙂
Co-founders Benito Salazar and Corina Zarate, Target Forward Founders Alumnus 2021
about the founders
Benito and Corina are co-founders of Remember Me The Card Game, a table- top ice-breaker game created in Austin, Texas. In 2018, they were two recent college graduates in a new city wanting to make connections. After networking events and meeting new people, they noticed they weren’t the only ones having trouble meeting new people. People often glanced at their phones, had conversations about work, and repeatedly answered questions like “what do you do?”. Everyone had something in common: the need for genuine relationships. This is where the idea and brainstorming started. They wanted to create a way to have more meaningful conversations with friends, family, and strangers, and thus (after two years and lots of coffee) Remember Me The Card Game was born
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This is a multiple part interview conducted by the Target Accelerators team. Participating companies have been asked to share details about themselves and their brand after completing a Target Accelerators program.
Our team is ready to season and spice up September as we catch up with JPs Que, a Target Forward Founder cohort 2 alumnus, and how they’ve applied everything they’ve learned from their cohort.
about the brand
JPs Que is a minority owned condiment business, primarily focusing on BBQ sauces and seasonings, that are undeniably bold and delicious. Blending our diverse Black and Mexican heritage through culinary versatility and combining flavor and heat in new and exciting ways. All products are small-batched and made with natural ingredients.
Target Accelerators: What inspired you to you start your brand?
Laura: My Mexican heritage really revolves around family and food. I realized there was a white space in the market with mixing traditional BBQ flavors with Mexican flavors. Our world today is a melting pot of cultures and traditions, I wanted to mix what we call home and share that with the world. It’s been exciting exploring flavors and thinking through everyday food ideas, I realize the sky is the limit and that excites me.
Target Accelerators: What is something you’ve learned from your program that you still use til this day?
Laura: Your time is valuable. The program provided so much structure and allowed the time to dig into our business and learn. I quickly realized that to continue to grow the brand there has to be structure, I have to continue to stick to a schedule and set goals.
Target Accelerators: What is next for your brand?
Laura: We are excited for what’s next and have plans to secure more inventory to continue growing, evolve our recipe development with food science to continue developing bold, delicious quality products, and most exciting we’re planning to strengthen our content creation to inspire and appeal to our consumer.
Target Accelerators: What is one piece of advice you have for fellow entrepreneurs?
Laura: Own your power. Own what is unique about you as an entrepreneur and what is unique about your brand. There is room for everyone, follow your dreams and take the leap because you never know where it will take you.
Co-founder Laura Payne, Target Forward Founders Alumnus 2022
about the cofounder
Laura Payne is one of the founders of JPs Que. Laura is currently a full time brand manager in CPG (Consumer Products Goods). Laura is the business and marketing manager for the brand. Her passion is understanding the consumer and creating content that relates to them. In her free time she enjoys running, reading, and dabbling in crafts.
Learn more about the Target Forward Founders program HERE or sign up HERE to be notified about upcoming programs.
Interested in partnering with us? Sign up HERE.
This is a multiple part interview conducted by the Target Accelerators team. Participating companies have been asked to share details about themselves and their brand after completing a Target Accelerators program.
September 15th marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month and our team is celebrating by catching up with some of our alumnus who have identified as Latinx founders. Learn more about what Regina, CEO/Founder of Nemi Snacks, has been up to since completing the Target Forward Founders program.
Nemi Snacks are crunchy snacks made from nopales (the prickly pear paddle) and seeds in Mexican flavors. Our mission is to elevate Mexican cultura through high-quality, fun and nutritious snacks with sombrero-free branding.
Target Accelerators: What inspired you to you start your brand?
Regina: When I moved from Mexico City to Chicago, my first stop was the grocery store to look for Mexican food. I went into the “ethnic” aisle and felt unrepresented. I found well-established brands portraying Mexican cultura in a stereotypical way, using artificial ingredients and with little opportunity for innovation. I then saw nopales, a staple crop in Mexican food. Nopales are packed with gut-friendly fiber, minerals and are the most sustainable Mexican plant. They thrive in hot weather, need little water to survive and don’t need pesticides. Nopales also have a cultural significance and they’re on the Mexican flag! But as I was about to grab them, I noticed they had spikes! Yikes! I thought no one would buy an intimidating-looking vegetable. Nemi Snacks was born from this experience and opportunity to share a modern Mexico away from stereotypes. We’re proud to push back against the stereotype that if something is ethnic, it’s cheap or made with low quality ingredients. So, no sombreros here. The market opportunity is there and we’re filling a “brown” space to bring más sabor and menos junk into an underdeveloped category.
Target Accelerators: What is something you’ve learned from your program that you still use til this day?
Regina: Continue finding ways to connect with your consumer. I created the rebrand with help from the Accelerator as a result of feedback from mentors, fellow founders and consumers. Every time I look at the packaging, it reminds myself to continue asking for feedback, listening to consumers and asking them for guidance when in doubt.
Target Accelerators: What is next for your brand?
Regina: We just moved into our own warehouse, are onboarding with a distributor, hired a small team and are about to launch with Go Puff nationwide!
Target Accelerators: What is one piece of advice you have for fellow entrepreneurs?
Regina: Have a self-care practice before launching your company.
Founder Regina Trillo, Target Forward Founders Alumni 2021
about the founder
Originally from Mexico City and now based in Chicago, Regina felt unrepresented the moment she stepped foot in Chicago grocery stores. Regina found well-established brands portraying Mexican cultura in a stereotypical way, brands that were unlikely to upgrade their ingredient list and innovate in the marketplace. Nemi Snacks was founded with a mission to elevate Mexican cultura in the U.S. through high-quality Mexican snacks in sombrero-free branding. Nemi Snacks are crunchy sticks made from seeds and nopales (a.k.a. prickly pear paddle) in Mexican-inspired flavors.
This is a multiple part interview conducted by the Target Accelerators team. Participating companies have been asked to share details about themselves and their brand after completing a Target Accelerators program.
September 15th marked the start of Hispanic Heritage Month and the Target Accelerators team is celebrating by catching and learning more about what’s been happening and what’s next for our Target Takeoff Beauty Alumnus, Nopalera.
Target Accelerators: Share a brief summary of your brand’s mission.
Sandra: Nopalera is leading the Brownspace Opportunity with its iconic and culture forward bath & body products that celebrate & elevate culture and speak to the overlooked Latinx clean beauty consumer. We take our inspiration from the Nopal cactus for its versatility, resilience, and cultural symbolism. We are on a mission to position Latina as luxury in the clean beauty space while inspiring our community to stand in our worth.
Target Accelerators: What inspired you to you start your brand?
Sandra: I saw a lack of high-end bath and body products on store shelves that spoke to the Latina consumer (me!). As the nations largest minority group I knew that creating a brand to fill this space would make millions feel seen and proud. I created the brand around the Nopal because it is an ancient symbol of Mexican culture and I knew it would resonate with the community. It is also one of the most sustainable and resilient crops in the world. I started my brand with no money whatsoever. I am also driven by changing my own life and that of my daughters.
Target Accelerators: What is something you’ve learned from your program that you still use til this day?
Sandra: Understanding what the category leaders was really useful as I work on innovating new products.
Target Accelerators: What is next for your brand?
Sandra: I am in the middle of our first fundraise and meeting with large retailers. We are preparing for the hockey stick of 2023!
Target Accelerators: What is one piece of advice you have for fellow entrepreneurs?
Sandra: Begin with the end in mind. Decide what you are creating for whom and where. When you know where you are going you can price accordingly and cut out all the noise along the way.
Founder Sandra Velasquez, Target Takeoff Beauty 2022
about the founder
Sandra Velasquez, is an entrepreneur, artist, and mentor. She was raised near the US/ MEX border to Mexican immigrant parents who instilled a stong sense of cultural pride in her. Prior to launching Nopalera, Velasquez was the leader of the Latin Alternative band Pistolera. Her music has been featured on Hit TV shows like Breaking Bad and Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It. Sandra used the musical stage as a platform to uplift her community. Launching Nopalera is a continuaion of her life mission to share stories and celebrate her culture.
Learn more about the Target Forward Founders program HERE or sign up HERE to be notified about upcoming programs.
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In its sixth year, Target Takeoff is a product-focused accelerator program designed to help emerging brands deepen their mass-retail knowledge through Target mentorship and personalized curriculum for consumer-packaged brands.
On July 11th, the Target Takeoff Food & Beverage program kicks off for the second year in a row with products that you can place all over your kitchen! From starting your day with plant-based wellness treats, to snacking on some tasty popped water lily seeds and ending your day with a refreshing agua fresca. By the end of the page you’ll be drooling for all the snacks to be on your counter!
The Target Takeoff program is a 100% virtual program will conclude after 5 weeks of mass retail curriculum as well as in-depth mentorship from Target leaders, industry experts and alumni.
The Target Accelerators team is excited to welcome and introduce the ten participating food and beverage companies and the products they offer!
Agua Bonita brings you slightly sweet aguas frescas made with real fruit, in bold & fun flavors. All flavor, no fizz.
Grounded is serving you Cheese made from cauliflower + hemp. 100% Plant Based, dairy free, nut free, soy free, non-GMO, keto, upcycled ingredients.
Gwell is a plant-based wellness brand that incorporates functional foods into everyday snacks for people with special dietary needs and food sensitivities from diverse backgrounds.
KPOP Foods is an outgoing Korean food brand with a line of chef-crafted sauces and premium roasted seaweed snacks. The company started in 2017 and was acquired at the end of 2021 by Wooltari USA, an importer of premium Korean food products.
Neale’s Sweet N’ Nice Ice Cream is inspired by recipes of Grandpa Charles Neale who sold ice cream by bicycle in Trinidad, Caribbean in the 1940s. In 2015, his family relaunched the company in North America using Grandpa’s secret recipes to create Caribbean-inspired ice cream flavors like Rum&Raisin, Coconut, Guava, Mango, Pineapple.
Papa’s Pops is the only skinless popcorn brand on the market. Traditional popcorn can get caught in your teeth or irritate your throat, but with our unique popping process, we remove the skin, also known as the hull, thus avoiding any irritation. We are certified Gluten-Free, Non-GMO and Vegan.
Pescavore manufactures nutritious, premium, sustainably harvested and resource-smart seafood products. Pescavore tuna jerky is a first of its kind innovation in the US $3.5bn meat snacks market and brings great taste and nutrition to consumers in a convenient and healthy snack.
Route To India is high energy food inspired by Ayurveda to NOURISH YOUR INNER YOGI. Our passion for Ayurveda and good food is rooted in sustainability. Our social initiative is dedicated to the people who grow our food, making sure that they have access to opportunity and education needed to grow efficiently and sustainably.
SOMOS Foods is delicious, convenient and BFY Mexican Food whose three founders grew up in Mexico eating chilaquiles, cooking tacos, and loving our mom’s home cooking. We combined our Mexican heritage and our years of experience in the food community to create ready-to-eat foods that honor Mexico’s rich culinary traditions.
Sach Foods is America’s Original Organic, Artisanal & Flavored Paneer. Small Batch. Ethically Crafted.
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This is a one-time interview conducted by the Target Accelerators team and produced by Scarlett Creative. Participating companies have been asked to share details about themselves and their brand after completing a Target Accelerators program.
We’re back outside! Last month, our team had the opportunity to meet with several of our alumni in person to catch up and reflect on what life, in and out of business, has been like since participating in a Target Accelerators program. Tune in for how impactful our programs were for them and what advice they have for you. Some key tips they pointed out while we were with them are:
“Do it. So get out of your own mind, don’t question whether or not you are ready enough or if you’ve done enough … Show up, ask all the questions, cause that’s what its for.” Jeannell Darden, CEO of Moisture Love. Find their products here.
“Always remember your mission and your why. There will be a lot of distractions that will come your way but its super critical to understand day in and day out why is it that I started this business and what role will it have for me… Having that focus but being grounded in your why in your gut is what makes you special” Stefan Miller, CMO of Young King Hair Care (Not shown) Find their products here.
“Walk in your purpose, understand who you are and what your brand is and be open to feedback. Sometimes people have really good intentions and want to help you bring your vision to life.” Cora Miller, CEO of Young King Hair Care. Find their products here.
“My biggest piece of advice is to just do it … Put it out to the world, see how they will receive, and then from there refine. Don’t worry about putting out something that’s perfect, just get started and do it.” Alicia Scott, CEO of Range Beauty Find their products here.
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The Target Accelerators team is thrilled to announce the third Target Forward Founders cohort. This program is built to equip historically under resourced founders to become the next wave of generational wealth building companies, by utilizing Target’s privilege and scale to democratize access, education, and resources.
On May 24th , the Target Forward Founders program will take place for the third time with a cohort of brands representing multiple product categories: baby, beauty, food & beverage, entertainment, and lifestyle. The Target Accelerators team is thrilled to welcome and introduce this group of unique brands. Meet the cohort!
Itadi is an Earth informed skincare essentials brand created by ancestral roots and rituals. We have compiled a unique formula using the purest ingredients on Earth from our family-owned farms in Togo, West Africa. ITADI provides an all-natural, safe and effective daily skin care regime.
MATTIAS is a men’s makeup company committed to providing you with the best possible products, without cutting corners. Bringing you performance ingredient-loaded formulas, free of fillers. Demand better.
MELANIN-ISH is an ethnic-focused skincare brand that addresses common skin concerns present in the community of color. We provide toxin-free and organic products that scientifically improve dark marks, discoloration, skin dehydration, and more. MELANIN-ISH products empowers people of color to become confident in their beautiful, healthy, and glowing melanin skin.
Riven makes oral care products using probiotics to help you achieve a healthier mouth.
Smitten makes beautiful nail art. We create hand-painted & Semi-cured nail polish strips for instantly fun nails!
TheBraidReleaser is a tool that acts as an aid to maintain healthy hair. The benefit would be providing a pain-free, time efficient experience.
babaLID is committed to manufacturing baby products that are simple, practical, and durable. Its premier product is a bottle that support parents and caregivers to confidently feed their babies at home or on-the-go.
Dandylion is a community-powered brand on a mission to clean up the dog grooming category by creating products that put skin-health first and empower the next-generation of millennial dog parents.
Dope Pieces presents the best in Contemporary, Fine, Urban, and Street Art. Each piece highlights the vibrancy, flavor, and pulse of today’s artists, ranging from the classically trained to the self-taught, to the urban street artist. Our puzzles bring art to life piece by piece.
EZ Doez It potty trainsers offers a safer way to train toddlers to use the potty. EZ Trainers(underwear) +EZ Pants (toddler pants) saves money, the environment and your baby’s bottom from harmful chemicals. Going back-to-basics with my product will save our planet 7.6 billion pounds of garbage each year!
Milksta offers guilt-free, vegan, and decaf lattes designed to help postpartum & breastfeeding mothers naturally boost their breastmilk supply and boost energy through plant-based lactogenic food ingredients.
The Adventurous Bartender is a functional novelty gift created to take the guesswork out of mixing cocktails at home is here!
KnoNap works to inclusively empower, educate, and advocate against drink spiking. Knope is a discreet, portable, gender-inclusive empowerment tool against drug facilitated sexual assault and crime; Say Knope to Drink Spiking.
Rove Biodegradable Paper Soapsheets are papers that disappear into hand soap with water. Our reusable, pocket-sized container of 50 aromatically sudsy sheets are perfect for travel, road-trips, cookouts and when life gets a little messy!
Seal Shoe Cover’s water-resistant outer shell repels water, mud and snow to keep your shoes clean and dry.
Seeds of Paper creates Biodegradable greeting cards that can be planted to grow into wildflowers!
50Hertz Sichuan Pepper makes Sichuan pepper accessible and relatable to American palates. Not spicy, its citrusy aroma and delightful tingling numbing sensation will strike a chord with world foodies. Our name 50Hertz comes from a peer-reviewed scientific paper that concludes the sensation is at a 50 Hz frequency.
A Little More Zest is an “all food everything” brand that encourages foodies to craft vibrant meals by offering an indulgent suite of culinary items that amplify the flavors of food with every bite.
alternative OATS is founded on the principle of offering a delicious, all-natural breakfast that is not only convenient but keeps you full until lunch. We don’t chase fad diet trends or advertise anything other than what we offer: pure, simple ingredients combined to make the most delicious breakfast available.
Carolyn’s Krisps are 100% plant-based and 100% ridiculously addictive cookie-crackers. Deliciously dippable and perfectly pairable, they blend the texture of a cookie with the Krisp of a cracker. All our snacks are vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free, inviting you to “snack as you are.”
Heart Soul Heat passionately makes small batch 100% American spicy hot honeys inspired by our candy making Mexican heritage. Drizzle it on raw veggies, grilled meats, pizza, chicken wings, fresh fruit, cornbread and even on ice cream.
Joe’y is the delicious coffee alternative with a fraction of the caffeine in coffee, a more sustained boost of energy, and more health benefits than you can count.
MABÏ is a modern & healthier take on this Caribbean classic. A combination of that nostalgic and refreshing flavor with other delightful and healthy spices and herbs that give a complex, special character and elevation to this drink. A bottle of MABÏ is filled with natural ingredients only that will make your body and spirit feel good.
Navina makes wine out of functional herbs and botanicals to create Herbal Wine, an age old tradition the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Chinese and Romans practiced.
Phreshly produces Better-for-you handcrafted cocktails in a can.
POKS Spices is the American home cook to the West African holy trinity of spices; chili pepper, ginger and onion, via award-winning West African Seasonings.
Sankofa Snacks is a Mission-Driven brand, producing and sharing creative-authentic snacking experiences that celebrate global black food culture, while supporting and building sustainable local food systems.
SIPPIN SNAX Gourmet Bar Snacks is a woman-owned company specializing in gourmet beer, wine and party snacks based on flavor popping, authentic flavors. Made to accentuate, innovate and energize established styles of craft beer, wine and cocktails offering the consumer Authentic pairings for at-home or on-the-go enjoyment.
SYDPLAYEAT makes black truffle hot sauces and seasoning salts made with clean ingredients. SYDSAUCE is available in three heat levels and made with real black truffles and organic olive oil for a complex flavor. SYDSALT is a truffle explosion, packed with intense umami flavor and a hint of heat.
The Got Damn Sauce is a Boutique Sauce company started by Howard Alums who wanted to take the sauce world by storm. With so many flavor profiles we have been called the Bauce of All Sauces and we mean it! The Got Damn Sauce, the name says it all!
The Target Accelerators team is excited to help all of these brands accelerate their business over the next 8 weeks!
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In its sixth year, Target Takeoff is a product-focused accelerator program designed to help emerging brands deepen their mass-retail knowledge through Target mentorship and personalized curriculum for consumer-packaged brands.
On May 16th, the Target Takeoff Pets program kicks off for the second year in a row with brands carrying products in different aspects of the pets category from stylish accessories to the best tasting treats that can fit in your pocket. By the end of the page you’ll have all the tools and tech you need to keep your best fur-end happy and healthy!
The Target Takeoff program is a 100% virtual program will conclude after 5 weeks of mass retail curriculum as well as in-depth mentorship from Target leaders, industry experts and alumni.
The Target Accelerators team is excited to welcome and introduce the ten participating pet companies and the products they offer!
Awoo is a female-owned pet accessories brand that is modernizing everyday essentials to better serve pets, their people and the planet. Participants: Mallory MacDonald and Francine Evans, Co-Founders
House Dogge is a sustainability conscious lifestyle brand creating products that support the modern lifestyle necessities of dogs and their people in the home, outdoors, and travel.
Participant: Angela Medlin, CEO/Founder
KindTail reinvents pet living one design at a time. KindTail carries that approach into to every aspect of the company, as we continue to create pet products that merge functionality with innovating design, resulting in one-of-a-kind products designed with your pet in mind.
Participant: Amy Kim, CEO/Founder
Kittio is a cat-first brand that focuses on research and design to create toys that meaningfully reduce the amount of boredom experienced by cats.
Participant: Blake Burnau, Co-Founder
Mosaic is the number one pet industry leading brand for exotic proteins. Mosaic dog treats are hypoallergenic and are free of any common proteins. It’s an exotic brand that focuses on the overall wellness for pets that suffer from food sensitivities.
Participant: Jared Shlager, CEO
MySimplePetLab is a tech-enabled pet care company that offers simple, flexible & reliable pet testing.
Participants: Jen Hagness, CEO and Dennis Chmiel, Co-Founder/Chief Vet Officer.
PAWKET TREATS is a portable, coin-sized dog treats sold in a roll (think lifesavers, only for dogs). Our form-factor is an industry-first, our Treats are full of functional ingredients to support an active lifestyle, and our innovative Dispenser was the most-funded and most-backed “Dog Treat” project in the history of Kickstarter.
Participant: Mark Shenfield, CEO/Founder
PitPat are the experts taking the guesswork out of dog care. Their multidisciplinary team of vets, technologists and dog-lovers are dedicated to improving the lives of all dogs. The activity monitor, weighing bowl and dog food they offer help pet parents balance their dog’s exercise, weight and feeding.
Participants: Andrew Nowell, CEO and Fletch Cooper, Product Manager
At Treat Collective, they are passionate about helping pets live better, longer and happier lives and it all starts with the best ingredients and utilizing Superfoods to power your dog’s health!
Participants: Paul LaRose, CEO/Founder and Jordan Connell, CGO/Founder
Wilder Harrier provides healthy nourishment for pets while aiming to have a positive impact on our planet through the use of novel proteins—such as insects and seaweed—which have the potential to significantly reduce our industry’s carbon footprint and offer a beneficial alternative to traditional ingredients used in pet food.
Participants: Philippe Poirier, CEO and Dwayne Bradley-Tessier, Financial Planning & Analysis Manager
Check out our FAQs for more information on our program offerings.
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This is a one-time interview conducted by the Target Accelerators team. Participating companies have been asked to share details about themselves and their brand after completing the Target Forward Founders program.
An exclusive benefit of being a part of the Target Forward Founders programs is having access to the Retail Action Plan (RAP). This article will provide a deep dive on how the RAP guides founders towards retail readiness.
With the help of Target Forward Founders cohort 2 alumnus: Eric Adams, Isa Rosario, Lenora Ebule, and Lizz Rene, learn more about how these founders utilized their Retail Action Plan to help move them and their businesses forward.
Eric Adams, CEO/Founder of Dog & Whistle
Isa Rosario, CEO/Founder of Nurture from Nature
Lenora Ebule, CEO/Founder of Bailan Spice
Lizz Rene, CEO/Founder of PO’UP! Card game
TA: What is the quick description of your company?
Eric: Dog & Whistle makes quality food accessible to dog lovers in the community by helping food industry businesses redistribute high-quality excess food and covert it into human-grade dog meals and treats.
Isa: Nurture from Nature is a sugaring and skincare brand offering natural solutions to hair removal and after care.
Lenora: Bailan is a food experience company helping you explore a new world from your kitchen with delicious grandma-approved African seasonings made the traditional way – no salt, sugar, or additives. We provide the full flavor for a meal, so you save time, eat healthier, and enjoy the flavor journey.
Lizz: PO’ UP! Card Game is a nostalgic party game for unapologetically Black alumni & friends.
TA: How has the Retail Action Plan impacted your brand? How would you describe the influence it has made on your business plan?
Eric: The retail action plan has given me the ability to identify opportunities for the business and create a timeline to execute on actionable items. After the second week, I actually revised the business plan for the company with updated company initiatives, goals and objectives. Brand identification was also a big focus when I recreated this business plan.
Isa: The Retail Action Plan helped us get clear on actionable steps needed to move the business forward, prioritizing the most important pillars of retail success. The Retail Action Plan influenced our entire brand and business plan, helping us pivot and lean into the whitespace in our category.
Lenora: The Retail Action Plan (RAP) helped me think critically about my brand, identify our current state of operations and readiness for any retail, then think through what I needed to do next to bridge the gap in getting to my future state.
Lizz: The retail action plan was one of the primary reasons I applied to the Target Forward Founders program. As a solopreneur of an early-stage business, I knew I needed to map out what it would take to not only make it into a major retailer like Target one day but to 1) stand out on the shelves and 2) have longevity on the shelves.
The Target Forward Founders program made space for me to update my retail action plan every week. As a result – I was able to process weekly learnings from the cohort rather than waiting until the very end to review all my notes and make a plan.
Learn more about each of our alumnus by clicking on their logo below:
Learn more about the Target Forward Founders program HERE or sign up HERE to be notified about upcoming programs.
Interested in partnering with us? Sign up HERE.
This is a one-time interview conducted by the Target Accelerators team. Participating companies have been asked to share details about themselves and their brand after completing the Target Forward Founders program.
In this interview, we sat down with our Target Takeoff Food and Beverage alumnus to catch up, see how business has changed since being a part of the program and what their biggest takeaways from program were.
Click the below logos to learn a little bit more about each participating brand.
