From Forbes to Foods with Courtney Boyd Myers, Founder and CEO of AKUA
Stairway to CEO
· with Courtney Boyd Myers
· May 2, 2023
· 47 min
Summary
This episode features the inspiring journey of Courtney Boyd Myers, founder of AKUA, a sustainable food brand built on kelp-based products. For ecommerce operators, this episode offers a firsthand account of turning a passion for sustainability into a thriving CPG business, covering critical aspects from product development and fundraising to strategic collaborations and brand storytelling in a competitive market.
Key takeaways
Understand the power of clearly articulating your "why" to attract investors and customers, especially in mission-driven brands.
Learn how to strategically pivot product ideas based on research and market feedback, even after significant development.
Discover the importance of leveraging personal networks and experiences (even seemingly unrelated ones) as assets in your entrepreneurial journey.
Prioritize strategic collaborations and partnerships to accelerate brand growth and market penetration.
Embrace the challenges inherent in CPG product development and fundraising, viewing them as opportunities for innovation and refinement.
Themes
brand buildingfood entrepreneurshipstartup growthsustainable business
Today, Lee is joined by the Founder and CEO of AKUA, Courtney Boyd Myers. Courtney’s career path has seen three separate tracks which collided in the form of the sustainable food brand, AKUA. Having grown up at the seaside in Connecticut, she has a deep love and appreciation for the ocean which, years later, manifested in her delicious, nutritious kelp burgers with numerous health and environmental benefits. In this episode, Courtney shares her entrepreneurship journey and recounts the pivotal moment when her passion and varied experience met. Tune in to learn about AKUA’s genesis and development, from the research process and abandoned products to fundraising and exciting collaborations!
Frequently asked about this episode
What does this episode say about brand building?
Understand the power of clearly articulating your "why" to attract investors and customers, especially in mission-driven brands.
What does this episode say about food entrepreneurship?
Learn how to strategically pivot product ideas based on research and market feedback, even after significant development.
What does this episode say about startup growth?
Discover the importance of leveraging personal networks and experiences (even seemingly unrelated ones) as assets in your entrepreneurial journey.
What does this episode say about sustainable business?
Prioritize strategic collaborations and partnerships to accelerate brand growth and market penetration.
What does this episode say about brand building?
Embrace the challenges inherent in CPG product development and fundraising, viewing them as opportunities for innovation and refinement.
