Dwight Funding’s Post

Is Costco part of a strong brand strategy? I braved Costco this week, and I saw a massive pack of Bachan's in an end of aisle display. Andrea's post about Bachan preparing for an acquisition made me think about a Howard Schulz interview that totally flipped how I think about Costco. 🤝 TLDR: Entering Costco propelled Starbuck’s brand-led growth. 🚗 Floating the idea of putting Starbucks in Costco, by Howard’s account, nearly caused a revolt within Starbucks. So Jim Sinegal, Schulz’s mentor and former Costco CEO, took Schulz to a Costco parking lot in Kirkland, Seattle on a Sunday Morning a pointed out the cars, telling him - these are your customers. IYKYK. Schulz was convinced, they launched in Costco, sold out and here’s the interesting part: 📈Starbucks were able to measure the increase in volume in stores on the east side of Seattle as a direct result of the proximity to the Costco. Buying the beans introduced thousands of beverage customers (Sbux language for in-store customers) to Costco through the beans. 📣 The strategy of finding little billboards for Starbucks all over the place - Costco, United Airlines, Target - gave Starbucks exposure in places where people weren’t used to good coffee, built their brand without spending a SINGLE marketing dollar. Pretty clever stuff. Love the brand or hate the brand today, this is sophisticated brand building. Whaddya reckon? Is Costco a sales channel, a brand building channel, or both?

🚀 Barbenheimer in the Workplace: The Clash Between Brand Consistency and Creative Freedom In every organisation, there's often a tension between the communications team, dedicated to maintaining brand integrity, and the fundraising team, driven by results and creativity. This dynamic reminds me of the "Barbenheimer" meme—on one side, we have meticulous attention to detail (Oppenheimer), and on the other, the bold, imaginative approach (Barbie). The Sweet Spot? The real magic happens when these two approaches find common ground. By blending the precision of brand consistency with the creativity needed to capture attention and drive donations, organisations can build a strong, recognisable brand while still achieving their fundraising goals. 🔗 What’s your experience? How do you navigate this dynamic in your organisation? #Branding #Fundraising #Marketing #Barbenheimer #Comms

It's time to unlock the full potential of Goodwills. #SolutionsITW #EfficientOperations #SolutionsDGR #Goodwill #Retailsoftware #DGR #Donatedgoods #Donatedgoodsretail #Goodwill

The #inspiration behind every successful project often stems from a blend of #motivation, #creativity, and #innovation. Strategic #digitalmarketing enhances #fundraising efforts by connecting with more potential donors. The #fashion industry's shift towards #sustainability is reshaping consumer expectations and brand strategies. #Motivation is a key driver in the world of #fundraising, inspiring both the team and potential donors. #Motivation and #inspiration are crucial in overcoming the challenges of #fundraising and #socialentrepreneurship. Astounding 😊 Enthusiasm ✨ Contentment ❤️

When two strong organizations merge, one strong brand approach is needed. Hope was a central strategic theme for this critical brand effort. Check out our case study for Agate Housing and Services at https://lnkd.in/gcyKSpYP #casestudy #brandimplementation #brand #branddevelopment #branddesign

Explore the Power of Purpose-driven brands with ClickInsights' #BeyondProfit Series! 🌍✨ 👓 Discover how Warby Parker's "Buy a Pair, Give a Pair" program is making a difference in communities worldwide, and learn how purpose-driven brands are reshaping the business landscape. Join us in celebrating brands that go beyond profit to create meaningful change! 🙌 #SocialImpact #WarbyParker #PurposeDriven #ClickInsights https://ow.ly/aHy650Rm5v9

Fana is setting a new standard for corporate responsibility and positive branding: ✅ Purpose-Driven Spending: Every use of a Fana Card contributes to high-impact projects, turning ordinary purchases into extraordinary acts of support. ✅ Partnership with Impact: Working closely with the Fana Impact Foundation, a US 501(c)(3) non-profit, we ensure that every month brings a new project to life, supported by the thoughtful engagement of our users and the generous sponsorships from our partner brands. ✅ Corporate Collaboration: For our corporate partners -- this initiative offers not just the chance to give back but also to align with positive branding, delivering meaningful exposure in a community dedicated to making a difference. Fana Card is more than just a payment tool; it's a gateway to creating a sustainable future together, project by project. For businesses looking to integrate social responsibility into their model, partnering with Fana provides a unique opportunity to connect with consumers on a deeper level and showcase commitment to global change. 💼 Join Us We invite like-minded companies to explore partnership opportunities with Fana. --> Send us a DM or EMAIL [email protected] 📩 #fanacommunitypool #sustainablepartnerships #impactfulcollaboration #greenleadership #sustainablebusiness #greenbusiness #sustainablebrands #ecobrands #B4G #brandsforgood

Blue Tokai Raises $35 Million: A New Chapter in Specialty Coffee #FinanceWrapIndia #LinkedInNewsIndia Introduction Blue Tokai, a leading specialty coffee and bakery brand in India, has recently secured $35 million in a Series C funding round. This investment was led by Verlinvest, a Belgian investment firm, with participation from existing investors Anicut Capital and A91 Partners. Let’s explore the reasons behind this significant funding and what it means for Blue Tokai’s future. Expansion Plans The primary goal of this funding is to support Blue Tokai’s expansion across India. The company plans to increase its presence in both tier 1 and tier 2 cities, aiming to open over 350 new locations within the next 30-36 months. This aggressive expansion strategy is designed to meet the growing demand for specialty coffee and artisanal bakery products in these regions. Product Innovation Blue Tokai intends to use part of the funds to drive product innovation. By introducing new coffee products and spreading its offerings, the company objectives to attract a huge customer base. Additionally, Blue Tokai plans to boost its presence across several retail channels, including its own cafes, B2B, and B2C platforms. Strengthening Market Position With this investment, Blue Tokai is poised to strengthen its market position as a leading specialty coffee brand in India. The company has already more than doubled its store count in the past year, reaching 130 outlets. The new funding will enable Blue Tokai to continue this growth trajectory and solidify its reputation for exceptional coffee and customer experience. Investor Confidence The participation of Verlinvest, a global investment firm known for scaling consumer brands, underscores the confidence investors have in Blue Tokai’s potential. Verlinvest’s portfolio includes successful consumer brands in India such as Lahori, Epigamia, Heads Up For Tails, and Wakefit. This partnership aligns with Verlinvest’s strategy of supporting high-quality food and beverage brands with strong growth prospects. Conclusion Blue Tokai’s recent $35 million funding round marks a significant milestone in its journey. With plans for rapid expansion, product innovation, and enhanced market presence, the company is well-positioned to become India’s leading specialty coffee chain. This investment not only reflects the growing demand for premium coffee but also highlights the confidence investors have in Blue Tokai’s vision and potential.

We are thrilled to say that we have officially been selected for cohort 12 of #futurefoodco! These guys are the real deal! We have already done a deep dive into our financials, our messaging, marketing, fundraising and its not even August yet! And they actually #INVEST in your business. I cannot reccomend them enough. . . . . . . #FoodFutureCo#Innovation#Sustainability#Impact #DiversityAndInclusion#WomenInBusiness#lgbtqbusiness#InclusiveInnovation#FoodInnovation

Our new website is live! It took us longer than expected. Why does it always take longer when you do it for yourself🤔 Sooo, from now you will see me posting more about We Amplify. To be honest, that was always the plan. A year ago, I exited all my businesses and started We Amplify with two friends/co-founders: Olçar Tosun (branding) Ashon Spooner (fundraising) Me (operations) Why? Because: - We all started, scaled and exited our business - We have complementary skills - We know each other well Most importantly, we saw the gap in the market for the all-around service for F&B founders to start, fundraise, scale and exit their businesses based on our own experience. That's it! Check out our new website and let me know what you think (link in comments). ---- Do you want to find out more? Drop me a DM, let's talk.