We’re taking it one step further. At NOSH Live, speakers will explore growing and managing your brand while staying true to your mission, building a successful team of advisors, and learning what it takes to create a potential exit. These four new speakers, below, are experts on these topics, and will join the NOSH Live Winter 2018 stage this Nov. 29 and 30 in Santa Monica, CA.

• Miguel Garza is the Co-founder and CEO of Siete Family Foods, a mission-based brand that has gained rapid growth and popularity over the last few years. From making homemade grain-free tortillas, to launching several product lines across the U.S., Garza will explore the intricacies of building a Mexican-American brand and staying true to your identity.

• John Foraker, Co-founder and CEO of Once Upon a Farm, and previous CEO of Annie’s, is a long-time veteran of the natural food world with a passion for sustainability and social responsibility. Over the years, Foraker has gained a vast amount of experience working with various Boards of Directors, including his current role as Chairman of the Bunny, where he continues to advise General Mills. At NOSH Live he will dive into the art of building and managing successful boards.

• Houlihan Lokey’s Jay Novak, the Global Head of Consumer, Food & Retail Group, and Brandon Ng, an Associate on the team focusing on the better-for-you natural food and beverage business, will mine the firm’s deep history of assisting food entrepreneurs with the sale of their companies to help attendees understand the best ways to build a food company that can sell, as well as the best times to engage in a sales process. The pair will deconstruct the aspects of a sellable company to show the financial and operating attributes that allow them to thrive regardless of the deal environment. They will also discuss on-trend factors like e-commerce and cause marketing. Novak and Ng will give valuable advice that has already worked for brands like Tate’s Bake Shop, Zarbees, Skinny Pop, Angie’s, Veggie Straws, Plum Organics, and Stacy’s Pita Chips.

Novak, Ng, Foraker and Garza will join an all-star cast of industry experts, presenting content curated for co-founders, c-level executives, revenue leaders and decision makers from across the natural food business. They will present actionable takeaways, fresh ideas and relevant case studies focused on innovation, growth, the investment climate, and the future of the industry.

With two days to explore and have conversations, attendees will also immerse themselves in sampling of the hottest products, networking with experts and newcomers alike, and get a glimpse of the future through new company pitches. Significant features of the conference include the Pitch Slam startup competition, the Sampling Experience + Expo, the NOSH Boot Camp educational session, and the NOSH Live Official Afterparty powered by Forcebrands.

NOSH Live Winter 2018 will be held on November 29 and 30 at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel in Santa Monica, Calif. For early-stage companies, a complementary Boot Camp will be offered on November 28.

Early registration ends tomorrow, October 19th. Register now to save $200 per ticket.

Questions about the conference can be directed to Jon Landis. Sponsorship opportunities are available for companies looking for additional industry exposure.

About NOSH Live
NOSH hosts conferences twice a year to help develop and fuel the growth of entrepreneurial Natural, Organic, Sustainable and Healthy (NOSH) packaged food companies and service providers.
NOSH events are two-day, cutting-edge industry conferences that drive valuable industry connections and promote the exchange of strategies and ideas. Specific to growing CPG food companies, the conference program explores growth strategy, sales, marketing, investment, and more through case-based presentations and panels by an all star roster of speakers.