Issei Mochi Gummies Welcomes Brian Khoddam As Strategic Advisor

Issei Mochi Gummies Welcomes Brian Khoddam As Strategic Advisor

(New York, NY) –  February 26, 2025  – Issei Mochi Gummies, the world's first mochi gummy brand, welcomes Brian Khoddam (founder BOBABAM) as a Strategic Advisor. With extensive experience in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) and food industries, Khoddam will provide valuable insights and guidance as Issei Mochi Gummies continues to expand (Brian Khoddam photo here).  Brian and the Issei Mochi Gummies team will be at 2025 ExpoWest March 4-7 (Hall location: 5599B Hall E).

"Brian has been an amazing mentor since before our launch two years ago, offering invaluable wisdom and insightful advice, always with infectious optimism about the journey of a CPG startup. I am delighted to officially welcome him as an Advisor to our team and look forward to achieving new milestones together in 2025,"  founder and CEO Mika Shino adds.

Khoddam has over 20 years in the food and CPG industry and is currently the founder of BOBABAM, the fresh frozen brand behind perfectly chewy, easily customizable at-home boba kits.  With his early background in accounting and finance, he mastered the complexities of financial analysis, reporting, and strategic planning. His experience spans a wide range of leadership roles within the food industry, where he specialized in operations, finance, and managing small to middle-market companies, including helping one with a hugely successful exit. His ability to balance strategic vision with hands-on execution, fostering growth, efficiency, and profitability has led to measurable results.

“I am thrilled to join Issei Mochi Gummies as an advisor.  It has been so inspiring to watch what Mika has accomplished in a very short time in an industry that is completely new to her.  This fast rise to success only points to having a phenomenal product that fills a void in the marketplace, a super passionate and relentless founder, and a small but mighty team.” stated Khoddam.

Founded in 2022 by first-generation Japanese American entrepreneur Mika Shino, Issei Mochi Gummies has experienced remarkable growth, expanding its physical retail presence by over 1,300%. The brand is now available in more than 3,000 locations across the U.S., including major retailers like Target, Walmart, Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, Albertsons Stores, Raley's, Hy-Vee, World Market, Pop Up Grocer, Bestie’s Vegan Paradise, The World Bank, and Central Market. Additionally, Issei collaborates with Compass Group, one of the largest restaurant service providers in the U.S., and exports its products to the Middle East. The company also ships directly to customers in all 50 states, as well as internationally to Canada, via Amazon, Walmart Marketplace, Faire, POD Foods, and Flip.

With innovation at its heart, the award-winning Issei has established itself as a premium, natural snack brand, pioneering an entirely new gummy category. Backed by a team of industry experts, Issei is driving transformative growth in the candy sector with an ambitious strategy that includes multiple first-to-market product lines in development. Issei is outperforming in the non-chocolate candy subcategory by 447.9%, natural expanded channel (SPINS, NPI, Natural Expanded Channel, Latest 52 Weeks, PE 12.01.2024).  Issei is also now in the top 10 brands contributing to growth in the non-chocolate subcategory in the natural expanded channel (SPINS, NPI, Natural Expanded Channel, Latest 52 Weeks, PE 12.01.2024).

Rooted in the ancient Japanese tradition of mochi—a cherished rice-based delicacy with centuries of history, often enjoyed during sacred ceremonies, celebrations, and expressions of gratitude—Issei Mochi Gummies redefines snacking. Issei Mochi Gummies offers a unique textural experience with soft, pillowy, and satisfyingly chewy treats—striking a perfect balance between a gummy bear and a marshmallow. Designed with inclusivity in mind, Issei’s gummies meet the highest dietary standards and are suitable for a wide range of lifestyles. Mochi Gummies flavors—sour watermelon, tangerine, strawberry, mango, yuzu, and peach—are shelf-stable, kosher, and free from gluten, dairy, soy, and nuts. Crafted with a commitment to quality, all Issei Mochi Gummies are made without GMOs, animal-derived gelatin, or artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors.  The latest award-winning new release, chocolate-covered Mochi Gummies, are also gelatin-free, kosher, and made without artificial colors or flavors. Recent releases feature special packaging for Valentine's Day and Lunar New Year, with additional limited-edition launches planned for 2025.

Proudly manufactured in the United States, these innovative gummies can be enjoyed straight from the package or paired with ice cream, yogurt, oatmeal, pudding, or your favorite desserts, offering endless possibilities for indulgence.

Issei Mochi Gummies Awards

2024 Sweets & Snacks Expo - Most Innovative New Product Award - Small Business Innovator  - Chocolate-Covered Mochi Gummies- Winner

2024 Nourish Awards -Chocolate-Covered Mochi Gummies-Winner

2024 Startup CPG Shelfie Award - Candy Category- Finalist

2024 Inc. Magazine’s 2024 Female Founders Issue (Cover of Magazine Mika Shino +  Ranked at #2 on the 200 female founder list -Winner

2024  Success Magazine’s 2024 Women of Influence Award-  Mika Shino-Winner

2024  FoodBev Media’s World Food Innovation Best Confectionary Product Award-Winner

2024 TasteTV’s Best New Chewy Snack Award-Winner

2023 TasteTV’s Best New Packaging and Best Texture Awards-Winner

2023  Stevie Award for the Best Fest Female Entrepreneur - Mika Shino-Winner

2023 Nosh’s Most Innovative New Product and Best of 2023 Awards- Finalist

2023 Best New Sweet Snack 2023 for the Nexty Awards at ExpoWest- Finalist

About Issei Mochi Gummies 

Established in 2022 by first-generation Japanese entrepreneur, Mika Shino, Issei Mochi Gummies embraces the ancient Japanese tradition of mochi, a beloved rice-based confection with centuries of history. Issei Mochi Gummies redefines snacking, empowering Asian heritage with innovation, creating the world’s first shelf-stable mochi candies, offering unparalleled texture together with natural, subtle flavors and colors. Suitable for a wide range of lifestyles, these gummies are meticulously crafted to meet the highest standards of dietary inclusivity. The original fruit gummy flavors are shelf-stable, kosher, and free of gluten, dairy, soy, and nuts. Most importantly, these delicious, chewy treats are crafted with a commitment to non-GMOs, and free of animal-derived gelatin, artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors.  The first of its kind, Issei Mochi Gummies are readily accessible nationwide and also ships direct-to-customers in all 50 states and internationally to Canada, Middle East, and on Amazon.  Available flavors include Strawberry, Mango, Sour Watermelon, Tangerine, Yuzu and Peach.  Issei’s mission is simple: to innovate better food options for a happier, healthier life, ensuring everyone can enjoy delicious snacks that align with their values.