Today we’d like to introduce you to Ari Raz.
Hi Ari, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hello – Ari Raz here, I’m the founder and President of Naturally San Diego. I’ve been in food and beverage CPG for the past 7 years, as the co-founder and President of Kids Nutrition Brand “Once Upon a Farm” (based in Berkley CA) through July of this year, and more recently, as the CEO of Coconut Yogurt Manufacturer “The Coconut Cult” (Based In San Luis Obispo, CA). Naturally San Diego is an affiliate chapter of a larger organization called “The Naturally Network” which originated in Boulder, Colorado, and was the brainchild of the founders of Naturally Boulder, the original and largest networking group for the natural products industry, founded over 16 years ago. When Naturally Boulder decided to create a National network of affiliates, I was fortunate enough to speak with them about it over 2 years ago at an event I happened to be attending in Boulder. When I was at this event, I saw how Naturally Boulder was able to marshal resources and bring together resources from the city, the University of Colorado and more all to support the growth and diversity of companies and people working in the Natural Products industry and I was inspired. San Diego has long been an important “hub” for the Natural Products industry with iconic and upstart brands such as Bumblebee, Chosen Foods, Perfect Snacks, Om Mushroom, Kashi and Dr. Bronners all based here, but without any solid group to bring everyone together, meetings between colleagues in SD were always scattered and infrequent. It was a no-brainer to me that someone had to plant a flag for the Natural Products industry in SD and that is just what we did!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
When we first planned to officially “Launch” in early 2020, it was going to be with a large event at an incredible venue in Liberty Station mid March. Three weeks before the event, and three days after ticket sales went live, we realized that it was not going to be possible to hold an in person event and had to cancel. Despite all the hard work that went into putting together that event (with a live panel, tables reserved for local brands to showcase their products and much more), we managed to transition to a fully virtual organization with 2-3 events every month. While that has led to much of our success over the past one and half years, we are starting to once again host live, limited capacity events and we look forward to doing much more of that in the future.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Today I’m the CEO of a Probiotic Coconut Yogurt manufacturer called The Coconut Cult. Prior, I was the Cofounder and President of kids nutrition brand Once Upon a Farm, a brand I cofounded in 2015.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
The Natural Products industry is growing faster than ever as more people learn and and recognize the powerful connection that exists between our health and the food we consume on a regular basis. Its an exciting industry to be a part of because we create products that help people lead healthier and happier lives on a daily basis!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://naturallysandiego.org/
