The Unboxed show is a space for conversation about brand experiences, the challenges and wins across industries and product types, and the impactful additional brand experiences and affinity created through custom-branded packaging and beyond. Whether you are a startup founder looking to expand your brand's reach, a marketing professional looking for some tips, or an enterprise executive looking for inspiration from industry leaders, we have an episode for you.

This week we are joined by David Paleschuck. With over 20 years of brand and marketing experience serving American Express, MasterCard, PepsiCo, and Microsoft, David specializes in brand strategy, development, management, and integrated marketing. In 2012, David entered the legal cannabis industry as the VP of Licensing & Brand Partnerships at DOPE Magazine and then as Chief Brand Officer at Evergreen Herbal, where he created successful partnerships and award-winning cannabis-infused products. A leading voice in cannabis branding and marketing, David's writings have appeared in various publications, including Forbes, High Times, and Dope Magazine, among others. His book, "Branding Bud: The Commercialization of Cannabis," released in April 2021, became an Amazon bestseller in the branding and green business categories. His second book titled, “Cannabis vs Marijuana: Landscape, Language and Context”, released in April of 2024, continues to shed light on the changing lexicon of cannabis. David is finishing his third book, “The Cannabis Brand Licensing Bible: The Ultimate Guide To Protecting and Scaling Your Cannabis Brand,” releasing in April of 2025. As founder and CEO of the Branding Bud Consulting Group, David consults on many aspects of legal cannabis for those currently in the industry and those wanting to enter it.

Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidpaleschuck/

Check out Branding Bud online: https://brandingbud.com/

Check out Branding Bud on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/branding-bud-consulting-group/

Check out David's book Branding Bud: https://brandingbud.com/home

Within each episode, we ask industry experts the following 5 questions:

- What inspired you to get into the custom packaging industry, and how did you get your start in the field?
- How does custom packaging contribute to creating a unique brand experience, and what are some of the most effective strategies you've seen for achieving this?
- Can you share any success stories or case studies of businesses that have transformed their brand through custom packaging and design?
- What are some of the biggest challenges or roadblocks that businesses face when it comes to custom packaging, and how can they overcome them?
- How do you see the future of custom packaging evolving in the next 5-10 years, and what should businesses be doing now to stay ahead of the curve?

This show is sponsored by Merchant Boxes.
Merchant Boxes is the award-winning custom packaging and sourcing agency leading the charge in extended brand experiences. Having worked with some of the biggest brands on the planet all the way to small batch innovative custom projects for small businesses, Merchant Boxes are the standard in custom packaging.

Check them out here: www.merchantboxes.com

The Unboxed show is a space for conversation about brand experiences, the challenges and wins across industries and product types, and the impactful additional brand experiences and affinity created through custom-branded packaging and beyond. Whether you are a startup founder looking to expand your brand's reach, a marketing professional looking for some tips, or an enterprise executive looking for inspiration from industry leaders, we have an episode for you.

This week we are joined by Raphael Farasat. Raphael Farasat (Raph) is an award-winning creative director and strategist based in Laurel Canyon, California. He has branded over 80 startup consumer brands, now collectively valued over $500 million, and led campaigns for globally recognized companies, including Tesla, Sonos, Fox, Catch Restaurants, rag & bone, and sbe hotels. Raph is a founding partner of numerous consumer lifestyle brands, including Last Crumb, BetterBrand, Sweet Nothings, and Barcode. He is a Guest Lecturer on branding at Stanford University and has been featured in various publications such as Creative Boom, Entrepreneur Magazine, Inc., Fast Company, and The Dieline.

Connect with Raphael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raphaelfarasat/

Check out Truffl on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/truffl/

Check out Truffl on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truffl/

Within each episode, we ask industry experts the following 5 questions:

- What inspired you to get into the custom packaging industry, and how did you get your start in the field?
- How does custom packaging contribute to creating a unique brand experience, and what are some of the most effective strategies you've seen for achieving this?
- Can you share any success stories or case studies of businesses that have transformed their brand through custom packaging and design?
- What are some of the biggest challenges or roadblocks that businesses face when it comes to custom packaging, and how can they overcome them?
- How do you see the future of custom packaging evolving in the next 5-10 years, and what should businesses be doing now to stay ahead of the curve?

This show is sponsored by Merchant Boxes.
Merchant Boxes is the award-winning custom packaging and sourcing agency leading the charge in extended brand experiences. Having worked with some of the biggest brands on the planet all the way to small batch innovative custom projects for small businesses, Merchant Boxes are the standard in custom packaging.

Check them out here: www.merchantboxes.com

The Unboxed show is a space for conversation about brand experiences, the challenges and wins across industries and product types, and the impactful additional brand experiences and affinity created through custom-branded packaging and beyond. Whether you are a startup founder looking to expand your brand's reach, a marketing professional looking for some tips, or an enterprise executive looking for inspiration from industry leaders, we have an episode for you.

This week we are joined by Kathy Reeder. Kathy Reeder has a diverse background in manufacturing, restaurant, and dispensary operations, as well as branding/marketing strategy with a passion for blending education, experience, and creativity. Holding a Master’s in Medical Cannabis Science & Therapeutics, she specializes in product knowledge, consumer education, and retail strategy, helping both businesses and consumers navigate the evolving cannabis landscape. With a mix of insight, innovation, and just the right amount of fun, Kathy brings fresh ideas and expertise to everything she does.

Connect with Kathy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathyreeder420/

Check out CannaTracker on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cannatracker/

Within each episode, we ask industry experts the following 5 questions:

- What inspired you to get into the custom packaging industry, and how did you get your start in the field?
- How does custom packaging contribute to creating a unique brand experience, and what are some of the most effective strategies you've seen for achieving this?
- Can you share any success stories or case studies of businesses that have transformed their brand through custom packaging and design?
- What are some of the biggest challenges or roadblocks that businesses face when it comes to custom packaging, and how can they overcome them?
- How do you see the future of custom packaging evolving in the next 5-10 years, and what should businesses be doing now to stay ahead of the curve?

This show is sponsored by Merchant Boxes.
Merchant Boxes is the award-winning custom packaging and sourcing agency leading the charge in extended brand experiences. Having worked with some of the biggest brands on the planet all the way to small batch innovative custom projects for small businesses, Merchant Boxes are the standard in custom packaging.

Check them out here: www.merchantboxes.com

The Unboxed show is a space for conversation about brand experiences, the challenges and wins across industries and product types, and the impactful additional brand experiences and affinity created through custom-branded packaging and beyond. Whether you are a startup founder looking to expand your brand's reach, a marketing professional looking for some tips, or an enterprise executive looking for inspiration from industry leaders, we have an episode for you.

This week we are joined by Eric Adams. Eric Adams is a passionate entrepreneur and innovator committed to transforming the pet food industry through sustainability and transparency. With over 15 years of experience in food service management and a culinary background from the Culinary Institute of Michigan, Eric combines his expertise in food innovation with his mission to reduce food waste and prioritize pet health.

As the founder of Dog & Whistle, Nevada’s first carbon-neutral pet food company, Eric has successfully raised pre-seed funding and built partnerships with industry leaders while focusing on upcycling ingredients into premium, eco-friendly pet meals and treats. Recognized for his leadership and commitment to sustainability, Eric has been featured on platforms such as SuperZoo and SXSW and is a member of the Chief Sustainability Officer Group with Food Tank.

Driven by his love for pets and the planet, Eric continues to inspire change in the pet food industry by creating products that reflect his values of health, innovation, and environmental responsibility.

Connect with Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-adams-dw/

Check out Dog & Whistle: https://www.dogandwhistle.com/

Within each episode, we ask industry experts the following 5 questions:

- What inspired you to get into the custom packaging industry, and how did you get your start in the field?
- How does custom packaging contribute to creating a unique brand experience, and what are some of the most effective strategies you've seen for achieving this?
- Can you share any success stories or case studies of businesses that have transformed their brand through custom packaging and design?
- What are some of the biggest challenges or roadblocks that businesses face when it comes to custom packaging, and how can they overcome them?
- How do you see the future of custom packaging evolving in the next 5-10 years, and what should businesses be doing now to stay ahead of the curve?

This show is sponsored by Merchant Boxes.
Merchant Boxes is the award-winning custom packaging and sourcing agency leading the charge in extended brand experiences. Having worked with some of the biggest brands on the planet all the way to small batch innovative custom projects for small businesses, Merchant Boxes are the standard in custom packaging.

Check them out here: www.merchantboxes.com

The Unboxed show is a space for conversation about brand experiences, the challenges and wins across industries and product types, and the impactful additional brand experiences and affinity created through custom-branded packaging and beyond. Whether you are a startup founder looking to expand your brand's reach, a marketing professional looking for some tips, or an enterprise executive looking for inspiration from industry leaders, we have an episode for you.

This week we are joined by Syama Bunten. Syama is the CEO of Scaling Retail, Principal at Big Delta Capital, host of expander podcast Getting Rich Together, and producer of the premiere nationwide event, Women & Wealth Catalyst Summit, where women go to get access to wealth-building opportunities.

Syama's business expertise has been recognized by major publications like The New York Times and Forbes, and she has received numerous accolades, including the Positive Leadership Award and Thought Leadership Award for Female Entrepreneurs. She is a sought-after speaker at events such as SXSW, HerWorkplace, and TED Braindate, sharing her insights on wealth creation, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.

Connect with Syama on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/syamameagher/

Check out Scaling Retail: https://www.scalingretail.com/

Within each episode, we ask industry experts the following 5 questions:

- What inspired you to get into the custom packaging industry, and how did you get your start in the field?
- How does custom packaging contribute to creating a unique brand experience, and what are some of the most effective strategies you've seen for achieving this?
- Can you share any success stories or case studies of businesses that have transformed their brand through custom packaging and design?
- What are some of the biggest challenges or roadblocks that businesses face when it comes to custom packaging, and how can they overcome them?
- How do you see the future of custom packaging evolving in the next 5-10 years, and what should businesses be doing now to stay ahead of the curve?

This show is sponsored by @merchantboxes .
Merchant Boxes is the award-winning custom packaging and sourcing agency leading the charge in extended brand experiences. Having worked with some of the biggest brands on the planet all the way to small batch innovative custom projects for small businesses, Merchant Boxes are the standard in custom packaging.

Check them out here: www.merchantboxes.com


#ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #packagingsolutions #d2c #design #packagingindustry #retail #retaildesign #ecommercedesign #safety #packagedesign #shipping #packaging #business #sustainable #printing #branding #marketing #work #help #money #designer #ecofriendly #ecodesign #entrepreneurs #brand #statistics #transportation #custompackaging #bespokepackaging #packagesourcing #packagematerials #cpg #fmcg #gotoretail

This show is sponsored by Merchant Boxes.
Merchant Boxes is the award-winning custom packaging and sourcing agency leading the charge in extended brand experiences. Having worked with some of the biggest brands on the planet all the way to small batch innovative custom projects for small businesses, Merchant Boxes are the standard in custom packaging.

Check them out here: www.merchantboxes.com

The Unboxed show is a space for conversation about brand experiences, the challenges and wins across industries and product types, and the impactful additional brand experiences and affinity created through custom-branded packaging and beyond. Whether you are a startup founder looking to expand your brand's reach, a marketing professional looking for some tips, or an enterprise executive looking for inspiration from industry leaders, we have an episode for you.

This week we are joined by Jared Beauchamp. Jared is a resident of Queen Creek, Arizona, where he moved with his wife Mary in 2018. Together, they are raising two boys, Archer (6) and Hunter (4). In 2022, Jared and Mary introduced the world to their family-owned small-batch hot sauce business Salce. With the inspiration and palette to bottle unique flavors that blend sweetness and spice, they created Salce to be a culinary catalyst. Whether it's their unique Watermelon Fresno sauce or their fan-favorite Honey Habanero, the all-natural ingredients create fresh and bright flavors that have been enhancing meals around the world. In addition to Salce, Jared has been employed by GoDaddy for the past 8 years, currently serving as the Director of Engineering, where he leads multiple teams focused on creating internal engineering platforms.

Connect with Jared on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jbeauchamp/

Check out Salce: https://www.getsalce.com/

Within each episode, we ask industry experts the following 5 questions:

- What inspired you to get into the custom packaging industry, and how did you get your start in the field?
- How does custom packaging contribute to creating a unique brand experience, and what are some of the most effective strategies you've seen for achieving this?
- Can you share any success stories or case studies of businesses that have transformed their brand through custom packaging and design?
- What are some of the biggest challenges or roadblocks that businesses face when it comes to custom packaging, and how can they overcome them?
- How do you see the future of custom packaging evolving in the next 5-10 years, and what should businesses be doing now to stay ahead of the curve?

This show is sponsored by @merchantboxes .
Merchant Boxes is the award-winning custom packaging and sourcing agency leading the charge in extended brand experiences. Having worked with some of the biggest brands on the planet all the way to small batch innovative custom projects for small businesses, Merchant Boxes are the standard in custom packaging.

Check them out here: www.merchantboxes.com


#ecommerce #ecommercebusiness #packagingsolutions #d2c #design #packagingindustry #retail #retaildesign #ecommercedesign #safety #packagedesign #shipping #packaging #business #sustainable #printing #branding #marketing #work #help #money #designer #ecofriendly #ecodesign #entrepreneurs #brand #statistics #transportation #custompackaging #bespokepackaging #packagesourcing #packagematerials #cpg #fmcg #gotoretail

This show is sponsored by Merchant Boxes.
Merchant Boxes is the award-winning custom packaging and sourcing agency leading the charge in extended brand experiences. Having worked with some of the biggest brands on the planet all the way to small batch innovative custom projects for small businesses, Merchant Boxes are the standard in custom packaging.

Check them out here: www.merchantboxes.com

The Unboxed show is a space for conversation about brand experiences, the challenges and wins across industries and product types, and the impactful additional brand experiences and affinity created through custom-branded packaging and beyond. Whether you are a startup founder looking to expand your brand's reach, a marketing professional looking for some tips, or an enterprise executive looking for inspiration from industry leaders, we have an episode for you.

This week we are joined by Nikki Daniels. Nikki is the founder of The Capsule Brand Co, a premier consultancy transforming how brands connect with and captivate their ideal customers. With experience at retail icons like Ralph Lauren and Nordstrom, she blends Fortune 500 savvy and Startup agility to craft strategies that enhance value, elevate market positioning, and turn market challenges into opportunities for growth.

Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkidanielsofficial/

Within each episode, we ask industry experts the following 5 questions:

- What inspired you to get into the custom packaging industry, and how did you get your start in the field?
- How does custom packaging contribute to creating a unique brand experience, and what are some of the most effective strategies you've seen for achieving this?
- Can you share any success stories or case studies of businesses that have transformed their brand through custom packaging and design?
- What are some of the biggest challenges or roadblocks that businesses face when it comes to custom packaging, and how can they overcome them?
- How do you see the future of custom packaging evolving in the next 5-10 years, and what should businesses be doing now to stay ahead of the curve?

This show is sponsored by @merchantboxes .
Merchant Boxes is the award-winning custom packaging and sourcing agency leading the charge in extended brand experiences. Having worked with some of the biggest brands on the planet all the way to small batch innovative custom projects for small businesses, Merchant Boxes are the standard in custom packaging.

Check them out here: www.merchantboxes.com

This show is sponsored by Merchant Boxes.
Merchant Boxes is the award-winning custom packaging and sourcing agency leading the charge in extended brand experiences. Having worked with some of the biggest brands on the planet all the way to small batch innovative custom projects for small businesses, Merchant Boxes are the standard in custom packaging.

Check them out here: www.merchantboxes.com

Welcome to the special edition episode of the Unboxed Podcast, hosted by our guest host Alison Engleson!

The Unboxed show is a space for conversation about brand experiences, the challenges and wins across industries and product types, and the impactful additional brand experiences and affinity created through custom-branded packaging and beyond. Whether you are a startup founder looking to expand your brand's reach, a marketing professional looking for some tips, or an enterprise executive looking for inspiration from industry leaders, we have an episode for you.

Birnur Aral is a prominent figure in the consumer products industry, with over 20 years of experience. She has notably led the Beauty, Health, and Sustainability Lab at Good Housekeeping Institute, overseeing studies in diverse categories. Birnur's work has profoundly influenced Good Housekeeping's audience, engaging over 50 million readers monthly with insightful reviews and content. Her keen eye for quality has been pivotal in the evaluation process for the Good Housekeeping Seal, a symbol of consumer trust in various categories, including cosmetics, OTC drugs, health remedies, and supplements.

As a principal organizer of Good Housekeeping’s Raise the Green Bar Sustainability summits, Birnur introduced and managed the brand's Sustainable Innovation Awards. Her academic background comprises a BS in Chemical Engineering from Bogazici University, advanced degrees from Stevens Institute of Technology, and a post-graduate certificate in Sustainability Analytics from Columbia University.

Recently, Birnur returned to Stevens Institute of Technology as a part-time researcher while starting her consultancy to assist brands in achieving sustainable growth and earning consumer trust with her vast experience and commitment to sustainability.

In addition to her professional achievements, Birnur has contributed as a juror on award panels, moderated panels in the beauty industry, and mentored young entrepreneurs and graduate students. Her research has resulted in scientific publications and patented personal care innovations. Residing in West New York, NJ, Birnur is a proud mother of two daughters, balancing her professional pursuits with a rich family life.

Find out more: https://www.birnuraral.com/

This show is sponsored by Merchant Boxes.
Merchant Boxes is the award-winning custom packaging and sourcing agency leading the charge in extended brand experiences. Having worked with some of the biggest brands on the planet all the way to small batch innovative custom projects for small businesses, Merchant Boxes are the standard in custom packaging.

Check them out here: www.merchantboxes.com