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I'm a 2-time founder with 12+ years of experience building, scaling, and solving…
Articles by Mitchell
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Change is good.
Change is good.
At the risk of stating the obvious, the past year has been unsettling, full of unknowns, and forced many of us to focus…
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Mitchell Stern shared thisTwo years ago, it was a conversation with Ben Walker at CHFA that brought me back to this industry. Man, am I happy I decided to go to the show that day. I'm now just over a year in with BNQ, and this was my 3rd CHFA since joining the team. The first two, I was still getting my feet wet. This one felt different. It was the biggest aisle we've ever had, the best feedback from clients, and the busiest show I've experienced. I normally spend a lot of time wandering the floor and connecting with people. This time I was mostly in the BNQ section, supporting our brands and our team. This was intentional as my goal was to make sure everyone who walked by got to try the incredible products our clients are making, meet the founders behind them, and see what BNQ is all about. If I missed you on the floor, reach out and let's connect. Our team is hustling. We're doing things a bit differently and continuing to redefine the way brands work with brokers. We like to say, "We're not your average broker." I'm grateful for the trust this team has given me, and excited to help shape what the future of BNQ looks like.Mitchell Stern shared thisOur brands brought it at CHFA NOW Toronto. Longtime partners and new faces showed up with new flavours and fresh packaging, and a few were showing in the East for the first time. Buyers stopped by our section and took notice. We can't wait to see where this weekend's conversations take our brands. Thank you to CHFA for bringing everyone out to the Blue Jays game on Friday night. Great way to kick off CHFA, and the Jays winning didn't hurt. And thank you to everyone for all the hard work that went into making this our best show yet. We're still buzzing and already planning for CHFA NOW West in spring 2027! Thank you Canadian Health Food Association for a great weekend!
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Mitchell Stern shared thisAre you heading to CHFA this weekend? If so, I'd love to connect! Come see BNQ in aisle 2300Mitchell Stern shared thisThis will be our biggest brand lineup yet. Come see us at booths 2300 to 2313 to meet the brands retailers are making room on their shelves for. Each of these brands brings a product worth tasting and a story worth knowing, all built on sustainable practices. Come down to the BNQ section at CHFA NOW Toronto and meet the teams behind them. Level Ground, Laid Back Snacks, Millsie Fine Foods, Wendel's True Foods, Rawcology Inc., Holy Crap Cereal, Breuvages Harrington Beverages, Made with Local, Allergy Smart Foods, JusTea, Les Filles Fattoush, NeatSweets, and Taza Chocolate. Looking forward to the show Canadian Health Food Association!
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Mitchell Stern shared thisIf you are a growing CPG brand in Canada, definitely check out our 2027 Contest. 10 awesome partners and over $60,000 in free services from formulation to HR to photography. Oh and don't forget you'd get to work with me and the BNQ team for a year. It's been so incredible to work with our 2026 winner Opal Rowe and her brand Stush Foods!Mitchell Stern shared thisStarting today, the BNQ Growth Collective is open for applications. Your brand is on shelves nationally, funding is in place, and your team is ready for the next stage. What's often missing is the support to make it happen. We are giving one brand over $60,000 in free services, from sales and retail support to accounting, HR, and more, all working directly with you to make 2027 your best year yet. Applications close October 31st. Apply on our wesbite. We would love to hear your story.
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Mitchell Stern shared thisIt's been 8 months since I became a dad and I've been reflecting on this period of my life that has flown by. It's been, without question, the best 8 months of my life, and seeing her face light up when I come upstairs from my basement office might be the best part of my day, most days. Working from home has given me so many extra little moments with her that I don't think I'd have otherwise, and I really try not to take that for granted. But there's something my wife and I have talked about a lot recently. I still reach for my phone when I'm with her and I hate it. Even when I'm technically off the clock, out of the office, I catch myself reading emails, scrolling, or checking the score in the Blue Jays game. Entrepreneurship spent years wiring me to be always on, where every notification feels urgent and being busy became a personality trait I didn't even realize I was building. I think I used running a business as an excuse to always be on my phone, which upon reflection, sounds terrible to even admit. That version of me doesn't belong in the room with my little girl. I'm getting better, mostly because I'm talking about it and naming it instead of pretending it's not happening. It's really hard, and I notice it more than I'd like to. So I'm putting this here because I want the accountability. Phone goes face down, sometimes in another room entirely, and what I didn't expect is how much quieter my head gets when I actually do that. Less scrolling means less noise, and less noise means I'm actually there, not just physically in the room. That's been good for me well beyond just being a better dad. We don't talk enough as men about how something as small as putting the phone down can actually shift your mental health, and with it being Men's Mental Health Month, it felt like the right time to say it out loud. I'm trying to actually do something about it, and the key word is trying. Some days are better than others, most are a work in progress. But I'm paying attention, and I'm being honest with myself about it.
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Mitchell Stern reposted thisMitchell Stern reposted thisYesterday we teed it up at the Canadian Health Food Association John Holtmann Golf Tournament at Lionhead Golf and Country Club ⛳️ The humidity was aggressive and the golf was a bit questionable at times but it was the perfect way to spend a day with great friends and industry colleagues. We were lucky enough to share a foursome with CHFA President Aaron Skelton, who showed up, competed, and made it a genuinely great round. Thanks for playing with us Aaron! Our very own Ben Walker took home the longest drive too 💪 He absolutely crushed it. And in the category of awards we gave ourselves, the BNQ team officially (unofficially) claimed Best Dressed. No one disputed it, so we chose to see that as endorsement and just ran with it 🌸 👕 This tournament is always one of the best days on the CHFA calendar. A great cause, incredible people, and a reminder that this industry knows how to show up for each other. See you all in Toronto at CHFA in September. #CHFA #JohnHoltmannTournament #NaturalChannel #CPG #BNQ Mark Scholtz, Mitchell Stern
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Mitchell Stern shared thisJust got my ticket to attend Venturepark Summit in Toronto next week. It feels a bit full circle to attend an event put on by Arlene Dickinson and reminds me of my time on Dragon's Den almost 10 years ago! Looking forward to the event. If you'll be there and want to connect, let me know!Mitchell Stern shared thisThis speaker lineup is worth your attention 👇 What does it really take to grow a food and beverage brand? Join Arlene Dickinson and founders Suzie Yorke and Ted Fleming are coming to together to share the real challenges, opportunities, and lessons from building brands at every stage. If you're a CPG entrepreneur, this is exactly the kind of conversation you need to be in the room for. First-hand insights from some of Canada's most experienced founders. 🇨🇦 Join us at Venturpark Summit Toronto - June 9, 2026! 📍Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre 🕗 8:00am - 4:30pm Learn more and register 👉 https://lnkd.in/gp6CNYjp
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Mitchell Stern shared thisIt turns out the traditional broker model wasn't built with the brand in mind. So we're building one that can help brands grow sustainably, strategically and with purpose.Mitchell Stern shared this156% average YOY growth in year one. That's the average. It comes from being selective. We only pitch to retailers that make sense for where your brand is right now. Wrong timing on a listing does more damage than no listing at all. Fast distribution is not a sustainable strategy. Before anything goes to a buyer, we spec out your trade spend and velocity targets. Your brand knows exactly what the retailer expects. Nothing lands as a surprise.
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Mitchell Stern posted thisSee you at CHFA Vancouver 👋 After settling in here at BNQ Management, I’m excited to show up with fresh energy, reconnect with our brands, and spend time with an industry I genuinely love. If you’re a founder, operator, or brand navigating strategy, listings, distributors, or just trying to figure out how to grow in this wild business, let’s connect. Always up for honest conversations, quick hellos, and a few good samples. And if you want to talk through packaging, a rebrand, or new innovation, that’s very much in my wheelhouse. See you in Van ✈️ Canadian Health Food Association
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Mitchell Stern shared thisIt’s been eight weeks since I became a dad and my heart has never felt more full. From the moment she arrived, everything became very real. It didn't take me long to realize that she depends on us for everything and something about that has slowed me right down. Time kind of feels strange where some days move quickly, some barely move at all, and I’ve started to use that to pay attention to where my energy goes. (I also haven't been on Instagram for 4 weeks now which somehow feels like an accomplishment) I’m tired and my focus comes and goes. Some days I’m on, some days I feel like a zombie. It’s a mix of joy, fear, pride and a whole lot of figuring things out as I go. When I look at it, two parts of my life prepared me for this more than anything else. Entrepreneurship and the commitment I made years ago to my mental health. 💼 Entrepreneurship taught me to operate without a clean plan and to make decisions with whatever information I have at that time. I learned to trust myself even when things feel messy and it forced me to let go of control and admit when I need help. 🧠 My mental health work became the anchor I didn’t realize I was building. Therapy, journaling, taking a breath before I spiral, saying what I’m feeling instead of hiding it. I didn’t know it would matter this much in fatherhood but damn, has it ever helped me. The biggest surprise is the clarity that keeps showing up. I'm focused on being intentional about how I spend my time and I'm saying no quicker and not feeling guilty about it. I want my work to line up with the kind of dad I’m trying to be which is Present, Steady and Paying attention to what actually matters. I’m proud of how I’ve handled the start of this but I know it’s early. There’s a lot more to learn and I’m doing my best to take it day by day. Kudos to all of you who have managed to grow in your careers while having young children (especially the Moms) (It didn't hurt that I was able to spend the first few weeks of her life watching an epic World Series run by the Blue Jays)
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Mitchell Stern liked thisBig moment for the Flow team! We're building a team that takes Flow from "growing" to "leading" in hydration across Canada and the US. If you're the kind of person who gets energized by whitespace, not intimidated by it, we want to talk to you. Two roles, two huge opportunities to shape what's next (these are US based roles): Trade Marketing Manager National Account Manager, Foodservice & Hospitality If you're commercially sharp, entrepreneurial, and want in on a brand's next chapter (not its comfortable middle), this is your sign. Tag someone, DM me, or apply directly — let's build. 👇Mitchell Stern liked this💧 Flow is hiring! As we continue to build Flow into a leading premium hydration brand across Canada and the US, we’re expanding our commercial team with two key roles: Trade Marketing Manager Own and elevate how Flow shows up at retail — building scalable trade marketing programs, supporting customer-specific plans, driving launches and activations, and helping turn our retail strategy into measurable growth. National Account Manager, Foodservice & Hospitality Build and grow Flow’s presence across foodservice and hospitality, developing strategic customer relationships and opening new opportunities for the brand in high-impact channels. These are both high-impact roles for people who want to build, not just maintain. You’ll have the opportunity to shape how a growing Canadian brand shows up in market, work cross-functionally across the business, and play a meaningful role in our next stage of growth. If you’re commercially minded, entrepreneurial, and excited about where hydration is going, we want to hear from you! 👉 Explore both opportunities and apply: https://lnkd.in/dUAX8j_j
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Mitchell Stern liked thisMitchell Stern liked this🏆 30 years of leadership — and one very special recognition. We are incredibly proud to share that our President and Co-Founder, Ian Walker, has been named the recipient of the 2026 CHFA Leadership Award. This year marks Ian’s 30th year at the helm of Left Coast Naturals, and what a journey those three decades have been. It started in 1996 with Skeet & Ike’s—making nut butters in borrowed kitchens, selling at local markets, and delivering products out of the back of a car. From there came Left Coast Organics and Hippie Snacks. A commitment to organic and natural foods before they became mainstream. Becoming one of Canada’s early B Corp businesses. And ultimately, growing Left Coast Naturals from its Western Canadian roots into the national distributor we are today. Through every chapter, Ian has remained remarkably consistent in what matters most: building a good business with good people, doing things differently when there’s a better way, and helping move this industry forward. Thirty years later, there are brands on shelves, businesses built, careers shaped, relationships spanning decades, and a natural products industry that Ian has helped make a little better along the way. Ian, we couldn’t be prouder. Congratulations on an incredibly well-deserved CHFA Leadership Award. 💚 Here’s to 30 years of doing business differently—and to whatever comes next. Canadian Health Food Association #CHFA #CHFAIndustryAwards #Leadership #NaturalProducts #CanadianBusiness #LeftCoastNaturals
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Mitchell Stern liked thisMitchell Stern liked thisHouston, we have plant-based. 🛸 We're thrilled to welcome Green Brothers to UNFI Canada UpNext — bringing familiar comfort foods back to Earth with a twist. Tofu Popcorn. Pizza Saucer. Corn Dogs. All plant-based, all out of this world. Their universe is expanding. And now it's available through us. ---- Houston, nous avons du végétal. 🛸 Nous sommes ravis d'accueillir Green Brothers chez UNFI Canada UpNext — ramenant les plats réconfortants familiers sur Terre avec une touche spéciale. Popcorn au tofu. Pizza soucoupe. Corn dogs. Tous végétaux, tous hors de ce monde. Leur univers s'agrandit. Et maintenant, il est disponible chez nous. #UNFICanada #UpNext #GreenBrothers #PlantBased
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Mitchell Stern liked thisMitchell Stern liked thisCanadian Health Food Association was a blast! We got to see and meet so many of you at the show and I’m already excited about the new vendors, products, and brands we’ll be bringing into Dad's Organic Market! But more than anything, I just want to say how much we appreciate all the love you showed us. The conversations, the samples, the laughs, the support, it all means so much. From the whole Dad’s team, thank you! We appreciate you more than you know. 🫶🏻 Until next time, CHFA! ✨
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Mitchell Stern liked thisMitchell Stern liked thisWhat a weekend at CHFA NOW! 🙌 There’s nothing quite like getting so many people from across our industry under one roof. It was great to reconnect with familiar faces, meet some new ones, and have so many conversations about what’s happening , and what’s next for RISE, Buddha Brands™ and Temple Lifestyle Brands. We were also incredibly touched by how many of you stopped by to congratulate us on being named one of Canada’s Top Growing Companies for 2026. The kind words, excitement and support meant a lot to our team, especially getting to celebrate the news surrounded by so many of the partners, customers and industry friends who have been part of our journey. Thank you to everyone who came by, said hello, shared a drink and celebrated with us. 💛 Already looking forward to the next one. #CHFANow #TempleLifestyleBrands #TopGrowingCompanies #RiseKombucha #ThirstyBuddha #CPG
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Mitchell Stern liked thisMitchell Stern liked thisAnd for my next magic trick - a delicious redesign of the entire Magic Spoon portfolio! Ta-da! What started as a cereal renaissance back in 2019 has transformed into a protein portfolio with 5 incredible product lines (and multiple sub-lines) across several different aisles. As Magic Spoon expanded with each new product line, more variables were introduced into the design system, resulting in a fragmented portfolio that lost some of its magic. So we reimagined the portfolio architecture from the ground up, developed a cohesive color system that creates huge impact at shelf, an easy to navigate communication system, brought appetite appeal to the forefront, all while keeping the iconic assets and essence that make Magic Spoon such a beloved brand. The new designs are rolling out now at retailers like Target, and we couldn't be more exited to share the full case study in a months time. As with all things, it takes a village and we had a team of amazing creative partners to thank, in addition to an awesome and trusting client team. So stay tuned for more insights into the work, and grab a spoon. You're bound to get hungry.
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