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Hank, President at Nature's Wild Berry : Advize Career Interview
A career journey from juggling multiple jobs and organizing college parties to leading Nature's Wild Berry as President, this individual's story is one of relentless effort and strategic skill-building.
Early internships honed sales techniques and storytelling abilities, laying the groundwork for a unique direct-to-consumer business model.
The interview reveals a passion for building strong teams, exceeding expectations, and delivering mind-blowing customer experiences through a novel product.
Success, according to this individual, hinges on a service-oriented approach, consistent effort, and genuine connection, viewing challenges as opportunities for growth.
The emphasis on proactive marketing, understanding customer needs, and demonstrating value, along with an infectious enthusiasm for creating memorable experiences, provides an exciting roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs and students interested in the food and beverage industry.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Hank Watt
President
Nature's Wild Berry
Arizona State University (ASU) - W. P. Carey
NA
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Business & Related, Finance
Food, Beverages & Alcohol
Strategic Management and Executive
Pell Grant Recipient, Took Out Loans, Worked 20+ Hours in School
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Career Path of a President at Nature's Wild Berry
Hank's career path highlights the importance of internships, emphasizing a direct sales internship that taught "how to build value, create urgency, and be likable," and a subsequent internship at Vendor Speak, which honed storytelling skills crucial for sales success because "emotion is what makes people tune into buying decisions." These experiences, combined over eight years, provided the foundation for their current role as President at Nature's Wild Berry.
Main Responsibilities of a President at Nature's Wild Berry
Hank, Nature's Wild Berry's President, focuses on "generating demand" through sales, marketing, and public speaking, while co-founder Juliano handles operations and supply, a crucial balance for a "blue ocean" business creating both supply and demand simultaneously. The company's success is attributed to word-of-mouth marketing stemming from a positive customer experience, from initial awareness to product delivery, illustrating the importance of teamwork and relentless effort in building a thriving business.
A Day In The Life Of A President At Nature's Wild Berry
A day for Hank, co-owner of Nature's Wild Berry, involves a balanced approach: a strong morning routine followed by a packed schedule of diverse tasks, viewing the entrepreneurial journey as "compounding interest," where consistent effort builds momentum and inspires collaboration. Hank's passion for recruitment and team development is central to this, focusing on setting and exceeding goals to achieve company success.
Most Important Skills for a President at Nature's Wild Berry
Hank, Nature's Wild Berry President, emphasizes a service-oriented approach, stating "coming from a place of service" is key, alongside strong sales skills, work ethic, and the ability to build trust and value for the product. The capacity to persevere despite rejection, using doubt as motivation to achieve a vision others may not share, is also crucial to Hank's success.
Favorite Parts Of Being A President At Nature's Wild Berry
Hank, Nature's Wild Berry's President, most enjoys "giving people an experience that blows their mind" through product demonstrations, introducing a novel flavor-changing berry to a largely unaware public and constantly experimenting with pairings; this aligns with their personal health journey, focusing on "controlling taste instead of cravings" through innovative and healthy food choices.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a President at Nature's Wild Berry
Hank's biggest challenge as President of Nature's Wild Berry is managing expectations and time, acknowledging that "it's the journey and not the destination," while enjoying the process of building the company. This includes working with a great team, including mentors from *Shark Tank*, and focusing on gradual growth rather than rushing to achieve every goal immediately.
Favorite parts of working in the Food and Beverage industry as a President
Hank, Nature's Wild Berry's President, enjoys the unique challenge of building a direct-to-consumer brand in the food and beverage industry, a departure from the traditional retail model. This approach allows them to cultivate strong customer relationships and build substantial demand before entering the competitive grocery retail market, aiming for "sales lift across categories" once they do.
What Type of Person Thrives in the Health and Wellness Industry, According to a President at Nature's Wild Berry
Hank, President at Nature's Wild Berry, describes thriving in the industry as requiring a "relentless" spirit, a strong vision, and unwavering conviction in one's mission, even in the face of rejection. Success hinges on maintaining consistent energy and emotional management, viewing setbacks as temporary obstacles requiring further effort to ultimately achieve a resounding "yes" from initially doubtful parties.
What A President At Nature's Wild Berry Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Food Industry
Hank's initial projections for Nature's Wild Berry were overly optimistic ("a million dollars in product a year"), a naiveté that, while initially humbling, ultimately fueled a stronger work ethic; the challenges encountered inspired Hank to "go as hard if not harder," proving that overcoming obstacles was integral to their enjoyment of the journey and career success.
Entry-level Marketing and PR Positions at Nature's Wild Berry
Hank, President at Nature's Wild Berry, redefined entry-level marketing and PR, emphasizing a proactive approach: "I would take my favorite brand and start driving traffic to their site," demonstrating value before seeking a position, unlike those requesting payment upfront without showcasing results. This strategy highlights the importance of demonstrating initiative and tangible results in securing a position.
Significant Career Lesson From a President at Nature's Wild Berry
Hank, President at Nature's Wild Berry, emphasizes the importance of genuine connection in professional relationships, stating that "people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." Success hinges on personalization, understanding their needs, and demonstrating the value proposition for them, rather than solely focusing on one's own qualifications.
College Experiences That Helped a President at Nature's Wild Berry Succeed
Hank's undergraduate experience, juggling a Pell Grant and loans while working various jobs including "blackjack, craps, Roulette, poker" as a dealer and pit boss, instilled a strong work ethic and honed interpersonal skills crucial for a career in leadership. The demanding nature of setting up and running events for "Special Moments" taught valuable time management and delegation skills, along with the importance of "bring[ing] the energy," all contributing to their current success as President at Nature's Wild Berry.
How Identity Has Influenced a President at Nature's Wild Berry's Career
Hank's most impactful WP Carey experience wasn't academic, but rather the development of "social ability"—learning to create inclusive, memorable events, like the "rager" parties held every five weeks, where "every party had to be better than the last one." This ability to foster fun and connection translates directly into Hank's current success at Nature's Wild Berry, bringing "that energy" to work and ensuring "we're all included."
Advizer Personal Links
Linktr.ee/natureswildberry
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