Episode 143 | A Black Founder’s Perspective on the State of CPG, with Pipsnacks co-founder Jeff Martin

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For the last few years, Jeff Martin has made the same New Year’s Resolution –  

“Speak up more.”

The financial-analyst-turned-CPG-entrepreneur isn’t talking about having a bigger hand in decision-making at Pipsnacks, the brand he co-founded with his sister Jen and wife Teresa. It goes deeper than that. 

It means speak up and confront injustice, whenever he encounters it. Speak up as a founder of color in a space where that’s a rarity. Speak up so that others may follow the example he and his co-founders have set.

We are in the midst of historic societal change. The tragic, senseless death of George Floyd has ignited protests across the U.S. and around the world, and heightened our collective awareness of systemic racism. 

Many are learning what others have known for a long time – that racial injustice affects every aspect of society. The world of CPG is no exception. 

This week we’re bringing you a very special interview with Pipsnacks’ Jeff Martin. While Pipsnacks is one of our absolute favorite brands, this episode is not really about their business. (Check out Episode 5 for that.) This is a conversation about race and identity, and how those forces shaped who Jeff is as an entrepreneur and as a human being. 

We originally recorded this interview as part of SnackNation’s internal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programming during Black History Month. And while this conversation was pre-COVID and before the global Black Lives Matter protests, we ultimately felt that it spoke to the present moment. We are grateful that Jeff agreed, and gave us permission to share it with all of you. 

Links

• Pipsnacks
• Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn
• Brand Builder Episode 5 – How Pipsnacks Got Oprah Winfrey and Mark Cuban Excited About Popcorn

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