The retail landscape for natural products has changed dramatically, especially since the pandemic pushed more consumers toward Amazon and online shopping. How can independent health food stores not just survive but thrive in this environment?

Jake Kivico, representing the third generation of family ownership at Nature's Finest in Phoenix, Arizona, reveals their strategic approach to building customer loyalty despite digital competition. After joining the family business full-time in 2021, Jake quickly realized that competing with Amazon on its terms wasn't viable. Instead, Nature's Finest developed a multi-faceted strategy centered around carefully selected brand partnerships and an innovative approach to private labeling.

What makes their approach unique is the creation of multiple private label brands through different manufacturing partners. Unlike most retailers who develop a single house brand, Nature's Finest operates several distinct private labels, addressing the misconception some customers have about house brand quality while ensuring customers can only purchase these products at their stores. Since most shoppers ask for specific supplements rather than brands, this strategy creates genuine loyalty by offering exclusive products that can't be found on Amazon.

Listen as Jake shares how they began this journey, the manufacturers they partner with, and how they've expanded their private label offerings over time. Whether you're a retailer looking for new competitive strategies or a brand wanting to understand the retailer perspective, this conversation offers valuable insights into building lasting customer relationships in the age of Amazon. Ready to rethink your approach to product exclusivity and customer loyalty?

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Email: info@naturalproductsmarketer.com

About Amanda Ballard

Amanda has worked in natural products marketing in the retail setting since 2016 and has a great understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that retailers in this industry face. More than anything, she wants this industry to continue to boom and believes much of that success hinges on the ability of retailers to do well in their businesses and market their products effectively.

About Tina Smith

Since 2014, Tina has worked with multiple natural products businesses, discovering how to market their CBD products online, without having their payment processor shut them down, to letting customers talk about their health issues those products have helped them solve. She knows first hand how experts like you offer the best products and a superior customer experience, that is why she is committed to helping you find an easy way to grow your natural product business.

A personal tragedy transformed Kristina Hall's life when her father was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer during her senior year of college. This devastating news sparked a journey into the world of nutrition and supplements as Kristina witnessed how dramatically food choices and targeted supplementation could improve quality of life during cancer treatment. This awakening led Kristina and her husband Brian to eventually launch True Grace, a supplement company built on uncompromising principles.

What makes True Grace unique isn't just their commitment to "meaningful ingredients at effective doses," but their remarkable timing—quitting secure jobs to launch a business just weeks before the pandemic changed everything. Yet this apparent misfortune became their advantage, forcing methodical development while providing unprecedented access to industry veterans who were suddenly accessible by phone. Their persistence through supply chain challenges demonstrated the unwavering commitment to values that defines their brand today.

Kristina's experience as a new mother revealed a critical gap in the supplement market. Standing bewildered in the children's vitamin aisle, she realized this overwhelming experience mirrored how most consumers felt about supplements generally. This insight drove True Grace to pioneer innovative children's products, including the only Kids Multi containing clinically studied Lutamax for blue light protection and focus—addressing modern parents' screen time concerns while delivering essential nutrients. Their ingenious probiotic+D3 stick packs solved "gummy fatigue" by combining two crucial supplements in one easy-to-administer format.

Beyond product innovation, True Grace exemplifies environmental leadership through regenerative agriculture partnerships and sustainable packaging. They've helped certify Wisconsin's first ROC farm and removed over 13,000 pounds of plastic from Indonesian waters. For retailers seeking to attract younger demographics, especially mothers, Kristina's social media strategies and staff education approach offer a blueprint for success in natural retail. The True Grace story demonstrates that principled business practices can create both exceptional products and meaningful environmental impact—proving that doing good and doing well remain perfectly compatible goals.

Connect with us:

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Email: info@naturalproductsmarketer.com

About Amanda Ballard

Amanda has worked in natural products marketing in the retail setting since 2016 and has a great understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that retailers in this industry face. More than anything, she wants this industry to continue to boom and believes much of that success hinges on the ability of retailers to do well in their businesses and market their products effectively.

About Tina Smith

Since 2014, Tina has worked with multiple natural products businesses, discovering how to market their CBD products online, without having their payment processor shut them down, to letting customers talk about their health issues those products have helped them solve. She knows first hand how experts like you offer the best products and a superior customer experience, that is why she is committed to helping you find an easy way to grow your natural product business.

Imagine running your natural products business without the constant financial anxiety that plagues so many entrepreneurs. What if cash flow wasn't a mystery, and paying yourself was non-negotiable instead of an afterthought? That's the promise of Profit First, and our guest Ron Saharyan breaks down exactly how this revolutionary system works.

According to Ron, co-founder of Profit First Professionals, a staggering 83% of small businesses operate check-to-check, with owners often foregoing their own salaries just to keep the lights on. This creates a destructive cycle where entrepreneurs pour everything into their businesses while getting little in return. The Profit First methodology flips traditional financial thinking on its head by changing the formula from "Sales - Expenses = Profit" to "Sales - Profit = Expenses." This simple but profound shift ensures business owners pay themselves first and manage expenses within what remains.

The beauty of the system lies in its simplicity and psychological effectiveness. Using separate bank accounts for different purposes—profit, owner's pay, taxes, and operating expenses—creates clear guardrails that prevent overspending. When revenue comes in, it's immediately allocated according to predetermined percentages, removing the temptation to spend money that should be set aside. Ron recommends starting with just 1% allocations and gradually increasing them, making the system accessible to businesses at any stage.

For natural products businesses facing unique challenges around ingredient quality and educational marketing, Profit First provides the financial clarity needed to stay true to your mission while remaining sustainable. Instead of compromising on quality when margins get tight, you can make strategic decisions about pricing, positioning, and education that protect both your values and your bottom line.

Ready to transform your relationship with your business finances? Start small with just one or two additional bank accounts and experience the immediate relief and empowerment that comes with taking control of your cash flow. Your natural products business—and your personal financial health—will thank you.

Connect with us:

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Email: info@naturalproductsmarketer.com

About Amanda Ballard

Amanda has worked in natural products marketing in the retail setting since 2016 and has a great understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that retailers in this industry face. More than anything, she wants this industry to continue to boom and believes much of that success hinges on the ability of retailers to do well in their businesses and market their products effectively.

About Tina Smith

Since 2014, Tina has worked with multiple natural products businesses, discovering how to market their CBD products online, without having their payment processor shut them down, to letting customers talk about their health issues those products have helped them solve. She knows first hand how experts like you offer the best products and a superior customer experience, that is why she is committed to helping you find an easy way to grow your natural product business.