Being an entrepreneur is tough, but you don't have to do it alone. Through New Hope Network's Natural Business School, founders of emerging brands can network with their peers, more experienced brands and experts in CPG to share ideas for building a standout brand.

Instead of making Natural Products Business School an in-person event at Expo West, New Hope is hosting it on the Natural Products Expo Virtual Community platform for All-Access Community Members. No travel, no hotel, no sleeping in a strange bed, just the good stuff. This month's virtual business school includes 11 short sessions that cover unconventional business advice; the diversifying food industry; sustainability; decision making; and public relations. Read about five of them here, then find more information on the Natural Products Expo Virtual Community website. (All times are in Eastern Daylight Time.)

Keynote: Unconventional Business Advice from Powerhouse Startup Mid-Day Squares
11-11:20 a.m.
Jake Karls, founder, Mid-Day Squares

If you've followed Mid-Day Squares since the company's 2018 launch, you know that they've done things anything but the textbook way ... and it's working. To kick off our Natural Products Business School program, we'll hear from the masterminds behind this $18 million dollar chocolate startup.

Related:Who is the Natural Products Expo West Pitch Slam winner?

Your Down and Dirty Guide to In-Store Demos
12:30-12:35 p.m.
Ed Coffin, national brand manager, Natural & Organic Marketing

Getting your product in front of the face of the direct consumer with a live brand ambassador is a critical sales and marketing strategy, but it also comes with a plethora of hurdles and costs. Demos were basically non-existent during the pandemic, but retailers are finally beginning to open back up.

Tardigrades vs Unicorns: The Less Celebrated Path to Brand Success
12:50–1:10 p.m.
Elliot Begoun,  founder, TIG

Not all brands are destined to be unicorns: those that achieve hockey stick growth and exit on a bombastic note. More likely than not, you’re going to have more success being a tardigrade brand which, like its slow, bottom-feeding namesake, is a master of resilience and efficiency. Here's what you need to know about building a business with solid fundamentals, unit economics and a path to profitability that creates a positive EBITDA and positive cashflow.

Mission First: Building a Socially Conscious CPG Brand
1:20-1:40 p.m.
Daniel Scharff, CEO, Machu Picchu

This session is for mission-based brands looking to maximize their impact. Join Daniel Scharff, CEO of Machu Picchu Energy and Startup CPG founder, to learn about an innovative model for bringing about change—a flagship initiative in partnership with Miami Public Schools teaching kids to launch their own CPG companies. We'll talk about how to turn your mission into initiatives, and how to communicate them to your various audiences, including consumers, brand partners, and decision makers.

Related:Expo West Keynotes address diversity, innovation and joy

NEXTY Judges Tell All: How to Win Industry Awards
2:20-2:40 p.m.
Adrienne Smith, content director, New Hope Network
Claire Morton Reynolds, senior industry analyst, Nutrition Business Journal
Holly Adrien, natural & organics strategy and innovation manager, The Kroger Co.

Join a panel of NEXTY judges for an insider's look at which attributes and values stand out in the natural products industry's most prestigious awards program—and how preparing for these programs can help support your retail and investment strategies.

Additional Natural Products Expo Virtual sessions

Community members will also have access to a wide range of virtual programs offered throughout the year, including the following sessions:

Natural Products Business School supports emerging brands in finding the resources and information needed to fuel growth and scale impact. To participate in our April 27 programming and access On Demand content, become an All-Access Member of Natural Products Expo Virtual Community, which grants you access to premium content, industry benefits, buyer meetings and more throughout 2022