Coconut Inspired Innovation and Beverage Business with Alan Cohen, Co-Founder and CEO KoKoMio and Matt Kovacs, President Blaze PR

Nature teaches us about sustainability, insulation, and freshness. You just have to know where to look. Alan Cohen, CEO of KoKomio found his inspiration in the Mexican coconut and is building a deliciously natural beverage brand, a multi-use co-packing facility, and Ko Ko Chill - a cold-pack insulation technique inspired by nature's design.  Matt Kovacs, the CEO of Blaze PR joins me today as we discover a new brand that is making its way into America.

 

Kokomio – mission and purpose

Vertically integrated

Circular economy model - Take care of people, profits, and the environment

90% of US coconut beverages come from Asian coconuts – imagine the carbon footprint!

Cold press in Mexico retail very successful - helped launch into more markets

The coconut broker model didn’t work – inconsistent quality

KoKomio trained the coconut harvesters and gave them better wages and benefits to improve the quality of coconuts harvested and the communities.

Using the entire coconut to reduce the cost of shipping and improve insulation

Called “Co-Co Chill”. You can use the insulation in your garden!

Sales and marketing strategy

Consumers can scan the QR code and look at the whole supply chain and see a more sustainable product

US expansion plan – learning how the consumer works

What are the storylines you are getting from the consumer?

People who were hesitant to try because they didn’t like coconut, loved it because it is different – fresh, just like it was from the tree

“Beach in the bottle”

Expo West was a success

Foodies: How it’s made, coconut maturity level dictates taste. Each one contains MCT, electrolytes, and plant protein, and additional flavors are not added, they blend in actual fruit. 70% less natural sugar than Asian coconuts

3 categories of competitors – cheap brands, raw refrigerated, specialty

Trial and demo strategies, POS promotions, rebates, events, and VW bugs!

 

Season 3, Episode 18

• Kokomio
  
  • Website
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
• Connect with Alan Cohen
• Connect with Matt Kovacs
• Connect with Tony

About me and my mission and the podcast:

Are you looking for a fun and light-hearted podcast to discover unique brands and learn about the people and strategies successful companies are implementing in the CPG and Food and Beverage Industry?  The brands featured here take us into the world of innovation, sustainability, good for you, lifestyle, QSR, Foodservice, Distribution, DTC, Club, and more.

I am a fun-loving business leader, podcaster, husband, dad, cyclist, and Convention of States volunteer in my spare time. My mission is to discover the people and ideas behind these different, better, and special companies. 

 

Entrepreneurs and CEOs, are you:

Searching for distributor or broker partners? 

Actively prospecting commercial buyers to gain more points of distribution?

Searching for the right person to add to the team?

My Direct Response Marketing Service attracts exactly what you need to help your brand thrive and grow. 

Here is a NOVEL approach to ATTRACT distributors, buyers, and people (DEMO)

 

Contact me: Tony@timpl.com

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