Welcome to the eighth episode of the NJFPA Stradley Ronon Food Forum Podcast. In this episode, Bill Mandia, Partner at Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP, speaks with Jared Cannon, Founder and CEO of Simply Good Jars. Bill and Jared talk about COVID causing a 98% sales loss and how they bounced back, hiring and the Shark Tank.

Guest Bio:

Jared brought his concept for Simply Good Jars to life by taking a huge risk and leaving an 18-year career working for celebrated restaurants and growing fast-casual eateries. Simply Good Jars was founded in 2017 in Philly, has been featured on Season 12 of Shark Tank and is in the midst of expanding to towns all across the United States.

To give you a bit more of Jared’s background, here’s his introduction, taken directly from simplygoodjars.com:

“Working full time and studying to earn my MBA at night – eating a meal usually meant something fast, easily available, and often unhealthy."

"My fast-food choices had me feeling guilty, tired, and never satisfied. I realized that this wasn’t a challenge for just me – that there was an incredible need outside of traditional eateries for faster, healthier, food options that are actually delicious…so I took the leap.”

Listeners will hear: 

• How a personal problem turned into a business opportunity.
• How COVID caused them to instantly lose 98% of sales and upended their entire business model - but focusing on their values and strengths led to a natural pivot.
• Redefining what “profit” means for an organization.
• Company culture that has made hiring fast and employees highly motivated. “We’ve never written a job description.”
• Jared’s almost missed opportunity on Shark Tank.
• Jared’s predictions for future changes in the food industry.

Download the Edited Interview Transcript