How a CPG Founder Built a Clean Protein Bar—Backed by an NBA Champion | Retail lessons on brand, growth & integrity with George Goodwin, 4th Gen Grocer & CPG Founder | GroceryPulse Podcast

In this episode of GroceryPulse, host George Goodwin sits down with Jacqueline Smith, Founder & CEO of E3 Energy Cubes—a Utah-based, woman-owned protein bar brand on a mission to “change the flavor of healthy.” Jacqueline shares how an accountant’s mindset (yes—math) helped her build a better-for-you bar with balanced macros (fats, carbs, protein), clean ingredients, and flavor that actually hits.You’ll hear how E3 went from a commercial kitchen concept to manufacturing in-house, why the bar is shaped into three shareable cubes, and how Jacqueline landed 2x NBA Champion Norris Cole as an early investor after a wild “I don’t know why I’m here… oh THAT’S why” moment. The conversation also dives into real founder realities: ingredient sourcing, label transparency (including seed oil nuances in dried fruit), the cashflow math of CPG, packaging lessons (why black looked amazing online but disappeared in-store), and what it takes to keep going when you’re exhausted—but the mission is bigger than you.Chapters00:00 – Welcome + Jacqueline’s mission to make healthy taste good01:38 – Why E3 started with math, not “food creativity”03:22 – Cleaning up a tasty recipe: boosting protein, fiber, and removing extra sugars04:31 – What E3 Energy Cubes are: 3 squares + 5 flavors11:07 – How the first flavors were chosen12:30 – The Norris Cole story: gut instinct → first investor17:10 – Staying true to the mission (and being transparent about ingredients)19:12 – “Seed oil-free” nuance + sourcing realities at small scale23:17 – Natural flavors, propylene glycol, and what founders should watch for27:18 – Why Jacqueline manufactures in-house (and how she bought machinery early)29:20 – Expo West 2020 shutdown + surviving COVID as a new CPG brand30:24 – Packaging pivot: why black film didn’t work in refrigerated sets32:40 – Biggest sales channels: convenience + Circle K, plus new retail wins34:10 – The margin squeeze: distributors, freight, demos, and buying power36:43 – RFPs, comparing quotes, and logistics math that saves real money38:30 – What “women-owned certified” means (and Jacqueline’s merit-based view)42:21 – “Burned the ships”: what keeps her motivated46:23 – Avoiding budget traps: shows, ads, and follow-up systems49:29 – Online vs retail strategy without undercutting stores53:46 – Fire chat: joy, favorite flavors, and what’s next in 202657:46 – Advice for founders who want to manufacture themselves1:05:20 – E3 fundraising: raising to prep for major Q1 growthGuest: Jacqueline Smith — Founder & CEO, E3 Energy Cubes🌐 Website: E3EnergyCubes.com🥶 Tip: They’re refrigerated, cube-style, and built for busy everyday people who still care about ingredients.Sponsor: Kōbu Kombucha PowderA modern take on kombucha designed for gut health, hydration, and everyday wellness—without the sugar bomb.✨ Clean, convenient kombucha powder you can take anywhere.🌐 Learn more or try it out: www.enjoykobu.comHost: George GoodwinInnovar Marketing AgencyHelping grocery, retail, and CPG brands tell better stories, grow community, and launch products with real-world traction — from in-store to digital.📧 Contact Innovar: marketing@innovaragency.com🌐 Learn more: www.innovaragency.com