897: Jack Piper on Scaling a CPG From Local Market to Amazon

With excitement allow me to introduce to you today’s guest, Co-Founder of Jimmy Jack’s Rib Shack, Jack Piper. Jack got his start in Iowa City working at the legendary China Garden Restaurant, where he learned about amazing service, the importance of attention to detail, and leading by example. Jack, also a natural artist, used his ability to land himself in NYC where he was mentored by world-famous artist, Marilyn Minter. Minter took a likely to Jack, and as a result, jack got more opportunities than most in the world of art, but he was turned away by the art industry by its politics, however, this experience left a huge influence on his life. Jack went on to work in the FOH in many fine-dining restaurants throughout the US including NYC, Utah, and Texas before doing 4 years with the Cheesecake Factory where he learned a ton of systems and culture. In 1998 the Discussion to open Atlas in Iowa City, IA started and by 2000 the restaurant was open. Atlas had a successful 17-year run under Jack's ownership before he sold the restaurant to Matt Swift and Ben Smart. During that time Jack also opened Jimmy Jack's Rib Shack and Basta Italian Restaurant. He also took Jimmy Jack's popular BBQ sauces nationwide with Amazon, and throughout the region in 150 local retailers.

Check out episode 870 with Chef Pierre Hilzim and Monica Davidson as mentioned in today's episode.

Check out episode 894 with Jack Piper as mentioned in today's episode.

Today’s feature affiliate: Bentobox. In need of a restaurant website? Click this link to find out why so many of my guests use Bentobox!

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Favorite success quote or mantra:

• "Win your morning, win your day."

In this episode with Jack Piper we will discuss:

• Start by bottling sauces and selling them in your store, not online
• Can you at least pull off that much 👆🏽
• Packaging/graphic design
• Location (on a shelf)
• Obtaining a bar code
• Determining "Nutrition Facts"
• Distribution
• Determining "suggested retail"
• Contracts and lawyers
• Pricing
• Marketing

Today's sponsor:

This episode is brought to  you by Plate IQ, your Accounts Payable Automation and Expense Management solution. PateIQ works with 20,000 restaurants across the country. Plate IQ uses OCR "Optical Character Recognition" and Deep Machine Learning to eliminate manual data entry from the AP process. Automate the full life cycle of your invoices from General Ledger coding to bill payment via PlateIQ’s VendorPay network. With PlateIQ’s VendorPay you can seamless flow from invoice upload to paying your bills. You can earn cashback on invoices from over 180,000 vendors. With Plate IQ Vender Pay, you can see what is due when. Schedule payment by check/ACH/or Plate IQ Card. Lastly, VendorPay is also FOR Vendors. Keeping your vendors happy will give you leverage in negotiating your terms. Vendors participating in Plate IQ’s VendorPay network LOVE it because it shortens Day Sales Outstanding by 25% - AKA: Vendors get paid 25% faster. To learn more head to plateIQ.com/unstoppable to get at least 25% off implementation.

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Contact info:

• Instagram: @jimmyjacksribshack
• Email: iowacityjack@gamil.com

Thanks for listening!

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Huge thanks to Jack Piper for joining me for another awesome episode. Until next time!

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