From Startup to Standout: Scaling Your CPG Brand with Expert Power

Scaling isn’t just about increasing sales—it’s about building the right strategy, team, and tools to grow with intention. You need to know when to invest, where to streamline, and how to turn momentum into long-term success. The secret? Surrounding yourself with expert insights that fuel smarter decisions and sustainable growth. 

The Nasdaq Center is excited to be joined by Stephanie Warlick, Founder and CEO at 5FT View Consulting LLC and Fractional Executive, for a session designed to help product-based entrepreneurs scale with clarity and confidence. Learn how to tap into the fractional advantage to access top-tier expertise without full-time overhead, explore real-world case studies from emerging CPG brands, and see how to use AI, automation, and data to strengthen operations and speed up your growth trajectory.

Key Takeaways: 

• Discover how fractional executives help you scale smarter and faster—without hiring full-time. 

• Learn what worked (and what didn’t) from consumer product brands that have navigated the scaling process firsthand. 

• See how modern tools can streamline decision-making and fuel faster, more efficient growth. 

OUR SPECIAL GUESTS

Stephanie Warlick

Founder and CEO at 5FT View Consulting

With over thirty years of leadership across operations, HR, and business transformation, Stephanie Simmons Warlick is the founder and driving force behind 5FT View Consulting and the 5FT View Fractional Expert Collective. She is a seasoned builder of businesses and teams, known for spotting organizational gaps, creating clarity, and translating vision into results.

At the helm of the Fractional Expert Collective, Stephanie unites a powerhouse of proven executives COOs, CFOs, CMOs, CROs, GCs, and more who deliver full-time impact on a fractional basis. Under her leadership, the Collective has become a trusted partner for founder-led companies, private equity firms, and growing enterprises that need deep expertise without the overhead of full-time hires.

Unlike traditional consultants who prescribe from a distance, Stephanie works in the trenches with leaders. Whether serving as a fractional COO, Chief People Officer, Integrator, or AI Advisor, she rolls up her sleeves to implement systems, strengthen teams, and create scalable structures that unlock growth.

She believes in building organizations where every person has the necessary skills and passion for their work, the training and tools needed to succeed, and clear accountability and expectations as the foundation.

Beyond her client work, Stephanie is also a sought-after speaker and author. She shares practical insights on human-first AI integration, digital accessibility, and her signature “Owner Mindset” approach, which inspires professionals to adopt entrepreneurial accountability in their roles.

With her rare blend of operational mastery, people-centered leadership, and vision for the future of work, Stephanie continues to redefine how businesses scale through collective expertise, smart systems, and human-led innovation.

2025 Stevie Award Finalist 5FT View Consulting, LLC Category: Startup of the Year - Business Services Industries

Stephanie Warlick Category: Best Female Entrepreneur – Business Services – 10 or Less Employees

Dark and Silent Office: A Digital Accessibility Guidebook for Inclusive Communication in the Workplace Category: Book of the Year

John C. Behling

Fractional CCO at 5FT View Consulting

John brings more than two decades of experience to lifestyle brands.

A Midwesterner at heart, John was born and raised in Wisconsin before spending many years in Chicago, where he found his footing in the branding and consumer packaged goods (CPG) world. Partnering with top-tier international companies such as Quaker, Kraft General Foods, Keebler, Gatorade, Life Fitness, Red Bull, and Jim Beam Brands, John gained vast experience creating solid foundations for new brands to flourish and thrive.

He and his family left Chicago to become Vice President of Global Marketing for MasterCraft Boats in Tennessee from there he continued in leadership roles with Coca-Cola, New Era Cap. and House of Blues Entertainment in Los Angeles. Most recently, John was the CMO and on the Board of Directors of the American buyout group that purchased Clearly Canadian Food & Beverage Company, Ltd., bringing this iconic 90s brand back to the shelves. John is a graduate of Iowa State University and has been a guest lecturer and taken advanced executive classes at The Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. When John isn’t strategizing and leading iconic brands, he can be found enjoying time outdoors with his family, venturing out on skis to the top of the mountain or running a slalom course on the lake.

Paul Soseman

Fractional CMO at 5FT View Consulting

Paul Soseman is a leading experiential marketing expert with over 25 years of experience in the events industry. As the founder and CEO of Department Zero (2002 to 2020), he built and scaled a boutique experiential agency across three U.S. offices, producing award-winning activations for Toyota, TikTok, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Phillips 66, Lufthansa Airlines, Sonic Drive-Ins, Subaru, Vanity Fair Lingerie, Verizon Wireless, and many more.

Throughout his career, Paul has delivered more than 60,000 live event activations across nearly every corner of the United States. He is known for his unique approach to data-driven creative strategy, budget optimization, ROI measurement, strong vendor and staffing plans, and steady on-site leadership. His work spans auto shows, mobile road shows, B2B trade shows, pop-ups, sponsorship activations at concerts and sporting events, college activations, PR stunts, conferences, employee training events, and more.

Today, Paul consults with select partners to help design, deploy, and optimize strategic live experiences that engage and educate consumers, build trust, and achieve measurable impact. Whether collaborating as part of the team or providing turnkey solutions, Paul delivers fast answers, reliable execution, and proven strategies. His focus is on the handoff between brand strategy & event production, turning big ideas into real-life experiences. Over the years, he has built a network of trusted production partners and support teams, so every project has the right people behind it, without unnecessary layers or waste.

Paul studied at the University of Kansas, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism with an emphasis on Advertising and Psychology. He is a Kansas City native, an avid KU Basketball fan, and enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and family.

Jib Hunt

Fractional CMO at 5FT View Consulting

Revenue-driven operations and marketing executive with 15+ years of experience scaling B2B and B2C organizations in action sports, outdoor, and technology sectors.

Proven track record of driving measurable growth through strategic marketing initiatives, team leadership, and operational excellence.

Successfully generated $1.1B+ in marketing-influenced pipeline and built high-performing teams up to 15 members across multiple industries.

The Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center is a 501c(3) public charity whose mission it is to make entrepreneurship accessible to all. We deliver free resources, expert guidance, and top-tier mentorship to over 100,000 entrepreneurs worldwide. Your support helps us continue delivering these transformative programs—expanding access to entrepreneurship and driving economic progress for all. Join us and make a gift today to help more entrepreneurs thrive!

All Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least 48 hours in advance of this event; please send an email to webinarhost@thecenter.nasdaq.org with the subject header ACCOMMODATION REQUEST. For assistance with registration or other technical difficulties, please contact anna.vanmaanen@thecenter.nasdaq.org