81. What 26 years in the Natural and Organic market can teach you with Ian Walker - Founder & President at Hippie Snacks & Owner of Left Coast Naturals.

In 1996 a Natural Nut Butter brand called Skeet & Ike's (developed by Ian Walker and Jason Dorland) entered the world and quickly grew into becoming an Organic snack and distribution business hustling organic popcorn, organic granola and organic trail mixes locally and down into the North Western states of the USA. 

In 2008, Skeet and Ike's changed gears and rebranded as Hippie Snacks and in 2009 the distribution arm of the business became its own entity: Left Coast Naturals. 

Today, Left Coast Naturals has a fleet of trucks, a 32,000 square foot warehouse, and a 10,000 square foot production facility located in Burnaby BC. They distribute nearly 30 brands, nearly 200 organic and natural bulk foods, and manufacture three of their own brands: Hippie Snacks, Left Coast Bulk Foods, and Left Coast Organics. 

With ethical and environmentally responsible practices at the forefront of their business mission, Left Coast Naturals & Hippie Snacks became one of Canada’s founding Certified B Corporations - A huge achievement in its own right.

Today’s episode with Ian covers the startup story and operational nuances of Left Coast Naturals and Hippie Snacks - a great conversation for anyone in the natural and organic space who is interested in the history of the channel and shifts that an organization can see over the course of 2 decades.

As Ian so eloquently put it “we’re all standing on the shoulders of the giants who came before us” - and for those who are just getting started in the industry, Ian Walker IS one of those amazingly gifted, giving and humble giants.    

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Web: https://www.hippiesnacks.com/ 

Web: https://www.leftcoastnaturals.com/ 

IG: @hippiesnacks 

LinkedIn: Ian Walker 

Email: ian@leftcoastnaturals.com 

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