tom bannister & tom's perfect 10

we're creating space for the brains behind the brands we love, and asking good questions along the way. the result is a deep dive into the how and why of brand-building, from blueprints to launch day, customers as community and the detours in between. big lessons, easy listening.

In this episode of Read Receipt, we explore the entrepreneurial journey of Tom Bannister, the founder of Tom's Perfect 10, a granola brand that thrives on feedback and iteration. From sending out his first batch of granola with scorecards to publicly sharing every review, Tom's unique approach to product development has set his brand apart. Join us as Tom shares the highs and lows of his journey, the lessons learned from customer feedback, and the passion that drives his business. Discover how Tom's Perfect 10 has grown from a simple idea to a beloved brand with a loyal following.

Tune in to hear Tom's insights on entrepreneurship, product innovation, and the power of community feedback.

Sit back, relax, and enjoy the conversation!
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The Show Notes

Summary:‍

Tom Bannister, founder of Tom's Perfect 10, shares his unique approach to product development and customer engagement. Starting with the idea of sending out granola with scorecards for public reviews, Tom's journey is marked by transparency and a dedication to improvement. He discusses the importance of customer feedback, the challenges of scaling his business, and the joys of creating a product that people love. The conversation also delves into the lessons Tom has learned from his customers and how these insights have shaped his brand's success.‍

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Keywords:‍

granola, customer feedback, product development, entrepreneurship, transparency, scaling a business, community engagement, innovation, food industry, brand building‍

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Takeaways:

1. Tom Bannister's journey from idea to successful brand is driven by customer feedback and iteration.
2. Transparency and engagement with customers are key elements of Tom's Perfect 10's success.
3. The challenges of scaling a business can be mitigated by maintaining a strong connection with your customer base.
4. Continuous improvement and innovation are essential in the competitive food industry.
5. Building a brand that people love requires dedication, passion, and a willingness to learn from feedback.

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Sound Bites:

• "Building a brand is about staying true to your values and creating a strong connection with your audience."
• "The feedback was real, and I was sharing everything. If someone gave me a one out of ten, I shared it."
• "By the time I got to launching Tom's Perfect 10, I'd been doing that for 13 months and had thousands of scorecards."
• "It's funny because the fact that you didn't know publicly... made it less of a fear-based thing."
• "The following on Instagram, the followers, the people who'd followed this journey to date, were just really supportive."

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Chapters:

00:00 - Tom's Background and Journey-
Tom introduces himself and shares his journey from the initial idea to founding Tom's Perfect 10.

08:01 - The Inspiration Behind Tom's Perfect 10-
Tom discusses the personal and professional experiences that inspired him to create his brand.

12:30 - Developing the Feedback Loop-
Tom explains his innovative approach to product development using customer feedback and scorecards.

23:17 - Importance of Transparency and Customer Connection-
The conversation delves into how transparency and customer connection have shaped Tom's Perfect 10.

25:30 - Challenges and Opportunities in the Food Industry-
Tom talks about the challenges and opportunities of building a granola brand and scaling his business.

27:26 - Commitment to Continuous Improvement-
Tom highlights his dedication to continuous improvement and innovation in his products.

31:23 - Building a Strong Brand Identity-
The discussion explores the importance of staying true to core values and connecting with consumers.

36:02 - The Vision for Tom's Perfect 10-
Tom shares his vision for the future of his brand and his goals for Tom's Perfect 10.

47:37 - Lessons Learned from Customer Feedback-
Tom emphasizes the valuable lessons he has learned from customer feedback and how it has shaped his brand.

51:43 - Final Thoughts and Insights-
Tom wraps up the conversation with final thoughts and valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs.

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