Episode 69: Competing with Beverage Goliaths Through Family Power with Matt McLean
Synopsis
Episode 69. In this episode of the Lifetime at Work podcast, host Greg Martin interviews Matt McLean, founder of Uncle Matt's Organics. Celebrating its 25th year, Uncle Matt's is America's leading organic juice brand.
Matt shares his family's deep roots in Florida's citrus farming, transitioning from conventional to organic agriculture, and the journey of building a national brand. The conversation explores topics such as selling the business to Dean Foods, buying it back after their bankruptcy, competing against industry giants like Coke and Pepsi, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.
Matt emphasizes the importance of leadership, sales skills, and financial literacy in building a successful business.
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
01:53 Matt McLean's Business Roots and Early Career
04:00 The Birth of Uncle Matt's Organics
06:38 Challenges and Successes in Organic Farming
12:44 Building and Scaling the Business
16:16 Selling and Reacquiring the Business
22:15 Navigating the Orange Juice Industry
22:57 Commitment to Organic Farming
24:09 Innovations in Juice Products
25:21 Challenges Competing with Giants
28:23 Expanding Product Lines
30:53 Lessons from Failures
33:53 Family Dynamics in Business
38:51 The Perfect Glass of Orange Juice
42:06 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
43:33 Where to Find Uncle Matt's Products
Background and Key Links
CEO and Founder of Uncle Matt’s Organic
Founded his business in June 1999. Sold the company to Dean Foods in 2017, then buying in back in 2020 after the larger bankruptcy of Dean Foods.
Find Matt on Linked-In