About
From Profits to Purpose
From Profits to Purpose
So, here's the deal... at Botanical, we're not just another face in the crowd. Born from one heck of a reality check during the pandemic, we decided to go big or go home. And by big, we mean big on values, big on sustainability, and big on real impact. We took a long hard look in the mirror and knew profits weren't the be-all and end-all. We've got a bigger game to play.
Botanical isn't some fancy name we pulled out of a hat. It's our DNA. A bunch of us, right when the world seemed to be on a weird pause button, asked ourselves, Are we really making a dent in the universe?
The answer? Not yet. But boy, did that change. We pivoted, not because it was trendy, but because there was a calling to do business the right way - the sustainable way. Sure, we had those tempting moments, lucrative deals dangling in front of us.
But hey, we stuck to our guns. From Albany's hustling streets to Menlo Park's tech havens, we've been the wind beneath many a brand's wings. And we're just getting started.
At Botanical, we're not just strategists; we're your hands-on executors for exponential growth. We delve deep into product-market fit, refine pricing strategies, and hone sales and marketing dynamics. Through tailored approaches or SWAT and GAP analysis, we identify pivotal areas for optimization, applying the Pareto Principle (80/20) to ensure maximum impact with minimal input.
With us, you get a team that doesn't just strategize but actively seeks and seizes asymmetric opportunities, creating ripple effects of success for you, throughout the industry.
The CPG Dynamo
From New York's frenzied streets to California's dynamic coast, Drew Cesario's rich tapestry of experiences spans the world of wine, spirits, and cannabis. He’s not just a CPG aficionado but a connoisseur, having lent his Midas touch to giants like Pernod Ricard and sculpting California’s leading cannabis brands.
Though his prowess spans both e-commerce and physical stores, it's his co-founding venture in e-sports, LVLUp Dojo, showcases his entrepreneurial range. This venture, ultimately ending in a sale to Udemy's, is a testament to his knowledge of digital marketing,
Beyond business, Drew’s spirit soars outdoors as an avid climber, camper, and a newbie at free dive spearfishing. In Drew, Botanical doesn't just have a founder; it has a force.
The HR Maestro
Meet Cleo Clark, Botanical’s dynamic Chief People Officer and our go-to HR savant. With over two decades in human resources, Cleo's storied career boasts stints as the Global VP of Human Resources at Accor/sbe, influencing giants like EATALY, HARRI.com, Hilton Hotels, and more.
A New York native, his academic journey is as rich as his professional, holding degrees from both Baruch College and Johnson & Wales University. With Cleo at the helm, Botanical's commitment to a people-first approach is iron-clad. His charisma, paired with a knack for global HR strategies, means businesses don't just get a consultant; they embark on a journey of change management, peppered with growth, vibrancy, and fun.
Cleo will not join Drew in the outdoors. He prefers to stick to the Four Seasons.
The Real Estate Virtuoso with Earth at Heart
From Chicago's pulsating avenues to California's radiant coasts, Kate Sugars' narrative in commercial real estate is as dazzling as a comet's trail. A proud Badger from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she's not just about skyscrapers and deals. She's a nature lover - scaling Yosemite's trails, camping beneath a cascade of stars, and treading hiker's paths with grace and tenacity.
Professionally, she's a titan. Coast-to-coast, Kate's been the strategic mind behind iconic acquisition teams, masterfully steering top-tier investment pitches with finesse. But her true calling? Channeling this analytical prowess into bolstering CPG brands defined by passion and sustainability. An unwavering environmentalist, Kate actively transforms her admiration for nature into tangible actions, fervently championing initiatives like beach clean ups.
In the intricate dance of business and benevolence, Kate Sugars strikes a captivating balance, intertwining commercial sagacity with an unyielding commitment to our Earth.
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The CPG Dynamo
From New York's frenzied streets to California's dynamic coast, Drew Cesario's rich tapestry of experiences spans the world of wine, spirits, and cannabis. He’s not just a CPG aficionado but a connoisseur, having lent his Midas touch to giants like Pernod Ricard and sculpting California’s leading cannabis brands. Though his prowess spans both e-commerce and physical stores, it's his co-founding venture in e-sports, LVLUp Dojo, showcases his entrepreneurial range. This venture, ultimately ending in a sale to Udemy's, is a testament to his knowledge of digital marketing,
Beyond business, Drew’s spirit soars outdoors as an avid climber, camper, and a newbie at free dive spearfishing. In Drew, Botanical doesn't just have a founder; it has a force.
The HR Maestro
Meet Cleo Clark, Botanical’s dynamic Chief People Officer and our go-to HR savant. With over two decades in human resources, Cleo's storied career boasts stints as the Global VP of Human Resources at Accor/sbe, influencing giants like EATALY, HARRI.com, Hilton Hotels, and more. A New York native, his academic journey is as rich as his professional, holding degrees from both Baruch College and Johnson & Wales University. With Cleo at the helm, Botanical's commitment to a people-first approach is iron-clad. His charisma, paired with a knack for global HR strategies, means businesses don't just get a consultant; they embark on a journey of change management, peppered with growth, vibrancy, and fun.
Cleo will not join Drew in the outdoors. He prefers to stick to the Four Seasons.
The Real Estate Virtuoso with Earth at Heart
From Chicago's pulsating avenues to California's radiant coasts, Kate Sugars' narrative in commercial real estate is as dazzling as a comet's trail. A proud Badger from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she's not just about skyscrapers and deals. She's a nature lover - scaling Yosemite's trails, camping beneath a cascade of stars, and treading hiker's paths with grace and tenacity.
Professionally, she's a titan. Coast-to-coast, Kate's been the strategic mind behind iconic acquisition teams, masterfully steering top-tier investment pitches with finesse. But her true calling? Channeling this analytical prowess into bolstering CPG brands defined by passion and sustainability. An unwavering environmentalist, Kate actively transforms her admiration for nature into tangible actions, fervently championing initiatives like beach cleanups.
In the intricate dance of business and benevolence, Kate Sugars strikes a captivating balance, intertwining commercial sagacity with an unyielding commitment to our Earth.
The Ethical
Mandate:
We're not playing around when we talk about the planet. Green isn't just a buzzword for us; it's our north star. And we get it – folks want the best. But guess what? If it's green and awesome, it's like hitting the jackpot.
Bridging Continents and
Complexity:
From coastlines to city skylines, we're the bridge in the CPG chaos. Some see a tangled web; we see a rock concert waiting to kick off. With us, your brand's gonna dance like nobody's watching.
Passion, the Heartbeat of
Botanical:
Whether it's boosting Cannabis brands in Albany or jazzing up Fitness Tech in Menlo Park, it’s passion that pumps through our veins. Got fire in your belly? Step right in. If not, maybe we're not your gig.
"To sum it up, in the crazy world of consulting, think of Botanical as your no-BS guide. We're not here to just tick boxes. We're here to craft epic tales of brands that not only make bucks but make a difference."
Oh, and a humblebrag moment - within our rookie year, we jumped onto the '1% For The Planet' bandwagon. And we're not stopping. B Corp Certified? That's the dream, and we're chasing it full throttle.
