From Family Recipe to Challenger Brand | Category Disruptors - Laurel Orley of Daily Crunch - Episode 398
Release Date: 06/24/2025
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The Category Disruptors Series continues!
It’s time for Part 3 in our series spotlighting the female CEOs and founders behind some of the fastest-growing and most innovative brands in their categories.
In this episode, we spotlight Laurel Orley, co-founder and CEO of Daily Crunch—the sprouted nut snack brand shaking up what they call the “trusty but dusty” nut category.
It’s a thoughtful conversation and another strong addition to the series—tune in for the full story.
"There's a lot of FOMO out there. You see unicorn brands doing amazing, and it's so easy to think: how did they make $1M in 5 minutes? Why not me? But you have to stay on your path."
Laurel Orley
KEY TAKEAWAYS
In this episode, Laurel, Julie, and Jordan discuss:
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Laurel Orley’s transition from a career at major brands like Unilever to founding Daily Crunch Snacks, inspired by her aunt’s unique sprouted nut process.
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How Daily Crunch’s sprouted, dehydrated nuts stand out for their crunch, health benefits, and clean label.
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The creative process behind their flavors, including collaborations with other brand and the upcycling of pickle ends for sustainability.
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Daily Crunch’s commitment to women-owned certification and giving back through mental health initiatives
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Laurel shares how her corporate background provided valuable skills, but also discusses the steep learning curve and differences when moving to a founder role.
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The role of accelerators like SKU, mentorship, and the Vanderbilt intern pipeline in helping Daily Crunch grow and evolve.
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Hard-earned lessons in supply chain, pricing, product launches, and the realities of growing a snack brand during the pandemic.
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Exciting updates for 2025, including a new flavor and refreshed packaging highlighting nutritional benefits.
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The importance of staying focused on your own brand journey, leveraging available resources, and maintaining a mindset of continual learning.