Inside Seaweed #22: Akua with Courtney Boyd Myers – How to build a seaweed brand, engaging with your audience and learning what they want, developing a kelp burger, sustainability and why people buy a product.

Courtney Boyd Myers (Founder & CEO of AKUA) is an entrepreneur, environmentalist, writer, and new Mama to Romy Ocean. Prior to launching AKUA, she helped build the Summit Community, a global network of founders, creatives, and innovators. Previously, she helped market companies such as Four Sigmatic and Unframed Ice Cream. She began her career as a journalist at Forbes Magazine and The Next Web and has been recognized as one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business. She currently serves as an advisor to GreenWave.

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[2:55] Seaweed and food a one possible solution for climate change and environmental crisis

[5:10] The spark and hopes behind starting a food brand, Akua.

[10:30] Bringing an innovative product into the market: Akua's story and key lessons.

[14:00] The Kelp Beta Burger Club: how Akua engaged with their audience and learn what they wanted.

[17:05] How to build a successful food brand – advice for startups.

[18:25] Does sustainability drives why consumers buy products?

[21:10] Measuring positive environmental impact for a food brand.

[22:15] Marketing and storytelling: how Akua's message and strategy evolved.

[35:05] The risk in forcing the climate and sustainability message.

[36:55] Dos, Don’ts and practical advice for entrepreneurs starting a food business.

[42:00] Potential for using different seaweed species and regenerative food sources.

[43:05] The importance of simplification where the seaweed supply chain is so complicated.

[44:15] How are brain works around food and how to change perception.

Useful Links:

Courtney's presentation given at Seagriculture in Portland.

Courtney Boyd Myers: LinkedIn, Website, Blog, Twitter.

Akua: Website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok, Facebook.

Get in touch on ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠, or by emailing me directly at [email protected] – Please send in your feedback: what do you want to hear more or less of? any suggestions? Would love to hear what you think!

Next year Seagriculture conferences:

Seagriculture EU: 18 – 20 June 2024, Tórshavn, Faroe Islands

Embark on a journey that is truly one of a kind! Seagriculture EU 2024 is not just a conference, it is a unique experience – a limited edition. Join the exclusive site visit to Ocean Rainforest: It will be a full-day trip to explore their facilities, experience a scenic drive on the Faroe Islands and gain insights from captivating presentations.

Seagriculture USA: 11 – 12 September 2024, Ketchikan, Alaska

Alaska's suitability for seaweed cultivation lies in its clean, cold, and nutrient-rich coastal waters, along with long daylight hours during the summer, making it an ideal environment for seaweed growth. On top of that Alaska is home to some of the most breathtaking natural landscapes in the world. Visiting Alaska can be an adventure of a lifetime, offering experiences and memories that will stay with you forever.