Yanni Hufnagel

2022-03-17 Yanni Hufnagel (born August 26, 1982) is an American entrepreneur, former college basketball coach, and the founder and CEO of Atlanta-based The Lemon Perfect Company, maker of the enhanced water brand Lemon Perfect. Coulter Christina January 21, 2021 L.A.-Based Lemon Perfect Relocating To Atlanta https://whatnowatlanta.com/l-a-based-lemon-perfect-relocating-to-atlanta/ What Now Atlanta April 14, 2021https://www.businessinsider.com/lemon-perfect-pitch-deck-31-million-series-a-beyonce-2022-4%7C Check out the pitch deck that convinced investors like Beyoncé to pour $31 million into beverage brand Lemon Perfect's Series A Business Insider Before starting Lemon Perfect, he served as an assistant coach of the Nevada Wolf Pack men's basketball team under Eric Musselman. He previously served as an assistant coach for the California Golden Bears, Vanderbilt Commodores, and Harvard Crimson. Hufnagel was regarded as one of the top recruiters in college basketball. thumb|Lemon Perfect Founder and CEO Yanni Hufnagel Quotes Life is never a straight line. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNIviBqtc2k YouTube Episode 1 Yanni Hufnagel YouTube.com January 26, 2023 Every day I got up and I just tried to put one foot in front of the other and get a little bit better and get closer to being able to really wake up in the morning and dream big in a realistic way. https://medium.com/@yannihufnagellemon/yanni-hufnagel-taste-radio-the-perfect-plan-to-become-a-billion-dollar-brand-a3a8f090ac95 Medium Yanni Hufnagel + Taste Radio: The ‘Perfect’ Plan To Become A Billion-Dollar Brand medium.com October 25, 2022 I have to tell you, Ray, I’ve been obsessive about protecting our IP, really from second one. So I think the registration was not that far behind, yes. And when I speak with other founders — not only in food and beverage — the first thing I always ask is, “Have you filed to trademark your IP, your name?” Because without that, generally speaking, you’re back to zero. I mean, a name change after you launch is very challenging, if not impossible. And so one of the first things I ask after, “Are you well capitalized?” and “Let me try the product. How does it taste?” would be, “Do you own your IP?” https://medium.com/@yannihufnagellemon/yanni-hufnagel-taste-radio-the-perfect-plan-to-become-a-billion-dollar-brand-a3a8f090ac95 Medium Yanni Hufnagel + Taste Radio: The ‘Perfect’ Plan To Become A Billion-Dollar Brand medium.com October 25, 2022 I jumped up, and that night I googled how to start a beverage company. And what I’ll say is the skill set between coaching college basketball and recruiting at that level and building a beverage company — they’re very harmonious. And I had a fascination with consumer brands — even when I was coaching — especially those in the natural channel. And so there’s been real utility in my coaching skill set now as we’re building this business. https://medium.com/@yannihufnagellemon/yanni-hufnagel-taste-radio-the-perfect-plan-to-become-a-billion-dollar-brand-a3a8f090ac95 Medium Yanni Hufnagel + Taste Radio: The ‘Perfect’ Plan To Become A Billion-Dollar Brand medium.com October 25, 2022 There’s nothing in the category with our flavor profile, the freshness of our flavor profile, our nutritional deck, and zero sugar. We’re bottled in 100% recycled plastic, and we’re organic. I think we’ve got magic inside the bottle. When people drink the brand, they come back in a big way, and the data suggests that. https://thebossmagazine.com/yanni-hufnagel-changing-how-people-drink-water/ The Boss Magazine CEO Yanni Hufnagel is Changing How People Drink Water TasteRadio.com June 21, 2022 We’re going to change the way people drink water. To do that, you have to be able to play on price. https://thebossmagazine.com/yanni-hufnagel-changing-how-people-drink-water/ The Boss Magazine CEO Yanni Hufnagel is Changing How People Drink Water TasteRadio.com June 21, 2022 It doesn’t matter how much money you make, what you look like, where you shop, where you live. Flavor knows no boundaries. https://thebossmagazine.com/yanni-hufnagel-changing-how-people-drink-water/ The Boss Magazine CEO Yanni Hufnagel is Changing How People Drink Water TasteRadio.com June 21, 2022 The four Ps that I consider paramount to winning in the beverage business are product, price, packaging, and people. We got that right early on. https://thebossmagazine.com/yanni-hufnagel-changing-how-people-drink-water/ The Boss Magazine CEO Yanni Hufnagel is Changing How People Drink Water TasteRadio.com June 21, 2022 My heart wants this brand to be ubiquitous. Sometimes you get one opportunity to build something that can be ubiquitous in the way that Lemon Perfect can be. https://thebossmagazine.com/yanni-hufnagel-changing-how-people-drink-water/ The Boss Magazine CEO Yanni Hufnagel is Changing How People Drink Water TasteRadio.com June 21, 2022 As we dive meaningfully into the NIL ecosystem, we're honored to have C.J. join our Lemon Perfect team as a spokesperson for great-tasting healthy hydration. C.J. is a one-of-a-kind football prospect whose reach will continue to accelerate with each Herculean play he makes on the field. Powered by lemons, C.J. is poised to have one of the best statistical seasons ever by a Heisman-winning quarterback while leading Ohio State to a national championship. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/heisman-trophy-favorite-cj-stroud-inks-lemon-perfect-endorsement-deal-301616559.html PR Newswire Heisman Trophy Favorite C.J. Stroud Inks Lemon Perfect Endorsement Deal prnewswire.com September 1, 2022 We're honored to have Sloane join our Lemon Perfect team as an investor and spokeswoman for great-tasting healthy hydration. Sloane's championship-level grit, unbounded positivity, and commitment to providing more opportunities to underserved children through education and sports serve as a great North Star for all of our stakeholders, and we are excited for her lemon-powered run at this year's US Open. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/former-us-open-tennis-champion-sloane-stephens-joins-lemon-perfect-as-investor--spokeswoman-301610923.html PR Newswire Heisman Trophy Favorite C.J. Stroud Inks Lemon Perfect Endorsement Deal prnewswire.com August 23, 2022 Our partnership with Jared is exciting for Lemon Perfect as we dive meaningfully into the NIL ecosystem. That Jared is both an NBA prospect and social media star is unique. He is a one-of-a-kind basketball prospect and content creator whose talent in front of the camera and on the court will help drive brand awareness as Lemon Perfect continues its quest to become the number one brand in the enhanced water category by dollar share. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lemon-perfect-scores-partnership-with-five-star-basketball-talent-jared-mccain-301608633.html PR Newswire Lemon Perfect Scores Partnership with Five-Star Basketball Talent Jared McCain prnewswire.com August 18, 2022 Lemon Perfect is disrupting the enhanced water category by offering a better-for you, better-tasting product that is resonating broadly with the American consumer. Today is a monumental day for Lemon Perfect. Jim is a best-in-industry sales executive and passionate people leader whose experience is unsurpassed. His sales strategy will drive revenue and profit while accelerating Lemon Perfect's rise toward its goal of becoming the number one brand in the multibillion-dollar enhanced water category by market share. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lemon-perfect-appoints-jim-brennan-as-president-and-chief-revenue-officer-301585197.html PR Newswire LEMON PERFECT APPOINTS JIM BRENNAN AS PRESIDENT AND CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER prnewswire.com July 14, 2022 She had posted a photo with it in her limo, and all of a sudden my phone blew up. We came to learn that she was an authentic fan of the brand. A year later, one of our investors was in her house and saw her stash in the fridge and helped us build the bridge with her. It is beyond my wildest dreams to have someone of her influence being a fan of the brand. https://techcrunch.com/2022/04/28/two-years-after-lemon-perfect-was-spotted-in-beyonces-limo-the-superstar-is-now-a-backer/ TechCrunch Two years after Lemon Perfect was spotted in Beyoncé’s limo, the superstar is now a backer techcrunch.com April 28, 2022 Nothing with our flavor and health profile is on the market today. And, our price point is at where a consumer anywhere and anytime can become a customer. It is very rare that you can have a total addressable market like we do. https://techcrunch.com/2022/04/28/two-years-after-lemon-perfect-was-spotted-in-beyonces-limo-the-superstar-is-now-a-backer/ TechCrunch Two years after Lemon Perfect was spotted in Beyoncé’s limo, the superstar is now a backer techcrunch.com April 28, 2022 Beverage is an expensive game, and access to capital is the only way to drive a fast-scaling brand forward. We want to be a disruptive player in a large category and want to put fuel on the fire. We felt like we were able to drive great execution, but still have room to grow and want to build a big margin story for tomorrow. https://techcrunch.com/2022/04/28/two-years-after-lemon-perfect-was-spotted-in-beyonces-limo-the-superstar-is-now-a-backer/ TechCrunch Two years after Lemon Perfect was spotted in Beyoncé’s limo, the superstar is now a backer techcrunch.com April 28, 2022 I knew that flavor was going to be key, so we had to have a product that tasted great and checked off all the prevalent consumer boxes. Everything must start with a great product. You must be passionate about it. https://programminginsider.com/how-yanni-hufnagel-went-from-the-hardwood-to-shop-shelves-with-his-lemon-perfect-drink/ Programming Insider How Yanni Hufnagel Went from the Hardwood to Shop Shelves with His Lemon Perfect Drink rising-sports-network.captivate.fm/ September 17, 2020 Our bottle doesn’t look like anything on the shelf before us. There was never a product created even in the same realm as Lemon Perfect. No one ever said, Can we take something made from real fruit and give it the flavor profile that America craves and do it with no sugar? https://programminginsider.com/how-yanni-hufnagel-went-from-the-hardwood-to-shop-shelves-with-his-lemon-perfect-drink/ Programming Insider How Yanni Hufnagel Went from the Hardwood to Shop Shelves with His Lemon Perfect Drink rising-sports-network.captivate.fm/ September 17, 2020 Publix, Ralphs, and Stew Leonard's are among America's most iconic retailers, and the early velocity data we're seeing in each account is very exciting. We're absolutely thrilled. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lemon-perfect-makes-a-refreshing-summer-splash-with-significant-retail-expansion--new-dsd-distribution-301093119.html PR Newswire Lemon Perfect Makes a Refreshing Summer Splash With Significant Retail Expansion & New DSD Distribution prnewswire.com July 14, 2020 Given our early turns, we're fully committed to building Lemon Perfect through a best-in-class DSD network that will eventually span across America, so that we can best service both our retailers and our consumers. The Classic Beverage and John Lenore signings are key wins for the company, especially on the heels of an almost implausibly successful launch in Big Geyser's system amidst the dislocation caused by COVID-19 in the New York metropolitan area. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lemon-perfect-makes-a-refreshing-summer-splash-with-significant-retail-expansion--new-dsd-distribution-301093119.html PR Newswire Lemon Perfect Makes a Refreshing Summer Splash With Significant Retail Expansion & New DSD Distribution prnewswire.com July 14, 2020 The early investor enthusiasm for Lemon Perfect has been energizing and humbling. The brand is resonating broadly across multiple demographics, and that diversity is well represented by our investors. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lemon-perfect-closes-substantial-seed-financing-round-with-participation-from-elite-consumer-funds-nba-stars-and-other-influencers-as-brands-distribution-footprint-accelerates-301113988.html PR Newswire Lemon Perfect Closes Substantial Seed Financing Round With Participation From Elite Consumer Funds, NBA Stars, and Other Influencers, As Brand's Distribution Footprint Accelerates prnewswire.com October 18, 2020 The beverage landscape is dynamic. On-trend, well-packaged, and inclusive emerging brands will become the iconic brands of tomorrow. Our goal at Lemon Perfect is to be at the forefront of the better-for-you, for everyone movement by building products that meet at the intersection of flavor and good-for-you. That so many tastemakers and industry insiders share our vision of disrupting an American beverage ecosystem still largely dominated by high-calorie, high-sugar options is very motivating. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lemon-perfect-closes-substantial-seed-financing-round-with-participation-from-elite-consumer-funds-nba-stars-and-other-influencers-as-brands-distribution-footprint-accelerates-301113988.html PR Newswire Lemon Perfect Closes Substantial Seed Financing Round With Participation From Elite Consumer Funds, NBA Stars, and Other Influencers, As Brand's Distribution Footprint Accelerates prnewswire.com October 18, 2020 Publix, Ralphs, and Stew Leonard's are among America's most iconic retailers, and the early velocity data we're seeing in each account is very exciting. We're absolutely thrilled. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lemon-perfect-makes-a-refreshing-summer-splash-with-significant-retail-expansion--new-dsd-distribution-301093119.html PR Newswire Lemon Perfect Makes a Refreshing Summer Splash With Significant Retail Expansion & New DSD Distribution prnewswire.com July 14, 2020 People looked at me like I had four eyes when I said I wanted to go to Harvard. https://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/121719/harvard-basketballs-whiz-kid tabletmag.com Harvard Basketball’s Whiz Kid tabletmag.com January 17, 2013 External links <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yanni_Hufnagel> Two years after Lemon Perfect was spotted in Beyoncé’s limo, the superstar is now a backer Harvard Basketball's Whiz Kid Lemon Perfect Makes a Refreshing Summer Splash With Significant Retail Expansion & New DSD Distribution Heisman Trophy Favorite C.J. Stroud Inks Lemon Perfect Endorsement Deal LEMON PERFECT APPOINTS JIM BRENNAN AS PRESIDENT AND CHIEF REVENUE OFFICER Lemon Perfect Closes Substantial Seed Financing Round With Participation From Elite Consumer Funds, NBA Stars, and Other Influencers, As Brand's Distribution Footprint Accelerates Lemon Perfect Scores Partnership with Five-Star Basketball Talent Jared McCain Personal Website Crunchbase Golden Wiki References Category:Basketball coaches from the United States Category:1982 births Category:Living people Category:People from New York City