Debbie Wildrick

CPG - Food and Beverage Executive Leader

Executive Leader, Industry Speaker, Food and Beverage Entrepreneurship

Debbie Wildrick is a seasoned Sales, Marketing, and Operations Executive in the consumer-packaged goods industry, with over 35 years of experience ranging from large corporations to startups. Her expertise includes due diligence, advisory services, and strategic influence, specializing in helping companies maximize their potential. Debbie outlines ten critical components for company and brand development, stressing their collective importance for success.

An active Toastmaster for over three decades, Debbie is also a dynamic speaker available for keynotes, workshops, and company meetings. Her presentations, suitable for both small and large groups, offer valuable insights into building and expanding brands, employing storytelling in keynotes, and experiential learning in workshops. She also provides guidance on mentoring and developing effective mentors for personal and business growth.

Debbie Wildrick is an accomplished Sales, Marketing, and Operations Executive specializing in Channel Strategy within the consumer-packaged goods industry. With a wealth of experience in retail, supplier relations, and technology, she leads Debbie Wildrick Consulting. Recently, Debbie held the role of President at Frey Farms Beverage Division, overseeing the go-to-market strategy and operations for a prominent fresh juice company under a leading produce conglomerate. Additionally, she served as an independent strategic advisor and co-founded MetaBrand, an expert firm in beverage formulation and manufacturing.

Throughout her career, Debbie has been dedicated to maximizing brand potential through innovative strategies in branding, consumer messaging, and driving sales profitability. Her expertise extends to retail channel optimization and includes significant roles such as EVP of Global Sales at HempFusion, Inc., known for its hemp-based CBD, Probulin® Probiotics, and Probulin® Skin Care products. She spent several years at 7-Eleven, Inc. overseeing Vault and Proprietary Beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

Her diverse background spans new brand development, start-up environments, innovation strategy, formulation, and ingredient work in functional beverages. With comprehensive knowledge across various market channels—grocery, c-store, food service, drug, club, mass, nutritional, and e-commerce—she excels in product distribution in today's consumer landscape. Having worked extensively across the United States and managed North American beverage businesses for the world's largest convenience store chain, Debbie offers a unique understanding of consumer market dynamics.

Debbie brings extensive board experience, having served a decade on the Board of Network of Executive Women, a 10,000-plus member organization. She held key roles as the Executive Education Committee Chair and Membership Committee Chair during her tenure.

Ten Principles of Building a Successful Consumer Packaged Goods Company

Discover the ten pillars essential for building a successful company, as outlined by Debbie Wildrick. Learn not only what these pillars are and why they're important but also how to excel in each to ensure the overall success of your business. Debbie emphasizes the synergy that occurs when all ten pillars effectively converge, guiding successful companies and entrepreneurs. She delves into the definition and significance of each pillar, providing a roadmap to ensure that they are implemented effectively.

Debbie brings her extensive experience from working with startups and the corporate world to her presentations, enriching her subject with real-life experiences that illustrate both the challenges and opportunities of building a business. Her insights help audiences understand the intricate process of company growth and development. This speech, which can be delivered as a keynote or a workshop, is ideal for companies or organizations looking to provide additional education to their teams or members, enhancing their strategic capabilities and operational understanding.

A Wheel Without Spokes will go Flat!

Debbie Wildrick's presentation on building a successful company deftly combines humor and storytelling to illuminate the often rocky road of business development. Drawing parallels with the Ten Pillars of Success, she crafts engaging narratives that vividly showcase common mistakes and pitfalls encountered by businesses. Each story serves as a cautionary tale, offering clear examples of missteps in areas such as strategic planning, marketing, product development, and team management.

Throughout her talk, Debbie not only highlights what not to do but also provides practical advice on how to correct or avoid these pitfalls. Her approach makes complex concepts relatable and understandable, ensuring that attendees walk away with valuable insights they can apply directly to their own business endeavors. This presentation is particularly beneficial for entrepreneurs and business leaders looking to navigate the challenges of the business world with a blend of wisdom, foresight, and a good dose of humor, helping them steer clear of common errors and set a course for success.

How and When to Benefit from A Mentoring Relationship

Debbie Wildrick’s session on successful mentoring explores the transformative power of mentorship for personal growth and business advancement. She explains when it might be necessary to seek a mentor, such as during career transitions or when specific skills need to be honed. Debbie guides participants on how to select the right mentor, emphasizing the importance of finding someone whose experience and personality align with their personal or professional goals.