S11E4: Transforming Sweet Treats using Clean Ingredients with Kevin McCarthy, CEO of Unreal

In this episode of The Room Podcast, we sit down with Kevin McCarthy, the CEO of Unreal, a company dedicated to creating healthier alternatives to classic candy. Unreal is known for creating delicious, better-for-you snacks that ditch artificial ingredients, offering cleaner, more natural options in the world of sweets. We discuss the intersection of entrepreneurship and health-conscious innovation, bringing a refreshing approach to an industry ripe for disruption. Kevin shares his journey to becoming CEO at just 24 years old, the pivotal changes Unreal made to become a leader in the health-conscious snack market, and how leadership lessons from his political campaign days shaped his approach to business. Key topics in this conversation include; the challenges of rebranding during and after a pandemic, what it takes to lead a company and board room through major pivots, and the value of a transparent and in-person DTC strategy.  For The Room Podcast in your inbox every week, subscribe to our newsletter. Follow us on Instagram  Follow us on TikTok  Check out our guide to podcasting here!  Don't forget to subscribe to our channel on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music! 4:54 - Where did Kevin grow up and how did that shape his view of the world? 5:39 - Did Kevin always believe he was going to be a CEO? 6:46 - How did Kevin’s early passion for government shape his career? 9:38 - What lessons has Kevin learned that he employs on a day-to-day basis? 10:50 - How and why did Kevin join Unreal? 13:49 - When did Kevin realize he would be with Unreal for a long time? 15:27 - What is the original Unreal core product? 18:06 - What is Unreal’s approach to the supply chain layer? 20:10 - How did Unreal incorporate a DTC approach to their business model? 21:57 - How has Kevin built a relationship with the Board of Unreal without being the founder? 23:44 - What advice does Kevin have for people entering a board room for the first time? 25:34 - What was a moment while CEO of Unreal when things didn’t go as planned? 27:47 - How does Unreal think about “URL vs. IRL” in their go-to-market and sales strategy? 29:35 - What challenges can arise when running an omni-channel strategy for a business? 31:58 - How is Unreal cultivating a community around their product? 34:41 - What is Kevin’s favorite Unreal snack? 36:12 - What’s next for Kevin personally? 37:05 - Who is a woman that has had a profound impact on Kevin and his career? Brought to you by Perkins Coie and Mercury.* *Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group and Evolve Bank & Trust; Members FDIC. WX Productions