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BIG NEWS: Stage 1 Financial Announces Integration of Relish Food Project

Anaheim, CA July 28th, 2020

We are so excited to announce the integration of Relish Food Project into Stage 1 Financial, combining our shared foundations in the early stage CPG community to help brands scale and grow.

Founded by Dawn Techow and Cassie Abrams in 2015, Relish has been a trusted provider of outsourced Accounting, Finance and Capital Raising services to over 30 CPG brands in the food and beverage industry.

“Stage 1 Financial met Relish Food Project several years ago and we were extremely impressed by their growth and the admiration that Dawn and the entire team have garnered in the market,” said Katy Triefenbach, CEO of Stage 1 Financial. “It seemed only natural to join these two companies and expand our national presence and service offering even further. With this integration, we are looking forward to adding new team members to our family, continuing our growth in 2020, and surpassing all of our original expectations for 2021.”

Dawn Techow, Co-founder of Relish Food Project, also commented “Relish Food Project is thrilled to join with Stage 1 Financial to build on the success of both companies in providing finance and accounting services to growing CPG companies. Cassie Abrams and I started Relish Food Project with the thought that CPG entrepreneurs don’t start companies because they love accounting. Our goal was to deliver the numbers needed for smart decision–making to innovators and thinkers. The integration of Relish Food Project into Stage 1 Financial allows us to fully deliver on this goal. I am so thrilled for my clients and my staff to become a part of this smart, experienced company and to grow together as a family.” Techow will join Stage 1 as a CFO.

The combined businesses will serve 200+ global brands and will manage 70+ employees across the US.

Stage 1 Financial is an organization that delivers fully-outsourced Accounting, FP&A and Advisory solutions to high-growth investor-backed brands. The integrated suite of solutions provides high-level strategic advice as well as day-to-day Accounting and Finance support.

Unlike traditional consultant models, Stage 1 Financial’s clients benefit from not one single resource, but rather the collective knowledge and skills of a team who can relate to the unique challenges that start-up organizations experience. Stage 1 Financial not only gives clients precious time back but also helps bring structure, accuracy, and insight to their organizations.

A spokesperson for Stage 1 Financial shared that they expect the integration to be finalized by August 1, 2020 with Relish Operations and staff continuing to be based in New York and thereby further expanding the Stage 1 national network.


Contact us!

 

 

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Relish Food Project Joins Stage 1 Financial

relish food project

We are so excited to announce the integration of Relish Food Project into Stage 1 Financial. Like Stage 1, Relishs foundation is in the early stage CPG community. Founded by Dawn Techow and Cassie Abrams in 2015, Relish has been a staple offering outsourced accounting, finance and capital raising services to over 30 CPG brands in the food and beverage space.

“Stage 1 Financial was previously introduced to Dawn and the team from Relish Food Project several years ago. We have been so impressed by the growth of Relish and the admiration that Dawn and the entire Relish team has garnered in the market. It seems only natural to join these two companies and expand our national presence even further. With this integration, we are looking forward to gaining new team members to our family, continuing our growth in 2020 and surpassing all of our original expectations for 2021.” Katy Triefenbach, CEO  Stage 1 Financial

Relish Food Project is thrilled to join with Stage 1 Financial to build on the success of both companies in providing finance and accounting services to growing CPG companies. Cassie Abrams and I started Relish Food Project with the thought that CPG entrepreneurs don’t start companies because they love accounting. Our goal was to deliver the numbers needed for smart decisionmaking to innovators and thinkers. The integration of Relish Food Project into Stage 1 Financial allows us to fully deliver on this goal. I am so thrilled for my clients and my staff to become a part of this smart, experienced company and to grow together as a family.”  Dawn Techow, Co-founder (Relish Food Project), CFO – Stage 1 Financial

 

About Stage 1 Financial

Stage 1 Financial is an organization that delivers a fully-outsourced finance and accounting solution to young, fast-growing investor-backed brands. They have a fully integrated system that strategizes big-picture goals and handles the organization’s day-to-day accounting functions. Unlike traditional consultant models, their clients benefit from not one single resource, but rather the collective knowledge and skills of a team who can relate to the unique challenges that start-up organizations undertake. They not only give clients precious time back but also help bring structure to their organization.


Meet our entire team!
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Coronavirus – Business Planning Webinars

 

Dear Friends and Partners,

In case you missed our live webinars or would like to re-watch, we have provided the recordings below.

You can also reach out to schedule a call with one of our CFOs to discuss your company’s needs in detail. We are here to support you!  


Additional Resources:

Employee and Staff Support

Loan Support

Tax Support

 

Webinar Recordings

*New government legislations are quickly changing, some information may now be outdated. If you have any questions, contact us.

Capital Raise During COVID-19

Live Recording: Wednesday, April 29

Stage 1 and FounderMade have come together with a panel of investors to give entrepreneurs a sense of what to expect and how to prepare. We discussed the current outlook with five investors from every stage of fundraising.

 


Office Hours: Cash Flow and Emergency Capital Preservation

Live Recording: Tuesday, April 28

Our Managing Partner, Jeremy Triefenbach, joined Jeff Klineman, BevNET’s Editor-in-Chief, and Rob Leichman, Founder of The Lyric Group, to kick off Office Hours.

 


Naturally San Diego: Finance Hot Topics to Help Strengthen Your Business

Live Recording: Friday, April 17

Jeremy Triefenbach, our Managing Partner, joined Naturally San Deigo suggesting approaches regarding the development of financial projections and planning tools for companies.

 


Government Assistance: SBA + CARES Act

Live Recording: Wednesday, April 1st, 2020

– Click here for speakers’ contact info and FAQs – 

Joined by a panel of experts, Stage 1 discusses the new government stimulus packages and disaster relief options.


Food & Beverage

Recording: Tuesday, March 17th, 2020

Our CFOs experts, Pieter Theron and Jeremy Triefenbach discuss strategic tactics for food and beverage companies going into quarantine.

*Due to the unusually high volume of online meetings taking place, Zoom suffered tech issues processing the original live recording – we have re-recorded the presentation internally.

Personal Care & Beauty

Live Recording: Wednesday, March 18th, 2020

Our CFOs experts, Lila Sharifian and Jeremy Triefenbach discuss strategic tactics for personal care and beauty companies going into quarantine.


Multi-Unit 

Live Recording: Monday, March 16th, 2020

*UPDATE: New government legislation has made some information in this webinar outdated – please refer to the “SBA + CARES Act Webinar” at the top of this page for updated information. 

Our CFOs experts discuss strategic tactics for personal care and beauty companies going into quarantine.


Stage 1 Financial will continue to provide more information as it comes available, please share any information and we’ll be sure to disseminate. 

In the meantime – reach out with any questions or concerns.
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stage 1 volunteers team building

Giving Back With Our Partners

stage 1 volunteers team building

On Friday, June 15th, the Stage 1 Financial team left our offices in support of a greater cause.

The Anaheim office extends its gratitude and appreciation to the Anaheim Habitat for Humanity Re-store. Thank you for allowing us to continue our team building all while supporting your amazing cause.

Companies like yours are truly valuable in developing an honorable society. We hope your team had fun working with us too, and look forward to donating our time with you again in the future.

We truly appreciate your partnership, and thank you for letting us support you through team building for a cause!

 

Team Building – Grow & Develop

Whether you’re a Fortune 500 company or a startup, cultivating the right team is a must! But it’s more than brilliant minds and big ambitions. If your team can’t work together, achieving a common goal can be impossible.

Successful teams complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses. This is why collaboration and teamwork are crucial when building a successful business.

Stage 1 believes in building teams while supporting our partners. 

 

Discover more of our partners here!
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Indie Beauty Expo Dallas 2019

Our Managing Partner and CEO, Katy Trifenbach, and our Personal Care/Beauty CFO, Lila Sharifian, attended the Indie Beauty Expo this week! #IBEDallas2019 Lila was kind enough to share her insights, read on below.

 

What is the Indie Beauty Expo?

“Indie Beauty Expo is the world’s largest exposition of independent brands and the definitive destination for beauty entrepreneurs and independent innovators. It’s an opportunity for independent personal care brands to showcase their products for industry professionals.”

The 2 biggest beauty trends demanded this year:

Ingredient-conscious, Clean beauty –
CBD – Cannabis

 

 


Indie Beauty Expo

Indie brands are among the fastest growing product categories. They have become a ‘must have’ in almost every retailer’s collection and are now directly influencing key trends in their markets.
Ibe was founded to support the growth and success of indie brands and the entrepreneurs behind them. IBE’s mission is to provide a platform to recognize, showcase and celebrate independent beauty brands and to support the growth and success of the entrepreneurs behind them.

 

 

Don’t miss our CFO Jeremy Trifenbach’s panel at the Cosmoprof North America in Vegas July 29th | 12:45 pm: Financing Your Growing Brand: Equity, Debt Or Both?

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Ready for Capital Raise? Get your event game face on!

Did you miss the Beauty & Money Summit LA?  Don’t fret. Our Managing Partner and CFO, Jeremy Trifenbach, attended and is going to give you the inside scoop!

 

First and foremost, let’s talk about events. Many people ask: Are they important? Should I attend? Should we go to multiple events? And the answer is YES to all of the above! 

The key to brand building is selling to 1. Consumers 2. Retailers 3. Industry – Events help with 2 or 3 of these depending on the type of event.

 

So do your research. Know who’s attending, how to best target them, and put your game face on. This is the time to pitch your brand and ask questions. Rarely do you get so many experts under the same roof who are there to hear your pitches.

 

The question I was asked most by growing entrepreneurs at B&M was, “Where can I get money for my brand?”

When looking to grow your company, make sure your ducks are in a row. Not being prepared can not only damage your chances of getting funding but harm the brand name you’ve worked so hard to cultivate.

 

If you’re not sure where to start, the first step is finding an expert who you trust and who can help guide you. That’s where Stage 1 Financial comes in. From getting your books in order to capital raise portfolios to introductions with potential investors – we move with you through every step as both guide and partner.

 

The big beauty trends in 2019:

Clean beauty
Personalization
CBD
Unique ingredients

 

Questions? Want to know more? Call us! Don’t miss Jeremy’s panel at the Cosmoprof North America in Vegas July 29th | 12:45 pm: Financing Your Growing Brand: Equity, Debt Or Both?

 


Beauty & Money Summit

If you like beauty and money as much as we do, you won’t want to miss this conference next year! Over 2,000 one-to-one private meetings are requested at these summits by industry-leading companies including L’OrealCotyUnilever VenturesTengram Capital PartnersFinancoMoelis, Scent Bird, Pulp Riot, and many more.

 

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We’re loving Sound!

SOUND was born of a desire for a purer, simpler drink—no sweeteners, no preservatives, nothing more than just what is needed. In a world crowded by noise and artificiality, we went back to the roots with just high-quality organic tea and bubbles. Our promise is to create the best tasting beverage, with the highest quality ingredients and the most honest and transparent business practices. That’s it.

We believe that life can be sweet without added sugar, that bubbles make everything better and that #LessIsEnough

drinksound.com

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Congrats to our Founder, Managing Partner, & CEO – Katy Triefenbach!

Katy Triefenbach 25th annual Women in Business Award Nominee

“I am honored to have been nominated and asked to take part in the Orange County Business Journal celebration of the 25th annual Women in Business Awards!

As a businesswoman at Stage 1 Financial, it is an honor for my efforts to be recognized by my colleagues. Information on myself and other nominees will be available in the WIB special report publishing April 15, 2019.” – Katy Triefenbach

Orange County Business Journal is proud to put on the Women in Business Awards and to recognize the top businesswomen of Orange County! To learn about the event and purchase tickets to join the celebration please visit: www.ocbj.com/bizevents.

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