Bill Shepard Email and Phone Number

Mindgarden Group's mission is to assist senior management at existing companies and entrepreneurs at startups to build strong brands.

Diomics Corporation is a biotechnology company focused on science-based innovation and the development of life-improving products. Our proprietary Diomat™ technology platform is optimized for the collection and delivery of compounds and proteins and can also be used for drug delivery, long-term monitoring, diagnostics and production of life-saving hormones and other bio-compounds. Based in San Diego, California, Diomics has developed numerous products, tools and services for the molecular, diagnostic and forensic industries.

Code Blue Innovations is a team of serial entrepreneurs who deploy lean solutions to build and grow businesses ranging from start-ups to global multi-nationals.Our clients have ranged from Walmart, Disney, Waste Management, General Mills, Republic Oriental of Uruguay, Ralston Purina, Safeway, Costco and Nestle.Our work spans disruptive product innovation, CPG branding, positioning, marketing, agricultural technologies, community building, supply chain authentication and consumer healthcare marketing.

Provided business strategy consulting to NGO's and their Grantees on Market Based Change Strategies to improve their reach and effectiveness.

Brand and marketing strategy for a leading agricultural B2B including rapid re-creation of the company’s online presence, redesign of user interfaces for the company’s core products and the launch of customer acquisition and cross sell marketing programs to accelerate business growth.

Creation of a new venture that targeted an emerging consumer segment (23% of households) who were motivated to purchase earth friendly food products but not effectively reached through health food stores. Eco Terra Earth Friendly Foods utilized an innovative “signature brand” strategy that partnered on an exclusive basis with the leading retailer in each geographic market. Through deep partnering the brand utilized the retailer’s loyalty and target marketing programs to directly communicate with high value shoppers at a fraction of the cost of conventional marketing tools. The business structure built a strategic alliance of companies, who were best of class within their niche of the value chain (growing, processing, logistics etc).

Responsible for restaging the overall marketing, product and sales approach for this division of Small Planet Foods with the objective of reversing the divisions volume slide and returning the unit to profitability.Initiated and led the process to refocus the company’s product line by eliminating slow moving and low margin sku’s while redirecting product development into higher growth segments. Initiated and led the process to restage the brand’s image behind a more compelling copy approach, revitalize package graphics and establish a more active presence in-store via point of sale.Re-energized a dispirited management team to re-engage with the company’s challenges after two years of disappointing results and staff reductions that had reduced overhead but crushed morale.Encouraged and nurtured innovative cost and process improvements that included restructuring packaging procurement to a just-in-time inventory relationship with key partners.

Transformation of a small company that was foundering under the direction of its corporate parent, into an entrepreneurial market leader. Identified new markets for enterprise expansion.Directed product line downsizing and overhead reduction to focus resources toward higher margin businesses within the first six months of joining the company.Redesigned the sales force structure, focus of sales activities and management system based on a strategic “source of business” analysis.

Brand Director Chex Cereals, Chex Snack Mix and New Product Development.