Meet Josh Christensen, visionary entrepreneur and the driving force behind Genius Gourmet's marketing strategy.
Josh has a strong background in sales, marketing and business, and a reputation for building brands, having been an entrepreneur in digital marketing and Amazon since 2011. His unique experience as an entrepreneur allows him to provide vision and guidance to the entire team, identifying opportunities for new product development, marketing expansion, strategic partnerships and more.
Josh was instrumental in founding Genius Gourmet Inc. as the company's first employee. From there, Genius Gourmet's talented team has grown and expanded multiple brands into retail stores around the world. Passionate about marketing, health and nutrition, Josh has dedicated his career to developing innovative, delicious products that meet the needs of health-conscious consumers. His commitment to excellence and relentless pursuit of quality has established Genius Gourmet as a leader in the protein snack industry. For more information, visit geniusgourmet.com.
1) What is Genius Gourmet and how did it start?
We started in Coeur d'Alene, where three friends noticed a need for a tasty protein snack. Today, our brand is being talked about in major retailers like Costco, providing delicious, healthy options to people all over the world. Our journey began with a bold vision and has evolved into a successful brand dedicated to providing quality snacks for everyone. Our team is driven by developing cutting-edge products that are low in sugar and carbs and can be enjoyed by everyone.
After years of painstakingly experimenting with wholesome ingredients and delicious flavors, we've unlocked the secret to delivering the best tasting protein snack on the market.
It has been a true team effort to achieve this in such a short time and I am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such a dedicated team. Their tenacity and perseverance in overcoming obstacles has led us to the success we have today.
We continue to push the boundaries of tasty, smart protein snacks, so be sure to follow our team's latest innovations.
2) What is your favorite product and experiment that never came to fruition?
Some of my favorite products include our Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bar and Salted Caramel Crispy Protein Treats, which have become staples for our brand and offer health-conscious consumers delicious, satisfying options.
However, we've also had some experiments that didn't work out. One example is our keto protein chip line, which was somewhat popular on Amazon but didn't sell as well in stores as we hoped. But we haven't given up on chips completely. We're currently working on a new chip line that's not keto-specific but has a high protein focus. This new approach aims to appeal to a broader demographic while still providing the nutritional benefits our customers expect.
3) Why is protein so important to our health?
Protein is extremely important as it is the building block of muscle, skin, enzymes and hormones. Protein plays a vital role in repairing tissue, maintaining muscle mass and supporting a healthy immune system. For those on certain diets, such as the ketogenic diet, protein is especially important. Protein helps keep you full and satisfied, reducing unhealthy snacking. Additionally, adequate protein intake is essential for anyone wanting to support an active lifestyle, whether they're an athlete or simply trying to stay healthy.
4) What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I've been an entrepreneur for many years and have started over 15 companies, some of which were successful and some of which were huge failures, but I firmly believe that with the right business and the right team, persistence will pay off.
You might be surprised to know that my amazing wife, Christina, and I are raising a blended family. We have seven amazing daughters. Yes, seven! Raising such a large family while also building numerous products and brands in our careers is hard, but with the grace of God and copious amounts of caffeine, it all holds together. My wife is a rockstar mother and amazing partner who makes it possible for us to raise this amazing, chaotic family.
As you may know, some of my kids think I work in a Willy Wonka factory and make gum and chocolate bars all day long. I wish that were the case! While I'm not in the mood for Everlasting Gobstoppers, I am committed to creating innovative, delicious products that bring joy to people's lives.
5) What are your and the Genius Gourmet team’s big goals?
One of our main goals is to expand our product line to include a wider range of high protein, low sugar snacks and significantly increase our presence in retail stores across the country to reach more customers with our products.
We were recently featured on QVC TV, our VP of Sales has been asked to appear on a regular basis, and our team is gearing up for the volume of sales the show has brought to our brand – we sold out within 7 minutes of airing!
We have some significant projects in the pipeline that we are excited to bring to life in 2025 and which we believe will put us in the same space as other leading household brands.
Plus, we're committed to sustainability and are pioneering more environmentally friendly packaging solutions. Ultimately, our mission is to continually innovate and bring you snacks you can trust.
