# #67 Leveraging Mondelēz International's CoLab Program to Grow Bunny James Boxes

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2022-11-01
- Length: 40m
- Episode: 44
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-11-01-67-leveraging-mondelez-internationals-colab-program-to-grow-bunny-james-boxes
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/c9e53c03

## Summary

Lonny James, founder and CEO of Bunny James Boxes, discusses his journey from vending machines to building a leading gifting brand for specialty diets, and his experience in Mondelēz International’s CoLab program. He details how the 12-week program provided a $20,000 grant, strategic mentoring, and a full rebrand that helped him transition from a shaky, revenue-focused startup to a scaled operation with robust processes. James explains how the program’s credibility opened doors for B2B partnerships and retail expansion with brands like Gelson’s Markets and Molly Stone's.

## Chapters

- [0:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-11-01-67-leveraging-mondelez-internationals-colab-program-to-grow-bunny-james-boxes#t=3) Introduction: Lonny James and Bunny James Boxes
- [7:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-11-01-67-leveraging-mondelez-internationals-colab-program-to-grow-bunny-james-boxes#t=428) Founding Story: From Vending Machines to Gift Boxes
- [14:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-11-01-67-leveraging-mondelez-internationals-colab-program-to-grow-bunny-james-boxes#t=870) CoLab Program Overview and Mentorship
- [20:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-11-01-67-leveraging-mondelez-internationals-colab-program-to-grow-bunny-james-boxes#t=1225) Access to Mondelēz Resources and Rebranding
- [26:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-11-01-67-leveraging-mondelez-internationals-colab-program-to-grow-bunny-james-boxes#t=1586) Application Tips and Program Advice
- [33:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-11-01-67-leveraging-mondelez-internationals-colab-program-to-grow-bunny-james-boxes#t=1997) Leveraging Credibility for B2B and Retail Growth
- [35:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2022-11-01-67-leveraging-mondelez-internationals-colab-program-to-grow-bunny-james-boxes#t=2106) Future Plans: Process, Infrastructure, and Expansion

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Bunny James Boxes (product)
- Mondelēz International (company)
- CoLab (other)
- UNFI (company)
- Gelson's Markets (company)
- Molly Stone's Markets (company)
- Harmon's Markets (company)
- Oreo (product)
- Cadbury (product)
- Hu (product)
- Perfect Bar (product)
- Tate's Bake Shop (product)
- Shopify (company)
- Google (company)
- Harry and David's (product)
- Amazon (company)
- Lakeland's Natural Foods (company)
- SnackFutures (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Perfect Snacks: Bill and Leigh Keith](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-06-09-perfect-snacks-bill-and-leigh-keith) (How I Built This)
- [Boxed: Chieh Huang](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-02-22-boxed-chieh-huang) (How I Built This)
- [Advice Line with Christina Tosi of Milk Bar](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-06-11-advice-line-with-christina-tosi-of-milk-bar) (How I Built This)
- [KiwiCo: Sandra Oh Lin](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-12-25-kiwico-sandra-oh-lin) (How I Built This)
- [Live Episode! Milk Bar: Christina Tosi](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-10-14-live-episode-milk-bar-christina-tosi) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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