# Founder Feature: Lex Evan of Lexington Bakes

- Show: [The Startup CPG Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast)
- Published: 2026-05-01
- Length: 29m
- Episode: 299
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-05-01-founder-feature-lex-evan-of-lexington-bakes
- Listen: https://share.transistor.fm/s/af335349

## Summary

Lex Evan, founder of Lexington Bakes, discusses his transition from a 20-year graphic design career at Johnson & Johnson to creating luxury baked goods with radical ingredient transparency. He explains his trademarked 'no naughty ingredients' philosophy, the decision to print supplier logos like Nielsen-Massey and Artisana on packaging, and the recent shock of his co-manufacturer going out of business. Evan shares how staying true to his vision led to winning a NEXTY Award at Expo West and offers advice on protecting time as a solo founder.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Lex Evan and Lexington Bakes
2. From Graphic Design to Self-Taught Baker
3. Radical Ingredient Transparency and Supplier Partnerships
4. Defining 'No Naughty Ingredients' and Avoiding 'Clean' Labeling
5. Solo Founder Boundaries and Protecting Time
6. Advice for CPG Founders and NEXTY Award Win

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Packaging design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/packaging-design)
- [Founder wellbeing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/founder-wellbeing)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Lexington Bakes (company)
- Johnson & Johnson (company)
- Nielsen-Massey (company)
- Artisana (company)
- KitchenAid (product)
- NEXTY Award (other)
- Expo West (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [339 - Beyond the Dieline ep 1 with Tom Seymour and Jessica Kwon from Moka Energy!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-02-05-339-beyond-the-dieline-ep-1-with-tom-seymour-and-jessica-kwon-from-moka-energy) (People of Packaging)
- [The Cronut and Dominique Ansel Bakery: Dominique Ansel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-06-17-the-cronut-and-dominique-ansel-bakery-dominique-ansel) (How I Built This)
- [360 - Beyond the Die Line - The pitch was awful. They liked the bar! Tom Seymour and Ree Dolnick](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2026-10-08-360-beyond-the-die-line-the-pitch-was-awful-they-liked-the-bar-tom-seymour-and-r) (People of Packaging)
- [129 - Kirk Visola (Mind the Font) and Jake Karls from Mid-day Squares drops in on a live interview on LinkedIn](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-04-29-129-kirk-visola-mind-the-font-and-jake-karls-from-mid-day-squares-drops-in-on-a) (People of Packaging)
- [Simple Mills: Katlin Smith](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-02-15-simple-mills-katlin-smith) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2026-05-01-founder-feature-lex-evan-of-lexington-bakes. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Startup CPG Podcast.