Strategy Simplified

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Once Upon a Farm went public, and the stock jumped. But this isn’t the standard path for a consumer brand.
In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan examine why a single-brand baby food company chose an IPO instead of selling to a large CPG player - and what role Jennifer Garner’s involvement really plays in that decision.
We break down the business fundamentals behind the headlines, from refrigerated supply chains to retailer economics, and question how much of the early momentum can translate into long-term scale.
The episode closes with what comes next - and whether this business is built to stay public.
We cover:
Why this IPO breaks the usual consumer brand playbook
The real economics behind refrigerated, organic consumer products
How celebrity-backed trust does - and doesn’t - scale over time
A clear-eyed look at IPO strategy, consumer economics, and where this bet could break.
Chapters:
00:00 – Why This IPO Is Different
02:30 – What Is Once Upon a Farm?
05:20 – The Jennifer Garner Effect
09:10 – Refrigerated Food Economics
13:40 – Retail Shelf Space and Margins
17:30 – Why IPO Instead of Selling
21:40 – Losses, Growth, and Valuation
25:40 – How This Business Scales
29:40 – What Comes Next
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In this Strategy Simplified episode, you’ll hear a McKinsey case interview example built around a real-world investment decision.
The client is a public university considering whether to add an inter-collegiate football program. 
Led by former McKinsey Senior Associate Jali Packer, this case challenges a candidate to assess costs, revenues, and strategic tradeoffs for a football program at a 10,000-student university in the Southern U.S.
If you want to practice structuring an open-ended question like “Is this a good idea?” – and see how McKinsey interviewers test thinking along the way – this case is for you.
Work with Jali:
View Jali’s 1:1 coaching calendar
Join the Black Belt case prep program for personalized coaching with Jali and a prep strategy tailored to your goals and timeline
Connect with Jali on LinkedIn
Additional Resources:
Book a free 15-minute call with Katie to explore coaching options
Watch more McKinsey, BCG, and Bain case interview demos on YouTube
Connect With Management Consulted
Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

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In this episode of Recruiting Reality Check, Katie Neff and Japheth Mast break down the real story of “PhD Phil” – a brilliant advanced degree candidate targeting consulting bridge programs who’s fallen into a common trap: confusing reading with readiness.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why reading case books creates false confidence
The 3 pieces of the case prep puzzle (theory, practice, feedback)
Why smart candidates still struggle without real application
What effective case prep actually looks like for PhDs and other APDs
Want help like Phil is getting?
The February Black Belt cohort closes Tuesday, February 10 (limited spots). Learn more and join.
Additional Resources:
Join February Black Belt
Book a free 15-minute call with Katie to map out your best path
See upcoming Bridge Program application deadlines
Download a free step-by-step case prep plan
Chapters:
01:34 – Meet PhD Phil and bridge program recruiting
03:00 – How bridge programs actually work (and why they’re competitive)
04:22 – The “reading = readiness” illusion
06:25 – The 3 pieces of the case prep puzzle
07:32 – Building business acumen as a PhD
08:49 – Why drills matter more than more cases
10:59 – The role of feedback, coaches, and blind spots
12:58 – A tale of two PhDs (start early or miss out)
14:12 – Black Belt support for APD candidates
Connect With Management Consulted
Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

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Flat base pay isn’t a blip – it’s a signal.
In this episode, Namaan breaks down what new 2026 consulting salary data really means for recruiting, performance expectations, and how firms are reshaping compensation. 
You’ll learn:
Why starting base pay is staying flat (and why it’s not about weak demand)
How firms are shifting upside into bonuses, benefits, and faster skill-building
What this means for candidates, university career centers, and consulting firms heading into 2026–2027
If you haven’t already, download the 2026 Consulting Salary Report to see the full data behind these trends.
Additional Resources:
Create a free profile + access the Job Board (1K+ consulting roles)
Get full recruiting support with Black Belt
Explore deeper market analysis on the Market Outsiders Podcast
Partner Links:
Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10
Connect With Management Consulted
Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.

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Boeing’s rebound isn’t about brilliance. It’s about not losing in a brutal duopoly.
In this episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan break down what Boeing’s post-crisis recovery really signals — and why its future depends less on innovation and more on execution over time.
We cover:
Why Boeing’s biggest advantage is the Airbus duopoly, not outperformance
How long delivery timelines distort cash flow, pricing, and leverage
What it would actually take for Boeing to reach $10B in free cash flow
This is a case study in capital intensity, regulation, and survival in one of the hardest businesses in the world.
Episode Links:
Boeing’s quarterly sales jump 57% as CEO says there’s ‘a lot to be optimistic about’ (CNBC)
Partner Links:
Learn more about NordStellar's Threat Exposure Management Program; unlock 10% off with code SIMPLIFIED-10
Chapters:
00:00 Boeing’s Crisis and Lost Trust
02:52 Boeing vs Airbus: The Duopoly
05:05 A “Comeback” Driven by Demand
08:47 Orders vs Deliveries vs Cash
12:04 Regulation, Quality, and Bottlenecks
16:22 Can Boeing Reach $10B Free Cash Flow?
19:56 Defense as the Real Growth Engine
27:50 Innovation vs Execution
33:26 Why Deliveries Matter Most
Connect With Management Consulted
Schedule free 15min consultation with the MC Team.
Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube!
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights!
Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more.
Email us ([email protected]) with questions or feedback.