“For many years Wendy has taught me how to see around all blind corners putting many strong programs together for Costco. Wendy raises everyone’s game with creativity, inspiration and a healthy dose of fun. She is a dynamic marketing expert and is a very strong visionary with strategic thinking to develop novel and effective item solutions for the Club industry with an impressive accomplished track record.”
James L. Rudzenski
Partner
Sterling Sales & Marketing, LLC
22636 Glenn Drive
Suite 201
Sterling, VA 20164
__________________________________________________________“If you or your team wants a better understanding of the club business I highly recommend spending a day with Ms Blackwell.
She not only has the experience of being on the inside of the club business for so many years but she is excellent at guiding your team through the opportunities and the challenges that come with the channel.
Probably a good idea for a brush up down the road also for sharing some things that worked and other things you feel you could have done better.
Share your story and I very much believe she will help you find a solution.”Don Demato
Co-Founder Natures Intent LLC
__________________________________________________________“I’ve known Wendy Blackwell for the better part of 15-20 years and I have to say she is one of the most creative buyers I have worked with.
She does an amazing job at negotiating for Costco as well as being fair to the vendor. Wendy also has the reputation in the business of always doing what she says she will do. Once she makes the commitment, she stands by her word and has never left us with unclaimed product.
It was a sincere pleasure to work with her throughout her years at Costco and more recently collaborating on new projects.”Kenneth Small
General Manager
Design Pac Gifts
__________________________________________________________“On behalf of Wendy Blackwell. My background is part of the founding team of NY Bagel Chips and Pretzel Crisps & current founder of Thats How We Roll.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with Wendy Blackwell over the last 15 years. She understands the business very well and has helped us become a better company. She is tough… But very fair. She only wants the best for both the vendor and Costco. She is also one of the most respected and creative people I have ever worked with. In closing , Wendy is a huge asset and there is no doubt any company would benefit from her contribution.”Aldo A. Zuppichini
Founder & Chairman
That's How We Roll, LLC
www.thwroll.com
Thinsters/Parm Crisps
__________________________________________________________"Selling to Costco starts here! Sweetly Snackable will ultimately be your go-to consulting firm. Wendy has extensive experience and a strong track record in creating highly successful and relevant items for Costco and its members. Her clear understanding of Costco’s go-to-market strategy will significantly aid any vendor bring an idea or item to life, uniquely positioning it for success. You will not be disappointed."
Cliff Hackmann
Kellogg’s Company
Costco Sales
__________________________________________________________I have had the pleasure of working with Wendy over the past 20 years as Founder of Sensible Portions Veggie Straws, Rickland Orchard Greek Yogurt Bars, Thats How We Roll LLC, President of Hain Celestial and lastly a strategic partner in SkinnyPop. Wendy not only has a distinct eye for what a Costco Consumer would want but also how to package, price and present for success. She has an eye for perfection and passion for delivering over the top results. I cannot be more grateful to have such an experienced buyer who was willing to share her valuable time over the years with me and my team. Her creative skills are second to none. Without Wendy's support I honestly don’t know if our team would have properly executed to the level of success needed over the years. Anyone who has the opportunity to work with Wendy should run not walk to Chicago to learn from the best. Costco is one of the toughest but most successful retailers in the world. DO NOT GO IN UNPREPARED. I am happy to call Wendy, a lifelong mentor, friend and colleague.
Jason I Cohen
CEO/Co-Founder
Halen Brands Inc.
__________________________________________________________
Working with Wendy from Sweetly Snackable has been a true pleasure and proved to be very beneficial to our company. As we focus on selling club stores, we needed our packaging to be more impactful and Wendy’s expert advice allowed us to do just that. Initial sales results of our new packs are already showing significant growth.
Wendy was able to share with us some precise rules to follow in order to offer club stores programs that would resonate with them. Last by not least, Wendy was able to provide us with valuable coaching on how to support club stores on a day-to day basis by communicating to them just enough of the information they truly need. Following these rules has helped us provide a higher level of service to our customers and has unveiled new opportunities for growth. I would recommend working with Wendy to any company that is currently working with clubs (the tweaks she will bring to your business will create results immediately) but also to any firm considering entering that very specific distribution channel.
Franck D. Le Berre
Managing Partner
La Boulangere Bakery
__________________________________________________________
I have been a Sales Manager for Houdini, Incorporated for 9 years. Prior to that I was a Key Account Sales Executive specializing in the Club Store industry for 18 years. In that capacity, and over those years I have had the pleasure of calling on Wendy Blackwell at Costco Wholesale Club, Midwest Region when she was the Candy buyer there. Wendy was an exemplary buyer for Costco, Incorporated, and I would recommend her varied skillsets eagerly and without reservation.Wendy possesses a rare combination of keen business intellect and excellent interpersonal skills. In my estimation, Wendy is as good as anyone in the business in a face to face meeting or a presentation, even with the most difficult or dry subject matter. She possesses a tremendous wealth of knowledge as it relates to the club industry. Wendy is a natural leader who established herself as a reliable and knowledgeable buyer and as such, has earned an enormous amount of respect throughout the consumer goods industry. I recently had the pleasure of attending her Costco 101 presentation at Houdini, Incorporated and left enlightened and significantly more knowledgeable. Wendy tailored her presentation to our company’s specific needs, and members of both sales and management walked away with new and very useful information in regards to the wholesale club business.
Wendy not only possesses excellent professional skills, but is a terrific person with a wonderful sense of humor. She is a great team player, universally liked and highly respected. She is always respectful of others, and is genuinely interested in the success of her client base. Please feel free to reach out to me personally if I can answer any questions on Wendy’s behalf.Regards,
Anne Kiley-Dion
Account Executive/Houdini Inc.
_____________________________________________________________
Working with Wendy was a game changer for my team, especially the brand new team members! Her approach to educating us on the trends and opportunities in the food industry was very engaging and genuine, and she developed an instant rapport with her audience. She brings high credibility to the table from her first-hand knowledge and extensive experience of developing successful brands with manufacturer partners. Her advice on keys to success have helped us change our internal processes, to become a much more effective vendor partner. I would recommend working with Wendy to anyone who is looking to get that competitive edge in the marketplace on their current brands, or as a strong partner to build a new brand successfully from the ground up. Your likelihood for success will be greatly enhanced with Wendy on your team!Vesna Stojanovic
PEPSICO
V.P/GM Costco Global
_____________________________________________________________
Wendy has an amazing detailed eye for brand and product development. Partnered with her extensive knowledge and experience of Costco buying, merchandising, and operations, she is a force in the industry. Whatever your needs in the club segment, you won’t go wrong with Wendy Blackwell as your partner. She is a proven powerhouse!
Popcornopolis
Becky Walton | Madame Big Box | Vice President Club
3200 E. Slauson Ave. / Vernon, CA 90058