"Together Talks" feature # 50: Javamelts presented by KLS, freight company
Some Background on Javamelts
For today's edition of "Together Talks" campaign, KLS had the opportunity to interview Carolyn Barbarite, Founder, of Javamelts. Simply swap out ordinary sugar for Javamelts Flavored Sugar and instantly elevate and enhance any food or beverage recipe! Featured November 4th, 2021, on America's Big Deal with Joy Mangano on USA Network, QVC, Entrepreneur, I-Heart Radio, LIBN and more; Javamelts Flavored Sugar is a 4-Time National Award Winning Brand that is a game changer! Javamelts are Vegan, Non-Dairy, Kosher, Non-GMO, Gluten Free, Shelf Stable for 2 years and they come in 4 Delicious Gourmet Flavors: Caramel, French Vanilla, Hazelnut and Mocha. With Javamelts you can have great tasting Coffee, Tea, Baked Goods, Artisan Cocktails and much more, anywhere, anytime, the way you like it!
Carolyn and Tony, high school sweethearts and married now 33 years, have spent their years managing a business and trying to find a balance while they raised their 3 daughters. Amazingly, the idea for portable and convenient flavored sugar came to Carolyn on Valentine’s Day morning while Tony was pouring her a cup of coffee. As she glanced down at individually wrapped candy filled hearts that Tony had left for her and their daughters on the counter and, as a coffee lover, her eyes grew big and she looked at Tony with all seriousness and said “I have this crazy idea.”
A few months later the first Javamelts Flavored Sugars were born and they were delicious and were amazing for not only coffee and tea, but for artisan cocktails, baking, and much more! Now, Javamelts are sold nationwide with thousands of customers who rave about and love them. Javamelts is a certified woman-owned company and Carolyn's goals are to inspire, motivate, and encourage her 3 daughters and others to follow their dreams.
Sustainability is a priority: create jobs, mentor, and educate those coming up behind her, attend charity events, make contributions for those in need, to use only natural and clean ingredients, and use recyclable packaging. Carolyn is grateful for the opportunity to accomplish all of this and more through creating and growing the Javamelts brand! This crest below was created by Carolyn, the initials represent her three daughters and you will find it on all of her packaging.
Always a YES
The company began in February 2016. Carolyn started our chat listing the benefits of Javamelts:
Non GMO
Gluten Free
100% Vegan
Kosher Certified
Woman-Owned
Pure cane Sugar/Natural Flavors
Recyclable Packaging Sustainability
She ended that informing us about what she refers to as "her angels", those who have helped her along the way.
We followed up with listing the awards we found of Javamelts while researching prior to jumping on the chat:
The Hotel Experience and WINNER OF THE BEST PRODUCT four times
Coffee Fest New York 2020 2x
NAMA CTW 2019 2x
International Foodservice and Restaurant Show of New York 2018 1x
^^^^^(all above people's choice)
Nominated for Small Business Person of the Year in New York 2020
2nd place Pitch to the Press on I-Heart Radio-Passage to Profit
LIBN Top 50 Women in Business 2018
Javamelts attended Expos including Chicago Sweets and Snacks and Fancy Food Show. Those are two of the main ways that Carolyn expands her reach with the company. But also she said she does one thing, "I never say no to an opportunity to talk to someone about our product, our story, our company". Written, Podcast, Radio, TV, anything and everything is an opportunity to reach new eyes for Javamelts, which is why Carolyn always says YES.
As evidence here is Carolyn on QVC TV!
Unicorn
Carolyn told us that Javamelts is 1 of 1, the only flavored sugar. She stated you can find flavored confectionary, brown, coconut, but walking down supermarket aisles there is no flavored sugar. She did mention there is flavored artisan sugar, but it is very very expensive. To date of our chat, globally there is not a flavored sugar packet anywhere globally that she is aware of.
Which being first to market creates the challenge of hesitation and concern from consumers. But Carolyn shared with us the magic, "Once they open a sugar packet or bag and catch a whiff of one of our four flavors they all say the same thing 'oh my gosh it smells amazing'. The possibilities are endless, it truly is one of the most versatile products in the marketplace".
We sign off on this, it smells AMAZING. We just stand by the cabinet in the kitchen when we need to zone out for a minute. Might have a new product line in diffusers!
Being unique and a one of a kind product isn't enough, Javamelts is even more impressive because it touches all 5 senses as Carolyn describes, "Visual, Smell, Taste, Touch, Hear about it. Our products hit all 5 senses each use". Carolyn said it is a challenge because she had no previous experience in food and beverage, often times people don't realize she is the founder. But watching the interactions with new consumers she loves the authentic response being introduced the first time to Javamelts. The results speak for themselves, yes there will be naysayers always, but most times it is a "stop, drop, and holy cow moment".
Partner with KLS
KLS offers LTL and FTL for both dry and reefer transportation.
Our nationwide coverage provides companies a reliable, consistent, and dependable logistics partner to handle your trucking needs.
For more information on how we can help call our office today 708-980-0920 or reach us via our email quote request here!
Adversity
With CPG founders we like to ask how far advanced is the product now compared to the debut, Carolyn said she believes there has been 3 iterations of Javamelts. First release was a molded piece of sugar similar to a dove chocolate, individually wrapped. Next was sugar packets, and the third was granulated pouch bags as well. She believes the product is 90% of the way finished, always room for improvement as nothing is ever perfect.
Carolyn also slipped in that Javamelts is perfect for weightwatchers, so if anyone has a connection reach out and set up the introduction!
Covid was very difficult for the company as she told us they nearly lost everything from the Pandemic. Prior to the shutdown they were growing year over year. February of 2020 Javamelts had just signed a deal with a global coffee company, then March everything shutdown. She lost the ability to manufacture, pivoted quickly to a second co-pack operation, but they also had to shut down due to no workforce. After nearly a year away, Carolyn took the opportunity to reformulate and redesign the packaging to reintroduce Javamelts. As she shared, "Nothing short of painful painstaking to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and start all over".
Ah-Ha moment
Carolyn described, "The only way to explain when an 'Ah-Ha' moment occurs is if you would live to regret it". All those years ago when she had the idea, the crazy idea, Carolyn could never predict the journey she was about to embark on. She stated ignorance is bliss fortunately, but she pointed out you can't fall in love with your idea, see if others fall in love with your idea. She told us, "My family has struggled financially and emotionally throughout our story. But I keep telling myself you can't give up on something as brilliant, creative, and groundbreaking of an idea. If I don't see this through, someone else will. Follow your burning desire and go for it".
She explained the importance of having EQ over IQ in her opinion. She also believes it is innate and happens to be one of her strongest assets. While come can be taught EQ, not everyone can and ultimately the ability to possess and demonstrate EQ is what separates leaders from not. Her EQ that is used daily in business is also used with her family in which she tied in when asked about the culture of Javamelts. "It is amazing. When people meet myself and my family and see how much we have given up, how much they gave up for me to follow this dream, they understand how we make this work. I'm so grateful to my family. Our journey, our story is who I am, who we are, it is authentic and real", she told us.
Passion and Purpose
Javamelts gives back to St Jude Children's Hospital, American Veterans Association, American Cancer Society, Harry Chapin Food Bank of Long Island. They have also partnered with Pintail Coffee, who donate all profits to feed the hungry, as their mission is to eliminate the word 'hungry'.
We asked Carolyn her favorite part of working at her company and she shared, "The people. Getting to interact with consumers, watch how they react and respond to trying our product. Those who are interested in our product and the willingness to engage and help spread the word on our behalf People like you. (Thanks for the shoutout Carolyn!) We are getting the opportunity to improve peoples' lives daily, providing a product that has given tens of thousands of customers a new way to experience sugar with our one of a kind flavored sugar".
She provided the advice of being willing to go all in, but to be calculated. Carolyn's path was starting Javamelts as a side hustle, that is how she got into Entrepreneur Magazine. Just because it is a side hustle, doesn't mean you don't have to work as hard. She actually countered saying you have to work smarter, better, faster, and stronger than anyone else, but if committed and believe it can be sustainable. Carolyn and Javamelts is proof as she owns 98% of her business.
We ended our chat with Carolyn asking her what is a moment that brings her the most joy and we got an incredibly in-depth two part answer. First she responded with, "There are days where I've been ready to give up. I'll step back and assess the stresses in my life: work, life, marriage, and family, then I'll get an order. And as crazy as it sounds, that one single order always snaps me out of it." Even more impressive about that answer is mid-video chat with us Carolyn received a call from one of her locations. We got to watch her operate live, there was no switch, no change in tone or personality. The same individual we had spent the last 45 minutes speaking with was now talking to one of her buyers instead of a stranger she had just connected with on LinkedIn a couple weeks prior. That is who Carolyn is at her core.
We picked back up and her answer shifted to what is most important to her, family. Carolyn got emotional as she tried to contain how grateful and lucky she is, "I'm so lucky to have my family. I'm so grateful to have their support, understanding, and belief. For my 3 daughters to have seen me fail and watch me struggle, but not give up, teaching them adversity and how to respond to it is such a great life lesson. Anytime I do one of these interviews and I'm telling our story, reminiscing about the journey I just get lost because I can't believe it is me. That this is my life. I can't believe I not only had the idea, but the desire and fortitude to execute it. I always say there is no quitting, 'it's not impossible it's I'm possible'".
Try Javamelts today for the incredible smells and even better taste! Purchase from their site here and use the code below :)
TRYIT20 - 20% off
Interested in being featured with "Together Talks"?
KLS is booking our upcoming schedule now!
Contact us as we would love to learn your story and share it amongst our audience.
Weekly we provide 2 companies our platform to expand their reach courtesy of our campaign. Let's collaborate!!!
In Closing
KLS wants to thank Carolyn Barbarite, Founder, of Javamelts for today's "Together Talks" feature. Follow along for the Javamelts journey with their social handles below!
Also check out where Javamelts has been featured in the following publications below!
And also here in the following podcasts: Disrupter CEO Nation / Power of the Entrepreneurial Dream / Get Ready for Retail
Klimson Logistics Solutions - Together Talks with Javamelts feature # 50
*Klimson Logistics Solutions is an Industry Leading Customer Service 3PL. Our focus and commitment to our clients has us striving to be the BEST customer service 3PL for LTL, FTL, Reefer, and Drayage in the country. KLS, freight company, is a 3PL providing nationwide logistics solutions. KLS shipping services include: LTL freight, FTL freight, Reefer LTL freight, Reefer FTL freight, and Drayage. Klimson Logistics Solutions thanks you for viewing our marketing campaign, "Together Talks". If you have any interest in being featured or questions regarding your freight operations please contact us today!
Why KLS?
Our precise and reliable effort.
We handle every shipment with the exact same process. It does not matter if you move one shipment a year or ten per day, you will receive the same level of customer service from us. When we started this company, we had one goal in mind, treat every shipment like it was our own. With our vast knowledge of the industry, we understood what a customer would want from a communication standpoint. We applied that process to be the standard here at KLS. Our reliability and being able to depend on our consistency is why we have such long-standing relationships with our clients.
Our Process?
Every shipment in our industry starts with a quote. We are firm believers that time is money, thus we strive to have quotes back in a 5-10 minute reply time for LTL and FTL, any FCL quotes are at the mercy of the carriers getting back to us. For LTL we have the flexibility to quote both off of NMFC and also Density depending on the carrier. Utilizing our services, you’re allowing us to use our expertise to class your freight accordingly to ensure we are providing the best rate we possibly can.
Once a quote has been submitted and a client chooses to proceed with KLS handling the arrangement of the shipment our full process begins. We create the BOL that will be used for the shipment. If it is a new location for our system, we will obtain all the important/special details (reference numbers, contact details, shipping hours, closed for lunch, dock/doors, etc.). We meticulously build every detail into our software for all future shipments involving that location. After we have both locations built and necessary reference numbers have been applied we will tender the shipment to the carrier. We use this method because it provides us a real time pickup number from the carrier to obtain updates prior to pickup. Our staff will either email the BOL directly to you or to the shipper (at your request) the minute after the tender has been accepted by the carrier. LTL carriers require a 2 hour window prior to close time in order to schedule it for a same-day pickup attempt.
The following morning you’ll receive an email from us. It will either provide the reason the pickup was missed (driver’s trailer filled up, driver missed the close time, truck broke down, shipper said no freight, etc.) or if the pickup was successful you will receive the PRO (tracking) number from us, along with the eta for delivery. Our staff will track it throughout the duration of transit and advise if anything happens that will alter the estimated delivery date. The day the shipment delivers we will email you with confirmation and the POD (Proof of Delivery), should you require it.
Your shipment has been quoted, scheduled, picked up, and delivered. The next step is waiting for the carrier to invoice us and make sure the rate matches up. If it does, we close out the invoice from the carrier in our system and automatically your invoice is created and sent to the requested party at your company. In the event the carrier has an additional charge on their invoice “Variance”, we will never send you an invoice with an additional charge without first identifying you of the charge.
Let us repeat, NEVER WILL WE JUST BILL OUT AN EXTRA CHARGE WITHOUT YOU BEING NOTIFIED.
You are our customer, we represent you. Should the carrier provide an extra charge on an invoice, “Lift gate, additional weight, reclass, detention, etc.) We notify you of the charge via email first. Second, within that email we identify what is required should you choose to dispute the charge. Again our goal is to honor your request, if you want to dispute, we will dispute. During a dispute we will provide you updates every step along the way. Once a dispute is closed out, whether it is approved or rejected, then we will invoice you as the invoice has been resolved.
For reference, our company only had 6.2% of all shipments go to dispute in 2022 and we successfully won 91% of those disputes on behalf of our customers.
This is our process for every single shipment you move with us. We don’t cut corners, we don’t hide from difficult situations. We believe in being available, honest, and transparent. We don’t ever want to tell you that a shipment is lost, damaged, misrouted, but it is our duty to notify you the second we find out something has gone wrong. We hate to present bad news, but it is part of the job. What you can guarantee is that we will work a shipment all the way through and turn over every stone until we get a resolution for our clients.
Services offered?
Our core business is LTL and FTL. Within these options we have options for both dry and refrigerated/frozen. We also offer FCL/Drayage options. Our company as a 3PL has nationwide options and services clients across the US.
Let’s breakdown our services more in-depth
LTL:
Standard and Guaranteed
CFS (Imports & Exports)
Tradeshows
Hazmat
Anything that is on a pallet can be moved LTL. Typically LTL is up to 10 pallets, but the sweet spot for a carrier is 6-8 pallets at most for an individual shipment. LTL quotes are good between 5-30 days depending on the carrier. LTL can be quoted either via NMFC or density to determine the class (we do this for you).
Volume:
Anything over 10-12’ of space in the truck is the technical rule for a volume shipment. When we run a quote for you we will determine if it qualifies for volume and provide you a rate if available. Volume moves allow you to get a reduced rate for larger shipments. The caveat to volume shipments it the quotes are only valid for 3-7 days and they move on capacity between terminals. If a terminal is backed up they will move their LTL freight first before the volume freight, which can lead to longer transit times for volume moves.
FTL/Dedicated/Expedited: 53’ Dry and Reefer 26’ Box trucks with lift gate Sprinter Van The main difference for FTL vs LTL is space and transit time. For standard pallets you can fit either 26 or 30 pallets in a 53’ dry van. The other main difference is transit time, for FTL each day counts in the transit time, whereas LTL does not count the day of pickup, weekends, or holidays in their transit time.
Reefer/Frozen:
LTL and FTL
We specialize working in the CPG space with food manufacturers. We regularly deliver to
the following locations:
Kehe
UNFI
Core Mark
DPI
Wegmans
Cugini
H.T. Hackney
Netrition
HEB
ALDI
Chambers and Owens
EBY Brown
Nassau Candy
Harris Teeter
Wakefern
NU INC
Long Distribution
What makes KLS different?
There are thousands for freight brokers and 3PL in our industry. Barrier to entry is rather easy and agents or owners will often hire sales people without any intention of properly training them. It results in high turnover for many freight companies and a forgettable experience for the client. We choose to operate differently through our consistency. We truly care about doing right by our clients and prospects too. While we would love to help provide our services to every company we speak with, that just isn’t realistic. We won’t always be the right fit for every company that moves freight and that is ok. Our authenticity as a shipping company sets us apart from the competition and that is backed up by our testimonials. We also run a marketing campaign bi-weekly called “Together Talks”. We interview, highlight, and promote two businesses every week. Our goal is to grow our network, make new connections, and learn something new with each collaboration. Check it out on our website and if you’re interested in being featured reach out.
Our company also runs a year long charity promotion. Book your first shipment through KLS and we donate to the charity of your choice in your name. Our way of thanking you for giving us an opportunity to show you the KLS way and what makes us one of a kind. This entire package is what we offer to every prospect and every client. Our goal is to help provide answers that customers may have when it comes to shipping. We want to always be available as a resource and will always offer a lending hand whenever we can.
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