Cutting Crusts Instead of Corners with Dillon Ceglio, Co-Founder & CEO of Chubby Snacks

Stairway to CEO

Description:

Sharing his story today is Dillon Ceglio, the Co-Founder and CEO of Chubby Snacks, a brand modernizing the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Catching up with Dillon, we hear all about his upbringing in a small city in New Jersey and how it sparked a competitive mindset in him and cultivated his taste for entrepreneurship that would flourish later on in life. He also shares the story behind why he tattooed his SAT score on his body, highlighting the idea of stepping stones on life’s trajectory, and shares the story behind how Chubby Snacks came to be! To hear more about navigating retail challenges, exploring manufacturing options, and dealing with a cease-and-desist letter from Smuckers, be sure not to miss out on this episode!

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In This Episode, You’ll Hear About:

• [00:02:48] Where Dillon calls home now, about his hometown, some childhood memories, siblings, and what he was into as a kid.

• [00:04:15] What sparked his competitive mindset, his first exposure to entrepreneurship, early jobs, and what he aspired to be when he grew up.

• [00:06:00] Dillon’s childhood challenges, being cut from his first sport, his struggle through tough formative high school years, and why he tattooed his SAT score on his body.

• [00:08:40] His college story, dropping out of state school, switching his mindset, viewing community college as a business opportunity, and a life-changing moment he experienced.

• [00:10:35] Gaining confidence in who he was, the track he was on for his career, and looking at college and his degree as a stepping stone in his life’s trajectory.

• [00:12:40] The journey behind what inspired him to get into entrepreneurship, how he created his first app and started his first company.

• [00:17:30] His evolving journey from a digital marketer and landing on performance marketing for e-commerce brands.

• [00:18:45] How he came up with the idea for Chubby Snacks and shifted gears from e-commerce to food and beverage.

• [00:21:28] What it was like being hit with a cease-and-desist from Smuckers, how they navigated the entire situation, and why they decided on a cloud-shaped sandwich.

• [00:25:21] How they came up with the name Chubby Snacks and how their operations have been the differentiator for their product.

• [00:32:30] He talks about fundraising and finding investors by showcasing their story, work ethic, and vision.

• [00:34:10] The challenges they’ve overcome, dealing with B.S., and maintaining perseverance.

• [00:36:08] What it was like getting into retail, focusing on moving products already on the shelf, and why they’re all moving to San Diego.

• [00:40:52] Dillon’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and what’s next for Chubby Snacks!

To Find Out More:

Dillion Ceglio on LinkedIn

Dillon Ceglio on Instagram

Dillon Ceglio on X

Dillon Ceglio on TikTok

‘Threatened By Smucker And Facility Closure, Chubby Snacks Amasses $3.25 Million To Launch Superfood Peanut Butter And Jelly Sandwich Nationwide’

Chubby Snacks

Chubby Snacks on Instagram

Chubby Snacks on TikTok

Chubby Snacks on Facebook

Lee Greene on LinkedIn

Stairway to CEO

Stairway to CEO on Instagram

Quotes:

“My mom was a personal trainer and spin instructor as a kid, so I got to see firsthand what it meant to be in the best shape of your life at a very early age, and I thank my mom a lot for instilling very healthy habits for me.” [0:03:20]

“[Being an athlete growing up] ultimately created this competitive mindset for me, which I think I carry very closely to me at this point in my life.” [0:04:17]

“I actually have my SAT score tattooed on me because I did terribly on my SATs — as a constant reminder that it didn’t mean anything.”[0:07:13]

“What sticks with me the most is that it doesn’t matter where you start; it matters where you finish.” [0:08:16]

“I looked at junior college [or] community college, as a business opportunity.” [0:08:50]

“I saw [college] as more of a stepping stone, I didn’t necessarily go to college with the expectation that whatever my degree was, I was going to end up in that field after — it was another one of the building blocks that ultimately led to gaining more confidence.” [0:11:55]

“I have the ability to think differently and think logically, so why can’t I come up with an idea that can ultimately be turned from an idea into a reality?” [0:13:41]

“With a name like Chubby Snacks, the cloud-shaped sandwich, we think we’ve done a really good job at ultimately putting our sandwich at the forefront of grocery stores.” [0:24:47]

“You hear a name like Chubby Snacks and you’re going to remember that. It doesn’t matter in what capacity, but when you think of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich you’re either going to think about the Uncrustable or you’re going to think about Chubby Snacks!” [0:25:27]

“I can’t possibly take myself too seriously, I sell peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for a living, right? Why not have fun with this!” [0:26:18]

“We laugh and joke and say that we are the Albert Einsteins of peanut butter and jelly manufacturing. There’s not joke, we are. We’ve tried 100 different ways to make these things and we cracked the code time and time again!” [0:29:46]

“We constantly showcased our abilities to be good problem solvers, and I think that carries a lot of weight in order to be able to get people to really buy into what it is that we are doing.” [0:33:26]