REAL IS RARE EP 7 - Jeff Logan with BECOME Nutrition

On this episode of Real is Rare, Eric sits down with actor and Become Nutrition founder Jeff Logan for a high-energy conversation about building a supplement brand with real purpose, real quality, and real results. Jeff talks about the early grind behind Become, the hard lessons from bad manufacturing and costly setbacks, and how staying locked in on hero products like Be Clean and Be Lean helped shape the brand’s growth. They also get into Jeff’s acting journey — from his first background role to landing major parts — plus the discipline it takes to balance Hollywood, business, fatherhood, and wellness all at once. This episode is all about betting on yourself, learning the hard way, and building something real that people actually believe in.

Thanks again Jeff for stopping by and revisiting where all the magic happens!

Transcript

Intro 0:00

Keep it go, got to keep it girl dog. Keep it go, got to keep it girl dog.

Eric Simpson 0:06

Jeff Logan, Become Nutrition. Good to see you, brother. Good to see you too.

Jeff Logan 0:09

Live in Simpson Labs right now. Live. In the podcast studio.

Eric Simpson 0:12

Wasn't here last time I was here. Yeah, man. You you haven't been here in a minute, dude. I should have taken a shower before I came up in here. No, you smell great. Look great. Yeah, it's been years since you've been here, but I see you at all the trade shows, so it's always good to connect. But yeah, good to good to have you back here, man. Good to be back. So become nutrition, man. I've been uh seeing the growth over the years. Uh, congratulations. Thank you. It's great. Yeah, I remember when we first chatted many, many years ago. Um, you know, I was quoting your products for you, and you know, you didn't have a name or a brand for it, so we called it superstar. Superstar. Superstar. So superstar is still on my files for Become Nutrition. So it's become nutrition slash superstar. And I refuse to take it off because don't, don't. It's always a good story. It's good energy. So I'll I'll save it there. But yeah, you know, going forward.

Jeff Logan 0:58

But no, but as become started, it's funny you put that, but before become started, or you you started um manufacturing for become there there was no superstar. I didn't do any films yet. So like that manifested.

Eric Simpson 1:09

That's where it came from, superstar. Because we know you're you know Hollywood legend movies, so superstar. That that's probably where it came from. Yeah, that's hilarious. I didn't I didn't think about that till just now. But yeah, it's great uh watching, you know, watching you grow, watching the brand grow. Uh, you've been crushing it. You know, we've been fulfilling for you for a while now, and just watching all your products ship all over the world, man. It's uh it's truly awesome to see the growth. So it's cool, right?

Jeff Logan 1:33

It's cool to see when when somebody comes up and they're like, you know, hey, I took Beeline and I lost 80 pounds, or I lost 100 pounds, I lost this, and it's like, wow, this stuff is really giving people results. Or even be clean, which someone told me not to do, and they're like, oh, I'm like, that's not the fitness industry. Nobody wants that, nobody cares about their hair, skin, and nails, and all that. I was like, well, I'm going in a little bit of a different of a direction. And um, that's been the number one seller. I mean, that thing, we can't keep it on the shelves. That's great. Yeah, every time I talk to you, it's when am I getting my order? We're out, we're out, we're out. So what's the ETA?

Eric Simpson 2:04

Good problem to have, good problem to have.

Jeff Logan 2:06

Then another thing is like people don't understand what goes on behind the scenes, like how important you are, like essential to everything when it comes to manufacturing. Because if if your manufacturer is not up to par, um, we're talking about like I hate to even say this, but like back in the day, become nutrition proprietary blends, like the whole thing is a proprietary blend, so you don't know what's in there. Yeah, if if you know, because I think you have to do the most abundant ingredient listing it first and then the least last, but like they were just blended products, and I didn't know what I was doing, but I think going through that uh trial and error period is essential to be like, okay, well, here's a rough draft, and then here's the final polished product, you know what I mean? Like, I'm not just in the basement like encapsulating things, you know. So not anymore, anyway. No, no, no, no, not anymore. But it's definitely a huge step up, and um, you know, just to even walking around the uh the lab is like there's so much like science and chemistry, and like I'm seeing the machines, and these machines are bigger than my house, like you know, it's in and it's wild. Even to hear, like, okay, you have to, there's a process to clean this machine from when, you know, if a similar formula was in there from a different brand, but like, hey, one of the ingredients is off, or there's something you know different and has to be, you said it's a whole process of getting cleaned out, and this is where the results come in because everything that I list that's in those products is in there. So uh thank you guys for being you know the quality control of SL.

Eric Simpson 3:33

Yeah, we we always got to make sure that what's on the label is what's actually product, legally, absolutely. But yeah, no, we do all our sanitization, we do, you know, allergen swaps, um, you know, the whole nine yards. It I tell people all the time, uh, half the time our orders it takes longer to clean and set up a machine than it does to actually run the product. Right. So it's uh it's it it definitely you know comes into play on downtime, which is where we have to list, you know, some of our MOQs for some of our products because you know I had one guy that was you know very sad that we could no longer just do 10,000 sticks at a time. Right. And I'm like, look, my man, I've I've done this for you for you know years now. We we just can't do 10,000 sticks anymore. So we we raise it to 25,000. And 25,000 is still extremely reasonable because you know, a lot of other manufacturers out there are doing 100,000 minimums, 300,000 minimums, 500,000 minimums. So gotta have a starting point. But yeah, uh the breakdown, you know, can be you know up to six to eight hours on a stick-packed machine because you know, we have these six ups, right? Six augers, six blades, six motors, six of everything. And it is coating.

Jeff Logan 4:40

So like when you go back there, it's like this nucleus of just like work. Like there's there's vitamin packs over here, there's protein powder over here, creatine over here, multivitamins, something's getting blended, and like and and then also one thing you've never never told me is no. Like, I'll go out and be this math scientist and say, all right, well, I'm gonna make this the perfect pre-workout. And I'm so interested in formula in formulation versus like the marketing of it. I'm like, all right, I'm gonna put this in it and that in it, and this in it. And then you're like, okay, cool. And I'm like, all right, you know, and you you you know, there's the process of seeing, like, okay, well, like B-lean for an example. Uh, you're like, hey, we might have to like shave a little bit of this down, or else you're gonna be at an eight capsule serving. And I'm like, yeah, let's take a little bit of that down. Or if you know, FDA bans something or something gets on the list, like you guys are right on it, like, hey, you you can take this out and put this in and it'll still get the same effect. So there's a lot of science that goes behind it.

Eric Simpson 5:31

Yeah, I mean, obviously it's your baby, it's your brand. So, you know, I'm not gonna come in and tell you how to do your formulations, and I know you have a vision of your own. Right. So we'll always take that into consideration. And you know, I'll I'll put in my two cents if I feel it's necessary, if I think it could be better, or if I think it's bad, or you know, if you want to, you know, move certain things around on the blends, you know, if you want to call out certain things. So, you know, all in all, at the end of the day, we want to make sure that the consumer is happy with the product, right? Because if they're not reordering, we didn't none of us, you and I, we didn't do our jobs, we didn't do our due diligence. So we always want to make sure the consumer is happy that at the end of the day, you know, everything test out, you know, taste great, dissolved.

Jeff Logan 6:14

Taste great, the flavor. Yeah, flavor. So no matter where I am, because I'm on the go a lot, you sent me. I think I was doing a film in Atlanta, and I'm just like, all right, well, you know, uh be ready, like X, Y, and Z flavor. Like I'll give you five flavors, and then you sent them right to the hotel I was staying at. I remember that. Yeah, yeah. So, like, before I go on set, I'm full of pre-workout. Oh no. And I'm on set, just like luckily it was a high energy scene that I had to do that day, but I was like, I'm full of pre-workout right now. It's a good thing wasn't a crying scene or something. I know, right?

Eric Simpson 6:42

And I'll be crying intensely. Oh, that'd be bad. Oh man. But yeah, ultimately, uh, at the end of the day, you know, your success is our success. So we want to make sure that, you know, everything is being manufactured is to its highest quality and standards all around. So yeah.

Jeff Logan 6:58

And ultimately, that's been my like roller coaster, right? Is manufacturing because the vision of mine never changed. But like, you know, being a business owner, being an entrepreneur, it's like a roller coaster. That's why when someone's in a relationship with an entrepreneur, they have to realize, like, yeah, you're on a roller coaster. Like, I might be in Florida tomorrow or London the next day, or we might be extremely successful and like, oh, we're we're gonna get stake and fly first class, and then oh now we can't go nowhere. You know, like so it's this roller coaster. And um it it my main struggles have been with manufacturing. And like when I first started out, um so basically become got it become was born from anger and then me having too much time on my hands. Anger from I wanted to make a change in the in the supplement industry. Um, there was a lot of lies. Uh fitness and wellness kind of turned into a chemistry product uh project with people just, you know, like you'll you'll see a body that represents health and it's not really healthy. You know, you'll see a body on the stage and it's like, oh, well, they're dehydrated, they're dieted down, like they're they're probably at their weakest point. And it's like, oh, well, I thought it was the opposite, like that, you know, they're ripped and they're strong. And I wanted to bring actual wellness back to uh fitness, right? And not just be this this uh chemistry uh project. And I was working in GNC, I forget I was in my early 20s, and this kid would give me a shift, and he was like, hey man, no one comes in. I was like, I don't care. He's like it's a Sunday, nobody, he's like, you will get maybe one customer, old lady or something like that. Cool dude. It's like I'll take your your your eight hours and um it was like eight bucks an hour tax, so like six dollars and fifty cents an hour, whatever. And I'm in GNC and I'm looking. I'm just looking. Like I, you know, faced every product, brought every product to the forefront, and I'm just like, if they just put that product with that one, they could make one, and then that one with that one, there could be another one because I stacked those, but why isn't it just a product? And I was like, oh, because you can get 40 bucks for that, 40 bucks for that, 40 bucks for that. I was like, oh, so if I can make it together, I can say that's a bragging point. So, hey, you don't need all those, it's already in here. Like Walmart, you don't gotta go get groceries, we got groceries. It's like, okay, cool, I'm not leaving now. You know, we got home goods, we can do your tires, we could do old change. So now people, Walmart is their one-stop shop. So I wanted these products to represent that. And when I think about be clean, which is the bestseller, it's like uh you got your hair, skin, and nails, that could be a product. You got 10 billion probiotics, could be another product. You got 500 milligrams of reservoir, which I gave you you for a fucking gift. Can I say fucking hair?

Eric Simpson 9:23

Yeah, fucking you, man. We ain't fucking regulated. No FDC, F FCC up in this bitch. So I gave you a fucking gift.

Jeff Logan 9:32

Because 500 milligrams of reservoir is a $30 to $40 product alone. And I just threw it in there. Take that. Little anti-agent for you, right? And um, it's multiple products in one and immune boost and then the collagen in there, uh, hyaluronic acid. So it's like all these products in one. And one day I went out and I was like, you know what, let's make B clean. Let's go get this product, and it was like 170 bucks, just grabbing all the you know, the the intricacies of it, and that's 40 bucks. How can you argue? You can't. Yeah. So I I wanted something different, and that's where it, you know, it it birthed from, and um, it's been successful ever since. So you can't listen to everybody when they're like, oh, you know, that's not the trend. It's like well, I'm not going with the trend because trend is gonna go out. Bell bottom jeans, they're they're great and then they're gone. You know, call it a trend. Exactly.

Eric Simpson 10:18

So then after that, so was Be Clean the first product?

Jeff Logan 10:21

No, no, the first product was Be Ready.

Eric Simpson 10:23

Be ready, okay. Great be ready. Okay, got it. I still have a bottle. Oh my god, is it hard as a rock? Oh god, like it's it's a brick.

Jeff Logan 10:31

Gotta go in there with a chisel.

Eric Simpson 10:32

Oh my goodness.

Jeff Logan 10:33

I got it for like a trophy. Then I have my older bottles where I was hand labeling my proprietary blend stuff, and it's so funny to put to put them next to each other. And it's like, like, even that manufacturer, this was circa, this was right after I didn't make it to the NFL. And I met a guy. You always meet a guy, right? And uh, usually that guy's shady. Usually, usually, and um, he was manufacturing supplements, and it was this small, like, it's probably as big as his room. He's doing all these supplements, and I'm just like, can I make a brand out of here? And I maybe come out of there. And it was doing well. There's an MTV True Life episode with me on it, and you know, centered around fitness and stuff like that. And then I was like, all right, well, I need to, I kept getting like, you know, like, hey, I'll give you 3K, you give me product, 4K, and I'm like, okay, well, I'm gonna be on MTV, so I need to put in a bigger order. So I did a 10K order, and for me back then, I was like $10,000, so much money, right? And um, dude left with the money. So I got, but I'm taking orders. Okay. So I had to refund everybody. He took my money, so now I'm in the red. So he ditched you. Yeah, oh yeah. Oh shit. Like never to this day, never heard from this guy again. Like, dick. If I see you, but now you know, like I just never heard from him again. But it's it's those type of um times that the vision has to stay strong and you can't let circumstance define you, you know. Like you have to, like, I love those character building years because they almost make you bulletproof. Yeah, they exposes where your your your vulnerability lies, and it's like, okay, well, I need to make this strong, that strong, this strong. It's almost like a relationship. If a person left you and you are absolutely broken, you're like, okay, well, I need to make this stronger, that stronger, and this stronger in order to come back my best. And it did. Yeah. So came back and was was dealing with you, you know, everything was going great. And then in business, you get a little greedy. And you're like, well, wait, if if I can get, you know, this manufacturer for like two dollars cheaper and I could go here and this and that, and then it's like, all right, well, we'll we'll put you on pause and go here. Then that manufacturer sucked. Yeah. And then you outsource from oh, I outsource from overseas. That got held by the FDA for 60 business days. Embargo the palleter was oh god, just wasn't from a country the New York port liked.

Eric Simpson 12:42

So gotcha. Well, you know, I I always say this, you know, all the time. If you love something, let it go. And if it's meant to be, it comes back. Right. I mean, and that that is no different in this industry. I mean, I've been doing this for God, I don't even know, 27 years now. 27, 20. 28. I don't know, since 98, whatever the fucking that math comes out to be. Uh, and I I've seen it all. And, you know, at Simpson Labs, it's no different. You know, we've we've, you know, helped build people up, and then, you know, they they leave, they want to go save a nickel, a quarter, a dollar. And if it worked out for them, hey, more power to you. I mean, there's there's a lot of other manufacturers out there.

Jeff Logan 13:19

But the shortcuts are always bumpy, man.

Eric Simpson 13:20

Yeah, I mean, usually if there's something cheaper out there, there's a reason for it. Uh, I'm not saying people cut corners or anything, but you know, people try to lure people in, oh, we'll we'll do it for you for way less. And then, you know, the next order, oh, you know, the price went up, you know, 30 cents. Oh, you know, labor went up, you know, there's another 50 cents, and before you know it, you're back to the same price you were at with us. Or you might have a shady product. Or you might have a shady product. I mean, you know, I or you might get sued because somebody got hurt. Like that's it's a dangerous game to cut cut corners in anything. It is, it really is. And, you know, majority of the times if if somebody ends up leaving, they they end up coming back. And I, you know, I'm grateful for it. I'm I'm not, you know, vindictive or shady or anything like that. I'm I'm happy to, you know, open up the doors and let's get back to brass tax, let's get back to what we were doing before. So sometimes people need to see what else is out there in order to know what you had from the get-go. Yeah. And um, you were no different. And that and that's fine, you know. And when you called me up, I was so happy and thankful. And then you came down and we did a tour, and you know, we you know, we went back down to business, and now things are better than ever for become. And I and I'm happy for it. Because I remember that email, you were like, I was like, Hey, I thought this was you know, X amount to produce this. You're like, I don't know who was producing for you or what was in there, but like this is I remember running those numbers for you now. Now it's coming back to me. I I remember seeing the numbers. I'm like, that there's no way. Yeah, like I run costs all day. That's what I do. 90% of my day is doing the quotation. You ain't getting a five-star hotel for like $10 a night. It's just not happening. I'm like, look, man, you're getting it for six bucks. I'm running my numbers, it's costing $650. That's no labor, no testing, uh, no marginal markup, nothing. So something is definitely off.

Intro 14:59

Right.

Eric Simpson 15:00

And you know, sometimes when I get that from people, I'll actually buy it and I'll have it tested. I will spend the money to prove my point. Oh, so you can test products. Absolutely. And we will do that to prove the point. What's in that bottle is not what's on that label. Now, is it purity or like that lab test? Like what is that lab test going to do? Purity, yeah. Okay. So we'll test the purity. You know, if it states, you know, 25 grams of protein, test out at 18 grams of protein. Well, there's there's your there's your cost difference, right?

Jeff Logan 15:26

I mean that's illegal.

Eric Simpson 15:27

Yeah. It's very deceptive. And people, you know, they'll figure a way to, oh, well, it was, you know, a false positive test or a collection issue. No, you didn't manufacture it properly. That's that's it at the end of the day. So we we see it happen all the time. So, you know, we we just try our best to keep our nose clean and do do what's right for the case.

Jeff Logan 15:47

But then when you cut corners, it's like now you're cutting the corners on the people's results who who trust the brand, who trust you, who trust your word. Because that's why people keep coming back and be clean. That's my um number one as far as like repeat customer rate. Like they just keep coming back and they they put it on um, you know, the monthly order, the subscription, and it's like we're getting people results. Yeah, and that's that's the biggest thing. Or there'll be people like where when I outsource to another another country and the FDA held it, and I I I finally get the pills, and I'm just like these are a whole different color. Like, I was like, oh my god, like people are gonna go crazy. Yeah, and but when when it oh, I'm comfortable with the the results that people are getting, that's when I get to that's when I'm comfortable as far as like telling you what it does. You know what I mean? Like, I'm not gonna sell you a Lamborghini, that's like a two-cylinder. You know what I mean? Like, no, this is you know, this is a V12, X amount of horsepower, it's gonna, you know, you're winning a race and look cool while you're doing it. So it, you know, Simpson Labs gives me that confidence to uh pretty much practice what I preach, you know, and like that product, all the before and afters is just it's insane what it's doing to people's uh skin. And we're fighting big people, we're fighting like Accutane, right? People are getting on Accutane to clear their skin, and a woman who's on Accutane, it says specifically, do not get pregnant, you cannot get pregnant during this. There will be birth defects. Really? So it's like if we're fighting like a big, you know, big farmer on that, and that's getting people's people results, and there's girls understand because it's for all skin types, it's not, it's not gender, you know, dependent or anything. Anybody with skin. If you got skin, and um you should put that on the label, yeah. If you have skin, and uh, it's like one girl was like, Oh, I tried Accutane, I tried this, or one girl was like, I'm a daughter of a dermatologist, and I'm like, Yes, I live for before and after.

Eric Simpson 17:29

So that's great, especially if you're doing something with Big Pharma. It brings me back to like red rice yeast, right? Red rice yeast were great for years, and we we were making that product so much at my previous manufacturing company I would had worked for, and then Liptocor came out. Then all of a sudden, Big Pharma shut down. The FDA stopped allowing red rice yeast to be used in the market. And it was because liptocore took over. So it it was nuts. I remember actually making these on a machine for my mother, and her cholesterol was, you know, up here. And after she started taking these 600 milligram red rice yeast pills that I had made for her, you know, this this is back in 2000, 2001. Wow, maybe maybe a little bit later, her cholesterol dropped substantially. And it just goes to show big farmers always.

Jeff Logan 18:15

I mean, if she went to the doctor, they would have put her on X, Y, Z, and then oh, well, you need this to counteract that, so that doesn't mess you up. Wow.

Eric Simpson 18:22

Yeah. So all these, you know, you know, the end results at the end of the day, it worked great and it wasn't pharmaceutical. So, and then, you know, eventually it got back around. Red rice yeast is now available to use, but it's not used as much. Now that I think about it, we don't use much red rice yeast at all. And I think it's because in people's mind they want to go with whatever the big pharma is selling to bring down the cholesterol. So, no different with the hair, skin, and nails. If you can get the results with your product versus using something that's pharmaceutical grade quotations, uh, why not? And I'm sure it's a lot cheaper than what you're gonna go spend for it at a pharmacy. So for sure.

Jeff Logan 18:57

And then there's always that fine print with anything you know that's prescribed, and then there's an incentive for the doctor. There's like you have to look at it from an entrepreneurial mindset as well. And then if something needs this much marketing, like I'm watching a Super Bowl and it's like new this, it's always some like whimsical name that sounds like a cruise ship or some shit, and it's like this, and then at the end, it's like you know, people are like frolicking through the forest and shit. Oh, yeah, I have to get on this and lower my cholesterol. And then they're like, Yeah, but it might cause all this stuff, and then you know, and they speed that little part up, so may cause diarrhea.

Eric Simpson 19:26

Your your left leg may fall off, uh, your your dick might fall off as well, you know, shriveled up bowls or whatever it is. You might grow another one, yeah. Might be that. I mean, I I have Crohn's, I have Crohn's disease. I've had it since I was 19, and I've taken every fucking medication out there from you know, liquid IV injection to pill forms, and it's crazy because like five years ago, you didn't really hear much about Crohn's at all. People were just not talking about it. You know there was no commercials for it. Now every fucking commercial is Crohn's or IC or whatever it is, and yeah, people are frolicking through the fucking forest or sitting there on cruise ships, or like, oh, no more stomach pain. You can go out there and go. Go on a cruise now. Fuck that. I took all these goddamn freaking uh um uh pills, and my shit still hurts every goddamn day, so it's all full of shit. You know, I I don't trust any of that crap. So I've been working on my own cocktails at the office with you know different ingredients that are that are all natural. And that's what it's about. Yeah. See, I I'm I'm going to find the perfect blend for myself. 100%. And then eventually I'd like to get that out there to other people. But uh, yeah, it's it's tough. But basically where I'm going with that is all this shit you see on Big Pharma and all their commercials, it's just all a load of shit.

Jeff Logan 20:37

Yeah, it's marketing and think about it. If you have to market the product this hard, how good can it be? Yeah. You know, like certain fast food chains, like the really like crappy quality food, fast food chains, they are, you know, they'll grab a celebrity, they'll grab this person, and then they're they're pushing it, but like you're never satisfied after eating that. You're just like, okay, let me like God, you know, you're you're all fucked up after you eat that. But like, look how much marketing they have to do versus a supplement that's like a word of mouth, or like, hey, this really works, and then they try to shut things down if it's like, you know, if it directly affects big pharma. But um we haven't did that. Like, here's the thing why I know B Clean is working because people are getting off Accutane to use it, and then also I'm seeing clones, and I'm like, yes, like some people get nervous. They were knocking your stuff off. Oh, yeah. I saw this one brand, and because I I had a meme that was like a crumpled up hamburger bun, and then a smooth, you know, the McDonald's hamburger bun, the fileto fish is just perfection. And I was like, That's great on TV. This is how good your skin can be, right? And someone stole that meme, and I'm like, oh, it's like we got a hair vitamin. I'm like, oh, you guys are copying the swag. Like we're doing something right. So I love that. And then, like I said, also just like failure with like I'll get into the running, I'm looking at uh, you know, just market research, seeing what the other brands are doing, and I'm like, all right, well, we we need this, we we need we need beats, or we need this. It's like, bro, stay in your lane. And and and when you find your lane, speed down it. Like, my lane is be clean, be lean. Um, the pre workout is for me. Like the the meat head. Version of me that was like 270 pounds, Ben Preston, 500 something. Like, that's not me anymore. Um, and when you said you got your own cocktail, it's funny. Like, that's how this also came about as far as formulation is me in the field testing these products. Like, okay, well, pre-workout, I was already making my own. I was, you know, grabbing all the different ingredients, making my own. Um, because what I want to do is give you results that are typical, right? I hate the results not typical. It's like, then don't show me. Yeah, you know, don't sell me the dream. Like, I remember certain bodybuilders, and it's funny how I came up from you know looking at these guys in the magazines to like, I'm shaking hands with these guys, like I trained with some of them. And um it was funny, I was I was joking with one, and I was like, you know, you know, you remember muscle tech. I mean, huge. Yeah, I'm like, you're on the cover of muscle tech, and it was like this $300 pack, and 300 bucks was a lot hard to come by back then. My dad bought me for Christmas, and I'm like, I'm gonna look just like this. Like, I'm gonna, that's how I'm gonna look at the end of this, and I did not. Because you don't realize, okay, it's died, and that goes with it, there's anabolics and stuff, but it was more like become is about, you know, even the name, right? Become, by definition, begin to be, right? And we got people getting it tattooed, right? You be the thing if we're thinking about manifestation, then it comes to you, right? It's embodiment. So even and then every uh product name is affirmation. Be lean, be clean, be ready, be this, be that, be hard. Be hard. Don't forget the be hard. Do not forget over there. Don't forget the be hard. That being a name was difficult. I mean, when I get stopped in TSA, they're just like, oh, I'm like, yeah. Oh my god. But yeah, it was just like just the the branding just came to me one day and I was like, oh, it should be like be that, be that no, it's great, it's smart, it's very good for marketing.

Eric Simpson 23:42

Oh, yeah. Getting past TSA, like sometimes, like when we're going to trade shows back in the day, we would have little just little baggies full of powder, like creatine or this or that. Man, unlabeled so much shit all the time.

Jeff Logan 23:54

Yeah, y'all didn't have the the fancy SL branding.

Eric Simpson 23:56

No, uh, now we actually send it to the colour. It's telling you the net weight and everything. Yeah, we actually were gonna do a fun spin-off on uh some some content of um you know, some some white powder in a car being pulled over. So still working on that. That's cool. That's not cool. That'll be fun. It's like a little like a short film. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, that'll be funny.

Jeff Logan 24:14

But speaking of film, it keeps me ready too. It's it was an extension of my own lifestyle because I'm like, okay, if I'm traveling all the time, I don't need to look like I traveled. And if, you know, I'm not gonna sit here and say I've sleep the best. Like, I don't. So it's like, or or like this eight hours of sleep that everybody's supposed to magically get. And um, I remember I never forget Arnold says something. If you sleep eight hours, sleep faster. And I'm like, sleep faster.

Intro 24:36

Sleep faster.

Jeff Logan 24:38

That's great. But yeah, so it's a lifestyle brand. So like when I'm when I have to film, I gotta be in all these modes, right? I gotta be in dad mode. I literally was reprimanding my kid via FaceTime yesterday, you know. It's like dad mode, and then boom, I gotta train with someone, and I'm training with someone who's a bodybuilder. Shout out to my guy Simi and Panda. You're you're training with this heavy bodybuilder. Yeah, Sim. You spoke to him before. Had me doing PRs in there yesterday, bro. My shoulders still hurts from benching down there 405. Oh shit. But um, you know, you're in dad mode, then you're in that mode, and it's like, okay, you might have to go act, or you might have to go, like, I gotta meet with my agency after this, you know, like and strategize a, you know, this Hollywood thing, you know. So it's about not only looking good, because that's what a lot of fitness was, is looking good, but it's also feeling good. You know, how many times you diet in down and you feel like shit, this is your keto, no carbon, but like I want to feel what actual wellness feels like, you know. And like I said, just getting people the results that they're supposed to have versus like this new promise where now it's like right now, peptides are just trendy. Like, I don't even know, like I'm seeing different peptide things every day. There's different ones that pop up, and I'm like, I don't want to be a science project, bro. They might work. You want to be the guinea pig? Nah, I don't want to be the guinea pig. I'll be the overcounter guinea pig, but not like injecting stuff. But it's like, man.

Eric Simpson 25:51

I can't tell you how many times a week somebody texts me or shoots us an email that they want to buy peptides, and I'm like, I have I don't know what to tell you. We do not manufacture peptides here. I don't know about that. There's no way, no way in hell. They were just readily available to everybody, like something's up with that. Like I mean, I they literally they they send blends to people's houses and they have to mix it and dilute it themselves. Right. I'm like, that's crazy. Some people, hey, if you know what you're doing, great. Human power to you. If you know what you're doing, awesome. But for the ones that don't know what they're doing, they don't know how to do the math, they don't know where they're injecting. It's like, oh my God. But everybody wants something quick. Where does the liability end? Like are you are you signing your life away when you buy this product online? I mean says not for human consumption, so do they? Is that oh yeah?

Jeff Logan 26:39

Research purposes only. Oh my god. Because it's happening so quick, you'll lose weight so fast, and all the you know, different GLPs, the ones that are you know tied to two or three and whatever. And that's the thing, you'll see Instagram, and it makes you feel like you are missing out. Yeah, because I coach as well. I do like life coaching and you know, business coaching for clients. And this one guy is just like, you know, my girl wants to go on a trip every five minutes. Like, yeah, because she's looking at her friends, posting old photos of them on trips. They're not even on the fucking trips, they're just posting old photos, and you feel like I should be on a trip, you know? Oh my goodness. And everybody's like, oh, I just lost 50 pounds like that. Oh, it just melted off. And it's like, there's a process to this, and there's also a payment for anything that's fast, and anything fast doesn't last, right? Lotto winners, how many lotto winners have gone on to you know create successful companies? Oh, yeah, Jeff Bezos was a lottery winner. No, he wasn't. He oh, you were a lottery winner, right? Like we were just talking about our kids and how like you know, first cars and stuff like that. And it's like, shit. Yeah. When we were 18, like we nobody was buying us a car, you know. So fast things don't have longevity in them. And it's okay to be natural, it's okay for it to be a process because even this brand is a reflection of someone I had to become, you know. And if we skip the process, we're doing ourselves a disservice to who we have to be and the hardships we have to go to, and discipline never ever will go out of style. Ever. Neither will consistency. You know, fitness or industry is that. I mean that that's it. Speaking of that, 28 years, yeah, right? Almost like how long how old I am, right? Obviously. And um 20. How do you feel about uh the way that it changed? Like there was one, there was one pre-workout, Jack 3D. Yeah, yeah. That's all you're thinking about. Man, I took too much of that stuff one day and was just flying for incredible.

Eric Simpson 28:25

That stuff was great. The DMHA, the DMAA, your germinatis, all that stuff. So great. Ultimate orange.

Jeff Logan 28:32

Yeah.

Eric Simpson 28:33

That's my dad's era. No dos, yellow jackets, all that good stuff, man.

Jeff Logan 28:38

That's what got me into it, my dad. Like my dad would have all these supplements, and I was about shouldn't I be saying this? I was about 13, just sneaking stuff. Little bits, you know, like the creatine, because he was always before it was cool to like gun supplements. My dad would just boom. He didn't have the time to mix something, and then half the stuff didn't even taste good back then. And I would go in there, like take the creatine and go work out and like like look in the mirror and stuff like that. Um, so it's just funny to see how one, how supplements have changed in fitness, and then two, fashion. So, like when I was modeling, I've modeled for Gymsharks and um ASRV and stuff like that. And I'm like, this stuff looks kind of too nice to be sweating and like I'm used to rags. Same thing with supplements. I'm used to them tasting like chalk.

Eric Simpson 29:23

Yeah.

Jeff Logan 29:23

So when I get this, like, oh, you know, mojito. I remember I asked you, I was like, Can you make me a mojito flavor? You're like, yeah, and it tastes like an actual mojito. And I was like mind blown for a second, like that. It was so spotty.

Eric Simpson 29:35

I mean, like back in the day, like stevia, oh my god, so disgusting. Now, I mean, we literally carry probably 25, 30 different stevias in our inventory. There's wait, there's different ones? Yeah. I thought it was just no, no, different extract ratios. You got your Reb A, your Reb M's. I mean, everything is different. And you know, you you combine that with maskers, you combine it with other monk fruits. I mean, things are way different. Like if you were trying to take a stevia or a monk fruit type product, you know, 10 years ago, it tasted like ass. But now, you know, depending on the formulation, we we have stuff that tastes amazing. I mean, I would say, you know, hydration's huge, you know, creatine, hydrations, proteins. We run so many hydrations for so many brands, 90% of them are all naturally sweet and naturally flavored. Wow. And it it comes down to the point to where, you know, yeah, you still use sucralist and everything else, that's fine. But everything has, you know, grown so much over the years that you can now get away with using an all-natural hydration and it tasting, you know, pretty damn fucking good. So my wife actually prefers the natural ones over the artificial ones. Yeah, now. So I mean, that was like the the hump to get over.

Jeff Logan 30:41

Like you work out and like, all right, here goes the protein. Like, it's gonna be like chalk.

Eric Simpson 30:45

You're sitting there whacking your pacing, you're like, I know this shit isn't gonna dissolve, it's gonna taste like absolute dodgy. I don't know if you're gonna get my gain.

Jeff Logan 30:55

I don't even know what the hell was in it. It was, I mean, dirt, roots. Like, I would imagine if I let my kids play out in the park, no, two parks, and then I just took their shoe and just licked the bottom of it. Like, that was that's what it reminds me of. Like, just no gains with that.

Eric Simpson 31:10

No, no, no, I got gains. Not with the lick in the shoe.

Jeff Logan 31:15

Yeah, man, it's it's it's different.

Eric Simpson 31:16

Yeah, it was wild. Well, back then too, they didn't have you know stuff that was instatized. You know, they didn't have instatized protein back then, it was just protein, it was just whey. And yeah, you had to mix it up and it was it tasted terrible. But then, yeah, as the years progress, you know, different processes, you know, out of the different laboratories and manufacturing processes. Now you we got tons of stuff that are instatized. Same with aminos, BCAs. I mean, BCAs still taste like shit, but they did not taste as bad as they used to back in the day before they had BCAs. Yeah, they would just sit like just hover on top of the water like a fucking and you're sipping it, just you're literally getting the worst part.

Jeff Logan 31:53

We got it good. We got it good now.

Eric Simpson 31:54

Yeah, everyone's got a good now. So and and no different with manufacturing. Manufacturing's evolved over the years. You know, when I started back in '98, you know, I was mopping floors with, you know, a small company where we had 10 employees, and then I was fortunate enough to grow with them. But, you know, it was a wild west. Right. We we there was no such thing as GMPs back in 1998. Oh, were those machines like manual or uh they were semi-I mean, we still got one or two of those machines to this day, a semi-encapsulator. We have fully automatic encapsulators, but we still have a semi-machine for some of the the hardcore sticky products, or you know, if we're doing pilot runs for a customer for 500 bottles or something. Now, what is the difference between that that machine and like the well I'll show you later today during the tour, but yeah, semi-automatic, you know, it runs much slower, you know, 12,000, 24,000 an hour, where the fully automated ones can do up to 150,000 an hour. So it's different, different uh sizes and and products. But back then, you know, I'm I'm rolling in shorts, I got fucking flip-flops on, I got a fucking tank top on.

Jeff Logan 32:53

But we have to put that into perspective. Yeah, like the last tour I did, I'm full lab equipment, like uh, you know, like the the hair thing and the goggles and everything, and like that's what you mean you've opened.

Eric Simpson 33:03

Back in 98, we didn't have that. I I don't even think we wore hair nets. I can't remember. It was so long ago. I had piercings. I mean, I had two on this eyebrow, two on this eyebrow, I had my lips, I had my tongue, I had like eight on both ears, and we had just shit and like stuff you could never get away with nowadays. But yeah, we didn't have schmucks. But I mean, it's the same as liners, standard as food, right? Like food preparation. Yeah, like exactly. But yeah, as the year progressed and people came in and I matured with the business, you know. I was a punk fucking kid and I was 18, you know, working at a pill factory, you know, dressing whatever I wanted, listening to loud ass screaming punk rock in the background. Like I didn't give a shit if customers were rolling. I didn't give a shit.

Jeff Logan 33:43

I'll pay to see a picture of this.

Eric Simpson 33:45

Yeah, I I'll I I might have some line around somewhere, hopefully, hopefully not. But uh, but as the years progressed, you know, I matured with the business and and and the industry, and we had some you know, new leads that were my managers, and they they taught me newer things and you know they helped whip me into shape because I was a punk. And then as the years progressed, I realized, you know what, this could be my career, this could be where I go in the future. And then, you know, turning up the clock, 2007 rolls around, GMPs now become a thing, um, good manufacturing practices. So everything I knew went out the door. So I had to get, you know, um, you know, retaught everything in the business in the industry. And you got people who won't take a product if there's not GMP stamps. You wouldn't, right? You can't. And then I kind of went away from being a physical operator, actually running the equipment, to now in the admin role, to where I started learning more about the systems, quotations, um, label reviews, quality, regulatory stuff that I didn't really know a lot about. So I started learning a bunch of that stuff and then using that as my knowledge as we grew. And then, like I said, GMPs came and the audits were hardcore because we went from, you know, not using a typical liner in a container to now having to have everything weighed out, everything sanitized, everything in liners, you know, everything dressed appropriately, you know, shoe covers, you know, beard nets, the whole nine yards. So it was different for us. So it was a struggle, but eventually we got to it and we passed. But it makes a difference. Yeah, and we made a huge difference. And then we noticed, you know, the business started to excel and growing because now we had more certifications, we offered more products, we did OTC drug, we did cosmoceutical, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, we did, you know, shampoos, conditioners, we did jerk-off creams, we did chapstick, shampoos, uh uh makeup, all sorts of fun stuff. So, yeah, we I learned a lot in the industry, you know, over my tenure at that manufacturing company, and I was able to then, you know, bring that knowledge into Simpson Labs as we grew. And when we started, we didn't have a GMP cert. You'd have to have documentation. It was kind of a double-edged sword, you know. It's like you need a job. I need a car to get to my job, but I need a job to be able to afford a car. Right. It was the same thing when we first started Simpson Labs. We didn't have the business. I thought, oh, the whole, you know, everybody was gonna come flocking to us. Fuck no, that didn't happen at all. So it took about two years to develop enough business and get enough data and history to where we can actually uh pass our GMP certification audits. And then after that, the rest was history. Uh, do they come randomly or like audits? Now they do. Well, we we schedule them once a year, they have to come once a year. Gotcha. But they can pop in anytime and they do. You know, FDA can pop in anytime. That's why it's so intricate because it could pop in at any time. Anytime. And I see it happen. Inform choice could pop in anytime and just go swab any random machine that they feel and make sure that there's no um PEDs or anything that uh that are that is on the WATA list that are being manufactured on. And that comes out to the employees' integrity as well. Everything, yeah. Cleaning sanitization. I mean, it it it starts from top to the bottom. So labs don't play, not playing. But yeah, so then over the years we we've been able to grow the business, you know, grow, you know, um a lot of the brands that we're manufacturing for now. We've got a lot more certifications, and things just keep evolving. You know, manufacturing evolves, supplements evolve, flavor systems evolve. Things are coming back, yeah. It it never ends. And I I welcome it. I think it should get stricter. You know, when COVID had hit, all these fucking random popped-up brands started showing up on Amazon. And it got to people were literally making shit in their fucking bathtubs. In their bathtubs, they're making their own energy drinks, they're making their own pre-workouts, they're making their own, you know, anything that was immune-related because when COVID hit, that was all about zinc. You needed zinc, you needed vitamin D, you needed potassium iodine, you needed mushrooms, beta glucane, anything that was going to help with the immunity. So brands were just popping up left and right, but they were coming in so fast with Amazon that Amazon couldn't do their due diligence to do all their proper checking, get the documentations in place. It was the Wild West. Well, eventually, after COVID started, you know, simmering down in 2021, Amazon started putting all these new policies in place where you have to have ISO certified laboratory that's testing everything, documentation. They have to have proof of the um GMP manufacturing company that was making this product. Yep, submit them the certifications. So that right there kind of weaned out all the bullshit brands, the bullshit manufacturing companies that weren't doing what they were doing.

Jeff Logan 38:23

Because there's no way you could produce that if you're not sure.

Eric Simpson 38:25

And they couldn't. And I mean, these are you know overnight pop-up brands, overnight pop-up manufacturing companies. So again, I welcome the fact that things do get stricter in our industry for testing and quality because it it helps keep the shady people out and the people like us that are trying to do the right thing to stay above and beyond what everything needs to be to be regulatory compliant.

Jeff Logan 38:48

But then that goes into your your quote that's on the wall in the gym over there. Real is rare. Real is rare. It indeed. Or it can say extremely fucking rare.

Eric Simpson 38:55

It was too many words. It would have cost more for the sign. But but yeah, so we try to do our best when we can, where we can, and you know, continually to excel, you know, our quality and regulatory staff, you know, I tip my hat to them. You know, they're the ones that are on the front lines, they're making sure that, you know, every time the FDA changes things or or NSF or GMP, whatever it may be, on it, they're on it. And then we, you know, they'll instruct us and we'll instruct that to our customers. So we have to change this, do that. Like our labor reviews. You've gone through our label review process. Oh, yeah. You know, our team goes through everything very detailed. They want to make sure that remember sinephrine got banned by the FDA. Yeah, sinephrine HCL. HCL. Yeah. And what is that now? So now bitter orange is I don't know if it was banned by the FDA, but it is on the Wada list because it is a synthetic version of sinephrine. But yes, to what you're saying, you can use um bitter orange, citrus oranthium that has naturally occurring sinephrine with it. Right. That is legal. That you can use, but with Amazon, it's different. Amazon, you have to use a 10% sinephrine. And most people are using a 30%. Right. So in order to be compliant on Amazon's platform, if you are going with a sinephrine claim, it's got to be a 10% sinephrine. Now, it could be one milligram sinephrine, it could be 5,000 milligrams of sinephrine, as long as it states that it's a 10% sinephrine. Right. So yeah, anytime Amazon changes anything, uh, NSF informed choice, FDA, our team is on it so that we can make sure to relay the info to our customers that they can start updating their labels. You know, FDNC day F D C dyes, all the artificial dye colors, you know, I think it's becoming outlawed as of the end of this year. I think I gotta check. But a lot of our customers got ahead of that last year. Right, or cracking. And we start, yeah, we got rid of the F, you know, the 40s and you know, FDC blues, and start going all to the natural, uh, natural colors. So that's the case.

Jeff Logan 40:58

Or something gets canceled, like something can get posted on TikTok, like they can go hard on Red 40 or something like that. And then next thing you know, they just outlaw your product. So you have to be in the know about everything. And uh even even labeling. I remember I got uh a legal letter and I had a the protein was called B Pro. And there was a some company. Yeah, I can't say the company's name because they were about to sue your boy. They had a similar name, and they were like, You you either report your inventory to us and change the name, or uh, you know, we'll we'll litigate this. And I'm just like, yeah, let's just change it to protein. Shit. Oh man, I didn't know that. They say you're not successful until you get into a some type of lawsuit or something.

Eric Simpson 41:36

Yes. Oh, the lawsuits, the lawsuits I could sit here all day on frivolous bullshit lawsuits, man. Tons. Tons with the business. Right. Yeah. Backing up to your your your other job as as an actor. So when when did that start? I get paid to act like other people.

Jeff Logan 41:53

Um that started the first time I was ever on set was uh 2015. It was a show called Gotham, and uh, I was extra. I like that show actually.

Eric Simpson 42:02

It was a fucking huge comic book nerd.

Jeff Logan 42:05

I'll pull it up. I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm one of the I'm in the jail scene. I'm in the jail screen. Of course, jail scene, the tattooing. And uh I was a little bit bigger, had they drew like a uh face tattoo, and the one of the main actors walked past me, and I was just like, there, there I am, there I am. And um now, fast forward to um, and it's funny, like my the the bulk of my successes came from become nutrition, like 100%. And I was in LA and I'm like, you know what, like I'm I'm gonna really do this, like speaking roles, and I ended up auditioning for something and I bombed it. Talking about they laughed at me, and and but mind you, I pulled up in a Lamborghini hurricane. So I was like, I was like, I was like, I don't need this, and I convinced myself and I'm just like, I'm going to Olympia. And I went to Olympia, drove uh however many hours to Vegas from LA, and I'm just like, you know, like fuck acting, right? And then lo and behold, I get there and I'm walking on the expo and meeting everybody and all this. This was 2019. And then I got an email. Hey, we want you to try out for this role. Okay, cool, whatever. And there's like a golden rule: do not read on book, do not hold the script when you're reading. You have to memorize everything, even the uh the self-tape audition. I was like, I don't give a fuck. I'll just bomb this one, who cares? Like, I sell supplements, so you know, whatever. And I'm reading this thing, and I'm reading it pretty emphatically and just you know, in character. Then I just left it go. Like you said, if you love something, let it go. Like if it's meant for you, you'll get it. And I sent it in and I walked around the expo, went to a buffet in Vegas, and ate my face off. And I was like, I don't need to be in shape, I was like, forget this stuff. And then I was like, Oh, that was great. Like, you're hired. I'm like, wait, I'm not an actor. Like, you know, so called my acting coach out Bernard, shout out to Bernard G. And um we hammered on this role, and I was so worried about not knowing the lines. This is 2019. I was like, how am I gonna remember all like it's like a phone book? Like, this is stupid. Like, how am I gonna remember all this? He's like, just put the book down, man. He's like, just order a sandwich in character. I'm like, what the fuck is this dude talking about? But now I know, you know, because when you embody the This person, because how you know your uncle orders versus you or your kids, or like everybody's different. Everyone's a character if you just pay attention. And this show Double Cross, it turned into something massive. And a lot of people, it got sold to stars and it got sold to all these different networks. And like that's what people know me for. It's a crime drama. And uh probably one of the most successful shows I was on so far. And then I got thrillers. Um, I got stuff where I'm a lover boy. I got I got stuff where my tattoo is covered, is coming out uh this year. My tattoo's covered, I had to do a flashback. Oh shit. And I walked in and they're just like, I walked in hair makeup, and they're just like, yeah, so that's your mohawk, and then we're gonna cover up your neckt. And I'm like, how's this gonna work? And it worked, you know. I'm just looking like my oldest son. Um, so it's definitely different. And um, you know, when you get in a space where uh it's almost like you, you're like, I'm like, hey, can you do a detox for me? You're like, yeah, what's in it? And I'm like, uh, let me do some research. And then, you know, I can put in whatever I want. So there's some of that free reign in acting where it's like uh there's a scene and the director's like, hey man, do your thing, break up with her. Like, wow. So then I'm with the girl and we're breaking up, and you know, we do another take and another take. And acting has kind of turned into like reps because when you're training a certain body part, you want to do the rep the exact same, right? And all they're gonna do is just change the angle of the camera. And that's what I've seen in the bigger production in Gotham, where they got the crane, then they go from here, then they go from there. But mind you, there a bigger production is running multiple cameras at once. But uh, smaller productions, you might only have two cameras, and we got to switch the setup. We gotta they the classic thing, flip the world, flip the world. That's what they say. And um, now I learn to have fun with it and there not to be so much pressure, but it's definitely a cool thing where people are like, hey, um I recognize your we we binge watched your show. Like, what are you doing here in the grocery store? And I'm like, buying chicken, you know, like they they they kind of like because it's it's so so much drama involved in it, but it's different. And and I like to pride myself on just being like a normal ass dude who just happens to do that, like like fuck the Hollywood shit or the too good shit. Like, if anybody stops me in person, I always give them the time of day. And um, but it's cool, it's cool, and then to see where you can go, and also I have to like switch on the fly. There was a uh thriller called Deli Getaway, and my coach and I we practiced this over-the-top crazy killer, like screaming in these crazy faces, and I'm gonna kill you. And um I did that, it was like take one and action, you motherfuckers! I don't whoa director's like, it took me a slide. What the fuck are you doing? It's like being a killer. He's like, nah, he's a cool killer. Try again. Like, that's his note. And I'm like, so I gotta just adhere to that immediately and like, all right, so I'm gonna kill all you motherfuckers. He's like, yeah, like that. And I'm like, oh, I called my coach, like, yeah, we done barked up the wrong tree because everything we practice, it ain't this ain't what they want to do. And he's like, just go with the flow, bro. I'm like, I love my coach, bro. He's he's so open, he's so open. Or you have to also have tough skin because there's a lot of auditions. Um, I I spent one time a year, nowhere, nothing, but like 60 auditions. And you get to see what the audition is, you're like, oh, this is law and order. Oh, this is Netflix. Oh, like, oh yeah, and then you start like thinking about the exposure and thinking, oh, my mother loves this show. And then it's like, yeah, we just went with someone else. You don't hear anything, and it turns into cold. So you need a day job, and the day jobs become. Yeah, yeah, it's different.

Eric Simpson 47:24

Well, the shotdowns are what make you better, right? Right. I mean, we don't we don't get PO's for everything that I quote, you know. It is what it is, you gotta have thick skin. You know, sometimes people won't even get back to me. So we'll, you know, we'll follow up like every four weeks or something on the product that we quote. Like, yeah, so we're just following up. Uh, were you still interested? Oh no, we went with somebody else. Okay.

Jeff Logan 47:46

Cheap, cheap route. Or some people, what because see, you you deal with real stuff because if you have a higher moq, it's like, hey, you have to really be committed to this. It's like you're not making 50 of these. This has to be, you have to be committed to making this product and selling it. Because this you're a real company, and your company that you're making should be real. So again, this isn't just like kind of testing the waters, even though, like, with with trial and error would become like it's almost like a like I'm like an angry boss, right? If an ingredient isn't performing, it's not, it doesn't go in there. If it's not doing anything, just to say, oh, we got 50 ingredients. It's like you threw the kitchen sink at it, but it the product doesn't fucking work. Or you threw uh a small amount of this product um of this ingredient to put just to say it's in there, like, or you know, people will throw something like oh, vitamin C is in there, it's like immune boosting. Like, I just wanted to put the claim on there. It's like, bro, really.

Eric Simpson 48:35

When when I see a product that's got like 70 or 80 ingredients, I'm like, pass. Yeah, like I don't give a shit if it's a hundred thousand units. No, the amount of work is ridiculous. You got MOQs for all these ingredients that has one milligram per serving. Yep. Like, hey, I ain't hating on the game, but I'm just I'm not gonna spend the time on that. No, oh, 500 units on top of that. Oh my god. Can we get a discount? No, no, be committed to it, man.

Jeff Logan 49:01

Gotta vet. But it's it's also the products, too. Like, I had a product, I was telling you upstairs, it's called B-Cine. All my OGs out there, if you know what B-Cine is. Um, it was agratine, sulfate, citrulline, arganine, like just a vasodilator. And my people didn't know that. My group. It's like I was telling you, if you go to McDonald's and they're like, guess what? We got sushi now. And they're like, that's cute, but like we're good on the McDonald's sushi. It's like they didn't know what it was, so I had to, you know, trial and error to see what works, even though I thought the product was amazing and the pumps were uncanny, but it ain't about that, ain't about me.

Eric Simpson 49:33

Did that break up? Huh? Did that break up the formula? Was it stable? Yeah, it did break up.

Jeff Logan 49:38

It did.

Eric Simpson 49:39

Yeah, sounds like it.

Jeff Logan 49:40

They made like little candy.

Eric Simpson 49:41

Yeah. I didn't mind it, but the consumer didn't like it, and it took a year to sell. Just hearing those ingredients combine, I'm like, right, right. It works, but it's hard to keep stable.

Jeff Logan 49:51

True. Yeah. But you know what else is cool that I see in your office? How all these collabs are happening with like um you you'll see like a candy or like the Transformers product, or like uh like you see a protein, but it's like Butterfinger or something like that. Like, I think that's cool how they're bringing like real flavor to this. Because again, going from a chalky, it was you had vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate, maybe banana if the brand was feeling like jazzy back in the day. And that's it. It wasn't any of these flavors. You don't get any of this type of shit. Like my son, I was telling him, hey man, you got it good, bro. So yeah, I they that they do, they have a selection of any possible flavor you can think of. Think about like NFL, right? Um 15, 20 years ago. They were popping stuff to lose weight or you know, something to boost your test, and then they pop up with a drug test. Like that is huge because a company could get into a lawsuit, like easy. You know, if if they're they you you take in a fat burner and it's like, okay, well, it's like Clembutol in there or some shit or or whatever. But um yeah, all all this stuff is very important when it comes to you know what goes into someone's body, right?

Eric Simpson 50:56

Yeah, I mean, being NSF certified and informed choice certified for manufacturing, you know, we deal with a lot of athletes such as yourself. We deal with um, you know, football players, baseball players, you know, basketball all all over the place. So if something pops on a PED for them, we're the first person they're gonna look at. We're at the first line of defense. Well, I bought it from these guys, they manufactured it, you know, whatever was in it, it came from them. So yeah, um we we have to to, you know, all of our customers and brands, they rely on us to make sure that we're doing the right thing. We're buying the right materials from the right suppliers, we're doing the proper cleansing, the proper sanitization to make sure there's no cross-contamination. You can trust them. Because yeah, if something crosses over or something gets brought in that it shouldn't be and it gets to them and they get popped, I mean, yeah, they could lose a deal. But would they go on to you? Yeah. Oh, we'll we'll be the first person. And luckily for us, it hasn't happened that I know of, but I've seen other manufacturers that it has happened to, and I'm not saying it was on the manufacturer at all.

Intro 52:01

Right.

Eric Simpson 52:01

We don't know what people are taking behind the scenes. True. They could be taking some shady stuff and they know it, but they're gonna turn around and try and blame someone some other manufacturer. And um, yeah, you you just you just never know what people are going to do. So but you know, we have the documentation to back it up, and that's all we can do.

Jeff Logan 52:21

So supplements are different, man. But I mean, even the quality, like I never feel unsafe. I don't want to feel unsafe. I don't want to feel um like my central nervous system is uh crashing or into overdrive when I'm taking a pre-workout. I want to feel you know energized, strong. Uh I want to feel I want the clean energy, you know what I mean? Where I can feel like I can go all day to longevity type of energy. And um it's it's a difference between because I I I'm a Beelan stickler. I love be ready, I love my pre-workout, but like be-lean is what that's what I'm on. Um I remember the Beelan from because my slogans, my marketing slogans was like Bee Lean 2018, Bee Lean 19, Bee Lean 20, and then it stopped rhyming. But like maybe that's what that's when SL we kind of we kind of broke off a little bit. Stop rhyming, man. Yeah, and um bean 2026. Sounds like a presidential campaign. Jeff looking for a president, but like um, you could tell the difference. Like when I was getting that five dollar Beel, wherever that was coming from, like that all clumped up because you'll see stuff from you that's like a couple years old that's still it's sealed, but like because I don't know. I got this weird thing where um I won't throw out the bottles. I don't know. I have a garage full of old become bottles for my personal stash, yeah. I just I won't throw them out. I don't know. I don't know if there's a luck thing. I mean, I just will not throw them out. But yeah, man, it's glad I'm glad to be back at Simpson. And um I I look forward to like creating more SKUs, but also just like growing the business. And as I'm looking at more um supplement stores and more distribution, more worldwide stuff, and um I'm glad that you guys can just you know go with the flow like immediately. You guys are like an SUV, no matter what terrain it is. You're just like, all right, well, where are we going? Where are we going? Okay, we're on a racetrack, we're off road, cool, let's do this.

Eric Simpson 54:08

No, but you're doing it right. You know, you're focusing on your hero skews and putting all the money and marketing into those, and then you know, going back to some of the other stuff, just not as frequent, not as often. I mean, I the number one thing that kills brands and manufacturers is inventory.

Intro 54:24

Right.

Eric Simpson 54:25

I like if you just bring in so much inventory and it sucks up all your cash flows, you have nothing to pay off anything. Right. And yeah, and especially manufacturing, I mean, you could stock up a bunch of stuff and that's great, but now you have all this inventory that's just sitting there and you got to move it because that's just cash that you've already paid for. And I don't want to think about how much we bring in, but we we've been doing it for years, ever since COVID. You know, we used to be, you know, GIT just in time as a manufacturer where we only bring in exactly what we need when we need it. But as time progressed and COVID was, you know, a good you know teacher for all of us, stock heavily if you can. Yeah, and we did, and we started bringing everything as many jars as we could find, and lids. I mean, when COVID hit, you couldn't find anything. So it's not what do you want? It's this is what we can offer you. Right. Well, you want a rib lid? Sorry, we have a smooth lid.

Jeff Logan 55:15

Or you guys got like golden tablets and capsules and stuff.

Eric Simpson 55:18

Yeah, yeah, all sorts of stuff. So it got to the point to where we we could only offer what was available. So as time progressed, we just started bringing in more and more and more and more. And we realized, you know what, we're turning stuff faster for our customers, things are getting out the door a lot quicker. You know, maybe this isn't the worst idea. And then, well, as our ERP system, you know, um, our software has grown over the years, it now has 10 and a half years worth of data of everything that we've manufactured, but more importantly, how much materials we've allocated. So now our system can spit out, you know what, from you know January to July, you're gonna need 850,000 20-ounce black PET jars. Yep. So our system now helps us forecast based on the historical data that we have in it. So it tells us, so now our our procurement team can go ahead and start placing blanket POs with our partnered suppliers. Yeah. So now that they're bringing in a bunch of stuff, and then we go and draw from it based on what we assume our allocation is going to be for each each quarter. So that's definitely helped us bring in um you know more than that.

Jeff Logan 56:20

So we'll ever get into like like the digital uh the digital design of labeling.

Eric Simpson 56:26

Uh, we talk about it. I mean, if if I was to do another venture, you know, like we did fulfillment, we did our innovation center, we did our analytical laboratory. If I was to do something big next, I would like to print labels. Problem is I don't know shit about fucking labels. And I don't like doing anything that I do not know much about. Like I'm one to stay in my lane. Pills, powders, and packets. We don't do tablets, we don't do software. Like, what about gummies, man? We don't do gummies, we don't do liquids. I I don't I I know how to do some of that stuff, but not enough to where I want to invest millions of dollars into doing it. So we stay in our lane. Labels.

Jeff Logan 57:03

Oh, wait, I gotta back you up a little bit, man. I gotta give you your flowers. So that 19-year-old punk kid with all the piercings. Did you think you would ever be saying that right there? God no, allocating millions of dollars to something, not just rolled off your tongue, bro.

Eric Simpson 57:15

Not at all. You know what I mean? All I cared about was fucking getting high, fucking going to punk rock shows, you know, girls, whatever. So uh no, definitely do not.

Jeff Logan 57:26

Like I had one of those classic things stop me. You know, you see everything on on Instagram and YouTube, and it's like, what do you do for a living? I'm in London, sitting in a G-Wagon, and he's like, What do you do for a living? I'm like, Yes, here we are. Like, I sell supplements, you know, and um, because that's another thing, like you can see the acting, and it's like, oh, you're on TV. It's like, yeah, that first row was like eight grand. It wasn't all. It's like we can't live off eight grand. Like, kids got private schools, and my oldest son's his shoes are bigger than mine. So, yeah, you know, so like nice business is is is uh you know what I focus on, but it's cool to say that to see where I came from, like you know, pressing on labels with my hand in a basement to you know chilling with my manufacturer. You know what I mean? Like it's it's it's a different type of vibe. And um I I like it, and I and I want to just you know keep going with everything. And it's normally like well, people are enacting in entertainment, they're like they they always pop up with this magical brand. It is, it'll be a good brand, don't get me wrong, but like it's like oh the actor has a brand, and then like oh the the the tequila and then this and then oh the the skincare and this and that's like no I'm I'm going in with this already, like this is older. Um, you know, I'll say 2013. Nice, 2013 become has been a thing. And then I got people uh sending me pictures like hey, I got the original bottles, and I'm like, throw that out. Like, do not take this? No, it's expired. Do not take that 10-year-old fucking become.

Eric Simpson 58:46

Might make your dick fall off. Or grow several of them. Oh man. Yeah, I know sometimes you gotta stop and smell the roses. You know, I was I was telling my wife the other day, um, I saw a post, and it said something about remember, the younger you dreamed about being where you're at right now. And that hit deep. I'm like, oh shit. Like, you know, I'm I'm always moving at a thousand miles an hour, you know, you know, family with the business, you know, Dodgers, whatever it may be, and just moving at a thousand miles an hour. And sometimes I I forget to stop and think, like, like where it all started. Like, I remember, you know, in 2014 making samples in my kitchen. Shit, you not I got pictures I had my laptop off, had a bunch of flavors out there and proteins, and I'm mixing, matching, doing samples and stuff in my kitchen. And uh yeah, just to see where it went from there to now, like sometimes I I I forget like where things came from, where they started, right? And just gotta be humble with where I'm at. Um, you know, beautiful family, everybody's healthy for the most part. Um, you know, dealing with great people, the brands, partners, our staff, you know, you know, suppliers, everything. It's just, you know, it's all it's all full circle at the end of the day. So it's uh it's great.

Jeff Logan 1:00:05

Also, we're both fathers, we both have three boys. So, like, even showing them, granted, they have a slightly easier life. Slightly, just a little bit, yeah, a lot of it, yeah, um, easier than we had, but they get to see somebody like be like they asked me because I had a kid at 19, and they're like, Well, well, how was that? I was like, I had to be a kid I had to be a man fast. And I necessarily know what that meant in the space that I was in. Like, I know what my dad was, and and I'm thankful that he was a masculine provider that he was, but like I was in college and I'm like, he ain't here every day, you know what I mean? And I gotta make these day-to-day decisions, and I'm just like, all right, like fuck it. What I know is I'm gonna be and exemplify what I would want him to be, and I don't want to do anything that I wouldn't want him to see. So, whatever that means, taking me uh day to day, that's what I'm gonna do, that's what I'm gonna live by. And now, us being like, you know, we can share music and car taste and different type of things, and I'm like, okay, I'm somebody he he thinks is cool. All right, we're cool, we're doing, you know, and I'm I'm a role model. So, and the little ones they don't know if they're going or coming yet. So, you know, but like seeing uh Jeffrey, my oldest son Jeffrey, going to college and like and Jeff Jr. Yeah, no, I'm I'm junior, he's the third. Oh shit, the Jeff Factory, all right, just keep spitting them out. Yeah, I'm the second, and um, you know, it's just cool to see. Well, you know, he'll text me, hey dad, like can you send my friend some protein? And I'm like, Yeah, cool, yeah, you know, whatever. And um it's kind of like when you see it was a fucking beef tallow brand, right? And I bought the spray and I'm I'm looking at it, and I'm a suck uh uh stickler for like branding and stuff, and I looked on it was like fifth generation family business, and I'm like, that's cool. That's cool, you know what I mean? Like how many you know, people can say, Oh, this is in my family, and I want something to take care of, and uh, you know, something that my kids can have pride in, you know. So, and I think that legacy is left. Not like when you die, the legacy is left. Nah, fuck that. The legacy is left every single moment. Every single moment you're saying something, thinking something, doing something, that's when your legacy is left. But yeah, we do got to take that time to see, like, all right, the younger version of me. I'm not talking about like teenagers and that, no, like the little kid, be like, yo, you're cool. You know what I mean? Like, even you show me that that Dodger's ring, and I'm like, now I know somebody with a Dodgers ring. Because before I didn't, I walked in here and I did not. Now I do.

Eric Simpson 1:02:19

Everyone should know somebody with a Dodgers ring.

Jeff Logan 1:02:21

Okay, yeah, yeah. No, Biggie, I just got these fucking gold-plated rings from wherever I got them from.

Eric Simpson 1:02:26

Uh but yeah, man, it's just blessed. We're blessed, brother.

Jeff Logan 1:02:29

Yes, for sure.

Eric Simpson 1:02:29

Well shit, man. Well, this has been great. Uh, it's always good seeing you, man. Glad I see you at all the trade shows. So uh I don't know if you're following me or what, but oh yeah. You're you're always around, man.

Jeff Logan 1:02:40

But hey, this is this is how I eat, man. Buy a bottle, be clean, I get to go eat in and out tonight. Uh in and out tonight.

Eric Simpson 1:02:47

Oh, that's great. Oh, man. But yeah, it's always good seeing you, man. Uh, appreciate all the opportunities, the partnerships. Oh, yeah. And looking forward to, you know, continued support, Become Nutrition, brother.

Jeff Logan 1:02:55

Thanks for having me. And it will scale up because there's more films coming out. There's a film coming out this year. Oddly enough, I'm a guy who didn't make it to the NFL and tried and you know, all the arena football leagues and stuff like that. And I got drafted in this film, and I was just like, motherfucker. You know, so like it was like this full circle moment. Um, but as like the entertainment side grows and the marketing side grows, and there's you know, the results and everything, it all just sort of like gets bigger. And I and I love that. And I love that you guys, again, I called you your your company at SUV. It's like, what do you need? What we gotta do? What we making, what we doing, and I know I you're you're somebody I can depend on. And even even this time, I'm like, yo, I'm here for Oscar's weekend. You're like, yo, podcast tomorrow, do it. I'm like, damn, yeah, this happened quick. Just an hour away. I'm like, I gotta fucking, you know. So again, thanks for having me. And uh, yeah, I'm looking forward to go checking out the the lab again. Yeah, let's see it.

Eric Simpson 1:03:46

It's been uh three or four years since you've been here, so let's uh let's go check it out. Game time.