Entrepreneur shares lessons from growing up in family business

Nicole Bernard Dawes credits her early exposure to the snack food industry as a foundational influence on her own career as a founder. Having observed her father develop Cape Cod Potato Chips during her childhood, she gained firsthand insight into the complexities of building a brand from the ground up.

Following those early experiences, Dawes established her own path in the consumer goods market. She launched Late July, a snack company, before later moving into the beverage industry with the creation of Nixie, a line of sugar-free sodas.

Reflecting on her journey, Dawes has begun sharing strategic advice for aspiring entrepreneurs. Her perspective emphasizes the practical lessons learned while watching the growth of her family's business and applying those principles to her subsequent ventures.