Mitch Gould, founder and CEO of Nutritional Products International (NPI), has built a distribution platform that traces its roots to his grandfather's Brooklyn factory and Empire State Building showroom. Gould's father, Jerry Gould, expanded the family's manufacturing and distribution operations, instilling in Mitch the values of hustle and legacy that would later define his career.
Entering the retail industry in 1986, Gould credits mentor R.D. Wells for introducing him to Home Depot founders Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank during the retailer's national expansion. This early exposure to big-box retail dynamics proved invaluable. Over the years, Gould represented major consumer brands like Igloo, Rubbermaid, Sunbeam, and Miracle-Gro, as well as celebrity lines from Steven Seagal, Hulk Hogan, and Chuck Liddell. His placements spanned Walmart, Costco, GNC, CVS, Walgreens, Amazon, and Home Depot.
One of Gould's key achievements was partnering with Amazon early on to build its sports nutrition and health products category from concept to over $100 million in sales. This experience inspired the creation of the Evolution of Distribution platform in 2007, a turnkey solution integrating FDA compliance, logistics, retail introductions, sales, and marketing. The platform compresses the typical 18- to 24-month market entry process for global brands into a streamlined operation.
Today, NPI is a trusted brand launch and distribution firm, reflecting the Gould family's three-generation legacy. Gould's memoir, The Blonde, the Ferrari, and the Kwan: The Quintessential American Success Story, details his journey from Brooklyn to the executive suites of America's largest retailers. The Evolution of Distribution platform continues to help brands navigate U.S. retail complexities, building scalable growth in competitive categories like sports nutrition and dietary supplements.
