About
David Israel is a serial food entrepreneur who built his first food business, POP! Gourmet Foods, after federal prison in 2011, then founded GOOD PLANeT Foods in 2018 and grew it into one of the fastest-growing plant-based cheese companies in America.
He delivered the inaugural conference’s keynote fireside chat with Brent Cassity in 2024.
At the White Collar Conference
David Israel told Brent Cassity how he rebuilt after being charged, from owning his story in every investor meeting to writing a three-page business plan for a popcorn company while incarcerated. He described the white truffle popcorn that landed in O Magazine within his first six months in business and the more than 220 people coming home from prison that his company hired. He closed by urging people in reentry to set aside their ego and take the work in front of them.
“I learned right away that I had to own my story. I couldn't hide from it, obviously.”
Watch at 13:16
“Prison made me a stronger, smarter businessman because there was so much out of my control.”
Watch at 18:25
“I think when you turn off the ego and just go do what you got to do, life changes in a very positive way.”
Watch at 32:28
Chapters
- 0:00 Craig Stanland opens the White Collar Conference
- 1:54 Jeff Grant welcomes the audience
- 4:40 Brent Cassity introduces David Israel
- 8:12 Getting his confidence back after being charged
- 13:09 Owning your story
- 18:49 A business idea that started in prison
- 21:41 From a prison recipe to O Magazine
- 26:33 Saying "why not" and taking action
- 30:16 Hiring people coming home from prison
- 32:48 What he learned and his closing advice
With Jeff Grant, Brent Cassity and Craig Stanland
Join us in fall 2027.
The fourth annual White Collar Conference is planned for fall 2027, virtual on Zoom and open to all.