Guest: Tom Seymour, CPP, Business Development and Marketing Manager at Bison Bag & Founder of Moka Energy
Host: Adam Peek
Episode Overview
In this intro to Tom Seymour, new host of the “Beyond the Die Line” series, Adam Peek sits down with Tom Seymour to discuss the human side of the packaging industry. Tom shares his journey from a “C-student” football player to a certified packaging professional, his philosophy on servant leadership, and the exciting launch of his new venture, Moka Energy.
Key Takeaways
The Power of Partnership: Tom emphasizes that 75% of his day involves solving problems that have nothing to do with packaging. By focusing on the total supply chain and being a true partner, the packaging opportunities naturally follow.
Servant Leadership: The core of Tom’s career is a love for people and problem-solving. He discusses the “law of the universe”—that doing good things for others without expectation leads to long-term success.
The Science of Packaging: Beyond the business relationships, Tom nerdily dives into the “polymer science” behind flexible packaging, explaining why different foods require specific barrier levels and respiration rates.
Material Agnosticism: A balanced look at the sustainability debate (Paper vs. Plastic) and the importance of using data and science rather than public opinion to make environmental decisions.
Entrepreneurial Spirit: Tom details his 2-year journey to launch Moka Energy, a “portable cup of coffee” in the form of a whole-bean coffee bar.
Featured in this Episode
Bison Bag: A family-based flexible packaging converter located in the Buffalo, NY area.
Moka Energy: Tom’s new company featuring clean-label, vegan, and gluten-free coffee bars.
IoPP (Institute of Packaging Professionals): Where Tom and Adam first connected.
SUNY Brockport: Tom’s alma mater and the place where he transformed his academic career.
Links & Resources
Visit Moka Energy: www.mokaenergy.com
Connect with Tom Seymour on LinkedIn: Tom Seymour, CPP
Bison Bag Official Site: www.bisonbag.com
Notable Quotes
“Our motto is: Your success is our success. But that’s not just based on packaging.” — Tom Seymour
“Time is socialist. Everybody has the same amount... it’s about who can lean into the value of that time.” — Adam Peek
