Mitch Gould Reflects on Walmart Partnership Success with Steven Seagal's Lightning Bolt Energy Drink

Mitch Gould, founder and CEO of Nutritional Products International (NPI), described his visit to Walmart headquarters as one of the defining moments of his career. For Gould, who has spent decades helping global brands enter and expand in the U.S. retail market, walking into Bentonville represented the pinnacle of retail achievement. Gould compared the experience to walking onto the field to play the Super Bowl, calling it the biggest stage there is founded by Sam Walton and built by grit, vision, and sheer execution.

The visit occurred during the rollout of Steven Seagal's Lightning Bolt Energy Drink, a project that epitomized NPI's ability to move quickly from concept to shelf. Working with Seagal, a world-renowned actor, martial artist, and master herbologist, Gould developed an all-natural energy drink infused with Tibetan goji berries, Asian cordyceps, and B vitamins. He assembled a world-class beverage team, designed the packaging, and managed the launch strategy that landed Lightning Bolt in 3,500 Walmart Supercenters, along with major distribution through 7-Eleven and Amazon.

Gould recalled the Bentonville meeting as unforgettable, noting that Walmart recognized the scale of the opportunity presented by a product backed by one of the biggest action stars on the planet. The deal represented more than just getting on the shelf—it was about making history. Behind the scenes, Gould's wife Sherry coordinated complex logistics that achieved a 99% Walmart fill rate, ensuring Lightning Bolt consistently met the retailer's strict performance standards. Gould emphasized that Walmart grades companies on execution, requiring flawless delivery beyond just making the sale.

The Walmart journey continued with a second trip to Bentonville where Gould returned with Steven Seagal to meet with Walmart's international beverage division. The meeting resulted in approval to expand Lightning Bolt into Walmart's Asian and Central American markets, demonstrating the product's successful transition from concept to international expansion through the world's largest retailer. This expansion proved that anything is possible when combining vision, persistence, and execution according to Gould.

The success of Lightning Bolt became one of many landmark moments in Gould's career. Through NPI and its sister company InHealth Media, Gould has orchestrated U.S. launches for hundreds of brands and celebrities, leveraging his proprietary Evolution of Distribution model. This system seamlessly integrates sales, marketing, and logistics to help brands penetrate the American market with speed and efficiency. Gould stated that whether dealing with a celebrity brand or small international startup, NPI's process levels the playing field, making Walmart success possible and maintaining NPI's position as the go-to partner for companies ready to compete in the biggest retail arena on earth. The company's website at https://www.nutricompany.com provides additional information about their distribution services.