The PricePlow Podcast #204: Eric Withee & Marc Bruggemann - Vegan Collagen?! How VC-H1 Can Disrupt Amazon
What if you could deliver all the benefits of traditional collagen without any animal ingredients?
In Episode #204 of the PricePlow Podcast, we explore VC-H1, a revolutionary vegan collagen alternative derived from organically grown hibiscus. Eric Withee from Freemen Nutra returns to discuss the science behind this innovative ingredient, while Marc Bruggemann, an e-commerce expert specializing in Amazon strategy, reveals the massive untapped market opportunity for plant-based collagen products.
Unlike traditional “vegan collagen boosters” that merely mimic amino acid profiles or throw together kitchen-sink formulas, VC-H1 delivers actual collagen peptides from a botanical source. At just 1.5 grams per serving, this clinically studied ingredient stimulates collagen synthesis through the same pathways as bovine or marine collagen (with price parity, organic certification, and sustainable sourcing from Laos).
With 400,000+ annual searches for “vegan collagen” on Amazon alone and virtually no legitimate products to meet that demand, the timing couldn’t be better for brands to enter this blue ocean market.
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https://blog.priceplow.com/podcast/vegan-collagen-freemen-nutra-vc-h1
Video: Vegan Collagen from Hibiscus: VC-H1 with Eric Withee & Marc Bruggemann
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tchb8BYjqpU
Detailed Show Notes: Eric Withee (Freemen Nutra) and Marc Bruggemann Discuss VC-H1 Vegan Collagen
0:00 – Introductions
Ben welcomes returning guest Eric Withee from Freemen Nutra and introduces Marc Bruggemann, an e-commerce expert with deep Amazon marketplace experience. Unlike typical podcast episodes that focus purely on ingredient science, today’s conversation takes a different angle by examining how innovative ingredients actually perform in the marketplace. Marc brings valuable perspective from his career building Amazon channels for supplement brands, including working at NutriBio Labs and Thrasio (the fastest company in US history to reach $10 billion valuation) before specializing in helping top-10 supplement brands dominate Amazon’s competitive landscape.
0:45 – Marc’s E-commerce Background and Amazon Expertise
Marc shares his journey through the dietary supplement e-commerce space, starting with building Amazon channels and eventually working with some of the industry’s largest brands. His experience spans everything from product development to advertising strategy, taking brands from limited distribution to nationwide presence. This unique perspective on both the marketplace dynamics and consumer behavior sets the stage for understanding why certain ingredients succeed or fail on platforms like Amazon. Marc’s track record includes elevating multiple brands into Amazon’s top 10 supplement sellers, giving him invaluable insights into what drives consumer purchasing decisions in the crowded digital marketplace.
1:45 – Introducing VC-H1 Vegan Collagen Alternative
Eric introduces VC-H1, a vegan collagen alternative that immediately captured Marc’s attention during their initial conversation. Unlike traditional collagen supplements derived from animal sources, VC-H1 is composed entirely of peptides…