Startup To Scale

When I launched my first brand, I made the mistake a lot of founders do—I built the entire brand around a hero ingredient. We were called TeaSquares, and yep, the name locked us into tea and a square shape, which made it tough to grow beyond our initial idea.In this episode, I'm joined by Adam Feller, founder of Avidity Creative, to talk about why leading with your ingredient can actually hurt your CPG brand. We unpack how to focus your messaging on what customers actually care about—and it's usually not chickpeas or apple cider vinegar.We get into:The real reason people buy your product (hint: it's not the label)How packaging can shape perception and drive trialWhy “better-for-you” isn't a brand—it's a baselineTactical tips for testing your messaging in stores, at markets, and onlineIf you're ready to move from niche to next-level, this one's for you.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Tariffs have been top of mind for every CPG founder I talk to—including myself. In this episode, I'm joined once again by my friend and frequent guest Yuval Selik, co-founder and CEO of Promomash, to unpack how tariff pressures are impacting our businesses beyond just the bottom line.We dive into how tariffs are exposing hidden inefficiencies in supply chains, why blindly raising prices can damage your brand, and how distributor deductions can quietly drain your profits. Yuval shares his own story of navigating economic shocks, including the collapse of his brand during the 2008 financial crisis, and what founders can do now to build stronger, more resilient businesses.If you're running a CPG brand and feeling the pressure from rising costs, supply chain disruptions, or confusing chargebacks, this conversation is a must-listen.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Accounting for beverage brands isn't just about balancing the books — it's about understanding the unique financial challenges that come with scaling a physical product business. In this episode, I sit down with Jessica Howes, founder of Wizard Accounting, to unpack the essentials of CPG accounting tailored specifically for beverage brands.Jessica shares her insights on how to properly account for co-manufacturer fees like tolling and setup charges, how to calculate true gross margin across channels like retail, DTC, and Amazon, and how to manage inventory — including what to do about spoilage and outdated products. She also breaks down common accounting mistakes she sees early-stage beverage brands make, and offers one simple but powerful change founders can make today to boost their financial health.Whether you're just getting started or looking to tighten up your financial operations, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you run a smarter, more sustainable beverage business.Looking for a new accountant? e-mail intros@foodbevy.com for an introduction to Jessica.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Mallory Patton, co-founder of Saint Spritz, shares how her team turned a post-vacation craving into a fast-growing RTD aperitivo brand. Learn how they launched with no beverage experience, landed retail deals with Target and Total Wine, and built a standout brand through design, family, and focus.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

If you're a CPG founder in 2025, Amazon isn't optional—it's foundational. But selling on Amazon today looks nothing like it did even a year ago.Joining me are Shayan and Rafay, co-founders of Boost Up AMZ, who've helped scale dozens of consumer brands on the platform. In this episode, we break down exactly what you need to know to stay competitive—from the latest policy changes and rising fees, to the strategies separating top-performing brands from those getting buried in search.We also debunk some of the biggest myths around Amazon advertising—and what most founders get wrong.If you've ever felt overwhelmed by Amazon's complexity, or you're wondering how to actually make it profitable, this conversation is your roadmap.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Landing a large retail or corporate order can be a breakthrough moment for your CPG brand—but it can also put a major strain on your cash flow. In this episode of Startup to Scale, we're joined by Rohit Mathur, founder of Bridge, to break down how purchase order financing can help founders bridge the gap between opportunity and execution.We discuss why PO financing is often a critical lifeline for emerging brands, how it works behind the scenes, what lenders look for, and the key cash flow challenges you should plan for when scaling production. Rohit shares real-world examples, actionable insights, and tips to help you fulfill big orders without draining your working capital.Whether you're preparing for your first retail rollout or managing growing demand, this episode will help you deliver with confidence.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

In this episode I'm joined by a true pioneer in the world of organic CPG—Matt McLean, the founder of Uncle Matt's Organic.Matt's journey is a masterclass in scaling with integrity. From navigating the complexities of retail and supply chains to staying ahead of evolving consumer trends, Matt has built a mission-driven brand that's not only profitable—but principled. He sold his company to Dean Foods, just to buy it back 2 years later when the acquirer went bankrupt.If you care about sustainability, business leadership, and the real story behind building an iconic brand in a crowded market, this episode is for you.So grab a glass of OJ and let's dive in.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

 In this episode, I sit down with Brad Ebenhoeh, co-founder of Accountfully, to unpack how CPG brands can build strong financial foundations to withstand tariffs, inflation, and whatever economic curveballs come their way. Brad shares practical strategies for cash flow management, margin protection, and forecasting so founders can stay resilient even in uncertain times. Whether you're sourcing internationally or scaling into retail, this conversation will help you sharpen your numbers and make smarter financial decisions—before it's too late. Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Today we're into the behind-the-scenes journey of taking a beloved cult-favorite product from small-batch to store shelves across the country. I'm joined by the Justin Oleesky, COO of Coconut Cult, a brand that's made waves in the probiotic space with its ultra-potent coconut yogurt—and a company that's learned a lot about what it takes to scale into national distribution without losing your mind.We'll explore the operational challenges that come with growing fast: managing complex retailer requirements, staying resilient through economic uncertainty and tariffs, and keeping logistics on track when your systems start to buckle under volume. You'll also hear how they chose CRSTL as their EDI partner, what makes CRSTL different from other providers, and how that decision transformed their backend operations—saving time, reducing errors, and unlocking growth.Whether you're just starting to think about wholesale or already in retail and feeling the pressure of scale, this episode is packed with actionable lessons for founders, COOs, and operations leads alike.Sponsored by CRSTLCrstl is the smarter way to EDI. Get 25% off your entire first year and onboarded to any trading partner in 2 weeks or less. No complex setups, no delays—just fast, reliable, automated EDI at the lowest total cost of ownership. E-mail grace@foodbevy.comStartup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

In this episode I dive deep into how brands can succeed selling to Sprouts Market, one of the premier national natural channel retailers. I'm joined by Luke Abbott, founder of VDriven, a CPG growth consultancy that works closely with Sprouts.You'll learn about how to succeed in Sprouts generally and in their innovation set.Want to work with VDriven to launch in Sprouts? E-mail us at grace@foodbevy.com to get an introduction.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

The cash conversion cycle is one of the most challenging things to manage in a CPG business. Join me as I talk with Samantha Abramson, CEO of Just Date as she shares her exact process including:Using AION to fund her working capital needsHer Weekly Cashflow Management ProcessHow She BudgetsYou can get a free AION bank account and access AR financing for your business hereSponsored by Aion.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Today, we're tackling one of the most critical—and often misunderstood—aspects of growing a food or beverage company: the relationship between brands, distributors, and retailers.Think of this ecosystem like a three-legged stool—each leg plays a vital role, and if one isn't strong, the whole thing collapses. To help us break this down, I'm joined by Howie Sher, a seasoned expert in the CPG industry and a leader at JPG Resources, a firm that helps brands navigate growth from startup to scale. Howie has seen firsthand what makes these relationships work—and what causes them to fall apart.In this episode, we'll explore:What's in it for each party—the brand, the distributor, and the retailerWhy you need each of them and why they need youThe biggest misconceptions brands have about distributors and retailersHow to align your strategy so all three legs of the stool support growthStartup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

In this episode of Startup to Scale, I dive into the essential backend tools that brands need to streamline their operations, manage cash flow, and access working capital.I sit down with the Mel and Branden from Settle to discuss:✅ The key challenges brands face when scaling—especially aligning sales, operations, and financing.✅ When to transition from spreadsheets to more robust business management tools.✅ The must-have tech stack, including sales orders, bill pay, inventory management, and procurement.✅ The best ways to fund growth, including the pros and cons of different debt funding options.Interested in Settle? Get started HEREWant to connect?

Struggling to run effective e-commerce ads? It might just be your landing pages and offer. I'm having this problem with Joyful Co, so I reached out to Andrew at AdCrunch to break down how to build effective landing pages that actually drive sales.We cover:Creating Compelling MessagingLanding Pages that Answer All Your buyer's QuestionsMaking an Irresistible OfferUnlock Winning Hooks & CTAs for Your Brand For FREE!Watch NowStartup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

How do you turn an ancient Italian superfood into a modern snack brand that stands out in the crowded U.S. market? Aaron Gatti, founder and CEO of Brami, set out to do just that.Inspired by the Mediterranean diet and his Italian roots, Aaron discovered the lupini bean—a protein-packed, fiber-rich legume with incredible health benefits. But while lupini beans were popular in Europe, they were virtually unknown in the U.S. In this episode, Aaron shares how he built Brami from the ground up, from introducing an entirely new category to American consumers to scaling in retail, Amazon, and direct-to-consumer.If you're an emerging food brand founder, this episode is packed with real-world lessons on bringing an innovative product to market and growing it into a national brand.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Eric Skae is the CEO of Carbone Fine Food, the premium pasta sauce offshoot of New York's Iconic Carbone Restaurant. Over his career, Eric has led and scaled multiple consumer brands across beverages, snacks, and specialty foods – think New Leaf iced tea, Iceland Spring water, Popcornopolis popcorn, and the famous Rao's Specialty Foods sauce line, where he took over as CEO and led the company through a rebrand and exit.With that track record, Eric knows a thing or two about taking a startup and scaling it to new heights. In our conversation today, we'll dive into actionable insights on everything from crafting growth strategies for emerging CPG brands to cracking the code on distribution and retail expansion. It's going to be a dynamic, insight-packed discussion for any founder looking to scale up their brand.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

I thought TeaSquares' unique multi-serve pouch would stand out—it did, but for the wrong reasons. Customers were confused by the packaging, and sales suffered. We switched to single-serve bars that aligned with category norms, and sales improved significantly.In this episode, I sit down with Sanders, founder of NUEX Creative, to discuss how packaging design can make or break your product on the shelf and online. We'll dive into strategies for creating packaging that attracts customers and drives sales.

 Soon, AI will just become a commonplace tool in business. Are you prepared? Join me as I talk with Andreas Duess, from 6 Seeds about the structure of the CPG industry and how emerging brands can utilize AI to navigate data complexities and drive growth. We discuss the importance of integrating AI tools while ensuring that these technologies enhance rather than replace the human touch that is so critical for brands. Tune in to learn practical strategies for employing AI in your CPG brand without losing the personal connection that customers value. Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Expo West is coming up, and it's like the Super Bowl for CPG. while I won't be there, I invited on Heather Holmes to share some tips and suggestions on how to make the most of the show. We discuss:Setting clear goals and outcomesCreating a content planBeing proactive about building relationshipsGathering data and feedbackGenerating press and PRStartup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Retailers are raising the bar when it comes to liability coverage, and the process of securing the right insurance is becoming more complicated than ever. Not only are brands facing higher coverage limits, but the third-party companies verifying Certificates of Insurance don't always understand how coverage works—leading to unnecessary denials and costly delays.To help us make sense of this evolving landscape, I'm joined by Russ Taylor from SecureCPG, an insurance company specializing in coverage for consumer packaged goods brands. We'll unpack what's happening behind the scenes, how you can ensure compliance with retailer requirements, and what you need to know to avoid costly pitfalls.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

In this episode, I'm joined by Yuval Selik, CEO of Promomash, to explore the challenges and strategies of securing investment for CPG brands in today's tight market conditions. Despite the availability of capital, the CPG sector often struggles to attract investment. Yuval shares expert advice on making your brand more appealing to investors by honing in on crucial aspects of your business, particularly profitability.We'll delve into the essential actions CPG founders need to take, the key metrics they should be monitoring, and the reporting standards that can make or break investment opportunities. Additionally, Yuval provides valuable resources on crowdfunding and other financing alternatives that could be vital in navigating these challenging times.Tune in to gain practical lessons that can help position your brand for success in the investment arena. Whether you're preparing for your first round or looking to scale up, this episode is packed with guidance to maximize your appeal to potential investors.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Join us as Rachel Kane, co-founder of Sprinkle Bites, shares her journey of bringing a Dutch-inspired snack, Hagelslag, to kids in the U.S. Sprinkle Bites isn't just about sprinkles—it's a high-protein, sugar-free treat packed with plant-based nutrients, perfect for on-the-go snacking.Learn how Rachel and her co-founder Nicole are revolutionizing snacking with sprinkles that are as nutritious as they are fun. Tune in to hear about their innovative product development, go-to-market strategies, and what it takes to build a category-defining CPG brand!Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

 Join us as we dive into the inspiring journey of Orleatha Smith, co-founder of Sip Herbals—a caffeine-free, prebiotic-rich herbal coffee alternative. From overcoming personal health challenges to creating a groundbreaking product loved by the wellness community, Orleatha shares her story of innovation, resilience, and the lessons learned along the way. Discover what it takes to grow a brand in a niche market, the power of listening to customers, and the behind-the-scenes experience of pitching on Shark Tank. Don't miss this episode packed with insights for entrepreneurs and coffee lovers alike! Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Popadelics, founded by wife and husband team Marilyn and Michael makes crunchy mushroom chips. They're a bootstrapped company that's used creative debt financing to fund their operations and grow to over 3000 stores. They worked with Kickfurther, which offers inventory financing to decrease their cashflow gap when producing orders for the new distributor and retailer launches. Marilyn is also still working a full time job and building Popadelics.Join me for an engaging conversation about how to build a business that works best for you.CPGrow Pitch CompetitionApplications are open for Kickfurther's CPGrow 2025 Pitch Competition! You could win $250,000 in no-cost inventory funding, plus incredible grand prizes from partners.Submission Deadline – January 31st, 2025Submit HereStartup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Storytelling is crucial to building your brand, and PR is a great way to get your message out in the world. But where to start? On this episode I talk with Heather Holmes, founder of Publicity for Good to break down how to think about PR for CPG Brands to build awareness and ultimately drive sales.We also do a live virtual PR audit for my brand, Joyful Co and discuss which elements of our story are most compelling and which mediums we should focus on.Want an audit for your brand?Book a free consultation call with Heather to help map out your PR StrategyRegister for our free webinar to get an audit of your PR Strategy and listen to others.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Building a profitable CPG business is possible, but it takes a special product and business model. Join me as I sit down with Sean Hall one of my favorite bootstrapped entrepreneurs who founded Wellious as we talk through what it took to build a profitable business, how he carefully chose a category and built a product in a crowded category. Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Founded by former KIND Snacks Exec Lindsay Hancock, My Better Batch was created to make baking from scratch as effortless as possible. Lindsay did 90% of the work by sourcing premium ingredients and crafting an easy, mix-and-bake solution so customers can make cookies that taste homemade with just the addition of egg and butter.In this episode, learn how she is starting her company and getting into retailers like Sprouts.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

In this episode I dive into the essential strategies for building successful relationships with service providers that help your business thrive. From aligning on goals to fostering transparent communication, we cover actionable tips to maximize the value of these critical partnerships. Joining me is Brad Ebenhoeh, CEO of Accountfully.Key topics include:Alignment: Setting clear expectations and ensuring your provider has the capability to deliver.Expectations: Defining timelines, pricing, deliverables, and involvement to stay on track.Communication: How frequent, transparent, and engaged communication transforms the relationship from a transaction to a true partnership.Tune in to learn how to strengthen your collaborations, trust your partners, and create a foundation for mutual success. Whether you're working with agencies, consultants, or contractors, this episode offers insights you can apply today.Don't miss this practical guide to getting the most out of your service providers!

 In 2024, Sarjesa, founded by Alexandra Sangster announced that she acquired Buzzd Nutrition, a superfood creamer brand founded by Lauren and Alex Burrows. What's really exciting is that Sarjesa is an emerging brand itself and co-manufactured the Buzzd product. I had a lot of questions for Alexandra about what it looks like for one emerging brand to acquire another, and we break down all the details in this episode. Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

As a startup you need a bank account to transact business, but who should you partner with? Retail banks like Chase and Wells Fargo? Or online banks?Let's talk with one of my favorite partners, Aion Financial that offers free online banking tools for businesses of all sizes including:BankingDebit CardsBill PayReceivablesCredit and LendingWatch Video HereStartup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Discover the latest Amazon marketing tools and strategies designed to help your brand thrive this holiday season. In this episode, we explore Amazon Brand Tailored Promotions, a powerful feature that enables you to connect with targeted audiences, including:New Customer Acquisition: Convert customers interested in your brand.Customer Retention: Boost loyalty by engaging existing customers.Re-engagement: Win back lost or churned customers.Cross-sell Opportunities: Promote complementary products to current buyers.Plus, learn about Additional Coupon Targeting options to engage:At-risk customers.Brand cart abandoners (7-day and 90-day).Joining me is Luke Tierney from EcoD2C, sharing insights on how to implement these strategies effectively in your business.

One of the biggest challenges growing a brand is aligning sales and operations. What systems did you put in place to do so? I talk with Corey Stary, VP Revenue & Ops at Kahawa 1893 on when their spreadsheets broke, and how they set the business up for the next stage.Joining us is Wiley Jones, co-founder of Doss to talk through how to build your operational system.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Debt financing is a tool that can be incredibly useful for emerging CPG brands, but is also fretted with questions. When is debt the right tool for you? What are the different financing types? How much should I take out? For this episode I invited Daniel Taylor, CEO of Bags to help break down these answers.Interested in connecting with Bags?Book a free financial growth session with their team here!Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Do you have a set plan on how to launch into new retailers? If not, this episode is for you. We break down how to plan your first 30-60-90 day selling periods, how to drive traffic to store, increase velocity, and measure data along the way.I'm joined by Tate Glasgow and Harrai Khalsa, both with extensive CPG sales experience to discuss everything you need to know.Sponsor: This episode is supported by Promomash, a company that helps CPG brands better plan and execute your trade and promotions plan.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

The intersection of digital and retail marketing is made easier with digital sampling. Now you can use trackable digital marketing tactics to drive customers to purchase in store, while simultaneously intercepting customers in-store through demos and adding them to your digital marketing and loyalty program. Join me for a conversation on how to use advanced digital product sampling and rebate programs to drive sales and velocity for your brand.We discuss:The Key Opportunities for Using Digital SamplingSpecific Tactics for Using Digital Rebates to Have the Best ROII'm Joined by Justin Lutz, CEO of Sampoll, a digital sampling and rebate company for emerging CPG brands.Sampoll offers a “Bring Your Own Marketing” plan designed to help brands acquire new customers and boost sales velocity. Deploy targeted retail focused (or DTC) digital product trial offers in just a few clicks! For $399/month, brands receive 1,000 signups to support their marketing initiatives. Additionally, as a limited-time offer, the first 10 customers can get the first month for just $199—50% off the regular price. This plan provides an affordable, efficient way to expand your customer base and drive growth.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

 AI is taking over every industry, which begs the question, can AI act as your Bookkeeper? I invite on Alice Zhang, founder of MyPocketCFO who's been integrating AI into their accounting software for CPG Brands. In this episode we discuss what AI can and can't do, and what the future may hold. Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

 Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Isabel Washington, the founder of Laurel's Coffee, a brand that's redefining canned coffee. Isabel's journey from concept to cup has been one of passion, persistence, and purpose. Her focus on ethically sourced, high-quality beans paired with using A2 dairy makes Laurel's Coffee stand out in a crowded marketplace. Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Running a family business comes with a lot of benefits, and a few challenges along the way. You know you have someone you can trust, but what happens when you have different ideas on how to grow? I talk with Josh and Shlomo, two of the 2nd generation owners of Josh Packaging about how they navigated joining their family business. We also discuss their share values around always delivering for the customer. They share some practical advice on how to work with multiple family members over decades in business together.Looking for a Packaging Supplier?For flexible films like pouches, bar wrappers, and bags, turn to Josh Packaging—a trusted, family-owned business based in New York. They specialize in supporting emerging CPG brands with top-notch service and expert guidance on selecting the best materials for your packaging. Plus, their reliable lead times ensure you get your products out on schedule. Get a free consultation with Josh Packaging today and see how they can elevate your brand's packaging!Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

I delve into the often misunderstood world of distributor partnerships and explore how brands can build strong, productive relationships with their distributors. Our discussion tackles the common misconceptions brands have about working with distributors, shedding light on what often goes awry and how to set the foundation for a successful collaboration.I interview Elizabeth Hemphill-Burns is a seasoned sales leader and business strategist with over a decade of experience in the natural, specialty, and organic food and beverage industry.  Elizabeth has an extensive background in building strong relationships with distributors, managing P&L, and expanding market reach for innovative brands like Pressed and KeHE.Key points we'll cover include:Understanding Distributors: Unpack the critical aspects that brands often overlook when working with distributors. Learn about the expectations from both sides and how misalignments can impact the relationship.Building Strong Relationships: Discover actionable strategies to foster trust and cooperation with your distributors. We'll discuss communication techniques, mutual benefits, and the importance of aligning goals to enhance partnership longevity.Navigating Chargebacks: Chargebacks can be a thorn in the side of many brands. We'll explain why chargebacks happen, how they can be managed, and preventative measures to minimize their occurrence. This segment aims to equip you with the knowledge to handle these financial setbacks effectively.Need help managing distributor deductions? Glimpse uses AI to automatically download, categorize, and contest dispute deductions on your behalf. It works faster, costs less, and recoups more money than doing deductions manually or using any existing services. Get a 2 month free trial to see how much money you can save and free sales dashboard and tracking inventory: Tryglimpse.comStartup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Let's break down exactly how to get a buyer to agree to take your meeting and then get them to say “yes” to bringing your product in store. For this conversation I talk with James Pippin with Good Now Foods and share actionable tips and tricks to stand out.  Looking for a Directory of Retail Buyers, Category Reviews, and Review Schedules? Check out Harvest Hub.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

 As a CPG founder, you'll encounter new risks at each stage of your business. I spoke with Russ Taylor of SecureCPG to share a roadmap for anticipating potential challenges and proactively addressing them, ensuring that your brand is resilient and prepared for success at every stage of your journey. Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Plastic storage containers for food and home organization are a fairly commoditized category. I spoke with Pall Musaev about how he purchased the Mr. Lid brand from the original founders and is transforming it into a fun brand that supports sustainable storage solutions.Learn More at https://mrlid.com/Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

 So, you're growing in retail and think you may be ready to start searching for a system to manage your trade spend, deductions and promotions. Have you thought about what you need internally to be ready for such a system? Do you have the right team in place? Does that team have the skill sets needed? How much guidance are you going to need? I invited on Chris Ambarian, Co-Founder of Promomash, to provide his perspective after working with dozens of brands through this transformation. Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Just a few years ago it seemed like Compostable packaging was hitting mainstream, even with large multinational corporations starting to implement. Now, there are few CPG products with compostable packaging on the market. I talk with Shlomo and Elie from Josh Packaging about the state of the Compostable Packaging industry, the challenges and opportunities, along with what you can do to make your packaging more sustainable.Need help with flexible packaging for your brand? Josh Packaging is a family owned business that works with emerging brands to create custom packaging to fit your needs.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

We take hundreds of photos of our products, but often times we keep coming back to using the same dozen or so. But why do these photos stand out more than others? It's often because they share a compelling narrative about your brand/products that the others don't capture. So how do we take more of these effective photos? It starts by understanding the role of each photograph, why you're taking it, and the point you need it to get across.I talk with Carrington Crothers of Prospect Street Studio to break down how to create highly effective photographs every time.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

We're at a pivotal time in the CPG industry right now. The dry spell of capital has put a lot of VC funded companies out of business and is preventing the launch of many more. So what's a founder to do? I've invited on Howie Sher, who's been in the food industry for decades and has seen it all. Howie grew up in the grocery store business before starting his own CPG nut business, What-A-Ya Nuts, which he ran for 10 years. Now he consults with CPG founders and runs JPG's Founder Cohort program.I am excited to share that after a successful Spring/Summer session, our friends at JPG Resources are now recruiting for the Fall/Winter Founder Cohorts!This is a B-School course approach for Founders, covering subjects including Fundraising, Marketing, Data, Sales, Regulatory, Legal, Supply Chain, and beyond in sessions led by some of the industry's most recognized leaders.The Cohort is an opportunity for personal and brand growth – where you meet and learn from industry experts and former founders while sharing collective experiences with peers.Sign up by August 30th for early-bird pricing and receive a 20% discount for the Fall/Winter 2024 Cohort!Program duration: October 2024 – April 202512 virtual sessions, 90 minutes eachIndustry Experts in every session, covering topics critical to CPGEARLY-BIRD PRICING INCLUDES 20% DISCOUNT:$720 per month ($4,320 total)INCLUDES A BONUS: 5 hours of individual advising from JPG expertsTo find out more about Founders Cohorts and take advantage of the early-bird pricing.Email us at grace@foodbevy.com.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Getting funding to support your business growth is the #1 concern I hear from founders. How do you get access to the financing you need to make an impact? I've invited on Matthew Featherstone, founder of Hiatus Cheesecake to share their story on how a line of credit from Aion Financial gave them the cashflow to fund inventory to expand into hundreds of new retailers.Need working capital for your business? Sign up with Aion Financial and access credit lines from $10,000 to $5,000,000. As a special offer for the Foodbevy community, Aion is completely waiving their fee of $99/month to access credit lines.” E-mail us to get this deal: grace@foodbevy.comStartup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

As a founder, it's important to have a strong grasp on your business financials, but when do you actually hire someone to help? In this episode, we talk through what is the role of a CFO, Controller, and Bookkeeper, and when's the right time to hire them as a contractor or full time role. Joining me for this conversation is Brad Ebenhoeh, founder of Accountfully to provide his expert experience.Need help with bookkeeping or CFO Strategy for your CPG Brand? Check out Accountfully, who specializes in working with CPG Brands.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

 Getting insurance can be a little bit of a black box for companies, what coverage do you need? How do your application answers affect pricing? What are common red flags or issues that can delay or complicated the application process? I invite on Russ Taylor with SecureCPG to discuss how to apply and audit your insurance coverage to make sure you're getting the best coverage and pricing. Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Developing a food or beverage product is deceptively hard. Anyone can whip up a batch of say, BBQ sauce or cookies in their home kitchen, but commercializing them takes a lot of time, nuance, and consideration. I'm joined today by Jamie Valenti-Jordan, founder of Catapult Consulting to discuss the new product development process for CPG brands. Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

 Kristin Taylor is the co-founder of Mom Juice, a unique wine brand that's reshaping the narrative around motherhood and wine. Kristin, inspired by her Southern roots and a memorable visit to an Italian vineyard, co-created Mom Juice to bring women and mothers together over a glass of wine. With a commitment to authenticity and simplicity, Mom Juice has grown rapidly, offering wines made with just eight ingredients. Join us as we dive into Kristin's journey, the story behind Mom Juice, and how it's making waves in the wine industry. Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.