Podcasts about cpg

We're BACK after a few weeks away from Thanksgiving and work related events! This week we'll get insight from Wade on BevNet and talk about anything and everything CPG!

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Joe Mueller, VP of Industry & Customer Relations at Mars Snacking (formerly known as Kellanova).Follow Joe on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-mueller-1a31454/Follow Mars on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mars/ Follow Mars Snacking (Kellanova) on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kellanova/Here's what we asked Joe:Joe, you have a great title - industry & customer engagement. What does that mean - what is your remit and who all do you work with at Kellanova?You recently penned a white paper for MMR (Mass Market Retailers) focused on the shopper experience. Can you talk about the motivation behind that piece?Talk more about what is driving these changes in shopper behavior? So what is the answer? From your perspective, how can the industry shift to meet the changing needs and wants of shoppers?What does a true win-win partnership with retailers look like, and what behaviors signal that it's moving in the right direction?Can you talk a bit about how Kellanova is engaging differently in light of these shifts?In light of this and other changes, What are therefore the most important skills a future CPG commercial leader needs to learn and sharpen?Looking to what's ahead in the next 3 years, what are you focused on, excited about - and are there any concerns  ?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comSheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/Rhea Raj's Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual's use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.

#712 When Joe Chura quit drinking during the 75 Hard challenge, he didn't just transform his health — he found his next business! In this episode hosted by Brien Gearin, Joe shares how that personal decision sparked the launch of Go Brewing, a non-alcoholic beer company built from his garage that's now on track to hit $10 million in revenue. With a background in tech and automotive, Joe applied his digital marketing and DTC expertise to grow the brand online, sell to over 60,000 customers, and gather powerful customer data that helped him land 6,000 retail placements across 23 states. He explains why they built their own brewery instead of outsourcing, how they created a unique taproom experience, and what it takes to stand out in the emerging NA beverage space. If you want a behind-the-scenes look at building a fast-growing CPG brand from scratch, this episode is packed with insights! (Original Air Date - 5/3/25) What we discuss with Joe: + Origin of Go Brewing during 75 Hard + Brewing beer from his garage + Scaling from 0 to 60,000 customers + Using DTC to gather customer data + 6,000 retail placements nationwide + Building a taproom for NA beverages + Strategic hiring and lean marketing + Challenges of beverage distribution + Differentiating in a growing NA market + Plans for THC and electrolyte drinks Thank you, Joe! Check out Go Brewing at ⁠GoBrewing.com⁠. Follow Joe on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠LinkedIn⁠. Watch the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠video podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ of this episode! To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MillionaireUniversity.com/training⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrea Hernández is the founder and author of Snaxshot, one of the most influential newsletters in food and beverage. On this episode of ITS, Ali and Andrea talk about where CPG is now, hypebeast grocery, colostrum snacks, suggestions for founders, and what to look out for in 2026.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by becoming a member!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this week's episode of The Venue RX Podcast, host Jonathan Aymin sits down with Joe Bockerstette to break down the purpose and power of Business Enterprise Mapping. Joe explains how documenting, visualizing, and redesigning business processes helps leaders understand why their companies get the results they do and how owners can fix process issues to improve outcomes. He walks through the foundations of a strong value proposition, the importance of identifying the right customer, and how pain points, desires, responsiveness, cost, and expertise all shape the customer experience. Joe explains how business mapping applies across every department, why it works for any industry, and how focusing on the biggest organizational pain points creates a ripple effect of improvement. He discusses the tools used in mapping, the value of standardizing processes across multiple locations, and the human side of change management. Joe also shares practical steps for small teams, the dangers of relying on “superheroes,” and how to distinguish between people problems and process problems, and why continual improvement matters. About Our Guest: Joe Bockerstette, brings more than 30 years of transformational leadership across supply chain, operations, and strategic process improvement. Joe has served as a consulting partner at PwC, led CPG companies as CEO, and founded both private equity and angel investment groups, a career defined by building organizations that run smarter, faster, and more efficiently.Most recently, Joe has been guiding executive teams at Business Enterprise Mapping, where he champions the Perigon Method, a proprietary approach that helps companies turn unclear, inefficient workflows into streamlined engines of value. His work focuses on equipping teams to identify their toughest operational pain points, create practical playbooks for improvement, and build the internal capability to sustain meaningful, long-term results.He's also the author of three books on time-based manufacturing, angel investing, and strategic process management, resources that deeply resonate with entrepreneurs, venue owners, and leaders who want to scale through clarity, systems, and smart operational design.Find Him Here: Website: https://www.businessmapping.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-bockerstette-86875a17/

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Wayne Purboo, VP of Video Advertising at Amazon Ads.This episode was recorded at Amazon unBoxed 2025 in Nashville TNFollow Wayne on LinkedIn at: http://linkedin.com/in/purbooFollow Amazon Ads on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/amazonadvertising/Follow Amazon Ads online at: https://advertising.amazon.com/Wayne answers these questions:Wayne, you've been in media, tech and now advertising at Amazon. Can you walk us through your journey and how you landed in the CPG‐advertising intersection along with what does your current role at Amazon Advertising look like? What are the core responsibilities and strategic levers you focus on?Coming from entrepreneurial & video/telecom roots (e.g., your time co-founding QuickPlay Media) how has that shaped your perspective now in a large ecosystem like Amazon?Many CPG brands think “Amazon = retail channel” but there's a whole advertising & media angle. How do you advise brands to better harness the “media + commerce” capability of Amazon, especially with video?From your vantage point, what are the most common mistakes CPG brands make when planning Amazon-advertising budgets with video?How does you define success for a CPG brand? Are there metrics beyond lower funnel that brands should be paying more attention to, especially with video?Video, streaming, influencer, live-commerce: Which media formats do you think are the most under-utilised by CPG brands on Amazon right now, and why?How should CPG brands think about full-funnel versus upper-funnel investments when advertising on Amazon? Is there a "sweet spot" you're seeing?What advice would you give a CPG brand that's just starting to advertise on Amazon (i.e., their first campaign) on leveraging video — what some things should they absolutely nail?On the flip side: what advanced tactics or experiments are you seeing the most exciting results from, for brands already well-established on Amazon?Are there “best practice” frameworks or internal Amazon Advertising tools that brands should know about (or ask for) re : video / streaming that many overlook?Over the next 3-5 years, what do you think will be the biggest disruptors in CPG advertising (on Amazon and beyond) with video?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comSheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/Rhea Raj's Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual's use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.

Alastair Dorward, former CEO of Dropps and founding CEO of Method, joins us to explore sustainability, legacy brands, startups, and the future of CPG. He explains why leaders must get comfortable cannibalizing their own products before startups do, and why customer relevance is non‑negotiable. The conversation dives into corporate venture capital, startup partnerships, and how agentic search is leveling the playing field for sustainable, high‑performance brands. Alastair also shares four insurgent plays: uncover unmet needs, elevate the customer experience, find the riches in the niches, and prove there's “no mission without margin.”

What does it really look like to build a tech company from scratch — as a woman, a founder, a mother, and a deeply intuitive leader? And what happens when you hit the wall of burnout… but choose to rebuild your business from a place of ease, alignment, and sovereignty instead of hustle? This week, I sit down with the extraordinary Heather Udo, Founder & CEO of Shoppable — a SaaS platform powering shoppable experiences for major retailers, global CPG brands, and creators. Heather shares the truth behind: ✨ Growing Shoppable into a profitable tech company over 14 years ✨ Navigating male-dominated startup culture ✨ Raising (or intentionally not raising) VC funding ✨ Coaching first-time tech founders ✨ Being a mother while running a company ✨ Using AI the right way for e-commerce ✨ Rebuilding after burnout ✨ Creating a life and business led by alignment, not adrenaline She also breaks down how Shoppable helps stylists, bloggers, designers & creators stop losing commission to coupon extensions (

Jason Bronstad is the CEO of Malk Organics, a clean-label, plant-based milk and creamer brand. Jason began his career in the food and beverage industry at Sara Lee, serving across several managerial and directorial positions between 2004 and 2010. He then went on to become VP of Sales at Mike's Hard Lemonade and then the President of Mighty Swell Cocktail Company before joining purpose-led start up, Malk Organics, in 2020. He joins Roy to discuss the ins and outs of shaping culture, values-driven hiring, evaluating talent, learning to keep things simple, and much more. Highlights from our conversation include:Core beliefs and values that comprise Jason's leadership playbook (3:55)Connection to mission (6:12)Hiring lessons learned during periods of brand growth and development (8:20)Key characteristics of high-performing leaders (11:40)Important traits Jason seeks in his direct reports (14:15)Evaluating cultural fit in prospective talent (15:50)The parts of Malk's culture that make Jason most proud (18:08)Jason's definition of success and how it's evolved over the course of his career (20:22)His advice for the next generation of CPG leaders (21:10)

This week, I am absolutely delighted to welcome Eoin Keenan, the founder of Goodrays, to the show. Goodrays is a UK functional beverage brand that is absolutely killing it in the challenger brand space.I loved talking to Eoin about his unique path to becoming a founder. We go right back in time to when he left university and travelled (and slept) in the back of a beat-up car in California, visiting the best hemp farms to learn how to grow the very ingredient that would become central to his brand. It's an incredible story of commitment to the value proposition and this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in scaling a successful challenger brand.We talk about:Building a Category: What it truly takes to create a new category and why it often requires more than just one brand to make it happen.Incremental Value: What it means to be "incremental" to your category and how to achieve it.The Irish Founder Experience: The unique mix of pride and pressure that comes with being an Irish founder building a brand in the UK.Team and Growth: How a small, highly committed team of just 16 people is driving such incredible, industry-defining growth, and Eoin's philosophy on hiring.I hope you get as much out of this conversation as I did!Useful linksConnect with Eoin on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/eoin-keenan-009a8380/Follow Goodrays on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/goodrays/Connect with Goodrays on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/goodrays/Goodrays website https://goodrays.uk/============================================================Thanks to Brand Growth Heroes' podcast sponsor - Joelson, the commercial law firm=============================================================If you're a founder, you already know how much of your energy goes into building the perfect product, creating standout branding and connecting with your consumers.But don't forget that scaling a CPG business also comes with a maze of legal complexities that can make or break your business journey. From contracts, term sheets and regulatory compliance to protecting your brand's intellectual property as you expand, it's essential to get it right.And that starts with the right legal partner.So we're thrilled to introduce Joelson, a leading commercial law firm that specialises in guiding the founders of scaling CPG brands, as Brand Growth Heroes' sponsor.With long-term relationships with clients like Little Moons, Trip, Eat Natural, Bear Graze, and Pulsin, Joelson is also famous for advising the innocent founders in their landmark sale to Coca-Cola! As a female team, we are especially impressed by Joelson's commitment to championing female founders in CPG.Not many law firms are also BCorps, nor do they specialise in helping founders navigate the legal challenges of scaling without stifling the creativity and momentum that got you here in the first place. So thanks, Joelson—we're delighted to have you on board.If you'd like to get in touch to find out more, why don't you drop them a line at hello@joelsonlaw.com!==============================================A tiny favour: If this episode inspires you to think about new ways to drive business growth, please could you click FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE on your favourite podcast app and leave a review?This small gesture from you means the world to us, and allows us to share these nuggets of insight and value with you more often.You won't want to miss the next episode, in which Fiona Fitz talks with another successful founder of a challenger brand who shares more valuable insights into driving growth.Please don't hesitate to join our Brand Growth Heroes community to stay updated with captivating stories and learnings from your beloved brands on their path to success!Follow us on our Brand Growth Heroes socials: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.Thanks to our Sound Engineer, Gyp Buggane, Ballagroove.com and podcast producer/content creator, Kathryn Watts, Social KEWS.

“Everyone older than me was optimizing careers for comfort — I think we need to be uncomfortable. I think we need to push the boundaries.”Vineet Mehra is CMO of Chime - the fastest-growing and most-loved consumer banking service in the U.S. - where he leverages data-driven and cultural marketing strategies to drive growth and challenge industry norms. Vineet is a global marketing leader, Board Director, and advisor recognized for building disruptive, category-defining brands. Previously, Vineet served as Global Chief Customer and Marketing Officer at Walgreens Boots Alliance, where he led the $100B company through its COVID-19 transformation, and as Chief Growth Officer at Ancestry, launching AncestryDNA to redefine consumer genomics. Before that, Vineet served in many rising leadership roles across CPG. At Johnson & Johnson, Vineet was Global President of Baby Care and Global President of Marketing, overseeing a multibillion-dollar portfolio and modernizing worldwide marketing capabilities. Vineet held early leadership roles at Novartis Consumer Health across Europe, the U.S., and Canada, as well as brand-building assignments at General Mills. Procter & Gamble was Vineet's career start — first in Canada in Beauty Sales & Marketing, and later as a regional Beauty Care Brand Manager in Asia - shaping his reputation as one of the industry's most globally experienced marketers. Named among Forbes' 50 Most Influential CMOs, Vineet is committed to advancing the marketing industry — currently serving as an advisor to Spotify, MMA Global, Ridge Ventures, OfferFit by Braze, AI Trailblazers, and Virtuosi LEAP. Previously, Vineet held senior advisory and board roles at WPP, Apollo Global Management, AdTheorent, Adweek, Knotch, and Effie Worldwide — where he served as Chairman of the Board. An avid traveler, Vineet has visited over 80 countries and cherishes creating memories with his family.This episode is hosted by P&G Alum Sudha Ranganathan, who's spent over 19 years in diverse Marketing leadership roles at companies like P&G, PayPal, and LinkedIn where she's honed her passion for customer-centric marketing and talent development.

Mr. Beast Biography Flash a weekly Biography.In the past few days Jimmy Donaldson, better known as MrBeast, has been in the news less for a single viral stunt and more for the long term architecture of his empire. TechCrunch reports that his CEO Jeff Housenbold is now openly floating the idea of taking Beast Industries public one day, with the explicit goal of letting fans become owners of the company. That IPO talk is still speculative and no filing has been made, but the fact it is being discussed on the record underscores that MrBeast is now positioning himself less as a lone creator and more as the head of a future consumer entertainment conglomerate. TechCrunch also notes leaked figures, originally reported by Bloomberg, indicating that his Feastables chocolate line has already become more profitable than both his flagship YouTube channel and his Prime Video show Beast Games, a shift that suggests his long term biography may be defined as much by CPG and IP as by YouTube views.At the same time, Donaldson is trying to evolve his philanthropic brand. Fortune and an official announcement from the Rockefeller Foundation both confirm a new strategic partnership between Beast Philanthropy and the 112 year old foundation, aimed at combining his youth reach with their expertise in helping the worlds most vulnerable communities. The Rockefeller Foundation says the collaboration will include joint work in places like Ghana early next year, and Donaldson has been quoted saying he wants their guidance to avoid repeating philanthropy mistakes and to turn his massive, often spectacle driven giving into what he calls real lasting change. Framed biographically, this looks like the opening chapter in a shift from viral charity videos to institutional philanthropy with establishment partners.That Ghana focus also ties into a more public facing, participatory campaign. The 1 Billion Followers Summit has posted terms and conditions for a 1 Billion Acts of Kindness campaign run in collaboration with MrBeast, Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives and the Varkey Foundation. The campaign invites creators worldwide to post videos of acts of kindness with specific hashtags and, for ten selected winners, includes a fully paid trip to the summit and a journey with MrBeast to Ghana to help build a village and appear in his content. The documents make clear this is a formally structured initiative, with content licensing, code of conduct and legal waivers spelled out, which again speaks to how systematized the MrBeast operation has become.On the media side, MrBeast has also just appeared in a long form conversation titled MrBeast on Cracking the Attention Economy, alongside CEO Jeff Housenbold. In that discussion, promoted on YouTube, the pair lay out how they think about attention, business growth and the responsibilities that come with their influence. While not a headline making controversy, it is a notable public appearance because it continues to cement Donaldson as a leading voice on the future of entertainment, not just a practitioner inside it.Meanwhile, storm clouds remain in the background. TechCrunch points out that Beast Industries is still locked in litigation with Virtual Dining Concepts over the collapse of MrBeast Burger, and that lawsuits from contestants on the first season of Beast Games alleging mistreatment and a misogynistic culture are ongoing. In a recent DealBook appearance covered by TechCrunch, Donaldson spoke cautiously about those suits, essentially portraying them as an almost inevitable byproduct of running a 2000 person gameshow, rather than as evidence of systemic failure, a framing that will likely be revisited in any serious biography of his rise.There are, as always, countless unverified rumors swirling on social media about upcoming videos, new Feastables flavors, and a possible second large scale series order from Amazon, but at this stage those remain speculation without confirmation from MrBeast or major outlets.Thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an update on MrBeast. To dive into more fast paced life stories like this one, search the term Biography Flash for more great biographies.And that is it for today. Make sure you hit the subscribe button and never miss an update on Mr. Beast. Thanks for listening. This has been a Quiet Please production."Get the best deals https://amzn.to/4mMClBvThis content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI

Live from the Morgan Stanley Global Consumer & Retail Conference, our analysts discuss how AI is reshaping the future of shopping in the U.S.Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.----- Transcript -----Michelle Weaver: Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. We're coming to you live from Morgan Stanley's Global Consumer and Retail Conference in New York City, where we have more than 120 leading companies in attendance. Today's episode is the second part of our live discussion of the U.S. consumer and how AI is changing consumer companies. With me on stage, we have Arunima Sinha from the Global and U.S. Economics team, Simeon Guttman, our U.S. Hardlines, Broad Lines, and Food Retail Analyst, and Megan Clap, U.S. Food Producers and Leisure Analyst. It's Friday, December 5th at 10am in New York. So, Simeon, I want to start with you. You recently put out a piece assessing the AI race. Can you take us through how you're assessing current AI implementation? And can you give us some real-world examples of what it looks like when a company significantly integrates AI into their business? Simeon Gutman: Sure. So, the Consumer Discretionary and Staples teams went to each of their covered companies, and we started searching for what those companies have disclosed and communicated regarding their AI. In some cases, we used AI to do this search. But we created a search and created this universe of factors and different ways AI is being implemented. We didn't have a framework until we had the entire universe of all of these AI use cases. Once we did, then we were able to compartmentalize them. And the different groups; we came up with six groups that we were able to cluster. First, personalization and refined search; second, customer acquisition; third product innovation; fourth, labor productivity; fifth, supply chain and logistics. And lastly, inventory management. And using that framework, we were able to rank companies on a 1 to 10 scale. Across – that was the implementation part – across three different dimensions: breadth, how widely the AI is deployed across those categories; the depth, the quality, which we did our best to be able to interpret. And then the last one was proprietary initiatives. So, that's partnerships, could be with leading AI firms. So that helped us differentiate the leaders with others, not necessarily laggards, but those who were ahead of in the race. In some cases, companies that have communicated more would naturally scream more, so there is some potential bias in that. But otherwise, the fact pattern was objective. Walmart has full scale AI deployment. They're integrated across their business. They've introduced GenAI tools. That's like their Sparky shopping assistant. As well as integrated to in-store features. They talked about it. It's been driving a 25 percent increase in average shopper spend. They've recently partnered with OpenAI to enable ChatGPT powered Search and Checkout, positioning where the company, where the customer is shopping. They're also layering on augmented reality for holiday shopping, computer vision for shelf monitoring. LLMs for inventory replenishment. Autonomous lifts, the list goes on and on. But it covers all the functional categories in our framework. Michelle Weaver: And how about a couple examples of the ways companies are using these? Any interesting real world use cases you've seen so far? Simeon Gutman: So, one of them was in marketing personalization, as well as in product cataloging. That was one of the more sided themes at this conference. So, it was good timing. So, the idea is when product is staged on a company's website; I don't think we all appreciate how much time and many hours and people and resources it takes to get the correct information, to get the right pictures and to show all the assortment – those type of functions AI is helping enable. And it sounds like we're on the cusp of a step change in personalization. It sounds like AI, machine learning or algorithm driven suggestions to consumers. We didn't get practical use cases, but a lot of companies talked about the deployment of this into 2026, which sounds like it's something to look forward to. Michelle Weaver: And Megan, how would you describe AI adoption in your space in terms of innings and what kind of criteria are you using to assess the future for AI opportunity and potential? Megan Clapp: Yeah, I would say; I'd characterize adoption in the Food and broader Staples space today is still relatively early innings. I think most companies are still standing up the data infrastructure, experimenting with various tools. We're seeing companies pilot early use cases and start to talk about them, and that was evident in the work we did with the note that Simeon just talked about. And so, the opportunity, I think, going ahead, lies in kind of what we see in terms of scaling those pilots to become more impactful. And for Staples broadly, and Food, you know, ties into this. I think, these companies start with an advantage and that they sit on a tremendous amount of high frequency consumption data. So, the data availability is quite large. The question now is, you know, can these large organizations move with speed and translate that data into action? And that's something that we're focused on when we think about feasibility. I think we think about the opportunity for Food and Staples broadly as we'd put it into kind of two areas. One is what can they do on the top line? Marketing, innovation, R&D, kind of the lifeblood of CPG companies, and that's where we're seeing a lot of the early use cases. I think ultimately that will be the most important driver – driving top line, you know, tends to be the most important thing in most consumer companies. But then on the other side, there are a lot of cost efforts, supply chain savings, labor productivity. Those are honestly a bit easier to quantify. And we're seeing real tangible things come out of that. But overall I think the way we think about it is the large companies with scale and the ability to go after the opportunity because they have the scale and the balance sheet to do so – will be winners here, as well as the smaller, more nimble companies that, you know, can move a little bit faster. And so that's how we're thinking about the opportunity. Michelle Weaver: Can you give us also just a couple examples of AI adoption that's been successful that you've seen so far? Megan Clapp: Yeah, so on the top line side, like I said, kind of marketing innovation, R&D. One quick example on the Food side. Hershey, for example, they're using algorithms to reallocate advertising spend by zip code, based on the real time sell through. So, they can just be much more targeted and more efficient, honestly, with that advertising spend. I think from an innovation perspective too, these companies are able to identify on trend things faster and incorporate that and take the idea to shelf time down significantly. And then on the cost side, you know, General Mills is a company is actually relatively, far ahead, I'd say, in the AI adoption curve in Staples broadly. And what they've done is deployed what they call digital twins across their network, and it has improved forecast accuracy. They've taken their historical productivity savings from 4 percent annually to 5 percent. That's something that's structural. So, seeing real tangible benefits that are showing up in the PNL. And so, I think broadly the theme is these companies are using AI to make faster, and more precise decisions. And then I thought, I'd just mention on the leisure side, something that I felt was interesting that we learned from Shark Ninja yesterday at the conference is – when asked about the role of Agentic AI in future commerce, thinks it'll be huge was how he described; the CEO described it. And what they're doing actively right now is optimizing their D2C website for LLMs like ChatGPT and Gemini. And his point was that what drives conversion on D2C today may not ultimately be what ranks on AI driven search. But he said the expectation is that by Christmas of next year, commerce via these AI platforms will be meaningful; mentioned that OpenAI is already experimenting with curated product transactions. So, they're really focused on optimizing their portfolio. He thinks brands will win; but you have got to get ahead of it as well. Michelle Weaver: And that's great that you just brought up Agentic commerce. We've heard about it quite a bit over the past couple of days, Simeon. And I know you recently put out a big piece on this theme. Agentic commerce introduces a lot of possibility for incremental sales, but it also introduces the possibility for cannibalization. Where do you see this shaking out in your space? Are you really concerned about that cannibalization possibility? Simeon Gutman: Yeah, so the larger debate is a little bit of sales cannibalization and a potential bit of retail media cannibalization. So, your first point is Agentic theoretically opens up a bigger e-commerce penetration and just more commerce. And once you go to more e-commerce, that could be beneficial for some of these companies. We can also put the counter argument of when e-commerce came, direct-to-consumer type of selling could disintermediate the captive retailer sales again. Maybe, maybe not. Part of this answer is we created a framework to think about what retailers can protect themselves most from this. Two of them; two of the five I's are infrastructure and inventory. So, the more that your inventory is forward position, the more infrastructure you have; the AI and the agent will still prioritize that retailer within that network. That business will likely not go elsewhere. And that's our premise. Now, retail media is a different can of worms. We don't know what models are going to look like. How this interaction will take place? We don't know who controls the data. The transactions part of this conference is we were hearing, ‘Well, the retailers are going to control some of the data and the transaction.' Will consumers feel comfortable giving personal information, credit card to agents? I'm sure at some point we'll feel comfortable, but there are these inertia points and these are models that are getting worked out today. There's incentives for the hyperscalers to be part of this. There's incentive for the retailers to be part of it. But we ultimately don't know. What we do know is though forward position inventory is still going to win that agent's business if you need to get merchandise quickly, efficiently. And if it's a lot of merchandise at once. Think about the largest platforms that have been investing in long tail of product and speed to getting it to that consumer. Michelle Weaver: And Arunima, I want to bring this back to the macro as well. As AI adoption starts to ramp the labor market then starts to get called into question. Is this going to be automation or is it going to be augmentation as you see a ramp in AI adoption? So how are your expectations for AI being factored into your forecast and what are you expecting there? Arunima Sinha: There are two ways that we think about just sort of AI spending mattering for our growth forecasts. One part is literally the spend, the investment in the data centers and the chips and so on. And then the other is just the rise in productivity. So, does the labor or does the human capital become more productive? And if we sum both of those things together, we think that over 2026 – [20]27, they add anywhere between 40-45 basis points to growth. And just to put things in perspective, our GDP growth estimate for the end of this year in 2026 is 1.8 percent. For 2027, it's 2.0 percent. So, it's an important part of that process. In terms of the labor market itself, the work that you have led, as well as the work that we've been doing – which is this question about adoption at the macro level, that's still fairly low. We look at the census data that tracks larger companies or mid-size companies on a monthly basis to say, ‘How much did you use AI tools in the last couple of weeks.' And that's been slowly increasing, but it's still sort of in the mid-teens in terms of how many companies have been using as a percentage. And so, we think that adoption should continue to increase. And as that does, for now, we think it is going to be a compliment to labor. Although there are some cohorts within sort of demographic cohorts in terms of ages that are probably going to be disproportionately impacted, but we don't think that that's a sort of near term 2026 story. Michelle Weaver:  Well, thank you all for joining us and please follow Thoughts on the Market wherever you listen to podcasts. Thank you to our panel participants for this engaging discussion and to our live and podcast audiences. Thanks for listening. If you enjoy Thoughts on the Market, please leave us a review wherever you listen and share the podcast with a friend or colleague today.

On today's episode, Kara welcomes Yousuf Ahmed, Founder and CEO of B-SIDES — the Brooklyn-based upcycled snack brand turning overlooked ingredients into bold, crave-worthy puffs and quickly becoming one of the most compelling sustainability-driven food stories today. What began with a simple question — what happens to the leftover oats from oat milk production? — led Yousuf to transform what was once considered waste into high-protein, low-sugar snacks that are reshaping how modern consumers think about clean eating. With a background that spans music, finance, and now food entrepreneurship, Yousuf has built B-SIDES into a brand that fuses sustainability with serious flavor, proving that doing good for the planet can also taste really, really good.In this episode, Yousuf shares how he made the bold jump from advising ultra-high-net-worth clients at Goldman Sachs to reinventing the snack aisle, what he learned about risk and fulfillment along the way, and how upcycling became a powerful engine for both purpose and profit. He opens up about the challenges of building in a crowded CPG landscape, the breakthroughs that validated B-SIDES early on, and the mindset shifts required to leave behind one identity and fully step into another. Packed with insights on reinvention, brand building, sustainability, and consumer behavior, Yousuf's journey is a powerful example of how a single overlooked ingredient — and an even more overlooked opportunity — can fuel a new category entirely. Are you interested in sponsoring and advertising on The Kara Goldin Show, which is now in the Top 1% of Entrepreneur podcasts in the world? Let me know by contacting me at karagoldin@gmail.com. You can also find me @‌KaraGoldin on all networks. To learn more about Yousuf Ahmed and B-SIDES:https://www.instagram.com/enjoybsideshttps://www.linkedin.com/company/enjoybsides https://www.enjoybsides.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/yousufmahmed/https://www.instagram.com/yousufgoose/ Sponsored By:SimpliSafe - Save 50% on a SimpliSafe home security system at SimpliSafe.com/KARAGOLDINAuraFrames - Visit AuraFrames.com and get $45 off Aura's best-selling Carver Mat frames by using promo code KARA at checkout.LinkedIn Jobs - Head to LinkedIn.com/KaraGoldin to post your job for free. Check out our website to view this episode's show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/774

#702 What if the future of content creation depends less on algorithms and more on real human connection? In this episode, host Brien Gearin talks with Susie Bulloch — founder of Hey Grill, Hey — about how she grew a $35 WordPress site into a thriving barbecue brand with viral recipes, national retail products, and a deeply loyal community. Susie breaks down how AI is reshaping the creator economy and why she's pivoting toward products, community, and more “analog” experiences that algorithms can't replace. This episode is a must-listen for anyone building a brand in the new era of content creation! What we discuss with Susie: + Origin of Hey Grill, Hey + Breaking into a male-dominated BBQ space + Growing a content business organically + Launching a successful CPG product line + Impact of AI on creators + Shifts in the creator economy + Importance of audience relationship building + Pivoting toward analog and in-person experiences + Building paid communities and memberships + Preparing for the future of content businesses Thank you, Susie! Check out Hey Grill, Hey at HeyGrillHey.com⁠. Follow Susie on all social platforms @heygrillhey. To get access to our FREE Business Training course go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MillionaireUniversity.com/training⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. And follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rita Hudetz is the Chief Commercial Officer at Oishii, the vertical farming company behind some of the most talked-about strawberries in America. On this episode of ITS, Rita walks Ali through CPG and tech foundational theories and brand building and sales strategies she learned and developed at PepsiCo, Hu Kitchen and Milkbar.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by becoming a member!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You've worked on some of the most iconic consumer-loved brands—how do you translate that big-brand thinking into IGA's decentralized, independent retail model?How has your direct marketing mindset influenced the way IGA approaches shopper insights, loyalty programs, and CRM in today's fragmented retail environment?What role does storytelling play in building richer customer relationships across IGA's network of stores, especially when trying to drive both local and national relevance?With so much focus on digital innovation and shopper experience, how is IGA evolving its in-store programs to align with online expectations and behaviors?From your experience, what's the most overlooked opportunity for brand and shopper marketing leaders to create more profitable customer relationships in today's CPG-retail ecosystem?

In this conversation, John Tran talks about joining Vita Coco to help evolve their sustainability and social impact programs at the same time that were becoming a publicly traded company and going through the rigorous B Corp Certification process. He shared how they shifted their impact efforts from a collection of passion projects to a more coordinated and comprehensive ESG framework focused on protecting natural Resources, building thriving communities, and championing health & wellness. John then detailed some impact programs, like their ambitious goal of distributing and planting 10 million seedlings and trees globally! This conversation also covers the health benefits of coconut water, some big challenges in the coconut industry, and the importance of collaborating with local organizations to maximize impact in farming communities. John wraps up by sharing that a better world is one in which everyone is thriving, economically, socially, and beyond.Takeaways:Vita Coco became B Corp Certified and a publicly-traded, Public Benefit Corporation in 2021.Vita Coco's ESG framework focused on protecting natural Resources, building thriving communities, and championing health & wellness.Coconut water has 3.5X the electrolyte of common sports drinks.Aging trees have lower yields, which makes it harder to keep up with demand and reduces farmer income. Over a million seedlings have been distributed, with a goal of 10 million seedlings by 2030.The Vita Coco Community Foundation was founded to make sure that everyone in the coconut industry is thriving.Collaboration with local organizations is crucial for their impact programs.They partner with indigenous communities to train farmers in regenerative agriculture practices.Sound bites:“As brands come online with B Corp certification, it really gives us some kind of litmus to understand where we stand within the sustainability and social governance spaces.”“When you have many passionate people who are driving their passion projects, there isn't always a clear framework in terms of what we're driving towards.”“I very much see myself as kind of an accelerator to be able to support a lot of the projects that are existing within the organization.”“Coconut farming communities are just so inherent to our business, right? They are the heart of our business. And without them, there's really no VitaCoco.”“We want to create more economic empowerment within farming communities and more upward mobility by way of our impact programs.”“The great thing about coconut water is natural hydration. It has three and a half times the electrolytes of more common sports drinks.”“Finding what you're good at and what you're passionate about is really one of the keys to success of this role in any kind of role you'll have within sustainability.”Links:John Tran on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-tran-07047715/Vita Coco - https://vitacoco.com/Vita Coco on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-vita-coco-company/Vita Coco on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/VitaCocoUS/Vita Coco on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vitacocoVita Coco on X - https://x.com/vitacocoVita Coco on SnapChat - https://www.snapchat.com/@vitacocoVita Coco on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@vitacoco?…Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/…Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/…Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetworkHeritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_RadioHeritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radioSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

How do you take a natural product or CPG brand from startup to retail scale-up success? In this episode of the Unified Brand Podcast, we're joined by Jane Merton, MBA, founder of All Our Advisors, a seasoned strategist with decades of experience helping natural and organic brands scale into national food, drug, and mass market retailers across North America.Jane dives into essential brand alignment strategies, retail readiness, go-to-market planning, and how to avoid the biggest mistakes when growing a brand. From positioning and packaging to operations and in-store velocity, this episode covers:How to align your brand for retail successCommon mistakes founders make when scalingWhat buyers really want and how to say "no" strategicallyThe importance of brand consistency and core valuesTrends in TikTok live selling, retail media, and creator partnershipsPackaging that pops and converts on shelfHow to build a retail marketing launch calendarThis episode is packed with strategic insights for founders, marketers, and operators in the CPG and DTC spaces. Whether you're preparing for your first pitch or navigating scale, Jane's advice is pure gold.Jane Merton, MBALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janemerton/Website (All Our Advisors): https://www.allouradvisors.com-----------------

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Wain Yu, GM/Director of Buy With Prime & Multi-Channel Fulfillment at Amazon.Follow Wain on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wainwrightyu/Follow Amazon on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amazon/Follow Buy with Prime online at: https://buywithprime.amazon.com/Wain answered these questions:There are several new partners whose orders now that sellers have a choice for pick, pack and ship with Amazon. Tell our audience who they are and why this is ground breaking indeed! What does this new expansion mean for Amazon sellers and the growth of their small businesses?Can you share what your goals are as GM for Amazon MCF & Buy with Prime?How does Amazon view the role of fulfillment and seamless checkout experiences (via Buy with Prime) in the overall customer journey and in building brand trust?What are the top priorities for Amazon in enhancing MCF and Buy with Prime over the next 12-24 months? For a CPG brand considering Multi-Channel and Buy with Prime, what are the most compelling benefits (conversion, retention, logistics savings, etc.) — and what are the trade-offs? How does Multi-Channel Fulfillment and other Amazon logistic services help support sellers?What are the benefits Amazon sellers get from using Multi-Channel Fulfillment?What criteria or operational readiness should brands evaluate to ensure they get the most out of MCF & Buy with Prime?Fast, free delivery promises often increase consumer expectations. How does Amazon ensure reliability and consistency for brands using Buy with Prime across different geographies / fulfillment networks?What makes Amazon's third party logistics an unique industry offering? What data & analytics can brands access when using Buy with Prime & MCF?How do you see technology (e.g. AI, predictive logistics, demand sensing) playing a role in improving fulfillment speed, reducing waste/costs, or improving the customer experience?How do you see the landscape evolving for fulfillment / checkout services — from other marketplaces, startup 3PLs, or tech companies trying to replicate Buy with Prime's value? Looking ahead, how might consumer expectations shift (faster delivery windows, more flexible returns, sustainability) and how will Amazon's fulfillment/checkout offerings need to adjust?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comSheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual's use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.

In this episode of Building the Premier Accounting firm, host Roger Knecht discusses building a premier accounting firm with guest Lahari Neelapareddy, founder of Tax Hero and LN Accounting Advisors. They cover Lahari's journey from public accounting to specializing in e-commerce and consumer packaged goods, emphasizing the value of niche marketing and advisory services over traditional compliance work. Lahari shares insights on sustainable growth, avoiding burnout, and the importance of continuous learning for accounting professionals. In This Episode: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Spotlight 01:43 From CPA to Entrepreneur 03:13 Starting an Accounting Firm 07:14 Small Business Accounting Challenges 08:52 Evolving Service Offerings and Specialization 12:33 Niche Marketing and Tax Hero 17:32 CFO and Advisory Services 20:24 Defining CFO Advisory Value 26:15 Client Relationships and Pricing 29:58 Lessons Learned: Sustainability Over Growth 33:23 Closing Thoughts and Resources Key Takeaways: Specialize in a niche industry to enhance marketing and scalability, as Lahari did with e-commerce and CPG brands. Prioritize value-added services like CFO and advisory over compliance work to increase client retention and pricing. Define clear service packages and scope of work to manage client expectations and minimize scope creep. Focus on sustainable growth, emphasizing efficiency and maintaining passion to avoid burnout, rather than solely chasing rapid revenue. Continuously Learn through podcasts, mastermind groups, and peer interactions to stay updated and avoid reinventing processes. Featured Quotes: "I didn't think I would start an accounting firm. Because when I thought of people that owned accounting firm, I only thought tax, right? Like people that are CPAs that do tax returns at their desk. And the image is like very boring is the image that most people get, right?" - Lahari Neelapareddy. "I wanted to add value to my clients. I think that was always there. And the second thing was like, I wanted like a good work culture that I think is maybe still lacking in big four and the public accounting world, but definitely was lacking in the time that I was there." - Lahari Neelapareddy. "Sustainability over growth sometimes, right? Because growth will come automatically, but you need to make sure that you don't lose that passion and that you're sustaining it." - Lahari Neelapareddy. Conclusion: Thank you for joining us for another episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm with Roger Knecht. For more information on how you can establish your own accounting firm and take control of your time and income, call 435-344-2060 or schedule an appointment to connect with Roger's team here. Sponsors: Universal Accounting Center Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth.   Offers: I'd love to offer two resources to your audience. First, a free discovery call—whether you're an e-commerce business wanting to simplify sales tax or an accountant interested in partnering with us, you can book a time with me at https://taxhero.net/contact/#demo Second, you can download our up-to-date Economic Nexus Chart, a quick guide to understanding sales tax nexus across the US, at https://taxhero.net/blog/economic-nexus/#download For more information related to Lahari consider the following: TaxHero: https://taxhero.net/, and LN Accounting: https://www.lnaccountingadvisor.com/ Get a FREE copy of these books all accounting professionals should use to work on their business and become profitable.  These are a must-have addition to every accountant's library to provide quality CFO & Advisory services as a Profit & Growth Expert today: "Red to BLACK in 30 days – A small business accountant's guide to QUICK turnarounds" – This is a how-to guide on how to turn around a struggling business into a more sustainable model. Each chapter focuses on a crucial aspect of the turnaround process - from cash flow management to strategies for improving revenue. This book will teach you everything you need to become a turnaround expert for small businesses. "in the BLACK, nine principles to make your business profitable" – Nine Principles to Make Your Business Profitable – Discover what you need to know to run the premier accounting firm and get paid what you are worth in this book, by the same author as Red to Black – CPA Allen B. Bostrom. Bostrom teaches the three major functions of business (marketing, production and accounting) as well as strategies for maximizing profitability for your clients by creating actionable plans to implement the nine principles. "Your Strategic Accountant" - Understand the 3 Core Accounting Services you should offer as you run your business. help your clients understand which numbers they need to know to make more informed business decisions. "Your Profit & Growth Expert" - Your business is an asset. You should know its value and understand how to maximize it. Beginning with the end in mind helps you work ON your business to build a company you can leave so that it can continue to exist in your absence or build wealth as you retire and enjoy the time, freedom, and life you want and deserve. Learn what it is you can do to become an author, leveraging your expertise to market your services effectively and get the clients you deserve.  This is a webinar you don't want to miss.  Learn from Mike Capuzzi what a Shook is and how you can use it to position yourself as the Premier Accounting Firm in your area.  This is a must-see presentation so get ready to take some great notes.   In addition to becoming an author, see what you can do to follow the Turnkey Business plan for accounting professionals.  After more than 40 years we've identified the best practices of successful accountants and this is a presentation we are happy to share.  Check it out and see what you can do to be in business for yourself but not by yourself with Universal Accounting Center.   It's here you can become a:   Professional Bookkeeper, PB Professional Tax Preparer, PTP Profit & Growth Expert, PGE   Next, join a group of like-minded professionals within the accounting community.  Stay up-to-date on current topics and trends and see what you can do to also give back, participating in relevant conversations as they relate to offering quality accounting services and building your bookkeeping, accounting & tax business.   The Accounting & Bookkeeping Tips Facebook Group The Universal Accounting Fanpage Topical Newsletters: Universal Accounting Success The Universal Newsletter   Lastly, get your Business Score to see what you can do to work ON your business and have the Premier Accounting Firm. Join over 70,000 business owners and get your score on the 8 Factors That Drive Your Company's Value.   For Additional FREE Resources for accounting professionals, check out this collection HERE!   Be sure to join us for GrowCon, the LIVE event for accounting professionals to work ON their business. This is a conference you don't want to miss.   Remember this, Accounting Success IS Universal. Listen to our next episode and be sure to subscribe.   Also, let us know what you think of the podcast and please share any suggestions you may have.  We look forward to your input: Podcast Feedback   For more information on how you can apply these principles to start and build your accounting, bookkeeping & tax business please visit us at www.universalaccountingschool.com or call us at 8012653777  

Points of discussion:Q1: Should a brewery consider rebranding when expanding into new markets or reaching beyond its local audience?Q2: Is a full rebrand typically more effective, or can a strategic refresh of the existing identity be enough?Q3: If a company has worked with the same designer for years and is thinking about a brand refresh, how can they evaluate whether that OG designer is still the right fit? And if not, how should they navigate that tricky transition?Q4: How do you determine when a system like Left Field's templated approach makes sense, versus something more customized and illustration-driven like NoDa's?Q5: You mentioned that a rebrand usually isn't the first move when sales are declining, but your Wachusett example seems to break that rule. Why was a full rebrand the right call in their case?Q6: A lot of the work you showed uses a clear design system or template. How do you think about that approach compared to creating more individualized packaging within the same portfolio?Q7: When refreshing a brand, do you find it more effective to start from scratch, or to build on the existing identity and evolve what's already there?-Learn more at: www.craftbeerrebranded.com / http://www.beyondbeerbook.com-Have a topic or question you'd like us to field on the show? Shoot it our way: hello@cododesign.com-Join 9,500+ food and bev industry pros who are subscribed to the Beer Branding Trends Newsletter (and access all past issues) at: www.beerbrandingtrends.com 

In this episode of Clover, I sit down with the brilliant and wildly accomplished Tina Sharkey for a conversation that honestly feels like three masterclasses in one: community-building, career design, and the future of human connection in an AI-driven world.Tina walks me through her very non-linear career path—from hanging out in her mom's New York fashion office as a teen, to an unexpected pivot into tech and investing, to co-founding iVillage, bringing Sesame Street online, scaling BabyCenter globally at Johnson & Johnson, and launching community-first CPG brand Brandless. Through it all, she shares how she's always brought the same “toolkit” with her: storytelling, community, curiosity, and a deep belief in creating products and experiences with people, not just for them.We also dig into her current work at USC, where she's teaching and backing Gen Z founders, experimenting with GenAI in the classroom, and thinking deeply about what makes us “divinely human” in a world of powerful machines. Tina is both optimistic and clear-eyed: AI can unlock a new kind of renaissance—but only if we protect literacy, critical thinking, and real human connection. And for women in leadership, she shares some tough-love truths about putting your hand up before you feel “ready,” finding hidden doors, and making your career a relay race—not a solo sprint.Conversation highlights:From fashion floors to technology boardrooms How growing up with a single, career-focused mom in New York's fashion world gave Tina early exposure to women in leadership—and how one moment in an investor's office completely rerouted her from fashion into tech, media, and investing.Inventing “social media” before it had a name Tina shares the early days of iVillage, why chat rooms and message boards were so revolutionary, and how she coined the term social media to explain this new kind of community-driven content to advertisers and partners.Building iconic brands through community We walk through her roles bringing Sesame Street onto the internet, scaling BabyCenter into a global platform (including the birth clubs so many of us relied on), and designing Brandless as a community-led, access-first CPG brand.Serendipity, hidden doors, and saying yes Tina talks about the role of serendipity—from chance meetings in offices and delis to unexpected board roles—and how being open, curious, and willing to ask respectful questions has shaped every major career inflection point.Humanity as our moat around the machines Tina shares her framework for thinking about AI: why she uses it as a collaborator, not a replacement, and why our empathy, soul, and lived experience are the “moat” that machines can't cross.Gen Z, consciousness, and going “punk” on attention From her vantage point teaching at USC, she talks about how Gen Z is already pushing back on screen addiction, what excites her about their creativity, and why reclaiming our own consciousness is non-negotiable in an AI world.Literacy, equity, and the stakes of this moment Tina opens up about the crisis of literacy in the U.S., how reading levels are tied to incarceration rates, and why democratizing access to education and healthcare is a core part of her mission.Real talk for women in leadership We close with tactical guidance: stop waiting until you've “done the job” to go for it, bring your authentic self everywhere you go, surround yourself with people who are brilliant at what they do, and remember that careers are built in teams and relay races—not through hero moments.Connect with Tina on LinkedIn (her most active platform), Instagram,

Elaine and Cam, the founders behind Not Too Sweet Drinks, join Phil and Kenny to share their journey of creating a sparkling beverage brand that's actually not too sweet. Recording from Phil's car during CHFA prep with special guests Lara and Christine from Munching on Molecules, this episode captures the authentic story of Vancouver Island entrepreneurs who are redefining the sparkling drink category.From their backgrounds in engineering and graphic design to launching a beverage company during a pandemic, Elaine and Cam discuss the challenges of building distribution across BC, managing cash flow with direct store delivery, and staying focused on sustainable growth. They open up about their mentorship with industry veteran Greg Tolazzi, the decision to stay local rather than rush into broader retail expansion, and why they're committed to keeping manufacturing on the island.With products ranging from lychee to ginger beer, Not Too Sweet has built a loyal following through farmers markets, independent retailers, and word-of-mouth. This conversation covers the realities of beverage entrepreneurship, the importance of community support, and why sometimes the best growth strategy is knowing when not to scale too fast.Find Not Too Sweet at @not2sweetdrinks on Instagram or visit www.not2sweetdrinks.cathank you to Field Agent Canada for supporting the podcast https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/ 

A storyteller and marketer at heart, Back to Nature Foods CEO Jennifer Jorgensen knows what it takes to turn legacy brands around. Register for the Fri., Nov. 21, edition of 3Squares Live! to learn about her career, which was built on transforming and growing some of the biggest names in CPG. Jennifer will bring fresh insights on innovation, brand distinctiveness and what it takes to reinvigorate brands through unique and disruptive strategies Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm having a tough time understanding the latest Liquid Death joke…does that mean I don't have a sense of humor? For those unfamiliar, the original inspiration (that eventually became Liquid Death) occurred in 2009…when Founder (CEO) Mike Cessario went to watch some friends perform with their band at the Warped Tour. And because the festival was sponsored by Monster Beverage…musicians would be on stage drinking out of branded cans. But instead of them being filled with the actual Monster Energy liquid, they'd been replaced with water to keep musicians hydrated during their sets. And that sparked Mike Cessario (an advertising agency creative at the time) to question “why aren't there more healthy products that still have funny, cool, irreverent branding?” Then, working on a public service ad campaign about the health risks of sugary energy drinks in 2014…he pitched the client on “doing a canned water stunt to poke fun at energy drinks.” While the client hated the idea, Mike Cessario spent the next roughly two years tinkering with the concept in his free time…eventually settling on what he called the “dumbest possible name for a super healthy, safest beverage possible.” But after potential investors passed on canned water concept, Mike Cessario (hoping to prove it was a viable brand), spent a few thousand dollars creating (and promoting) a short commercial that reframed water as the “deadliest stuff on earth” and responsible for way more deaths than energy drinks. So, if the constant impetus for Liquid Death came from “poking fun at energy drinks,” what could it mean when the brand just launched its own energy drink? With the tagline “feels like a cup of coffee, not an electric chair,” what you'll initially notice is these Liquid Death Sparkling Energy drinks are less loaded with caffeine than most new entrants and challenger brands. And I'd hate if my previous statement was misinterpreted though…because product details can matter! But we cannot overlook that most CPG marketers will proclaim, “our brand this or that,” but few companies ever get past simply attempting to sell undifferentiated products. Though, when you can sell a product that (oh by the way) also brings someone an extremely desirable emotion…you've done something truly special. So, particularly when a CPG brand (like Liquid Death) rightfully carries forward its product philosophy (and standards) that helped it become a breakout…details can (in fact) matter. However, while some CPG industry pundits proclaim, “the move appears to be a natural extension of its brand identity, as Liquid Death has long seemed well-suited for the energy drink category,” I've got some doubts…especially when reapplying some comments I made last April surrounding the launch of its “Death Dust” hydration supplement stick packs! So, if Mike Cessario is simply taking a snapshot of the U.S. energy drinks market from 2009, 2014, 2018, or right now…it would certainly show the same duopolistic market structure. However, just analyzing Red Bull and Monster Beverage would hardly explain much about which underlying drivers “recently have, currently are, and will undoubtedly continue” powering the remarkable categorical growth. So, this is where I continue to struggle…will the Liquid Death “irreverent marketing” approach resonate with more diverse energy drink consumers looking for authenticity and relatability in brand messaging?

Nesta produção do M&M Content Lab em parceria com o Mercado Ads, exploramos como o retail media está transformando a forma como marcas e consumidores se conectam. O tema para esse episódio são os projetos especiais — iniciativas personalizadas, cocriadas entre marcas, varejistas e o Mercado Ads. São ações que vão além dos formatos tradicionais de mídia, combinando diferentes soluções da plataforma para criar experiências únicas, que trabalham tanto o branding quanto a conversão. Convidada: Renata Herz, head de indústria de CPG e agências no Mercado Ads.

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Mike Westgate, Vertical Director of Enterprise Food, Beverage & Alcohol Advertising at TikTokFollow Mike on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikewestgate/Follow TikTok on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tiktokbusiness/Follow TikTok online at: https://ads.tiktok.com/business/en-USMike answers these questions:1. Mike, you've talked about TikTok leading a new era of “discovery commerce.” Can you unpack what that means, and how it's shifting traditional consumer journeys?2. Historically, shopping started with intent — now it begins with inspiration. How should CPG marketers rethink their strategies in this new discovery-first model?3. How is TikTok helping brands bridge that gap between entertainment and transaction — from a “fun scroll” to an actual purchase?4. Food & Bev has exploded on TikTok — from viral recipes to emerging brands. What's fueling that momentum?5. Can you share an example or two of how leading Food & Beverage brands are using TikTok to stay culturally relevant and drive measurable business results?6. How are challenger brands — maybe smaller or niche players — using TikTok differently to punch above their weight?7. TikTok has become both a cultural hub and a shopping destination. How do you see this evolution shaping advertiser needs and consumer behavior through 2026?8. Creators have become essential to the platform's ecosystem — how do you see their role evolving as commerce becomes more embedded in content?9. What are some of the biggest misconceptions you still hear from brands about TikTok — and what's your advice for those trying to get it right?10. If you had to summarize the “future of commerce” in one phrase or prediction — what would it be?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comSheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/Rhea Raj's Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual's use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.

Martin Forde is the co-founder and partner at Highline Brands, a retail brokerage built for modern CPG and emerging brands. As the first sales hire at Dr. Squatch, he helped lead the brand's Walmart launch—which did over $50M in year one and set the foundation for a $1.5B exit to Unilever.In this episode of DTC Pod, Martin shares the full playbook for making the leap from DTC to retail. He breaks down how to evaluate which channels make sense, what buyers actually care about (hint: it's not your brand), how to pitch them, and how to choose the right brokerage partner. He also gets into the operational side: how deals are structured, why retail timelines take longer than most founders expect, and what actually drives velocity on shelf.Episode brought to you by StordInteract with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. When to consider retail (and when you're not ready)2. Independent retail vs. major retailers: where to start3. The old DTC-first playbook vs. the new hybrid approach4. Understanding your consumer and choosing the right retailer5. What buyers actually care about (hint: category growth, not your brand)6. Three ways to reach buyers: cold outreach, inbound, or through a broker7. Why and when to say no to a retailer8. How brokers work: deal structures, retainers vs. commission, red flags9. The 9-12 month timeline from first conversation to shelf10. Merchandising and digital tactics that drive velocity on shelfTimestamps00:00 Martin Forde's background and experience in CPG03:14 Launching and scaling brands into retail04:20 Key lessons from Dr. Squatch retail rollout07:30 Dr. Squatch's early days and pent-up retail demand09:39 Defining “why retail” and evaluating retail opportunities10:38 Understanding independent retail channels and platforms15:14 Retail supply chain basics: MOQs, case packs, and 3PLs17:46 Testing and iterating supply chain through small-scale channels18:56 Leveraging online marketplaces (Faire, Thrive, Bubble)23:33 Deciding when to break into retail; timing and strategy24:44 Comparing DTC-first and direct-to-retail playbooks29:28 Raising capital, prepping for retail, and first retail sale process30:57 How to approach retail buyers and pitch34:03 Different ways to reach retail buyers: direct outreach, inbound, brokerages39:51 Working with brokers: models, deal structures, and choosing a partner50:29 Preparing retail pitch materials and buyer presentations51:39 Identifying category white space and incremental value54:53 Merchandising and digital tactics for retail success57:06 Where to connect with Martin Forde and closing thoughtsShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokMartin Forde - Co-Founder of Highline BrandsBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

S5E12 The Future of AI in Merchandising & Buying with Noah Herschman and Jeff FishIn Season 5, Episode 12 of The Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden sit down with Noah Herschman and Jeff Fish of Intelo.ai to explore how agentic AI is revolutionizing retail merchandising and buying. From the art and science of retail merchandising to the persistent challenges of planning and allocation, this episode dives deep into how collaborative intelligence empowers merchandisers, planners, and buyers to make smarter, faster, and more creative decisions.What You'll Learn in This Episode:Why merchandising is the “hub of the wheel” in retail successThe balance between creativity and analytics in buying decisionsHow agentic AI enhances human judgment without replacing itReal-world examples of AI improving in-season planning and merchandising financial plansWhy spreadsheets aren't going away, but AI agents make them smarterThe future of retail technology and how Agentic AI delivers superpowers to retail merchandisersSubscribe to the Retail Razor Podcast Network: https://retailrazor.com/Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTubeAbout our GuestsNoah Herschman. Senior Industry Advisor, Intelo.aiNoah is an ecommerce strategist who's been shaping online retail since the 1990s. He's held leadership roles at Amazon, eBay, and Groupon. As a Microsoft Senior Retail Industry Architect, he has worked with more than 150 global retail & CPG clients. Noah has lived in China for 15 years and fluent in Mandarin, Noah operates out of Hong Kong. He is currently a Senior Industry Advisor for Intelo.aiJeffrey Fish, Co-CEO, Intelo.aiJeffrey Fish Co-Founded the Chatly platform serving global retail & hospitality brands targeting the China market (exited to Salesforce in 2020). He then led Salesforce China in partnership with Alibaba Cloud. Now he's scaling up Intelo's Collaborative Intelligence Agentic Merchandising & Planning Platform.Chapters:00:00 Previews 01:39 Show Intro 04:13 Welcome Noah Herschman & Jeff Fish 04:37 Guest Backgrounds and Expertise 07:33 The Importance of Retail Merchandising 11:41 Challenges and Solutions in Modern Merchandising 16:25 The Role of Agentic AI in Merchandising 23:09 Future of Agentic AI and Merchandising 40:04 Practical Steps for Retailers 41:36 How to Reach Out And Contact 42:10 Show CloseMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 & a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2025. Thinkers 360 has named him a Top 10 Retail, & AGI Thought Leader, a Top 50 Management, Transformation, & Careers Thought Leader, a Top 100 Digital Transformation & Agentic AI Thought Leader, plus a Top Digital Voice for 2024 and 2025. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation, and the Retail Cloud Alliance. He was most recently the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods in the Americas at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2023 - 2025, and a Retail Cloud Allianceadvisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech! Currently, Casey is the North America Leader for Retail & Consumer Goods at CI&T.Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Heston Mimms, published by Imuno.

When you think of some of America's most recognizable household brands: Brawny, Angel Soft, Dixie, Quilted Northern…there's one company behind them all: Georgia Pacific.
And at the helm of marketing for that incredible portfolio is Jim's guest this week, Laura Knebusch, the Senior Vice President of CPG Marketing and Customer Experience. Laura is a seasoned marketing leader and transformation champion who has spent the past 15 years at Georgia Pacific. She has been the head of marketing for the past two-plus years, and has been focused on modernizing one of the most iconic CPG companies in the world. Under her leadership, Georgia Pacific has become an early mover in retail media and a shining example of how legacy brands can stay relevant in the digital age. Before joining Georgia Pacific, Laura began her career at Procter & Gamble where she developed her grounding in consumer insight and brand discipline. Tune in for a conversation with a leader who is applying a rigor to a new era of marketing, one that's faster, more digital, and more unpredictable than ever before. Recorded live at the ANA Masters of Marketing in Orlando, powered by TransUnion. ---Learn more, request a free pass, and register at iab.com/almPromo Code for $500 of ticket prices: ALMCMOPOD26---This week's episode is brought to you by Deloitte, TransUnion and the IAB.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Kristi Argyilan, Global Head of Advertising at Uber.Follow Kristi on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiargyilan/Follow Uber on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uber-advertising/Follow Uber online at: https://www.uber.com/us/en/advertising/Kristi answers these questions:Can you walk us through your role at UBER Ads and how the organization fits within the broader UBER ecosystem?What unique value does UBER bring to the retail media landscape, especially compared to traditional players like retailers or streaming platforms?What makes advertising within the food delivery sector different from other consumer industries?  What types of CPG brands are seeing the most success on UBER Ads—and why?How do you balance the needs of large national CPGs vs. emerging or local brands?Can you share a campaign or partnership or examples that exemplify what "great" looks like on UBER Ads? aka what is best in class?What role does data play in segmenting and targeting audiences? How do you balance broad reach with personalization?What key performance indicators (KPIs) do you consider most critical when evaluating ad success at UBER? Can you share some examples of how data insights have directly influenced campaign adjustments?How do you tailor campaigns to resonate with diverse local markets versus a national audience? What does working with UBER ads entail - aka the customer experience?What advice would you give to brands, especially in the consumer packaged goods arena, looking to leverage digital advertising for growthCPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comSheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/Rhea Raj's Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual's use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.

Wait, you're telling me that a $100 million plus acquisition just occurred in the North American protein bar market…and I've never once mentioned the brand name throughout its almost decadelong existence? That simply cannot be TRU! Though, before anyone tries to ignorantly throw dirt on my name…I'll finally reveal why I've been publicly ignoring TRUBAR! However, it was just announced that TRUBAR would be acquired by Eti Gida, a Turkish CPG company, for approximately $142.5 million. And if you were trying to understand the valuation…as of the 2025 third quarter closing (dated September 30, 2025), trailing twelve months revenue from the TRUBAR segment would be just shy of $61 million. So, this would imply a 2.3x trailing twelve-month revenue multiple. And this is why I suspect TRUBAR “retail investors” are unhappy with the M&A transaction, as it would mark what I believe to be one of the lowest revenue multiples in the last decade of the protein bars market. Yet, for several varied reasons…TRUBAR isn't ONE Brands, Quest Nutrition, FITCRUNCH, Barebells, Power Crunch, or a few other protein bar companies involved in recent M&A activity. Firstly, unlike the negative EBITDA (on a trailing twelve-month basis) at TRUBAR, these other protein bar companies actually made money. Next, while customers might enjoy the taste (and consumption experience) of TRUBAR products, there isn't anything differentiated about them. If you weren't familiar, protein bars are mostly a contract manufacturing “follow the leader” dominated category with a “sea of sameness” market composition. But even if TRUBAR differentiation could've been gained by form factor uniqueness (complexity), it still requires creating (or owning) the manufacturing process if a protein snacking company really hopes to secure longer-term defensibility (and competitive advantage). Then, with Big CPG jumping heavily into “protein-ified variants” of their leading snacking brands, it will further deepen the competitive landscape and transform “protein” into a battleground category as it proliferates across the entire grocery store. And you can argue that most of the beforementioned protein bars are dealing (at some level) with this same challenge (as the market evolves, expands, and segments further), but mainstream buyers don't know about TRUBAR. Yes, retail availability has grown substantially in recent years…and revenue growth has largely accompanied it, but TRUBAR still has an extremely low U.S. protein bars market share and brand household penetration percentage overall. But to understand if new ownership can materially improve the likelihood that TRUBAR will become culturally relevant with the next generation of modern protein snacking customers, I'll more closely examine Eit Gida...which is among the top CPG manufacturers based in Turkey (becoming well-known in multiple geographies across various bakery and snacking categories). Though, you might be wondering…why is a Turkish Big CPG strategic acquiring a relatively small Canadian public company selling plant-based protein bars mainly in the U.S. market? But more importantly if Eti Gida can really help TRUBAR carve out a distinct niche in the crowded North American protein bar market.

In this conversation, Jasen Urena and Ted Robb tell us how New Barn became part of the NestFresh family, and how the two brands are helping each other scale their positive impact. From New Barn's long journey toward becoming Regenerative Organic Certified, to NestFesh's 30+ years of being early adopters of certifications like Non-GMO Verified, Certified Humane, and Humanely Hatched, both brands love to push the industry forward. The conversation touches on the importance of supporting family farms, protecting animal welfare, and making the world better for future generations. Jasen and Ted wrap up by sharing what's next for the brands, their favorite ways to eat their products, and their definitions of a better world.Takeaways:The innovations NestFresh has made over it's 30+ years in business.Why New Barn decided to join the NestFresh family.How outside investment means small family farms are getting left behind.Humanely Hatched is sparing millions and millions of male baby chicks.New Barn's path to becoming Regenerative Organic Certified.The importance of continuous improvement for the whole supply chain.The need for innovation and focus to scale efficiently.How teams believing in their purpose is crucial for impactful initiatives.How both brands strive to keep being the first to take big impact steps.Sound bites:“A lot of these things that we've done over the years, we were always told it's not gonna work. But we believed in the concepts.”“It's actually really fun to make money, but it's only because then you can start thinking about all the things that you can do with it.”“There was a point where we had over 20 SKUs. We're 5 SKUs now and I feel like our business is far better than it was before.”“Continuous improvement is the new North Star because it's so valuable to everybody in the chain.”“We're gonna grow regenerative organic acreage under the New Barn brand for almonds, know, almonds, coconut and eggs. And that will lead to a real impact on our environment for future generations.”“We're gonna make an impact by sparing millions and millions of male baby chicks.”“Our NestFresh brand portfolio is going to be 100% Humanely Hatched by 2027.”“We gotta stay true to our core beliefs, we gotta stay true to our core purpose. And we innovate within that realm.”Links:NestFresh - https://nestfresh.com/Jasen Urena on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasen-urena-27179013/NestFresh on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/nestfresheggs/NestFresh on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NestFreshEggsNestFresh on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nestfresheggs/NestFresh on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/NestFreshEggsNestFresh on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/…New Barn - https://www.newbarnorganics.com/New Barn on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/newbarnorganicsNew Barn on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/newbarnorganicsNew Barn on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/newbarnorganicsNew Barn on Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/newbarnorganics/…Brands for a Better World Episode Archive - http://brandsforabetterworld.com/Brands for a Better World on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-for-a-better-world/Modern Species - https://modernspecies.com/Modern Species on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/modern-species/Gage Mitchell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gagemitchell/…Print Magazine Design Podcasts - https://www.printmag.com/categories/printcast/…Heritage Radio Network - https://heritageradionetwork.org/Heritage Radio Network on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/heritage-radio-network/posts/Heritage Radio Network on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HeritageRadioNetworkHeritage Radio Network on X - https://x.com/Heritage_RadioHeritage Radio Network on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heritage_radio/Heritage Radio Network on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@heritage_radioSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For many growing CPG brands, outsourcing is the key to scaling up without investing in massive facilities or specialized equipment. While co-manufacturers and co-packers facilitate growth, they also introduce new challenges. You can learn more in this episode or read about it on our blog For more information about the MRPeasy software, visit our website: mrpeasy.com

"Learning and seeing what customers respond to and what they like is how your brand grows. It's half me, but then it's how it's received. They help me decide what the rest will be. And it's so fun to co-create with customers in that way." —Xeba Zareie   Some days, the body sends signals that can't be ignored. The bloating that shows up out of nowhere. The foods that once felt safe are suddenly turning into a guessing game. The search for relief becomes an ongoing job that no one feels prepared for. Xeba Zareie knows that life well. Years of gut illness shaped her path from film production to founding Preme Foods, where she created gentle, science-backed prebiotic blends designed for individuals who feel that nothing on the shelf actually works for their body. Press play for a refreshing perspective on gut health and the story behind a product built from lived experience, not trend chasing. In this episode: • What chronic gut issues reveal about stress, lifestyle, and hidden triggers • How plant diversity and prebiotic fiber shape long-term digestion • Why women face gut challenges at higher rates • The role functional medicine and Chinese medicine played in Xeba's healing • How Preme Foods created SIBO-friendly, low FODMAP hydration • Ingredient sourcing, European standards, and why they matter • The emotional side of restriction and rebuilding trust with food • Building a CPG brand rooted in science and personal history   Meet Xeba: Xeba Zareie is an entrepreneur and founder of Preme Foods, a wellness-focused nutrition company specializing in gut-friendly, prebiotic beverage products. With a background in TV and film production, Xeba transformed her personal struggle with chronic gut health issues into a mission to create accessible, science-backed nutritional solutions. After working with a functional medicine doctor and experiencing her own healing journey, she developed a line of drink powders designed to support digestive health, particularly for women suffering from conditions like SIBO and IBS. Committed to using high-quality, European-grade ingredients, Xeba's approach emphasizes holistic wellness, nutrition science, and creating products that help people with sensitive digestive systems feel normal and nourished.   Website LinkedIn Instagram TikTok   Connect with NextGen Purpose: Website Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube   Episode Highlights: 00:55 Meet Xeba— Lifelong GUt Struggles  02:15 Prebiotics vs Probiotics 06:05 The Emotional Toll of Eating Restrictions  10:00 The Rising Gut Health Conversation  13:22 Science-Backed SIBO-Friendly Ingredients  18:26 A Gut-Friendly Beverage Line  21:39 Why Women Suffer More Gut Issues 25:10 Glyphosate, Roundup, and Rising Gut Issues in the US  28:27 The #1 Dietary Killer  33:20 Customer-Led Product Innovation    Resources:  Discount Get 15% off when you shop at: https://premefoods.com/  Use code: essential15  

In this episode of Retention Chronicles, host Mariah Parsons sits down with Taylor Walker, co-founder of Spritzal Cookie Company, to unpack the 11-year journey of scaling a family recipe into a fast-growing clean-label cookie brand. Taylor shares how Spritzle evolved from rainy Saturday farmer's markets to mass retail distribution, the pivotal decisions behind SKU reduction, packaging revamps, and transitioning from cottage production to manufacturing partners.They dive into customer acquisition strategies that actually work for small, non-VC-backed CPG brands—founder-led storytelling, community-driven sampling, TikTok and Instagram consistency, and the power of organic word of mouth. Taylor also breaks down what customer retention looks like in consumables today, from thoughtful email cadence to in-store surprise-and-delight tactics.Whether you're building a CPG brand or fascinated by modern consumer behavior, this episode is packed with must-hear insights on scaling thoughtfully, staying scrappy, and keeping authenticity at the center of growth.

If you're anything like me, you've probably got a graveyard of supplements in a cupboard or under the sink, half-empty jars of vitamins that promised the world but now just gather dust. And when you do remember to take them, you're faced with a mountain of pills of all shapes and sizes. Ugh.Well, my guest this week is here to save us from that nightmare. Jennifer O'Connell, a friend of mine from our university days, left a 20-year career as a top barrister in Dublin and New York to co-found SISTERLY, alongside her two brilliant friends, Aoife Matthews and Louise O'Riordan.We chat about:How Jennifer's legal career helped her navigate everything from trademarks to manufacturing disputesWhy designing for women not small men makes all the differenceThe three-year journey to perfecting a powder supplement that's now winning awards (and hearts!)How community and authenticity are driving their grassroots growth – from cold-water swims at the 40 Foot to Sisterly Summits in London and DublinThe power of organic advocacy: think Sonia O'Sullivan, Liz Earle, Trinny Woodall, and even the cast of Rivals (Victoria Smurfit doppleganger?!)What I love about this story (and I hope you will too) is that it's about more than supplements; it's about sisterhood, collaboration, and creating something that truly elevates women's everyday health.Oh, and “Women are not small men.” When you design specifically for women, you make a better product for women. SISTERLY have nailed that, from the science to the packaging to the way they show up in the world. And I love how they're building community in such a natural, joyful way, not just selling a product but inviting women to connect, dance, swim, and lift each other up. Enjoy, I hope you all learn loads!Useful linksSISTERLY website https://sisterlylabs.comFollow on Instagram @sisterly_labFollow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sisterlylabConnect with Jennifer on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-o´connell-b1066022a/Connect with Aoife Matthews https://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifematthews/Connect with Louise O'Riordan https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-oriordan/============================================================Thanks to Brand Growth Heroes' podcast sponsor - Joelson, the commercial law firm=============================================================If you're a founder, you already know how much of your energy goes into building the perfect product, creating standout branding and connecting with your consumers.But don't forget that scaling a CPG business also comes with a maze of legal complexities that can make or break your business journey. From contracts, term sheets and regulatory compliance to protecting your brand's intellectual property as you expand, it's essential to get it right.And that starts with the right legal partner.So we're thrilled to introduce Joelson, a leading commercial law firm that specialises in guiding the founders of scaling CPG brands, as Brand Growth Heroes' sponsor.With long-term relationships with clients like Little Moons, Trip, Eat Natural, Bear Graze, and Pulsin, Joelson is also famous for advising the innocent founders in their landmark sale to Coca-Cola! As a female team, we are especially impressed by Joelson's commitment to championing female founders in CPG.Not many law firms are also BCorps, nor do they specialise in helping founders navigate the legal challenges of scaling without stifling the creativity and momentum that got you here in the first place. So thanks, Joelson—we're delighted to have you on board.If you'd like to get in touch to find out more, why don't you drop them a line at hello@joelsonlaw.com!============================================== If this episode inspires you to think about new ways to drive business growth, please could you click FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE on your favourite podcast app and leave a review?This small gesture from you means the world to us, and allows us to share these nuggets of insight and value with you more often.You won't want to miss the next episode, in which Fiona Fitz talks with another successful founder of a challenger brand who shares more valuable insights into driving growth.Please don't hesitate to join our Brand Growth Heroes community to stay updated with captivating stories and learnings from your beloved brands on their path to success!Follow us on our Brand Growth Heroes socials: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.Thanks to our Sound Engineer, Gyp Buggane, Ballagroove.com and podcast producer/content creator, Kathryn Watts, Social KEWS.

Did you know that PepsiCo has approximately 70% more packaged beverage SKUs than The Coca-Cola Company…but is generating roughly 15% less retail sales? That was just one of numerous fascinating insights included within the 75-page presentation Elliott Investment Management recently sent to PepsiCo board of directors. After building a $4 billion stake in PepsiCo, the well-known activist investor is urging the CPG giant to evaluate the potential refranchising of its bottling network…while streamlining its portfolio by divesting non-core and underperforming assets. Additionally, Elliott criticized the PepsiCo packaged beverages division for lagging behind principal competitors…despite a consistent flow of flashy (large) M&A deals. And if you're wondering what that means for the recent “trade” between PepsiCo and Celsius Holdings, Elliott “thinks that the sale of the Rockstar Energy brand is a step in the right direction to simplify the portfolio.”

In this episode, I share how one “small” packaging change can snowball into a six-figure problem—and how to stop that from happening to your brand. I sit down with Maureen Dollard, founder of Complete Acuity, to break down where CPG founders go wrong: missing pieces in the scope, forgetting secondary packaging, and leaving regulatory to the last minute. If you're planning a refresh or new launch in 2026, this is your cheat sheet to avoiding costly delays, write-offs, and do-overs.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 Charbo is the co-founder of the CPG brand, Glonuts - the raw, vegan, keto mini-donuts made with clean ingredients that help you glow from the inside out!In the episode, Kristin shares all about her upbringing in a household that equated weight with health, getting diagnosed with PCOS, and eventually realizing she was heading down a dangerous path of an unhealthy life before deciding to completely overhaul her lifestyle and focus on wellness.She shares ways she supports her body to feel her best, and how wearing a continuous glucose monitor opened her eyes to how balancing blood sugar can completely change not only the way you look, but how you feel.And, of course, Kristin and Haven discuss how Kristin and her now husband, Grover, accidentally started a better-for-you donut brand after trying to open a coffee shop in LA. She vulnerably shares the trials and tribulations of entrepreneurship and going into business with your spouse, and offers valuable advice for aspiring business owners and CPG founders.You'll learn so much from Kristin in this episode. Give it a listen and share it with your friends!Let's Connect!Get 2 free months of meal plans & grocery lists when you register for HxH holistic health coaching or run coaching!Join the HxH Insiders on Substack!Support the show: pledge less than the cost of a cup of coffee each month! Follow Health by Haven on Instagram: @healthbyhaven HxH Recipes, Articles & More: healthbyhaven.com Connect with KristinFollow Glonuts on Instagram: @eatglonutsThank you to our sponsor, Avodah Massage Therapy! Support the show

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Kellanova's Mike McCune, Sr. Dir Sr. Director of Integrated Commercial Analytics & Maggie Gilliam Hoy, Sr. Director , and Omni COE lead. Today's episode is all about data, analytics, the changing shopper behavior to lean omnichannel and the story of how one snack manufacturer has leaned into reporting and insights in a meaningful way. Follow Mike on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelthomasmccune/Follow Maggie on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-gilliam-hoy-22800120/Follow Kellanova on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kellanova/Here's what we asked them :1. Maggie, let's get this started with you. As Senior Director of Omni Capabilities at Kellanova, you cover a broad remit across commerce & marketing. How are you defining “omni commerce” in the snack/CPG space today? Also tell us about your remit.2. Mike, talk to us about your remit. You also have an RGM background - who do you support at Kellanova and what does a day in your life look like?3. With such a change in consumer behavior to omnichannel & ecommerce, believe you have developed a system called KOPS. What does it stand for and what data sets are the inputs - did we hear over 30 data sets? Mike to go first.4. Mike- what prompted the need for KOPS in the first place? What was not working well? What was replaced? How has it been received? Any surprises?5. Maggie - how are you preparing for more growth in ecommerce and digitally engaged shoppers in 2026. What sort of analytics do those whom you service need in these uncertain times?6. Mike - I'd like to ask you the same question - you touch much more than omnichannel and digital. Everyday business - what sort of data sets are now in play that are non negotiable?7. Maggie - as the head of the omnichannel COE, how do you coordinate omni activities so that the consumer experience is seamless across digital, physical retail, and experiential activations?8. Maggie - how are you handling non-traditional retailers or 3-party services like Instacart, Doordash, or Tik-Top Shop?; Are these a priority?”9. This last one is again for both of you - with your respective roles and lenses, looking into the next 3-5 years, what do you see as the biggest disruption (or opportunity) in how snack brands will go to market?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comSheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/Rhea Raj's Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual's use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.

Matt Putra is a fractional CFO and founder of Eightx, specializing in helping e-commerce and consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies scale profitably and sustainably. With over a decade of experience, Matt has supported businesses generating $5 million to $100 million in revenue, expertly managing cash flow, raising capital, and building financial systems that empower founders to make data-driven decisions confidently. On this episode we talk about: Matt's unconventional path to becoming a CFO, including working in manufacturing and private equity before founding Eightx​ The challenges and strategies for scaling a business that heavily depends on personal expertise and trust​ Why Matt chose e-commerce and CPG niches and how he built his client base primarily through LinkedIn and referrals​ The importance of setting and tracking key financial metrics tailored to each business team for proactive management​ Managing cash flow with weekly 13-week forecasts to foresee and handle financial challenges​ Taking calculated financial risks as a founder and balancing ambition with cash flow realities​ Advice for founders on understanding finance versus outsourcing critical financial functions​ How Matt continues to build and scale Eightx with a growing team of CFOs, analysts, and accountants​ Top 3 Takeaways 1.  Key financial metrics and consistent cash flow forecasting are crucial tools for business longevity and scaling.​2.  Scaling a fractional CFO business requires careful hiring and trust-building with skilled financial professionals.​3.  Founders should focus on core finance understanding but outsource complex financial functions to experts like fractional CFOs.​ Notable Quotes   "If you can figure out your top 20 financial metrics, you're very likely to succeed."​   "The most boring activity that exists in finance today is updating your 13-week cash flow forecast every week, but it makes you a better cash flow manager."​   "Charge enough to overdeliver for your customers because it will cost more to deliver on your promises than you expect."​ Connect with Matt Putra:   LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/mattputra​   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattwjputra/​   Website (Eightx): https://eightx.co​ ✖️✖️✖️✖️

Brand collaborations are exploding, and they're becoming one of the most effective growth levers in CPG. In this episode, the team breaks down why co-branded products are becoming a core strategy for food and beverage brands, what separates meaningful partnerships from gimmicks, and how leaders like Grillo's, Fly By Jing, Graza, and Liquid Death are using them to drive awareness, trial, and category expansion. Show notes: 0:25: Playoff Beards. Popping In. A Secret Guest. Smokes To Snacks. Collab Work. Healthy, Hot & High. – The episode opens with playful banter about facial hair before previewing upcoming BevNET Live, Nosh Live, and Brewbound Live in L.A. next month. Ray highlights the return of Poppi co-founders Allison and Stephen Ellsworth to the BevNET Live stage to discuss building the modern soda category and notes Allison's recent appearance as a guest shark on "Shark Tank," including her investment in Freestyle Snacks. The hosts also spotlight upcoming programming such as CVS Health's Lauren Castro at NOSH Live, a still-secret Nosh Live guest and also urge founders to nab remaining Elevator Talk, and One-to-One meeting slots. They pivot to brand collaborations, citing Grillo's Pickles' new Zippo tie-in and its growing list of partners, as well as prolific collaborators like Mike's Hot Honey and Graza. The hosts offer advice on considerations for partnerships and co-branded products and what makes for a successful collaboration. John praises Lentiful's Thanksgiving Feast instant lentil cup, Mike is hot about Blobs' new spicy mango-guava flavor and everyone has their say about Rind's recently released raspberry-almond granola squares. Jacqui introduces a "drink your skincare" energy beverage and Mike samples a THC-infused "Soda Pot." Ray reminds listeners that Thanksgiving week gets chaotic, so those planning to attend December's BevNET Live, NOSH Live, or Brewbound Live should finalize registration soon to avoid missing out – and the inevitable post-event FOMO. Brands in this episode: Poppi, Freestyle Snacks, Grillo's, Graza, Little Spoon, Firehook, Ithaca, Alec's, Rind, Mike Hot Honey Grillo's, Hippies, Ithaca, Sonic, V8, Boulder Canyon, Aura Bora, Claussens, Fly By Jing, Daily Crunch, Lundberg Rice, Fishwife, Little Sesame, Keystone, Huer, Frank's Red Hot, Lentiful, Blobs, Huxley, Tropicana, Rind, Skinergy, Clrty! Soda Pot, Mockly

In this Rethink Retail podcast episode live from Groceryshop, David Weinand (Incisiv) speaks with Elisa Lyew, founder of Elisa's Love Bites, on transforming her passion for clean, better-for-you desserts into a fast-growing national brand. They explore: - How Elisa pivoted from a decade-long NYC bakery to a scalable CPG model - Why clean ingredients, gluten-free recipes, and refined-sugar-free sweets set the brand apart - The focus on a hero product — the chocolate-chip cookie — as the foundation for national expansion Join the conversation with our global retail community at www.globalretailleaders.com

Scott Kelly, founder/CEO of Black Dog Venture Partners, shares 30 years of lessons helping tech and consumer brands fund, sell, and scale. We dig into why “sales is a lost art,” why your network is your real funding source, and how to build relationships that lead to opportunities. Plus: keystone habits, outworking 21-year-olds at 61, and why you should love practice as much as the game.Highlights & Timestamps0:00 Meet Scott Kelly — exits, accelerators, and why he never really “retired”2:42 What success actually looks like (solve problems, create opportunities)4:13 Sweet spot: early-stage tech & CPG; why sales often fixes everything5:00 The lost art of asking for the sale (and handling “no”)6:37 Stop doing $5/hr tasks when you're paid for $500/hr outcomes8:02 “Wozniak & Jobs” — know your lane; if you can't sell, hire it8:45 Learn the ratios: leads → calls → closes (practice, not theory)9:55 Investor-readiness: your pitch, story, questions, & live “VC Fast Pitch” reps11:25 Follow-up matters: most wins happen on touches 5–6+11:45 Money is in your list: coffees > cold banks; DM your “couch money”12:24 Daily relationship reps: LinkedIn to real conversations; 100 lunches challenge13:49 Don't pitch-slap investors on first contact; relationships first13:57 Old school still works: direct mail & handwritten notes that close deals15:26 Keystone habit: “obscene work ethic” — love the grind, love the practice17:29 Parting advice: never stop learning, be confident & humble, don't give upPull Quotes“Sales is a lost art. Ask for the money—and be okay hearing ‘no.'”“Stop doing $5/hour tasks when you're paid to produce $500/hour outcomes.”“Relationships lead to opportunity. Don't pitch-slap on the first message.”“If you can't sell, be honest—find someone who can.”“Love the practice as much as the game.”Guest Links

Loren Castle turned a life-threatening cancer diagnosis at 22 into the spark that built Sweet Loren's, a $120M-a-year clean food brand now sold in over 5,000 supermarkets nationwide. In this interview, Loren shares how she bootstrapped her way from baking cookies in a tiny New York apartment to landing Whole Foods without packaging, rebranding her entire product line to be allergen-free, and scaling a household name—all while staying profitable and purpose-driven. From surviving adversity to mastering product-market fit, Loren's story is proof that a personal mission can grow into a multimillion-dollar movement. What you'll learn from this interview: • How Loren built Sweet Loren's from $25K in savings to $120M+ in annual revenue • The pivotal moment she went all-in on allergen-free ingredients—and why it worked • How she landed Whole Foods before having proper packaging • The exact process she used to find true product-market fit through live demos • Why customer obsession is the ultimate growth strategy • How mentorship transformed her leadership and focus • The decision that created a moat around Sweet Loren's in a saturated market • How to compete on shelf with billion-dollar CPG brands • Why staying small, focused, and profitable was the real superpower By the end of this interview, you'll walk away with practical lessons on product development, brand positioning, and resilience—so you can build a mission-driven brand that truly stands out in competitive markets. SAVE 50% ON OMNISEND FOR 3 MONTHS Get 50% off your first 3 months of email and SMS marketing with Omnisend with the code FOUNDR50. Just head to ⁠https://your.omnisend.com/foundr⁠ to get started. HOW WE CAN HELP YOU SCALE YOUR BUSINESS FASTER Learn directly from 7, 8 & 9-figure founders inside Foundr+ Start your $1 trial → ⁠https://www.foundr.com/startdollartrial⁠ PREFER A CUSTOM ROADMAP AND 1-ON-1 COACHING? → Starting from scratch? Apply here → ⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-start-application⁠ → Already have a store? Apply here → ⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-growth-application⁠ CONNECT WITH NATHAN CHAN Instagram → ⁠https://www.instagram.com/nathanchan⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhchan/⁠ CONNECT WITH LOREN CASTLE Website → https://sweetlorens.com/ Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/lorenbcastle/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/loren-brill-castle/ FOLLOW FOUNDR FOR MORE BUSINESS GROWTH STRATEGIES YouTube → ⁠https://bit.ly/2uyvzdt⁠ Website → ⁠https://www.foundr.com⁠ Instagram → ⁠https://www.instagram.com/foundr/⁠ Facebook → ⁠https://www.facebook.com/foundr⁠ Twitter → ⁠https://www.twitter.com/foundr⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundr/⁠ Podcast → ⁠https://www.foundr.com/podcast

Pat Jammet is partner and VP of Growth at Promobile Marketing, the experiential agency behind memorable field campaigns from brands like Liquid IV, Truff, and AG1. On this episode of ITS, Pat shares what he's learned about field marketing at CPG brands including Honest Tea, Sir Kensington's, and Good Culture Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by becoming a member!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What if the real key for CPG brands right now isn't ads or influencers…but mastering TikTok Shop before everyone else catches up? Nik sits down with Zain Ali of Zainith Agency to break down how he's helping 20+ consumer brands scale through social shopping, and why TikTok Shop has become the fastest growth channel in the entire industry. Zain shares the real data on hit rates, how the TikTok algorithm actually learns, and why the brands winning today aren't the ones with the best creative, but the ones flooding the platform with volume. They get into:> Why TikTok Shop is a pure momentum game (and how to trigger it)> What makes a product truly “TikTok native”> The sampling + affiliate strategy behind every seven-figure shop> How TikTok virality boosts Amazon ranks and retail sell-through This episode is for any founder who wants to win on TikTok Shop, beat competitors to the algorithm, and turn social shopping into a multi-channel growth engine. What's Instant? They're the secret weapon to triple your email revenue with AI-powered flows. Instead of blasting the same cart reminders to everyone, Instant ensure every shopper gets a unique email experience: Copy, products, and offers that adapt to your shopper's behavior in real time. Emails sent at the exact moment that shopper is most likely to buy. 11+ abandonment flows live in minutes. Book a demo by Nov. 28 to get 50% off your first 60 days. Make this BFCM your biggest one yet: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠instant.one/limited⁠ Want more DTC advice? Check out the Limited Supply YouTube page for more insider tips.   Check out the Nik's DTC newsletter: https://bit.ly/3mOUJMJ   And if you're looking for an instant stream of on-demand DTC gold, check out the Limited Supply Slack Channel for Nik's most unfiltered, uncensored thoughts.   Follow Nik: Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mrsharma

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Tracey Halama, CEO of Supergut which produces clinically-validated solutions that transform your life through your gut microbiome.Follow Tracey on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceyhalama/Follow Supergut on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ur-labs/Follow Supergut online at: https://supergut.com/Tracey answers these questions:What inspired you to join Supergut and lead its next phase of growth, given your background (e.g., at Vital Proteins)?How do you define Supergut's mission and what “owning the gut-health category” means to you?Supergut has emphasized science backed ingredients–resistant starch/prebiotic blends–and positioning around GLP‐1 nutrition.How do you balance science-backed ingredients with consumer-friendly messaging?How do you evaluate and select ingredient technologies (e.g., green banana resistant starch, Solnul®, Sunfiber®) and how do you see that evolving?With regulatory & marketing complexities (e.g., how you label “GLP-1 Daily Support”), how does the brand stay nimble while protecting claims?When you look ahead 3-5 years, what does success look like for Supergut (revenue, distribution, impact) & given the rapid growth you've already achieved, what is the next inflection point you're targeting?How do you think about product pipeline: will Supergut stay tightly focused on gut/metabolic health or expand into adjacent nutrition categories?You've moved from strong DTC into major retail doors (including big names) and are scaling omnichannel.What has been the biggest challenge in that transition and where can we find the portfolio?This is a mature yet old industry with little change - with your transition from technology into wellness and your CPG leadership background, what are the leadership lessons you carry into Supergut as a female leader?How do you build the kind of culture and team you'll need for scale (especially moving from startup growth into a larger enterprise)? What do you look for when hiring leaders in areas like supply chain, data, marketing in a high-growth CPG brand?For other CPG founders targeting wellness/functional nutrition: what advice do you have regarding building proof (clinical, ingredients) versus speed to market? What are the key things you think retailers care about today?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comSheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/Rhea Raj's Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual's use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.