Podcasts about cpg

In one of the strangest scandals to hit the CPG world, BetterBrand, the startup behind the high-protein, low-carb “Better Bagel,”  is now facing lawsuits, unpaid debts… and a missing founder. The hosts weigh in on the chaos surrounding entrepreneur Aimee Yang and her calamitous company. They also discuss a new, seemingly BFY beverage alcohol segment and why protein donuts deserve better ingredients. Show notes: 0:35: Hoste-ing In Chicago. Moldy, Mired, Messy. A Refreshing ABV? Inhale & Gag. Red Dye Donuts. – The hosts announce Taste Radio's Chicago meetup, which will take place on August 14 at Hoste Cocktails' event space in the Windy City's Pilsen neighborhood. They also delve into the controversy surrounding BetterBrand, whose problems have earned it comparisons to Theranos. The team also explores the rise of “hard refreshers,” alcoholic beverages with packaging similar to sports drinks, raising concerns over consumer confusion. Meanwhile Liquid Death's spicy novelty drink, “Deathberry Inferno,” gets mixed reviews for flavor but praise for marketing. The group samples nostalgic FatBoy ice cream treats and discusses the contrast between some function-centric foods, comparing Purely Elizabeth's new clean-label oatmeals over protein donuts made with artificial ingredients.  Brands in this episode: BetterBrand, Athletic Brewing, AriZona, Spindrift, BeatBox, BuzzBallz, Happy Thursday, Lightstrike, Prime, Mas+ by Messi, Liquid Death, Paqui, Vernors, Whistlepig, FatBoy Ice Cream, Legendary Foods, Purely Elizabeth 

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy speaks with Francesca Pittaluga, founder of Ciao Pappy, a premium Italifornia pasta sauce brand that blends the culinary traditions of Italy with the fresh, vibrant spirit of California.Francesca shares her entrepreneurial journey from a career in fashion to building a fast-growing CPG brand rooted in family heritage, clean ingredients, and strong storytelling.Gain insight into the early days of launching Ciao Pappy, the strategic decisions behind product development and retail placement, and the challenges of scaling production while maintaining quality. Francesca also discusses the importance of community support, finding the right partners, and staying focused on sustainable, regional growth before national expansion.This episode is a must-listen for emerging founders navigating the food and beverage space or anyone interested in building a purpose-driven brand.Listen in as they share about:The Origin of Ciao PappyBlending Cultures through FoodEarly Growth and StrategyProduct DevelopmentRetail and Distribution StrategyManufacturing and Co-Packing ChallengesCommunity and ResourcesFunding and Growth ChallengesEpisode Links:Website: https://www.ciaopappy.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesca-pittaluga-983170261/ Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Grace's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics

In this episode of the Drop In CEO podcast Jay Schumann shares his expertise in corporate microbiology, food safety, and quality assurance. The conversation covers Jay's career journey, key leadership lessons, and the importance of being a lifelong learner. Jay emphasizes the value of humility, continuous learning, and investing in people, offering practical advice for both current and aspiring C-Suite leaders. The episode also highlights the significance of aligning with a company's values and the critical role of cultural understanding in achieving professional success. Episode Highlights: 05:31 Climbing the Corporate Ladder at PepsiCo 09:46 Insights on Leadership and People Management 23:53 Defining Lifelong Learning and Wisdom 25:48 Acquiring Knowledge Through Various Methods 29:28 The Role of Humility in Learning and Leadership 36:53 Finding Credible Sources of Information Jay Schuman is a seasoned senior leader in Corporate Food Safety and Microbiology with over 30 years of experience in the food and beverage industry. Known for his high integrity and science-based, practical approach, Jay has led global teams and labs supporting new product innovation, risk mitigation, compliance, and quality assurance for major CPG brands. He excels at designing and implementing microbial food safety programs, harmonizing standards across regions, and fostering GFSI-compliant food safety cultures. A trusted people leader and strategic thinker, Jay is passionate about cross-functional collaboration, continuous improvement, and building strong, values-driven teams that drive business results. Connect with Jay Schuman: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jay-schuman For more information about my services or if you just want to connect and have a chat, reach out at: https://dropinceo.com/contact/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to this special Supply Chain Point edition of The New Warehouse Podcast. Kevin chats with Jameel Hye, a Supply Chain transformation leader at Mars and creator of a popular YouTube channel focused on developing supply chain talent. With over two decades of experience in the CPG industry and a passion for teaching, Jameel shares key lessons from his work at Mars, as well as insights from the Supply Chain Point event. The conversation spans everything from AI's proper role in logistics to the critical need for hands-on experience early in one's career. Jameel also weighs in on change management, cross-functional integration, and how he's helping the next generation of professionals grow through storytelling and transparency.Get your free ID Label sample right here. Follow us on LinkedIn and YouTube.Support the show

Send us a textSarah Mastrorocco is Vice President and General Manager of Health at Instacart ( https://www.instacart.com/company/health ), the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,800 retailers, covering nearly 100,000 stores, and serving over 7,000 consumer packaged goods brands.An innovative leader with extensive expertise in business development and strategy, Sarah spearheaded the creation of Instacart Health and continues to oversee the initiative designed to support consumers, businesses, and nonprofits across three key areas: increasing nutrition security, inspiring healthier choices, and scaling food and nutrition programs within healthcare. In her role, she is focused on expanding consumer health tools and empowering organizations with technology to help improve access to nutritious food and nutrition education. A longtime Instacart veteran, Sarah has played an integral role at the company since joining as the first member of the company's business development team in 2014. During her tenure, she has held various leadership positions across business development and operations including building relationships with North America's largest retailers, leading Instacart's catalog, developing strategic partnerships, and scaling new businesses.Previous to Instacart, Sarah held roles in other CPG companies, including at PepsiCo, in strategy, business innovation, and mergers and acquisitions, as well as at Hershey's and in the consulting segment.Sarah has an MBA from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management and a BS from the McIntire School of Commerce, at University of Virginia.#SarahMastrorocco #Instacart #Health #NutritionSecurity #FoodDesert #SupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgram #MaternalHealth #MaternalOutcomes #FoodAsMedicine #HealthyLabel #Access #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth #HealthOutcomes#ProgressPotentialAndPossibilities #IraPastor #Podcast #Podcaster #ViralPodcast #STEM #Innovation #Technology #Science #ResearchSupport the show

Upstream's Sydney Harris is joined by the US Plastics Pact's Olivia Merritt Fitzgerald and Sustainable Packaging Coalition's Olga Kachook to discuss the growing drive for reuse among consumer brands. They share the details of two recent reports that map a path for bringing reuse to the retail setting and which product lines are best poised for the switch—plus the USPP's initiative to turn these findings into action. The key to success? Standardization and pre-competitive collaboration—both of which, our guests are happy to report, are in the works.Resources: Sustainable Packaging Coalition: Framework for Scaling ReuseClosed Loop Partners & US Plastics Pact: Getting Ready for Reuse in RetailUSPP Retail Reuse Initiative one-pagerListeners interested in participating in the US Plastic Pact's retail reuse initiative should contact Olivia Merritt Fitzgerald: OMFitzGerald@usplasticspact.org Listeners interested in exploring refill models should contact Olga Kachook: olga.kachook@greenblue.org Upstream: Embracing Reuse in U.S. Packaging EPR ProgramsPR3 StandardsEpisode 88: Setting the Standard for Reuse with PR3Episode 180: The Quest for a Universal Reuse SymbolGet involved:Join the Reuse Solutions NetworkSupport Upstream to make sure these stories continue to be heard and the reuse economy continues to grow — thank you!

Functional ingredients, protein-ification, healthy aging, personalized nutrition, weight management, gut health…and you probably think I'm just rattling off numerous powerful trends driving the CPG industry, which I am, but this time, not involving my typical contextual vantagepoint. Did you know that just over half of pet owners not only consider their pets to be a part of their family…but say they are as much a part of their family as a human member? So, with most pet owners now considering their pets full-fledged family members, it's safe to say that “humanization” is no longer just a trend…but rather a foundation of the pet nutrition market. And while I'm not saying that I'll be pivoting drastically (or even much at all), I am expressing that you'll begin seeing my increasing interest in adjacent CPG marketplaces like early childhood nutrition and pet nutrition within content creation, as I'm a relatively new dad in both the human and dog aspect of that definition. But where do we start, right? To create some constraint, this initial content piece will concentrate only on certain aspects of the pet industry that evolved since the “Great Shutdown” era. Firstly, compared to other CPG categories, which have seen declines and rebounds, pet sales have grown (around 10%) each year since that period. Next, what underpins that growth probably shouldn't be surprising at this point…with stay-at-home orders and the remote work flexibility creating an environment where many Americans added a furry friend to their household. And currently, it results in U.S. consumers purchasing around $70 billion worth of pet food (and treats), but that market size increases substantially when you include both veterinary care (and product sales), OTC medications, and pet supplements. Also, while the “CV-19 Effect” didn't create the “health and wellness” underlying driver shaping today's pet nutrition market…it provided a powerful tailwind to this increasingly important customer purchasing behavior. Lastly, pet owners (which Millennials account for the largest category) are paying just as much attention to their pets' health and holistic well-being as to their own…and are seeking food (and treats) that help their furry friends live longer, healthier lives. In fact, 85% of pet owners now believe proper nutrition and supplements are as important for pets as they are for humans. But with pet owners taking a more active role in their pets' wellness, particularly in the ways they supplement their pets' diets for optimal health benefits…pet brands are starting to face a similar challenge as their human CPG counterparts have been dealing with for the last decade (especially within low barriers-to-entry categories like sports nutrition). And no matter if we're talking humans or pets…across today's functional CPG marketplace, winning essentially requires a distinctive brand making great tasting products in attractive formats with proven benefits in desirable health condition segments. But in my latest first principles thinking content, I'll unpack that statement further to extract impactful insights. Nevertheless, there are many opportunities available (and no shortage of exciting market developments), so hopefully you'll follow along as I help increase your strategic clarity by separating out the key pet industry “signals” from the immense amount of “noise.”

When it comes to building a better-for-you beverage brand, it's easy to think it's all about the product. But as Kayvon Jahanbakhsh, co-founder of Halfday Iced Tea, shares in this episode, building a brand people actually love is just as much about emotional connection, persistence, and timing.  This conversation is packed with insights into what it truly takes to break through in a crowded category, especially when you're on a mission to reintroduce Americans to a nostalgic drink with a gut-healthy twist. Kayvon opens up about how he and his co-founder turned a personal health journey into a nationally recognized brand stocked in over 7,000 stores. We talk about retail wins, scrappy marketing tactics, and why doing the "unscalable things" early on helped them earn shelf space and consumer trust.  Whether you're a fellow founder, a marketer in the trenches, or just someone who loves a good iced tea comeback story—this one's for you. Here are some key moments from the episode: * How a ulcerative colitis diagnosis led Kayvon to reimagine iced tea with prebiotic fiber and better ingredients * Why consumer education and playful branding were critical to getting people to trust a functional beverage * The turning point when they went from selling out of a garage to landing national retail distribution * Why Kayvon believes “velocity is king” when it comes to scaling at retail * His thoughts on brand-building in an era where transparency and taste both matter more than ever Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode and get inspired by how Kayvon and the Halfday team are reviving a beloved drink for a new generation, with purpose, flavor, and hustle at the core. For more on Halfday Ice Tea visit:  https://drinkhalfday.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand a rating and review.  Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: REViVE Amazon Marketing Partners: https://revivemp.com/ REViVE Amazon Marketing Partners helps better-for-you CPG brands win on Amazon with niche expertise, founder-led strategy, and a true partnership model. Built by a CPG founder with a successful exit, REViVE only works with brands they believe in. Curious if Amazon is right for you? Book a Free Deep Dive Strategy Session today.

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Michael Lowry, Vice President of Global Spirit Sourcing, and Andrea Starr, Senior Director of Merchandising at Total Wine & More—the largest independent alcohol retailer in the U.S., with over 300 stores and $6 billion in annual sales.Michael and Andrea pull back the curtain on how Total Wine thinks about brand discovery, merchandising strategy, customer engagement, and category trends — including the rise of non-alcoholic beverages and the emerging THC space. They share what makes a product stand out and why the right design can make or break a new launch. You'll also learn what it takes to get on their shelves, how they stay nimble like a startup, and what catches their eye at trade shows.Packed with actionable insights, category strategy tips, and behind-the-scenes examples, this episode is a must-listen for any startup founder, CPG marketer, or emerging brand looking to break into large-format retail.

DESCRIPTION The Category Disruptors Series continues!   It's time for Part 3 in our series spotlighting the female CEOs and founders behind some of the fastest-growing and most innovative brands in their categories.   In this episode, we spotlight Laurel Orley, co-founder and CEO of Daily Crunch—the sprouted nut snack brand shaking up what they call the “trusty but dusty” nut category.   It's a thoughtful conversation and another strong addition to the series—tune in for the full story.   "There's a lot of FOMO out there. You see unicorn brands doing amazing, and it's so easy to think: how did they make $1M in 5 minutes? Why not me? But you have to stay on your path." Laurel Orley   KEY TAKEAWAYS In this episode, Laurel, Julie, and Jordan discuss:  Laurel Orley's transition from a career at major brands like Unilever to founding Daily Crunch Snacks, inspired by her aunt's unique sprouted nut process. How Daily Crunch's sprouted, dehydrated nuts stand out for their crunch, health benefits, and clean label. The creative process behind their flavors, including collaborations with other brand and the upcycling of pickle ends for sustainability. Daily Crunch's commitment to women-owned certification and giving back through mental health initiatives Laurel shares how her corporate background provided valuable skills, but also discusses the steep learning curve and differences when moving to a founder role. The role of accelerators like SKU, mentorship, and the Vanderbilt intern pipeline in helping Daily Crunch grow and evolve. Hard-earned lessons in supply chain, pricing, product launches, and the realities of growing a snack brand during the pandemic. Exciting updates for 2025, including a new flavor and refreshed packaging highlighting nutritional benefits. The importance of staying focused on your own brand journey, leveraging available resources, and maintaining a mindset of continual learning.  

Points of discussion:1. Can you Line Extend to a different style? - [ BBT Newsletter ]-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 8,000+ food and bev industry pros who are subscribed to the Beer Branding Trends Newsletter (and access all past issues) at: www.beerbrandingtrends.com 

Automating Food Safety with NormexIn this episode, we sit down with Tanguy Etoga, founder and CEO of Normex, to dive into the often overlooked but critically important world of food safety management.Tanguy shares his fascinating journey from a childhood in Cameroon—where a conversation with his father about preserving mangoes year-round sparked his passion—to becoming a food safety consultant and tech entrepreneur revolutionizing how small and medium food businesses handle compliance.What We Discovered:Why our industry is traditionally slow to adopt new technology (spoiler: we're too busy making food!)How AI and IoT sensors are transforming tedious paperwork into streamlined digital processesReal examples of companies saving $60,000+ in six months through automationThe hidden costs of manual food safety processes that most of us don't realize we're payingWhy even small food businesses with just 2 employees need proper food safety systemsHow one ice cream company freed up 3 quality employees to move into productionMy Key Takeaways: From temperature monitoring that used to require hourly manual checks to AI-powered corrective action plans, Tanguy shows us practical applications of technology that actually work—not just buzzword solutions. This isn't about replacing people; it's about eliminating the mundane tasks so our teams can focus on what matters: making great food safely.Whether you're a food processor, manufacturer, restaurant, or anywhere in our supply chain, this conversation offers valuable insights into protecting your business, your customers, and your reputation. I'll admit, food safety isn't the sexiest topic we've covered, but it might be one of the most essential.Connect with Normex at normex.ca or follow their educational content on LinkedIn for weekly food safety insights.Find Tanguy at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanguyetoga/?originalSubdomain=caThank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast : https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/Thank you to LeBeauExcel for sponsoring this episode: https://lebeauexcel.com/

On this week's episode of the Modern Retail Podcast, senior reporters Gabriela Barkho and Melissa Daniels break down the latest May retail sales data and explain what it signals about consumer sentiment heading into summer. They also get into announcements from big CPG corporations like Kraft Heinz and General Mills about eliminating artificial dyes in U.S. products amid the "Make America Healthy Again" movement.During the featured segment, they're joined by reporter Julia Waldow for a deep dive segment on the rise of private labels. These days, store brands are not just cheaper alternatives to name brands but trendy and even viral products in their own right. About 40% of shoppers say they buy private labels to save money, and 60% say it's because it's a better value, per a Numerator survey.

Why did it take government pressure for Kraft Heinz to clean up its act? The hosts unpack the conglomerate's pledge to drop artificial dyes from its products by 2027, and what it says about Big Food's priorities. The episode also features interviews with the founders of two remarkable early-stage brands: Maura Duggan of Fancypants Baking Co. and Allison Elliott of Farmer Foodie. Show notes: 0:35: The Biggest Apple. Pin It, Emma. Hey, Big Food - Why Now? Gamey-Time. Clear Use Case. – The hosts review the recently held BevNET Live Summer 2025 in New York City and how the event reflected a sense of positive energy throughout the beverage industry as well as the growing power of founder-driven innovation to meet modern consumer demands. They also discuss Pinterest's foray into e-commerce via a co-branded coffee launch with Emma Chamberlain along with Kraft Heinz's decision to remove artificial dyes by 2026 and whether companies should act proactively in response to clean label trends. Mike busts out some Berski, a new brand of ancestral meat sticks made with beef liver and heart, while John highlights Brightland's new line of everyday olive oils. 26:06: Interview: Maura Duggan, Founder & CEO, Fancypants Baking Co. – Maura shares her journey from baking decorative cookies in her apartment in 2004 to launching a full-fledged CPG brand in 2024. She discusses the company's transition from fresh bakery sales to packaged consumer goods, emphasizing their commitment to high-quality, nut-free ingredients and their signature small, crunchy cookies. Maura highlights the strategic use of bright red packaging and a playful peacock mascot to stand out on shelves, the importance of limited-edition flavors to keep consumers engaged, and the advantages of self-manufacturing. 41:45: Interview: Alison Elliott, Founder & CEO, Farmer Foodie – Alison talks about the origins of Farmer Foodie, which is known for its shelf-stable, dairy-free and gluten-free Cashew Parm products, her background in farming and social impact and how she started Farmer Foodie as a food blog and transformed it into a CPG company during the pandemic. Alison also discusses overcoming the challenges of landing retail placement, differentiating in a nascent category, and her products' appeal beyond vegan consumers.  Brands in this episode: Fancypants Baking Co., Farmer Foodie, Olipop, Liquid Death, Chamberlain Coffee, Top Of The Mornin', Jell-O, Crystal Light, Kool-Aid, Berski, Archer, Yaza, Brightland, Graza, Mariona, Brez, Cann, Moshi, Kif

I've interviewed a lot of founders, but few with stories as rich and enduring as today's guest. In this episode, I sit down with Pepper Baumer, President & CEO of Crystal Hot Sauce, a product of Baumer Foods. We explore how this iconic, family-owned brand has been flavoring kitchens for over a century, surviving everything from World War II to Hurricane Katrina to global supply chain meltdowns. It's a powerful reminder of what it means to adapt, persevere, and keep a legacy alive. Pepper shares how his grandfather flipped a snowball syrup company into a global hot sauce business, how his aunt Ella Brennan instilled business smarts in him one Wall Street Journal article at a time, and what he's doing to bring the brand into its next era. From private label to industrial partnerships, from NOLA roots to nationwide shelves—this is one flavorful story you don't want to miss. In this episode, you'll hear: * The origin story of Crystal Hot Sauce and how a hidden recipe changed everything   * What Pepper learned from his aunt Ella Brennan that still guides him today   * How Baumer Foods survived Hurricane Katrina and rebuilt their business   * Why investing in manufacturing and industrial partnerships is key to the future   * The brand's flavor-first philosophy: “We make good food taste great”   Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode and discover how a century-old hot sauce brand continues to evolve with heart, hustle, and a whole lot of heat. For more on Baumer Foods, visit: https://crystalhotsauce.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.  Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: REViVE Amazon Marketing Partners: https://revivemp.com/ REViVE Amazon Marketing Partners helps better-for-you CPG brands win on Amazon with niche expertise, founder-led strategy, and a true partnership model. Built by a CPG founder with a successful exit, REViVE only works with brands they believe in. Curious if Amazon is right for you? Book a Free Deep Dive Strategy Session today.

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Caitlin Bricker speaks with Fane He and Kyle Nguyen, co-founders of The Lucky Ox, a Vietnamese-inspired beverage company. They share the story behind their flagship salted lemonade, the cultural roots and personal meaning behind the brand, and how their backgrounds in fashion and design have shaped a product that stands out both on shelves and online.From launching with glass bottles and navigating DTC logistics, to building a wholesale business one account at a time—often hand-delivering orders across New York City—Fane and Kyle discuss the challenges and unexpected wins of growing a beverage brand with limited resources but unlimited creativity.They also explore how The Lucky Ox is resonating across diverse culinary spaces and why authenticity has been their strongest differentiator.So, what are you waiting for–listen now!Listen in as they share about:Authenticity Over Trend-ChasingUnique Brand Identity & DesignBootstrapped Hustle & Grassroots GrowthDistribution & DTC ChallengesRetail and Sales StrategyMentorship and Startup CPG SupportCommunity, Mentorship, and Startup CPGEpisode Links:Website: https://luckyox.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fane-he/ LinkedIn: Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Caitlin's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics

CFOs must help secure organizational success while keeping the finances golden. Gary Cooperman, COO and CFO at Pressed Juicery, calls this profitable growth. Joining Jack McCullough, he shares his impeccable strategies for turning this goal into reality, which involves proper team collaboration, strategic partnerships, and a strong relationship with the CEO built on trust. Gary also shares his experiences from the tech industry to the world of consumer-packaged goods (CPG), as well as his valuable insights on using AI tools to elevate his responsibilities as a CFO.

Isabella “Bella” Hughes is a repeat founder, mentor, and angel investor with experience spanning the arts, entrepreneurship, and emerging CPG. Born and raised in Honolulu, she splits her time between Austin and Hilo. Currently, she's the chief revenue officer and co-founder of Better Sour, a globally inspired sour candy brand founded with her lifelong best friend. She also co-founded Hawaiʻi Contemporary and Shaka Tea, and most recently was honored by Inc. Magazine as one of 2025's Female Founders 500. Social: www.bettersour.com  @eatbettersour

Every once in a while, you come across a story so driven by purpose and heart that you can feel it in every word, and that's exactly how I felt talking to the co-founders of ByHeart.  In this episode, Ron Belldegrun and Mia Funt, Co-founders of ByHeart, guide us through their remarkable journey to reinvent infant formula from the ground up, driven by science, transparency, and a deep conviction that parents deserve better options. From building their manufacturing facility to conducting one of the most extensive clinical trials in over 25 years, their story isn't just about disrupting a category; it's about raising the standard for an entire industry. If you're a founder, parent, or just someone passionate about what modern CPG brands can stand for, this conversation is packed with inspiration and actionable wisdom. Here are a few highlights from our conversation: * Why building their manufacturing was a necessity, not a strategy * The science and transparency behind their patented, breast milk-inspired formula * How community, parent feedback, and clinical trials fueled meaningful innovation * What it takes to challenge 100 years of industry status quo * Why ByHeart believes the future of infant nutrition is about access, evidence, and trust Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode to learn how this team built one of the most important—and personal—brands in modern consumer health. For more on ByHeart, visit: https://byheart.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Showa rating and review.  Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: Augmentum Media - Influencer Marketing for Consumer Brands: https://www.augmentum-media.com/story What secret do fast-growing Health and Wellness brands like Xtendlife, Nourished, and Hunter & Gather share? They all outsource their influencer marketing to the experts at Augmentum. Augmentum is offering "The Story of a Brand Show" listeners a 30-minute consulting session AND a personalized influencer strategy plan built by their experts for you to implement either with them or in-house. Visit the link above to learn more.    1 Commerce: https://1-commerce.com/story-of-a-brand Scaling a DTC brand gets harder the bigger you grow, especially when you're stuck selling on just one channel.  While you're focused on day-to-day ops, your competitors are unlocking marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart, and even retail shelf space—and capturing customers you're missing. That's where 1-Commerce comes in.  They help high-growth brands expand beyond their sites, handle end-to-end fulfillment, and scale through a revenue-share model that means they only win when you do.  As a Story of a Brand listener, you'll get one month of free storage and a strategy session with their CEO, Eric Kasper.  https://1-commerce.com/story-of-a-brand

What's the ACTUAL difference between a Chief Growth Officer and a Chief Marketing Officer,what do they do and why might a high-growth brand need both?BGH host Fiona Fitz has been in the industry for 25+ years, and believe it or not, these roles are relatively new, borrowed from the worlds of tech and e-commerce, pure plays. So we decided it was high time to investigate what exactly a chief growth officer does and how they work alongside a chief marketing officer.In this episode of Brand Growth Heroes, Fiona digs into that exact question with two of the most strategic minds behind one of the UK's most successful DTC brands, smol. Neil Campbell is Chief Growth Officer, and Hilary Strong is Smol's Chief Marketing Officer. Together, they break down how they work in tandem to scale a brand that's grown to £44M in sales, without relying on traditional advertising or a big retail presence.Neil and Hilary explore how customer lifetime value, subscription retention, and channel strategy combine to build a high-repeat-rate, mission-led brand. They also discuss how Smol segments its audience, turns data into action, and balances performance marketing with long-term brand building.If you've ever wondered how to move from organic to scalable growth—or whether it's time to bring in more senior commercial firepower to your team, this conversation will give you both the strategic context and the practical next steps. You'll hear how Smol has built a brand so loved that customers travel across the country just to meet the team in person and why they're still holding off on going big in retail despite the temptation.This episode is packed with real-world insight, actionable strategy, and a glimpse into what modern DTC growth leadership really looks like. Enjoy!Useful Links:smol websiteConnect with Neil CampbellConnect with Hilary StrongFollow smol on Instagram & FacebookA small favour: If this episode inspires you to think about new ways to drive business growth, please hit FOLLOW and even leave a review! This tiny gesture means the world to us and allows us to share these nuggets of insight and value with you more often. We see every new follower and read every review, so thank you in advance!=============================================================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.

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Alicia Nelson, Sales and Customer Operations Manager at So Good So You, and Emily Curran of SPS Commerce to explore the essential role of Sales Operations in driving operational efficiency and scalability for growing CPG brands.Alicia provides a detailed look into how her team manages day-to-day execution—coordinating orders, logistics, and customer communications—and how cross-functional collaboration is critical to delivering products on time and in full. She also discusses the evolution of her role as the company scaled, the systems that support their operations (including Fishbowl and EDI solutions from SPS Commerce), and the strategic importance of effective communication across teams and partners.Emily shares additional perspective from her work with brands of all sizes, highlighting best practices in implementing EDI, the value of automation, and how to build scalable processes that adapt to increasing complexity.This episode offers valuable insights for founders, operators, and sales teams looking to establish or refine their sales operations infrastructure as they grow.

Kicking off with a surprising connection through pickleball that led to discovering shared passions in e-commerce innovation, Scott sits with Andrew Smith, founder of Swapt and former Klaviyo engineer, about building smarter tools for Amazon sellers. Andrew shares his journey from working at IBM and Oracle to witnessing rapid growth at Klaviyo, which shaped his understanding of what marketplace sellers truly need. They dive into how Swapt is helping Amazon-native brands drive customer engagement and reviews through one-time use QR codes, while staying fully compliant with Amazon's strict policies. With a successful case study generating $100K in sales and 500 reviews in three months, this episode is packed with insights for CPG, beauty, and supplement brands looking to boost performance and build direct customer relationships without risking their margins.   Episode Notes: 00:19 - Andrew Smith Introduction  01:52 - Andrew's Background 02:23 - Scaling at Klaviyo and E-commerce Ecosystem Insights 05:39 - Data, Email Marketing, and the Amazon Challenge 08:59 - The Impact of Recent E-commerce Headwinds 09:52 - The Genesis and Evolution of Swapt 13:16 - Discovering the Amazon Brand Opportunity 19:57 - Technical Innovations and Results 20:38 - Navigating Amazon Compliance and Risk 25:00 - Who Should Use Swapt? 27:05 - Getting Started with Swapt   Related Post: Top 10 Tennis Racket Brands on Amazon   How to Reach Andrew: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andrewsm1th Website: https://swqr.link/   Scott's Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog  

Sara Cullen is the founder and CEO of GEM, a pioneering brand creating the first real food vitamins. Sparked by her own health challenges and a frustrating experience in the supplement aisle, Sara took a hands-on approach to nutritional science. Before launching Gem, she was part of the Venture for America Fellowship and previously started Plant Water, a CBD beverage brand.In this episode, Sara shares how her upbringing on a farm shaped her maker mindset, lessons learned from a failed first startup, and why she believes true founders must be “delusionallyvely optimistic.” She talks candidly about navigating solo entrepreneurship, fundraising over $22M, hiring effectively, and the realities of building a company while raising a newborn.Where to find She Leads:Apple PodcastsWebsiteSpotifyYouTubeInstagramX (Twitter)Where to find Carly:LinkedInX (Twitter)Where to find Sara:LinkedInWhere to find GEM:InstagramGEM websiteReferenced:Sara Blakely: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarablakely27/Venture for America: https://www.linkedin.com/company/venture-for-america/In this episode, we cover:(1:22) Growing up on a farm and childhood influences(5:09) Pivoting majors at Cornell(6:28) Being practical vs. the dreamer(9:14) Joining Venture for America(12:33) The lessons from founding Plant Water(16:25) The health crisis that inspired GEM(19:28) Finding the conviction to launch(22:57) Balancing taste with nutritional function(25:23) Operating as a DTC brand(26:27) The greatest challenges working on GEM(28:49) Remote work challenges and culture trade-offs(33:35) Advice for CPG founders on venture capital(39:36) Juggling motherhood and leadership(41:34) Redefining success

Kye Luker serves as the Chief Product Officer at FlexXray, where he leads the development of the company's innovative X-ray inspection process and technology. With over two decades of experience in the service, CPG, food, and beverage industries, Kye brings a wealth of knowledge in continuous improvement, quality assurance, and formulations to his role.  In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Mr. Luker [1:15] about: Why foreign material (FM) contamination is a major challenge for food processors, and how processors have tried to control FM to date How external X-ray inspection services can assist companies in responding to an FM contamination event How FlexXray helps fill gaps in inspection programs with innovative technologies How external X-ray inspection services are different from in-house inspection systems How companies are leaning on external inspection services in innovative ways The ways in which X-ray inspection technology is evolving, and the trends in supplier requirements for X-ray inspection New and exciting developments happening at FlexXray, and how these technology advances can help processors better assure food safety. Resources FlexXray® Foreign Material X-Ray Inspection Services  Sponsored by: FlexXray We Want to Hear from You! Please send us your questions and suggestions to podcast@food-safety.com

Today I am joined by Andrea Wightwick! Andrea has over 20 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, specializing in strategy and portfolio growth for food and beverage brands. Her career highlights include launching iconic products like vitaminwater zero, Chobani Oatmilk, and Honest Kids and advising pet food brands such as Nestlé Purina, Rachael Ray Nutrish, and FreshPet. With a client roster exceeding 200 brands, Andrea has driven organic growth through innovative marketing strategies, from pioneering the first Amazon Go store to reshaping household consumption with creative packaging solutions like Siggi's Skyr Yogurt Tubes.In 2023, Andrea crafted Salty Seagull, the first bubble-free, low-calorie, non-alcoholic cocktail under the Hapsy brand. Designed to make every gathering inclusive and festive, Hapsy cocktails offer a vibrant alternative for those choosing to drink with or without alcohol.Based in Atlanta with her husband and two children, Andrea also co-owns three additional businesses that provide IT support, cybersecurity, and AI-driven solutions to clients. She brings a wealth of expertise, creativity, and a forward-thinking approach to every venture she undertakes. Andrea's WebsiteAndrea's InstagramHapsy's WebsiteHapsy's InstagramGiving Kitchen

Hot Sauce Without the Heat - Viggy from Toca FoodsWhat happens when an aerospace engineer meets a sommelier and decides to revolutionize the condiment aisle? In this episode, we sit down with Viggy, co-founder of Tocha Foods, who's created something that sounds impossible: "hot sauce without the heat."From his journey as a would-be rocket scientist to discovering a gap in the sauce market that left millions of people with nothing but salt and pepper, Viggy shares how he and his MBA classmate Matt built a product category that didn't exist. Their "spiced sauces" deliver all the complex flavors of hot sauce without the burn, creating what they call a "blue ocean" for consumers who were previously left out.We dive deep into the realities of CPG life - from the importance of sell-through vs. sell-in data to navigating retail relationships and trade marketing. Viggy also shares some surprising use cases customers have discovered (including some that make our Italian co-host Kenny cringe) and why creating something genuinely new is both harder and more rewarding than following established formulas.Plus, hear about their expansion across Canada, plans for "Tocha Sauce Club" cooking sessions, and why sometimes the best business advice is knowing what problem you're actually solving.Whether you're a founder looking for inspiration, a food lover curious about innovation, or someone who's always wondered what to put on your eggs besides ketchup, this conversation will leave you hungry for more.Find Toca Foods: www.TochaFoods.com | @tochafoods on Instagram Available: Online across Canada, Country Grocer, Gourmet Warehouse, and growing retail locationsThank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/Thank you to LeBeau Excel for sponsoring this episode https://lebeauexcel.com/

Send us a text"RAISE CAPITAL LIKE A LEGEND: https://offer.fundraisecapital.co/free-ebook/"Subscribe on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTOe79EXLDsROQ0z3YLnu1QQConnect with Ryan Miller:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rcmiller1/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makingbillionspodcast/Twitter: https://twitter.com/_MakingBillonsWebsite: https://making-billions.com/Hey, welcome to another episode of Making Billions, I'm your host, Ryan Miller and today I have my dear friend Samyr Laine. Samyr is the managing general partner at Freedom Trail Capital, a venture capital fund focusing on consumer tech and CPG investments, prior to working on Celebrity Ventures for Will and Jada Pinkett Smith at Westbrook and Roc Nation, Samyr worked in the sports industry at Major League Soccer and Monumental Sports & Entertainment. So what does this mean? Well, it means that Samyr understands venture capital and alternative assets, and he's about to teach you, and I, what it takes to win in this sector. [THE GUEST]: Samyr Laine is the managing general partner at Freedom Trail Capital.[THE HOST]: Ryan Miller is an Angel Everyday AI: Your daily guide to grown with Generative AICan't keep up with AI? We've got you. Everyday AI helps you keep up and get ahead.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the showDISCLAIMER: The information in every podcast episode “episode” is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. By listening or viewing our episodes, you understand that no information contained in the episodes should be construed as legal or financial advice from the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal, financial, or tax counsel on any subject matter. No listener of the episodes should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in, or accessible through, the episodes without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer, finance, tax, or other licensed person in the recipient's state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction. No part of the show, its guests, host, content, or otherwise should be considered a solicitation for investment in any way. All views expressed in any way by guests are their own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the show or its host(s). The host and/or its guests may own some of the assets discussed in this or other episodes, including compensation for advertisements, sponsorships, and/or endorsements. This show is for entertainment purposes only and should not be used as financial, tax, legal, or any advice whatsoever.

It's been said that "a complete picture emerges not from one fixed viewpoint, but from the understanding of multiple sides, each offering a unique piece of the puzzle.” And in any complex business puzzle, understanding different perspectives is essential…which is one reason why I've always enjoyed talking to Ryan Lewendon, as his law firm (Giannuzzi Lewendon), like my own strategy consulting practice, works with a wide variety of innovative, category creating companies that have helped define today's consumer packaged goods landscape. If you remember the last time we sat down together for a proper “recorded conversation” about 15 months ago, I took Ryan Lewendon through a Nickelodeon Guts “Aggro Crag” type gauntlet of trending CPG industry topics. But while this jam session is shorter in length…it equally shows our intense curiosity and passion for every aspect of the CPG industry, which I think can naturally lead to super impactful nuggets of insights for stakeholders within all this uncertainty that spans from MAHA movement changes to tariffs (and everything in between).Subscribe = Pour Decisions Podcast Also, an extra special thanks to Cognizin, for not only being the Title Sponsor of The Beverage Forum 2025...but supporting this awesome piece of content!

"I would hit reset on this notion that you have to go all in on performance marketing or brand marketing. It really needs to strike a balance of both." - Christina Thelin, CMO of CarParts.com.On this episode of Time for a Reset, Marketing Podcast: Insights from Global Brand Marketers, brought to you by Overline, host Nick King sits down with Christina Thelin, CMO of CarParts.com, to explore the future of marketing leadership. Drawing on her experience at P&G, Visa, Google, and Twitter, Christina shares actionable insights on blending performance and brand marketing, managing first-party data, and the smart way to integrate AI in workflow processes. She also discusses how CMOs can prove their value to internal and external stakeholders, build agile team structures, and evaluate tech investments that drive efficiency. This episode is a must-listen for marketers aiming to lead with clarity, creativity, and commercial impact.Tune in to learn more about:How to strike the perfect balance between performance marketing and brand building The framework for implementing "media mix modeling light" for ROI on a budgetWhy AI should be a complementary tool rather than a replacement for human marketing Structuring hybrid in-house/agency teams to maintain efficiency and creativityUpskilling future CMOs by combining financial acumen with creative storytellingEffectively managing first-party data to maintain customer trust and privacyWhy the modern CMO must serve as an "orchestra conductor," Christina Thelin is the Chief Marketing Officer at CarParts.com, bringing over 20 years of experience leading marketing and growth strategies at companies like Google, Twitter, Visa, and P&G. A results-driven executive, she excels in scaling brands, managing complex P&Ls, and building high-performing teams across retail, tech, finance, and CPG. Christina's expertise spans eCommerce, CRM, loyalty, and communications. A Cannes Lions Grand Prix winner and Marketers that Matter finalist, she blends business acumen with a passion for design, wellness, and customer-centric innovation.Support the show

This week is back to our normal format of Alex and Wade rapping back and forth about all things CPG. We will be focusing on the major security breach and national system outage with UNFI and how this has affected brands and retailers.With Wade's experience in attending trade-shows and some upcoming shows (Summer Fancy Food Show, Newtopia Now) he will be reviewing his tips and strategies on how to navigate the shows and getting the most out of them.

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy speaks with Grace Mittl, co-founder of Absurd Snacks, a brand focusing on allergen-friendly snacking. Grace Mittl shares how a college entrepreneurship course sparked the creation of Absurd Snacks, originally inspired by a classmate's dietary restrictions. What began as roasted chickpeas in a dorm kitchen has evolved into a fast-growing company offering protein-rich, allergen-free snack mixes.They explore key milestones in the company's growth—from navigating the challenges of allergen-free manufacturing and scaling production, to launching on Amazon and building a strong retail presence with partners like Whole Foods Market, Kroger, and Publix.Grace also reflects on the importance of mentorship, community engagement, and staying transparent as a young founder in the consumer packaged goods space.Listen in for practical insights into launching a purpose-driven brand, and learn how Absurd Snacks is reshaping the future of inclusive snacking.Listen in as they share about:Product DevelopmentManufacturing ChallengesRetail & E-commerce StrategyGo-To-Market StrategyMarketing & Community BuildingFunding & GrowthTeam & SupportBiggest Lessons & AdviceEpisode Links:Website: absurdsnacks.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracemittl/ Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics

Something is compelling about a leader who brings both sharp commercial instincts and deep empathy to the table, and that's precisely what I found in my conversation with Jeanelle Teves.  As Chief Commercial Officer at Bugaboo, she's not just driving growth; she's redefining what it means to build a global lifestyle brand rooted in purpose, innovation, and real human connection. In this episode, we talk about what it takes to evolve a premium product line while staying close to the needs of modern families.   Jeanelle shares her insights on balancing DTC with retail, leading with authenticity, building globally relevant strategies, and why empathy belongs at the core of every great product and team culture. Here are a few highlights from our conversation: * Why performance marketing is powerful—but brand is what builds long-term loyalty   * How Bugaboo leads with sustainable product design that's meant to be repaired and reused   * The importance of retail and DTC as complementary, not competitive, channels   * How global expansion succeeds when local nuance meets consistent brand identity   * What it means to lead with authenticity and create space for others to thrive   Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode to hear how Bugaboo is helping shape the future of premium CPG through innovation, purpose, and people-first leadership. For more on Bugaboo, visit: https://www.bugaboo.com/us-en If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.  Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: Color More Lines: https://www.colormorelines.com/get-started Color More Lines is a team of ex-Amazonians and e-commerce operators who help brands grow faster on Amazon and Walmart. With a performance-based pricing model and flexible contracts, they've generated triple-digit year-over-year growth for established sellers doing over $5 million per year. Use code "STORY OF A BRAND” and receive a complimentary market opportunity assessment of your e-commerce brand and marketplace positioning.    1 Commerce: https://1-commerce.com/story-of-a-brand Scaling a DTC brand gets harder the bigger you grow, especially when you're stuck selling on just one channel.  While you're focused on day-to-day ops, your competitors are unlocking marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart, and even retail shelf space—and capturing customers you're missing. That's where 1-Commerce comes in.  They help high-growth brands expand beyond their sites, handle end-to-end fulfillment, and scale through a revenue-share model that means they only win when you do.  OFFER: As a Story of a Brand listener, you'll get one month of free storage and a strategy session with their CEO, Eric Kasper. 

Today's guest on Chasing Poker Greatness is the author of "Poker with Presence" and "The Joy of Poker" Jason Su.Jason's been a longtime friend of CPG and has established himself as the blackbelt of presence in the world of poker. His list of successful clients and students is incredibly impressive and his track record for helping folks Chasing Poker Greatness make the leap into high stakes is impeccable.It is a delight and honor to welcome him back as a guest. Enjoy the show.

This week on After Hours, I caught up with Nate Rosen—founder of Express Checkout and snack industry insider—to talk about what's really going on in CPG right now.We get into what's changing with funding, why retail isn't a guaranteed win, and what makes or breaks a brand in today's market. Nate shares honest takes on hydration hype, TikTok Shop chaos, and the difference between creators who build legit brands vs. those just slapping their name on a label.Plus, we unpack what makes a good modern retail brand (hint: it's not just pretty packaging) and why knowing your margins is still the most underrated skill in CPG.If you're building a product, running a brand, or trying to stay ahead of the trends in food, wellness, and consumer behavior, this convo is packed with insight you can actually use.

On today's episode, Kara welcomes Jess Sturzenegger, Founder and CEO of Amara, a baby and kids food company redefining what healthy really means. With a commitment to clean-label ingredients, no added sugar, and nutrient-packed options that actually taste great, Amara is winning over both parents and retailers—and standing out in a crowded category.Jess shares how Amara went from concept to shelf, the challenges and wins of scaling a CPG brand in today's market, and the surprising ways freediving taught her the resilience and mindset needed to lead. This episode is packed with insights for founders, innovators, and anyone passionate about building purpose-driven brands. Don't miss it! 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 Jessica Sturzenegger and Amara:https://amaraorganicfoods.com/https://www.instagram.com/amaraorganicfoodshttps://www.linkedin.com/company/amara-organic-foodshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicasturzenegger/ Sponsored By:Golden Nugget Online Casino - Use promo code KARAGOLDIN and secure your 100% lossback with a minimum five dollar net loss and start spinning today!Shopify - Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at Shopify.com/karaRange Rover Sport - The Range Rover Sport is your perfect ride. Visit RangeRover.com/us/Sport and check it out. Check out our website to view this episode's show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/700

As people who are passionate about purpose-driven CPG brands, we couldn't wait to sit down with Jennifer Jorgensen, CEO of Back to Nature.  She's not just leading the charge at Back to Nature she's revitalizing a legacy brand for today's conscious consumer.  With a powerful blend of empathy, strategy, and bold decision-making, Jennifer demonstrates what it means to lead with both heart and business acumen. In this episode, Rose Hamilton, Founder of Compass Rose Ventures, unpacks the transformation of Back to Nature as it reclaims its roots in plant-based simplicity and moves toward a cleaner, more intentional product line.  From managing reformulation without alienating loyal customers to redefining what “better-for-you” actually means, Jennifer shares the challenges and breakthroughs of modernizing a beloved brand while staying true to its mission. Here are a few highlights from our conversation: * How Jennifer approached reformulating legacy products while maintaining consumer trust   * The strategy behind bringing purpose and profitability together in a crowded CPG landscape   * Lessons on leadership, team culture, and empowering people through change   * Why Back to Nature is leaning into its plant-based identity—and what that means for product innovation   * The importance of transparency, storytelling, and staying grounded in values during brand evolution   Join us in listening to the episode to learn how one leader is thoughtfully scaling a heritage brand with modern relevance and building a stronger future for the next generation of better-for-you foods. For more on Back to Nature, visit: https://www.backtonaturefoods.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave  The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.  Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: REViVE Amazon Marketing Partners: https://revivemp.com/ REViVE Amazon Marketing Partners helps better-for-you CPG brands win on Amazon with niche expertise, founder-led strategy, and a true partnership model. Built by a CPG founder with a successful exit, REViVE only works with brands they believe in. Curious if Amazon is right for you? Book a Free Deep Dive Strategy Session today.

Send us a textThe CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Kathryn Mazza, CMO & President of Red Media at Hy-Vee, the midwest retailer. She leads the growth of the platform. Prior to, she was at Dick's Sporting Goods. This was a conversation ranging from customer loyalty building, retail media, data measurement and of course 'back to basics' in store today.Find Kathryn Mazza on Linkedin at : https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-mazza-6523372a/Find Hy-Vee on Linkedin at : https://www.linkedin.com/company/hy-veeFind Hy-Vee online at : https://www.hy-vee.com/Here's what we asked her : What leadership lessons have you learned in your career that guide you today at Red Media? What inspired you to take on the leadership role at Red Media? What are some of the biggest challenges facing retail media today?Can you share insights on how Red Media integrates with Hy-Vee's e-commerce and in-store experience?How does Red Media help CPG brands maximize their marketing ROI with metrics you share?How does Red Media leverage Hy-Vee's first-party data to enhance advertising effectiveness? What role does personalization play in Red Media's ad strategy?How does AI and machine learning impact Red Media's advertising capabilities?What do you look for in best in class brand and agency partnerships?What is your vision for the future of Red Media over the next five years?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comCPG Scoop Website: http://CPGscoop.comRhea Raj's Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/Subscribe to Chain Drug Review here: https://chaindrugreview.com/#/portal/signupSubscribe to Mass Market Retailers here:https://massmarketretailers.com/#/portal/signupDISCLAIMER: 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.

Maria Chilewicz. VP, Head of Brand at Who Gives A Crap, joins Amanda Ma, CEO & Founder at Innovate Marketing Group to talk about turning bold ideas into brand love. This episode is packed with insights on how to break through the noise with purpose and personality. Listen now!About the guest:Maria, a seasoned brand leader with 17 years of global CPG experience, is dedicated to building brands that benefit both the planet and people. Currently leading the brand team at Who Gives a Crap, she focuses on profitable growth and oversees brand management, communications, and consumer and brand insights. With previous roles at P&G, Coty and Dollar Shave Club, Maria brings expertise in growing brands both in big international organizations and start-up to scale-up businesses, leveraging innovation, consumer insights and visual storytelling.Follow Maria on LinkedIn!EventUp is brought to you by Innovate Marketing Group. An award-winning Corporate Event and Experiential Marketing Agency based in Los Angeles, California. Creating Nationwide Immersive Event Experiences to help brands connect with people. To learn more, click here⁠⁠.At Innovate Marketing Group, we've curated a collection of free resources designed to help you elevate your events and marketing efforts. Whether you're planning a company retreat or navigating the latest event trends, our tools, reports, and checklists are here to support your success and keep you at the forefront of innovation. Click here to learn more!Follow us!Find us on ⁠⁠LinkedIn, ⁠⁠⁠⁠EventUp Podcast, and ⁠⁠Instagram

For the past six years, Circana has collaborated with NYU's Stern Center for Sustainable Business to produce a report on sustainability in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) marketplace. While sustainability-marked products in the U.S. continue to gain share, their research shows that shares of sustainability-marked products are much larger in the UK and Germany. This episode dives into the comparison between the U.S., UK, and Germany, offering insights and inspiration for CPG manufacturers and retailers. Highlights: Many categories with low shares of sustainability-marked products in the U.S. have high shares in EMEA. U.S. manufacturers should revisit claims that matter to shoppers. A market leader moving to sustainability drives the trend for the category. Failing to do so opens the door for challenger brands, which could erode loyalty and share. In Europe, much of the increase in sales of sustainable products is driven by retailers. European retailers are incentivized to adopt sustainable practices, with regulations providing both incentives and penalties. European consumers consider the lack of sustainability to be a barrier to trial.

In this conversation, David Jacobowitz, founder of Nebula Snacks, shares his journey from a childhood filled with sweets to creating a line of luxurious, sugar-free chocolate bites. He discusses the challenges of managing his health, the experimentation process behind developing his products, and the ways in which customer feedback helps shape his brand and product line. David emphasizes the importance of taste in healthy snacks and the benefits of using natural sweeteners that do not spike blood sugar, making his products suitable for those with dietary restrictions. He shares valuable lessons learned from his digital marketing background, emphasizes the significance of maintaining healthy profit margins while growing a CPG company, and the importance of maintaining personal involvement in all aspects of the business.  David wraps up by advocating for a positive relationship with food, because food is meant to be enjoyed, not feared.Takeaways:David's childhood nickname was 'the vacuum' due to his insatiable appetite.He faced obesity and potential diabetes at a young age, leading to a long phase of fad dieting.During COVID, he began experimenting with making his own sugar-free chocolate to get his sweet snacking under control.David aimed to create a product that didn't compromise on taste while being healthier.He used monk fruit and allulose as sweeteners to avoid the aftertaste common in other sugar-free products.The development of his chocolate took years of experimentation and customer feedback.He initially launched with full-size chocolate bars before transitioning to smaller filled cups.Mint chocolate became a top seller despite David's original dislike for that flavor.Customer feedback played a crucial role in flavor development and product offerings.David's products are designed to not spike blood sugar, making them suitable for most diabetics, though different individuals have unique blood sugar responses.Manufacturing challenges can be significant for startups.Protecting profit margins is essential to sustain a business.Pricing should be based on actual costs, not market feelings.Food should be enjoyed, not feared.Transparency in food ingredients is increasingly important.Sound Bites:“The doctor said I was obese, at 10 years old, and I was heading towards diabetes.""I own a Zero sugar chocolate company, but I do still have some sugar.”"You can have a better-for-you product, but if it doesn't taste good, you're solving nobody's issue. Taste matters"“I can't give a hundred percent guarantee that it won't spike your blood sugar because everybody's blood sugar is unique.”“At the end of the day you gotta listen to the customer. They're requesting flavors, they're requesting products, those are the ones I'm gonna be launching.”“Until you reach a certain point, do everything yourself. It's gonna suck, but you will become far more appreciative, learn the ins and outs a lot quicker, and be able to establish firm relationships with your customers."“Protect your margin because once you actually hit scale, particularly in retail, you're going to need it.""Don't price based on feeling and market comps alone. Know your numbers.”"Snacking is my superpower.""Food is meant to be enjoyed, not feared.""The consumer's wisening up, and that's what we're really all about.”Links:David Jacobowitz on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidjacobowitz/Nebula Snacks - https://nebulasnacks.com/Nebula Snacks on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/nebula-snacks/Nebula Snacks on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nebulasnacksNebula Snacks on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nebulasnacksNebula Snacks on X - https://x.com/nebulasnacksNebula Snacks on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@nebulasnacks…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_radioChapters:03:00 - The Sweet Beginnings: David's Journey with Sweets05:39 - From Fad Diets to Sustainable Solutions07:59 - Crafting the Perfect Sugar-Free Chocolate12:00 - Experimentation and Flavor Development18:44 - Customer Feedback and Flavor Evolution24:23 - Understanding Blood Sugar and Health Benefits34:28 - Understanding Blood Sugar and Snacking35:41 - Customer-Centric Product Development37:12 - The Challenges of Manufacturing40:19 - Lessons from Digital Marketing Experience42:37 - Key Lessons from Three and a Half Years45:54 - Advice from CPG Leaders53:37 - Personal Snacking Preferences57:53 - A Better World Through Food01:03:37 - Closing Thoughts and Future Aspirations

I had an absolute blast chatting with Erica Groussman, the bold and fearless founder of TRUBAR. Erica's energy is infectious, and her story is a masterclass in trusting your gut, listening to your body, and never settling for the status quo.  What started as a personal journey to clean up her own nutrition turned into a full-on movement—and a fast-growing brand that's flipping the protein bar category on its head. TRUBAR isn't just another snack—it's a delicious, clean-label product with a powerful “no BS” message at the center. In our conversation, Erica opens up about the highs and lows of building a better-for-you brand, how she broke into mass retail on her own terms, and what it really takes to stand out on shelf and online in a crowded CPG space. Here are a few highlights from our conversation:   * Why Erica believes "permissionless entry" is the key to innovation   * How she went from her kitchen to national retail distribution   * The truth about navigating manufacturing, scaling, and keeping your standards   * Why brand voice and bold packaging are non-negotiables in today's market   * The importance of staying raw, real, and mission-driven—no matter the pressure   Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode and hear how Erica turned a personal health need into a fearless brand that's changing the snack game—one unapologetically clean bite at a time. For more on TRUBAR, visit: https://www.trubar.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand a rating and review.  Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: Augmentum Media - Influencer Marketing for Consumer Brands: https://www.augmentum-media.com/story What secret do fast-growing Health and Wellness brands like Xtendlife, Nourished, and Hunter & Gather share? They all outsource their influencer marketing to the experts at Augmentum. Augmentum is offering "The Story of a Brand Show" listeners a 30-minute consulting session AND a personalized influencer strategy plan built by their experts for you to implement either with them or in-house. Visit the link above to learn more. 

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Erik Muller and Daria Jackson of The FruitGuys, a purpose-driven company providing fresh fruit and clean-label snacks to offices, schools, and organizations across the country.Erik shares insights from FruitGuys' 27-year journey, highlighting its mission to nourish communities, support sustainable agriculture, and create meaningful workplace experiences. Daria, the Snack Category Manager, discusses how she curates their growing CPG assortment, current trends shaping workplace snacking, and what she looks for when partnering with emerging brands.This conversation covers everything from the evolution of office snack programs to practical advice for brands looking to break into corporate wellness spaces. You will gain valuable perspective on what it takes to build a lasting, values-driven food business—and how to get products in front of the right audiences.Don't miss this episode–tune in now!Listen in as they share about:The FruitGuys OverviewCompany Mission and ValuesBusiness Scope and OperationsProduct Strategy & CPG Snack ProgramCustomer Use CasesTrends & Buyer InsightsHow to Work with Fruit GuysOpportunities for BrandsEpisode Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-fruitguys/posts/?feedView=all LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herrmuller/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daria-jackson-44360a136/ Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.Show Links:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics

About the Guest(s):Jason Christensen is an accomplished entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in various industries. He previously founded a home security and automation company which he scaled to become one of the largest in the nation. After selling his first company to private equity, Jason transitioned to academia, becoming an adjunct professor at Brigham Young University, where he teaches entrepreneurial management. Today, Jason is the co-founder of Blue Unicorn, a distinctive CPG brand known for its innovative line of protein bars, bridging his passion for entrepreneurship and health-focused consumer products.Specright eBook - How to define sustainable packaging strategies!* Gartner Report* Packaging Pros eBook* Home Page* Book a demo with SpecrightMeyers has some incredible sustainable packaging options!* Get the 2023 Sustainability Report* Meyers Packaging EPR eBook - it is FREE!!New sponsor is Label King! Check them out at www.thelabelking.comBook a demo with Trayak (LCA's on demand!)SmartSolve has water soluble label and paper materials. Learn more!The Scrapp App is going to revolutionize home and corporate recycling. Download for your device today!Episode Summary:In this vibrant episode of the People of Packaging Podcast, host Adam Peek sits down with Jason Christensen, co-founder of Blue Unicorn, to explore the intriguing journey of entrepreneurship from security systems to the food industry. With roots in Utah, Blue Unicorn has quickly gained attention for its uniquely delicious and nutritious protein bars. As they dive into the complexities of launching a CPG brand, Jason shares insights into product development, packaging, and the strategic decisions that come with transitioning industries.The conversation unfolds with Jason providing a narrative on the bar's creation, a serendipitous collaboration with Dr. Luke Talley, a food scientist responsible for the bar's formulation. Highlighting the conceptualization and branding process, the episode captures the essence of innovation with the development of the bar's mascot—a unicorn inspired by the fluffy delicacy of alpacas. Amidst conversations about their creative journey, Jason discusses the hurdles and triumphs of producing a compelling product, managing production logistics, and meeting regulatory standards, underscoring the entrepreneurial resilience instilled through his professor role at BYU.Key Takeaways:* Jason Christensen's journey from the home security industry to co-founding Blue Unicorn highlights the versatility and expansiveness of entrepreneurial ventures.* Despite challenges in production and logistics, Blue Unicorn maintains a strategic control over product quality by producing their bars in-house.* The product's uniqueness stems from its low sugar content and incredible taste, positioning it as a standout in the crowded protein bar market.* Creative branding, including the creation of a unicorn mascot, plays a pivotal role in Blue Unicorn's market differentiation and consumer engagement.* Distribution strategies are evolving as Blue Unicorn seeks to expand its retail presence while managing online direct-to-consumer sales and shipping logistics.Notable Quotes:* "When I tried it, I was just completely blown away. I was like, this is like a treat." - Jason Christensen* "I described it as a unicorn because it was like, off the chart…this isn't real." - Jason Christensen* "Despite the variety in the market, our product stands out with its unique taste and nutritional profile." - Jason Christensen* "We had to learn a lot about packaging, measuring the bars, determining the box sizes, and ensuring everything was regulation compliant." - Jason Christensen* "We're evolving rapidly, adapting to the growing demand, and finding new ways to reach our customers." - Jason ChristensenResources:* Blue Unicorn: blueunicorn.com* Brigham Young University Entrepreneurial Management Department* Super Top Secret — Creative agency involved in Blue Unicorn's brandingIn this enlightening episode, Adam Peek and Jason Christensen carve out the intricacies of maneuvering through different industries. Whether you're interested in entrepreneurship, packaging innovation, or just the fascinating story of Blue Unicorn, this episode delivers engaging insights. Tune in for more captivating episodes of the People of Packaging podcast, where the stories behind the scenes are brought to the forefront. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.packagingisawesome.com

Sam Nebel is the Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of Goodwipes, an eco-friendly personal care brand known for its flushable and biodegradable wipes. He launched the brand with his college friend to create a stigma-free alternative to traditional bathroom products. Sam is also a board member of the Responsible Flushing Alliance and was a Regional Manager and a founding team member at Party Degree, where he catalyzed the growth of one of its branches to over seven figures in annual event and nightclub sales.  In this episode… Some consumer products entrepreneurs stall when trying to scale from $10 to $100 million in revenue. They often underestimate operations, overestimate the impact of marketing, and delay building scalable systems until it's too late. What does it take to build a durable, category-leading brand that lasts? Operations-focused entrepreneur Sam Nebel scaled his brand by committing to operational excellence, product superiority, and category leadership. He emphasizes the importance of establishing supplier relationships early, hiring specialized talent to elevate execution, and prioritizing product quality and the consumer experience. Data-driven decision-making is crucial for outperforming the competition and positioning your brand as a category leader. Sam also recommends planning your infrastructure ahead of growth by reverse-engineering from long-term goals and identifying the capacities, vendor relationships, and supply chain redundancies needed to scale.  In the latest episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris sits down with Sam Nebel, Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Goodwipes, to discuss building and scaling a high-performing CPG brand. Sam talks about shifting your role as a founder to scale, how operations impact product performance, and the value of consumer-driven product design.

Points of discussion:—Read the 2025 Beer Branding Trends Report here: https://cododesign.com/2025-beer-branding-trends-review/—Q1: How often do you think a brewery should be refreshing its packaging? You said every four or five years in the article, but what if things are going well by that time? Does it still make sense to refresh your packaging if sales are strong and you're happy with how everything looks?Q2: You wrote about flat sales as a possible reason for a brand or package refresh, but what if your sales are in a state of rapid decline, say, 10 to 12% down each year since 2022?Q3: Is there a way to win in the lager segment today? It seems like Montucky and Garage Beer are so dominant that even larger craft breweries are behind the power curve. Is it worth it for a smaller brewery to attempt to play in this space right now?Q4: Thanks for including the Babe-centric thought here. This is something our (mostly female) marketing team has discussed a lot over the last year. Similar to your take, we're not offended, but do wonder if the type of person that this resonates with is even be a craft beer drinker at all?Q5: What are your thoughts on the “bifurcation” trend. This looks great, but I see it everywhere. How do you guys handle it when a look like that makes sense for a brewery, but is super common in their market?Q6: What role do you see for Ai tools like Canva or Midjourney at smaller breweries with limited resources? Is this a great asset for them, or a major threat for in-house designers? Or, both? And maybe a related — or a bonus question? — what impact do you think this will have on the design industry?-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 8,000+ food and bev industry pros who are subscribed to the Beer Branding Trends Newsletter (and access all past issues) at: www.beerbrandingtrends.com 

Trump is back…but should stakeholders operating within the intersecting CPG categories of functional foods, functional beverages, and nutritional supplements be cheerful about his return to the oval office? This will certainly not sound like a “hot take” or anything, but the second Trump presidential term will undoubtedly offer a mixture of risk and reward…ushering in a new era of market volatility. As press secretary Karoline Leavitt recently pointed out, "there has never been a president who communicates with the American people as openly and authentically as Donald Trump.” But while I personally enjoy that operating model…it does create an economic environment that I recently described to an industry colleague as “best suited for master sailors.” And that's because the art of both the sailor (and businessperson) is to leave nothing to chance…but sailors are artists whose medium is the wind and today's businesspeople must be artists whose medium is correctly spotting Donald Trump's subtle hints that reveal upcoming events. Furthermore, I believe a key to potentially benefitting from the Trump 2.0 “driver of demand” requires understanding how to position against a few of his known (but converging) “the art of the deal” tendencies. And these would be (1) a little hyperbole never hurts, (2) confirm an impression they were already predisposed to believe, (3) never get too attached to one deal or one approach, and (4) sometimes your best decisions are the ones you don't make. Finally, it's extremely important to consider rate of speed and level of efficiency surrounding Trump 2.0 changes. Since this is a “been here, done that” kind of thing, Trump won't fumble through the initial phase of his term he will have a better understanding around bottlenecks and getting around chokepoints…including how to flex unilateral powers. Also, given that the House and Senate are Republican majorities (at least for the next two years), that political trifecta usually creates efficiency and makes for stickier policy changes. But the inspiration behind my latest first principles thinking content piece (or I guess content miniseries) was a Trump 2.0 section titled “rhetoric foreshadowing action is greater than embellished negotiation tactics” that I included into many of functional CPG brand and supply side client presentations during the last quarter of 2024. And while each of those client presentations were packed with diverse personalized insights…I'm confident this “Trump 2.0” content miniseries, filled with a refined (and expanded) version of my generalized “base case” strategies, will be extremely valuable to my regular audience. And I figured the final part should be "commerce" because it has a complex interplay with those previous parts. And to help everyone envision what's included within this part, it will start with the consumer spending and transition into areas that directly influence consumer behavior (e.g. social media like TikTok), before commencing around the underlying drivers impacting aspects of offline and online retail. You'll often hear veteran professionals throw around the claim that “the supplement industry is recession proof (or recession resistant),” but I wouldn't blindly put trust in that anecdote…as every economic downturn is different. But whether the current economic environment turns negative enough (and for long enough) to be deemed “the R word” shouldn't be what's overly worrisome.

In this episode, Daniel Scharff shares an exciting new opportunity for emerging CPG brands: the Startup CPG Innovation Section at the upcoming UNFI Selling Shows. For the first time ever, Startup CPG is partnering with UNFI to showcase innovative brands not yet working with the distributor — offering 10 free tabletop spots at their July shows in Las Vegas (July 15–17) and Mohegan Sun (July 29–31).Daniel explains why this opportunity is a game-changer, highlighting the exclusive access to top retailers and UNFI team members, and how distributor account managers can play a critical role in brand success. He also shares personal insights from his own experience exhibiting at these shows and building vital industry connections.

What if your inventory could forecast itself—or your website merchandised itself based on who was browsing? This week, I'm joined by Drew Marconi, CEO and co-founder of Intelligems.io, to explore how AI is unlocking new ways for brands to manage forecasting, pricing, and marketing. If you've been curious about how AI can actually improve your margins (not just make cool images), you'll want to tune in. Listen in as Drew breaks down how AI is reshaping eCommerce, from hyper-personalized site experiences to margin-aware merchandising strategies. We also talk about the difference between forecasting for fashion versus CPG, why most brands are wasting money on acquisition, and how to build an AI foundation that works. Plus, Drew shares practical tips on how to start testing AI in your business—even if you're skeptical. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/4kPYBZO Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners?  Learn more here.   Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups?  Subscribe via email.

Are they breakout stars or just... confusing? Pizza wine, salmon jerky, kava & mushroom-infused drinks, Gen Z-inspired peanut butter and “cheezy” puff snacks. Why we're thumbs up – or down – on buzzworthy new concepts in CPG. This episode also spotlights two remarkable women on a mission to elevate the way we eat: Holly Arbuckle of Singing Pastures and Swati Elavia of Monsoon Kitchens. Show notes: 0:35: Last Call. Coffee Comeback? Mo' Money For David & Moment. Yes, No, Ugh? Good Data. – BevNET Live Summer 2025 is days away. Do you have your ticket? John thinks RTD coffee is back on track, but why? Ray highlights David's $75M haul and purchase of a key supplier, as well as Moment's new $5M round. What's trending in Spate's Q2 food & beverage data? Insiders already know. It's a simple yes or no question, but we can't help ourselves when it comes to new and innovative products. 39:06: Interview: Holly Arbuckle, CEO, Singing Pastures – Fresh off her win at Naturally New England's Naturally Rising pitch competition, Holly shares the story behind Singing Pastures, a premium brand of fermented, slow-smoked meat sticks rooted in regenerative farming practices. She talks about her agricultural roots, the value of nutrient-dense food, and her vision for a more sustainable meat industry. 52:08: Interview: Swati Elavia, President, Monsoon Kitchens – A nutritionist with a deep love for Indian cuisine, Swati discusses Monsoon Kitchens' journey from serving institutions to launching retail products. She reflects on the challenges of scaling, the importance of staying true to culinary traditions, and her commitment to offering clean-ingredient Indian meals. Brands in this episode: Singing Pastures, Monsoon Kitchens, Starbucks, David, Moment, Brightland, Yellowtail, Mello, Bashi, One Trick Pony, Hippeas, Like Air, IQ Bar