Podcasts about cpg

This episode is brought to you by Novi. Novi is the infrastructure powering brand growth in AI commerce. By connecting brands, certification bodies, and major retailers, Novi ensures verified product data is accurate, consistent, and surfaced where shoppers and AI models search, turning credibility into authority, visibility, and conversion. Learn more at noviconnect.com As we look ahead to the next holiday season, will your marketing strategy even matter if an AI agent is making the final recommendation for the consumer? Agility requires more than just the latest AI tools. It sometimes requires fundamentally re-engineering how your brand earns visibility and trust in an algorithm-driven world. It demands a shift from winning clicks on a search page to becoming the definitive answer for an AI agent. Today, we're going to talk about how agentic AI is quietly becoming the new gatekeeper between brands and consumers, radically changing e-commerce discovery and purchase behavior, especially in the CPG and retail space. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Kimberly Shenk, CEO at Novi, our Resident Expert on AI-Driven Commerce. Kimberly, welcome to the show! About Kimberly Shenk Kimberly Shenk is co-founder and CEO of Novi, a technology company that helps CPG brands and retailers ensure consumers can easily discover and select their products when using AI assistants to shop. A serial tech entrepreneur, Shenk has led data science teams at early and midstage startups such as Eventbrite, Domino Data Labs and NakedPoppy, where she was a co-founder and Head of Product. Before transitioning to the private sector, Shenk served as a United States Air Force Captain for five years, holding the chief data scientist position at the Pacific Air Force headquarters in Hawaii. She holds a BS from the U.S. Air Force Academy and an MS in data science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 2025, she was named to the Inc. Female Founders 500 list for a second time. Kimberly Shenk on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberlyshenk/ Resources Novi: https://www.noviconnect.com/ This episode is brought to you by Novi. Novi is the infrastructure powering brand growth in AI commerce. By connecting brands, certification bodies, and major retailers, Novi ensures verified product data is accurate, consistent, and surfaced where shoppers and AI models search, turning credibility into authority, visibility, and conversion. Learn more at noviconnect.com Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/Drive your customers to new horizons at the premier retail event of the year for Retail and Brand marketers. Learn more at CRMC 2026, June 1-3. https://www.thecrmc.com/ Enjoyed the show? Tell us more at and give us a rating so others can find the show at: https://ratethispodcast.com/agileConnect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Ilay Karateke is the co-founder and CEO of Bezi, the labneh brand on a mission to make the Middle Eastern spreadable cheese a mainstream category in America. On this episode of ITS, Ilay walks Ali through the primary questions she continually asks herself as she's building Bezi, explains why she is turning down bigger distribution, and why slow and steady is key when you're working with constraints like the refrigerator and awareness.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by becoming a member!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join Chris Walton and Anne Mezzenga for their second annual NRF must-see tech preview, showcasing five breakthrough retail technologies solving critical operational challenges. From AI employees autonomously negotiating supplier contracts to overhead RFID achieving 99% inventory accuracy, discover the solutions delivering measurable ROI and transforming how retailers operate in 2026. Featured companies and innovations: • Gain - AI employees Natalie and Bob executing end-to-end supplier negotiations and replenishment, closing deals from repair parts to $2-3M agreements • ESW - Cross-border commerce platform reducing international duties by 60% and enabling launches across 200+ countries without the $2.5-4.5M per-country build cost • PervasID - Overhead RFID technology (Trackmaster 3X) delivering 98-99% stock accuracy with 6-8 month ROI and 5-10% sales increases through improved on-shelf availability • Diebold Nixdorf - Visual AI at checkout reducing shrink from 3% to under 1% through intelligent nudging, with 80% of shoppers self-rectifying when prompted about missed scans • Cleveron - Robotic parcel lockers deployed in 300+ Zara stores across 38 countries, eliminating click-and-collect friction with QR code scan delivery in seconds Whether you're a retail technology executive planning your NRF booth strategy, building your 2026 technology roadmap, or looking to move beyond pilots to production deployments, this preview delivers real deployment data, ROI calculations, and operational insights from retailers like Zara, H & M, Calvin Klein, and other major CPG companies already scaling these solutions. #RetailTechnology #NRF2026 #AgenticAI #CrossBorderCommerce #RFID #ComputerVision #RetailAutomation

In this episode of the Power Producers Podcast, host David Carothers interviews Heather McKinnon, a "Protege" contestant from Horizon Insurance Services in Columbus, Ohio. Heather shares her atypical journey into the insurance world, transitioning from a background in biochemistry and CPG brand management to joining her husband's agency. They discuss the chaotic reality of balancing family life (including holiday stress and broken appliances) with the demands of being a producer, why "solving and serving" is the most effective form of selling, and how new producers can leverage referral networks to build trust before they even walk in the room. Key Highlights: The "Atypical" Path to Insurance Heather describes her background in biochemistry and brand management before being "recruited" by her husband to join the family agency. While she jokingly calls herself atypical, David points out that almost no one plans to go into insurance—most successful producers stumble into it from other careers. Solving and Serving IS Selling Heather admits she doesn't like "selling" in the traditional sense but loves solving problems. David validates this, noting that the best producers are often educators and problem solvers who don't need to use high-pressure tactics because they lead with value and solutions. The Power of Walking Away David shares a detailed story about a prospect with messy data and four other agents involved. By setting boundaries, demanding transparency (unredacted policies), and being willing to walk away, he flipped the power dynamic and won the account. This serves as a masterclass for new producers on why scarcity creates value. Time Management Sprints David breaks down his 50/10 rule for productivity: working with intense focus for 50 minutes (no phone, no email) and then taking a 10-minute break. This simple system eliminates distractions and ensures that no client waits longer than an hour for a response. Building a Referral Ecosystem For new producers battling imposter syndrome, David advises building a referral network with B2B salespeople (payroll, IT, etc.) who are calling on the same accounts. By establishing regular accountability meetings and sharing target lists, producers can generate warm leads and bypass the cold-calling grind. Connect with: David Carothers LinkedIn Heather McKinnon LinkedIn Kyle Houck LinkedIn Visit Websites: Power Producer Base Camp Horizon Insurance Services Killing Commercial Crushing Content Power Producers Podcast Policytee The Dirty 130 The Extra 2 Minutes

Strong execution is what separates momentum from noise and Delivra Health Brands (TSXV: DHB | OTCQB: DHBUF) continues to build on the progress achieved in 2025. In this interview, President & CEO Gord Davey shares how the company is translating product innovation, disciplined cost control, and channel expansion into real market performance.The discussion covers how Dream Water® and LivRelief™ are impacting everyday lives, why new product formats and international expansion matter, and how the company continues to deliver positive EBITDA while reinvesting in growth. Furthermore, the CEO offers a look at what investors should be watching as the company moves into 2026.Learn more about Delivra Health Brands: https://www.delivrahealthbrands.com/Watch the full YouTube interview here: https://youtu.be/uxY95lHlApEAnd follow us to stay updated: https://www.youtube.com/@GlobalOneMedia

I'm thrilled to be interviewing fellow Irish person, Phil Martin, founder of Blanco Niño, to explore how an obsession with quality turned a burrito bar frustration into a multi-million-euro tortilla brand.... (cont'd below)============================================================The Brand Growth Heroes Mini MBA 2026 is back.Built for founders, marketers and brand leaders who want to grow brands the right way — with practical frameworks, real case studies and honest insight.Applications open: Monday 5th January 2026Applications close: Midnight Sunday, 25th January 2026Limited places availableAll info & how to apply visit: https://www.brandgrowthheroes.com/mini-mba-2026============================================================(Cont'd) Phil shares the unlikely path that took him from Ireland to Mexico in search of real corn tortillas and why learning how things fail allowed him to build something better. This is a conversation about how to turn craft into something that scales and choosing the long road when shortcuts would have been easier.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeWhy Phil flew to Mexico with no contacts and asked to learn how to grow cornHow discovering real tortillas completely reset his understanding of qualityWhy it takes three days to make a Blanco Niño tortilla chip and why that mattersThe brutal realities of building a food factory from scratch (and nearly importing a “blowtorch attached to a tractor”)How Blanco Niño scaled from foodservice to retail and towards €10M in revenueWhy knowing every way something can fail allows you to push quality to the edgeThe personal cost of trying to do everything yourself and how founders avoid burnoutWhat it really means to build a challenger brand without shortcutsA big favour!So many of you regularly write to tell us how helpful Brand Growth Heroes interviews have been for you, how much you've learned and how it has helped you grow your consumer branded business...and we are so grateful every time we hear this!The podcast is something we do as a labour of love, so if our work has helped YOU, please please can you pay it forward by clicking FOLLOW & WRITING A SHORT REVIEW at the bottom of THIS page (by clicking Ratings and Reviews)Each review we get makes a MASSIVE difference to our business, the algorithms that performance it and the number of listeners THANK YOU.Useful linksConnect with Phil Martin on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipmichaelmartin/Connect with Blanco Niño on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/blanco-nino/Blanco Niño website https://www.blanco-nino.com/Follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/helloblanconinoFollow on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/helloblanconinoThe book Phil mentioned: The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday============================================================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 you to 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 for the second year running.If you'd like to get in touch to find out more, why don't you drop them a line at hello@joelsonlaw.com==============================================.  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 episode 101 of Venture Everywhere, Jenny Fielding, co-founder and managing partner at Everywhere Ventures, talks with Ryan Lupberger, founder and CEO of Cleancult, a sustainable cleaning products company revolutionizing the household cleaning category with innovative paper-based packaging that eliminates plastic waste. Ryan shares his unconventional journey from working on organic farms to discovering the largely unregulated world of cleaning product ingredients. He discusses the realities of building a sustainable CPG brand that can compete with industry giants without compromising on price or performance.In this episode, you will hear:Building custom manufacturing infrastructure for liquid soap in paper cartons from scratch.Scaling from D2C to nationwide distribution across major retailers.Achieving price parity with legacy brands through volume, partnerships, and operational discipline.Expanding the product portfolio with innovative plastic-free formats across cleaning categories.Learn more about Ryan Lupberger | CleancultLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanlupbergerWebsite: https://www.cleancult.comLearn more about Scott Hartley | Everywhere VenturesLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennyfieldingWebsite: https://everywhere.vc

Points of discussion:1. Sub Brand Use Cases for Your Brewery [BBT Newsletter]2. In-house with Rhinegeist3. On the perils of releasing a budget brand [BBT Newsletter]4. How we built the Cold Drinking Beer brand [Case Study]-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 

Bryan from Market 49 Fine Foods joins Phil and Kenny to share the story of how a COVID-era side hustle for bored chefs turned into a thriving frozen meal business that's redefining quality in the freezer aisle.What started as cooking for friends and family who couldn't or wouldn't cook has grown into a multi-location operation across BC's Lower Mainland. Bryan opens up about his culinary journey that began out of challenge (pushing back against his mom's lunches as a kid), his 100+ years of combined chef experience with his partners, and why they saw a massive gap in the frozen food market.In this conversation, you'll hear about Market 49's unique approach to premium frozen meals, their strategic distribution through independent retailers like Williams and Urban Fare, their pop-up model testing new markets, and the challenges of scaling a food business while maintaining chef-quality standards. Bryan also shares insights on pricing strategy, the realities of running a commercial kitchen, why they've avoided the Big 3 grocery chains, and how they're building a loyal customer base across Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, and beyond.Whether you're a food entrepreneur looking to break into retail, curious about the frozen food category, or just want to understand how small brands grow in Canada's competitive CPG landscape, this episode delivers practical insights and real talk about building a food business from the ground up. Check out Market 49 here: https://market49.ca/Find Bryan here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-swartz-936a122b0/

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Marta Bowles, Chief Communications Officer and Global Marketing Centers of Excellence at NielsenIQ. This conversation is all about NIQ's latest consumer habits and trends report published Sept 2025. We also cover what to expect in 2026.Follow Marta on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martabowles/Follow NielsenIQ on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nielseniq/posts/?feedView=allConsumer habits report download : https://nielseniq.com/global/en/insights/report/2024/mid-year-consumer-outlook-guide-to-2025/Here's what we asked her : Marta, let's start by understanding what these reports are, when did you release them and what data inputs went into them?Your report says 2026 will be defined by consumer caution—even among financially thriving households. Why do you think this cautious mindset is sticking around, and how should brands respond to this ‘insurance mentality' consumers seem to have?Two-thirds of consumers say brand trust is very important. In a world where ‘less is more,' how can brands earn and maintain that trust—especially when shoppers are cutting back and being more intentional with their purchases?AI is rewriting product discovery, but there's still distrust in AI-driven shopping. How do you see this tension playing out? Will consumers embrace AI as a shopping assistant, or will skepticism slow adoption?You talk about retail media networks and creator commerce as game-changers for visibility. How do you see the balance shifting between traditional retail strategies and these new digital-first approaches in 2026?Historically, shopping started with intent — increasing, platform like TikTok Shop show us that it now begins with inspiration. How is the consumer changing how they shop?Private label is no longer just a trade-down option—it's becoming a first choice. What's driving this shift, and how should national brands rethink their competitive playbook?Your report mentions anti-obesity medications, functional snacking, and commodity volatility as catalysts for change. Which of these trends do you think will have the biggest impact on CPG innovation in 2026—and why?We see a note on consumers to prioritize core expenses over many CPG items own 2026. What does this mean?Marta, with all the uncertainty and change consumers are navigating, what makes you most excited about 2026? And why should brands and retailers see this as a year of opportunity rather than just challenge?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comSheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/Rhea Raj's Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual's use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.

Karl and Erum kick off 2026 with deep reflections on prosperity, consciousness, and the idea that we might be living in a simulation. But the real focus is on a concept that could make or break biotech companies: orchestration. They dive into why most biotech innovations outside of pharma struggle to commercialize and introduce the idea of value chain syndication—bringing together innovators, manufacturers, investors, and big incumbents to create entire ecosystems rather than just individual deals. Using examples like K18 Hair's marketing orchestration and the urgent need to replace Red Dye 40, they break down how founders can architect strategic "seed deals" that build toward transformative industry shifts. This isn't about traditional sales or business development—it's about becoming the center of an ecosystem that includes everyone from ingredient suppliers to end customers. With tailwinds from geopolitical changes, supply chain concerns, and increasing demand for bio-based solutions, the time for orchestration is now. Whether you're a founder trying to scale or a big company looking to innovate, this episode shows you how to think bigger than your own company and build the infrastructure for a bio-based future.Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters:(00:00:00) - Welcome and New Year reflections from California and Cape Town(00:01:00) - Prosperity, money circulation, and building a better society(00:04:23) - Consciousness, simulation theory, and the philosophy of everything(00:09:00) - Why we're replaying the orchestration episode(00:10:00) - What is orchestration and why it's not just sales or business development(00:15:00) - Why biotech companies struggle to commercialize outside pharma(00:18:00) - Value chain syndication and manufacturing orchestration explained(00:20:00) - Seed deals: How to start small and build toward the big picture(00:22:00) - The Red Dye 40 case study: Architecting an ecosystem for change(00:27:00) - Why founders need to think differently and become deal architects(00:31:00) - Why now? Geopolitical and economic tailwinds for biomanufacturing(00:34:00) - Risks, rewards, and the 5-10 year arc of ecosystem building(00:37:00) - Final reflections and how to get started with orchestrationLinks and Resources:MessaginglabNational Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology's Report: Charting the Future of BiotechnologyRed Dye ban153. Ghosts of Biotech Past: Veronica Breckenridge's Playbook for Smarter Scaling149. Beyond Capital: Phil Morle of Main Sequence Ventures on Collaboration as the New Competitive Edge120. Busting Biotech's Bottlenecks: Veronica Breckenridge on the Path to Industrial Scale26. Breaking Bad Hair Habits with Biology: Suveen Sahib's K18 Rescues Your StrandsStar Talk Neil deGrasse TysonTopics Covered: biotech, CPG, business models, industry, bacterial cellulose, fermentationHave a question or comment? Message us here:Text or Call (804) 505-5553 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Grow Everything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email: groweverything@messaginglab.comMusic by: NihiloreProduction by: Amplafy Media

In this episode of FP&A Unlocked, host Paul Barnhurst talks with Andrew Hull, a seasoned finance leader in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. They explore the role of FP&A professionals in driving business results, navigating inflation, and transitioning from traditional budgeting to impactful analytics.Andrew Hull is a financial executive with over two decades of experience in CPG. Currently the Vice President of Finance at UNFI Canada, Andrew has a proven track record of partnering with business leaders to deliver results through strategic insights and principled financial analysis. With a competitive spirit and passion for team leadership, Andrew shares his unique approach to FP&A, analytics, and the importance of actionable storytelling.Expect to Learn:The three pillars of great FP&A are technical skills, storytelling, and actionable decisions.Why Andrew advocates for changing FP&A to “FA&P” and focusing more on analytics.Lessons learned from leading finance during the pandemic.Key metrics for success in the distribution industry include variable margin and truck utilization.Practical advice for accelerating budget processes and focusing on analytics that drive results.Here are a few relevant quotes from the episode:"The most value FP&A can add is when we take complex data and distill it into actionable insights." - Andrew Hull"Variable margin is the backbone of understanding financial performance in a distribution business."- Andrew Hull"A one-page visual with clear recommendations is the best way to communicate with executives."- Andrew HullAndrew Hull shared a wealth of knowledge for FP&A professionals, including rethinking the role of analytics to the importance of actionable storytelling. His practical advice on managing inflation, leading during a crisis, and accelerating the budgeting process offers valuable lessons. Follow Andrew:LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewhull4/Follow Paul: Website - https://www.thefpandaguy.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thefpandaguyEarn Your CPE Credit For CPE credit please go to earmarkcpe.com, listen to the episode, download the app, and answer a few questions and earn your CPE certification. To earn education credits for FPAC Certificate, take the quiz on earmark and contact Paul Barnhurst for further details.In Today's Episode[01:59] - Meet Andrew Hull[02:50] - Redefining Great FP&A[06:46] - Career Highlights in CPG[10:35] - Leading Finance at UNFI Canada[18:55] - Managing Inflation with Analytics[22:24] - The Art of Storytelling in...

Ready to separate fact from fiction in the creator economy? This wee we welcome industry insider Lissette, who shares her expert insights on what truly builds influence, dispels common myths about monetization, and explores the real stories behind authentic online growth. If you want actionable strategies for creators, brands, and multi-hyphenate entrepreneurs, stop hovering and press play.   Lissette Calveiro is a Latina entrepreneur, content creator, and business coach for influencers and personal brands navigating the creator economy with intention. As the founder of Influence With Impact®, she leads a creator-first consultancy offering business coaching, talent management, and strategic education to help creators turn influence into income without losing the human behind the brand. With over a decade in the creator economy, Lissette is also a seasoned influencer marketing expert who has managed more than $5 million in brand partnerships across CPG, finance, lifestyle, and tech. She has been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, and Fortune, and is a speaker who brings real talk and real strategy to every stage, including VidCon, Instagram Creator Week, Create and Cultivate, Google HQ, and the White House's first Creator Economy Summit. She is known for bridging the gap between creators and the industry, bringing transparency to monetization, negotiation, and sustainable growth. ------------------------ In today's episode, we cover the following: Lissette's background and mission Differences between influencers and creators Content creation as a core business skill How to develop your personal brand and message Shifts and challengers in brand-creator partnerships Navigating disruptions in brand partnerships Politics, social issues, and entrepreneurship Authenticity, vulnerability, community The impact of social media and parasocial relationships Multiple revenue streams and the gig economy Prioritizing slow living ---------------------- RESOURCES: Episode 059: Client Case Study with Influence with Impact ----------------------- Guest info: To learn more about Lissette and Influence with Impact, follow them on Instagram and Tik Tok @LissetteCalv and visit their website InfluenceWithImpact.co ----------------------- Boring packaging? Forgettable branding? StickerGiant fixes that with custom stickers and labels designed to make your brand stick—literally. Use code KMA25 at stickergiant.com for 25% off your first order. ----------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO.   Connect on social with Michelle at: Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group Instagram Tik Tok ----------------------- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee! ----------------------- This episode is brought to you by Zencastr. Create high quality video and audio content. Get your first two weeks free at https://zencastr.com/?via=kma . ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma.   This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

Did you know there's a paradox of distinctive brand assets…where the most effective asset types are used least? Every founder is consumed by recognizable visual elements like logos or brand colors. But what about the strategic use of sound across touchpoints to create memorable emotional connections, improve recognition, and differentiate a brand? In today's short form content era, strong sonic cues or fun jingles are grossly underutilized! Either way, visuals shouldn't be the only part of your brand experience…especially within ingestible CPG categories where the other senses are even more influential.

Snaxshot, the curatorial and slightly mercurial grocery newsletter and community, has grown into an industry force, read by consumer packaged goods executives and members of the food media on a near-religious level. (We are among these readers.) Andrea Hernández returns to the show to go over the big headlines from the year at the grocery store and in the CPG trenches. We talk about shorting protein, Stiller's Soda, and Starbucks's stumbles, and we play a fun game of “WTF is up with…”... It's a fun conversation about the year in food and grocery. Also on the show we have a great conversation with Winston Alfieri, co-founder of upstart pasta sauce company Sauz. We talk about pay-to-play, scaling up as the “hot kids on the block”, and how to differentiate in the crowded pasta sauce category.    Have a future guest request? A restaurant we should visit? Take the ⁠⁠⁠⁠This Is TASTE listener survey⁠⁠⁠⁠. We really appreciate the feedback. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Milk Check, Ted Jacoby III welcomes Lloyd Metzger and TJ Jacoby of Valley Queen Cheese Company for a deep dive into the science, functionality and future of dairy proteins. The conversation starts at the molecular level – the difference between casein and whey – and builds toward the real-world implications for product developers, processors and nutrition brands. We cover: Why casein is built to carry calcium (and whey isn’t) How heat and pH change protein behavior Fast versus slow digestion and why both matter The role of whey protein in muscle maintenance, aging and GLP-1 nutrition What pro cream really is and why its value may be underestimated Why cellular agriculture is more niche than threat If you work in dairy, food formulation or nutrition, this is a protein conversation worth digesting. Got questions? We'd love to hear them. Submit below, and we might answer it on the show. Ask The Milk Check TMC-Intro-final[00:00:00]Ted Jacoby III: Hi everybody, and thank you for joining us today for this very special recording of the Milk Check Podcast. Today, our topic is: what is the future of dairy proteins? And we have two very special guests. The first is Lloyd Metzger, VP of Quality and Technical Services for Valley Queen Cheese Company, and formerly Professor of Dairy Science at South Dakota State University. And the second, particularly special to me, is my son TJ Jacoby, Whey Technologist for Valley Queen. A South Dakota State graduate. Someone who has been interested in dairy proteins since his first biology class in high school. Guys, thank you for joining us today and welcome to The Milk Check. Lloyd Metzger: Glad to be here. TJ Jacoby: Good to be on, Dad. Ted Jacoby III: It’s December 18th, 2025. Milk production in the US is up 4%. Milk production in Europe is up something similar. Milk production in New Zealand is up. Milk production in Argentina is up. We are definitely in an [00:01:00] environment today where the supply of milk and dairy is overwhelming demand, at least for the moment. Cheese prices are near historical lows. Butter prices are near historical lows. Nonfat milk, skim milk powder prices are on the low end of the range. This market is a market that feels heavy, and I think most people out there would say, it almost feels like even though we’re at lows, we may actually go lower before we go higher. And yet, on the other hand, there are whey proteins, Josh, if I’m not mistaken, whey proteins just hit historical highs. Josh White: Maybe the highest prices we’ve ever seen for whey protein isolate and WPC 80. Ted Jacoby III: So, we have an environment where the demand on the protein side is extremely strong, and the trends on protein consumption are extremely strong and really feel like they’re gonna be around for quite some time. We’ve got baby boomers retiring and whether it’s because of GLP-1s or it’s just a general knowledge and understanding of what human nutritional needs are as people age, they know that they need more protein in their [00:02:00] diet. So, it begs the question: what is going on with dairy proteins and whey proteins and how is this going to evolve in such a unique market where demand is so strong for protein right now? And so, I’m gonna ask the question first. What’s the difference at a molecular level between whey proteins and milk proteins? Because when we’re in an environment like we are now, where you’ve got the demand really, really high, you also have a market that’s gonna start looking for alternatives, simply because prices are so high. What is the difference between milk proteins in general and whey protein specifically? Lloyd Metzger: It’s important to talk about from a functional perspective how the proteins are different. I’m sure we’ll get into the nutritional differences between those proteins as well. It’s important to understand what’s driving those differences in functional characteristics. And it’s really all about calcium. The casein system is designed to carry calcium. The whey protein system is not designed to carry calcium. That differentiates the two groups of [00:03:00] proteins and makes their properties very different. TJ Jacoby: I’ll explain it like this. Milk proteins, there’s two classes of proteins, right? There’s casein and then there’s whey. The casein is used to make cheese, and then the whey protein is what comes off. So, the whey protein is everything that is not used to make cheese. So, the reason why casein proteins works so well for cheese because those proteins like to fall together in these spheres, they like to stick to one another. They like to stick to one another ’cause they have certain groups that latch onto the calcium and then they bridge with phosphate. When they do, they have multiple proteins, different types of casein proteins that bridge together with phosphate and then based on their repulsion forces, they stick together. Calcium and phosphates really help it stick when we make cheese. The outside of that casein, micelle, that ball, when we make cheese, that outside is stripped off, it becomes hydrophobic, and that causes those spheres to stick together. That’s a huge functional property of casein. Whey [00:04:00] protein is the opposite. Whey protein is really hydrophillic. It’s very polar. So, they like to float around in solution and stay floating around in solution. And they don’t like casein. It likes to stay separate from casein. And so, when you make cheese, it readily is released into the whey stream because it likes to stick with the water. In the same way, those kind of stick together with these sulfur groups. But when you heat it up, they unfold. And when they unfold, now there’s certain reactions that can take place. So, those are the two major differences between casein and whey. Lloyd, what did I miss? Lloyd Metzger: I would try to simplify it a little bit. The difference between casein and whey protein is casein is what’s trapped when we make cheese. And whey protein is the soluble protein that’s left over in the water phase of cheese. Cheese making is a dehydration process. We concentrate the fat and protein that’s in milk, the casein version of protein in milk. But you gotta look at the properties of those two [00:05:00] systems and the groups of protein. So, the casein protein is actually really stable to heat, but it is not stable to pH. So, casein will always coagulate at low pH. So, you lower the pH of milk, you get a yogurt-like product. That’s all the casein that’s coming out of the system. Whey proteins don’t mind a low pH, and they’ll stay soluble at a wide range of pH. But now, when you get to temperature, the complete opposite happens. Casein can handle super high temperatures and be very stable. Whey proteins can not handle high temperature at all, they start to gel. I think it’s important to look at the two different groups. Now you get into the functional differences between those two and the very different properties you have between those. Lloyd Metzger: That’s why you get all these products that are very different from each other. Why cheese is so much different than whey protein. And then you have these dairy products that are a combination that have the two together. So like when we make yogurt, we end up with the two products together and get this property that’s partway in between the two proteins. Ted Jacoby III: [00:06:00] Based on what you’re describing, when we’re talking about milk proteins, MPC 80, for example, there’s a higher level of calcium, I take it in milk proteins than compared to whey proteins. Is that true? Lloyd Metzger: Absolutely, but let’s remind everybody: milk protein is both casein and whey protein together at the normal ratio that’s in milk. So, of the protein, 80% is casein, 20% is whey protein. So, when you say milk protein, you’re actually meaning 80% casein and 20% whey protein. Now, when we talk about cheese or casein, we’re basically a hundred percent casein and 0% whey protein. Now, when we talk about whey protein, we’re essentially a 100% whey protein, no casein except for one fragment of casein that actually gets solubilized, as TJ described, and now actually becomes part of whey protein. Something that a lot of people don’t understand is that about 15% of what we call whey protein is actually a piece of casein that gets lost in the whey and now gets [00:07:00] captured and harvested in the whey protein manufacture process. But again, it’s important to remember milk protein is a 80 / 20 combination of casein and whey protein together. So, when you’re talking about milk protein, you’re actually talking about whey protein and casein together. Ted Jacoby III: It’s funny, I just learned something never really quite had my head around, and that’s that 80 / 20 ratio, that 80% of all the protein in milk is actually either alpha or beta casein. Correct? Lloyd Metzger: There’s actually four different casein fractions that are involved that make up that 80% of the total protein. Ted Jacoby III: Okay. The casein molecule isn’t really any bigger than most of the whey protein molecules, but they tend to clump together in those micelles. And so, they act as one big humongous mass compared to whey proteins. Correct? TJ Jacoby: Whey proteins may be collected like in pairs like two at a time, but casein proteins, there’s hundreds, right? Lloyd, that will just clump together. Thousands. TJ Jacoby: So, these spheres are absolutely massive protein complexes, but in fact there are a lot of little individual [00:08:00] proteins that make it up and they’re all bridged together with calcium and phosphate. Lloyd Metzger: It’s a packaging system that was designed to package up calcium and phosphorus. So, the whole casein system was designed by nature as a delivery vehicle for calcium and phosphorus, because calcium is not soluble by itself. Calcium phosphate is essentially rock. It’s the material that makes up eggshells. Think, think about a ground up eggshell that calcium phosphate complex is not soluble and it will sink to the bottom of your container of milk if you didn’t have the protein complex to hold it in solution. The analogy I use is it’s basically a kidney stone. Think about how much fun milking a cow would be if all the calcium and phosphorus was in the form of a kidney stone as you’re trying to milk the cow. All that calcium and phosphorus can be solubilized with the casein system and put it into solution and then make it so you can deliver that in a nutritional product. Ted Jacoby III: That makes perfect sense. That’s really cool. I think you guys also already touched on the differences in solubility as you were [00:09:00] describing the different proteins. But there’s differences in digestibility as well. What’s the source of that difference? TJ Jacoby: I’ll take this one. Returning back to the infant stage, I feel like we could set this up in light of why nature created these proteins. Dairy is the fundamental human food for infants. You have babies that can live up to a year off of just their mother’s milk. All the proteins that are found in there, those building blocks to grow an infant, can be boiled down to those two protein streams: whey protein and casein protein. The purpose of the casein protein for the infants is it’s fast acting. It’ll go right into the gut, and the gut is full of enzymes, but also really, really low pH, so low that it actually causes even those whey proteins to unfold. And It allows the stomach enzymes to break it up super, super fast and be absorbed. It’s considered one of the most bioavailable proteins known to man. It’s designed for that, that’s why nature created whey protein. Well, whey protein itself is also very nutritious. It has one of the highest concentrations of [00:10:00] essential amino acid, and the second highest known to man of branch-chain amino acids. That means it doesn’t have to be processed through the liver before it can be used by the human body. If your body’s actively using and consuming protein whey protein’s really good because it can be absorbed into your system and go right to the muscles. 33% of your muscle is branched chain amino acid. That’s what’s getting broken down while you’re working out. And then in the elderly, that’s what’s getting broken down that’s causing some muscle degeneration. Whey protein can help fortify that very quickly. However, all protein that is consumed in the body could also easily be processed through the liver with time. And so, if you have time, that’s where the casein comes into play. The casein, when it hits that acidic environment in the gut, it immediately clumps together. It actually creates cheese curds in the gut. And the reason why that’s so important is it slows down digestion so that slowly over time, that will be absorbed into the system. So it’s not [00:11:00] like a rush of energy right after the baby eats and then it goes away right away. Instead, it slows it down. The casein itself also likes to trap other nutrients. The casein in the gut will house the fat and the vitamins and the nutrients so that it’s slowly absorbed over the course of the next few hours before the baby’s next feeding. Ted Jacoby III: As a result of those digestibility differences, what are the differences in the amino acid profiles between casein and whey proteins? The body’s gonna need to break down most of that casein in order to absorb it. When the body breaks down that casein, what are the differences in the way that it absorbs some of those amino acid profiles and short-chain protein strands from the casein versus what’s readily bioavailable from the whey proteins? TJ Jacoby: Casein does not have the same percentage of those essential amino acids. It’s not as high, but it’s designed to be slow absorbing. Protein itself, it almost doesn’t matter the amino acid structure, as long as your body has enough of those vitamins and nutrients to absorb and to restructure it to [00:12:00] a different protein within the liver — that’s what your body needs. Most of us, the protein doesn’t have to be fast-acting. It’s not like our muscles are actively breaking down all the time. It can slowly be absorbed, be processed through the liver, and then used for almost any other function as long as we have all the vitamins and minerals that we need. Lloyd Metzger: Part of this huge shift we’re seeing in demand for protein, especially whey protein, this started 25, 30 years ago with bodybuilders and wanting to build muscle mass. And the realization that TJ mentioned: branch-chain amino acids are very important if you wanna rapidly put muscle mass on. It is also very important if you’re elderly or if you have sarcopenia where you’re starting to lose muscle mass. In those nutritional states, it’s really important to have high-level branch-chain amino acids, so you can put muscle on. Or if you’re on a GLP-1 medication where you’re not gonna be able to eat very much, you need a very efficient source of protein to build muscle mass. So there’s certain nutritional states where it is important to have branch-chain amino acids [00:13:00] and be able to get those from a protein like whey protein that has ’em at a very high level. But for the normal person, it’s not really all that relevant. You could get the protein you need from any protein that provides all the essential amino acids. Now, most plant proteins don’t do that. We’re talking about the difference between casein and whey protein. Both of them are an order of magnitude higher in nutritional quality than plant proteins because they have all the essential amino acids. And to TJ’s point, as long as you have the essential amino acids, the body can produce the non-essential amino acids from those essentials. Essential ones are amino acids the body can’t produce. You have to have those in the food you’re consuming to be able to produce the components you need. Josh White: We’ve got listeners from the dairy side of the equation and listeners from the utilization side that are making different products. And some of those customers are currently faced with the reality that a part of the equation for their adoption of whey proteins as an ingredient has shifted. The competition level’s very [00:14:00] high. They’re having more difficulty accessing some of it. And the price has changed quite a bit. And I think that when you’re talking about these products going into CPG applications as a lower inclusion rate ingredient, but with a lot of label power, being able to put whey protein, for instance, on that label, there’s several of them out there that are struggling to determine what the functional differences might be between the various dairy proteins. And what I’m afraid that is happening is some of these companies that are on the lower end of the value scale and can’t afford to keep up with all of the great products that are demanding whey protein or even milk protein, are gonnastart exploring alternatives outside of our space. and I think that we don’t want that, right? And what we’re seeing is this popularity of whey protein is driving a lot of customers for R&D projects to be asking us specifically for whey protein. And so help us understand what applications might make sense to use one, the other, or both. Lloyd Metzger: It completely depends on the product that [00:15:00] you’re after and the characteristics of the product that you want. Something like a beverage can go two different directions. So, if you’re gonna retort the beverage and put a lot of heat on it, you can’t do that with most whey proteins. They’re gonna gel. The most comparable protein to whey protein would be an egg protein. And everybody understands what happens when you heat eggs; they turn into a gel. So, whey proteins will happily do that. If you have a high enough concentration and you expose them to enough heat. Casein actually helps to protect whey protein from that coagulation. A lot of these high-protein beverages, they’re oftentimes a combination of casein and whey protein. They might alter the ratio a little bit from the 80 / 20. They might bump the whey protein up a little bit and have a 60 / 40 casein to whey protein. And so you’ll see ranges in that ratio of casein to whey protein, depending on the characteristics of the product that you’re actually after. The heat is a big piece of that. And then we go to pH as a big piece of what changes the functionality of casein to whey protein and makes you [00:16:00] change those ratios. Yogurt is another great example. You’ve got these super, super high-protein yogurts and a lot of cases they fortified with quite a bit of whey protein to be able to have more protein and still have the characteristics that you want in that product. In the protein bars, there’s all kinds of whey proteins there. In that application, you actually don’t even solubilize the protein. There’s hardly any water in that bar. It’s really almost a dry protein that has a plasticizer with it, some carbohydrates that actually make that edible. You’re almost eating a dry product. There’s a lot of food chemistry that goes into which product category you’re putting it in. There’s not this straight fast rule that you use whey proteins in this, you use casein and that. It depends on what food chemistry you use and how you put the blend together and then what processing you couple with that to get the characteristic that you’re actually after. Josh White: Can we spend a minute or two talking about the acidified products? They’ve gained a lot of popularity. The market potential is quite large. Can we talk a bit about the [00:17:00] differences between the clear WPIs and our traditional products? Lloyd Metzger: I wanna clarify the question. Are you talking specifically about whey protein only in the clear whey protein beverages versus the normal whey protein beverages? Ted Jacoby III: Yes. Lloyd Metzger: We really start to get into the weeds because we’ve got different whey products. So we’ve got whey protein concentrate. And then that comes in various forms. WPC 34 or WPC 80 are the most common. The 80 and the 34 correspond to how much protein on a dry basis those two products have. And they have whey proteins in the normal ratio that would be in the starting whey. Then we get into a group of products called whey protein isolates. And whey protein isolates go through an additional manufacturing process that allows you to purify the protein further and they’ll have more than 90% protein on a dry basis. And you may start to alter the ratio of the various whey proteins that were present in the starting whey. Now, when [00:18:00] we get into the clear whey protein isolates, we really start to alter the ratio of the proteins that are in there. We’ll also start to change some of the mineral profile of the components that are in that product. And then when we use those isolates in a formulation, we gotta be careful about all the other ingredients ’cause they’re gonna have an impact on whether or not the product is actually clear and whether or not it can be stable to heat. So, you can actually make whey protein stable to heat by controlling the mineral profile and controlling some of the processing conditions. You’re now taking a category of dairy ingredient and you’re starting to use technology IP to be able to provide specific functional characteristics that aren’t normally part of that ingredient. All of these may be called the same thing, and the basic consumer has absolutely no idea what the differences between all these things are. And when they’re looking at a label, they’re probably looking for the word whey protein, and that’s all they’re looking for. Josh White: As we’ve seen the market tighten up, we’ve seen [00:19:00] more inquiries and exploration about the use of pro cream,also called WPPC, also called WPC 70, so many different names. Definitely, in our experience, there’s quite a uniqueness as we originate this product from different manufacturers. Perhaps we can talk a bit more about what this product is and how it differs from the other proteins in the complex. Lloyd Metzger: I talked about WPC 80. That’s just the normal whey protein that we concentrate out of whey. And then, I mentioned whey protein isolate. To convert WPC 80 to a whey protein isolate, you use a filtration step called microfiltration. And in that microfiltration step, you remove any protein that is interacting with fat and take that out of the system. So, if you start with a normal WPC 80 and we’re gonna change it into a WPI. We are gonna go through a microfiltration process and we’re gonna lose about 25% of the protein that was there and all of the fat that was there. And [00:20:00] we’re gonna make a WPI out of that. And that WPI is gonna have about 75% of the protein we started with. The protein that we harvest out of that is actually pro cream. pro cream is just a byproduct of converting WPC 80 into WPI, and it’s gonna have about 25% of the mass of the protein that you started with, and all of the fat that was in that starting WPC 80 material. So that’s why you see it called high-fat WPC 30, and if you dry that down, it’s about a WPC 60. You can take that and blend that with WPC 34. You can do all kinds of things with that ingredient. Manufacturers are always trying to find a home for that. ’cause you’ve got a very high value product that’s easy to market in WPI. Ted Jacoby III: Lloyd, that pro cream, our hunch is there’s a lot more value in that pro cream than the market currently has its head around. Lloyd Metzger: they’re the same proteins that are in WPI, they’re just interacting with a fat. Now the fat [00:21:00] is very unique in that there’s quite a bit of phospholipid fat in there. And so there’s a lot of literature and research being done on the potential health benefits for brain development of phospholipids for infants as well as elderly to help with memory retention and actually help to prevent some Alzheimer’s effects. So, you see some companies starting to market that component that they’ve isolated. I think there is a lot of potential value there. But we’re in the early stages of where that’s gonna go. And you have some companies leading the way that are producing very specialized pro cream type products that are being used in infant nutrition or elderly nutrition. TJ Jacoby: But Lloyd, how do those phospholipids affect the shelf life of pro cream? Lloyd Metzger: They don’t help. The phospholipids are unsaturated fats or partially unsaturated and unsaturated fats are very easy to oxidize, so if they’re not handled properly, you’ll get very stale and oxidized off flavors in the product. It’s something you gotta be careful of. Ted Jacoby III: Oxidized fats, [00:22:00] another way to call that. That’s rancid, right? Yes. Lloyd Metzger: On its way to rancid. Josh White: Another selling point that people will make of the benefits of pro cream are IgGs. Can you guys explain a bit more of what that is to the layman? Lloyd Metzger: So, immunoglobulin is a protein that’s also present in milk. It’s really high in colostrum. It’s at very low levels in milk about 72 hours after the cow was started milking, the levels drop way down, but there is still a low level there. Those immunoglobulins are a very large protein. So when you go through your WPI manufacturing process, they’re gonna partition with that fat and that protein portion that you’re capturing. So they’re gonna go in that pro cream. Looking at the composition of IgG in the different waste streams, you’ll find it’s elevated in that pro cream portion. Now I’d be a little concerned about what kind of shape that IgGs in because you’ve seen a lot of heat [00:23:00] and different manufacturing conditions through that process. So you’d really have to be careful about what kind of claims you’re making based on what kind of shape that IgGs in. Mm-hmm. TJ Jacoby: For an infant, those IgGs will go right into the bloodstream. It’s whole proteins, but for us, it actually has to break up the protein entirely before it can be absorbed into our system. So what kind of functional benefits does IgG bring for an adult? I’d be curious to see what that literature entails. Mike Brown (2): Over the last couple decades, DNA technology has been used more and more to produce valuable proteins, often for medical use like insulin. Are we gonna see a point with the cost benefit of that kind of technology we’ll reach where we can actually use that to produce these whey proteins rather than using a cow? Lloyd Metzger: There’s different levels of concern depending on the particular protein. An individual protein and an individual soluble protein like beta-lactoglobulin and alpha-lactalbumin that are in [00:24:00] whey, those have more potential to be produced in a fermentation type process. ’cause they’re an individual protein. You can over express it, you can get a lot of that produced. But when you get to the complexities of multiple proteins that are in whey, that’s when it really becomes uneconomical to do that from a fermentation standpoint. ’cause you’ve gotta produce all of those individually, try to put ’em together, then purify ’em. What people forget is how efficient the cow is. The cow is essentially a walking fermentation tank that feeds itself, controls its own temperature, cleans itself up. All you’ve gotta do is get the milk out of it. When you look at all the steps that go into the process and what it takes to produce it, it’s really hard to beat the efficiency of a cow. Ted Jacoby III: Lloyd, am I right in assuming that the threat of cellular agriculture to dairy would come in the development of specific protein chains and amino acids, but probably not in terms of the complete [00:25:00] protein profile that is delivered in milk proteins and whey proteins. Lloyd Metzger: Correct. And it would be the very high-end, expensive. So the lactoferrin. It would be your first one or some of the IgG, anything that is at low concentration and very high value. Because even if you did everything perfectly, you’re probably still talking $25 to $30 a pound in the manufacturer and isolation process. Well, we we’re really excited about $11 whey protein isolate. Right? You know, and that’s still half the price. Ted Jacoby III: Makes sense. Lloyd, TJ, this was an absolutely fantastic discussion. This was exactly what I wanted to get out of it. I can tell you I learned quite a bit today and I’m sure our listeners will too. Thank you so much for joining us. We really appreciate it. Lloyd Metzger: No problem. Happy to do it. TJ Jacoby: Truly special to be on today, Dad. I grew up listening to a lot of these podcasts, right? Now we’re here, now we’re on it together with you. So, no, it was truly special.[00:26:00]

In this special holiday episode, Harry interviews veteran CPG/beverage analyst Nik Modi, Managing Director at RBC Capital. =================================Our 3 Daily Bev-Alc Trade Publications: https://beernet.com/Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeerNetRadio/videosPodcast feeds - Audio: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/beernetradio=================================About Us:Beer Business Daily / Wine & Spirits Daily publisher Harry Schuhmacher joins his editors and bev-alc industry guests once a week as they grok the beer and beverage business issues of the day. Like and subscribe; it's free.-Our Three Daily Bev-Alc Trade Publications: https://beernet.com/-Twitter: @beerbizdaily#beernews #beerindustry #beer #beerbusiness

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Neil Saunders, Manging Director & Retail Analyst at GlobalData Retail.Follow Neil on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilretail/Follow GlobalData Retail on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/globaldataretail/This episode was recorded in Seattle at Amazon Accelerate 2025.Neil answers these questions:Neil, What are some of the biggest surprises you've encountered working with consumer/retail data over the past few years?From your point of view, what are the top 2‐3 trends in retail & CPG that everyone should be aware of in 2025 going into 2026?As e-commerce continues to expand, what role do you see Amazon playing in shaping the biggest retail trends for 2025 and beyond?How are consumer behaviors changing post-pandemic, especially around value, quality, and brand loyalty?Inflation, supply chain disruption, and shifting distribution channels — how are those reshaping what CPG brands need to do differently now?How are stores like Amazon helping small businesses adapt to supply chain changes and still get products to consumers quickly?How are analytics, AI, and data science changing the game for merchandising, promotions, and forecasting in CPG retail?What do you see as the elements of a strong brand-retailer partner relationship these days? How have those changed? Given shelf space is often limited, what makes a CPG brand more “shelf-worthy” in the eyes of retailers right now? What makes Amazon a unique partner for independent sellers compared to traditional brick-and-mortar retailers?What innovations or retail models are you watching that might seem niche today but could become mainstream soon?What advice would you give to CPG companies in terms of investing in people, data, or technology over the next 1-3 years?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comSheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/Rhea Raj's Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual's use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.

As 2026 approaches, the Taste Radio hosts explore why uncertainty may actually favor emerging food and beverage brands. From changing definitions of value and retailer innovation to AI-driven discovery and standout new products, the episode highlights where real opportunity is taking shape in CPG. Show notes: 0:25: NYE Scaries? Opps. Value ≠ Price. AI For Awareness. Creamy Hummus, Swedish Food & More. – The hosts reflect on year-end anxieties and optimism heading into 2026, discussing the realities of entrepreneurship, resilience through challenges, and reasons for confidence in the food and beverage industry. They highlight ongoing consumer demand for better-for-you products, opportunities created by regulatory changes like the removal of synthetic dyes, continued at-home eating, and strong spending despite economic uncertainty. The conversation emphasizes that consumers are unlikely to abandon healthier or premium choices once adopted, creating space for emerging brands to grow as legacy brands stagnate. They also note increased M&A activity, retailer openness to innovation, and the growing role of technology and AI in product discovery and brand awareness. The episode features tastings and discussions of innovative products, from creamy hummus and sparkling coconut water to plant-based cheese, cocktail mixers, functional meat sticks and Swedish candy. Brands in this episode: Archer, Habiza, Sunbear, Once Upon A Coconut, Strange Water, Rebel Cheese, The Only Mix, Berski, Bubs, Sockerbit, Dirty Saint

This week, Aebhric O'Kelly and Bill Vasios host an online discussion on the JTS sepsis CPG. CoROM students and members of the college join this live discussion about how to assess and treat the septic casualty in remote and austere environments. Chapters00:00 Introduction to C-Circulation Problems01:34 Understanding Sepsis and Its Management09:17 Early Warning Systems for Sepsis14:15 Clinical Acumen in Remote Care20:20 Monitoring and Assessing Patient Status27:52 Antibiotic Administration in Remote Settings33:02 Malaria Treatment Protocols37:33 Resuscitation Strategies for Sepsis42:52 Point of Care Ultrasound in Patient Monitoring48:12 Final Thoughts and Future TopicsYou can download the JTS CPG on Sepsis here. https://jts.health.mil/assets/docs/cpgs/Sepsis_Management_PFC_28_Oct_2020_ID83.pdf

Aliett Buttelman spent eight years grinding in the dark before a single viral moment with Taylor Swift turned Fazit into an overnight seven-figure brand. In this interview, Aliett breaks down the exact pivot that saved the company, how she identified product-market fit after years of plateauing at $20K per month, and the organic social strategy that now generates over half a million views every day. From bootstrapping with $13K to navigating 100+ investor rejections and finally securing mass retail with Target, this is the blueprint for building a breakout CPG brand in one of the most competitive beauty markets. What you'll learn in this interview: • How a single Taylor Swift appearance drove seven-figure sales in 48 hours • How Aliett pivoted from slow-growth acne patches to viral makeup patches • The social content framework that produces daily 500K+ view videos • Why aspirational products can outperform problem-solving products • How to bootstrap a CPG brand with limited capital and no agency support • The exact moment Fazit discovered true product-market fit • Why Fazit chose Amazon as a primary channel (and how it paid off) • The dangers of taking bad retail deals and why most founders miss this • Lessons from 100+ VC rejections and how to know when not to raise • The behind-the-scenes strategy that secured a 1,000-store Target rollout By the end of this episode, you'll understand how to build a lean, viral-ready brand, validate demand fast, and prepare for the “overnight” moment that can change everything — even if it takes years of grit and persistence to get there. SAVE 50% ON OMNISEND FOR 3 MONTHS Get 50% off your first 3 months of email and SMS marketing with Omnisend with the code FOUNDR50. Just head to ⁠⁠https://your.omnisend.com/foundr⁠⁠ to get started. HOW WE CAN HELP YOU SCALE YOUR BUSINESS FASTER Learn directly from 7, 8 & 9-figure founders inside Foundr+ Start your $1 trial → ⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com/startdollartrial⁠⁠ PREFER A CUSTOM ROADMAP AND 1-ON-1 COACHING? → Starting from scratch? Apply here → ⁠⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-start-application⁠⁠ → Already have a store? Apply here → ⁠⁠https://foundr.com/pages/coaching-growth-application⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH NATHAN CHAN Instagram → ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/nathanchan⁠⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhchan/⁠⁠ CONNECT WITH ALIETT BUTTELMAN Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/fazitbeauty/?hl=en LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliett-buttelman-9a662312b/ Fazit Website → https://fazitbeauty.com/ FOLLOW FOUNDR FOR MORE BUSINESS GROWTH STRATEGIES YouTube → ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/2uyvzdt⁠⁠ Website → ⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com⁠⁠ Instagram → ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/foundr/⁠⁠ Facebook → ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/foundr⁠⁠ Twitter → ⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/foundr⁠⁠ LinkedIn → ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/foundr/⁠⁠ Podcast → ⁠⁠https://www.foundr.com/podcast

Tonya Leadman went nine months without a single placement. Seven searches were put on hold. Two offers fell through. Cash flow tightened. And her accountant called to check if she was okay. Tonya is the owner of Leadman & Associates, a national executive search firm serving the food, beverage, and CPG manufacturing industries. After building her career as a top performer in the MRI Network and later moving in-house as a Fortune 500 talent acquisition leader, she launched her own firm in 2022. Then the market turned — and placements stopped. In this episode of The Resilient Recruiter, Tonya shares what actually keeps a recruitment business alive during a prolonged downturn — without dropping fees, spamming clients with resumes, or compromising standards. She also breaks down the candidate presentation system behind her 92% interview rate, why she only submits the top two or three candidates, and the activity that kept her visible when most recruiters disappeared. This is a real conversation about resilience, discipline, and leadership when placements stop. You'll learn: What to do when your recruitment business goes months without a placement How Tonya maintained standards during a nine-month drought Why submitting fewer candidates builds more trust with clients The candidate presentation process behind a 92% interview rate How staying visible during a downturn pays off when the market turns Why Tonya fired a client when cash flow was tight How career services helped stabilise revenue without losing focus How fast recruiting can turn around when momentum returns Episode timestamps: 00:00 Nine months without a placement 01:40 Returning from maternity leave to a layoff 03:10 The habits that shaped Tonya's early success 14:35 The candidate presentation system behind a 92% interview rate 18:19 Why Tonya submits only the top 2–3 candidates 30:33 Launching a firm during a tough market 39:00 Seven searches on hold and the drought begins 43:02 The activity that kept her business alive 44:30 Firing a client during a downturn 49:17 Career services as a stabiliser 51:05 How recruiting can turn around fast Guest: Tonya Leadman Owner, Leadman & Associates If you run a recruitment agency and want to survive market downturns without lowering your standards, this episode is essential listening.

“You make your money on the customer, not the acquisition.” In this episode, Sean sits down with Jordan, the media-buyer-turned-founder behind Instant Hydration, to unpack how he went from affiliate marketer—only eating what he killed—to helping scale multiple 8‑figure CPG brands into 9‑figure powerhouses using Meta ads, tight payback models, and a true growth engine mindset. They talk about why red‑ocean markets like electrolytes are actually a signal of demand, how to think about LTV, subscriptions and time-to-second-purchase, what really happens when a founder tries to steal your team, and the wild IP and trademark journey that led to the Instant Hydration brand.Chapters:00:00 – Cold open: “You make your money on the customer, not the acquisition”02:40 – Jordan's story: from almost-lawyer to Facebook affiliate marketer15:30 – Scaling 8‑figure CPG brands to 9‑figures with Meta ads28:10 – Why consumables, LTV and payback periods win over “one-and-done” products41:45 – The Instant Hydration origin story and trademark/IP battle55:20 – Building a true growth engine: subscriptions, email/SMS, and sending it on ad spendPowered By:Fulfil.io.https://bit.ly/3pAp2vuThe Only Cloud ERP Designed to Efficiently Scale 8 and 9-Figure Brands. Northbeam.https://www.northbeam.io/Richpanel.https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=9O&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescSaras.https://bit.ly/9OP-YtdescRivo.https://www.rivo.io/operatorsSubscribe to The Marketing Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingOperatorsSubscribe to The Finance Operators here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

Before you hit play, here's the headline — arguably the biggest in CPG in 2025, and one you already know: PepsiCo acquired better-for-you soda brand Poppi for nearly $2 billion. What follows is a replay of a 2023 Taste Radio interview with founders Allison and Stephen Ellsworth, recorded back when Poppi was still firmly in disruptor mode — scaling fast, breaking rules, and taking direct aim at Big Soda. In the conversation, the Ellsworths trace Poppi's evolution from a scrappy gut-health drink into a modern soda brand built for culture, not compromise. They discuss launching amid the chaos of COVID, betting early on TikTok, and choosing bold cans and great taste over "health-halo" minimalism. The entrepreneurs also share a rare, candid take on founder ego — why they handed the CEO reins to an experienced operator, how they professionalized early, and what it really takes to scale from zero to thousands of doors without losing the magic. Listen closely and you'll hear the blueprint for the PepsiCo deal years before it happened: a brand that tastes great, moves at the speed of culture, wins both online and in-store, and isn't afraid to call itself soda again. Show notes: 0:25: Interview: Allison & Stephen Ellsworth, Co-Founders, Poppi – The Ellsworths reflect on Poppi's seven-year journey, from its origins as Mother Beverage to its reinvention as a colorful, prebiotic soda positioned to challenge legacy soda brands. They discuss relocating from Dallas to Austin to tap into a stronger entrepreneurial ecosystem, balancing hypergrowth with family life, and navigating the operational challenges of scaling during the pandemic. The founders also explain their emphasis on professionalizing the business, including their decision to bring in seasoned operator Chris Hall as CEO and redefine their own roles, prioritizing long-term scale over founder ego while maintaining creative control and brand vision. The interview also highlights Poppi's digital-first growth engine, particularly its early and unconventional embrace of TikTok, which helped the brand build massive organic reach, cultural relevance, a deeply engaged community and fueled explosive trial across Amazon and DTC before accelerating Poppi's expansion into retail. Consumer insights reinforced the brand's direction: taste was the number-one driver of trial and repeat, enabling Poppi to confidently reclaim the word "soda" and position itself as fun, nostalgic, and culturally current – while quietly delivering functional benefits like prebiotics and low sugar. Brands in this episode:  Poppi, vitaminwater, Bai, BodyArmor

Having helped grow Duckhorn from $5M to $500M in revenue and the sales team from 1 to >100 people, Pete Przbylinksi, former Chief Sales Officer of The Duckhorn Portfolio for nearly 30 years, has a deep understanding of managing US wholesale markets. In part two, Pete discusses selling into on- and off-premise chains, pricing, marketing, and more.Detailed Show Notes: Selling on-premise takes more time, need to present the wine, sell 1 case at a time, but more marketing valueROI skews towards off-premise if you ignore brand equityCalera / Kosta Browne targeted 65-70% on-premise, but hard to enforceCan't tell distributor where to sell since they own the productIf retailer asks for it, some states legally require it be offeredSelling off-premise chainsRely very little on distributor, need to build relationship on your ownIf brand is small, can use agents/brokers or distributors to get initial discussionsTakes patience and perseverance, and need a compelling storyBig retailers don't care about the winemaking process, they care that customers will buy the wineIn-store displaysRetail product managers fight with each other for displaysIf displays don't deliver value, they will lose floor space to othersConstellation research: most product pulled from shelf, not displays; displays act as powerful billboard for shoppersShelf placementCold box similar to displays - limited real estate, hard to get in and get the desirable locationsNeed to communicate to wholesaler merchandising teams where you'd like to be (e.g. - x shelf next to y competitor); need to keep message simple Stick w/ message for ~2 years, takes a long time to see impact, needs patienceLarge on-premise accountsLook at ACV (volume) to identify top targetsSimilar to off-premise with limited real estate (wine list slots) and they need the wine to sellCan take fewer wines vs off-premise (2-4 max)Longer lead times, programs can be 1-2 years, need to be ready when windows openBTG great, but creates some pricing complicationsNeed to show up where buyers are, e.g. - major events like Pebble Beach or Aspen Food & WineDecoy's success driven by off-premiseSafeway in CA launched brand, then went to other regions and retailers and grew from thereDuckhorn brand equity gave Decoy a springboard to launch, but was able to stand alone and now most Decoy drinkers don't know the tie to DuckhornPrice increasesGet all the data you can (competitor, consumer behavior, demand elasticity)The nuances of consumers and differences in brand equity are impactfulAny decisions take time, may not affect retailers for ~120 days, could take 6-12 months before you see an impactDiscountingKey for the grocery channelDiscounting should be done after all other options exhaustedThe more it happens, customers think that's the price of the product, erodes brand equityImpact of marketing on salesDuckhorn did very little traditional marketing, mostly sales support (spent ~1.5-2% of revenue)LVMH spends ~30% on marketing, CPG average is ~10% of revenueDid some testing of advertising in 1 market for 1 year and measured impact to determine if it should be expandedPartnerships w/ other products good for grocery channel, can often secure displaysAdvice for a tough wine marketSet up production to align w/ honest and believable sales planLong-term impacts of cutting opex will hurt growing the top-line Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you make legumes great again? This is not a political episode. It's about something far more urgent: giving legumes the role they truly deserve in our food system. Together with Andres Jara, co-founder of Favamole, we explore what it really takes to build a regenerative food brand in the middle of today's industrial food landscape. What if a simple, delicious sauce could change crop rotations, farmer income, and your weekly lunch? With Andres we explore how a chef-turned-butcher-turned-farmer built Favamole: a fresh, clean-label legume spread that tastes great, pays growers fairly, and can scale without losing its soul.How do you play the game while sharing shelf space with giant food companies, big retail, massive processors, and catering empires? And more importantly: how do you scale fast, influence as many hectares as possible, and not lose your regenerative soul along the way? We dive into regenerative business models, flavour as a lever for change, regenerative finance, scale, money, and impact, all while walking on the stunning, sunny, and very cold fields of Jeroen and Mellany Klompe.We dive into the origin story—why a guacamole “alternative” wasn't enough—and how redefining “mole” as its own category unlocked flavor, pricing, and brand freedom. More about this episode.==========================In Investing in Regenerative Agriculture and Food podcast show we talk to the pioneers in the regenerative food and agriculture space to learn more on how to put our money to work to regenerate soil, people, local communities and ecosystems while making an appropriate and fair return. Hosted by Koen van Seijen.==========================

In today's episode, Carly sits down with Scarlett Leung, Chief Brand Officer and Co-founder of Pretty Tasty, a collagen tea company. Scarlett shares her unconventional path from accountant, to turnaround CEO, to CPG founder, and how growing up around intense family entrepreneurship shaped her views on work. This conversation covers Scarlett's experiences navigating parental expectations, making big career pivots without a rigid 5-year plan, and the stripped-back, unglamorous reality that is founding a consumer brand.References:AllSaints: https://www.allsaints.com/Carolina Herrera: https://www.carolinaherrera.com/Deepak Chopra: https://www.deepakchopra.com/Deloitte: https://www.deloitte.com/global/en.htmlEstée Lauder: https://www.esteelauder.com/FreshDirect: https://www.freshdirect.com/Gucci Group / Kering: https://www.kering.com/Honest Tea: https://www.honesttea.com/L'Oréal: https://www.loreal.com/en/Lancôme: https://www.lancome-usa.com/LVMH: https://www.lvmh.com/MIT: https://www.mit.edu/Philip Morris International: https://www.pmi.com/Pretty Tasty: https://www.prettytasty.com/PwC: https://www.pwc.com/Sugarbreak: https://www.sugarbreak.com/Target: https://www.target.com/Uniqlo: https://www.uniqlo.com/University of Waterloo: https://uwaterloo.ca/Virgin Group: https://www.virgin.com/Waterloo Sparkling Water: https://www.drinkwaterloo.com/Timestamps:(01:17) Growing up with an entrepreneurial family(06:59) The decision to study accounting(09:47) Should you choose a risky career path?(13:39) Unpacking Scarlett's unique career journey(18:12) Lessons learned from a travel-heavy role(22:51) Why you need to advocate for yourself(23:39) Why Scarlett went to MIT business school(26:11) Scarlett's superpower in business(31:10) Pretty Tasty's culture manifesto(32:55) The journey to founding Pretty Tasty(36:16) Developing the collagen product(38:44) The one thing most CPG founders miss(40:05) Advice for someone starting a company(42:15) Scarlett's scariest founder moment(44:41) How to navigate a quarter-life crisis

This episode originally aired on April 1, 2025. We'll be back with a brand-new episode of Beyond the Shelf on 1/6/26.  Happy Holidays!Dave sits down with Eric Altschul, Director of Digital Commerce Content at Mondelēz International, to discuss how one of the world's largest CPG companies approaches digital content, automation, and the digital shelf.Eric shares how eCommerce evolved from a secondary priority into a core function at Mondelēz, the role content plays in shaping shopper experiences across retailers, and why mobile-first visuals and PDP optimization are critical to winning online. He also discusses how partnerships - including Mondelēz's work with It'sRapid - help teams automate and standardize content creation across thousands of SKUs while meeting retailer-specific requirements.Connect with Eric on LinkedInFollow Beyond the Shelf on LinkedInLearn More about It'sRapidGet the It'sRapid Creative Automation PlaybookTake It'sRapid's Creative Workflow Automation with AI surveyEmail us at sales@itsrapid.io to find out how to get your free AI Image AuditTheme music: "Happy" by Mixaud - https://mixaund.bandcamp.comProducer: Jake Musiker

Most food founders think fundraising means perfecting your pitch deck. Angel investor Katie Dunn says you're starting in the wrong place.In our conversation, Katie breaks down the three fundamentals that actually get investors to meet with you, and say yes: understanding investor thesis (and why it saves you from wasting time), leveraging warm introductions instead of cold pitching, and building a financial model that shows exactly how you'll reach profitability.We cover the investment basics every founder needs to know—what a safe note actually is, why angels want equity, and whether regional brands can get funded (spoiler: yes, but with different deal structures). Katie also shares her strong recommendation on why your first hire should be finance, not marketing, and how to make it ridiculously easy for investors to want to help you.If you're considering fundraising or just want to understand how investment actually works in food CPG, this episode gives you the straight talk you need.Connect with Katie:Website: katiedunn.comAdvisory Board: The Masthead StrategyLinkedIn: Katie DunnInstagram: @iamkatiedunnTikTok: @iamkatiedunnJoin The Good Food CFO Community:Follow us on Instagram: @thegoodfoodcfoWatch on YouTube: @thegoodfoodcfo This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thegoodfoodcfo.substack.com/subscribe

In this conversation, Madelyn Morris, co-owner of Mickelberry Gardens, shares insights into her journey of creating a honey herbal wellness brand that specializes in oxymels – a tonic made of honey, vinegar, and herbs. She discusses the benefits of oxymels, the importance of sourcing local and organic ingredients, and the value of B Corp certification. Madelyn share their founding story, the challenges they faced in the early years of the business, and what they've been able to accomplish in their 15 years in business. She offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the importance of passion and adaptability in business, and we wrap up with Madelyn sharing her vision of a better world.Takeaways:Mickelberry Gardens combines honey and herbalism for wellness.Oxymels are a tonic of honey, vinegar, and herbs with roots back to ancient Greece.Natural remedies are increasingly replacing pharmaceuticals.Sourcing local and organic ingredients is crucial for quality.Starting small allows for sustainable growth.B Corp certification provides a framework for improvement.Having a strong business partner can make a big difference.Adapting to change is essential for business longevity.Building a resilient business takes time and effort.A better world is one where all living things thrive.Sound bites:“The word oxymel is from Latin. Oxy is acid and mel is sweet or honey.”“Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, prescribed oxymels for a wide variety of health concerns.”“Honey and vinegar have amazing health benefits just on their own. And when you combine them, it adds a lot of additional benefits.”“The source of where the honey comes from really matters.”“‘I've noticed in my own garden that bees are really drawn to the medicinal herbs.”“There was something like really magical about harvesting elderberries for the first time.”"It's okay to start small."“We're still manufacturing everything that we sell.”“Just doggedly pursuing it if you really believe in it. Not giving up and continuing to work at it is really the only way you're gonna get there or get anywhere.”"A better world is one that is holistic where all things, even the tiny unseen things, are thriving.”Links:Promo Code: BRANDSFORABETTERWORLD15% off on all oxymel honey tonics, sprays, and skin care from our online shop! www.mickelberrygardens.com…Madelyn Morris on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelyn-morris-86642819/Mickelberry Gardens - https://mickelberrygardens.com/ Mickelberry Gardens on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/mickelberry-gardens/Mickelberry Gardens on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MickelberryGardens/Mickelberry Gardens on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mickelberrygardens/Mickelberry Gardens on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@mickelberrygardens2593…Changing Your Mind by Michael Pollan (Book) - https://michaelpollan.com/books/how-to-change-your-mind/…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 Introduction to Mickelberry Gardens06:09 Understanding Oxymels: The Sweet and Sour Remedy09:02 Product Offerings: Exploring Unique Formulations11:46 Transitioning from Pharmaceuticals to Natural Remedies14:51 The Journey of Starting a Business17:37 The Importance of Local and Organic Sourcing20:55 The Health Benefits of Honey and Its Sources23:59 Lessons Learned in Business Growth26:43 Reflections on Business Strategy and Growth33:56 The Evolution of Business Growth35:45 Current Operations and Challenges38:23 The Importance of Delegation41:37 Manufacturing Control and Revenue Streams43:51 Becoming B Corp Certified47:47 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs53:44 Personal Insights and RecommendationsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

YC Cheng is the CEO of Hero Bread, the better-for-you bakery brand making low net carb, low sugar, high protein products that actually taste like real bread. On this episode of ITS, YC walks Ali through his experience investing, founding and scaling World Golf Tour, and how he's growing Hero.Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by becoming a member!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Beck's Broth, is a nourishing collection of bone broth-based lattes, matcha, hot chocolate, and more, with every cup coming complete with 14+g of protein. This week on the Community podcast, Kristina sits down with Founder and CEO, Beckie Prime for an exclusive interview on her journey to 450+ retailers stocking Beck's Broth in Canada and the USA with scrappy Marketing and founder-led content.Tune in to hear:How Beckie used her background in gut health nutrition to create a product that not only nourishes but truly fits into people's lives.How Beckie has turned her scrappy marketing into a superpower.Why Beckie gave herself permission to show up as her authentic self on LinkedIn, and how it's driving real business.The importance of collaboration, not competition, in the CPG industry.How Beckie is using community feedback and founder storytelling to build brand loyalty.Becky doesn't hold back in this episode, whether you're a product-based founder or not, this episode is packed with marketing wisdom and a reminder that authenticity and scrappy strategy can be your secret weapon, not a disadvantage! If you loved this episode, share it with a friend or tag us on Instagram! Let us know what resonated most or what you're going to try in your own business. And don't forget to follow along Beck's Broth journey on Instagram @becksbrothConnect with Beckie:Beckie PrimeBeck's BrothBeck's Broth InstagramUse Code SOCIALSNIPPET20Buy Beck's Broth:Healthy PlanetGoodness MeAmazonMentioned in Episode:Take Our Social Media QuizWork with The Social Snippet!Join the Weekly SnippetSend me a text!PodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For InterviewsSupport the showFor Your Information: • Host your podcast on Buzzsprout! •Join The High Vibe Women Online Community! • Join our favourite scheduling platform Later • FLODESK Affiliate Code | 25% off your first year! Don't forget to come say hi to us on Instagram @thesocialsnippet, join the Weekly Snippet or follow us on any social media platform! Website . Instagram . Facebook . Linkedin

What a year! It's time to wrap it up for 2025 and highlight the eclectic mix of diverse perspectives, divergent topics and expert thinking that appeared on the show this year. From the best performing episodes and most popular themes, to the most prominent guest go-to's for fresh perspectives, today we're going back to the episodes that resonated most. Top episodes of 2025:Venture capitalist and futurist Roger Spitz: new playbooks for volatile business environments Political demographer Jennifer Sciubba: the narrative around our population ‘crisis' Fashion designer Justine Leconte: the manipulative systems that fuel fast fashionForecaster Paul Saffo: pressure testing assumptions about what we know to ‘certain' in uncertain timesExperimental philosopher Jonathon Keats: asking better questions in existential timesHonorable mentions & favorites:CPG strategist Peter McDonald – the lost muscle of innovation in consumer marketsPolitical scientist Verlan Lewis: flawed political ideologies and the need for less divisive conversationsNeuroaesthetics expert Susan Magsamen: the psychology behind our physical senses----------More:Looking Outside podcast www.looking-outside.comConnect with host, Jo Lepore on LinkedIn & Substack & jolepore.com----------⭐ Follow & rate the show - it makes a difference!----------Looking Outside is a podcast exploring fresh perspectives of familiar topics. Hosted by its creator, futurist and strategist, Jo Lepore. New episodes every 2 weeks. Never the same topic.All views are that of the host and guests and don't necessarily reflect those of their employers. Copyright 2025. Theme songs by Azteca X.

The second stage of labor, characterized by active pushing and the descent of the fetal head, can be a challenging and prolonged phase for both mother and baby. Various interventions have been explored to optimize this stage, and one such technique involves the application of vaginal lubricants. The rationale behind this approach is to reduce friction between the fetal head and the birth canal, potentially leading to smoother and faster delivery. Does this seemingly simple technique work? Does the ACOG mention this in the CPG 8 from January 2024? What does the latest research tell us about its effectiveness in assisting or speeding up the birthing process? Listen in for details.1. Yang Q, Cao X, Hu S, Sun M, Lai H, Hou L, Wang Q, Wu C, Wu Y, Xiao L, Luo X, Tian J, Ge L, Shi L. Lubricant for reducing perineal trauma: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2022 Nov;48(11):2807-2820. doi: 10.1111/jog.15399. Epub 2022 Aug 16. PMID: 36319196.2. ACOG: First and Second Stage Labor Management Clinical Practice Guideline Number 8: January 20243. Aquino CI, Saccone G, Troisi J, Zullo F, Guida M, Berghella V. Use of lubricant gel to shorten the second stage of labor during vaginal delivery. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2019 Dec;32(24):4166-4173. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2018.1482271. Epub 2018 Jun 27. PMID: 29804505.4. Beckmann MM, Stock OM. Antenatal Perineal Massage for Reducing Perineal Trauma. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2013;(4):CD005123. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005123.pub3.

Katie Lefkowitz is a neuroscience-trained entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of Harken Foods who's reinventing candy with gut health at its core. In this episode, Katie reveals how her neuroscience background taught her to demand feedback systematically and observe behavior over words—skills that proved universal across consulting, scaling, and founding companies. She shares why she chose measured growth at Harken after experiencing Caulipower's explosive trajectory. Katie explains how the "seven questions framework" helps teams navigate the market's rapid shifts by keeping core values fixed while pivoting operational tactics. Discover practical approaches to data-driven decision-making, building authentic workplace culture, and leading through uncertainty without losing sight of core values. Find The Leadership Podcast episode 490 on YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts! Watch this Episode on YouTube | Katie Lefkowitz on Reinventing Candy and Culture https://bit.ly/TLP-490 Key Takeaways [03:03] Katie explains her neuroscience background taught her the scientific method, helping evaluate questions less emotionally and with reduced bias. [04:05] Katie describes how all decisions need to be based in data, seeking feedback from every person on the Harken team. [05:44] Katie shares Harken was created after a health scare related to colon cancer introduced her to food as medicine. [07:25] Katie explains Caulipower grew as the fastest growing brand in all of CPG, but for Harken she wants to be more measured. [09:03] Katie confirms the Caulipower success gave her confidence to go at it alone with Harken. [09:48] Katie reflects on trying to be what she thought a leader looked like, being insecure about her age and gender. [11:45] Katie explains there will always be some imposter syndrome, but having Harken within her control has helped relieve that feeling. [13:20] Katie recalls a pitch where the first person said her product doesn't taste good, leaving her crying in the cab to the airport. [15:25] Katie describes watching if people take a second bite during tastings because behavior tells more than words. [16:36] Katie emphasizes listening more than talking as the key leadership lesson. [17:29] Katie explains the company uses Southwest Airlines' seven questions framework where core values don't change but goals and focus do. [19:05] Katie notes that running decisions through core values becomes second nature and prevents losing time on wrong priorities. [20:18] Katie states at their early stage it's about hiring people who believe in what they're doing because culture is what happens when she's not in the room. [21:44] Katie explains parents understand prioritization better because anything to get more time with their kid is of high value. [23:40] Katie reflects that taking pauses to pick up her kid allows her to process things better and make better decisions. [24:46] Katie advises knowing what motivates you—autonomy, mastery, purpose or status, wealth, power—and making decisions based on who you actually are. [27:41] And remember... "If there is no struggle, there is no progress." – Frederick Douglass Quotable Quotes "If you're not telling me I'm doing something wrong or questioning what I'm doing, very frequently, I'm gonna have a problem with that because there's no way that I'm doing everything right." "Listen more than you talk. You will always get a lot more from really hearing people than you're ever going to get from talking at them." "When you're just yourself, it actually comes off much more authentic. And it's those relationships that you're holding yourself back from if you're not able to be your full self." "Have confidence in yourself, own who you are. And it'll actually take you much further than trying to fit into some old mold." "All decisions just need to be based in data and not necessarily, you know, stories." "It's about keeping your core values and making sure that runs through every decision that you're making." "My time is my most valuable resource, not only to myself personally, but to the company." "Taking that pause actually allows me to process things much better. And having that breathing room, I think I just make better decisions." "Know what motivates you... Not who you want people to think you are, but who you actually are." Resources Mentioned The Leadership Podcast | theleadershippodcast.com Sponsored by | www.darley.com Rafti Advisors. LLC | www.raftiadvisors.com Self-Reliant Leadership. LLC | selfreliantleadership.com Katie Lefkowitz Website | https://harkensweets.com Katie Lefkowitz Facebook | www.facebook.com/people/Harken-Sweets/61551227397377/?_rdr Katie Lefkowitz LinkedIn | www.linkedin.com/in/katielefkowitz Katie Lefkowitz Instagram | @harkensweets TLP478: The Consequences of Inaction with Nick Cooney TLP472: Embracing Uncertainty with Dr. Margaret Heffernan

Jeff Shafer, CEO of CommonGood Capital, talks with Michael Chernow, founder of Kreatures of Habit, about growing up in New York City and discovering entrepreneurship early, his path to sobriety and how small daily habits helped reshape his life, building and scaling iconic hospitality brands, pivoting during the pandemic into a high-protein CPG subscription business, why relationships […]

Reports suggest around one-third of U.S. adults use continuous monitoring technology and health wearables…with trends showing persistent growth, especially among younger, educated, and higher-income individuals. And by providing 24/7/365, real-time data on physiological metrics like vital signs, glucose levels, and sleep patterns…continuous monitoring technology and health wearables are becoming increasingly powerful drivers of consumer behavior. And I believe this is super important, especially if you consider how more individuals began viewing themselves as consumers in the healthcare market compared to solely being patients. Also, with the help of continuous monitoring technology and health wearables…consumer healthcare has been evolving from a reactive, one-size-fits-all treatment approach to a distinctively proactive, personalized, and integrative data-led approach. Moreover, empowered by this "proactive health" mindset, consumers increasingly moving closer towards this four-way intersection of taste, convenience, nutrition, and functionality. Therefore, the most direct impact of continuous monitoring technology and health wearables is arguably the mainstreaming of the "food as medicine" philosophy. When consumers receive moment-by-moment feedback on how specific foods, beverages, and dietary supplements affect their bodies…they start demanding products tailored to their unique biological needs. But maybe the most significant example would be glycemic responses detected by continuous glucose monitors. In fact, whether boosted further by the recent FDA clearance for over-the-counter continuous glucose monitors and/or the rising usage of GLP-1 drugs for weight management…heightened interest in blood sugar management has also expanded beyond the diabetic community. Obviously, “war” had been waged on sugar a long time ago…but a “MAHA-influenced marketplace” has slightly shifted, with consumers being more comfortable with sweetness that has natural connotations. Either way, this signals a potentially powerful opportunity for packaged food and beverage companies to embrace diabetic-friendly products (for general wellness), as it's reasonable to imagine a similar adoption trajectory of gluten-free beyond those with celiac disease. Nonetheless, nearly 43% of consumers (today) associate healthy food with boosting performance, which means real-time data has increased demand for ingredients with measurable impacts, such as adaptogens for stress relief and nootropics for cognitive performance. Also, this influx of high-frequency biometric data can help shorten the product development cycle by providing functional CPG companies with "real-world evidence" that was previously unattainable. Next, these health technology wearables have opened a new engagement approach like how seeking to better reach the increasingly influential variations of the “wellness maxxing” internet community, marketers of functional CPG brands have begun showcasing wearable data in social storytelling to help prove product efficacy. While I totally understand the primary business cases involve premium positioning strategies…I'd bet that begins to change, as industry forward-thinkers recognize synthesizing this data into actionable low-cost, high-impact functional product solutions for broader populations is the REAL prize. Lastly, while continuous glucose monitoring revolutionized diabetes care…the same approach applied to inflammatory proteins could transform care for autoimmune diseases or other chronic diseases (i.e. cardiovascular health).

Travis sits down with long‑time friend and entrepreneur Jason Haugen to unpack the very real, very unsexy side of building and exiting a nine‑location RV dealership group that peaked at $100M a year—then got crushed by a 70% sales drop and exploding interest costs. After taking some time off, walking through his wife's cancer battle, and licking his wounds, Jason is now co‑founder and CEO of Black Jet Ventures, acquiring and growing brands with a focus on operations, marketing, and sustainable profitability. On this episode we talk about: How Jason scaled from a few RV stores to nine locations and $100M+ in revenue—and what actually triggered his decision to sell The brutal reality of a market swing: going from 350–400 units a month to 100, floorplan interest jumping from ~$107k to ~$700k, and why revenue can hide operational inefficiencies Losing $20M, having an executive team walk out, sleeping at the office, and how he managed his mental health and focus through calls from the bank and constant crises Why he believes in “grow, then stabilize, then grow” (not growth at all costs), and how over‑expansion can kill a business even when top‑line numbers look impressive What Black Jet Ventures and Iconic Marketing do today—acquiring CPG and media brands, running a major golf‑focused content/marketing agency, and helping founders build real systems, not just hype Top 3 Takeaways Big revenue doesn't equal real success; without tight operations, intentional growth phases, and clear profitability targets, you can “grow” your way straight into a cash‑flow crisis. Mental resilience in entrepreneurship comes from focusing only on what you can control, staying in motion, and building routines (like golf or other outlets) that let you reset even in the middle of chaos. Sustainable businesses are built by going deep, not just wide: simplifying SKUs, optimizing existing locations, and stabilizing systems before expanding again often leads to far better margins than chasing vanity scale. Notable Quotes “The best thing that ever happened to me was losing $20 million—because I get to take those lessons into everything I do now.” “You can't grow and stabilize at the same time; you grow, then you stabilize, then you earn the right to grow again.” “If you're not absolutely crushing it with three locations, adding six more isn't going to save you—it's just going to multiply your problems.” Connect with Jason Haugen: https://www.iamjasonhaugen.com/ ✖️✖️✖️✖️

Archer's journey to $300 million in annual sales has been driven by an unwavering focus on operational excellence. In this episode, founder and CEO Eugene Kang shares how disciplined execution, vertical integration, and precisely timed innovation transformed Archer from an upstart jerky brand into one of the fastest-growing meat snack companies in the U.S. Eugene unpacks Archer's recent rebrand, how the company positioned itself ahead of the explosive growth of meat sticks, and the importance of building durable partnerships with retailers like Whole Foods. He also explains why patience and long-term thinking remain critical traits for CPG founders navigating scale. Show notes: 0:25: Eugene Kang, Founder & CEO, Archer – At Nosh Live L.A. 2025, Eugene discusses the rebrand from Country Archer to "Archer," revisits the company's early breakthrough – a partnership with Huy Fong Sriracha – and its expansion into meat sticks in 2018. He talks about Archer's rapid scale and how disciplined execution and new household adoption is helping the brand outpace the overall category. Eugene explains how two owned manufacturing facilities enable cost control, quality, and pricing flexibility, and highlights operational excellence as a core strength. He also talks about how a renewed push to build brand equity through national marketing like the "Stick to Real" campaign has supported brand growth. He underscores the importance of patience, discipline, and long-term thinking in CPG, balancing data with intuition in innovation, and delivering clear value to consumers amid inflation. Brands in this episode: Archer, Slim Jim, Huy Fong

Ryan Emmons entered one of the most competitive and criticized industries on the planet—bottled water—with little more than a U-Haul and a vision. Going up against billion-dollar giants like Fiji and Smartwater, Ryan didn't just build another beverage brand; he built a mission. By betting everything on a "triple bottom line" philosophy—People, Planet, Profit—he proved that a purpose-driven company could disrupt a saturated market and command consumer loyalty in a way the big corporations couldn't.In this interview, Ryan Emmons sits down with Ryan Atkinson to reveal how he scaled Waiakea from a local hustle into one of the fastest-growing premium water brands in the world. You'll learn his scrappy "consignment" strategy for getting onto shelves without paying massive slotting fees, how to turn environmental sustainability into an economic advantage that lowers overhead, and why he believes naivety is an entrepreneur's greatest asset.Whether you are launching a CPG product or trying to differentiate your service in a crowded industry, this episode offers a masterclass in resilience and branding. Ryan breaks down exactly how to build a business that stands for something, keeps employees loyal, and generates massive growth without sacrificing your values. Tune in to discover why playing the long game is the ultimate competitive advantageTakeaways:- Build your business on a "triple bottom line" philosophy—People, Planet, Profit—from day one, as it is nearly impossible to authentically integrate deep purpose into a company's DNA after investors are involved.- Leverage a purpose-driven mission to increase employee retention, as high-performing talent is more likely to stay and work harder when they can see the tangible impact of the company's social initiatives.- Prove your product's sales velocity by starting with "mom and pop" shops on a consignment model before attempting to pitch major distributors or large retail chains.- Avoid direct competition with billion-dollar CPG conglomerates by targeting specific retailers where you can secure equal shelf space without paying exorbitant slotting fees.- Embrace manual self-distribution in the early stages—even if it requires renting U-Hauls and working overnight shifts—to maintain control over logistics and keep overhead low.- Reframe environmental initiatives as efficiency strategies rather than just expenses, as reducing material usage, water waste, and energy often leads to significant margin gains.- Justify a slight price premium by positioning your product as an "affordable luxury" that allows consumers to support a cause they believe in without breaking the bank.- Protect your company's mission during scaling by legally incorporating as a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC), which enshrines your social and environmental standards into the corporate bylaws.- Use your lack of industry experience as a strategic asset, as naivety allows you to be fearless and attempt innovations that industry veterans might deem impossible.- Focus on resilience and building a legacy business you want to lead for decades, rather than chasing a quick "exit" or overnight success in the volatile CPG market.Tags: Product Development, Retail Goods, Bottled Water, Business Scaling, Startup, Business Growth Resources:Grow your business today:  https://links.upflip.com/the-business-startup-and-growth-blueprint-podcast Connect with Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-emmons-8709871b

We have long looked to Jeriad Zoghby, CPG C Suite whisperer across leading commerce roles at Accenture and until recently Chief Commerce Strategy Officer at IPG, to bring the data and the color commentary about the big transformations and strategies necessary to win at commerce. He arrives at today's podcast armed with two new sets of data about the platform shifts in CPG. Shifts that will demand deep organizational and process change for you to drive growth at a reasonable cost in the future.

Back in April 2023, you might remember that I uploaded a piece of content titled something like “The Clorox Company should divest its dietary supplement brand portfolio.” It aimed to increase recognition that a collection of supplement brands was buried within The Clorox Company, to clarify the holistic strategic reasoning behind why Clorox spent nearly $1 billion acquiring these dietary supplement brands last decade, and to describe (maybe not so surprisingly) how these dietary supplement brands mostly struggled under Clorox's ownership. And despite all that previous silly M&A justification rhetoric around how The Clorox Company had been a “health and wellness company” for over 100 years, the primary driver behind divestment was an integrated strategic plan that sought to achieve profitable growth acceleration through sharpening its focus on core household care brands. So, in the end…Clorox determined that the dietary supplement business was not aligned with its long-term vision. Accordingly, it took about 18 months after my original content, but that “pure rumor and speculation” turned into The Clorox Company selling its dietary supplements business (in its entirety) including the Natural Vitality, NeoCell, Rainbow Light, and RenewLife brands, relevant intellectual property, and the company's manufacturing and distribution facilities, to Piping Rock Health Products. But let me introduce you to the pure-play business that acquired these assets from The Clorox Company…because (I'd guess) despite its heritage rooted in over a half-century of experience in the supplement industry, many don't recognize the name Piping Rock Health Products. In 1971, the family's journey began with Arthur Rudolph, a pioneering figure in manufacturing vitamins. Following in his father's footsteps, Scott teamed up with him to form Nature's Bounty…which eventually became the world's largest vitamin manufacturer (marked by private equity firm The Carlyle Group acquiring the company for approximately $4 billion in 2010). A year later, joined by Scott's son Michael, the Rudolph family took that achievement to the next level by forming Piping Rock Health Products…a vertically integrated multi-format dietary supplement brand manufacturer, distributor, marketer, and retailer. Before acquiring RenewLife, Natural Vitality, NeoCell, and Rainbow Light from The Clorox Company, it internally developed Nature's Truth…a flagship brand modeled after Nature's Bounty that now generates around $300 million annually. Also, beyond offering a few other smaller brands…Piping Rock does a lot of private label contract manufacturing for leading retailers. So, irrespective of knowing every Clorox M&A financial detail…the acquisition still signals an upsized level of ambition for Piping Rock, right? But this story doesn't stop there…as Piping Rock continues to expand its presence in dietary supplements by “remixing” last year's M&A activity with The Clorox Company. Similarly, targeting a multibillion-dollar CPG conglomerate (with an identity crisis), it was recently announced that Church & Dwight (after concluding its strategic review) signed a definitive agreement to sell the VitaFusion and L'il Critters dietary supplement brands to Piping Rock. In closing, I'd expect Piping Rock to continue taking advantage of a growing trend of Big CPG divesting their dietary supplement brands, as this market momentum creates new opportunities for pure-play businesses to scale through buying established, reputable brands.

You made it onto the shelf. Great. But now the real spending begins.Trade spend is one of the biggest drivers of success in retail — and one of the fastest ways for emerging brands to lose money, stall velocity, or get discontinued. In this deep-dive conversation, I and Yuval Selik unpack the most common and most expensive trade spend mistakes founders make, and how to avoid them.We cover:Why most founders underestimate the true cost of staying on the shelfThe promo structures that quietly destroy marginHow to avoid “set it and forget it” promotions that never performWhat deductions actually mean — and how to stop paying for things you don't oweHow to know when a promotion is working vs. when you're just lighting money on fireThe cashflow impact that no one warns new brands aboutIf you're selling in retail — or about to — Yuval will help you build a smarter, more profitable trade spend system from day one.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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