Podcasts about cpg

The CPG Guys are joined on its 600th episode by Tony Rogers, CMO of Dollar General which serves as America's neighborhood general store. Founded in 1939, Dollar General lives its mission of Serving Others every day by providing access to affordable products and services for its customers, career opportunities for its employees, and literacy and education support for its hometown communities. As of May 1, 2026, the Company's 21,055 Dollar General, DG Market, DGX and pOpshelf stores across the United States and Mi Súper Dollar General stores in Mexico provide everyday essentials including food, health and wellness products, cleaning and laundry supplies, self-care and beauty items, and seasonal décor.Follow Tony on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyrogers1Follow Dollar General online at: https://investor.dollargeneral.com/Tony answers these questions:Dollar General has a very clear value proposition—convenience, everyday low prices, and a store that feels close to home. How would you articulate the brand promise today, and how has it evolved with changing consumer expectations over the last few years?Dollar General serves millions of daily shoppers. What consumer insights have most surprised you since you joined, and how do you translate those insights into marketing programs that scale across thousands of stores?Data is the backbone of modern marketing. How does Dollar General balance data-driven decision making with the realities of privacy, consent, and a broad shopper base? Can you share an example of a data-enabled campaign that delivered measurable impact?How has Dollar General's approach to e-commerce and omnichannel evolved, especially as more shoppers expect online ordering, curbside pickup, and ship-to-home options? What role does in-store activation play in that mix?Private brands has become a strategic driver for many retailers. What's Dollar General's approach to product assortment and private brands, and how do you decide which initiatives to invest in?With so many channels and touchpoints, how do you measure retail media marketing ROI at Dollar General? What metrics matter most, and how do you tie marketing investments to store traffic, basket size, and long-term loyalty?Dollar General has a distinctive presence in local communities. How do you weave community impact and social responsibility into your marketing strategy without compromising value for customers?Can you share your philosophy on creative that resonates with Dollar General's shopper base? Are there any campaigns in the last few years that you're particularly proud of, and what made them effective?Building a high-performing marketing organization in a discount retailer requires special talent and culture. How do you attract and retain top marketing talent, and what changes have you championed to keep the team energized and innovative?Looking ahead, what are the big bets for Dollar General in the next 3–5 years? How do you see the role of discount retailers evolving in the broader CPG ecosystem, and what should brands watch for when partnering with DG?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.

Send us Fan MailAre you struggling to scale your CPG brand? In this interview, the founder of Startup CPG shares the critical lessons every brand owner needs to hear to navigate the journey from startup to established player. Whether you're selling on Amazon or expanding into retail, these insights on brand building, community, and strategy are essential for your growth.Ready to take your Amazon or CPG brand to the next level? Don't navigate the complex marketplace alone. Let's build a strategy that works for you. Book a call: https://bit.ly/4dQ2hbr#CPG #BrandScaling #Entrepreneurship #RetailGrowth #FounderAdviceWant free resources? Dowload our Free Amazon guides here:Amazon Receiving Delay Guide: https://hubs.ly/Q04cdD4c0Amazon Catalog Spring Cleaning: https://hubs.ly/Q046BVfp0Amazon Proft Margin Defense 2026: https://hubs.ly/Q042trRH0Amazon SEO Toolkit 2026: https://bit.ly/4oC2ClTAmazon Seller Strategy Report 2026: https://bit.ly/3YN1RME2026 Ecommerce Website & SEO Readiness Checklist: https://hubs.ly/Q04btghf0Amazon 2026 PPC guide: https://bit.ly/4lF0OYXTimestamps0:00 - Introduction to CPG Scaling 1:45 - The Most Common Mistakes Founders Make 4:20 - Building a Scalable Infrastructure 7:15 - Retail vs. D2C Growth Strategies 10:30 - Final Advice for CPG Founders-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Follow us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28605816/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenpopemag/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/myamazonguys/Twitter: https://twitter.com/myamazonguySubscribe to the My Amazon Guy podcast: https://podcast.myamazonguy.comApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-amazon-guy/id1501974229Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4A5ASHGGfr6s4wWNQIqyVwSupport the show

SOOO much has changed in the PR world in 2026! I'm doing a full update on some of our favorite PR platforms for CPG founders.Work with us → www.Work with us → www.visibilityonpurpose.com

Andrew Thomas is a seasoned CPG marketing executive whose career spans nearly two decades across challenger brands and global industry leaders. Archer is one of the fastest-growing meat snack brands in the U.S., redefining the category with clean-label, high-protein snacks made from real ingredients, without any fillers or junk. Available in multiple snacking formats from mini meat sticks to jerky, Archer was founded in 2011 by Eugene Kang, who has since grown the business 35.9% year-over-year, significantly outpacing the category, with the brand now on track to exceed half a billion in sales in 2026. Available in more than 30,000 retail locations nationwide, Archer continues to expand its footprint and scale production to meet surging demand.IG archerjerky | archerjerky.comFind Me:IG + TikTok citrusdiaries.studiocitrusdiaries.com | hello@citrusdiaries.comCreate your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#madeonzencastr

Mr. Beast Biography Flash a weekly Biography. In the past few days, MrBeast's life story has quietly hit another major inflection point, even if he has not dropped one of his signature mega-virals in that exact window. The single biggest biographical shift hovering over everything he is doing right now is his status as YouTube's first creator to cross the half‑billion subscriber mark, a threshold YouTube CEO Neal Mohan publicly celebrated and framed as a historic moment for the platform and for creator‑led media. According to coverage from industry outlets like Exchange4Media and social posts amplifying Mohan's comments, this is being treated less like a YouTube milestone and more like a new ceiling for individual global media brands, solidifying Jimmy Donaldson not just as a top YouTuber but as a long‑term central figure in entertainment and digital business. Around that, his business empire continues to be a running storyline. A recent viral business explainer circulating on TikTok reports that MrBeast's overall operation, driven heavily by the explosive growth of Feastables and the reach of his main and side channels, has surged in valuation, with commentators positioning him as a case study in turning creator fame into a diversified consumer and media company. While exact private valuations are not independently verified, the consistent framing across business and marketing commentary is that MrBeast now effectively operates as a full‑stack studio and CPG brand rather than a traditional influencer. On the public‑appearance and social‑media front over the past few days, fans have been treated to a wave of behind‑the‑scenes and crossover content. A new Instagram post from a media‑strategy account, tying MrBeast's recent podcast and interview clips together, declares that he has “broken the legacy media playbook,” emphasizing how he uses intense analytics and retention‑driven storytelling to “out‑muscle Hollywood” and arguing that his approach will shape how future creators and studios think about content economics. Another recent Instagram reel titled “72 Hours with MrBeast” packages a long‑form visit with Jimmy into short highlight clips, with the creators calling the time spent with him “so educational” and portraying him as obsessively focused on systems, data, and scale rather than mere stunts. A separate Instagram clip on “YouTube is King” recirculates his view that long‑form YouTube is still the top of the food chain for creators, a stance that reinforces his long‑term bet on the platform even as TikTok and short‑form continue to surge. On the lighter, more gossipy edge of the feed, a recent TikTok collaboration teaser from Alex Wassabi promotes a “Summoning Jutsu challenge” featuring FaZe Rug and MrBeast, continuing Jimmy's pattern of lending his on‑screen persona to other creators' formats and further embedding him as the connective tissue in YouTube's creator culture. Another recent Instagram reel jokes that “MrBeast = Homelander,” a tongue‑in‑cheek meme that speaks to his almost super‑heroic, omnipresent status in the creator world, even as the tone remains playful rather than critical. And a new Instagram carousel documenting what is described as a reunion of “all the OG YouTubers” for a massive MrBeast‑run competition hints at an upcoming flagship video that could double as a historical tribute to the platform's first generation of stars; while full details and prize structures are not yet public, the images and captions clearly show Jimmy continuing to cast himself as ringmaster of YouTube's biggest ensemble spectacles. There are also scattered local posts and parent‑group messages online noting that MrBeast has been filming a new video slated to drop at the end of the week, with some creators soliciting fan questions about the shoot. These are best treated as lightly sourced production chatter rather than verified release plans, but they do fit his pattern of constantly keeping multiple large‑scale projects in motion. No credible major outlet has reported any scandal or personally life‑altering controversy around MrBeast in the last few days, so the biographical story right now is one of consolidation and elevation: half a billion subscribers, a maturing business portfolio, and a growing perception that Jimmy Donaldson is less a YouTuber and more a next‑generation media mogul in real time. Thanks for listening, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss an update on MrBeast, and search the term Biography Flash for more great biographies. Thanks for listening. This has been a Quiet Please production. Get the best deals https://amzn.to/3ODvOta

Rose Previte is the restaurateur and entrepreneur behind acclaimed DC restaurants and bars such as Maydan, Medina, and Sook as well as a new food concept in Los Angeles. However, Previte started her career in local government after graduating with a master's degree in public policy. Her first life was interrupted when her husband became NPR's Moscow correspondent, and they moved across the world, visiting over 30 countries in three years. Inspired by her travels, she decided to open a restaurant in DC, and in 2014, her first restaurant, Compass Rose, opened to much success. She then went on to open additional restaurants and a bar in DC, and she recently expanded to L.A. with a food hall, Maydan Market. Previte has also written a cookbook, launched a CPG brand, started a wine company, and founded the restaurant group No White Plates.

“Why complicate it?” Oftentimes, I'll ask that question repeatedly when developing a product innovation strategy. While rethinking traditional product presentation (whether packaging or form factor) can help disrupt normal consumer behavior, effective strategy almost always lies in finding the simplest, most elegant solution that delivers the desired outcome. As an example, I recently came across Roxii Supercube…which created frozen nutrient-dense, functional cubes designed to make wellness as simple as putting ice into any beverage. Novelty will certainly capture attention…and its social media shareability is undeniable. Although I'm unsure functional ice cubes offer a compelling enough reason to switch from the ubiquitous wellness CPG product formats (like ready-to-mix powders) and truly become embedded into today's daily routines.

Is the golden age of protein over, or is the market hiding something much worse? While mainstream pundits point to falling average retail prices as a sign of consumer fatigue or market saturation, the reality is far more dangerous. CPG brands are trapped in a brutal macroeconomic vice: unprecedented, structural commodity inflation for whey protein vs. an already strained consumer. In this content, I break down why the "health halo" of the protein market is approaching a catastrophic breaking point, how brands are quietly altering your favorite protein snacks, and why the ultimate threat to your protein powder might actually come from the butcher counter. In my latest content piece, I'll cover topics like:Pricing (ARP) Illusion: Why category prices look lower on paper while individual products (UPCs) are actually getting more expensiveProtein Product "Format Shift": How low-ticket, immediate-use items like RTD shakes are masking deep market friction▪️ Formulation Trap: Why substituting protein inputs isn't as simple as swapping sugar or fat, and how it leads to "chalky, brick-like" productsConsumer Surplus Theory: The exact economic mechanism that could trigger a massive market contractionSubstitution Threat: How government actions and downward price corrections in real whole foods (beef, poultry) could pull shoppers out of the center aisleIndustry Warning Signs: Sneaky ingredient changes happening right now across protein powders, protein bars, and lifestyle snacksUltimately, "protein mania" won't end because you stop wanting better nutrition...it will halt because the industry broke its promise of quality!

#948 Ever wonder how to build a multi-million-dollar business without a single W-2 employee? In this episode, host Kirsten Tyrrel sits down with Ian Page, the founder of Bullseye Sellers, an e-commerce agency that helps CPG brands scale on Amazon, Shopify, and TikTok Shop. Ian shares how he turned a side hustle into an $11 million-a-year empire by reinventing the agency model into a franchise-style network of independent entrepreneurs. From his “doors theory” on business growth to why speed beats intelligence and how affiliates are reshaping e-commerce marketing, Ian delivers a masterclass in building scalable systems and empowering others to win alongside you! (Original Air Date - 10/15/25) What we discuss with Ian: + Building Bullseye Sellers from scratch + Franchise-style agency business model + Why speed beats intelligence in business + Turning side hustles into scalable systems + Power of affiliate marketing for growth + Managing 120 contractors, not employees + Using TikTok Shop for e-commerce success + Coaching and empowering independent teams + Importance of choosing the right clients + Adopting a “doors theory” mindset for success Thank you, Ian! Check out Bullseye Sellers at ⁠BullseyeSellers.com⁠. 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

Kristin Fracassi, founder & CEO of Root & Splendor, and Alecia Nelson, the COO, share the origin story of a premium non-toxic laundry detergent and stain remover - developed by a mom of four who went down a rabbit hole on natural product ingredients and didn't like what she found. Kristin talks about working with formulation chemists and enzyme scientists, the moment when lab results confirmed her product matched the efficacy of big-name brands, and why full ingredient transparency is a non-negotiable for the brand. Alecia shares what it's like to join a brand she watched grow from the dream stage, and what's on the horizon with a new kitchen product line built to the same uncompromising standards. They wrap up by reflecting on how Naturally Network has opened door after door after door.Takeaways:Root & Splendor makes premium, fully non-toxic laundry detergent and stain remover formulated with 100% plant-based ingredients, scented with natural essential oils, and priced at about 33 cents per load.Kristin started the brand as a mom and homesteader, not an entrepreneur, after discovering that many "natural" products still contain harmful ingredientsRoot & Splendor is one of only a few laundry brands to achieve EWG Verified status, a third-party certification from the Environmental Working Group.Five years of R&D with formulation chemists and enzyme scientists resulted in a product that matches the efficacy of major conventional brands without any harmful ingredients.Their packaging delivers an 800% reduction in carbon footprint compared to conventional alternatives.Full ingredient transparency is a core brand commitment with every ingredient is listed on the package along with an explanation of what it does.Kristin describes conscious business as a daily choice because every day brings opportunities to cut corners.Root & Splendor is now expanding into a kitchen product line, holding to the same standards of plant-based formulation, premium efficacy, and sustainable packaging.The brand continues to grow organically through word of mouth from customers who try the product and tell their friends.Winning the Naturally San Diego Pitch Slam was a turning point for the brand, opening doors to other pitch slams, awards, and a deeply supportive network of industry peers.Sound Bites:"I was willing to sacrifice efficacy for safety, and then I did a deep dive into the ingredients and learned that a lot of natural ingredients are still not safe.""We formulate for safety and efficacy. Every ingredient is safe for people, pets, the environment, and fabrics.""I had no intention of starting a business, but once I realized we had something truly different, I wanted to bring it to everyone.""There are a million ways to cut corners as a business owner. Every day I choose to stay true to our values and our standards.""The consumer is really smart. They're educated. They know what they're looking for. The greenwashing in this space, it's pretty wild.""There's no reason to sacrifice safety or efficacy. You can have both.""This wasn't developed in a boardroom. This was developed by women, for women.""Don't ever give up on a stain."Links:Alecia Nelson LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alecialnelson/Kristin Fracassi LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinfracassirootandsplendor/Root & Splendor Website - https://rootandsplendor.com/Root & Splendor LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/root-and-splendor/people/Root & Splendor on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rootandsplendorRoot & Splendor on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rootandsplendor…Naturally Network: www.naturallynetwork.org…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_radio…The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us Fan MailMany times when we have folks on the show there is an immediate and fun conversation that happens before we even do the introductions. Well, this was one time where we caught our guest in all their marvelous candor, and join in. Well, Kirk joined in with the "back in my day" conversation about moving up the ranks in regards to stewardship of design roles. Kirk and Madison sit in their rocking chairs sipping tea and complaining while Andy cautiously interjects and adds a much fresher and inspired insight. This clip ends with the introduction of Madison's podcast, and if you haven't heard it, you can listen to the full podcast here. Support the showAbout Kirk and Andy.Kirk Visola is the Creative Director and Founder of MIND THE FONT™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work http://www.mindthefont.com.Andy Kurts is the Creative Director and Founder of Buttermilk Creative. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he's not working on packaging design he's running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk's work http://www.buttermilkcreative.com.Music for Kirk & Kurtts intro & outro: Better by Super FantasticsShow a little love. Share the podcast with those who may benefit. Or, send us a coffee:Support the show

Send us Fan MailMadison Raisch has seen all things in the sports design hemisphere. Over the past two decades, she spent time designing for the NFL and MLB. Madison was able to reach new heights in her career and grow her talent immensely through her talent, relationships, and mad Beatles impersonations. You know how hard it is to sound like a Scouser?We talk projects, process, and what the future holds for her role at the NWSL. It was such a privilege to have her on the show, and it's definitely worth the listen.  LinkedInSupport the showAbout Kirk and Andy.Kirk Visola is the Creative Director and Founder of MIND THE FONT™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work http://www.mindthefont.com.Andy Kurts is the Creative Director and Founder of Buttermilk Creative. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he's not working on packaging design he's running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk's work http://www.buttermilkcreative.com.Music for Kirk & Kurtts intro & outro: Better by Super FantasticsShow a little love. Share the podcast with those who may benefit. Or, send us a coffee:Support the show

While every brand was raising prices during inflation, Elina Wang cut hers—and nearly tripled revenue. The co-founder of ESW Beauty turned a juice bar epiphany and a $25,000 bank loan into a $20 million business across 10,000 retail doors, fully bootstrapped and profitable from day one. She did it by making the contrarian bet on retail-first when every founder around her was chasing DTC—then survived Covid wiping out every purchase order overnight while going through a co-founder breakup at the same time. In this interview, Elina breaks down the real cost of getting into major retail, why she deliberately chose wholesale over DTC from day one, and the pricing move that took ESW Beauty from $4 million to $11 million in revenue. What you'll learn in this interview: • Why she bet on retail over DTC from day one—with just $5,000 left after her first trade show • How a $25,000 SBA loan, a scrappy juice bar booth, and aggressive hallway pitching landed $250K in purchase orders • The contrarian pricing move: why cutting price from $6 to $4.99 per mask nearly tripled revenue • How Covid wiped out every PO overnight—and how Faire and gifting programs kept the business alive • Why 95% wholesale requires 70%+ gross margins—and the hidden retail fees most founders discover too late • The in-store promotional math: clip strips, end caps, and PDQ displays that cost $25–75K each but drive real velocity • How she navigated building a business with her co-founder after they broke up—and why they kept going anyway • Why it took three years of persistence to crack Target—and what metrics finally convinced the buyer • The leadership shift every founder dreads: how she learned to let go and trust a team after running everything herself • What she'd tell founders about choosing a co-founder before anything else If you're building a CPG or beauty brand, trying to crack retail without burning through cash, or wondering what profitable bootstrapped growth at eight figures actually looks like, this conversation will fundamentally change how you think about distribution, pricing strategy, and what it takes to survive the moments that would end most companies. 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. WANT TO GROW YOUR BRAND WITH META ADS? Join the Foundr Operators Waitlist → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://foundr.com/operators⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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 ELINA WANG Instagram → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/esw.beauty/ Website → ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://eswbeauty.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

Adam Siskin is the Founder of The Platform CPG, a firm helping emerging consumer brands navigate finance, operations, retail growth, and scale. On this episode of ITS, Adam and Ali discuss margin, trade spend, brokers, distributors, manufacturers and investors. Adam shares learnings from supporting more than 50 CPG companies.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Bryon Hayes is a Life Sciences Consultant at Grantek. Bryon is passionate about technology and strives to use it for the benefit of others, which is why he focuses his energy on the life sciences industry. He takes pride in the fact that the technical solutions Grantek implements are helping those companies that manufacture life saving and beneficial medicines and therapeutic products. The Industry 4.0 Podcast with Grantek delivers a look into the world of manufacturing, with a focus on stories and trends that lead to better solutions.   Our guests will share tips and outcomes that will help improve your productivity. You will hear from leading providers of Industrial Control System hardware and software, Grantek experts and leaders at best-in-class industry associations that serve the Data Centers, Life Sciences, CPG and Food & Beverage industries.

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Doug VandeVelde, Chief Growth Officer at WK Kellogg Co, manufacturer of an iconic brand portfolio including Kellogg's Frosted Flakes®, Rice Krispies®, Froot Loops®, Kashi®, Special K®, Kellogg's Raisin Bran®, and Bear Naked®.Follow Doug on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-vandeveldeFollow WK Kellogg Co online at: https://www.wkkellogg.com/Doug answered these questions:95% of Americans are missing their daily fiber, but nobody goes to a Super Bowl party looking for a "health lecture." Why was 2026 the specific moment you decided to use the world's loudest stage to talk about the "Fiber Gap"?Fiber has historically been marketed as a functional necessity for the "older" demographic. How are you using this campaign to pivot the narrative from a "health trend" to a "tasty daily routine" for everyone from Gen Z to Boomers?You partnered with Gary Vaynerchuk's team to bring humor and high-profile talent to a topic as "unsexy" as gut health. How do you, as a 25-year CPG veteran, balance the "legacy brand guardrails" of Kellogg's with the fast-paced, "attention-first" creative style of VaynerMedia?You chose a regional and streaming-first buy for the Big Game rather than a traditional national spot. As Chief Growth Officer, how did you justify the "reach vs. precision" trade-off to your board?Gut health can be clinical and boring. Talk to me about the decision-making process behind using humor. Does "funny" actually move units of Raisin Bran and Mini-Wheats, or is it just about winning the "Ad Meter" rankings?With a streaming-first approach, you have more data than a traditional TV buy. How is WK Kellogg using real-time signals from this campaign to adjust shelf-level execution in the weeks following the game?You've been in this game for over 25 years. What is the one "old school" CPG rule you had to break to make this 2026 Super Bowl campaign a reality?When you go big on a Super Bowl scale, the pressure on the supply chain is immense. How did the $500M modernization of your plants allow you to "lean in" to this demand spike in a way you couldn't have three years ago?Before the campaign went live, did you use AI-driven "attention analytics" or "predictive creative" tools to ensure the humor would land across different demographics, or was this a "gut-feel" (pun intended) decision?If this "Fiber Gap" campaign succeeds, you aren't just selling boxes of cereal—you're changing a category's trajectory. Is the future of WK Kellogg less about "Breakfast" and more about "Functional Wellness"?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.

In this episode of Retail War Games, I sat down with Gary Mac Herring, owner of Mary Mack's Inc., for a conversation rooted in pure entrepreneurial grit. Starting with a 19-year-old's payphone-operated snow cone stand, Gary explains how the lawless freedom of a 1980s childhood shaped his business philosophy: giving teams the room to make mistakes, get messy, and hustle is the only way to build resilience. Gary pulls back the curtain on cutting out middlemen, sharing the wild story of flying blind to the 2008 Canton Fair to secure direct, handshake-driven relationships with suppliers that established their 20-year manufacturing moat. We also break down a massive retail achievement: how Mary Mack's vertically integrated team successfully launched two entirely separate CPG brands into Target nationwide and a third of Walmart within a single two-week window. From the stark logistical realities of managing national 3PL fulfillment to the humbling "crickets" that often follow a seemingly perfect major industry trade show, Gary drops a phenomenal, low-key masterclass on what it truly takes to sell fun in a box and build an indestructible commercial brand.  

What makes a drinks brand truly desirable — and how do you know when it's ready to scale?In this episode of Business of Drinks, we talk with Carlos Zepeda, SVP of Strategy & Marketing - Wine & Spirits at Moët Hennessy USA. Carlos helps shape growth strategy across a portfolio that includes Belvedere, Glenmorangie, Ardbeg, Whispering Angel, Hennessy, Veuve Clicquot, Dom Pérignon, Krug, and Moët & Chandon.Carlos brings a CPG-trained lens to luxury wine and spirits, starting with what he calls “demand moments”: the role a brand plays in the consumer's life. Is it built for a country club, a dinner party, a milestone celebration, a poolside bar, a fine-dining account, or a grocery delivery add-on? That answer shapes everything — distribution, content, partnerships, pricing, and activation.The big takeaway is that desirability comes before scale. Carlos defines desirability as both emotional and behavioral. Consumers have to want the brand, feel proud to be associated with it, talk about it, buy it, and refer it to others. And there's an easy business test to measure desirability: If you have velocity without heavy discounting, that's a sign of real demand. If you need promotions to move inventory, that tells you something else.We also dig into selective distribution, and why “being available” does not mean being everywhere. Carlos explains how a brand like Whispering Angel has to show up where consumers expect it — from restaurants and hotels to Instacart and Uber Eats — while a brand like Dom Pérignon requires a much more surgical account strategy.Plus, Carlos shares how luxury experiential marketing is changing, why the old influencer-driven FOMO model feels tired, how brands should think about creator-led content, and how he uses AI as a practical “thinking partner” while keeping human judgment at the center.For emerging brands, his advice is blunt: Less is more. Pick fewer markets, fewer programs, and fewer channels. Being small is not the problem. Acting too big too soon is.This episode is a deep dive into how drinks brands earn relevance: By understanding the occasion, building desirability, choosing the right accounts, listening for consumer signals, and staying focused on where growth is really coming from.For the latest updates, follow us:Business of Drinks website (sign up for our newsletter!)Business of Drinks YouTubeBusiness of Drinks LinkedInInstagram @bizofdrinksErica Duecy, co-host: Erica Duecy is founder and co-host of Business of Drinks and one of the drinks industry's most accomplished digital and content strategists. She runs the consultancy and advisory arm of Business of Drinks and has built publishing and marketing programs for Drizly, VinePair, SevenFifty, and other hospitality and drinks tech companies.Erica Duecy LinkedInInstagram @ericaduecyScott Rosenbaum, co-host: Scott Rosenbaum is co-host of Business of Drinks and a veteran strategist and analyst with deep experience building drinks portfolios. Most recently, he was the Portfolio Development Director at Distill Ventures. Prior to that, he was the Vice President of T. Edward Wines & Spirits, a New York-based importer and distributor.Scott Rosenbaum LinkedInCaroline Lamb, contributor: Caroline is a producer and on-air contributor at Business of Drinks and a key account sales and marketing specialist at AHD Vintners, a Michigan-based importer and distributor.Caroline Lamb LinkedInInstagram @borkalineIf you enjoyed today's conversation, follow Business of Drinks wherever you're listening, and don't forget to rate and review us. Your support helps us reach new listeners passionate about the drinks industry. Thank you!

Welcome to Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, sponsored by Duvo and Mirakl.In today's Retail Daily Minute, Omni Talk's Chris Walton discusses:Bed Bath & Beyond announces the all-stock acquisition of Installed Right and SFV Services, adding installation and renovation capabilities to its rapidly expanding Beyond Home Services portfolio.Starship Technologies winds down U.S. campus robot operations and pivots its 1,200-robot fleet toward retail grocery and urban food delivery, citing 20% market penetration in Finland and $3–4 lower per-delivery costs versus traditional couriers.DoorDash expands its retail media network with five new advertising tools and partnerships, as it bids to become a tier-one destination for CPG ad spend.The Retail Daily Minute has been rocketing up the Feedspot charts, so stay informed with Omni Talk's Retail Daily Minute, your source for the latest and most important retail insights.

What if the secret to winning in CPG wasn't chasing the next trend – but staying focused on simple ingredients, a clear brand promise, and flawless execution? In this episode, Jeff Richards, founder and CEO of plant-based milk brand Mooala, explains how a commitment to organic sourcing, clear positioning, and a disciplined retail strategy helped transform a scrappy startup into one of the category's fastest-growing companies – even as the plant-based industry around it raced to reinvent itself. Show notes: 0:20: Jeff Richards, Founder & CEO, Mooala – Jeff reflects on his participation in BevNET Live's New Beverage Showdown in 2017 and discusses leaving investment banking to pursue an opportunity he saw in almond milk. He talks about Mooala's distinctive organic almond and banana milks and explains how the brand differentiated itself through organic certification, ingredient transparency, and flavor-forward formulations. He opens up about the challenges of educating consumers, refining Mooala's packaging, and adapting its messaging as shopper priorities evolved. He also details the realities of scaling a refrigerated beverage brand, from securing early wins with retailers such as Whole Foods, Costco, H-E-B, and Wegmans to navigating distribution, pricing, and marketing constraints with limited resources. Jeff shares lessons from fundraising, including the risks of raising capital before establishing product-market fit, and reflects on the rise and subsequent correction of the plant-based category. Looking back, he emphasizes the importance of incremental improvement, disciplined innovation, and patience, noting that Mooala's recent success stems from the alignment of strong products, clear brand messaging, organic positioning, and growing consumer demand. Brands in this episode: Mooala, Silk, Blue Diamond, Deep Eddy Vodka, Oatly, Ripple

Most challenger founders assume international expansion should happen in neat, logical steps. New Zealand → Australia → UK → US. But Lisa's view was different, and that's why it's so interesting: In fact, conventional FMCG wisdom tells us to prove your business in nearby markets first. But founder Lisa King of Free AF Drinks ignored that advice!  After building a 40% share brand in New Zealand, Lisa decided to skip Australia entirely and went straight after the most competitive drinks market in the world...the USA!Why? --> If the ambition was always to build a globally valuable business, she asked herself why spend years proving the model somewhere that wasn't ultimately where the biggest opportunity sat?In this brilliant conversation with Kiwi female founder Lisa, you'll hear how today AF Drinks is stocked in more than 4,500 stores across the US, including Target, Walmart, Whole Foods and Kroger, and just HOW they're doing it. We discuss why she made they made the decision they did, how Pernod Ricard Ventures invested before the US launch, what it really takes to build a beverage brand in America, why alcohol-free RTD cocktails are outperforming expectations, and the lessons founders should understand before attempting to scale internationally.Lisa takes us through a masterclass in the realities of the beverage market in the United States; Why alcohol-free RTD cocktails are growing faster than many expected and finally, how she has approached fundraising, equity and scaling internationally!Key Topics Discussed Alcohol-free drinks category growth  Building challenger brands internationally  International expansion & export to USA   Listings with Target, Walmart, Whole Foods and Kroger  US grocery retail Walmart and Target listings  Fundraising and investor strategy  Pernod Ricard Ventures investment  Beverage category economics  Product innovation, IP & technology  Ready-to-drink cocktails  Scaling consumer brands globally  Founder leadership  Building brands from New Zealand USEFUL LINKSAF Drinks WebsiteAF Drinks InstagramLike this episode?PLEASE share the love by sharing this episode with another founder building a challenger brand, a colleague or a mate who loves brilliant non-alcoholic drinks, or anyone trying to work out how to build a consumer packaged goods business.Don't forget to FOLLOW or SUBSCRIBE to Brand Growth Heroes on your favourite podcast app, and even LEAVE A REVIEW - both of these actions make a MASSIVE difference to our mission to help more founders just like you.Follow usInstagram (https://www.instagram.com/brandgrowthheroes)LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-growth-heroes/?viewAsMember=true)Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/@brandgrowthheroes)Find out more about the programmes and courses Fiona runs here (https://www.brandgrowthheroes.com/mini-mba-2026)Join the NextGen CPG WhatsApp group for founders leaning in to the value that a leadership approach to engaging with AI can unlock for businesses like yours.*** Thanks to Brand Growth Heroes' podcast sponsor - Joelson, the commercial law firm ***If you're a founder, you already know how much energy goes into building the perfect product, creating standout branding and connecting with consumers.But scaling a CPG business also brings legal complexities that can make or break your growth journey - from contracts and regulatory compliance to protecting your intellectual property.That's why I'm proud to partner with Joelson, the leading commercial law firm specialising in helping founders of scaling consumer brands.Joelson works with brands like Little Moons, Trip, Eat Natural, Bear Graze and Pulsin, and advised the innocent founders on their landmark sale to Coca-Cola - and still work with them at JamJar Investments today!Joelson is offering a FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION to all BGH listeners (mailto:hello@joelsonlaw.com) - I honestly recommend you take them up on it, they're brilliant.CREDITSThanks to our Sound Engineer Gyp Buggane at Ballagroove.com 

Points of discussion: 1. How we built the Jest Hard Tea brand [Case study] 2. Big Ditch Brewing  - Learn more at: www.craftbeerrebranded.com / http://www.beyondbeerbook.com - Have a topic or question you'd like us to field on the show? Shoot it our way: hello@cododesign.com - Join 9,500+ food and bev industry pros who are subscribed to the Beer Branding Trends Newsletter (and access all past issues) at: www.beerbrandingtrends.com  

Amazon can drive sales, but that doesn't always mean your brand is profitable. In this episode, I talk with Ryan Eales of The Amazon Whisper about the common mistakes CPG brands make on Amazon, from ads and inventory to listings, keywords, and agency expectations.If you're selling on Amazon or thinking about launching there, this episode will help you understand what it really takes to grow profitably.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.

Zane Caplansky opened what's considered Toronto's first pop-up restaurant — a deli inside a dive bar in Little Italy — and turned it into one of the city's most beloved institutions. Along the way he appeared on Dragon's Den three times, got featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and You Gotta Eat Here, ran a food truck, a catering empire, and a College Street restaurant that had lineups for years. Then his landlord locked him out at midnight — rent paid, no warning — and it cost him $100,000 in legal fees and nearly broke him. But that gut punch turned out to be the pivot that changed everything. Zane joins Phil and Kenny to talk about the full arc: the scrappy pop-up beginnings, the Dragon's Den pitches (including Jim Treliving famously not understanding what a food truck was), the public humiliation of the lockout, closing the deli, moving to Tofino, becoming a dad at 53 — and why reviving the Caplansky's mustard brand as a CPG product might be the smartest thing he's ever done.

The kids' juice aisle looks completely covered. So does the protein market. Most people would conclude there's no room for anything new. Ciara didn't. The Grammy-winning musician and mom of four was watching her daughter refuse every protein option put in front of her. So Ciara started looking for solutions and met Chris Koch, a CPG entrepreneur. Together, they founded Frosh, the first protein-enhanced juice for kids. She sits down with Jason to share a lesson in how the best opportunities are often hiding inside the markets everyone else has already written off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your kid wants to drink exactly what you're drinking. And honestly…CPG brands are finally letting them by taking grown-up wellness trends and making them playground ready. We're talking about No Seed Oils, extra protein, and "Adult Functionality" in a lunchbox-sized serving. Although I wouldn't consider this just a trend, as CPG brands are responding to the “MAHA Moms” wanting clean labels and showing an unwillingness to compromise just because their kid is small. So, a question to my fellow parents…would you give your kid a "mini" version of your favorite protein shake?

Founded by Rachel Krupa, 20-year veteran in the CPG space, in 2018, The Goods Mart was an early voice in disrupting what “convenience” could look like, ahead of the recent wave of curated grocery. From the beginning, everything on the shelves has been non-GMO and made without artificial flavors, but beyond that, Rachel curates with a more real-life lens. The result is a store full of emerging brands, with The Goods Mart often acting as a first retail launchpad, giving small brands early visibility and a direct line to consumers before they scale to a more national audience.IG thegoodsmart | thegoodsmart.comFind Me:IG + TikTok citrusdiaries.studiocitrusdiaries.com | hello@citrusdiaries.comCreate your ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠#madeonzencastr

Women drive 85% of consumer spending, but new research from NIQ discussed in the latest episode of Soup-to-Nuts podcast suggests outdated assumptions about women shoppers are giving way to more individualized ‘micro-realities' that are influencing the future of CPG

Anthony Saniger is a board member at Beauty Rep and a consumer-focused brand builder with over 17 years of experience across the beauty, fashion, and wellness industries. He brings a strong blend of strategic vision and creative execution, helping brands grow by building meaningful connections with their audiences and positioning themselves effectively in competitive markets.Anthony actively invests in and advises brands across CPG, beauty, and hospitality, using his entrepreneurial perspective to drive growth, innovation, and long-term brand value.In this episode we cover:00:00 - Intro01:27 - From Consumer Brands to Beauty Rep03:57 - Fixing Inefficiencies in Traditional B2B07:07 - Centralizing Vendor Management and Timing09:14 - The Challenge of Building a Two-Sided Marketplace11:23 - Designing B2B Products That Drive Revenue13:09 - What Companies Still Get Wrong About Marketplaces15:34 - Entering Niche Industries and Uncovering Inefficiencies17:27 - Exploring Potential in Aesthetic and Longevity Industries18:56 - Anthony's Favorite Activity To Get Into a Flow State19:30 - Anthony's Piece Of Advice For His Younger Self20:25 - Anthony's Biggest Challenges at Beauty Rep22:00 - Instrumental Resources For Anthony's Success23:26 - What Does Success Mean for Anthony Today25:40 - Get In Touch With AnthonyGet in touch with Anthony:Beauty Rep WebsiteAnthony's LinkedInMentions:Keri ConcannonOlivia SchmidBrené BrownZO Skin Health, Inc.Books:"Delivering Happiness" by Tony HsiehTag Us & Follow:FacebookLinkedInInstagramMore About Akeel:TwitterLinkedInMore SaaS Podcast EpisodesSaaS ConsultantsHow To Value Your SaaS Company

Kate Assaraf is the CEO and founder of dip sustainable, a plastic-free haircare brand she launched in 2021 that hit seven figures within 18 months without running a single paid ad. Before starting dip, she spent 20 years inside the beauty industry, long enough to see the deceptive marketing practices that eventually pushed her to build something completely different.Most DTC beauty brands launch with paid social, influencer seeding, and a race to acquire customers fast. Kate did the opposite. She cold-called refill stores, traveled across the country to meet sustainable retailers face to face, and built distribution through brick-and-mortar before she ever thought about digital advertising. Today, dip is carried in all 50 states and has sold over 300,000 bars by word of mouth alone.The conversation covers why Kate chose physical retail over digital-first, how she thinks about authentic customer marketing in a category overrun by sponsored content and AI-generated testimonials, and why she built her own factory after her contract manufacturer went bankrupt. That last decision, vertically integrating manufacturing and fulfillment under one roof, turned out to be the most consequential call she made as a founder.Kate also takes on the sustainability conversation directly, pushing back on the moralizing that she believes drives people away from the movement rather than toward it. Her version of sustainability is inclusive, economics-driven, and grounded in saving customers money, not lecturing them. She explains why the dip conditioner bar, at $32 and lasting close to a year, is a stronger pitch than the environmental argument alone.Founders in CPG, beauty, and retail will come away with a rare perspective: what it actually looks like to build a consumer brand slowly, deliberately, and without the typical playbook.Website: https://www.vimmi.netEmail us: info@vimmi.netPodcast website: https://vimmi.net/commerce-untold/Eitan Koter's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eitankoter/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VimmiVideoCommerce/featuredGuest: Kate Assaraf, CEO & Founder, dip sustainableKate Assaraf's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-assaraf-b25a741a7dip sustainable: https://dipalready.comWatch the full Youtube video here:https://youtu.be/c9hCsejvcX8Key Takeaways:• Seven figures in 18 months, zero paid ads. If the product solves a real problem and you understand the customer from the inside, distribution follows• Real paying customers outperform influencers in haircare and skincare because results are too easy to fake• Moralizing drives people away from sustainability. Framing it as inclusive and economically smart converts more people than shame ever will• The $32 conditioner bar saves customers up to $500 a year. The environmental pitch is secondary to the financial one• Gifting product builds a hollow first wave. Real retention only comes from people who spent their own money• When her contract manufacturer went bankrupt, Kate built her own factory. It removed 3PL costs, protected the formula, and became the best decision she ever made• Returns largely end up in landfills. Local retail reduces return rates and creates accountability that e-commerce cannot replicateChapters:00:00 Seven figures, zero ads00:16 Introducing Kate Assaraf00:54 Values beyond work03:09 Why Kate left the beauty industry04:22 Dip's marketing: real customers only07:59 Fast beauty, sustainability, and unlearning consumerism14:24 Seven figures without a single ad15:36 How Dip launched: refill stores and road trips21:51 Giving back and reinvesting profits25:41 When the contract manufacturer went bankrupt27:51 Advice for founders29:54 Where to find Dip

In this episode of The DTC Insider, Brian Roisentul sits down with Arshad Bahl, founder of Amrita, to discuss what it really takes to build a profitable DTC brand in an industry obsessed with growth at all costs.Arshad shares how the CPG landscape has changed over the last decade, why venture capital has shifted the priorities of many founders, and why he believes profitability, customer retention, and operational excellence matter far more than chasing revenue at any cost.They dive into the retention strategies that have helped Amrita grow sustainably, including why the first three orders are the most important in a customer's journey, how to bridge the trust gap with new customers, and why referrals and word-of-mouth continue to outperform many modern acquisition channels.Arshad also breaks down his approach to manufacturing, margins, customer acquisition, and channel strategy, sharing practical insights for founders looking to build stronger businesses without relying solely on paid media.Plus, they discuss the importance of building a business around your values, creating opportunities for neurodiverse talent, and why a profitable $5 million business might be a better outcome than a stressful $100 million one.--This episode is brought to you by ⁠⁠BSR⁠⁠.⁠⁠BSR⁠⁠ helps 7-figure+ brands build and optimize strategic growth systems that unlock hidden revenue and scale profitably, without adding chaos, channels, or unnecessary spend.To learn more about BSR, ⁠⁠visit their website⁠⁠ or book a ⁠⁠call⁠⁠.

I'm starting today's show with one word – WOW. Just WOW. This podcast was one of the most thought-provoking I've had in a while. Why? Today's guest, Elizabeth Rosenberg, is willing to have the conversation that no one is having but everyone should be having. Here's the question: How do we seamlessly integrate our spiritual and/or intuitive side with the professional side and not come off as a weirdo?During the show, Elizabeth and I also chatted about:The story behind her company, The Good Advice Company.What a Chief Spiritual Officer is, and why it is in all of us (and is also a growing community).How we can flex our intuition to be an authentic and powerful leader (and PS, Elizabeth thinks it's possible for all of us).What happens when we face resistance from others who reject the idea of integration?How has living and working in this way made Elizabeth way more authentic?Whether your spiritual tradition is formal religion, meditation, prayer, or pulling a tarot card, Elizabeth believes you can integrate these pieces into cohesive leadership that serves others. And I don't know about you, but this sounds like a world view I want to adopt and live in.Here is more about Elizabeth:Elizabeth Rosenberg is the founder of The Good Advice Company. She is a personal branding consultant and strategic communications and marketing advisor. She is passionate about driving authentic change and purposeful impact through her work. She has over 20 years of experience working with some of the most innovative brands (Apple, Nike, NFL, Clorox Company, Diageo, Cadillac) and leaders (Norman Lear, Lee Clow) in the world.Elizabeth loves PR and marketing and throughout her career has worked in almost every industry including entertainment, automotive, music, tech, sports, politics, CPG, food and beverage, health and wellness, and fashion. The key to every industry is the ability to understand people, tell a compelling story, and create, maintain and foster relationships.She is a two-time entrepreneur (not counting the thriving weekend lemonade stand she had as a kid or the Etsy shop she had in her early 30s).Elizabeth takes big leaps. She's comfortable repositioning herself and pivoting her career not only to bring her more joy, but to ensure she's offering services that are needed in the world. She gives people permission and a plan to do the same (if that's their goal!).Today, she works with creative agencies, start-ups and brands as a comms consigliere and strategic advisor — but mostly with executive leaders in all industries who are looking for a sense of purpose, a personal brand architecture, and an honest, transparent partner by their side.Elizabeth has truly never loved her job or her clients more and is grateful every day that she is making an impact and gets to connect and collaborate with such an inspired, creative and powerful community. A curious and voracious learner, she knows each day will bring something new and keep life endlessly interesting.Born, raised and based in Los Angeles (with the vibe of a New Yorker), Elizabeth is not just shaping brands — she's living hers in how she shows up every day, but also in sharing her stories and truths on a podcast or in a blog post. Most of all, she loves speaking about her health and wellness journey and truly believes there is a future where wellness, intuition and the corporate world all collide.If the Brave Women at Work Podcast has helped you personally or professionally, please share it with a friend, colleague, or family member. And your ratings and reviews help the show continue to gain traction and grow. Thank you again!

Thi Lam is founder and CCO at Garnish studios, a branding and production agency behind a number of emerging CPG brands across food, beverage, and wellness. On this episode of ITS, Thi and Ali talk content in the age of AI, and what emerging brands should focus on when it comes to creative assets, answering the bigger question: What actually creates brand value now?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You've had quite an unconventional path into retail media — you came in from the vendor side, not from ad tech or media agencies. Can you walk us through that journey and what ultimately led you to building Topsort? A lot of retailers are now a few years into their first retail media network and starting to ask hard questions about whether the technology they built on is actually going to take them where they need to go. What are you seeing out there, and what does it really cost a retailer to get that foundation wrong?One thing that stands out about Topsort is the emphasis on experimentation — real A/B testing — at the infrastructure level. Why does that matter so much, and when you add AI-driven optimization into the mix, what do you think a retail media network starts to look like that's genuinely different from what most people are running today?From the brand side, there's a lot of budget flowing into retail media right now but also a lot of frustration. What are CPG brands asking for that most networks still can't deliver — and how should brand leaders be thinking about holding their retail partners accountable in a way that's different from how they evaluated trade spend?With Amazon, Walmart, and Instacart continuing to mature as networks, there's a real question about whether mid-market and regional retailers can stay competitive for brand dollars. What's your honest view on where this market goes — and where do you think independent RMNs actually have a structural advantage?

Retail media networks need to shift their focus from scale and impressions to measurable outcomes if they want to earn sustained brand investment, according to Jake Kaiser, general manager at Par Retail.Speaking on CSP's "At Your Convenience" podcast in May at the RMN Forum in Chicago, Kaiser emphasized that while loyalty programs provide valuable customer data, they typically capture only approximately 25% of transactions—creating a significant ceiling for proving ROI to CPG partners."Scale does not equal value necessarily," Kaiser said. Kaiser outlined how identity resolution technology and AI can help retailers expand visibility beyond loyalty members, enabling them to identify and measure outcomes across their entire customer base. This approach allows retailers to prove that specific campaigns drive incremental sales at individual locations."The aspirational goal should be 100% of our customers are people we can prove are individual human beings," Kaiser said, adding that AI-powered orchestration will enable faster, more intelligent campaign execution while maintaining quality.

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Matt Gregory, EVP & Chief Customer Officer North America at Unilever.Follow Matt on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-gregory-b702567Follow Unilever online at: http://unilever.comMatt answers these questions:As Chief Customer Officer, what are your top priorities for Unilever's customer partnerships this year, and how have those priorities evolved from your previous roles?Unilever spans many categories and channels. How do you balance a single, coherent customer strategy with the diverse needs of retailers, wholesalers, and direct-to-consumer partners? What makes for a truly effective retailer collaboration from a customer-first perspective? Can you share thoughts on what constitutes a partnership that delivered measurable value for both a CPG brand and retailer?  How has Unilever adapted its customer strategy to omnichannel realities—store visits, digital marketplaces, and social commerce? What role do retailers play in orchestrating that journey?In times of supply chain disruption, what are the key lessons for maintaining strong customer relationships, and how do you collaborate with retailers to mitigate risk for both sides?When a brand is already as big and established as Dove, growth typically gets harder—not easier. Yet, Dove is experiencing approximately double-digit growth in the U.S. over the last year. What's the unlock that allows brands like Dove to continue deepening relevance and sustaining that level of momentum?What competencies and capabilities do you prioritize when building and leading a high-performance customer organization? How do you foster cross-functional collaboration with sales, marketing, and supply chain?Looking ahead 3–5 years, what are the biggest shifts you anticipate in retailer-CPG partnerships, and where should brands and retailers collaborate most closely to win in the evolving landscape? You've had a career that spans GM roles and commercially focused leadership positions. What have you learned in your personal and professional history that you find yourself using most in your role today?What's something the industry is still doing today that you think we'll look back on in five years and wonder, “why were we doing it that way?”What excites you most about agentic AI and how it could reshape the shopping experience? And what, if anything, gives you pause?If you could make one singular change to positively impact the CPG industry, what would it be and why?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.

Val Emanuel and Rebecca Caputo, co-founders of Rif Care, share the story behind their brand, the first period care company to make products from hemp fiber and what it took to build that supply chain from scratch. Val and Rebecca talk about what conscious business really means in the feminine care space, where greenwashing is rampant and efficacy can't be sacrificed for sustainability's sake. They dig into the barriers they pushed through with scouring manufacturers, connecting dots across countries, and even how to deliver their first products themselves. We also zoom out on the broader women's health movement gaining momentum in CPG, and why they believe that when women are healthy, the planet is healthy. They wrap up by reflecting on the Naturally Network minority-owned fellowship and how the cohort they went through didn't just open doors, they became family.Takeaways:Rif Care makes period care products out of organic cotton and hemp fiber - pads, period underwear, tampons, and thong panty linersThey were the first company to make period products out of hemp fiber, pioneering a supply chain that didn't exist when they started.The hemp supply chain was built brick by brick, including connecting their manufacturer in one country with a hemp supplier in another just to get their first prototypes made.Hemp proved to be an ideal material — abundant, fast-growing, and sourced from upcycled fiber, making their supply chain both resilient and sustainable.Conscious business for Rif Care means efficacy first — a period product has to actually work and be made with the best materials possible.The period care industry has a significant greenwashing problem, and Rif Care's commitment to transparency is a direct response to that.Val and Rebecca see women's health as one of the most exciting and underserved frontiers in CPG — from PMS to menopause — and actively partner with and amplify other brands in the space.Women still receive only 3% of venture funding, yet Val and Rebecca see enormous opportunity for investors, partners, and brand ambassadors in the women's health space.Through the Naturally Network minority-owned fellowship, Rif Care learned how to build sales decks, talk to retailers, and develop distribution channels that helped them reach and maintain the number one spot at Erewhon.Sound Bites:"We're going to walk the walk. We're going to talk the talk.""There were people trying to make hemp feminine care for 10 years and we got a sample in like two weeks. It was completely a paper wall.""I don't drive a truck, you know? We had to learn how to drive a U-Haul to pick up our products and deliver them to distributors.""There's so many more opportunities for companies to fill that gap in women's health.""If women are healthy, the planet is healthy.""The people that we did the Naturally Network Fellowship with are still our best friends. We cry together, we laugh together, and we have kept in touch more than any other accelerator that all of us have ever been in."Links:Val Emanuel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valemanuel/Rebecca Caputo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccamcaputo/Rif Care: https://rifcare.com/Rif Care LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rifcares/Rif Care on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rifcare/Rif Care on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rifcare...Naturally Network: www.naturallynetwork.org…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_radio…The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This conversation explores the critical issues surrounding seed sovereignty, the threats posed by UPOV, and the collaborative efforts to promote food integrity and indigenous seed saving through the 'Free the Seed' campaign. Megan Westgate of Non-GMO Project and Lauren Cardeli of A Growing Culture talk about how they came to work together on this issue and share insights on the importance of biodiversity, community-led seed libraries, and the power of storytelling in transforming the food system. They then share how you can get involved in the campaign and join their learning journey. Key Topics:UPOV treaty and its impact on indigenous seed savingFarmers being put in jail for saving their own seedsThe importance of biodiversity and seed diversityHow Non GMO Project and A Growing Culture came together to build this campaignThe difference between seed vaults/morgues and community-led living seed libraries4 sessions of the Free The Seed learning journeyThe role of storytelling and narrative in food activismStrategies for engaging brands and communities in seed sovereigntySound Bites:“Humans have the ability to imagine the end of the world easier than the end of capitalism.”“[Those kinds of seed libraries are] what I call a seed morgue, because that's where seed goes to die.”“Living seed libraries exist through community mechanisms and community ownership where those seeds are being saved and adapting and growing and living throughout.”"It's illegal to save seed in many countries.""Seed saving is essential for human survival.”“Life is regenerative inherently.”“Think about what does ‘right relationship' look like for me and for my business.”“Food should nourish life.”“Our national identities are stories, our faiths are stories, our belief systems are stories. That is the power of narrative.”"We shouldn't be scared of them, they should be scared of us. Because the reality is that every dam will be broken by a heavy rain."Chapters:03:00 Introduction to Food Integrity and Sovereignty04:02 Understanding UPOV and Its Impact12:53 The Importance of Seed Diversity22:53 The Role of Seed Libraries33:03 Building Relationships in the Food System42:57 The Free the Seed Initiative43:25 Exploring Seed Power and Policy47:39 Engaging Brands in the Learning Journey49:08 Challenges and Opportunities in Food Sovereignty58:05 The Role of Storytelling in Food Integrity01:04:20 Building Community and ResilienceLinks:Megan Westgate on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganethompson/Lauren Cardeli on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/loren-cardeli-5754b828/…Free The Seed - https://freetheseed.org/UPOV Convention - https://www.upov.org/Food Sovereignty Movements - https://foodsovereigntymovement.org/Seed Libraries and Community Seed Banks - https://seedfreedom.info/seed-libraries/…Non-GMO Project - https://www.nongmoproject.org/Non-GMO Project on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/nongmoproject/Non-GMO Project on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nongmoprojectNon-GMO Project on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nongmoproject/A Growing Culture - https://growingculture.org/A Growing Culture on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-growing-culture/A Growing Culture on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AGrowingCulture/A Growing Culture on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/agrowingculture/A Growing Culture on X - https://x.com/agcconnect…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_radio…The Food Institute - https://foodinstitute.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

What actually happens when a CPG founder and a creative agency build a brand together from the ground up?In this episode, I sit down with Dana Francks of JK Creative NYC and Grace Finerman of Date Smarter Snacks to break down the real-world branding process behind an emerging snack brand.We walk through how Date Smarter developed its visual identity, packaging, ecommerce presence, and overall customer experience and why having one connected creative partner can make scaling a brand significantly easier.The conversation also explores:The hidden operational cost of fragmented brandingHow cohesive design improves retail readiness and ecommerce conversionWhat founders should prioritize first when budgets are tightHow to create premium perception without overspendingThe relationship dynamics between founders and creative agenciesLessons learned from building a modern snack brand in a crowded categoryIf you're building a CPG brand and trying to make your packaging, website, social content, and customer experience actually feel connected, this episode is packed with practical insights.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

"The status quo is in all of our hands," says TRUFF co-founder Nick Guillen — a mindset that has guided the brand since day one. TRUFF built its reputation by breaking the rules. Now, as the company expands beyond its viral hot sauce with a major rebrand, new product lines, and a retail-focused growth strategy, Nick and co-founder Nick Ajluni are focused on scaling the business without losing the edge that made it a phenomenon. In this episode, the entrepreneurs discuss the strategy behind TRUFF's refreshed packaging, more accessible pricing, and new aioli line, as well as how they balance data and instinct when developing products. They also explain why bringing in an experienced CEO was a pivotal move for the company's next chapter and share their vision for evolving TRUFF from a disruptive startup into a lasting, category-defining condiment brand. Show notes: 0:20: Nick Ajluni & Nick Guillen, Co-Founders, TRUFF – The founders reflected on TRUFF's evolution from a digitally native, Instagram-driven luxury hot sauce brand into a broader premium condiment company focused on making "elevated culinary experiences more accessible" and a mission to become America's leading premium condiment brand. They also discussed TRUFF's recent brand refresh, describing it as a careful "renovation" rather than a reinvention and one that could support a more accessible pricing strategy without sacrificing the premium quality, distinctive branding, or culinary standards that built the company's reputation. They talk about the brand's innovation strategy which balances data, retailer feedback, consumer trends, and intuition while maintaining rigorous product development standards. The founders also highlight investments in talent, operations, and product quality and praise new CEO Essy Wolbe for her combination of CPG expertise, culinary passion, and cultural alignment with the founders' vision. Looking ahead, they say that their goal is not simply distribution growth or a potential acquisition, but building an enduring brand that reshapes how consumers think about condiments. Brands in this episode: TRUFF, Red Bull, Cholula, Tate's Bake Shop, Happy Coffee, Heinz, Liquid I.V., Poppi, Health-Ade, Simple Mills

BEST CONSUMED VIA YOUTUBE: Click HEREIn this masterclass, you'll learn how to create long-term momentum for your CPG brand through strategic press features. We're breaking down exactly how brands build credibility, attract customers, and turn media visibility into real growth.What you'll learn:1:20 — Who we are + our decade-long background in PR for CPG brands4:17 — What PR actually is and why it's so powerful for brand awareness + trust5:50 — How PR helps generate credibility, sales, retailer interest, and long-term growth8:14 — What the process of getting featured in the press really looks like9:42 — How to consistently land press features again and again11:33 — The best ways to make your brand feel timely, relevant, and newsworthy13:21 — Real examples of pitches that turned into features in Food & Wine and Bon Appétit18:38 — The truth about affiliate PR and why it matters for competitive press campaigns20:56 — Where to publish your first press release for FREE and how it can lead to features in outlets like Vice25:37 — Final recap + key takeaways from the trainingSupport the showNEXT STEPS:Want a Personalized PR Plan? (includes: a custom PR pitch, 6 part "how to research media contacts" module, curated list of 5–10 ideal media outlets, “Where to Go from Here” roadmap (pitch cadence, next steps, etc.) AND a personalized voice note. Click here: https://www.visibilityonpurpose.com/product-page/personalized-pr-planDIY PR COURSE!!  https://www.visibilityonpurpose.com/pitchpartySIGN UP ON QWOTED for free: https://www.qwoted.com/?via=VOPWatch our FREE masterclass to start landing big press features like Forbes & interviews on top 1% podcasts: https://www.visibilityonpurpose.com/getfeaturedConnect with us on and off the pod!Website: ⁠www.visibilityonpurpose.com⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/visibilityonpurpose/⁠Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@visibilityonpurpose

Points of discussion:1. CODO Design's 2026 Beer Branding Trends Report-Learn more at: www.craftbeerrebranded.com / http://www.beyondbeerbook.com-Have a topic or question you'd like us to field on the show? Shoot it our way: hello@cododesign.com-Join 9,500+ food and bev industry pros who are subscribed to the Beer Branding Trends Newsletter (and access all past issues) at: www.beerbrandingtrends.com 

Elizabeth Corbett, President of Enterprise for AE Global, is on a mission to build sustainable packaging & supply chain programs for companies that honor their brand identity, drive revenue, protect the product, and meet their budget. Beth has spent the past 25 years developing packaging & supply chain programs for leading global retail, health & beauty, cannabis, and CPG giants such as Starbucks, Tiffany, Estee Lauder, L'Oreal, Culligan, and GTI. Based in Seattle and Miami, Beth is passionate about finding environmentally responsible and sustainable solutions no matter what the form or substrate. She has served on the packaging & labeling and sustainability committees of the NCIA, as well as being a founding member of C-Beyond and a founding member of the Seattle Women in Business for Good Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejondwoskinexperience/ Website: https://jondwoskin.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin/ Email: jon@jondwoskin.com Get Jon's Book: The Think Big Movement: Grow your business big. Very Big! Connect with Elizabeth Corbett: Website: www.aeglobal.com X: BarooGirl Instagram: the_real_cannabeth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ecorbett Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BarooGirl   *E - explicit language may be used in this podcast.

The CPG Guys are joined in this  episode by Mike Wysong, CEO of CARE Pharmacies, Inc., a growing pharmacy network having served communities like your own for more than 64 years. CARE Pharmacies combines the quality of a trusted local pharmacy with the growth and stability of a national organization. With over 130 pharmacies nationwide and growing, CARE understands its patients, their special needs, prescriptions, local community health concerns, and the importance of personalized CARE - the building blocks to a healthy family and a strong local community.Follow Mike on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-wysong-a01626b/Follow CARE online at: https://www.carepharmacies.com/Mike answers these questions:What is the biggest lesson from those early days carrying the bag that you still lean on today as a CEO? What was that first fundamental structural or cultural shift you had to make to change that trajectory? How do you get independent owners to genuinely align on shared procurement, brand messages, and technology without stripping away that local entrepreneurship that makes them special? How does a cooperative structure create the necessary scale to let local community pharmacies win on price? From your seat, how can consumer product groups (CPGs) and OTC manufacturers better bridge those gaps to collaborate with a regional pharmacy layout like CARE? What are the top criteria or data-backed insights an emerging brand needs to bring to you today to earn shelf space over a legacy CPG giant? For emerging wellness or OTC brands listening to this show, what's your advice on the sales function—should they try to go it alone, or do they need to hire a specialized broker who truly understands regional drug chains? How are you helping independent pharmacies roll out complex tech, health informatics, and AI tools without eroding the high-touch, hyper-local intimacy that defines community pharmacy? As baby boomers choose to remain in their homes longer, how does the role of the community pharmacy transform from a simple script dispensary into an essential connector of the home health ecosystem? How critical is having a real-time view of inventory and fulfillment data to protecting your owners' bottom lines? As a board member and past chair of the NACDS, what is the most urgent story the industry needs to keep telling to protect its clinical and commercial relevance? What is the single biggest blind spot that corporate CPG executives have when they try to partner with independent, community-based retail networks? 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.

Jesse Konig is the Co-Founder and CEO of Jesse & Ben's, restaurant-quality frozen fries known for their simple ingredients and made with beef tallow and avocado oil. On this episode of ITS, Jesse tells Ali his story, breaks down why he and his partner Ben went into CPG from brick and mortar, and details about self manufacturing, building on social media, and holding off on full-time hiring until you find product-market fit.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us Fan MailJake Karls, co-founder of Mid-Day Squares, breaks down how to go viral, build a CPG brand, and scale a snack business from a condo kitchen to thousands of retail stores — all while surviving entrepreneurial burnout. In this episode, we unpack the real story behind viral marketing, authentic brand building, getting into Whole Foods, and what it actually takes to sell millions in physical retail. Jake shares how showing up in person creates opportunity, why authenticity is the secret to standing out, and how he uses LinkedIn content to attract investors and retail partners.You'll also hear his honest take on burnout recovery, finding purpose, why he's a "rainmaker" not a CEO, and how to play your own game instead of someone else's. Whether you're a young entrepreneur, a founder chasing product-market fit, or building a personal brand, this conversation is packed with hard-won lessons.TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Why Showing Up In Person Wins Deals02:30 – How Mid-Day Squares Started In A Condo05:00 – How Hard It Is To Sell In Retail Stores07:30 – Why Getting Into A Store Isn't Enough10:00 – How To Drive Retail Sales And Trial12:30 – Why Entrepreneur Burnout Almost Ended It15:00 – What Burnout Taught Me About Health17:30 – The Burnout Nobody Talks About: No Clarity20:00 – Why You Should Go All In When You're Young22:30 – Why I'm A Rainmaker And Not A CEO27:30 – How To Raise Capital As A Founder30:00 – How LinkedIn Content Attracts Investors32:30 – What Type Of Content Goes Viral35:00 – The Heartbeat Graph vs The Average Life37:30 – Why Being Weird Gets You Weird Results42:30 – How To Find Product-Market Fit In CPGConnect with Us!https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Bob Nolan, SVP of Growth Science at Conagra Brands. Conagra's portfolio of iconic and emerging food brands continues to evolve to offer contemporary choices for every occasion. Follow Bob on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-nolan-938b726/Follow Conagra Brands online at: https://www.conagrabrands.com/Bob answers these questions:What was the "breaking point" where you realized that asking consumers what they wanted was actually leading the company toward failed launches?In the context of your CAGNY 2026 presentation, how do you define the "Validation Trap," and why is it so dangerous for legacy CPG brands today?One of your biggest wins was identifying the "Bowl" trend (Healthy Choice Power Bowls) via behavioral data while the rest of the industry was still testing "Trays." How would traditional validation have killed that multi-million dollar insight?If you've cut traditional testing to zero, how do you now "pre-flight" a major innovation like the Rebel Roots Tallow Sticks or the Dolly Parton line without the safety net of a focus group?How does AI-driven "Demand Science" replace the human element of traditional market research? At CAGNY, you spoke about demand science as a key growth driver. How does moving away from "validation" allow Conagra to be more "provocative" and take risks that traditional research would have deemed "too polarizing"?You use data from Whole Foods and Sprouts to predict what will happen in Kroger and Walmart two years later. Is the "Natural Channel" your new version of a test market, and how does that data-flow work?You've positioned Conagra as a beneficiary of GLP-1 drugs rather than a victim. How did behavioral science—rather than consumer surveys—help you realize that these users aren't eating less of everything, but are actually pivoting toward specific nutrient-dense frozen options?Validation takes months; social trends move in days. How has the "Death of Validation" increased your speed-to-market? Can you give us an example of an "idea-to-shelf" timeline that would have been impossible under the old model?For the Brand Managers out there who are still terrified to launch a product without a "Green Score" from a testing agency, what is your message to them about the risk of not evolving past validation?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.

Welcome to another episode of Beyond the Dieine, hosted by Tom Seymour from Bison Bag! In this episode, Tom sits down with his close friend Dr. Juan Salinas, a doctor of food science, master of sports nutrition, competitive bodybuilder, and the brilliant founder of Pnuff Crunch.Juan shares his incredible journey from engineering to formulating iconic snacks for global CPG giants, before taking a leap of faith into entrepreneurship. He drops absolute gold on the realities of scaling a food brand, navigating the treacherous waters of packaging inventory, and what really happens when you rip off a lab coat on national television.Key Highlights From the Episode* The Corporate Launchpad: Juan talks about his years doing serious time at massive CPG companies like Nabisco, Kraft, and Nestle. He shares how working on legacy brands like Oreos and Ritz—and watching the birth of the OG Power Bar—fueled his passion for functional nutrition.* The Shark Tank Savior: Juan recounts his viral appearance on Shark Tank. After stunning the Sharks by ripping off his doctor's lab coat to reveal his bodybuilding physique, the laughter caused him to completely forget his lines. Mark Cuban stepped in to save the pitch and ultimately became an investor in the company.* Dumbbells and Discipline: Tom and Juan break down a powerful analogy comparing gym culture to business growth. You cannot just start lifting the 75-pound weights on day one without hurting yourself; business, just like muscle growth, requires trusting a disciplined progression.* Packaging Pitfalls: Juan candidly admits his early founder mistake of tying up massive amounts of cash in cheap, long-run packaging film rolls, only to be stuck with obsolete inventory when branding and market trends changed. Tom drops expert advice on using digital printing early on and designing smart with common plates to keep costs low.* Sustainable Solutions: What do you do with 50,000 dollars worth of unused packaging rolls sitting in a warehouse? Tom explains how brands can leverage TerraCycle's advanced recycling methods to separate complex film layers, keeping commercial waste out of landfills while protecting their brand's reputation.* Clean Snacking Without Sacrifice: Pnuff puffs are scientifically formulated to deliver 20 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, and a low glycemic response per bag to keep you full longer without the sugar crash.Links and Resources Mentioned* Get Shredded: Download Dr. Juan's 34-Day Fitness and Diet Program and unlock the exact science-backed methods he uses for bodybuilding.* Try Pnuff: Grab a bag of original, barbecue, cheddar jalapeno, cinnamon, or cocoa puffs at pnuff.com or find them on Amazon.* Brought to you by: Tom Seymour and the flexible packaging experts at Bison Bag.Connect With Us!For more behind-the-scenes packaging breakdowns, industry insights, and entrepreneurial truth-bombs, make sure to follow along:* LinkedIn: Connect with Adam Peek at www.linkedin.com/in/adampeek* TikTok: Follow the journey and catch daily videos with @thelabelking This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.packagingisawesome.com

A relentless focus on product quality and operational discipline helped Chris Kirby build Ithaca Hummus into one of the most successful CPG brands of the past decade. With Guillermo's Salsa, he's putting that same playbook to work again – but at a notably faster rate of growth. In this episode, Chris argues that lasting success in CPG is driven less by hype or marketing theatrics and more by getting the fundamentals right. He explains how Ithaca's strategic manufacturing partnerships enabled efficient, profitable scale, and why many founders still over-index on fundraising while underestimating the importance of unit economics. He also dives into the early trajectory of Guillermo's, examining both the acceleration and the complexity that comes with celebrity-backed brands, and shares what it really takes to build durable, repeatable velocity at retail in today's crowded CPG landscape. Show notes: 0:20: Chris Kirby, Founder, Ithaca Hummus & Guillermo's Salsa — Chris discusses how his approach to entrepreneurship has shifted from perfectionism to building systems, prioritizing effectively, and scaling through strong operational partners like LiDestri Foods. He argues that product quality — taste, consistency, food safety, and execution — matters more than marketing or trends in building a successful CPG brand. He also explains the intentionally simple launch strategy behind Guillermo's Salsa and contrasts its faster growth with Ithaca's slower, capital-constrained rise. Chris shares candid thoughts on fundraising, warns founders about misaligned investors, and emphasizes profitability and repeat purchase as the true drivers of long-term success. Brands in this episode: Ithaca Hummus, Guillermo's Salsa