Podcasts about cpg brands

Sai Koppala, CMO of Commerce IQ, discusses the evolving landscape of retail media and the critical role of AI in optimizing marketing strategies. He highlights the importance of adapting to consumer behavior changes, leveraging automation, and the challenges brands face in a competitive market. The conversation also touches on the K-shaped economy and how it affects consumer purchasing decisions.TakeawaysSai Koppala is the CMO at Commerce IQ, focusing on marketing leadership in growth-stage companies.Commerce IQ helps CPG brands optimize their retail media shelf using AI.AI agents are becoming critical in retail, automating many processes.Retail media spend increased by 20% last year, but return on ad spend has decreased.AI can optimize retail media spend far more efficiently than human management.Long tail keywords are increasingly important due to changing consumer search behavior.Brands must adapt their content to be surfaced by AI agents like Rufus and Sparky.The go-to-market strategy has shifted from analytics to actionable insights and automation.AI washing is prevalent, making it hard for brands to choose the right technology.Understanding context is essential for effective AI implementation in retail.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Commerce IQ and Sai Koppala01:23 The Role of AI in Retail Media04:12 Optimizing Retail Media Spend with AI10:24 Evolving Go-to-Market Strategies14:38 Navigating the K-Shaped Economy

Off-price and value retail is often misunderstood. A lot of founders think of it as a last resort for excess inventory, but it can actually be a strategic channel for discovery, customer acquisition, and incremental revenue.In this episode, I talk with Matt Goldbloom, Founder and CEO of Common Shelf, about how brands can approach retailers like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross, Burlington, and HomeGoods with the right strategy. We break down what buyers are looking for, how the treasure hunt model works, and how founders can think about pricing, packaging, and protecting brand equity.We also get into how Matt is building a lean team using global talent and AI-supported workflows to move faster and reduce founder bottlenecks.This episode is sponsored by Plus Forty, which helps CPG brands and service providers build lean, reliable teams with vetted global talent.Exclusive Foodbevy Offer: Plus Forty is giving 2 brands 5 free VA hours with no upfront costs. Their CPG- and AI-capable VAs can help with retail research, content repurposing, admin cleanup, inbox support, data entry, SOPs, and reporting.Apply for 5 free VA hours to see what a Plus Forty VA can do for your business. APPLY HEREStartup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Jason Wong is the award-winning Founder and CEO of Paking Duck, a revolutionary packaging manufacturing company that's redefining how consumer brands bring products to market. Born in Hong Kong and immigrating to America at age 8, Jason combines his bicultural perspective with serial entrepreneurial success—starting his first business at age 14 and achieving his first major win at 23 with Doe Lashes, building it to a $15 million valuation in one year from a $500 investment after solving his girlfriend's struggle with uncomfortable false lashes. Through Paking Duck's award-winning Packaging Network Model and proprietary AI-powered tools, Jason has created a strategically-partnered manufacturing business that serves everyone from Fiji Water to emerging beauty brands, delivering the speed, flexibility, and creative freedom that traditional factories cannot provide. His approach embodies innovation, transparency, and founder empowerment, turning packaging from an operational headache into a strategic advantage for scaling consumer brands. Jason joins Justin to unpack Paking Duck products and services!

In this episode of Inside Startup Investing, Chris Lustrino speaks with Olowo-n'djo Tchala about building Alaffia, a mission-driven consumer brand rooted in ethical sourcing. (00:00–01:30) Olowo-n'djo shares his upbringing in Togo and how it shaped his vision for a new economic model. (01:30–04:30) He explains how Alaffia organizes women-led cooperatives to produce shea butter and connect them to global markets. (04:30–08:30) The discussion covers fair trade economics, including paying above-market wages while maintaining strong margins. (08:30–13:00) They explore how Alaffia scaled into a national brand through persistence, retail distribution, and product-market fit. (13:00–17:00) Finally, Olowo-n'djo reflects on challenges with outside investors and why maintaining mission alignment is critical for long-term success. (17:00–22:00). 

Big CPG brands don't win just because they have bigger budgets.They win because they understand how shoppers actually make decisions in-store.In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Smith from SmashBrand to break down what large CPG companies know about shelf performance that most emerging brands completely miss.We talk about:Why most packaging fails before a shopper even reads itThe science behind shopper behavior and visual attentionWhat big brands test before going to retailHow founders can apply enterprise-level methods without enterprise-level budgetsIf you're launching into retail or trying to increase velocity this episode is your playbook for competing smarter, not louder.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.

Driven primarily by a desire for social connection and community, especially among younger wellness-minded individuals, “run clubs” are increasingly seen as modern social hubs…effectively replacing traditional nightlife venues. In fact, 72% of Gen Z joined a fitness group specifically to meet new people and build relationships. So, with the popularity of “run clubs” projected to continue rising this year…should your CPG brand participate within this trending cultural intersection of health, community, and social connection? Just like product sampling at grocery retailers, CPG brands can obviously leverage “run clubs” as opportunities to educate new cohorts of consumers. However, extracting the best ROI from this strategy requires an “authentic” type of activation facilitated through real partnership with that hyper-targeted (and oftentimes highly influential) community. Moreover, by integrating your CPG brand into social wellness rituals, these captive audiences can even provide invaluable feedback that unlocks strategic product or marketing improvements.

In this episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, host Michael Chernow sits down with entrepreneur and creative strategist Adam Greenfeld for a deep conversation about entrepreneurship, building CPG brands, and the balance between vision and execution.Adam shares his journey from launching his first supplement brand Go, learning hard lessons from failure, and later helping grow Formula through innovative paid media, creative strategy, and strong product positioning before the company eventually rebranded to Thesis. The conversation explores the role of visionaries vs. integrators, a key framework in the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), and why founders must surround themselves with the right people and systems as companies scale.Michael and Adam also talk about the importance of reading people's energy, avoiding pushy partnerships, and building a circle of inspiring peers who elevate your thinking. Adam reflects on stepping away from a company when it outgrew him, moving from New York to Los Angeles, and launching Frij, a creative studio focused on health and wellness ingestible brands.If you're interested in brand building, entrepreneurship, creative marketing, and founder mindset, this conversation offers valuable perspective and real-world lessons from two experienced operators.TIME STAMPS03:35 Energy and Vetting People 13:37 Build a Winning Circle 18:05 Entrepreneurship Timeline 20:34 Paid Media Creative Edge24:27 Top of Funnel Targeting 29:48 Rebrand and Stepping Away 34:36 Co-Founder Dynamics and Self-Doubt 41:15 Creative Entrepreneurs and RDT 44:04 Visionary vs Integrator 47:25 Innovation as a Role 50:41 Transcend the Process 52:51 Protein Bar Taste Test 55:00 Moving to LA Reset 01:02:55 Top Three Founder Priorities 01:06:58 Curiosity and Learning Speed 01:10:58 Fitness and Journaling Rituals 01:17:32 Gratitude and Wrap Up 

On this week's episode, host Jess Gaedeke is joined by Tracey Halama, CEO of Supergut and former CEO of Vital Proteins, to explore how a sales-driven mindset shapes CPG leadership, why aligning messaging to channel is critical for growth, and how personal consumer insight is fueling the next wave of “food as medicine” innovation.

Send a textZack Oates sits down with John F. Maggio of JM Enterprises to explore what it really takes to build enduring consumer brands. From co-founding Boulder Canyon Chips to working with brands like Justin's, Duke's Smoked Meats, Bigs Seeds, Jackson's, Good Day Chocolate, and Cocktail Squad, John shares lessons from decades in CPG.They discuss how restaurant brands should evaluate entering retail, why timing and category momentum matter, and the four pillars John uses to determine whether a brand is truly investable. He also explains why flavor ultimately wins and how “return on luck” plays a role in long term success.Zack and John discuss: What makes a CPG brand scalable When restaurants should enter retail The role of timing and luck Why flavor always matters Brand, market, team, and capital alignmentThanks, John!Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-f-maggio-b98b593/https://www.instagram.com/cocktailsquad/?hl=en

After your favorite viral pasta sauce entered its “parenting era” by teaming up with Little Spoon on limited edition clean-label, ready-to-eat meals…it got thinking how SAUZ might've unlocked the ultimate growth strategy, which centers around modern parents wanting the CPG brands they already love to growth their families. Could it become a blueprint for the next generation of “cool kids' food"? Imagine a milder Fly By Jing szechuan-inspired flavor of Serenity Kids pouches. Or what about including a Graza “drizzle kit” within those Tiny Organics “finger food meals” to make them extra fun. So, which “adult” CPG brand do you want to see collab on a kids' version next?

This week we are LIVE with Mike Levinson, Founder of FS Octopus. Mike brings 25+ years in foodservice/alternative channels and retail, with deep expertise in CPG distribution — aka how products actually move, not just how they look on a pitch deck.He's worked with startups and big brands, so he understands both the hustle and the scale. His FS Octopus approach breaks foodservice/alt. channel sales down to what really drives results: distribution, marketing, buyer relationships, and sharp brand positioning.FS stands for Food Service and it's always an underlooked channel for CPG Brands - but not anymore! IF you want to learn about the Food Service side of CPG - TUNE IN!https://fsoctopus.com/

In this episode, I talk with John Ferrante from EO Space about how high-growth CPG brands find white space, build emotional differentiation, and use packaging as a true growth lever. We break down why functional claims are no longer enough, how standout brands earn attention and convert on shelf and on social, and what founders should focus on when positioning their product to win in competitive categories.Perfect for CPG founders rethinking branding, packaging, and long-term growth.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

Daniel Scharff, founder of Startup CPG, joins the Grow Everything podcast to share how he built the world's largest community for emerging consumer brands. With 35,000 members in their Slack channel and over 75 in-person events annually, Startup CPG is democratizing access to retail buyers, investors, and industry resources that would typically cost founders thousands in consulting fees. Daniel discusses the harsh realities of CPG entrepreneurship—including why only 20-25% of brands survive beyond a few years—and shares his playbook for success: prioritize great branding and taste over health claims, build scrappy and resourceful, and delay fundraising until you can command a meaningful valuation. He reveals patterns he's observed across thousands of brands, from the danger of copycat products in oversaturated categories (looking at you, chili crisps and prebiotic sodas) to the power of in-person connections for discovering innovation. Daniel also explains why Startup CPG operates on a "do good, do well" model, offering free resources to brands while building a sustainable business through sponsorships and events—and why he believes this approach could transform other industries beyond CPG.Grow Everything brings the bioeconomy to life. Hosts Karl Schmieder and Erum Azeez Khan share stories and interview the leaders and influencers changing the world by growing everything. Biology is the oldest technology. And it can be engineered. What are we growing?Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.messaginglab.com/groweverything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Chapters:(00:00:00) - Fancy Weekends, Le Bernardin, and the Met(00:03:00) - Drops of God Season 2 and Art at the Met(00:06:00) - Automatic Noodle Book Discussion(00:09:00) - Claude Bot and AI Tools for Content Creation(00:13:00) - Introducing Daniel Scharff and Startup CPG(00:16:00) - Daniel's Journey from Mars to Just Egg to Startup CPG(00:21:00) - Building the World's Largest CPG Community(00:27:00) - Patterns of Success and Failure in CPG Brands(00:33:00) - What Makes Products Stand Out: Innovation vs. Copycats(00:38:00) - The Role of Biology and Health Claims in CPG(00:42:00) - Why In-Person Events Still Matter in a Digital World(00:50:00) - The Startup CPG Podcast and Media Platform(00:54:00) - Fundraising Strategies: When to Raise and How Much(01:00:00) - Quick Fire Questions with Daniel(01:03:00) - Final Thoughts and Wrap-UpLinks and Resources:Startup CPGStartup CPG Formulator DirectoryStartup CPG ResourcesNoguchi's Waterstone at the METAutomatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz166. The Great Reformulation: Joshua Lachter Rethinks How We Make Everything at Scale165. Biology Behind the Brands: Inside P&G's Two-Century Story164. From Plasmids to Pallets: How Erin Marasco Scales Biology at CargillTopics Covered: CPG, consumer packaged goods, startups, community, Startup CPG, innovationHave a question or comment? Message us here:Text or Call (804) 505-5553Instagram  / Twitter / LinkedIn / Youtube / Grow EverythingMusic by: Nihilore Production by:  Amplafy Media

I sit down with Rachel Vigil, Founder of UpClose Marketing, to break down one of the most overlooked sampling channels for emerging CPG brands: vacation rentals and short-term stays.We talk about how placing products inside Airbnbs, mid-term rentals, and campgrounds allows brands to reach high-intent consumers in distraction-free environments without the high costs and chaos of festivals or in-store demos. Rachel shares which product categories perform best, how brands can collect real feedback and emails, and how this channel can support retail growth and long-term customer relationships.If you're curious whether this sampling strategy could work for your brand, you can contact Rachel by emailing me at intro@foodbevy.com, and I'll be happy to make an introduction.Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy, an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a member or an industry partner today.

In an era of college football where bowl games don't matter anymore, it seems CPG brand marketers didn't get that memo! Imagine a world where fans are showing up (or watching at home) not just for the sport but the title sponsor's brand experience! In what has become a marketing platform for some of the wackiest shareable moments in recent memory…a select group has mastered how to turn passive viewers of college football postseason into active participants in their brand stories. But as another college football postseason ends, I wanted to quickly provide a tier ranking of every bowl game that had a CPG brand as the title sponsor, which includes the Bucked Up LA Bowl, Bush's Boca Raton Bowl of Beans, Pop-Tarts Bowl, Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl, Kinder's Texas Bowl, Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, and Duke's Mayo Bowl. And my tier ranking will be based solely around how effective these sponsors were at creating brand-driven spectacles. Lastly, and this has little to do about dissecting the marketing strategies of CPG brands…but why not play these “bowl games” in the first week of the season. I'm not sure the college football teams participating would actively embrace the current-level of brand-driven spectacles…but it would certainly bring immense meaning back to those games. But in the end, maybe attention doesn't materially change either way in today's online sports betting and prediction markets era.

Protein is showing up in more products than ever before, but does it need to be in your soda? The Taste Radio team digs into the fast-growing ingredient trend, breaking down taste, functionality and whether more equals better. The hosts also tease an exciting first: BevNET's inaugural trade show booth at the upcoming Winter FancyFaire*. Show notes: 0:25: Faire Trade. How Many Margaritas? Gains And Grams. A Smaller Cult. Tapping Target. Shirley & Sake. – Mike is in Mexico, but the whole team is heading to San Diego for the Winter FancyFaire*. Ray, John, and Jacqui preview BevNET's presence at the annual trade show, along with a Naturally San Diego–hosted event featuring an indulgent spread of tacos, margaritas, and Taste Radio interviews. The conversation then turns to the continued rise of protein across food and beverage categories, examining how consumer demand, usage occasions, and flavor influence the trend's long-term staying power. The hosts also share hands-on reviews of new and noteworthy products spotted primarily at Target, including The Coconut Cult's single-serve probiotic coconut yogurts, Olipop's limited-edition Shirley Temple flavor, So Good So You's sparkling organic energy drinks, Snow Monkey's sake-based RTD cocktails, and a premium raw coconut water brand. The episode wraps with an open invitation for brands to share products with the BevNET and Taste Radio team. Brands in this episode: Gorgie, Naked, Super Coffee, Projo, Pure Genius, The Coconut Cult, Olipop, Boylan, So Good So You, Mid-Day Squares, Snow Monkey, Stiller Soda, Spindrift, Bulletproof, Sprite, Ra Coconut Water, Throne Sport Coffee

Protein is showing up in more products than ever before, but does it need to be in your soda? The Taste Radio team digs into the fast-growing ingredient trend, breaking down taste, functionality and whether more equals better. The hosts also tease an exciting first: BevNET's inaugural trade show booth at the upcoming Winter FancyFaire*. Show notes: 0:25: Faire Trade. How Many Margaritas? Gains And Grams. A Smaller Cult. Tapping Target. Shirley & Sake. – Mike is in Mexico, but the whole team is heading to San Diego for the Winter FancyFaire*. Ray, John, and Jacqui preview BevNET's presence at the annual trade show, along with a Naturally San Diego–hosted event featuring an indulgent spread of tacos, margaritas, and Taste Radio interviews. The conversation then turns to the continued rise of protein across food and beverage categories, examining how consumer demand, usage occasions, and flavor influence the trend's long-term staying power. The hosts also share hands-on reviews of new and noteworthy products spotted primarily at Target, including The Coconut Cult's single-serve probiotic coconut yogurts, Olipop's limited-edition Shirley Temple flavor, So Good So You's sparkling organic energy drinks, Snow Monkey's sake-based RTD cocktails, and a premium raw coconut water brand. The episode wraps with an open invitation for brands to share products with the BevNET and Taste Radio team. Brands in this episode: Gorgie, Naked, Super Coffee, Projo, Pure Genius, The Coconut Cult, Olipop, Boylan, So Good So You, Mid-Day Squares, Snow Monkey, Stiller Soda, Spindrift, Bulletproof, Sprite, Ra Coconut Water, Throne Sport Coffee

In this episode of Turning Point, Blaine Bertsch sits down with Josh Sizemore, a seasoned entrepreneur in the CPG world, to unpack a career defined by speed, resilience, and reinvention. From selling basketball cards as a kid to reviving a bankrupt $200M beverage brand and scaling it into tens of thousands of retail locations, Josh shares how opportunistic thinking and relentless execution fuel long-term success.The conversation dives into what it really takes to rebuild failed brands, move fast in crowded consumer markets, and adapt across wildly different business models—from beverages and bottled water to CBD e-commerce, kombucha, and franchise operations. Josh opens up about burnout, hard-earned lessons from imperfect exits, and why experience often matters more than a “perfect” outcome.Josh also introduces his latest venture, FeastFast, a breakthrough snack brand designed for people with diabetes, pre-diabetes, and anyone focused on fasting and ketosis. He explains how clinical testing, patents, and disciplined product development are helping FeastFast deliver snacks that don't spike blood sugar—while still tasting great. This episode is packed with real-world insights on CPG execution, cash flow discipline, brand building, and navigating risk as an entrepreneur.Subscribe to Turning Point for more founder stories and practical lessons from the front lines of entrepreneurship. And if you're a CFO or finance leader tired of wrestling with spreadsheets, visit Dryrun.com to see how cash flow forecasting and scenario modeling can bring clarity, accuracy, and confidence to your business.#entrepreneurship #CPGbrands #startupjourney #foundermindset #businessgrowthListen on your favorite podcast network or at turningpoint.buzzsprout.comLearn more FeastFast at feastfast.coWatch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ek-9SfieoJQMaster the Future of Your Finances. From cash flow management to forecasting and scenario planning, see the impact of your decisions before you act. dryrun.com

Nima Jalali built SALT & STONE out of his apartment into a $100M+ brand, without ever pitching a single retailer. After an ACL injury redirected his path, he created something he desperately wanted but didn't exist, a high quality, clean deodorant, that actually performs. SALT & STONE has now become one of the fastest growing brands in the space to-date by doing things differently. Even right now, every 60 seconds a SALT & STONE deodorant is bought.  In this candid conversation Nima opens up about transitioning from a pro surfboarder into the Founder role, what it takes to build a killer team, and what keeps him going. He reveals the counter-intuitive strategy that got Sephora to come to him, and how he iterated his deodorant formula through 5 generations before calling it perfect. You'll Learn: Why going through 5+ product iterations beats launching "good enough"The digital excellence strategy that makes retailers chase you (not the other way around)How to build legacy brand positioning even as a one-person startupWhy getting a "no" from retailers too early can kill your momentumThe mindset shift from solo athlete to team builderThe key to building a digital identity that inspires & attracts customersCHAPTERS: 00:00 Introducing Nima Jalali, Founder & CEO of SALT & STONE3:00 Transitioning from Pro Snowboarder to Business Owner 4:55 The 5 Generations of Product Perfection6:45 How to Think Like Nike When You're a One-Man Show8:13 What Nima Did to Build a Brand Sephora NEEDS to Have10:09 Steps to Achieve Digital Excellence 12:39 SALT & STONE'S Philosophy on: Ingredient Sourcing, Product Development & Testing 19:06 How to Set Your Business Up to Grow Into a Legacy Brand From Day 1  22:07 The Retail Strategy That Never Fails 28:35 Tackling Global Expansion & Managing Expectations as a Founder   29:55 Single Most Impactful Thing NIma Did in The First 6 Months That Made SALT & STONE Successful  Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

On this episode, I talk about the importance of deploying a social media strategy that actually aligns with your greater business goals. Dont chase likes and viral moments. Remember what really matters, and then adjust your plan and lean into it.For CPG brands, the name of the game is retail velocity. So, make sure you are creating content, pushing out messaging, and driving awareness, consideration, and trial in-store.

Sonja Grasser is the Founder of Retention Theory, a consultancy helping CPG brands turn one-time buyers into loyal repeat customers through data-driven retention systems. With a background that spans law school, 60+ countries of travel, and hands-on work with brands like MaryRuth's Organics, Sonja brings a uniquely behavioral approach to customer retention: rooted in psychology, not playbooks.After landing in retention by accident as a German-speaking marketer, Sonja discovered her passion for understanding why customers buy, not just what they buy. Her global perspective and analytical mindset help founders identify churn before it happens, build smarter lifecycle flows, and create experiences that keep customers coming back.Whether you're a CPG founder tired of chasing acquisition or an operator ready to make retention your growth engine, Sonja shares a masterclass in turning customer behavior into predictable, sustainable revenue.In This Conversation We Discuss: [00:33] Intro[01:05] Helping brands turn retention into revenue[01:30] Connecting communication to customer longevity[02:08] Identifying patterns behind consumable success[02:55] Leveraging analytical thinking for stronger retention[04:00] Educating first-time buyers before selling again[05:25] Helping buyers at their exact stage of the journey[07:11] Designing flows that nurture interest into action[07:45] Applying retention rules across every direct channel[08:18] Stay updated with new episodes[08:29] Spotting churn before customers disappear[10:19] Timing recovery emails before customers drift away[11:39] Resolving customer issues before they walk away[12:27] Setting triggers that match real customer behavior[14:16] Focusing on results-driven storytelling for CPG[15:26] Evaluating why memberships don't always translate[16:36] Building loyalty from your first 100 buyers[17:07] Layering time data to reveal true retention health[19:08] Applying psychology to make retention truly workResources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeHelps Ecommerce brands with retention marketing retentiontheory.com/Follow Sonja Grasser linkedin.com/in/sonjagrasserIf you're enjoying the show, we'd love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!

Most brand leaders say they value transparency — but few truly live it.
In this episode, Mark and Justin pull back the curtain on what honesty really looks like inside a CPG business — from your marketing claims to your retailer relationships to the way you work with your agency. They explain why every shortcut built on exaggeration eventually destroys credibility — and how facing hard truths can actually accelerate your growth, deepen partnerships, and open up surprising new opportunities. You'll learn: • Why all progress starts with the truth (and how to find it in your brand) • The #1 lie that kills credibility with retailers — and how to fix it • What happens when you're not honest with your agency or your team Listen now and discover why the most profitable brands are also the most transparent.

As the leading consumer products accelerator, SKU has helped launch and scale some of the most innovative brands in CPG. At the center of that mission is Michelle Breyer, SKU's Chief Marketing Officer and a serial entrepreneur who knows what it takes to build lasting consumer brands. In this episode, Michelle shares how SKU empowers founders to navigate early-stage challenges, the marketing strategies that separate breakout brands from the rest, and why mentorship remains the foundation of SKU's success. She also offers a look ahead at the trends and categories poised to define the next decade of CPG innovation. More about Michelle Bryer: Michelle Breyer is a visionary entrepreneur who took a personal frustration over her curly hair and built it into NaturallyCurly — the largest social-media platform for hair. She was named one of the 50 Most Influential People in the Multicultural Market by Women's Wear Daily. Since it was founded in 1998, NaturallyCurly company grew to include an ecommerce site, a consumer insights division and an experiential marketing company. The company has worked with numerous companies, including L'Oreal, Unilever, Walmart and Sephora to help them develop, launch, position and merchandise the products to this valuable consumer. The company developed the popular curl type system that now is the standard for the industry. NaturallyCurly was acquired in 2018 by Essence Ventures. Michelle is an advisor and mentor for several haircare brands. Before launching NaturallyCurly, Michelle was a business reporter with daily newspapers in Texas and California, focusing on retail, real estate and consumer products. A year-long special project on the explosive growth of Whole Foods Markets won several state and national awards. Michelle currently is the Chief Marketing Officer at SKU, the nation's first CPG accelerator. She joined SKU as a mentor, working with emerging brands to help them scale. More about SKU: We educate and equip market-validated consumer product companies for growth into world class brands. Learn more at: https://sku.is/

#630 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! 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. And follow us on: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To get exclusive offers mentioned in this episode and to support the show, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠millionaireuniversity.com/sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Want to hear from more incredible entrepreneurs? Check out all of our interviews ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danielle Kidney is the founder of The Creative Pack, a Los Angeles-based agency specializing in packaging design for CPG and DTC brands. With over two decades of experience in the industry—including work with Tesco and a diverse portfolio of well-known consumer brands—Danielle brings a wealth of expertise in every aspect of packaging, from strategy and brand storytelling to materials and production.In this episode of DTC Pod, Danielle breaks down the behind-the-scenes process of creating packaging that not only looks great but also delivers on function, compliance, and scalability. She covers everything from the earliest stages of design and competitor audits, to the nuances of materials, regulatory requirements, and print production. Danielle shares practical advice on how brands can avoid costly mistakes, streamline their supply chain, and create packaging that stands out both online and on the shelf.Episode brought to you by StordInteract with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. The importance of packaging in brand perception and sales2. Process: From initial idea to production-ready design3. Building a design brief and establishing project scope4. Competitive reviews and designing for hierarchy and function5. Balancing creative innovation with must-have regulatory details6. Collaborating with clients, manufacturers, and printers7. Prototyping, mockups, and unboxing experience8. Print technology, material choices, and cost management9. Regulatory review, legal claims, and compliance essentials10. Lead times, timeline planning, and pitfalls of rushing production11. Early-stage packaging vs. scaling up for retail and DTC12. Lessons learned: common mistakes and strategic tips13. Pricing, form factor, and packaging design as sales leversTimestamps00:00 Introducing Danielle Kidney & The Creative Pack05:42 The Creative Pack's client process: from idea to brief10:50 Balancing branding vs. functionality for sales and conversion18:03 Manufacturing realities: materials, dielines, and cost constraints24:39 Colors, mockups, and bringing digital designs to life26:22 Real-world costs of packaging mistakes and risk mitigation29:27 Regulatory musts: nutrition facts, barcodes, legal pitfalls35:10 Realistic timelines for packaging launches and scale40:33 Strategies for startups vs. brands scaling up43:23 Lessons learned and tips for optimizing packaging decisions50:20 Where to connect with Danielle and The Creative PackShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokDanielle Kidney - Founder of The Creative PackBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Scaling CPG Brands with Roadmap CPG's Michelle Prychidny and Koreann WebsterIn this episode of This Commerce Life, hosts Phil and Kenny welcome the dynamic duo behind Roadmap CPG - Michelle Prychidny and Koreann Webster. Together, these industry veterans share their combined decades of experience helping emerging CPG brands navigate the treacherous waters of retail scaling.From their early days at Vega and their rocket ship journey with SmartSweets to launching their own consultancy, Michelle and Koreann break down the critical foundational pieces that make or break growing brands. They dive deep into the most common pitfalls they see repeatedly: cash flow nightmares, pricing disasters, and the fundamental disconnect between profit and loss versus actual cash in the bank. check out Roadmap CPG here: https://www.roadmapcpg.com/Find Koreann here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/koreann-webster-42b43160/Find Michelle here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-mckay-prychidny-b6b0492/Thank you to Field Agent Canada for sponsoring the podcast. https://www.fieldagentcanada.com/

Natan Bershtel is the Director of Business Development at Pelagic, a fractional supply chain partner for growing brands and CPG companies. Before Pelagic, Natan spent nearly 20 years as a public school teacher before joining and eventually running his family's contract packaging business—where he worked with iconic names like Seed, Liquid IV, Celsius, and Element. After his company's exit, Natan teamed up with John Morgan to help brands avoid common operational pitfalls and build supply chains that scale.In this episode of DTC Pod, Natan breaks down what it takes to build a resilient supply chain at every stage of brand growth. He shares practical strategies to avoid common pitfalls, tips on sourcing the right partners, and insights on how successful brands approach manufacturing, fulfillment, and logistics. Natan also highlights why supply chain is core to a brand's success and how founders can create real competitive advantages by making supply chain decisions based on quality, relationships, and flexibility.Episode brought to you by StordInteract with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. Importance of supply chain in DTC and omnichannel brands2. Key players: sourcing, manufacturing, co-packers, 3PLs, and fulfillment3. Differences in supply chain needs for emerging vs. established brands4. Supply chain pitfalls and how to avoid them5. Vetting, relationship-building, and collaboration with your supply chain partners6. Overlooked areas of supply chain where founders lose time/money7. How to approach minimum order quantities and negotiations8. When to outsource fulfillment vs. doing it yourself9. Logistics of manufacturing, packaging, and distribution10. The impact of scale on supply chain decisions11. Using data and timelines to make faster, smarter choices12. Leveraging agency and partner networks for supply chain speed13. Why in-person vendor relationships are crucial14. How truly great supply chains build brand moatsTimestamps00:00 Intro and the state of supply chain in DTC01:40 Natan Bershtel's background and path to Pelagic02:24 Lessons from growing a contract packaging family business04:11 Why supply chain is the backbone of every brand05:28 The role of execution vs. creative vision in CPG07:09 How to find and vet the best manufacturing/packaging partners11:15 The agency advantage: getting reps and sharing supply chain intel12:41 Core players in bringing a product to market15:04 Aligning supply chain strategy with brand vision and goals16:56 Two playbooks for scaling: bootstrap profit vs. capital-intensive growth19:48 Timelines—how to ask supply partners the right questions21:41 How and when to ask for what you need from partners26:32 End-to-end product launch: manufacturing, packaging, and fulfillment28:42 When to move fulfillment to a 3PL (and when to keep it in-house)33:15 Tech and process innovation at leading 3PLs35:14 Strategic decisions: packaging, location, and unit economics38:58 Challenging assumptions and reviewing supply chain regularly42:08 Supply chain as brand moat and advantage44:13 Final tips: Always go in-person and build real relationshipsShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokNatan Bershtel - Director of Business Development at PelagicBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

Retail isn't dead—it's evolving. Despite the noise about Amazon taking over, brick-and-mortar still drives the majority of CPG sales, and the smartest brands are using it as their exponential growth engine. In this episode, Mark and Justin break down why e-commerce isn't replacing retail, which categories thrive in stores versus online, and how omni-channel strategies are shaping the future of CPG. You'll discover what retailers like Walmart are doing right, why “commodities” are in trouble, and how to position your brand for both stability and growth. Listen now to find out why the future of CPG isn't about choosing online or in-store—it's about mastering both.

The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Toby Espinosa, Vice President of Ads at DoorDash, one of the world's leading local commerce platforms that helps businesses of all kinds grow and innovate, connects consumers to the best of their neighborhoods, and gives people fast, flexible ways to earn. Since its founding in 2013, DoorDash has expanded to over 30 countries, using technology and logistics to shape the future of commerce. Through its Marketplace and its Commerce Platform, DoorDash is driving economic vitality in the regions it serves worldwide.This episode is sponsored by DoorDash.Follow Toby on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/a-toby-espinosa-b9458812/ Follow DoorDash on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/doordash/ Follow DoorDash Ads online at: https://advertising.doordash.com/en-usToby answer these questions:Can you walk us through your role at DoorDash Ads and how the organization fits within the broader DoorDash ecosystem?What unique value does DoorDash bring to the retail media landscape, especially compared to traditional players like retailers or streaming platforms?What makes advertising within the food delivery sector different from other consumer industries?  What types of CPG brands are seeing the most success on DoorDash Ads—and why?Can you share a campaign or partnership or examples that exemplify what "great" looks like on DoorDash Ads? aka what is best in class?How is DoorDash doing things differently, and how do advertisers look to us as an additional opportunity to what other RMNs are already offering?What does working with Doordash ads entail - aka the customer experience?What key performance indicators (KPIs) do you consider most critical when evaluating ad success at DoorDash? Can you share some examples of how data insights have directly influenced campaign adjustments?What advice would you give to brands, especially in the consumer packaged goods arena, looking to leverage digital advertising for growth?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comCPG Scoop Website: http://CPGscoop.comRhea Raj's Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/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.

This week on the Modern Retail Podcast, co-hosts Gabi Barkho and Melissa Daniels get into the news of how On running shoes led the pack of footwear earnings with a 32% year-over-year sales increase. Then they get into all things Summerween, as the trend of spooky decor in the summer starts to bleed into actual Halloween sale season. Then for the featured segment (19:05), Barkho and Daniels get into why natural grocer Sprouts is becoming a go-to destination for CPG brands looking to make a wholesale splash. They're joined by Nicole Portland, the chief marketing officer at beverage company Suja Life, who shares why Sprouts was the choice partner for their re-launch of legacy soda brand Slice -- and how it became the home of its exclusive, on-trend cherry cola flavor. They get into why Slice, a relaunch that dovetails with a better-for-you soda boom, found a fit in Sprouts, how Sprouts' nationwide rollout model gives small brands a fast-track to scaling and why store programs like “New for You” and “Fresh Finds” drive discovery and repeat sales

Scott is joined by CPG expert Nik Hall to discuss what truly drives success for consumer packaged goods brands on Amazon. Drawing from his experience building and exiting a gummy vitamin company, Nik shares hard-earned insights on category trends, why most failures come from chasing hype too late, and how overlooked niches often present the best opportunities. Get real-world lessons from both failed launches and breakout brands, highlighting the importance of strategy, timing, and execution. Scott and Nik also explore how to validate product-market fit through blind taste tests, review mining, and competitor analysis. Nik emphasizes that in the world of consumables, taste still reigns supreme. No amount of marketing can save a mediocre product. They discuss how tools like SmartScout can guide smarter decisions around product development and launch timing, offering a clear roadmap for new sellers aiming to succeed in today's competitive CPG landscape. Episode Notes: 00:15 - Nik Hall Introduction 01:20 - Nik's Background 01:57 - Success vs. Failure in CPG on Amazon 03:31 - Chasing Trends: Opportunities and Pitfalls 05: 10 - Multi-Trend Positioning 08:30 - Taste and Longevity: What Really Drives LTV 08:52 - Product Development: Testing and Sensory Analysis 11:07 -  Navigating Manufacturing and Co-Packing Challenges 14:50 - Real-World Failure 18:17 - Product-Market Fit in CPG 19:03- Customer Conversations and Amazon Research 20:53 - Choosing a Launch Path 21:24 - The Realities of Retail 22:14 - The Permissionless Nature of Amazon and D2C 23:10 - Startup Resource Requirements 23:40 - Founders' Stories 25:05 - Best Resources for New CPG Entrepreneurs 27:25 - Networking, Mentorship, and Building Real Relationships 29:08 - Content Marketing and Honest Advice 29:30 - Helping Select Brands and Giving Back   Related Post: The Top CPG Brands That Launched on Amazon Since 2018   How to Reach Nik: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nikhall Website: vitafive.com   Scott's Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

This week we are bringing back our coveted Master Series and are bringing on seasoned investors and growth experts in the CPG space. Our guests are investors, advisors, and partners in CPG brands and they are highly skilled at supporting brands for scale with proper strategy and capital.We are bringing on:Jeff Lichtenstein - CEO - Next In NaturalMichael Bush - Managing Partner - GrowthWay PartnersMike Fata - CPG Investor/AdvisorWhether you are growing your own CPG brand, or investing in a CPG brand and helping them scale with your guidance, this is a must see/listen!

There's a double-edged sword aspect that doesn't get talked about enough in today's low barriers-to-entry CPG business landscape. A piece of information (about your CPG product or brand) can rapidly spread across the Internet, reaching wide audiences, and becoming popular in an instant. But “going viral” isn't a strategy. In fact, it's oftentimes second- and third-order effects from virality that cause so many failures across the CPG industry. Does that mean “chasing that next big viral moment” is worthless? No, but like Jason Adelman (SVP - Strategy & Partnership Development at Brand Innovators) said in this podcast episode, “most brands fail when they don't plan for what's next.” What happens when your celebrity co-founder's newest movie is a massive hit? Does your CPG brand possess the multi-disciplined acumen across brand marketing to effectively and efficiently maximize this halo effect? If not, do you have a trusted, strategically agnostic voice that can help you find the right agency partners and innovative marketing technology? So, while you've likely extracted various lessons from the Del Monte Foods bankruptcy and other “famous” business failures recently…don't overlook learning about how to navigate the complexities of today's CPG marketing landscape, as it's becoming the industry's silent assassin. Follow - Pour Decisions Podcast Also, an extra special thanks to Cognizin, for not only being the Title Sponsor of The Beverage Forum 2025...but supporting this awesome piece of content!

Matt Kovacs is the President and Lead Strategist at Blaze PR, a boutique PR agency that works with lifestyle brands. With over two decades of experience in PR and marketing, he has led campaigns for major brands like ESPN, Honest Tea, and Marriott Hotels. Matt specializes in helping brands leverage PR to attract investments, shape category dynamics, and build reputations that convert.  In this episode… For consumer brands aiming to scale, public relations often feels like an uncertain investment. While performance marketing offers measurable ROI, PR can seem intangible, focusing more on image than impact. How can founders ensure their PR efforts support business outcomes like fundraising, acquisition, or retail expansion? Public relations strategist Matt Kovacs has developed a practical framework for aligning PR with business goals. He emphasizes the importance of clarifying a brand's objectives before launching any campaign, whether building thought leadership, category awareness, or retail traction. Matt recommends building cross-functional buy-in, investing in influencer product sampling, and leveraging media audits and strategic messaging to improve placement outcomes. To quantify results, he suggests using tools like an “impact index” to rate coverage based on business-relevant criteria. In today's episode of the Up Arrow Podcast, William Harris sits down with Matt Kovacs, President and Lead Strategist at Blaze PR, to discuss how to execute PR that drives measurable business growth. He talks about aligning PR with acquisition or retail goals and best practices for media training, leveraging influencer partnerships, and supporting founder-led storytelling.

Scott welcomes industry veteran Rob Principe to explore the explosive growth potential in Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG). Drawing from his extensive experience at Jungle Scout and Netrush, Rob shares insights on how emerging brands can leverage strategic positioning and TikTok's unparalleled reach to transform from unknown startups to market leaders. Learn why TikTok has become the essential platform for modern CPG marketing as Rob breaks down the critical differences between micro and macro-influencer strategies and their impact on consumer trust. This is a masterclass in social media marketing for e-commerce brands, revealing how the right digital presence can dramatically accelerate brand growth and establish lasting customer relationships.   Episode Notes: 00:13 - Robert Principe Introduction 01:23 - Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) 03:07 - CPGs and Top 10 Lists 05:50 - Challenger Brands: Growth and Positioning 08:51 - GLP-1s, Protein Trends, and Product Positioning 12:10 - The Evolution of Protein Bars & Consumer Tastes 14:44 - Identifying PE-Backed Versus Bootstrapped Brands 15:37 - Multi-Channel Launch Strategies for Brands 17:17 - Matching Brands with the Right Service Providers 20:43 - The Critical Role of TikTok for Modern Brands 24:12 - Navigating TikTok Agencies and Service Providers 28:47 - Brick and Mortar: Still Relevant for CPG? 31:54 - Influencer vs. Affiliate Strategies on TikTok 37:45 - The Value of Human Touch and Relationship Building   Related Post: The Top 10 Amazon Sellers in the U.S. Marketplace   How to Reach Robert: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/etailfounder Website: etail-advisors.com   Scott's Links: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scott-needham-a8b39813 X: @itsScottNeedham Instagram: @smartestseller YouTube: www.youtube.com/@smartestamazonseller2371 Newsletter: https://www.smartscout.com/newsletter-sign-up Blog: https://www.smartscout.com/blog

When it comes to rewriting the rules of women's health, few founders are doing it with as much heart, rigor, and clarity as Tovah Haim.  In this episode, I sit down with the founder and CEO of Bodily, a brand transforming the postpartum and reproductive health space by making invisible experiences visible and giving women the support they deserve. We talk about the glaring gaps in education and product design that exist for birthing and miscarriage experiences, how Bodily is changing the narrative with science-backed, radically empathetic solutions, and what it takes to pioneer a new category while honoring a deeply personal mission. Tovah's story is one of courage, clarity, and an unwavering commitment to serving women on their terms. Here are a few highlights from our conversation: * Why most postpartum products weren't designed with women in mind, and how Bodily is changing that * The role of data and scientific rigor in developing Bodily's product line   * Lessons on educating a consumer who's underserved, overwhelmed, and often overlooked   * How the brand approaches both DTC and retail with intention and empathy   * The power of building from lived experience and staying anchored to purpose as you scale Join me, Ramon Vela, as I listen to the episode and discover how Bodily is reshaping the future of women's health with integrity, innovation, and impact. For more on Bodily, visit:  https://itsbodily.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.  Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.  Saral - The Influencer OS: https://www.getsaral.com/demo SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Request a live demo today. Let the SARAL team know you're a The Story of a Brand Show podcast listener to get an extended free trial! Visit the link above. 

Chris Koch is the founder and CEO of VO/D, a venture studio that partners with massive talent celebrities to build enduring CPG brands across DTC, e-commerce, and retail. With a background in sports, investment banking, and talent management, Chris brings deep experience in identifying consumer needs, pairing them with the right creators, and executing product-first brand launches.In this episode of DTC Pod, Chris walks through Void's venture model, emphasizing the importance of strong products over mere celebrity endorsement. He shares the inside story of 1Up Candy's rapid national retail rollout and outlines key frameworks for structuring talent partnerships, screening for true product-market fit, and ensuring long-term profitability in the saturated creator-led brand space.Interact with other DTC experts and access our monthly fireside chats with industry leaders on DTC Pod Slack.On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:1. VO/D's Venture Studio Model  2. Partnering with Celebrities and Creators  3. Product-First Versus Talent-First Approach  4. Identifying Consumer Problems 5. Selecting The Right Talent  6. Talent as a Marketing Utility  7. Challenges in Sourcing and Engaging Talent  8. Social Following vs Purchase Influence  9. Structuring Talent Partnerships  10. Brand Launch Funding and Operations  11. 1Up Candy Launch Story  12. Retail Distribution Partnerships  13. Inventory Financing and Cash Flow  14. Creator-Led Marketing Strategies  15. Legal and Contractual Safeguards  16. Tips for Talent-Led Brands  17. VO/D's Future Direction Timestamps00:00 Chris's background & intro to VO/D03:35 Why Void is product-first, not just talent-powered05:04 An inside look at VO/D's venture studio model06:55 Talent as a utility & making brands that stand alone10:31 Challenges matching creators to authentic product opportunities11:28 Assessing conversion, reach, and fit in creator partners13:40 How 1Up Candy with FaZe Rug came together17:31 Disrupting candy with innovation and viral challenges20:33 Breaking into 4,000 Walmart stores & key retail strategy23:30 Operational realities of scaling fast (financing, supply chain, DTC vs. retail)29:18 How to structure talent deals: equity, vesting, and incentives35:17 Red flags and protective provisions in creator agreements40:08 What's next for VO/D: new categories, creator partners, and acquisition opportunitiesShow notes powered by CastmagicPast guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  Additional episodes you might like:• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands-----Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further?Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Want the weekly TL;DR of tips delivered to your mailbox?Check out our newsletter here.Projects the DTC Pod team is working on:DTCetc - all our favorite brands on the internetOlivea - the extra virgin olive oil & hydroxytyrosol supplementCastmagic - AI Workspace for ContentFollow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokChris Koch - Founder of VO/DBlaine Bolus - Co-Founder of CastmagicRamon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic

When a brand makes you smile just by looking at it, you know there's something special going on.  That's exactly how I felt when I discovered IZIPIZI,  a company on a mission to bring style, joy, and accessibility to eyewear.  In this episode, I sit down with Charles Brun, Co-founder and CEO of IZIPIZI, to explore how they transformed a simple idea into a global lifestyle brand by leading with design, affordability, and human-centered values. Charles and I delve into IZIPIZI's journey from a class project in France to its distribution in over 7,000 stores across more than 80 countries. We talk about the power of simplicity, the discipline of great design, and how his team keeps joy at the center of their brand, even as they scale.  Whether you're building a brand from scratch or looking to rediscover your "why," there's so much to learn from their intentional and inclusive approach. Here are a few highlights from the episode:   * How three college friends turned a school idea into a multimillion-dollar brand.   *Why international expansion starts with listening, not assumptions.   * The role of simplicity, functionality, and “smile design” in standing out in a crowded market.   * Building retail partnerships without losing the brand soul.   * Keeping purpose and product quality aligned as you grow. Join me, Ramon Vela, as we listen to the full episode and get inspired by a brand that's making vision care both stylish and joyful for everyone. For more on IZIPIZI, visit: https://www.izipizi.com/us_en If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.  Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.    Color More Lines: https://www.colormorelines.com/get-started Color More Lines is a team of ex-Amazonians and e-commerce operators who help brands grow faster on Amazon and Walmart. With a performance-based pricing model and flexible contracts, they've generated triple-digit year-over-year growth for established sellers doing over $5 million per year. Use code "STORY OF A BRAND” and receive a complimentary market opportunity assessment of your e-commerce brand and marketplace positioning. 

When Rose Hamilton, Founder of Compass Rose Ventures, first tried Aplós, she knew there was something different, sophisticated, calming, and beautifully intentional.  In this episode, Rose sits down with David Fudge, Co-founder and CEO of Aplós, to unpack how he's not just building a brand—he's reimagining what it means to unwind. From Bonobos to beverage, David's journey is a masterclass in blending creative vision with operational strategy. We dive deep into how Aplós is breaking category codes while anchoring to timeless consumer desires. David shares how his fashion-forward, design-driven mindset helped shape a non-alcoholic spirit brand that's as emotionally resonant as it is operationally sound.  Whether you're a founder, marketer, or brand strategist, this episode is full of insights that will have you rethinking what brand-building really means today. Here are a few key moments to listen for: * How David leveraged a non-beverage background to challenge industry norms—and why not knowing the rules can be an asset. * The concept of “disciplined disruption”: choosing which category codes to break and which to honor. * Why bartenders—not just consumers—are key to Aplós's advocacy and growth strategy. * Building a go-to-market strategy rooted in both aspiration and data: from DTC learnings to luxury retail partnerships. * David's powerful mantra: “Be convicted in vision, malleable in strategy,” and what it means for modern founders navigating fast-changing landscapes. Join us in listening to the episode to discover how David is crafting more than a product. He's creating a cultural shift in how we gather, relax, and connect. This is a story of vision, values, and the bold art of brand building. For more on Aplós, visit:  https://www.aplos.world/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.  Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.      Workspace6 - Private Community for 7, 8, 9-figure Brands: https://www.workspace6.io/ Workspace6 is a private community where over 950 seven, eight, and nine-figure brand operators trade insights, solve problems, and shortcut growth. It's the anti-fluff operator's room, and for your first 30 days, it's just $1. Get real answers and skip the trial and error

When you meet someone building a brand with soul, you feel it.  That's exactly what happened when I spoke with JW Wiseman, the founder of Curious Elixirs, a line of booze-free cocktails that doesn't just skip the alcohol but adds in adaptogens, bold flavor, and a whole lot of purpose. We discuss how this brand was born out of personal transformation, how JW is rethinking the celebration culture, and why staying curious has become a guiding principle for both life and business.  This is a story about conscious consumption, brand intimacy, and staying true to your values, even when it's hard. If you're interested in building something that blends health, flavor, and meaning, this one's for you. Here are a few highlights from the episode: * Why JW calls Curious a “functional celebration” brand, not just a drink. * The role of adaptogens and how they elevate the non-alcoholic experience. * Bootstrapping and finding the right DTC growth model in a nuanced category. * How they've built deep emotional resonance with their community. * The power of naming, storytelling, and ritual in CPG branding. Join us in listening to the full episode to hear what it takes to build a movement around conscious consumption, one bottle at a time. For more on Curious Elixir, visit:  https://curiouselixirs.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.  Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.    REViVE Amazon Marketing Partners: https://revivemp.com/ REViVE Amazon Marketing Partners helps better-for-you CPG brands win on Amazon with niche expertise, founder-led strategy, and a true partnership model. Built by a CPG founder with a successful exit, REViVE only works with brands they believe in. Curious if Amazon is right for you? Book a Free Deep Dive Strategy Session today.

When your product is born out of love, necessity, and a mission to help others, it shows.  In this episode, I sit down with Jesslyn Rollins, CEO of BIOLYTE, the first medical-grade hydration drink formulated to deliver the benefits of an IV bag in a bottle. What started as a way to help her mom during cancer treatment has grown into a mission-driven brand helping people stay hydrated across healthcare, athletic, and everyday wellness settings. We dive into Jesslyn's inspiring entrepreneurial journey, how she leaned on her background in theater to sell products from the ground up, and how BIOLYTE's science-backed formula is shaking up a legacy category. From packaging evolution to retail expansion and customer education, this episode is packed with lessons in resilience, brand building, and staying true to your mission. Here are a few highlights from the conversation: * How a doctor's IV formula became a game-changing hydration solution * Why improv, persistence, and performance shaped Jesslyn's sales success * The power of packaging: how “IV in a bottle” doubled sales * Why dehydration isn't just about thirst and how BIOLYTE goes beyond water * What it really takes to scale a beverage brand with zero outside capital Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the full episode and discovering how BIOLYTE is helping redefine hydration, one bottle at a time. For more on BIOLYTE, visit:  https://drinkbiolyte.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.  Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.    Augmentum Media - Influencer Marketing for Consumer Brands: https://www.augmentum-media.com/story What secret do fast-growing Health and Wellness brands like Xtendlife, Nourished, and Hunter & Gather share? They all outsource their influencer marketing to the experts at Augmentum. Augmentum is offering "The Story of a Brand Show" listeners a 30-minute consulting session AND a personalized influencer strategy plan built by their experts for you to implement either with them or in-house. Visit the link above to learn more. 

Few brands impress me the way Kizik has when it comes to everyday innovation that people can use in their daily lives. In this episode, I sit down with Elizabeth Drori, the Chief Marketing Officer leading the charge at Kizik, the brand redefining how we think about footwear. These aren't just shoes; they're hands-free, high-tech, and built for real life.  Whether you're a parent juggling kids, an athlete on the go, or someone seeking comfort and ease, Kizik is changing the game. And yes, I've worn the same pair for four years — that's how good they are. Elizabeth shares the evolution of Kizik — from early tech innovation to a growing global brand — and how they're making shoes that are stylish, comfortable, and built to move with you. We dive into marketing strategy, inclusive design, and why hands-free isn't just a feature, it's the future. Here are just a few highlights: * How Kizik is disrupting the footwear industry with hands-free technology   * Why their “no-sacrifice” approach balances performance, comfort, and design  * Scaling from DTC to retail with stores, Amazon, and international launches  * The role of inclusivity and lifestyle in their expanding product line  * Marketing to parents, athletes, older adults, and everyone in between Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the episode and discovering why hands-free might be the only way forward regarding shoes. For more on Kizik, visit: https://kizik.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.  Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.    Color More Lines: https://www.colormorelines.com/get-started Color More Lines is a team of ex-Amazonians and e-commerce operators who help brands grow faster on Amazon and Walmart. With a performance-based pricing model and flexible contracts, they've generated triple-digit year-over-year growth for established sellers doing over $5 million per year.   Use code "STORY OF A BRAND” and receive a complimentary market opportunity assessment of your e-commerce brand and marketplace positioning. 

In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Lauren Corugedo, Head of Marketing at Chef Merito. Chef Merito is a family-founded Latino brand that has been bringing bold, authentic flavor to kitchens since 1985.  We dove into the brand's rich heritage, how it all started in her grandfather's garage, and why staying true to their roots is more important than ever as they grow across the U.S. Lauren shares the emotional connection people have with Chef Merito seasonings, the brand's commitment to quality and innovation, and how they're keeping flavors both timeless and trend-forward.  From collaborations at Dodger Stadium to growing demand in B2B and retail, this is a story of passion, perseverance, and flavor that connects generations. Here are a few highlights from our conversation:   * The family story behind Chef Merito and its first seasoning, Carne Asada * How the brand balances tradition with innovation in B2B, DTC, and retail * Why adaptability is key in modern marketing and flavor development * The surprising versatility of seasonings—from tofu to stadium fries * How community feedback and family values shape every decision Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the full episode and discover what it takes to build a multigenerational brand that honors its past while cooking up the future. For more on Chef Merito, visit: https://chefmerito.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.  Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.    Saral - The Influencer OS: https://www.getsaral.com/demo SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Request a live demo today. Let the SARAL team know you're a The Story of a Brand Show podcast listener to get an extended free trial! Visit the link above. 

When someone tells me they're going all in, I listen.  That's exactly what Tommy Walsh, Founder & Owner of Shroom Bar, did when he launched Shroom Bar, a protein-packed, mushroom-fueled bar designed for focus, energy, and endurance.    In this episode, Tommy shares his founder journey, from mixing mushroom powder in his drinks to building a functional bar brand targeting the MMA world (and beyond). We explore what it really takes to bring a product from kitchen to shelf: sourcing ingredients, scaling manufacturing, bootstrapping marketing, and staying committed through long product cycles.   Tommy's not just building a brand—he's cultivating a lifestyle for everyday fighters, athletes, and high-performers looking for clean, daily fuel. Here are a few highlights from our conversation: * Why mushrooms like Lion's Mane and Cordyceps aren't just trendy, they're powerful tools for performance and recovery * How targeting the MMA community gave the brand a strong identity and early traction * The cash flow vs. economies-of-scale challenge every CPG founder faces * Why going “mile deep, inch wide” is the smartest early strategy for niche brands * Lessons on going DTC-first, building social as an asset, and staying laser-focused on the long game Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the full episode and hear what it really takes to go all in and build a functional food brand with purpose, grit, and hustle. For more on Shroom Bar, visit:  https://eatshroombar.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.  Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.    Saral - The Influencer OS: https://www.getsaral.com/demo SARAL is the all-in-one influencer platform that finds brand-aligned creators, automates outreach, and manages everything in one place. Request a live demo today. Let the SARAL team know you're a The Story of a Brand Show podcast listener to get an extended free trial! Visit the link above. 

This week we are featuring two great founders who have built out great beverage companies. They will share their stories and how they got to where they are today and any gems they can share with the CPG community.We are bringing on:Yanni Hufnagel - Founder of Lemon Perfect CompanyMatt Mclean - Founder of Uncle Matt's OrganicJoin us for this great episode. No Script, Just Chat!

When I say this episode is packed with hard-won wisdom, I mean it. I sat down with Matt Orlic, founder of Qure Skincare, who's built 25+ brands over the past two decades, and survived losing $5 million when a major retailer collapsed overnight. Instead of giving up, he pivoted to DTC and built Qure, a brand redefining the skincare category through innovation, accessibility, and product efficacy. In this conversation, Matt discusses everything from emotional resilience and operating leverage to why he believes the future of skincare is tech-forward, community-driven, and built around real customer needs. His story is one of grit, reinvention, and what it really takes to scale a modern brand in today's market. Here are some key moments from our chat: * How losing millions taught Matt the value of diversification and product-market fit   * Why innovation and “leverage points” are Qure's secret to sustainable growth   * The power of storytelling and authenticity in an increasingly AI-driven world   * How Qure balances DTC-first growth with global retail expansion   * What it takes to create FDA-approved hardware and bring clinic-grade tech home   Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the full episode and discovering what it takes to build a skincare brand that's not skin-deep. For more on Qure Skincare, visit:  https://qureskincare.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave  The Story of a Brand Showa rating and review.  Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.  Today's Highlighted Brand: Goode Health: https://www.goodehealth.com/ If you have a family history of heart disease, listen up.  Now, you can reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke by simply eating more polyphenols, the powerful plant nutrients found in fruits and veggies. Goode Health designed and put them all in a tasty superfood shake and conducted a clinical study!  Users of Goode Health had a significant improvement in heart health in just 2 weeks!  Visit goodehealth.com today and use promo code STORY30 for 30% off now!

As someone who's passionate about brands that lead with purpose and quality, my conversation with Lindsey Hickey, CEO and owner of Simek's, was a true highlight.   Simek's isn't just about frozen meals; it's about nourishing people with food made from real ingredients, giving back to local communities, and doing business with integrity. In this episode, Lindsey shares her journey from joining the family business at just 26 years old to leading the company through a complete transformation from running retail stores to building a nationally distributed CPG brand.   We talk about product simplification, clean ingredient innovation, what it takes to get B Corp certified, and how she balances leadership and motherhood with authenticity and purpose. Here are a few key takeaways from the episode: * Why simplifying the product line was critical to scaling, and which SKUs made the cut * How Simek's removed artificial ingredients and doubled down on real, clean, small-batch meals * Lessons learned from the brand's CPG transition, trade spend strategy, and digital evolution * Why DTC didn't make sense for frozen and how they partnered with retail to grow smarter * Their mission-driven approach to impact: from donating 13M+ meals to removing 180K+ lbs of ocean-bound plastic Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the full episode to hear how Lindsey is leading with heart, purpose, and a commitment to doing things the right way. For more on Simek's, visit: https://simeks.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.  Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.    Color More Lines: https://www.colormorelines.com/get-started Color More Lines is a team of ex-Amazonians and e-commerce operators who help brands grow faster on Amazon and Walmart. With a performance-based pricing model and flexible contracts, they've generated triple-digit year-over-year growth for established sellers doing over $5 million per year.   Use code "STORY OF A BRAND” and receive a complimentary market opportunity assessment of your e-commerce brand and marketplace positioning. 

From the moment I met Annie Meyer, Co-founder & CEO of Untoxicated, I could tell she was building something special.   In this episode, we dive deep into her journey with Untoxicated, a mission-driven skincare brand formulated for people with sensitive skin and built around science, empathy, and real impact.  Annie opens up about the personal skin struggles that led her to co-found the brand, how she partnered with an allergist from the Cleveland Clinic, and what it means to create skincare that's not just clean but truly allergen-free. We also discuss entrepreneurship, product-market fit, and what it takes to build a brand that prioritizes people over profit. Annie's insights on distribution, innovation, and bootstrapping are gold for any founder trying to break into the crowded CPG space. Here are some key moments from the episode: * Why “less is more” when formulating products for real skin sensitivities * How saying “no” to retailers helped them stay focused on long-term scale * The power of DTC and Amazon to build trust before entering retail * The decision to price products accessibly, even when investors pushed back * Why partnering with a doctor sets a new standard for skin health Join me, Ramon Vela, in listening to the full episode and get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to launch a truly purpose-driven brand in beauty. For more on Untoxicated, visit:  https://www.untoxicated.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.  Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.  Workspace6 - Private Community for 7, 8, 9-figure Brands: https://www.workspace6.io/ Workspace6 is a private community where over 950 seven, eight, and nine-figure brand operators trade insights, solve problems, and shortcut growth. It's the anti-fluff operator's room, and today, you can join the community for $1 for your first 30 days!

As someone who's had the pleasure of working closely with Sachi Singh, the Founder & CEO of Rootless, I knew this episode would be special.    Sachi isn't just building a product. She's building a movement rooted in impact, education, and transformation.  In this conversation, we explore Rootless's origin story, how seaweed became the brand's "hero ingredient," and the systems thinking that underpins her entire approach to food, wellness, and the planet. We also discuss how Rootless is bridging the gap between food and medicine, creating a daily ritual that empowers women to feel better. Starting with iodine-rich, whole-food bites that taste as good as they are good for you, Sachi shares her philosophy on customer-led product development, the importance of regenerative sourcing, and why the future of women's health is personal, accessible, and community-driven. Here are some highlights from the episode: * Why seaweed could be the future of food and farming, and why your thyroid needs it   * How Sachi used systems thinking to turn complex climate and nutrition issues into consumer action   * The simple but powerful way Rootless collects feedback from its community   * How she's balancing DTC-first growth with a scalable, retention-focused model   * Her lessons on gut instinct, building from wholeness, and designing a brand with purpose Join me, Rose Hamilton, Founder of Compass Rose Ventures, in listening to the episode and learning what it really takes to launch a mission-driven brand that will change how we nourish ourselves and the planet. For more on Rootless, visit:  https://getrootless.com/ If you enjoyed this episode, please leave The Story of a Brand Show a rating and review.  Plus, don't forget to follow us on Apple and Spotify.  Your support helps us bring you more content like this! * Today's Sponsors: Compass Rose Ventures - Advisor for CPG Brands: https://compassroseventures.com/contact/ Compass Rose Ventures can help your CPG brand increase customer lifetime value, expand into the US market, create an omnipresent omnichannel footprint, optimize customer journeys, build brand communities, and more. Visit the link above to learn more.  Augmentum Media - Influencer Marketing for Consumer Brands: https://www.augmentum-media.com/story What secret do fast-growing Health and Wellness brands like Xtendlife, Nourished, and Hunter & Gather share? They all outsource their influencer marketing to the experts at Augmentum. Augmentum is offering "The Story of a Brand Show" listeners a 30-minute consulting session AND a personalized influencer strategy plan built by their experts for you to implement either with them or in-house. Visit the link above to learn more. 

When it comes to fueling ambition, some stories are just unforgettable. In this episode, Rose Hamilton, founder of Compass Rose Venture, sits down with Scott Turner and Nick Lagonia, the powerhouse duo behind Misery & Mayhem, a new protein-packed oatmeal brand that's redefining what "fuel" really means for athletes and everyday warriors alike. We dive deep into how two former Peloton team members turned their personal fitness journeys and frustrations into a brand that's all about perseverance, grit, and getting after it — one bowl at a time. I loved this conversation because Scott and Nick embody the heart of entrepreneurship: bootstrapping their way forward, listening closely to their customers, and creating a product that isn't just high-quality, but also emotional, bold, and stands for something. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a fitness enthusiast, or love a good founder story, you'll walk away inspired. Here are just a few highlights from this episode: