Podcasts about kevita

In this episode we are talking about why cutting out gluten can make you feel so much better. But, here the thing, it's not always the gluten itself! We are going to break down the different reasons why people feel good when they go gluten free, as well as talk about a few groups of people who could benefit from it.If you have questions, or topics that you want to hear about, head over to our Instagrams https://www.instagram.com/bayleethedietitian/ or https://www.instagram.com/brianna.dietitian/ and send us a DM! You can also follow the podcast https://www.instagram.com/mocktailminutes/Featured Mocktails:Olipop - https://www.instagram.com/drinkolipop/Kevita - https://www.instagram.com/kevitadrinks/ Click play, sip back, and be empowered.

Morgan Buehler Zanotti shares her incredible journey from traveling the world and discovering her passion for health and wellness to building and selling a multimillion-dollar brand Primal Kitchen. Together, she and Christina dive into the power of taking massive action, trusting your intuition, and hiring the right people to scale a business. Morgan also reveals the inspiration behind her latest venture, a game-changing protein-infused sparkling water. If you're an entrepreneur, wellness enthusiast, or just someone looking for a dose of motivation, this episode is packed with invaluable insights. Tune in to hear Morgan's unfiltered take on business, mindset, and what's next for her!Have a topic you'd like discussed or a situation in your life that you're having trouble making a decision about? Leave Christina a voicemail at 501-402-0085 to be featured on the next episode!  About Morgan Buehler ZanottiMorgan Buehler Zanotti is co-founder and prior president of Primal Kitchen. She started her career in marketing for KeVita, and managed brands within PepsiCo's Growth Ventures portfolio for a boutique advertising agency. With her innovative mindset, Primal Kitchen launched the first avocado oil mayonnaise and salad dressings and other industry-leading pantry staples.Follow Morgan on Instagram  If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating  and leave us a comment on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser and Castbox about what you'd like us to talk about that will help you realize that at any moment, any day, you too can decide, it's your turn! 

In this episode, I chat with Morgan Zanotti, former President and Co-Founder of Primal Kitchen, about her incredible journey in the natural products industry. From launching Primal Kitchen to leading it through a $200M acquisition by Kraft Heinz, Morgan shares her insights into scaling a brand, overcoming challenges, and what it really takes to succeed in the competitive world of health and wellness.We also dive into her latest project, Waay, a sparkling protein water that's set to make waves in the market. Whether you're an entrepreneur, product enthusiast, or just curious about the industry, this episode has a wealth of knowledge to offer!Key Topics Discussed:- The journey from KeVita to Primal Kitchen- Overcoming imposter syndrome and trusting your instincts - Scaling a brand on a budget and keeping teams lean - Why certain brands stand out in a crowded market- Navigating FDA requirements and using proprietary ingredients - What it's really like when big brands acquire you (and the myths behind it)- The logistics of selling your company and what to expect- Balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood- Formulating new products and what's next for MorganSponsored By: Be Well By Kelly Protein Powder & Essentials | Get $10 off your order with PODCAST10 at bewellbykelly.comAG1 | Get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3+K2 AND 5 free AG1 Travel Packs with your first subscription at drinkAG1.com/bewellVuori | Get 20% off your first order of Vuori AND free shipping on orders over $75 at vuori.com/kellyTimestamps: 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:05 - Graduating to primal kitchen 00:05:06 - Overcoming imposter syndrome 00:06:52 - Kevita & Primal Kitchen 00:08:55 - Consumer experience00:11:30 - Trusting your gut00:14:12 - Keeping a team and business lean00:19:04 - Brands that stand out 00:21:56 - FDA requirements & propriety ingredients 00:27:50 - Advice for entrepreneurs 00:32:52 - Logistics of storing and moving product 00:34:36 - Keeping with big companies 00:37:55 - Myths About Being Bought by Big Brands 00:45:04 - Selling your company 00:46:06 - What's next for Morgan 00:47:48 - Formulating products 00:50:02 - Achieving your goal00:51:33 - Balancing career and motherhood 00:56:50 - “If you dont schedule it, it wont happen”00:58:49 - 2025 manifestations & social mediaCheck Out Morgan:Instagram Drink Waay Check Out Kelly: InstagramYouTubeFacebookMentioned in this episode:Be Well By Kelly Protein Powder & Essentials | Get $10 off your order with PODCAST10 at bewellbykelly.com.Vuori | Get 20% off your first order of Vuori AND free shipping on orders over...

In this week's episode we are joined by Functional Dietitian Brittany Carpenter. Brittany's practice focuses on finding the root cause of gut health issues and helps clients find true relief from decade long gut problems without expensive supplements or restrictive diets.In this episode Brittany debunks some common gut health myths! We dive into probiotics, food sensitivity tests, elimination diets, alcohol, stress and more.You can find Brittany on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dietitianbrittany/If you have questions, or topics that you want to hear about, head over to our Instagrams https://www.instagram.com/nucrewnutrition/  or https://www.instagram.com/brianna.dietitian/ and send us a DM!If you are interested in working with us in Metabolism Makeover you can sign up here! https://metabolismmakeover.co/programs/metabolism-makeover/earlybird/?affiliate=mocktailminutesFeatured Mocktails:Zevia - https://www.instagram.com/zevia/Kevita - https://www.instagram.com/kevitadrinks/ Click play, sip back, and be empowered.

It's a “buy or sell” episode as the hosts opine about the future of online grocery shopping, fish sticks, and whether kombucha can recapture some of its magic (and sales). They also discuss Athletic Brewing Co.'s recent $50 million financing round and highlight a few fizzy and spicy new products. Show notes: 0:25: Boatin'. No Stage In S.D. M&Athletic. Bruised Peaches. White(fish) Space. Hops For Breakfast. – An hour before the Newton-based team set sail on Boston Harbor, the hosts chat about John's upcoming interview as part of a Naturally San Diego meetup on July 17 and the reasons why Athletic Brewing hasn't been acquired… yet. They also share their personal preferences on buying produce using a smartphone or keyboard, why Ray thinks there's big potential for a sleepy frozen segment and whether current challenges in the kombucha category can be overcome. Later, Jacqui gets Parch-ed, Ray is impressed with a new sparkling water brand, Mike unveils an upscale condiment and John samples a morning brew. Brands in this episode: Athletic Brewing, Gorton's, Elavi, Peepal People, Olipop, Poppi, De La Calle, GT's Living Foods, Fishwife, Paro, Chai Box, Kola Goodies, Nguyen Coffee Supply, Health-Ade, Revive, Humm Kombucha, Kevita, AriZona Beverages, Truff, Parch, Cure Hydration, Hoplark

In 2015, Morgan Zanotti and her Primal Kitchen Co-Founder Mark Sissan set out to do something unheard of: replace the unhealthy condiments, sauces, and dressings that had come to dominate American grocery stores with equally delicious “cleaned up classics.” Built on a foundation of high-quality ingredients, the brand launched with an avocado oil mayonnaise and has since grown to over 70 products that can be found at over 16,000 retail locations. But before Zanotti was building one of the fastest-growing natural product companies and leading it through the acquisition of Kraft Heinz for $200 million, she was living a different life: She worked as an accountant, waited tables at a resort in Wisconsin, and surfed throughout South America. After returning to the United States, she was still unsure what a corporate career would look like for her, but as she says in this episode, sometimes it's best to “just try something… without the pressure of this being the end-all-be-all.” With this mentality, she took a job at a branding and design agency and quickly learned she had a knack for marketing. Zanotti went on to become the Marketing Director at beverage company KeVita. It was there that she met Mark, whom she chatted with about building a company together. Soon after that, Primal Kitchen was born.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On the latest episode of 20 Minute Playbook, we interview Bill Moses, Founder & CEO of Kevita and Flying Embers. We decode what he's mastered and learned along the way—from his biggest lessons learned as a serial entrepreneur to his favorite books, his superpowers, the advice he'd give his younger self, and more—all in 20 minutes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the latest episode of Outlier Founders, we profile Kevita and Flying Embers—two innovative beverage companies that have built big businesses focused on fermentation. Kevita created an entirely new category with their sparkling probiotic drinks with live cultures, and it was sold for $200M. Flying Embers is picking up where Kevita left off and applying novel fermentation technologies to create an entirely new class of fermented alcoholic beverages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Description:Today, Lee is joined by Bill Moses, an influential leader, proven innovator, and inspiring mentor in the beverage industry. Bill is the Founder and CEO of Flying Embers, an alcoholic beverage brand that offers delicious, sugar-free, vegan, and certified organic canned cocktails, including flavored mojitos, hard kombucha, and hard seltzers. In this episode, Bill shares his lifelong love for napping and outlines how he started his career on Wall Street before navigating his first startup exit at just 32 years old, which ultimately led him to Ojai, California, where his popular beverage brand, KeVita, was born. Tuning in, you'll learn how Bill sold KeVita to PepsiCo for $220 million in 2016, the story behind the name Flying Embers, and how a near-death experience with COVID in 2020 changed Bill's perspective and enabled him to reestablish his business for success, plus so much more!Exclusive Deals from Our Sponsors:Give the gift of the world's most beautiful spice rack and get 15% off by using the promo code STAIRWAY15 at www.evermill.comGet 20% off luxury fitness equipment that you won't want to hide in your closet by using the promo code STAIRWAY20 at www.equiptmovement.com In This Episode You'll Hear About:[03:37] Where Bill was “born and manufactured” and developed his appreciation for nature.[05:36] How his propensity for dreaming helped him nurture the patterns and thought processes that enabled him to become an entrepreneur.[08:15] The near-death experience that changed Bill's perspective on life and business.[13:20] Bill's journey from Wall Street to CPG founder (which includes two startup exits).[23:56] Why unyielding faith and commitment are crucial when faced with challenges [26:26] How the old cliché, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” rings true.[34:24] Tips for first-time founders on how to remain open-minded and pivot as necessary.[36:30] Why Bill believes that there is no room for arrogance or stubbornness.[41:13] Facts about fundraising: the role that experience plays and how to foster confidence.[44:03] The story of how Bill came up with the name, Flying Embers.To Find Out More:Flying EmbersBill Moses on LinkedInLee Greene on LinkedInQuotes:“I always wanted to get into dream space. Maybe part of being an entrepreneur over the years, maybe that dream space is where I nurtured some of the patterns and thought processes that enabled me to do what I'm doing today.” — [0:06:09]“I have a cold plunge. I get in my 45-degree plunge three, four times a week for four minutes or so. I got to tell you, the norepinephrine release out of that—talk about an amazing reset! Those are some of the things I do to keep myself balanced, and refreshed, and invigorated, and driving 7x24, which is what it takes to compete in building a brand.” — [0:11:52]“There's something I love about building a company, and creating a culture, and watching people actually put liquid to lips, and have it be something that you created or crafted. That's really cool, but the grind of building and breaking through with a new brand is really hard.” — [0:17:59]“Coming out of COVID, I really had to rethink things. I think the business suffered a bit because I wasn't really sure, [after] having a near-death experience, that I wanted to jump back in.” — [0:18:21]“When you're driving a brand and you're growing a brand, there's no time for idle thought.” — [0:20:15]“Every company that is meant to win is a team of destiny.” — [0:24:02]“When the going gets tough, the tough get going—you know what I mean; that cliché. That's a key piece to any entrepreneur's success across any industry.” — [0:26:37]“Sometimes, some of the best-conceived plans require pivots, adaptations, and alterations based on the learning, the market, target market, psychographic, demographic, usage, and occasion. All these things are very fluid in the early years, and sometimes, even as trends change. In food and beverage, they change quickly. Know that—whatever you believe today—you need to have an open enough platform to alter and innovate, to meet consumer preferences in the future.” — [0:35:30]I would say to any entrepreneur out there, if you're taking meetings with folks that have done it and made it in the past and you have a weak spot, make sure you close that gap. And if you can't close the gap soon enough that in that meeting you have someone present that could address that topic or that particular function, corporate function in order so that you don't look ill prepared.  — [0:37:50]“In today's world of TikTok and Instagram, etcetera, you've got to be a storyteller. You've got to tell stories about your brand that's relevant to your audience and the usage occasion.” — [0:40:12]

Liz Fisher, Founder and CGO of Lavva, shares her journey starting a company that makes delicious dairy-free, plant-based yogurt using a very interesting ingredient, pili nuts. Liz took the plunge to start Lavva after having her own health scare. Her own journey of healing through food resulted in bringing her creation to the shelves. Liz is a veteran in the natural food industry having helped scale many familiar brands including Pirate's Booty, LaraBar, Horizon Organic and Kevita. We chat about her entrepreneurial journey, what it is like to actually be the founder vs working for one, lessons she has learned along the way and of course hear more about her company Lavva. Her wisdom and tenacity is inspiring and you won't want to miss this episode! On this episode of #TheKaraGoldinShow. Enjoying this episode of #TheKaraGoldinShow? Let me know by clicking on the links below and sending me a quick shout-out on social. Or reach out to me at karagoldin@gmail.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/karagoldin/ https://www.instagram.com/karagoldin/ https://twitter.com/karagoldin https://www.facebook.com/KaraGoldin/ Check out our website to view this episode's show notes: https://karagoldin.com/podcast/339 To learn more about Liz Fisher and LAVVA: https://www.lovvelavva.com/ https://www.instagram.com/LovveLavva https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-fisher-369571b0 https://www.linkedin.com/company/lavva/

Cada mes, en NewsBytes, presentamos una marca de moda que aborda el negocio de forma diferente e innovadora, o que opera fuera de los principales sistemas y capitales de la moda. Esta marca es seleccionada por nuestra colaboradora, Sass Brown, quien es experta en moda ética, sostenibilidad y artesanía. Sass solía ser la decana de Arte y Diseño del Fashion Institute of Technology y es la decana fundadora del Dubai Institute of Design and Innovation. En esta ocasión, Sass eligió al Proyecto IOU, que tiene su sede en Madrid, España, y fue fundado por Kevita Parmar. Kevita trabaja principalmente con tejido madrás de algodón hilado a mano procedente de la India, conocido por sus distintivos cuadros, que suelen ser muy coloridos, específicos y únicos de cada tejedor. Sass Brown explica que "Kevita trabaja con algodón cultivado localmente en esa región, el cual luego se teje a mano, una tela que literalmente no tiene ninguna huella de carbono. Además, ella realmente honra a los fabricantes, ya sea el creador de la prenda o el tejedor de la tela, como un componente realmente vital de la cadena de valor de la prenda. Y en igualdad de posición como el diseñador o el cliente". Sass subraya que "es un programa o empresa muy plana y democrática, no jerárquica, en la que los diseñadores están en la cima y los fabricantes abajo". Transcripción completa disponible: FCNewsBytes.com

The guest today is lifelong entrepreneur, Bill Moses, the co-founder of Kevita and CEO and Founder of Flying Embers.Today he's going to share some of his Big Leaps, including the one that saved Kevita when everyone else wanted to throw in the towel because it looked like they might lose it all.He'll tell Mike and Gay about his ideas for creating alignment, building trust, and aligning values and drive. Surprisingly, it's nothing obvious.You'll also learn what Bill's genius zone is. It's an amazing skill that if you're able to duplicate it and spend most of your time in this space, great things will happen for you, too.All things that every entrepreneur needs to know.You'll find out what Bill's daily practices are that keep him centered, and a really cool gadget he uses that gives him more energy and keeps him at the top of his game.Bill says, “You could never expect the unexpected, but you could envision it, and you can make it a reality with a lot of hard work and daunting conviction.”Bill is living proof of this statement, so let's dive in and learn from a master.Key Takeaways Bill tells Mike and Gay about the major Big Leap that turned Kevita around when it looked like they were going to lose it all (22:56) Mike asks Bill, “What keeps your fire going after a big exit and keeps you in the game?” (26:10) Bill answers Mike's question, “What is your Superpower or Genius Zone?” (31:26) Mike asks Bill, “What is your biggest personal or professional upper limit challenge that you routinely find yourself bumping into?” (34:41) Bill tells Mike and Gay what his “perfect hero's journey” looks like within his companies (39:01) Additional Resources Connect with Bill on LinkedIn: http://www.MrBz.com/BillMosesLI  Check out Bill's latest beverage company, Flying Embers: http://www.MrBz.com/FlyingEmbers Get on the Early Bird List for The Big Leap Experience: http://www.bigleappodcast.com/Apply

Cindy Convery's road to wellness led her to collagen — a protein responsible for healthy joints and skin elasticity. It's in your bones, muscles, and blood, comprising three quarters of your skin and a third of the protein in your body. As you age, your existing collagen breaks down, and it gets harder for your body to produce more. One way is to reduce aging and support our joints is to use supplements. But it's not that simple. As Cindy describes, a major issue is that you don't know where the collagen comes from, or how pure it is. The search for pure, planet-friendly ingredients led her to a Nova Scotia company which used sustainable harvests of wild marine collagen from North Atlantic cod. After much experimenting for taste and efficacy in her home kitchen, she created PureWild. Her proprietary blend that allows "the wild marine collagen to essentially disappear into the pure juices and herbs in each bottle of PureWild Co." And it's not as if she doesn't have the training to create a delicious drink; Cindy attended Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. We talk about the road to success; paved with false starts and anxiety, but also the incredible support of fellow Ojai residents like the Trudeaus of Rainbow Bridge, Bill Moses of KeVita and Flying Embers as well as her Choctaw Nation in Oklahoma, of which she is an enrolled member. Cindy also talks about her wide-ranging careers in the entertainment industry, working with George Lucas at Industrial Light & Magic, where she became acquainted with another Ojai resident, the artist Jeff Mann, and her move to Ojai to get out of the rat race and put down roots and give back to the community. We did not talk about trebuchets, MK Ultra or Vaclav Smil's "Energy & Civilization."

Morgan Zanotti is President and Co-Founder of Primal Kitchen®: one of the fastest-growing brands in the natural products industry. With Morgan's energetic leadership and innovative mindset, Primal Kitchen launched the first avocado oil-based mayonnaise and salad dressings, along with a bevy of other industry-leading pantry staples. Prior to Primal Kitchen, she ran marketing for KeVita and managed brands within PepsiCo's Growth Ventures portfolio for a boutique advertising agency. She spent her post-college years as a yawn-plagued- accountant-turned-nomadic-adventurer in South America and as a wannabe Yogi in Hawaii. When Morgan's not tirelessly working to improve our food system, you can find her surfing, hanging out with her little dudes, or wandering farmer's markets looking for fresh eats. She is the embodiment of a transformational leader who established herself as a powerful woman in the world of entrepreneurship.She's a mom and a wife and we talk all about all of that in this episode. Got mom guilt? This one is for you.Timestamps: [3:31] How long have you been doing this? [7:52] How did you get into this? [17:24] What is it about you that allowed you to have these jobs? [20:08] Sometimes being the underdog is a good thing. [27:49] Tips for women entrepreneurs who may feel overwhelmed. [31:58] Setting boundaries with your time.  [37:50] Dealing with mom guilt.  [44:44] Top three aha moments? [46:27] Do you consider yourself a good leader? [48:33] Top traits that make your company function so well? [52:08] Primal Kitchen's future plans. [56:47] The Primal Kitchen podcast, and where to find Morgan. --Connect with Morgan:On IG: @morganzanottiThe Primal Kitchen Podcast: Click Here Connect with Danielle!on IG @danielle_onthedailyPodcast: @onthedailypodTo book a human design reading: CLICK HEREPlease subscribe, rate, and review our podcast.  As always, thank you for supporting us!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-the-daily/id1548077381

For Gay and Mike, the last 2 years have been the most profound times of growth and learning in their lives.In this episode of The Big Leap, they're going to time travel through their own personal Big Leaps from 2021, and some of the Big Leaps they expect for 2022. More importantly, they invite YOU to reflect on what your Biggest Leaps were in 2021, and what you're up for in the next year. Mike would love for you to reach out and share what YOUR Biggest Leaps in 2021 were and what Big Leaps you're planning for 2022.This is a SUPER fun episode, so get comfy, grab your favorite beverage and Listen now. Mike guarantees you'll be inspired.Let's start with some of Gay's Biggest Leaps from 2021:Gay celebrated his 40th wedding anniversary last year with his wife, Katie, by taking trips to both New York City and Maui.He also had an unexpected Big Leap in the form of what the investing world calls “a liquidity event,” which is when a big investment you've made gets bought or sold by a major firm, resulting in a cash windfall.Gay and his wife, Katie, live in Ojai, California and about 15 years ago, they heard about a company called Ojai Energy Systems that was building an environmentally friendly battery. They loved the idea so they invested.A few months ago, a big conglomerate made a bid on Ojai Energy Systems. Next thing you know, they get an email asking to buy ALL of their stock at a great price. Unexpected liquidity event = a big financial windfall.As a rule, Gay and Katie try to invest in anything promising that's local. One of their missions is to help local entrepreneurs get a foothold in the world. Some have been flops but some have gone on to be super successful.For instance, they invested in the Ojai company, KeVita (the popular Kombucha drink) years ago when they were just starting out. KeVita recently sold to Pepsi, and Gay was able to reap the benefits of another liquidity event.Gay and Katie are now in their 70's. They made their fortune a long time ago and now they're having fun giving their money away. They created a grant, helping 380 needy families in their area, and made a donation to the local toy shop so kids get gift certificates for awesome toys.Gay says this was one of the most satisfying things they did all year long.Gay has been writing his memoir and a few mystery novels which are his greatest CREATIVE leap of 2021 that are continuing into 2022. Both are flowing super easily but you'll have to tune into the whole episode to hear about these in more detail…As for Mike… He did things a little differently in 2021…Mike and his wife, Vivian, celebrated their 20th anniversary last year. They decided to focus on as much “happily ever after” as possible. It's a question Mike asks himself all the time… “What does happily ever after look like?”For Mike, an aggravation-free life = a happily ever after life. That means he says NO to anything that will cause him any aggravation whatsoever.Mike had a VERY big opportunity (that could have been very profitable) come to him last year that he decided NOT to do, because he absolutely knew it would've caused him NOTHING but aggravation. In the end, it just wasn't worth it. Wrong people. Wrong place. Wrong thing.Mike also had his first significant liquidity event last year with a couple more in motion. It's exciting because there are things he invested in over 15 years ago that are now paying off. One of the things Mike's most excited about is the property they bought in Mexico on a giant strawberry field. He's building a recording studio there and calling it “Strawberry Fields Studios.” (He's always loved the Beatles.) They're also building a regenerative farm so they can be both food and land independent.This was a huge leap for them. In the past, Mike has avoided real estate like the plague because it's always felt overwhelming and scary. Another Big Leap is with their only child, Zak. He is now in college at CU Boulder. Vivian and Mike are empty-nesters and it's been a pretty big change.So what were your Big Leaps in 2021 and what do you expect your Big Leaps to be in 2022? Go ahead and send Mike a message. He will personally see EVERY response and he really wants to know!

Russell Barnett is the Managing Director and Chief Marketing Officer of My/Mochi Ice Cream—you know, that delicious little ball of ice cream enrobed with Japanese mochi dough. My/Mochi has been making pastries since 1910 and brought the international sensation called mochi ice cream to the United States in 1993. In 2021, NielsenIQ's Bases group named My/Mochi a winner in its Top Breakthrough Innovation awards.Russell is perhaps the world's expert in scaling small food and beverage brands to create large categories. He was the head of marketing for Mike's Hard Lemonade way back in 1997, where he took the brand from inception to $150 million in just 5 years. Prior to My/Mochi, Russell held various roles at companies like Popchips, Garden Protein International, Inc. (Gardein), KeVita and more.In this conversation, Jim and Russell discuss how to bring fun to work, fostering bravery in your team, and why simplicity for the consumer is key when introducing new products. They also discuss building a reputation on trust—and why your reputation is your most important asset. For all of this and more, tune in.CMOs often hold one of the most innovative and challenging roles in business today. Those who excel can operate at the highest level to drive growth and create value for their organizations. To learn more how Deloitte helps bolster the value CMOs deliver, visit www.cmo.deloitte.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Manna Tree Partners, a private equity firm based in Vail, Colorado, describes itself as believing that “the future of health, well-being, and longevity is attainable through innovation in food.” The firm's role in that vision? Invest in companies whose products are intended to make people feel and live better. Since its launch in 2018, Manna Tree has made mid-stage investments in 10 companies, including pasture-raised egg brand Vital Farms, indoor greenhouse pioneer Gotham Greens, organic kombucha maker Health-Ade, plant–based prepared food and beverage company Urban Remedy and The New Primal, a brand of clean-ingredient meat snacks and condiments. Manna Tree also holds stakes in tech-driven service and supplier companies including those focused on gut health and plant-derived ingredients.   In an interview featured in this episode, Ross Iverson, the co-founder and chief investment officer of Manna Tree Partners discussed the firm's investment philosophy and how consumer education and accessibility factor into its funding decisions, why diligence plays a bigger role than innovation when evaluating companies and how Manna Tree assesses companies at pre-seed and Series A levels. Show notes: 0:44: Ross Iverson, Co-Founder & CIO, Manna Tree Partners – Taste Radio editor Ray Latif sat down with Iverson for an expansive conversation about Manna Tree's vision and focus, including the reason for the firm's office location, how the team incorporates its personal brand passions into the company's funding strategy and the notion that Manna Tree believes in “a food-based approach to health care.” Iverson also discussed the firm's ESG+H investment philosophy, how Manna Tree continues to thoughtfully deploy capital from its $141.5 million fund, how its team identified synergies and growth opportunities among portfolio companies and why reaching out to the firm via its website is preferable to (literally) knocking on its door. Brands in this episode: Biena, Vital Farms, Urban Remedy, Gotham Greens, Health-Ade, KeVita, The New Primal

Today we speak with Bill Moses, the founder and CEO of Fermented Sciences, maker of Flying Embers hard kombucha - (he was also the co-founder of non-alc probiotic brand Kevita, which was sold to PepsiCo in 2016 for ~$250 mil), and chief growth officer Liz Tomic to discuss the fast-growing hard kombucha and the difference between scaling a non-alc vs alc brands, the recent Beam investment, following the consumer's needs for clean ingredients and transparency, and more. Harry is joined by editors Jenn Litz-Kirk and Jordan Driggers. Show starts at 08:00 ---time-stamped contents--- 00:00 Intro - the usual technical difficulties - but moreso today, hilarious banter. 03:00 jenn shows off her new neon introducing a new segment, jenn's jams. 07:20 the big reveal of new neon. 08:00 SHOW STARTS: Bill Moses joins the podcast, the party starts. 08:30 bill: underestimated the "amount of touch" needed in alc compared to non-alc. more strategies to manage wholesalers and retailers. "gotta forward spend." 10:15 chief growth officer Liz Tomic joins the call. 11:00 why beam for investment? chemistry important. 12:45 could lead to something more perhaps. 13:35 portfolio breakdown and new product testing - all about premiumization, ingredients and transparency. 18:30 sales vs marketing mix spend (including taprooms in that mix, "beacons of the brand"). 20:45 liz comes from a-b's zx ventures, transitioning to a more entrepreneurial culture. 23:10 booch vs seltzer, not comparable. more comparable to craft. 25:20 grokking dtc space. 26:10 wholesaler mix: reyes, sheehan, hand, ben e. keith, columbia, etc. 27:00 flying embers expansion beyond west coast. 28:30 hard booch competition expanding fast. 30:00 hard booch is starting point for more to come in adjacent categories. ---About--- Beer Business Daily publisher Harry Schuhmacher joins his editors and other guests once or twice a week as they grok the industry issues of the day. -Podcast Hotline: Text or call Harry in confidence at:‪ (262) 345-2501‬ -Audio/Video feeds at https://linktr.ee/beernet -Articles referenced at beernet.com -Twitter / IG / TikTok: @beerbizdaily --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/beernetradio/message

Today I'm joined by Courtney Reum, co-founder of M13 — a brand development and investment company.    In this episode, we discuss the shifting venture capital ecosystem, trends in health and wellness, and the firm's investments in companies like Tonal, Headspace, and ClassPass. Plus, Courtney shares his frameworks for evaluating potential investments.    More from Fitt Insider    Fitt Insider helps operators stay informed and make better decisions. We produce a weekly newsletter and podcast, curate an industry jobs board, and invest in early-stage companies.   *** Subscribe to our newsletter: https://insider.fitt.co/newsletter/   *** Visit the jobs board: https://jobs.fitt.co/   *** View current investment and get in touch: https://insider.fitt.co/investments/   More from Courtney   Courtney Reum is an innovator whose goal is to create impact towards global change. In April 2016, Courtney co-founded M13, a Los Angeles based brand development and investment company that accelerates businesses at the nexus of consumer products, technology, and media. M13 focuses on building emerging entrepreneurial businesses, and will directly invest more than $100 million of investments over the next 5 years.    Courtney began his career as an Investment Banker at Goldman Sachs in New York, working with such brands as Procter & Gamble, Under Armour, and Vitamin Water. In 2007, following his career at Goldman Sachs, Courtney and his brother Carter Reum established VEEV Spirits with the goal of creating “a better way to drink”. Originally offering a first of its kind vodka alternative, VEEV Spirits quickly grew to be one of the fastest-growing independent brands in the country and later, with the addition of VitaFrute™ Cocktails by VEEV, the first line of organic ready-to-drink cocktails.  VEEV has been honored as the winner of the Technomic Fast 50 Award and by Inc. Magazine as one of the 500 Fastest-Growing Companies in the U.S. (#7 in the food & beverage category).     While growing VEEV, Courtney & Carter began investing and providing guidance as advisors and board members to emerging businesses. Some of their select early investments include Bonobos, Birchbox, Warby Parker, Pinterest, Lyft, Kevita, and Krave Jerky. In 2016, Courtney & Carter sold a majority stake of VEEV Spirits to a multi-national strategic buyer, allowing them to found M13 and focus on their entrepreneurial stewardship of consumer brands. M13 currently has investments in 100+ companies spanning consumer brands, media, and technology.    Courtney holds a B.A. with distinction from Columbia University in New York and is an alumni of Harvard Business School.  He is also an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and has served as the President of the Bel-Air Chapter. Courtney was appointed as one of Mayor Eric Garcetti's Commissioners for the Los Angeles Convention Center & Tourism Authority and is philanthropically involved as a Board Member of the Los Angeles Opera and City Year, which helps underserved schools.    Courtney was named one of the 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs of both 2014 and 2015 by Goldman Sachs at its annual Builders + Innovators Summit, featured in Inc's “500 fastest growing private companies in America,” and included in the Forbes “30 Under 30” list. Courtney serves as a contributing writer for Inc magazine and is featured in best-selling books such as Richard Branson's “Screw Business as Usual” and Blake Mycoskie's (TOMs Shoes) “Start Something that Matters.”    Finally, Courtney and his brother are the authors of the national bestseller Shortcut Your Startup, which was published by Simon & Schuster in January 2018 and aimed to share their insights and empower the next generation of entrepreneurs. 

This is a special edition of the podcast which highlights interviews with six founders, creators and innovators who joined us on the show during the first half of 2021, including Denise Woodard, the founder and CEO of Partake Foods; Mike Fata, the founder of Manitoba Harvest; Lezlie Karls Saltarelli, Nick Saltarelli and Jake Karls, the co-founders of Mid-Day Squares; Bill Moses, the founder and CEO of Flying Embers; Ayeshah Abuelhiga, the founder and CEO of Mason Dixie Foods; and Seth Goldman, the co-founder of Honest Tea and Eat The Change and chair of the board for Beyond Meat. Show notes: 0:45: Empanadas Win The Day. Your Cocktail Brand Could Win $10,000 On The Next One. -- The hosts chatted about the recently held NOSH Pitch Slam 10 competition and its winner, Cocina 54, a brand that aims to create a “new generation” of better-for-you Latin American foods and currently markets a line of frozen empanadas. They also discussed BevNET's inaugural Cocktail Showdown, an early-stage brand pitch competition designed to showcase innovative, spirit-based ready-to-drink and ready-to-pour cocktails and riffed on several new products to cross their desks over the past week. 15:04: Interview: Denise Woodard, Founder/CEO, Partake Foods -- We kicked things off with Denise Woodard, the founder & CEO of Partake Foods, a brand of cookies and baking mixes that are free from eight major allergens, and are sold at Target, Whole Foods and Sprouts stores nationwide. In this clip, pulled from our episode featured on January 29, Woodard spoke about staying focused after initially being rejected by potential investors, the impact of sales data in the company's Series A round, why entrepreneurs should ask for specific versus general advice and why she views her employees as her “boss.” 24:20: Interview: Mike Fata, Founder, Manitoba Harvest -- Our next clip is pulled from an episode featured on March 16 with Mike Fata, the founder of global hemp foods producer Manitoba Harvest. Fata spoke about why he describes himself as “a born entrepreneur but a made CEO,” why he urges listeners to “dream bigger,” how he advises entrepreneurs when it comes to navigating a competitive market for natural foods and how he utilized confidence and fear to become a better leader. 32:41: Interview: Lezlie Karls Saltarelli, Nick Saltarelli and Jake Karls, Co-Founders, Mid-Day Squares -- We continue with a clip from our episode published on June 1, which featured the co-founders of Mid-Day Squares, a surging brand of refrigerated chocolate and protein snack bars. They discussed the keys to their compelling social and content strategy and how they measure ROI for their efforts, how they define and value “tribalism” and why a commitment to clean ingredients and consistent communication with the brand's consumers gave the brand a solid foundation on which to build. 44:06: Interview: Bill Moses, Founder/CEO, Flying Embers -- Next we featured a clip from an episode published on May 25, which featured an interview with Bill Moses, the founder of better-for-you alcohol beverage platform Flying Embers. Moses, who is also the co-founder of probiotic drink and kombucha brand KeVita, discussed his perspective on innovation in the context of online retail, why making the right hires is critical to maintaining the company's growth pace and the importance of finding balance amid an intense drive to win. 50:20: Interview: Ayeshah Abuelhiga, Founder/CEO, Mason Dixie Foods -- The episode continues with Ayeshah Abuelhiga, who is the founder of Mason Dixie Foods, the fastest growing frozen baked goods company in America. In this clip, pulled from an episode aired on March 30, Abuelhiga spoke about how bias and inequality in corporate life prompted her foray into entrepreneurship, how Mason Dixie gained a foothold in a legacy food category and how she vetted investors for the company's Series A round. 59:49: Interview: Seth Goldman, Co-Founder, Honest Tea & Eat The Change; Chair Of The Board, Beyond Meat -- Finally, we hear from Seth Goldman, the co-founder of Honest Tea, Chair Of The Board for Beyond Meat and most recently, the co-founder of Eat The Change, a mission-driven platform that markets chef-crafted, planet-friendly snacks. In the following clip, pulled from an episode published on April 27, Goldman discussed the importance of winning consumers' trust, why Eat The Change led with mushrooms for its inaugural product line and why the food community has the means to address societal problems. Brands in this episode: Uncle Matt's, Earth & Star, Flock Chicken Chips, Beyond the Equator, COCINA 54, Honey Child Artisan Pops, Singing Pastures, Down to Cook, Daily Crunch Snacks, Grateful Snacking Co, Iya Foods, FUN Sesames, Kuali, Mariam's Garlic Goodness, Chia Smash, Chiki Chiki Boom Boom, Agua Bonita, Electra Drinks, Barcode, Madre Mezcal, Starbucks, Partake Foods, Manitoba Harvest, Mid-Day Squares, Flying Embers, KeVita, Mason Dixie Foods, Honest Tea, Eat The Change, Beyond Meat, Flow Hydration, Hydrant, Pillsbury, Annie's, Larabar, vitaminwater, Kind Snacks

Bill Moses had a gut feeling. Having made his mark in non-alcoholic beverages as the co-founder and former CEO of probiotic drink and kombucha brand KeVita, Moses saw an opportunity to re-imagine the beverage alcohol space via a better-for-you platform of products. Shortly before the sale of KeVita to Pepsico in 2016, one that netted over $230 million, he launched Fermented Sciences, a platform dedicated to developing and launching “innovative fermented beverage brands to transform the alcohol industry.” In February of 2018, the company introduced its first brand, Flying Embers, which debuted with a line of organic hard kombucha. Flying Embers quickly emerged as a leading player in the burgeoning space and has since launched several other beverage lines, including hard seltzer, beer infused with functional ingredients and a recently introduced Champagne-style product called Kombucha Bubbly. Amid a growing portfolio and surging sales -- less than a year in, Flying Embers hard seltzer is among the top brands in the category -- Moses is motivated by the momentum he sees for better-for-you alcoholic drinks. He’ll note, however, that maintaining the company’s pace requires an intense focus and thoughtful strategy, each of which he outlined in an interview featured in this episode. As part of our conversation, Moses spoke about his vision for Fermented Sciences within the context of macro trends that are shaping the food and beverage industry, how the company most effectively allocates resources across its product lines and why having “the least polarizing liquid” is a key to its innovation strategy. He also compared raising capital for Kevita and Fermented Sciences, why personal relationships with distribution partners are critical to the success of Flying Embers and the importance of finding balance amid an intense drive to win. Show notes:  0:46: It’s An UnCANNy Resemblance. Plus, New Products Galore And A Slim Jim Smackdown -- The hosts chatted about the benefits of BevNET and NOSH’s upcoming Boot Camp and Virtually Live events and why a fast-growing “social tonic” brand introduced an “uncannabated” product line. They also praised several new products, including an avocado hummus, cookie bites, enhanced water and a cauliflower-based veggie burger. They also snapped into Slim Jims. 18:01: Interview: Bill Moses, Founder/CEO, Fermented Sciences -- Taste Radio editor Ray Latif spoke with Moses for an expansive interview that began with an examination of the entrepreneur’s work schedule, which includes several board and advisory commitments. Moses also explained why Fermented Sciences has raised $50 million to date, how his experience with Kevita shaped his perspective on capital needs and how he analyzed the opportunity for hard kombucha. Later, he discussed the company's approach to new product development, particularly as it relates to traditional categories, how Flying Embers is managing a category leading brand and one that’s playing in a hot and highly competitive space and why it’s focusing on a “Power of the Pair” strategy at retail. Moses also spoke about the importance of recruiting the best talent, the elements of a winning culture and hinted that Fermented Sciences might not be his last rodeo. Brands in this episode: Flying Embers, KeVita, Cann, Hope Foods, Post Meridiem, Nature’s Heart, Dr Praeger’s, Theo Chocolate, Chiki Chiki Boom Boom, Esse Water, Shine Water, Ayoba, Slim Jim, Jeni’s Ice Cream, Koia, Iconic Protein, Vive Organic, Wilde Brands

➡️ If you liked the show, please subscribe & leave a podcast review on iTunes! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/success-story/id1484783544 ➡️ For More Episodes Visit: www.podcast.scottdclary.com Bill Moses is an entrepreneur and investor, specializing in the beverage industry. He is the co-founder of Kevita, a probiotic beverage company. He is currently Founder & CEO of Flying Embers, an alcoholic beverage line made of adaptogenic organic "hard" kombucha. Moses co-founded KeVita, Inc. in 2009 and served as its Chairman and CEO. KeVita provided the healthy beverage sector with a sparkling, probiotic functional beverage and kombucha for health-conscious consumers. Bill developed KeVita from a small, regional brand to an international leader selling to 20,000+ retail locations across North America. Under his leadership, KeVita earned consistent recognition as a high–growth brand, transforming the functional beverage space. PepsiCo acquired Kevita for $220 million in 2016. ➡️ Show Links https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-moses/ https://twitter.com/flyingembers ➡️ Show Sponsor Mint Mobile Promo Details: mintmobile.com/successstory ($15 unlimited text/call/data) Mint Mobile re-imagined the wireless shopping experience and made it easy and online-only. No stores. No salespeople. Just huge direct to you savings on nationwide phone plans. ➡️ Talking Points 00:00 - Bill Moses, CEO at Flying Embers  05:20 - If you’re going to build something - make it extraordinary. 11:30 - The difficulties of starting an alcohol brand.  14:27 - What are “good” ingredients? 21:51 - The importance of innovation. 23:46 - Sales & marketing strategy in a crowded market.  ➡️ SUCCESS STORY PODCAST Stories worth telling. Welcome to the Success Story Podcast, hosted entrepreneur, intrapreneur, investor, executive, public speaker & podcaster, Scott D. Clary. On this podcast, you'll find interviews, Q&A, keynote presentations & conversations on sales, marketing, business, startups and entrepreneurship. Scott will discuss some of the lessons he's learned over his own career, as well as have candid interviews with execs, celebrities, notable figures and politicians. All who have achieved success through both wins and losses, to learn more about their life, their ideas and insights. He sits down with leaders and mentors and unpacks their story to help pass those lessons onto others through both experiences and tactical strategy for business professionals, entrepreneurs and everyone in between. Website: https://www.scottdclary.com Podcast: https://www.podcast.scottdclary.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/scottdclary Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottdclary Twitter: https://twitter.com/scottdclary Facebook: https://facebook.com/scottdclarypage LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/scottdclary

Health Goddess and Rat Sex Specialist Dr. Lauren Zimmerman joins the Booch Boys to discuss favorite Thanksgiving dishes, Michigan football, and how to find the clitoris.

Russell Barnett is a master marketer of category-creating food and beverage items. Mike's Hard Lemonade – inception to $150m. Gardein - $30m to $90m before purchase by Pinnacle Foods. Kevita –sold to Pepsi. PopChips – created the entire “popped” category. Now he is the CMO at My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream and recently named to Forbes' CMO Next List of Game-Changing Marketing Leaders. Russell shares how to be “thumb stopping”, the importance of conflict, why weird is good, why he values bravery over risk and why he rejects the concept of a challenger brand. No one in the world is better at creative partnerships and we also get after how Russell makes those happen.

Russell Barnett is currently the Managing Director and CMO | My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream. As a creative marketing executive with deep experience in category-creating food and beverage items. He specializes in providing vision, direction and leadership to entrepreneurial spirited brands.After a stint in the advertising business, Barnett was asked to open the US Operation and run marketing for an unknown alcohol beverage, mike’s hard lemonade. During his tenure he took the brand from inception to +$150M in just 5 years.Barnett then headed marketing for Gardein, where the brand grew from ~$30M to a run rate of ~$90M annually before being purchased by Pinnacle Foods PF (NYSE). Additionally, Mr. Barnett held CMO tenure at KeVita which was recently sold to PepsiCo PEP (NYSE). Other career highlights include launching the popular snack brand popchips in the US, Canada and the UK while creating the “popped chip” category.He was also just named one of Forbes’ CMO Next 2019: 50 Game-Changing Marketing Leaders and one of Adweek’s 2019 LA Brand Stars.

The bros throwdown a double episode: News roundtable and special guest/regional kombucha bootlegger, Steve! On the news side, they discuss gross Gatorade bolt, Monster Ultra Watermelon, and powder energy drink consumption methods. Special guest Steve then jumps in with all the details on the world of the original vodka red bull, Kombucha, giving his least favorite (and favorite) brands and talking through the science of Kombucha in the world of energy. Kevita- what are you hiding? FOLLOW US BACK ALREADY!

Zac Zeitlin is the Founder of New Ground Ventures, a venture capital investment platform established to fund and support breakthrough companies. They invest in companies from the early seed stage up to businesses with $10 million in sales. New Ground Ventures have a particular focus on food, health and wellness, education, and technology. Some of the companies they have invested in include Pipedrive, Zevia, Kevita, and many others.  Before starting New Ground Ventures, Zac was a Partner at Silver Point Capital and worked as a Private Equity Investor at Goldman Sachs & Co. In this episode… Investing in early-stage startups is a risky venture. But Zac Zeitlin left his senior role at a large fund, took the risk to become an amateur angel investor, and founded New Ground Ventures. He has since made some big wins, a few big misses, and a portfolio of over 50 companies.  For Zac, investing in early-stage startups has been about doing what he is passionate about and investing in companies he believes in. So how does Zac go about investing in notable startups like Pipedrive, Zevia, Kevita?  Take a peek at Zac Zeitlin's playbook for investing in early-stage startups on this episode of Inspired Insider with Dr. Jeremy Weisz. Zac talks to Dr. Weisz about how he discovered some of the companies he's invested in, what his company, New Ground Ventures, look out for in a company before they decide to invest, why he considers the initial stages of founding a company to be the most challenging, and more. Stay tuned.

Digestive health has been a priority trend for multiple years and is anticipated to keep evolving as scientific research expands and further uncovers solutions to help address consumer concerns. There are many factors that can affect our digestive health including family and genetic history, stress, and what we eat. Tune in to this episode to learn about: The scientific definition of probiotics Probiotics in foods and beverages vs. supplements What is required/not required on food labels How do probiotics and live-and-active cultures differ/compare Probiotic strains and CFUs What is a fermented food/beverage and what are the potential benefits What are prebiotics and what to look for on food labels Can probiotics and prebiotics help with and/or cause gas and bloating Specific products to look for in the grocery store     Dr. Elieke Kearns is a Principal Nutrition Scientist at PepsiCo where she provides nutrition support for KeVita and PepsiCo’s innovation incubator which is focused on developing and accelerating growth of smaller, emerging brands. This episode is sponsored by PepsiCo and we thank them for their sponsorship and support of the podcast. Full shownotes and links to resources at www.SoundBitesRD.com/162

Carlton Fowler loves the occasional bottle of Miller High Life. But as the co-founder and managing partner of Goat Rodeo Capital, a venture capital firm focused on early stage investments in beverage alcohol, non-alcoholic drinks and cannabis-centric brands, his tastes are a bit more refined. Since its inception in May 2019, Goat Rodeo has invested in eight companies, including ready-to-mix cocktail maker DRNXSMYTH, canned wine brand Archer Roose and Sourced Craft Cocktails, a service that delivers made-to-order cocktails. Goat Rodeo is also an investor in cannabis ingredient supplier Vertosa and cold-pressed lemon water brand Lemon Perfect. The common thread among these brands? They represent concepts that have a unique consumer proposition or go-to-market strategy, according to Fowler. In an interview included in this episode, Fowler discussed why Goat Rodeo’s investment philosophy is rooted in his and partner James Pelligrini’s operational experience in the alcoholic beverage industry, as well as how he identifies new products that have a runway for success. He also explained why he’s bearish on alcohol-free alternatives in the beer, wine and spirits categories and how he evaluates the opportunity for cannabis-based beverages amid an uncertain regulatory environment. Show notes:  0:39:  Reflections On In N’ Out, Zico, Chicago Sauce and Grocery Outlet -- The episode’s hosts revisited a smash and grab in wine country and discussed a slew of upcoming events for BevNET and NOSH, including the next edition of Speed Dating, CBD Today and Tomorrow, New Beverage Showdown 20 and Pitch Slam 9. They also spoke about the news that the Coca Cola Co. will discontinue pioneering coconut water brand Zico, NOSH’s recent new product gallery and Jacqui’s eye-opening visit to a discount supermarket. 19:25: Interview: Carlton Fowler, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Goat Rodeo Capital -- Taste Radio editor Ray Latif spoke with Fowler about his striking LinkedIn headshot, how his experience working with wine conglomerate E & J Gallo helped shape his perspective as an investor and the three tenets that shape Goat Rodeo’s funding decisions. He also discussed how the firm analyzes the potential for non-alcoholic refreshment beverages and why he believes that a popular spirit-alternative brand worked because “it solved a problem for a customer, not a consumer.”  Brands in this episode: Zico, Vita Coco, La Colombe, The Original Chicago Sauce, Bare Bells, Fat Snacks, Super Salad Bar, Liquid IV, Hydrant, Magicdates, Vega, Amy’s Kitchen, Good Karma, Meatless Farm, Pizza Ogi, Beyond Meat, The Little Northern Bakehouse, Kevita, Chosen Foods, Elmhurst Naturals, Archer Roose, Sourced Craft Cocktails, Drnxmyth, Lemon Perfect, Seedlip, Hoplark HopTea, CANN

Hello again gunners! Another GI episode you ask? We promise that we will cover other topics, there is just SO much to know about the GI system for the USMLE STEP 2 exam. This episode covers everything from GI bleeds, ischemia, hernias and more. Bo is on his night shift at the moment so his drink of choice was a Kevita lavender melon Kombucha while Bobby had a hazy Lagunitas ale. Grab a drink of your own, sit back, and enjoy the episode! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/usmle/support

How can big CPGs capture the magic of smaller brands? Small to mid-size brands have a roll-up-your-sleeves, wear multiple hats, and run with a gut instinct ethic. They're scrappy, willing to fail, and passionate about their goals. There used to be a time when these small brands shed blood, sweat and tears and then felt bad when they needed to take on the operation superpowers of a multinational. In a desire to gain new consumers and innovations, these large companies used to swallow up these brands and cost engineered the heart out of them - well because operations efficiency is one of their superpowers. But they’ve learned, and are still learning.In this episode, Janet and I dive deep into the intersection of the innovative entrepreneurial mindset and big CPG operational prowess. Janet shares her insights on what they both can learn from each other on the path to delivering healthy food, beverage, and wellness options to consumers. Listen, learn, and be inspired!In this episode we learn:That large companies and brands are effectively making a difference in the naturals food and beverage industry.What gets in the way of a large organization’s ability to understand the consumer.How larger brands and teams can mimic the entrepreneurial spirit.How to redefine market opportunity and build different infrastructures to support it.At the end of the day, your instincts are stronger than you think.About Janet Lee:Janet Lee is an experienced marketer & innovator who has worked at both big corporates as well as start-ups in the CPG industry. She has had a 13-yr post-MBA marketing career working for brands such as Gatorade and Starbucks.Janet was the Head of Marketing at Sahale Snacks through its acquisition by the J.M. Smucker Company in 2014 and led its evolution from a specialty brand to a national grocery brand. For the past 4 years, Janet has worked as a Marketing Director for PepsiCo Europe, incubating small brands such as Off the Eaten Path and Kevita as Head of Marketing for the Future Brands business unit as well as mentoring external start-ups through the Nutrition Greenhouse program.Janet’s passion is helping small brands scale while protecting what makes them special.In her free time, she is a huge Peloton fan, obsesses about all things food, and is working through 19 seasons of American Ninja Warrior with her husband Charlie and their two sons. Show ResourcesThe J.M. Smucker Company - Get to know the leading consumer packaged goods company behind the iconic food and beverage brands and new favorites that people and pets love. From our passion for crafting the tastes families love, to the values that have inspired us for more than 120 years—we are The J.M. Smucker Company.Sahale - It was back in August 2003, and two best friends were mountain climbing. They had excellent weather, beautiful views and great company. But one thing was missing - wholesome great-tasting snacks. They had no formal experience in the food industry, but that didn't stop them. They went back to their kitchen the very next day and created combinations of nuts, dried fruits and exotic spices. Many were inspired by a personal memory. While others were influenced by a culinary tradition from somewhere around  the world. And so Sahale Snacks® nut mixes sprang into being. Pure ground Madagascar vanilla beans and all.PepsiCo an American multinational food, snack and beverage corporation headquartered in Harrison, New York, in the hamlet of Purchase. See how we're working to use our global scale to help build a more sustainable food system.Nutrition Greenhouse - a 6-month program where 10 selected companies will be paired with a lead PepsiCo mentor, and the team will be challenged to demonstrate collaboration and measurable progress.Off The Eaten Path - Snacks for the curious. Made with real veggies.Tesco - a British multinational grocery and general merchandise retailer with headquarters in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom. It is the third-largest retailer in the world measured by gross revenues and the ninth-largest in the world measured by revenues. Episode Sponsor - Retail Voodoo:A creative marketing firm specializing in growing, fixing, and reinventing brands in the food, beverage, wellness, and fitness industry. If your natural brand is in need of positioning, package design, or marketing activation, we’re here to help. You can find more information at www.retail-voodoo.com 

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is touted for its many perceived benefits (both in and outside of food/beverage). Some proponents suggest that this abrasive ingredient helps with weight loss, regulating blood sugar levels, lowering cholesterol, and contributes to a healthier gut thanks to it being a natural source of probiotics. Listen to this sound bite for brands to support if you're interested in tasting a more palatable version than straight ACV (though we know some consumers prefer their daily shots of vinegar). Shout outs to brands that are incorporating vinegar into their product line(s): Bragg's, Kevita, Neuro beverages, Shivelight, Horballs, Element and Shire City. For more on beverage development: www.imbibeinc.com or email us at thedrinktank@imbibeinc.com

Episode brought to you by PMTLifestyle.comIn this episode we have special guest student, Aidan, of our competition team on with Kru Jonathan. We cover topics such as lifestyle changes, training, competing and living in Thailand.

Joining me today is an entrepreneur who created a beverage company and sold it to PepsiCo. I want to find out how he sold his company but I also want to tear into this story, especially considering what’s going on in the world today. His name is Bill Moses. The company I’d like to spend a lot of time talking about is called KeVita. If you don’t recognize the name, you’d probably recognize the bottle. I want to find out how he launched it, how he grew it and why he’s coming back and doing an alcoholic beverage now. Bill Moses is the co-founder of Flying Embers, Organic Hard Kombucha with live probiotics and botanical adaptogens. Sponsored byToptal – Toptal is a global network of top talent in business, design, and technology that enables companies to scale their teams, on demand. Toptal serves thousands of clients, including Fortune 500 companies and innovative startups, delivering expertise and world-class solutions at an unparalleled success rate. With elite freelancers in over 100 countries, Toptal connects the world’s top talent with leading companies in days, not weeks. Plus, every new engagement begins with a no-risk trial period, so clients only pay if satisfied with the work. Get started hiring with Toptal today. HostGator – Ready to take your website to the next level? Whether you’re a first-time blogger or an experienced web pro, HostGator has all the tools you need to create a great-looking website or online store. A wide range of options includes cloud-based web hosting, reseller hosting, VPS hosting and dedicated servers. Founded in 2002, HostGator is the perfect web partner for business owners and individuals seeking hands-on support. Visit www.hostgator.com/mixergy to see what HostGator can do for your website. More interviews -> https://mixergy.com/moreint Rate this interview -> https://mixergy.com/rateint

It’s time for another Q&A! Today, JJ answers the question what are good reasons to drink kombucha. JJ suggests figuring out why you want to add it into your diet, suggests guidelines for choosing a good quality product, and offers some alternative foods that will provide similar effects.   Episode Play-By-Play [0:30] Question #1: What are your reasons for drinking kombucha? [1:00] What are you hoping to accomplish by incorporating kombucha?   [1:22] If you drink kombucha, here are some guidelines on how to select a good one. [1:35] JJ’s recommendation [2:10] If you’re drinking kombucha for the pre- and/or probiotics, JJ offers additional food sources. [2:55] JJ suggests taking any new food into your diet should be done gradually as your body adjusts.     Mentioned in this episode: Gut Health Guide Recipes at jjvirgin.com Reignite Wellness 365 membership Subscribe to Reignite Wellness with JJ Virgin Become part of JJ’s community JJ Virgin Official Facebook page JJ Virgin on Instagram JJ Virgin on YouTube

Bryan Crowley’s path to the top spot at fast-growing “complete food” brand Soylent was years in the making. A veteran CPG executive, Crowley cut his teeth at Anheuser-Busch and held leadership positions at Mars, Pabst, Veev and KeVita before joining Soylent in 2017. In an interview included in this episode, Crowley spoke about how his career experience shaped his leadership style and helped frame his vision for the future of Soylent. He also discussed how the brand’s mission and growth strategy have each evolved, why it has embraced GMO ingredients and what the notion of “better for you” means for modern consumers. This episode is presented by Flavorman, the beverage architects. Show notes:  2:12: Interview: Bryan Crowley, CEO, Soylent -- At BevNET Live Winter 2019, Crowley sat down with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif to chronicle his career as a CPG executive. He explained why, shortly after earning a degree in journalism, he took a sales role with Anheuser-Busch, one that would serve as both a “rude awakening” and “one of the best experiences of [his] life.” He also discussed the importance of living and breathing the brand that you’re representing, why employees seeking to advance their careers need to fully understand and leverage their strengths and how he landed his first CEO job with vodka brand Veev. Later, he spoke about stepping in as Soylent’s CEO following the departure of the brand’s founders and how he navigated apprehension among some employees concerned about his appointment. He also explained why “poor communication” is the reason that many new leaders struggle, the importance of a “30/60/90” plan, aligning his strategic vision with the cache and reputation of Soylent, why the brand is “pro-science” and why he’s not concerned about criticism about the products’ formulation. Brands in this episode: Soylent, Flying Embers, Pabst Blue Ribbon, Veev, KeVita, Impossible Foods, Beyond Meat

Today's guests are Russell Barnett, CMO My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream and Angie Thomas, Director of Marketing My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream. Russell Barnett is a creative marketing executive with deep experience in category-creating food and beverage items. He specializes in providing vision, direction and leadership to entrepreneurially spirited brands.  After a stint in the advertising business, Barnett was asked to open the US Operation and run marketing for an unknown alcohol beverage, mike’s hard lemonade. During his tenure he took the brand from inception to +$150M in just 5 years. Barnett then headed marketing for gardein, where the brand grew from ~$30M to a run rate of ~$90M annually before being purchased by Pinnacle Foods PF (NYSE). Additionally, Mr. Barnett held CMO tenure at KeVita which was recently sold to PepsiCo PEP (NYSE). Other career highlights include launching the popular snack brand popchips in the US, Canada and the UK while creating the “popped chip” category. He was also just named one of Forbes’ CMO Next 2019: 50 Game-Changing Marketing Leaders and one of Adweek’s 2019 LA Brand Stars. Angie Thomas is a results-driven, passionate marketing professional with over ten years of experience in the food & beverage industry. She has driven growth of innovative brands such as 5-hour ENERGY, gardein (NYSE: PF), KeVita (NYSE: PEP), JUST water, and most recently, My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream! Prior to CPG, Angie worked for the New York Yankees. Angie graduated magna cum laude from Syracuse University, where she studied Sport Management at David B. Falk School of Sport & Human Dynamics and Public Communications at S.I Newhouse School of Public Communications. During her tenure at SU, she was a 4-year Division I scholarship student-athlete, 4x All-Academic, and 2x Time BIG EAST Softball Champion Pitcher.  Angie was born and raised in New York and currently resides in Los Angeles. See more episodes at https://podcast.babbleboxx.com

It’s time for another Q&A! Today, JJ answers the question what are good reasons to drink kombucha. JJ suggests figuring out why you want to add it into your diet, suggests guidelines for choosing a good quality product, and offers some alternative foods that will provide similar effects.   Episode Play-By-Play [0:30] Question #1: What are your reasons for drinking kombucha? [1:00] What are you hoping to accomplish by incorporating kombucha?   [1:22] If you drink kombucha, here are some guidelines on how to select a good one. [1:35] JJ’s recommendation [2:10] If you’re drinking kombucha for the pre- and/or probiotics, JJ offers additional food sources. [2:55] JJ suggests taking any new food into your diet should be done gradually as your body adjusts.     Mentioned in this episode: Gut Health Guide Recipes at jjvirgin.com Reignite Wellness 365 membership Subscribe to Reignite Wellness with JJ Virgin Become part of JJ’s community JJ Virgin Official Facebook page JJ Virgin on Instagram JJ Virgin on YouTube

Bill Moses, co-founder of KeVita Probiotic Drinks – and more recently, the founder and CEO of Flying Embers Organic Hard Kombucha – will be the featured guest on this episode of Dustin Plantholt’s “Life’s Tough, You Can Be Tougher” podcast. Bill and his partner, holistic nutritionist Chakra Earthsong, established their KeVita kombucha line in 2009. The company went from a small, regional brand to an international leader – selling to 20,000-plus retail locations across North America. Then, in 2016, PepsiCo acquired KeVita for approximately $200 million. It was on to the next big thing for Bill. He and a team of entrepreneurial associates established Fermented Sciences in Ojai, California. Their goal, as currently stated on the company’s website, was to “disrupt the alcohol beverage industry through the creation of a revolutionary platform of great tasting botanical brews with functional benefits.” Kombucha, by definition, is a fermented beverage. It is usually made by adding a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast, (SCOBY), to sweetened black or green tea. The result is a light, effervescent drink that is about 3 percent alcohol. For a “hard” style of kombucha, adding more sugar and yeast creates a secondary fermentation process, leading to a drink with a higher alcohol content. Bill’s company, Fermented Sciences, was still working on the new drink, when it nearly went up in flames, literally, in December 2017. A wildfire struck the area. It threatened the company’s home and the fermentation lab, a facility housed in a 100-year-old stone wine cellar. “On the third night,” Bill said, “we stood on the precipice of disaster as a wall of fire tore through the canyon towards us. As the flames towered above and swirling embers filled the sky, we faced the complete destruction of our dream and potentially our lives.” Bill’s beverage operation survived, and it now had a product name – Flying Embers. In appreciation of the efforts of the local firefighters to save the property, Bill donates 1 percent of company revenues to firefighter charities across the nation. Today, Flying Embers comes in three flavors: Lemon Orchard, Ancient Berry, and Ginger Oak. The drinks are 4.5 percent ABV (alcohol by volume), which is equivalent to low-alcohol beer. Starts with a winery The founder and CEO of Flying Embers began his career in the beverage industry in 2001, when he established Casa Barranca Organic Winery, also in Ojai, California. Casa Barranca is dedicated to minimizing its impact on the environment. It produces its line-up of wines with sourced, certified organic grapes, using biodynamic methods. The wines are handcrafted in a century-old underground stone winery, and the facility is solar-powered. Casa Barranca has been cited as the first certified USDA organic winery on California’s Central Coast. Bill, who now resides in California, is a native of Homestead, Pa., a town near Pittsburgh. Following his graduation from the University of Virginia, he began a career in finance and investment banking.

When assessing funding opportunities for early- and mid-stage companies, First Beverage Group, an investment and advisory firm that works with and invests in brands across the beverage spectrum, has a category-first mindset. First Beverage believes that “the tail winds of a strong category -- no what that dynamic might be -- can always help a business as it’s starting to get off the ground early,” according to vice president Joe Angiuli, who, along with managing partner Jack Belsito and managing director Bob Nakasone, joined us for an interview included in this episode. That approach has guided the firm as it has made investments in fast-growing brands, including Essentia, Health-Ade Kombucha and Q Drinks. As part of our conversation, the trio spoke about the about the First Beverage’s portfolio and investment philosophy and how they evaluate synergies with entrepreneurial brands. They also discussed the current funding environment for the food and beverage industry, which categories might be best suited to weather a potential downturn, and why CBD is not the only cannabis-based ingredient that’s caught the attention of First Beverage. Show notes: 1:18: The New Way To ‘Gram Your Pepsi Lime — It’s a brave new world out there: PepsiCo is putting lime juice in its flagship cola and perfect Instagram posts are a thing of the past. The hosts break it all down in the opening minutes of the episode. 8:39: Jack Belsito, Bob Nakasone & Joe Angiuli, First Beverage Group — In an interview recorded at Expo West 2019, Taste Radio editor Ray Latif spoke with Belsito, Nakasone and Angiuli about their backgrounds and roles with First Beverage and discussed how the firm’s mission has shaped its portfolio. They also explained why they value entrepreneurs that are “coachable,” and why they believe the energy category will continue to grow and evolve. Later, they spoke about the firm’s perspective on CBD and THC, what growth stage First Beverage usually invests in a brand and what entrepreneurs shouldn’t say in a pitch meeting. Brands in this episode: Pepsi, KeVita, Health-Ade, Essentia, Q Drinks, Project Juice, Repsly, Gem&Bolt, Laws Whisky House, VitaCup

KeVita has some of the best content social media content we've seen in a long time. This sparkling probiotic and kombucha brand stays true to the brand in every single post they put out. Their videos are unique and lively, branded content is beautifully executed and their influencer and user-generated content seem to be very well managed. On this episode of the Tuesday Show Nelson Schnebelen and I put the brand through the Heartline Assessment. Check out the episode to see how they achieved a very strong 7/10. We want to hear what you think. Comment here to share your thoughts and if you would give them a different rating! 

In this episode, we explored the evolving landscape for plant-based foods through conversations with Ben Mand, the CEO of coconut beverage brand Harmless Harvest and Michele Simon, the founder and executive director of industry trade group the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA). Mand, who joined Harmless Harvest last year, spoke about the company’s recent revamp of its dairy-free, coconut-based yogurt drink and how lessons from its initial launch have shaped the company’s innovation strategy. He also discussed how Harmless Harvest is exploring opportunities to extend its brand platform while maintaining the integrity of its flagship product. Later in the show, Simon, who launched the PBFA in 2016, spoke about a shift in how consumers perceive plant-based foods and how brands are responding. She also addressed the growing debate about the proper use of the words “meat” and “milk” and why she believes that lobbyists advocating on behalf of animal-based meat and dairy industries are fighting a losing battle. Show notes: 1:43: The Ill Subliminal — The hosts discussed Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha’s recent $3.5 million funding round, Landis’ unfortunate illness, GT’s Living Foods’ line of adaptogenic beverages and a visit from cannabis innovator Adam Terry. 11:42: Interview: Ben Mand, CEO, Harmless Harvest -- A veteran CPG executive, Mand took the reins of a company that has faced a few challenges to its business in recent years, most notably in the use of its former processing method, HPP. Nevertheless, the Harmless Harvest brand has maintained a loyal following, particularly among consumers in the natural channel. ow the coconut water category has evolved in recent years and the most pressing challenges facing companies in the space. 27:35: Interview: Michele Simon, Executive Director, Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA) -- Since launching the PBFA, Simon and her team have lobbied for companies innovating with plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy products. NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg caught up with Michele at the 2019 Winter Fancy Food Show for a conversation about the development of the trade group and work on behalf of its member companies. Brands in this episode: Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha, Spindrift, KeVita, Iconic Protein, Koia, LifeAid, Zola, Piknik, GT’s Living Foods, Harmless Harvest, Plum Organics, FRS, Beyond Meat

In this episode of Taste Radio Insider, we continued our exploration into the evolving food and beverage market in the U.K. from the perspective of two London-based entrepreneurs: Jarr Kombucha co-founder Adam Vanni and Moju Drinks co-founder Rich Goldsmith. Each discussed how they are scaling their brands in the emerging categories of kombucha and cold-pressed juice in the U.K., and what they view as the biggest opportunities for their respective companies. Note that our interview with Vanni came prior to the announcement that beer giant Duvel Moortgat had acquired a 60 percent majority stake in Jarr Kombucha, a deal that he alluded to during the conversation. Also in this episode: the hosts discussed notable moments and presentations from day one of BevNET Live Winter 2018, held in Santa Monica on Dec. 3 and 4. Show notes: 1:41: You Can See The Pacific From Our Room: Recorded at the Taste Radio studio at BevNET Live Winter 2018, BevNET’s Ray Latif, John Craven, Mike Schneider and Jeff Klineman riffed on day one of the conference. The conversation included discussion about the semifinal round of New Beverage Showdown 16, notable presentations by GT’s Living Foods founder/CEO GT Dave and Fiji Water president Elizabeth Stephenson, a breakout session on CBD beverages, BevNET’s Cannabis Forum and our Best of 2018 awards. A big thanks to the sponsor of the Taste Radio studio at BevNET Live, Blue Pacific Flavors, which makes authentic fruit and sweet flavors for global food and beverage brands. 13:45: Interview: Adam Vanni, Co-Founder, Jarr Kombucha -- On location in London, BevNET CEO John Craven sat down with Vanni, who discussed the launch of Jarr and its development and compared the market for kombucha in the U.S. and U.K. He also offered insight into the evolution of the kombucha category, why it’s picking up traction in British bars and restaurants and the usage occasions for British consumers. Finally, Vanni addressed capacity constraints for Jarr and funding an expansion of its facility. 25:57: Interview: Rich Goldsmith, Co-Founder, Moju Drinks -- Goldsmith spoke about the founding story for Moju, which was launched in 2015, its product portfolio and brand positioning. He also discussed the evolution of the market for cold-pressed juice in U.K., how the country “cherry picks” and adopts emerging trends from the U.S., and continued challenges in communicating the meaning of cold-pressed. Goldsmith also spoke about British consumers’ growing concerns about sugary drinks, differences in U.S. and U.K. palates, and what he views as the biggest opportunity for Moju. Brands in this episode: GT’s Kombucha, Fiji Water, Jarr Kombucha, KeVita, Remedy Kombucha, Go Kombucha, Equinox Kombucha, Love Kombucha, J2O, Moju Drinks

It's time for another Culture Builder, our ongoing series on culture and leadership. And as promised, Soylent CEO Bryan Crowley is once again our subject. This episode features Bryan's unique take on culture, which he picked up during his 22 year career in CPG. Bryan has worked for or led all types of brands, from behemoths like Anheuser Busch and Mars, to emerging brands like KeVita and Veev spirits, and shares a few lessons he learned early in his career that he still carries with him today. He also talks about Soylent’s culture - specifically what it was like to take over as CEO after founder Rob Rhinehart decided to take a back seat.

Jon Sebastiani, the founder of Krave Jerky and Sonoma Brands, might want to invest in your company. Just make sure that you’re not chasing the latest hot trend. He’s really not into that. Sebastiani founded Sonoma Brands, a unique consumer product incubator and private equity firm, in 2015 following the sale of Krave Jerky to The Hershey Co. for $240 million. Earlier this year, Sonoma Brands launched a new $60 million fund and has in recent months deployed the capital to expand its holdings. The portfolio includes a mix of internally developed concepts, such as Smashmallow, Zupa Noma and Peckish, along with investments in high-growth brands like Guayaki, Dang Foods and, most recently, Vintage Wine Estates. In a conversation included in this episode, Sebastiani explained how Sonoma Brands eschews bleeding-edge concepts and trends in favor of opportunities to disrupt established categories through innovation and investment. “When you look at the line of products that we’ve created, including Krave, most of them aren’t highly complicated,” he said. “When you find that right sector or category and design a brand against it, it can become very obvious and generally we look at the size of the addressable market in a way to show true scalability. I don’t want to build a brand that can only live in natural/speciality [retailers].” Also, included in this episode: BevNET’s Ray Latif, Marty Caballero and Jon Landis discussed beverage-related news, trends and innovation in the convenience store channel as viewed at the recently completed 2018 NACS show. Show notes: 1:47: We’ve Got a Knack for NACS -- The hosts chat about news and new products in notable beverage categories, including coffee, bottled water, and kombucha, as seen through the lens of the 2018 NACS show, held Oct. 8-10 in Las Vegas. 14:41: Interview: Jon Sebastiani, Founder, Krave/Sonoma Brands -- In an interview recorded at Natural Products Expo East 2018, Sebastiani sat down with BevNET Managing Editor Ray Latif to discuss the business and investment strategy of Sonoma Brands, how the company’s portfolio is nurtured as a unit, how he’s promoting the Sonoma region as a hub for innovative brands and why he’s back in the wine business after vowing never to return. Brands in this episode: Forto Coffee, High Brew Coffee, Starbucks, La Colombe, Califia Farms, Coca-Cola, Far Coast Coffee, Illy Coffee, Dunkin, McCafe, SmartWater, Essentia, Core Hydration, San Pellegrino, Perrier, Topo Chico, Jarritos, Eternal Water, Qure Water, Sparkling Ice, Avitae, Water Joe, Nestle Waters, Brew Dr. Kombucha, Wonder Drink Kombucha, Koe Kombucha, GT’s Kombucha, Buchi, Peet’s, Revive Kombucha, KeVita, PepsiCo, White Castle, Impossible Foods, Krispy Kreme, Chester’s Chicken, Pixotine, Krave Jerky, Smashmallow, Zupa Noma, Jack Link’s, Oberto, Slim Jim, Chobani, Clif Bar, Peckish, Guayaki, Dang Foods, Hu Chocolate, Vintage Wine Estates

In his career as a chef, Roy Choi has broken all the rules and written a few new ones. But the award-winning food truck pioneer and restaurateur still respects some time-honored traditions. Take fermentation, for example. While fermented foods have become trendy in recent years, they’ve been a staple of Asian cuisine and been a constant presence in his cooking. It’s one of the reasons that a recent partnership with KeVita, which makes probiotic beverages, kombucha and drinking vinegars, was an easy decision. “In the home, I grew up with this whole refrigerator full of fermentation, and to me it’s just called food,” Choi said in an interview included in this episode. And while Choi’s disposition is more skater than spokesman, it’s been his deft ability to bridge the gap between counterculture and mainstream that’s made him such an appealing figure in the restaurant business and beyond. In our interview, Choi spoke about his influential role as a celebrity chef and his approach to working with brands, how Los Angeles culture is reflected in his cuisine, and the advice he has for food journalists and critics (it might not be what you expect). Choi is preparing to debut his latest venture, an L.A.-themed restaurant in Las Vegas, in December. The new eatery is likely backed by outside investors, betting that Choi’s fame and fare will draw the masses. But what if you’re not a well-known and successful chef, but rather a young food entrepreneur looking to raise capital for your idea? If you are a young food entrepreneur seeking investment for you startup who doesn’t happen to also be a well-connected celebrity chef, however, there are still thousands of eager angel investors that might be just willing to throw a few bucks your way. And if enough of them do, you might just see your brand get off the ground. Of course, we’re talking about crowdfunding, which at a glance seems like a relatively simple concept. But there are dozens of crowdfunding platforms and plenty of pitfalls in the process. How do you best position yourself for a win? Enter Cheryl Clements, founder of Pieshell, a crowdfunding platform specifically designed for food and beverage entrepreneurs. In an interview, Clements discussed the origins of Pieshell and how the service works, along with tips of the trade and valuable advice for anyone seeking crowd-sourced investment. Show notes: 2:31: Interview: Roy Choi, Celebrity Chef/Founder, Kogi -- Recorded by phone, Choi spoke with BevNET Managing Editor Ray Latif about why he aligned with probiotic drink brand KeVita on a new campaign, offered up his take on trendy food concepts, shared his belief about the unifying power of food, and discussed media scrutinization of his restaurants and projects. 17:33: Interview: Cheryl Clements -- Clements visited BevNET HQ for a interview with Project NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg and spoke about why she launched Pieshell and mission behind the crowdfunding platform. She also discussed the importance of collecting feedback and data from a crowdfunding campaign and why delivering value to investors is critical to a winning strategy. 41:04: A Project No More -- The hosts banter about a the recent name change for our NOSH vertical, the upcoming Expo East trade show and examine a new energy drink from Welch’s. Brands in this episode: KeVita, Honest Tea, Koia, Country Archer, Righteous Felon Jerky Cartel

Courtney Reum wants food and beverage entrepreneurs to ask themselves one question: how can I make my company more ‘techable’? Reum is the co-founder of M13, a brand development and investment firm focused on “accelerating businesses at the nexus of consumer products, technology, and media.” Founded in 2016, M13 has investments in many well-known brands, including Lyft, Pinterest, Blue Bottle Coffee, Pressed Juicery and Snap. In an interview included in this episode of Taste Radio, Reum, who along with brother Carter launched M13 following the sale of their spirit brand Veev, spoke about his belief that the fundamentals for food and beverage business are evolving and, how companies can use technology to directly reach and better understand their consumers. “We’re getting so much data where it’s easier than ever to find your tribe, to get cohort data, that almost every brand its techable to some degree,” Reum said. Hear much more from Reum in our interview, including lessons from the rapid development of Veev, how brands can best identify white space in a crowded consumer products marketplace and M13’s philosophy regarding investment and incubation. Also in this episode: A conversation with Wing Lam, the wild and winsome co-founder of Wahoo’s, the iconic Southern California-based restaurant chain which serves Mexican cuisine tinged with Brazilian and Asian flavors. Lam discussed how Wahoo’s, which celebrated its 30th anniversary this year, has maintained and nurtured the spirit of its first location as it has expanded and how the company, known for its partnerships with surfers and surf-focused brands, identifies authentic partnerships. And in the latest edition of Elevator Talk, we’re joined by Simon Cheng, the CEO and co-creator of Pique Tea, a brand of “cold brewed tea crystals” that dissolve in water. Show notes: 2:23: From One Costa to the Another -- A couple of our esteemed hosts took some much deserved time off last week. Mike was in Costa Rica while John Craven visited Santa Monica; the pair discussed notable libations and foods during their travels. Ray chatted about attending a premiere event for the HBO drama “Westworld,” and the show’s partnership with Westward Single Malt Whiskey, described as “a grain-to-glass celebration of the American pioneer spirit.” 9:18: Interview: Courtney Reum, Co-Founder, Veev/M13 -- Recorded at M13 offices in Beverly Hills, Courtney Reum discussed the backstory and mission behind the investment/incubation/accelerator firm. As part of the conversation, Reum explained how M13 was created “as a company for starting companies where we use a playbook approach of repeatable behaviors… to demonstrate success across different brands and categories" and why they “really believe in the convergence of consumer brands, media and tech.” 43:33: Interview: Wing Lam, Co-Founder, Wahoo’s -- If you’ve spent any time in Southern California and hankered for a fish taco, you’ve probably been to Wahoo’s. We sat down with co-founder Wing Lam at the company’s location in Torrance, Calif and discussed how Wahoo’s which just celebrated its 30th anniversary and has over 60 locations in the U.S. and one in Japan, has grown over the years and how it’s become an institution in surfer/extreme sports community. 1:00:06: Elevator Talk: Simon Cheng, CEO/Co-Founder, Pique Tea -- Simon Cheng is the CEO and co-creator of Pique Tea, the maker of “cold brewed tea crystals” that dissolve in water. We caught with Simon at Expo West 2018 and connected for this edition of Elevator Talk. Show notes: Brands in this episode: Westward Single Malt Whiskey, KeVita, Pressed Juicery, Kite Hill, Blue Bottle Coffee, Daily Harvest, Rebloom, Chomps, Pique Tea

Do you drink kombucha? The trendy fermented beverage used to just be found in health food stores and in the kitchens of home brewers, but now it's everywhere. There are a lot of health claims online about kombucha, but is it just hype? Andrew Thomas, director of marketing for KeVita, joined me on Olympic & Bundy to talk all about kombucha. As KeVita is now owned by PepsiCo, his job is an interesting one when it comes to how to further market this kind of drink to people -- beyond the super health conscious. Our conversation covered many subjects, including: -Andrew’s background and how he began working at KeVita. -How kombucha is made and the typical ingredients. -The scary-looking “scoby” – what is it? -Kombucha and alcohol: How much is in it? -What are probiotics and what health benefits do they have? -Why does gut health matter? -The many health claims online about kombucha. -Other probiotic drinks and apple cider vinegar. -Some history behind kombucha. -How kombucha companies market the drink to a wider consumer base. And more! Share this story: http://bit.ly/2DMkic7 Thank you to Andrew Thomas with KeVita. -Subscribe to Olympic & Bundy on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher. -Connect on social: OlympicAndBundy.com Facebook.com/OlympicAndBundy Instagram.com/OlympicAndBundy Twitter.com/OlympicAndBundy

Distributors called her a “relentless bitch,” but Sharelle Klaus paid little mind to their insecurities. She was too busy building a business. Instead, Klaus, the founder and CEO of DRY Soda, a Seattle-based maker of premium carbonated soft drinks, wore the slur as a badge of honor. Standing at the forefront of the emerging craft soda segment since the launch of DRY in 2005, Klaus acknowledges that she is indeed relentless — and deeply passionate about her vision to deliver better soda to American consumers. “I have an expectation, and it has to get done,” she said in an interview included in this episode of Taste Radio. “In beverage, you’ve got to get that product on the shelf. It has to be executed correctly. I do demand a lot from everybody -- you just have to.” Beginning with DRY’s early days as a regional startup through its rise to a nationally distributed brand, Klaus shared war stories from the journey and revealed the one lesson she believes entrepreneurs need to learn if they intend to be successful. This episode also includes a lively chat with Russell Barnett, CMO of My/Mo, a fast-growing brand of mochi ice cream sweeping through freezers aisles across the U.S. Don’t miss Barnett’s explanation of why “marketing is never right; [just] varying degrees of wrong.” We also caught up with Max Baumann and BJ McCaslin, co-founders of Bear Squeeze, a brand of ketogenic meal shakes that triumphed in BevNET Live’s New Beverage Showdown 14. Rounding out the episode is the latest edition of Elevator Talk featuring Tugger Balcom, the founder of Sports Juice, a brand of organic, cold-pressed juices designed for athletes. Show notes: 1:09: Get a Life(style): All of the folks interviewed in this episode represent brands with a lifestyle component and engage with consumers beyond their core focus or function. The hosts discuss what makes for an effective lifestyle brand and how companies can best articulate their messaging. 6:27: Interview: Sharelle Klaus, Founder/CEO, Dry Soda -- In this interview, recorded from the Taste Radio studio at BevNET Live Winter 2017, Klaus shared her vision for the culinary-inspired soda brand and the impetus for its launch. She also discussed how she’s persevered through her dozen years in the beverage business and why she implores entrepreneurs to “not be afraid to look stupid.” 29:56: Interview: Russell Barnett, CMO, My/Mo -- In this interview with Project NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg, Barnett discussed the rapid emergence of My/Mo and why keeping the brand “weird and quirky... presents a really great opportunity for an experiential moment.” Barnett also shares lessons learned from his two decades as a marketing exec, which has included roles with Mike’s Hard Lemonade, PopChips and KeVita. 48:52: Interview: Max Baumann & BJ McCaslin, Co-Founders, Bear Squeeze -- Baumann and McCaslin joined us on the mics shortly after claiming the crown of New Beverage Showdown 14 and taking home the competition’s $10,000 prize. The pair discussed the company’s business strategy and McCaslin remarked on his second Showdown win, the first being with Coco Cafe in 2011. 59:53: Elevator Talk: Tugger Balcom, Founder, Sports Juice -- A semifinalist in New Beverage Showdown 14, we caught up with Balcom in Los Angeles a few weeks back when he joined us for this edition of Elevator Talk. Brands in this episode: Rockstar, Red Bull, Dry Soda, My/Mo, Bear Squeeze, Mixwell, Sports Juice For sponsorship opportunities, feedback and suggestions, contact ask@tasteradio.com.

A former software engineer, John Coogan says that programmers are often pondering ways to “automate ourselves out of a job.” Coogan, who in 2013 co-founded fast-growing meal replacement products brand Soylent, has a similar perspective when it comes to entrepreneurship. In a recent interview featured in this week’s episode of Taste Radio, Coogan, who recently stepped down as Soylent’s CTO, said that “as entrepreneurs, we should be thinking about how we can manage ourselves out of a job.” Amid the brand’s ongoing expansion from direct-to-consumer sales and into retail stores, Coogan explained that it was important for Soylent, “to find people that are essentially the right tool for the job… and that have seen these challenges before.” In recent months the company has brought on several experienced CPG executives, including former KeVita chief strategy officer Bryan Crowley as president, to support its retail expansion. Coogan also discussed how Soylent’s e-commerce-only model enabled the company “to start collecting data on who our customer was, as well as get product in their hands much faster.” Perhaps most importantly, the business strategy presented Soylent with a streamlined path to retail. “You’ll have customers that can actually go and drive adoption at retail stores because they’ve heard about you online," he said. Also included in this episode: a conversation with influential food and lifestyle blogger Olivia Ku. Ku, who has a following of nearly 200,000 users on Instagram, spoke about how brands can best interact with influencers and why successful partnerships require a true sense of “added value” for both parties. And in this week’s Elevator Talk, we spoke with Shayne Malone, who is the founder and CEO of Zavu, a brand of cold-pressed, HPP juices made from indigenous Brazilian fruits. Show notes: 2:24: WEED Deal: The hosts discuss the Constellation Brands’ recent acquisition of a 9.9 percent stake in cannabis producer Canopy Growth Corporation for $191 million. Constellation, which makes and markets a variety of well-known beer, wine and spirits products,d that the deal is aimed at developing and marketing cannabis-infused beverages that do not contain alcohol. John Craven notes that Constellation is preparing for the gold rush into legal marijuana, assuming relaxed regulation is forthcoming. Jon Landis discusses how current cannabis-infused beverage brands are wading into the market and educating consumers about dosages. 11:15: Interview: John Coogan, Co-Founder, Soylent -- John Coogan is a co-founder of Soylent and served as Soylent’s CTO until stepping down a few months ago. He recently sat down with John and Mike for a conversation about his role with the company and how Soylent, which until recently has been as been sold exclusively online, is positioning itself for massive growth at retail. For new brand owners, listen to why Coogan views direct-to-consumer as “super important for early-stage food and beverage companies.” 39:18: Interview: Olivia Ku, Founder, LoveHealthOK: Mike Schneider recently met with highly influential food and lifestyle blogger Olivia Ku. In a conversation recorded at the offices of Califia Farms in downtown L.A., Ku explained her path to becoming a social media guru and offered advice on how brands can most effectively engage influencers. 59:45: Elevator Talk: Shayne Malone, Founder/CEO, Zavu: Shane Malone is the founder and CEO of Zavu, a brand of cold-pressed, HPP juices made from indigenous Brazilian fruits, including caju, acerola and cupuacu. Shane spoke with the Taste Radio team at Expo East 2017 about his upstart brand and the opportunities and challenges that lay ahead. Brands in this episode: Dixie Elixirs, Soylent, Califia Farms, Zavu For sponsorship opportunities, feedback and suggestions, contact ask@tasteradio.com.

In this week’s episode of BevNET’s Taste Radio, we’re joined by Matt Thomas, the founder and CEO of Townshend’s Tea Company and Brew Dr. Kombucha. In a conversation with BevNET assistant editor Marty Caballero, Thomas discussed the origins of Townshend's, a premium tea retailer based in Portland, Ore., and its development of Brew Dr., which has become one of the fastest-growing brands in the breakout kombucha category. Thomas explained how a tea-forward approach to formulation continues to resonate with new and consumers and has positioned Brew Dr. to achieve explosive growth at retail. The brand is represented nationally at Trader Joe’s and available throughout the Pacific Northwest and along the West Coast at retailers including Target and Costco. Also included in this episode: A conversation with Dan and Genevieve Brazelton, who are the founders of Improper Goods, the parent company of RAFT Botanical cocktail syrups and The Bitter Housewife, a brand of small-batch, aromatic bitters. The husband-and-wife team spoke with Caballero about the company’s focus of creating approachable ingredients with broad appeal. And in the latest edition of Elevator Talk, we speak with Kenneth Park, the founder and CEO of Detox Water, a brand of bioactive aloe water enhanced with electrolytes and vitamins. This episode is presented by Virun. Show notes: 1:24: Has Juicero Squeezed Its Last Drop? -- On Friday, Juicero announced that it would suspend sales of its countertop cold-pressed juice machines and produce packs and offer refunds to customers. The hosts discuss the company’s woes and speculate on the timing and decision to shut down. 10:20: Interview: Matt Thomas, the founder and CEO of Townshend’s Tea Company and Brew Dr. Kombucha -- Thomas discusses the backstory behind Portland, Ore.-based Townsend's Tea and how its focus on premium tea is the foundation for Brew Dr., which is made with using whole tea and no extracts or added juice. “We want to make this stuff like tea and ferment it like kombucha," Thomas stated. He also noted how Brew Dr.’s distinctive tea-forward flavor profile differentiates the brand among competitors, and explained how the company keeps up with the Brew Dr.’s incredible growth. 34:19: Interview: Dan and Genevieve Brazelton, founders, Improper Goods -- The Brazeltons discussed their business and innovation strategy, which focuses on creating cocktail ingredients that are accessible for everyday consumers. Dan spoke about giving “consumers the permission to experiment,” by using familiar and approachable flavors. Genevieve explained why the company shifted its emphasis on sales from on-premise retailers to direct-to-consumer and wholesale business. 56:24: Elevator Talk: Kenneth Park, founder and CEO, Detox Water -- Detox Water recently announced new distribution in 1,500 new retail locations across the U.S. including 750 Kroger banners. The company is also on the cusp of closing a Series A round of funding reported to be in the $2-3 million range. Detox Water is also expanding its product line with a couple new line extensions that will be introduced at Expo East. Brands in this episode: Juicero, Brew Dr. Kombucha, GT’s Kombucha, KeVita, Raft Syrups, The Bitter Housewife, Detox Water For sponsorship opportunities, feedback and suggestions contact podcast@bevnet.com.

KeVita co-founder and former CEO Bill Moses is keeping busy. In the seven months since PepsiCo’s acquisition of KeVita, a maker of probiotic drinks and kombucha, Moses has been actively investing in and advising a range of early-stage food and beverage companies. This edition of the Taste Radio podcast features an interview with Moses, who discussed the key elements of his investment philosophy and his work with upstart brands, including Koia and ChiaViva. Recorded at the NOSH Live Summer 2017 conference, held earlier this week in New York City, Moses also reflected the growth and development of KeVita and the trials and tribulations of being a beverage entrepreneur. This week’s episode also includes a breakdown of notable news, trends, innovation and new products discussed at NOSH Live and BevNET Live Summer 2017, which was held on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the latest edition of Elevator Talk.

In this edition of the BevNET Podcast, we’re joined by prominent food and beverage attorney Nick Giannuzzi. The founder and managing partner of the The Giannuzzi Group, he has for over a decade provided legal representation to hundreds of small to mid-sized CPG companies and been involved in the biggest M&A deals in the space, including the sale of vitaminwater to The Coca-Cola Co., Krave Jerky to The Hershey Co. and KeVita to PepsiCo. Our conversation with Giannuzzi includes his take on how has the landscape for M&A in food and beverage has evolved in recent years, how he advises clients on being disciplined in their growth strategies and how entrepreneurs best align themselves with investors that share similar values and goals. Giannuzzi also discussed the current climate for investment (entrepreneurs would be wise to conduct a heat check, he noted) and competition for clients within the legal community. Also included in this podcast: a check-in with Honest Tea co-founder Seth Goldman on the brand recent revamp of its Honest Sport line and talking points on the Bai and KeVita deals, and a quick chat with Josh Wand, the founder of food and beverage staffing and recruiting agency Force Brands.

BevNET’s podcast team recently visited with Mike Burgmaier, the co-founder and managing director of Whipstitch Capital, an investment bank that provides mergers and acquisitions and private placement advisory services to consumer products companies. In this edition of the podcast, Burgmaier, who’s worked with several fast-growing and high-profile beverage brands, including Essentia, Spindrift and KeVita, discussed the current climate for CPG financing, competition for investment dollars and what he views as the key attributes for successful brands.

In a bid to reduce their dependence on the struggling carbonates segment, the three biggest players in US carbonates have recently made a number of acquisitions to expand into more premium soft drinks segments. On November 22, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group announced it was purchasing Bai Brands for US$1.7 billion. On the same day, PepsiCo stated it would be buying KeVita. These acquisitions as well as The Coca-Cola Co’s purchase of Aloe Gloe in June reflect the companies’ intentions to enter into naturally positioned soft drinks categories.  

Susun Weed answers 90 minutes of herbal health questions followed by a 30 minute interview with Chakra Earthsong Levy. Chakra is Holistic health consultant, teacher, and entrepreneur Chakra Earthsong Levy has a deep love of organic, whole foods and live cultured drinks, which led to the creation of KeVita. After years of perfecting home fermentation, KeVita Sparkling Probiotic Drinks are by far her best ferment! Living high in the Colorado Mountains for many years, she and her family harvested summer?s bounty for winter?s nutrition by culturing locally grown vegetables to preserve the probiotic rich benefits. As the formulator of KeVita she sets the highest quality organic standards, selecting ingredients for KeVita with great care. this episode Q&A- includes: • pin worms- we are not meant to live alone but hysterical hygiene through two life cycles to help.. • infant eczema? lacofermented foods and nourishing herbal infusions espeically nettles to reverse allergic reactions.. • cook kale for at least an hour.. • three traditions of healing.. • electrolytes and drinking infusions instead of water.. • chickweed is a wonderful herb for the eyes.. palming is very restful for the eyes.. • tooth care- electric toothbrush and astringent herbs such as yarrow tincture, myrth tincture, bloodroot tincture.. • nourishing herbs, tonifying herbs, stimulating and sedating herbs.. • fenugreek tea for lactation and infusions of red clover, nettles, oatstraw, red raspberry leaf.. • and much more....