Winning Pitches with RangeMe & ECRM

In this episode, ECRM’s Joseph Tarnowski speaks with Sudhanshu Gupta, Founder and CEO of Mirchi Labs, to unpack the hidden operational hurdles emerging brands face after securing their first retail deal – specifically, dealing with “messy” product data! Episode Highlights Navigating Retailer Compliance : Discover why every retailer speaks a different "data language" – from varying image...

In this episode, ECRM’s Joseph Tarnowski sits down with NIQ’s Beverage Alcohol expert Kaleigh Theriault to dissect the economic headwinds, channel shifts, and evolving consumer habits shaping the beer, wine, spirits, and RTD segments, both on-premise and off. Episode Highlights On-Premise vs. Off-Premise Disconnect : Discover why bar and restaurant visitation remains steady due to celebratory occa...

In this episode, ECRM’s Joseph Tarnowski sits down with Anisha Patel, co-founder of Las Vegas-based Twist Foods. After operating family restaurants for over 14 years, Anisha and her husband turned customer demand into a thriving CPG brand offering clean-label curry simmer sauces. Discover how Twist Foods navigated the transition from restaurant prep to retail packaging, overcame co-packer hurdles,...

Finding the right contract manufacturer is often one of the biggest roadblocks emerging brands face when trying to scale. Cold calls, misaligned equipment needs, and unexpected costs can leave founders feeling like they’ve hit a brick wall. In this episode, ECRM’s Joseph Tarnowski chats with Vincent Tseng , CEO of PartnerSlate, to demystify the co-manufacturing search. They dive deep into why find...

In this episode, ECRM’s Joseph Tarnowski sits down with Ruchir Vimawala, Co-Founder of Bhavana Foods. Vimawala shares how he brought an iconic culinary brand with an 80-year legacy in India to the U.S. market, all while maintaining his full-time career as a medical device engineer.  From delivering products to independent grocers from the back of a Kia Optima to landing major retail deals with Gro...

In this episode, ECRM’s Joseph Tarnowski sits down with Molly Blakeley, the energetic founder of Molly Bz Cookies, to discuss her upcoming book, Bake It Till You Make It . While Molly is well known for her successful cookie brand, this conversation dives deep into the raw, wild, and inspiring journey that brought her to where she is today. From growing up alongside serial entrepreneur parents in A...

In this episode, host Joseph Tarnowski sits down with Won Yoo, the manufacturing and formulation brains behind Lifeguard – a sun care brand that is turning heads with its vibrant, high-visibility packaging and high-performance products. Originally registered in New York City back in 1951, the Lifeguard name spent decades plastered across beachside hoodies, T-shirts, and flip-flops. Now, the brand...

In this episode, ECRM’s Joseph Tarnowski sits down with Tatyana Jones, the visionary founder of DEFI Snacks. Jones shares her inspiring journey from climbing the corporate ladder at major global CPG brands like Mars and GSK to diving headfirst into the rewarding world of entrepreneurship. Learn how she took the lessons from her corporate career and turned them into a chart-topping, award-winning f...

In this episode, we sit down with Donna Howlett, the founder and CEO of Modinc Skincare, to discuss her remarkable journey in which a near-fatal accident inspired her to build a successful line of skin care products infused with Australian botanicals. After a life-altering accident at age 17 left her with severe burns, Donna witnessed the healing power of nature firsthand when her father treated h...

In this episode, ECRM’s Joseph Tarnowski speaks with Dr. Asli Elif, a food scientist, master’s degree holder, and the Co-Founder of BEE & YOU. Driven by a personal mission to help her son overcome a severe autoimmune disorder, Dr. Asli Elif leveraged her expertise in bee products to create high-quality, scientifically-backed health and beauty care solutions. They discuss the incredible power o...

In this episode, ECRM’s Joseph Tarnowski sits down with Joanna Shu, co-founder and CEO of Cartwheel, to discuss how her emerging brand achieved the incredible feat of launching its Nit Happens lice treatment kit into 6,000 Walgreens stores right out of the gate from her first ECRM Health Care Session – before her product was even fully ready for production! Going from a rough packaging mockup to a...

Protein is everywhere, from fitness-focused breakfast cereals to, surprisingly, protein-infused vodka. But while consumer demand for this macro-ingredient is surging, a massive disconnect exists between what people think they are eating and what they actually need. In this episode, ECRM’s Joseph Tarnowski sits down with NIQ’s VP of Thought Leadership - Food & Beverage Chris Costagli to dive in...

In this episode, host Joe from ECRM sits down with Carolina Sanchez-Vegas, the Marketing Director for Lotus Alliance Group – the parent company of Nova Marketing Access and The Beauty Corner. Lotus specializes in beauty and wellness, acting as a master distributor that bridges the gap between niche brands from Latin America and Europe and the multicultural communities looking for them. Carolina pu...

In this episode, ECRM’s Joseph Tarnowski sits down with Michael Conte, the COO of Conte Coffee Company at ECRM’s recent Foodservice and Private Label Food & Beverage Sessions. From the brand’s humble beginnings as a local family business to becoming the powerhouse behind private label brands for some of America's largest retailers, Michael shares an inside look at what it takes to scale a...

Most emerging brand founders put 100% of their energy into developing the perfect pitch. But the true test of a brand’s longevity lies in its ability to master the complex logistics of driving velocity and staying in stock. Once you hit the shelves of a big-box retailer, your focus has to not only include marketing, but also supply chain reliability. Why? Because an empty shelf doesn't just h...

In this episode, ECRM’s Joseph Tarnowski sits down with Darren Seifer, VP of Thought Leadership for Home, Family, and Baby at NIQ, to unpack the consumer shifts that are transforming the household cleaning, paper, and food storage categories. The old industry playbook – relying on a predictable household routine and simple trade-offs between budget and premium products – is now outdated. Driven by...

In this episode, recorded on location at ECRM’s Hair Care Session in Chicago, ECRM’s Joseph Tarnowski In this episode Joseph Tarnowski dives into the numbers, consumer insights, and massive untapped opportunities within the textured hair care market with textured hair expert Romina Brown , Founder and CEO of Strategic Solutions International, Inc.   From debunking traditional demographic segmentat...

In this episode, ECRM’s Joseph Tarnowski sits down with Shannon Landry, Research Director at Packaged Facts, to discuss the shifting dynamics of the pet market. They unpack how the industry has evolved in a post-COVID landscape, navigating changes in pet owner demographics and the ongoing recovery from significant pet market inflation.   Key Takeaways From This Episode The Rise of the Cat: While t...

In this episode, ECRM’s Joseph Tarnowski sits down with Tim Cox from Parmela Creamery to pull back the curtain on how they cracked the code on authentic, meltable, plant-based cheese. From an LA private chef’s kitchen to managing a massive footprint in the US grocery market, Tim shares the fascinating science, business strategy, and innovation driving the company’s massive success at retail with i...

In this episode, the co-founders of Osia, Isabella Hoag and Gabriel Walsh join ECRM’s Joseph Tarnowski to share the journey of their functional, non-alcoholic beverage brand. They highlight its origins as beverages served at events hosted by Hoag’s local event company, to its recent retail wins from RangeMe, including being listed as one of the RangeMe Top Brands in Food & Beverage, and a Gold...

In this episode, ECRM’s Joseph Tarnowski sits down with Belal Rajab, the Executive Chef for Desert Diamond Casinos in Arizona. With over 30 years of culinary experience spanning from the Middle East to the American Southwest, Chef Belal oversees a massive operation including nearly 20 diverse restaurants. From high-speed food courts to fine-dining steakhouses and large-scale banquets, he shares hi...

Muhammad Ali believed that the fight was won or lost long before entering the ring, decided by preparation on the road and in the gym. He used mental warfare, trash talk, and immense confidence to dominate opponents mentally before the first bell. The same goes for buyer meetings. Often the buyer makes a decision based on initial impressions before the actual meeting even gets going.  In this epis...

Private label has become a destination – not a trade-down. But as shoppers evolve, so do their expectations for value, experience, and cultural relevance. In this episode, Joseph Tarnowski sits down with consumer strategist Diana Leza Sheehan of PDG Insights, who breaks down the most important shifts in shopper sentiment shaping private brand growth in 2026 and beyond.  Among the insights you’ll l...

In this episode, ECRM’s Joseph Tarnowski speaks with Matt Kelly and Scott Sommers from CatTongue Grips, a company dedicated to helping people "do epic shit" by providing a better grip on everyday items. CatTongue Grips shares the journey of how a homemade hack for a cell phone grip turned into a patented product to help older consumers maintain their independence –  and landed them an aw...

In this episode, ECRM’s Joseph Tarnowski sits down with Emilio Smeke from Industrias T.TAiO, a company with a fascinating origin story that has recently seen explosive growth through the power of viral social media. From manufacturing kids' clothing to becoming a global powerhouse in personal care products, Emilio shares how a single organic TikTok video transformed the brand’s production fro...