In the Sauce

Parker Olson is the founder of Forij , the naturally sweetened, low sugar granola and granola bars, packed with superfood ingredients and concentrated mushroom extracts. On this episode of ITS, Parker and Ali talk about the state of CPG, Parker's next move, and also, a little bit about mushrooms. In the Sauce is Powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California...

Adria Campbell is the Chief Revenue Officer at Malk Organics, the premium, plant-based milk company known for it's celebrity-created Erewhon smoothies. On this episode of ITS, Adria walks Ali through the way she runs sales, the KPI's she's established for her team, how she hires, and what her secret is with buyers. They also talk the perils of seasonal sku's and why Social Nature is the demo of th...

Kendall Dickieson is the social media and influencer marketing consultant helping brands like Graza , Canopy , and immi become best friends with their consumer. On this episode of ITS, Kendall talks all things social, content, and how to make community more than a buzzword. In the Sauce is Powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at http...

Crystal Ung is the Founder and CEO of Bowlcut , the sauce brand named after everyone’s favorite 80s haircut, building next generation Asian-American flavor. On this episode of ITS, Ali and Crystal talk about Operating Principles, leadership, and how Bowlcut is the culmination of Crystal's life and career. In the Sauce is Powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and C...

Taja Dockendorf is the Founder and Chief Creative Director of Pulp+Wire , an award-winning consumer packaging, branding, and digital agency that's worked with brands like Petco, Magnolia Bakery, Bob’s Red Mill, and Vermont Creamery. On this episode of ITS, Taja breaks down what makes branding, digital content, and packaging both visually compelling and rooted in functionality and effectiveness. In...

Hayley Painter is the co-CEO and co-Founder of Painterland Sisters , an organic skyr yogurt company a mission to connect consumers with family farmers. On this episode of ITS, Hayley tells Ali why she and her sister Stephanie began packaging their thick, creamy yogurt, how they're changing the narrative on dairy farming, and what the future holds for the sisters and their community. In the Sauce i...

Nate Rosen is the founder of Express Checkout , a newsletter dedicated to the latest news and trends across CPG, retail, eCommerce, and supply chain. On this episode of ITS, Nate and Ali talk economic recovery, c-stores, and best practices for developing, writing, and building subscribers for newsletters. In the Sauce is Powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and C...

Marissa Hohner is the CEO & founder of Good Time Creative , the agency best known for creating trade show exhibits, experiential installations, influencer kits, and custom merch for brands like Chomps, Belgian Boys, Culture Pop, Ulta, Gatsby, Celsius, and Imperfect Foods. On this episode of ITS, Marissa and Ali talk about best ways to express your brand without spending more than you should, a...

Patrick Schwarzenegger is the CEO of Mosh , the brand on a mission to educate consumers about brain health. On this episode of ITS, Patrick shares how his experience as an angel investor has shaped MOSH, how brain health is evolving as a category, and why fixing your "leaky buckets" is critical to profitable growth. In the Sauce is Powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/pr...

Chris Gallant is the CEO of Chamberlain Coffee , the brainchild of YouTube phenomenon Emma Chamberlain . On this episode of ITS, Chris and Ali talk about creator-founded brands, how they can pull apart from the personality that started them, the persistence of retail, and why "cans in hands" is a must for a coffee brand. In the Sauce is Powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.c...

Beatrice Dixon is the co-founder, Chief Innovation Officer, and CEO of the Honey Pot Company , a plant-derived hygiene powerhouse for humans with vaginas. On this episode of ITS, Beatrice and Ali talk about the origins of Honey Pot (it started with a dream), and the realities of the CPG business: from community management, to investor issues, to working with retailers focused on a "simplify to amp...

Sabeena Ladha is the founder and CEO of Deux , the good-for-you cookie dough company. On this episode of ITS, Sabeena walks Ali through the processes she's honed after her years at Lays, Diamond Foods, McKinsey and M13. Hint: It's all about testing and learning. In the Sauce is Powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.co...

Lauryn Chun is the founder of Mother-in-Law’s , the crowd favorite brand that started the fermented foods craze way back in 2009. On this episode of ITS, Ali and Lauryn compare the economic environment today with 2010-2012, and discuss the creativity, scrappiness, and innovation that emerged from challenges. In the Sauce is Powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy an...

Grant Thomas is Chief Service Officer at Arc Retail Group , and has successfully launched over 100 items across 7 Walmart departments in 38 categories. On this episode of ITS, Grant breaks down Walmart for Ali: From the distribution and fulfillment details brands have to nail, to the velocity expectations and consumer profiles (that may surprise you). In the Sauce is Powered by Simplecast . See Pr...

Taylor Lanzet and Maddy Rotman are the co-founders of Anytime Spritz , the new "farm-to-can" cocktail created with 100% regenerative wheat and fruit directly sourced from small-scale farmers. On this episode of ITS, Taylor and Maddy break down the opportunity and challenges of launching an RTD spirit and how important community is in the process. In the Sauce is Powered by Simplecast . See Privacy...

Katie Wilson is the founder and CEO of BelliWelli , the wellness brand known for its gut health-focused snack bar. On this episode of ITS, Katie tells Ali how Facebook groups, billboards, humor, and empathy built the brand we know today. In the Sauce is Powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-...

Angela Vranich is the co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Little Spoon , the baby to big kid food subscription company making healthy, nutritionally optimized food for every eating stage. On this episode of ITS, Angela tells Ali the story of Little Spoon, and how they've grown exclusively on DTC by focusing on serving the needs of their growing community, both with new product innovation and t...

Stacey Hartnett is VP of E-Commerce and Marketing at Chomps , the better-for-you meat snack inspiring a healthier way of high-protein snacking. On this episode of ITS, Ali and Ashly (Haven's Content Director) chat with Stacey about the ever-evolving role of marketing, which channels support awareness vs. retention, and how Chomps grew from a DTC brand to one with 20k national grocery doors. Photo...

Lisa Poe is the founder of LGPR , a talent management and brand marketing company. On this episode of ITS, Lisa and Ali talk about how brands can work with content creators and influencers to create meaningful partnerships and content that drive new consumers to said brands, and build loyalty with those who've already connected. In the Sauce is Powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https:/...

Anthony Domenici is the co-founder of BASECAMP Consulting Group, a fractional CFO and bookkeeping team that offers a full-service suite of financial services for emerging brands. On today's episode of ITS, we get back into financials: What data every founder needs to know, more on why cashflow is key, and how to manage your burn. In the Sauce is Powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https:...

Janica Lane is Managing Director of Food & Beverage Investment Banking and Co-head of Consumer Investment Banking at Piper Sandler . On this episode of ITS, Janica and Ali talk about acquisition: from what strategics are looking for (hint, it's what we should all be doing anyway), to how they consider innovation, to how to respond when they start looking. In the Sauce is Powered by Simplecast...

Ju Rhyu is the Co-Founder and CEO Hero Cosmetics , the incredible skincare brand that launched in 2017 with one product, and sold in 2022 for over $600m. On this episode of ITS, Ju describes how she built a high growth, omnichannel, profitable company that is deeply loved by an engaged audience. In the Sauce is Powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California...

Gary Hirshberg is the CEO of the Hirshberg Entrepreneurship Institute and Co-Founder and Chief Organic Optimist of Stonyfield Farm , the company he grew from a small organic farming school in New Hampshire in 1983 to the world’s largest organic yogurt company. On the 200th episode of ITS, Gary shares his wisdom about product, sales, sustainability, and the entrepreneurship journey. In the Sauce is...

Will Nitze is the founder and CEO of IQ Bar , the plant based protein company for your brain and body. On this episode of ITS, Will and Ali talk about his "shower thoughts" on Linkedin, how IQBAR built on e-commerce first, why they skipped straight to conventional, and the pros and cons of platforming. In the Sauce is Powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and Cali...

Dan Bubniak is the Chief Growth Officer at Dirty Hands , the field sales, merchandising, and brokerage partner on a mission to support better for you food brands. On this episode of ITS, Dan and Ali talk about winning at retail and how it's a hands-on, point of sale, compounding game. In the Sauce is Powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Not...