Resilient as F*k!

Key Takeaways: The "Perfect Packaging" Trap: Why over-investing in your branding before testing your product is a massive mistake. Your brand will evolve; don't let your ego delay your launch. No Replacement for Lived Experience: AI is a great tool, but it cannot replace the peer-to-peer mentorship of founders who are currently navigating the chaotic CPG landscape. The Introvert's Advantage: You d...

Key Takeaways: The "Clear Window" Trap: Why designing for aesthetics over food science will cost you retail placements, and how Ohme Foods successfully pivoted their entire brand identity to protect their product's shelf life. The RACI Chart: The ultimate operational framework for co-founders. Learn how to map out exactly who is Responsible, Accountable, Supporting, and Informed to eliminate overl...

Key Takeaways: Clarity Over Cleverness: Stop butchering your customers' actual words to sound "creative." The ultimate sophistication in branding is absolute simplicity. The "3 P's" Pitch Framework: Don't just sell the problem and your plan. You must sell the Place—the ultimate transformation and desired outcome the consumer will achieve. Master the Story Loop: If you want to hook an audience, sta...

Key Takeaways: ● Authenticity is Your Best Strategy: Don't chase trends. Build products that you have a deep, personal connection to and that genuinely solve a problem you've experienced. ● Rebuilding from the Ground Up: Sometimes, experiencing a physical or emotional "rock bottom" is the exact catalyst needed to discover your true purpose and resilience. ● Embrace Trial and Error: Scaling a food...

"Good brands have great tension." In this episode of Resilient as F*k! , host Vivian Perez (Vamp Brand Studio) sits down with Viggy Venkat, the mastermind behind Tocha Foods. This isn’t your typical "hot sauce" story; it’s a masterclass in using customer discovery to identify a market gap so wide you could drive a distribution truck through it. Memorable Moments: The 75% Rule: Viggy reveals the da...

"Getting distribution is not easy... but the hard part is getting it off the shelf." In this episode of Resilient as F*k! , host Vivian Perez (Vamp Brand Studio) sits down with CPG veterans Michelle McKay-Prychidny and Koreann Webster, the co-founders of Roadmap CPG. After serving as early key employees for industry giants like Vega and SmartSweets, they have seen exactly what it takes to survive...

"Get a thousand people to try your product... it's gonna save you so much money later on." In this episode of Resilient as F*k!, host Vivian Perez (Vamp Brand Studio) sits down with Tony, the co-founder behind Queen Street Bakery, to discuss the wild journey of transforming an allergen-friendly bread concept into a national powerhouse available in over 3,000 stores. Key Topics Covered: The Birth o...

"If you ever knew what it would take to get where you want to go... you'd never do it." In this episode of Resilient as F*k! , host Vivian Perez (Vamp Brand Studio) sits down with Jason James, the visionary behind Vegan Supply, to discuss the transformation of the vegan industry from a niche market to a powerhouse of innovation. Key Topics Covered: The Pivot to Plant-Based: How a Crohn’s diagnosis...

"I thought, I'm going to make mistakes and that's okay. And I was okay with it all. So just be kind to myself about it. But learn as much as I can." In this episode of Resilient as F*k!, host Vivian Perez (Vamp Brand Studio) sits down with Katie Merchant, the beekeeper and visionary behind The Honey Merchants, to discuss her transformation from a stay-at-home mom to a thriving CPG founder. Key Top...

In this episode of Resilient as F*k!, Vivian Perez sits down with Tirzah Adrian, a passionate entrepreneur, to talk about the challenges of burnout, overcoming self-doubt, and building a brand rooted in community and collaboration. Tirzah shares how she learned to trust herself, embrace vulnerability, and collaborate with others to create deep connections with her audience and expand her brand’s r...

In this episode of Resilient as F*k! , Vivian Perez sits down with Isabelle Guilmette, the heart behind Washboard Soapery & Such—a natural soap and personal care brand that started with a DIY deodorant and evolved into a 130+ SKU product line.  What began as a passion project in her kitchen grew into a thriving, values-driven business rooted in beauty, slowness, and integrity. Isabelle opens up ab...

In this episode of Resilient as F*k!, Vivian Perez sits down with Andy Knox, the founder of Knox Your Socks Off Hot Sauce, to talk about his journey from homegrown side hustle to an award-winning product line. Andy shares how experimenting with ingredients, listening to customers, and showing up consistently built a business that’s as bold as the flavors in every bottle. When Andy Knox started pla...

How to build a successful brand without formal training? In this episode of Resilient as F* k!, Vivian Perez sits down with Leah Yard, founder of Leah Yard Designs to share her journey from crafting jewelry as a hobby to building a thriving brand—without formal training or a business degree. In this episode, Leah opens up about battling imposter syndrome, navigating the emotional highs and lows of...

In this episode, Vivian Perez and Sara Jónsdóttir discuss how Revol Cares was built to solve real problems for women through sustainable and socially impactful products. Sara opens up about the importance of storytelling, transparency, and balancing profitability with purpose. Key Takeaways: Sustainability as Core: Building sustainability into your brand’s DNA fosters trust and long-term success....

Overview: Vivian Perez and Myles Powell dive into the importance of small wins in building resilience and long-term success. Myles reflects on the lessons he’s learned from early setbacks, the role of community in his growth, and how focusing on incremental progress helped him build Myles Comfort Food . Key Takeaways: Celebrate Small Wins: Every step forward builds momentum. Adaptability is Key: R...

Overview: Vivian Perez and Daniela Marin discuss the journey of introducing yerba mate to the Canadian market. Daniela dives into the challenges of educating consumers, adapting a traditional product for a new audience, and maintaining a focus on sustainability and community. Key Takeaways: Educating Your Audience: Simplify your messaging to connect with consumers unfamiliar with your product. Bal...

In this episode of Resilient as F* k!, Vivian Perez chats with Eliza Trendiak, founder of Lavoh , about her journey from running service-based salons to creating a sustainable reusable makeup remover cloth line. Eliza shares how she transformed unexpected production delays into an opportunity to create a high-impact product launch. From navigating manufacturing obstacles to leveraging grassroots m...

Overview: In this episode, Vivian Perez chats with Tara Duncan, founder of Urban Calm Coffee, who shares her journey from an unfulfilling job to creating a coffee brand focused on calm. Tara talks about the importance of a clear brand vision, the value of listening to the market, and how resilience has guided her through challenges. Key Points: From Idea to Brand: Tara’s journey began with a brain...

In this episode, host Vivian Perez sits down with Isabelle, the founder of Remix Snacks, to discuss the real journey behind building a brand in the CPG industry. Isabelle shares her story of going from kitchen creations to major retail, and the lessons learned through distribution challenges, moments of doubt, and the importance of trusting herself along the way. Key Takeaways: Finding Resilience...

Ep1: Sweet Dreams, Hard Lessons Oct 30   In this debut episode of Resilient as F*k! , host Vivian Perez shares the story of her very first business—a high-end cupcake venture she started with her mom in Bogotá.   Fueled by passion and excitement, they launched with high hopes, but their experience at a vintage fair taught them some tough lessons about audience, pricing, and choosing the right even...