Sipping Success

Episode Summary: In this episode of Sipping Success, host Casey Haakinson sits down with Kristen Knapp, the Founder and CEO of Heartbeat Hot Rosé, the world's first rosé with a spicy kick. Kristen shares her unique journey from a background in celebrity branding to creating an innovative, spicy rosé that is taking the market by storm. The discussion covers everything from the creative process behi...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Sipping Success, host Casey Haakinson interviews Mary Anna Ossa, Founder of Partners & Grapes Organic Wines. Mary Anna shares her inspiring journey from a stay-at-home mom to a successful entrepreneur in the wine industry. The discussion explores how she developed her brand of organic, vegan, and sugar-free wines, the challenges she faced as a woman of color...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Sipping Success, host Casey Haakinson sits down with Brandon Crockett, Senior Sales Executive at AccelPay, to delve into the world of e-commerce and digital marketing within the alcohol industry. Brandon shares his journey from telecom to the beverage industry and discusses the significant role e-commerce plays in helping alcohol brands thrive, especially in the...

Episode Summary: In this episode of the Sipping Success podcast, host Casey Haakinson sits down with Paul Cullen, a former bassist for the rock band Bad Company who has reinvented himself as a personal chef, sommelier, and guitarist. Paul shares his journey from rock stardom to culinary excellence, discussing how he merged his passions for music, food, and wine into a unique career. The conversati...

Sipping Success Podcast - Show Notes Episode Summary: In this episode of Sipping Success, host Casey Haakinson interviews David Rosenthal, owner and operator of Partnership Wine Consulting. With 23 years of global experience in the wine industry, David shares his fascinating journey from an aspiring marine biologist to a renowned winemaker and consultant. He provides valuable insights into his div...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Sipping Success, host Casey Haakinson interviews Shane Lohman, president of Five Star Beverage Group. Shane discusses his journey in the beverage industry, from opening a retail beer store to starting an independent craft beer wholesaler and finally founding Five Star Beverage Group. The conversation covers the current state of the craft beer market, successful...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Sipping Success, host Casey Haakinson interviews Aaron Kendeall, a seasoned whiskey distiller, brand owner, writer, and consultant. Aaron shares his extensive experience within the spirits industry, detailing his journey from journalism to whiskey production. He discusses the historical and cultural influences on whiskey making, insights on navigating industry c...

Episode Summary: Welcome to Sipping Success, your ultimate podcast for wine, spirits and alcohol. In this episode, we dive into the world of beverages, featuring Todd Baldwin, co-founder of Crafted, who shares insights into his journey and the impact of Crafted on the CPG industry. Key Topics Discussed: 1:00 Min - Todd Baldwin's Background and the Founding of Crafted: Todd shares his journey from...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Sipping Success, host Casey Haakinson interviews Ken Green, CEO of Robojo Coffee, and Ben Czajka, founder of Robojo Coffee. They discuss the origin, development, and future of their automated coffee vending solution, exploring the challenges and successes they've faced along the way. Key Topics Discussed: 1:00 Min - The Inspiration and Background of Robojo Coffe...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Sipping Success, host Casey Haakinson interviews Jamie Valenti- Jordan, the CEO of Catapult Commercialization Services Incorporated. Jamie shares his extensive experience in the food and beverage industry, from his early career at Campbell Soup and Del Monte Foods to founding Catapult. He discusses the importance of innovation in food production, the challenges...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Sipping Success, host Casey Haakinson interviews Alex Ziegler, founder and CEO of Zeki Wellness. Alex shares his journey from a family spice business to launching Zeki Tea, a company focused on health and wellness. Listeners will learn about the challenges and successes Alex has faced in the beverage industry, the importance of high-quality ingredients, and his...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Sipping Success, host Casey Haakinson interviews Jamie Valenti- Jordan, the CEO of Catapult Commercialization Services Incorporated. Jamie shares his extensive experience in the food and beverage industry, from his early career at Campbell Soup and Del Monte Foods to founding Catapult. He discusses the importance of innovation in food production, the challenges...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Sipping Success, host Casey Haakinson welcomes Gabrielle Fitzpatrick, CEO and founder of Damright Cocktails. Gabrielle shares her journey from bartending in college to launching the world's first USDA-certified organic 100% de Agave tequila ready-to-drink cocktails. She discusses the challenges and triumphs of starting a business during the COVID-19 pandemic, he...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Sipping Success, we dive into the fascinating world of whiskey with Juliet Schmalz, founder and CEO of Fortune's Fool. Juliet shares her unique journey from being an anesthesiologist to pursuing her passion in the whiskey industry. Through a detailed exploration of the process and philosophy behind Fortune's Fool, we uncover how this brand combines the art of wh...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Sipping Success, we explore the vibrant world of specialty coffee with Aaron Blaser, founder and CEO of Curioso, a Minneapolis-based coffee company renowned for its commitment to sustainability, localism, and the arts. Curioso stands out not just for its coffee but also for creating a community space where art and coffee intertwine, fostering a unique cultural e...

Episode Summary: In this episode of Sipping Success, host Casey Haakinson chats with Levent Tuysuzoglu, the Founder and CEO of Hazelicious, about his mission to elevate hazelnuts as a staple in non-dairy alternatives, nut butters, and snacks. Levent discusses his unique transition from a career in finance to creating a premium plant-based product brand inspired by his family's hazelnut farm in Tur...

Welcome back to another episode of Sipping Success, where host Casey Haakinson taps into the world of spirit brand incubation with John Eason, CEO of Sidewalkside Spirits. John shares his journey from a spirited upbringing in New Orleans to founding a company that nurtures innovative spirit brands. Dive into the birth of Gambino's King Cake Rum Cream, a sensation born from Carnival love, and explo...

In this episode of the Sippling Success podcast, host Casey Haakinson is joined by Frank Berefsky, CMO of Brand Vault 360, an agency specializing in incubating and accelerating CPG products in the beverage, candy, and snack sectors. Discover Frank's journey from his early sales career to leading a dynamic team focused on transforming innovative ideas into successful market-ready products. Key Topi...

Welcome back to another episode of Sipping Success, where host Casey Haakinson dives into the vibrant world of absinthe with Absinthia Vermut, the visionary owner of Absinthia's Bottled Spirits. In this episode, Absinthia shares her journey from an arts graduate to becoming a renowned figure in the absinthe revival, capturing the essence of this enigmatic spirit in her premium products. Join us as...

Welcome back to another episode of Sipping Success, where host Casey Haakinson dives into the fascinating world of innovative beverage solutions. In this episode, we're exploring the draft cocktail revolution with Matt Bruhn, CEO of Craft Standard. Matt shares his journey from the early days at Diageo to pioneering the ready-to-draft cocktail market. Discover how Craft Standard is setting the new...

Welcome back to another episode of Sipping Success, where host Casey Haakinson uncorks the latest in beverages and innovation. This time, we're pouring into the world of premium boxed wines with Jake Whitman, the visionary founder and CEO of Really Good Boxed Wine. Jake's journey from a classical brand builder at Procter & Gamble and a tech marketer in Silicon Valley to shaking up the wine ind...

In this episode of Sipping Success, host Casey Haakinson engages in a fascinating conversation with Cori Omundson and Sandra Everingham, the visionary co-founders of Rising Wines Collective. Born from a shared passion for wine and a desire to connect small production vineyards with a wider audience, Rising Wines Collective seeks to bridge the gap between wine enthusiasts and the unique stories beh...

In this episode of Sipping Success, host Casey Haakinson sits down with Vincent Melita, founder and partner of Root Out Whiskey. Root Out Whiskey blends the finest root beer flavoring with extensively aged Canadian blended whiskey, creating a unique taste experience that has been capturing the hearts of both whiskey enthusiasts and those new to the spirit. Vincent shares his journey through the be...

In this episode of Sipping Success, host Casey Haakinson sits down with Mark Clinard, the esteemed owner of Both Barrels Wine, to uncork the secrets of the wine distribution business. Mark takes us on a journey from his unexpected start as a wine program manager to becoming a key player in wine importing and distribution, emphasizing the pivotal trends that have shaped the wine industry over the y...

In this episode of Sipping Success, host Casey Haakinson welcomes Gabriella DeLorenzo, the Director of Digital Strategy at Mushroom Media. With a rich background in the beverage and spirits industry, Gabby shares her journey from a fresh college graduate to a key figure in digital marketing, working with notable brands like Grey Goose and Bombay Sapphire. This conversation dives into the importanc...