Startup To Scale

Are you interested in selling at Target? I talk with Ryan Rogers, a former Target buyer who spent 18 years working at the company.  Ryan now runs Retail Optics, a consultancy to help CPG brands navigate their sales and growth strategy. We discuss: The size of the grocery business at Target Customer shopping behavior The best way to pitch Target buyers How to succeed on shelf Startup to Scale is a...

How do you go from a cafe pioneering Unicorn Lattes to launching a CPG Beverage? Join me as I talk to Bret Caretsky, founder of Unicorn Beverages and learn about his journey. Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy , an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great resources and partners to grow their business. Visit us at Foodbevy.com to learn about becoming a m...

Are you interested in selling your products in Whole Foods Market? Join me for a conversation with Will Betts, VP of Local Merchandising and learn what it takes to be successful selling with Whole Foods. We discuss getting on the shelf, and more importantly, how to sell off the shelf. Whole Foods Market launched a new Local and Emerging Accelerator Program (LEAP) and is looking to assemble a cohor...

When Zach founded Wildland Coffee , he already had the experience of launching and closing a previous coffee company.  He made a ton of mistakes the first time around, but learned from them and was able to create an even better business. Join me for a conversation with Zack as we discuss coffee, failed partnerships, building a Profit First business, and more. Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodb...

While the food industry is abuzz with talk around functional foods, the consumer market is still at its early stages.  Join me for a conversation with Alexa and Ericka, co-founders of Zippy Pantry, an online marketplace to buy functional products. Learn how their experience in the beauty category prepared them for bringing functionality to the food and bev industry. Startup to Scale is a podcast b...

Raising money from investors has always been difficult for food and beverage founders. The current environment is even more challenging, especially for founders under $1 million. For this conversation, I talk with Michael Movitz and Tom Malengo from Brandjectory about the opportunities and obstacles that emerging brands face. Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy , an online community to conne...

E-commerce is getting increasingly crowded, with thousands of companies vying for attention.  I talk with Kelly Ferris from BigCommerce about the 6 things brands need to do in 2022. Tell Your Brand Story Identify the right channels and use them well Use social proof Consider repeat purchase strategies Delight the customer from purchase to delivery Improve not just your B2C experience, but your B2B...

I talk with David Boyle of Sherpa CPG on some of the intermediate challenges that founders face when working with co-manufacturers. We discuss how to build strong relationships with manufacturers, how to structure contracts, and more. If you want to connect with David, visit SherpaCPG.com If you're looking for a primer, check out Episode 24, Working with Co-manufacturers with Ashley Sutterfie...

So this is a really cool one if you’re looking to raise money. I talk with Ben from SMBX about crowdsourced debt, a new way to raise money through microlending that doesn't require you to give up equity.  We also talk about equity crowdfunding and when to utilize each for your business. Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy , an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG...

I first met Clark a few months after launching Golden Ratio Coffee and doing $10k in sales at launch.  Now two years later he's built a successful business on it's way to being profitable this year.  Join me for a conversation and learn exactly how Clark launched, and how his business has gotten easier and not harder as he's grown. Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy , an onli...

Building a CPG product is damn hard, and building one across multiple channels takes a ton of time and resources. Join me for a conversation with my friend Steve Gaither, brand strategy and marketing expert who's worked with a hundred companies. We'll discuss how brands can build an omnichannel strategy, new ways of standing out to consumers, and more. Startup to Scale is a podcast by Fo...

Starting a CPG business is full of challenges, and they only keep getting bigger as you grow! Join me as I talk with Sari Kimbell, who runs Food Business Success on what challenges founders encounter on their journey from $0 to $1 million. Food Business Success is an online, self-paced program to help you learn the basics of running a food business combined with one-on-one consulting. Learn More H...

Building an effective marketing strategy is incredibly challenging.  I talk with Arica and Kristen from Hart and Highland about how brands can build an effective strategy using a combination of Paid Social, Organic Social, and Influencer Marketing. My favorite quote from this episode: "You have the let go of the idea that you’re on Instagram to sell your product, you’re there to build your co...

Thrive Market is one of the fastest-growing e-commerce grocery markets for natural products. Join me for a conversation with Jason Bidart, Thrive Market's Senior Director of merchandising for food. We discuss: Thrive’s consumers and what types of products are they looking for. How has Thrive’s business changed this year and what are their plans for next year. What categories are seeing the mo...

Kyle Peters started Six Pack Creamery, a frozen dessert company inspired by his mother's battle with cancer. As a first-time founder, he overcame roadblocks, found success on his journey including launching in GNC stores, and navigated a rebrand to Carter and Oak. Ultimately, he realized the margins just didn't work without sacrificing product quality and decided to shut down the company...

Most brands will end up working with a 3rd party contract manufacturer (co-manufacturer) over their lifetime, but many of these partnerships are tenuous at best. I talk with Ashley on how to prepare for working with a co-manufacturer, and what steps you can take to build a successful partnership. A few tips:  Think of manufactures as an extension of our business and cultivating that relationship w...

What's it like bootstrapping your company and finding success? Join me as I talk with Allision, CEO of Sweet Logic about why she made the decision and the opportunities and challenges that came with it. We also discuss the mental and emotional health challenges of being a food founder and how to develop a process to navigate through it. Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy , an online co...

Michelle and her co-founder Nikki launched Elavi , a line of collagen protein bites during the pandemic. We check-in after their first year in business on all the lessons learned. We discuss everything from the mental toll of entrepreneurship to an effective strategy to fundraise during the pandemic. This is a great episode that you don't want to miss. Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbev...

Selling on Amazon is a full-time job, but take it seriously and you can see great returns for your brand. Join me as I talk with Shannon Roddy, Amazon expert and founder of Marketplace Seller Courses about how to be successful in this channel. We discuss the role Amazon plays in your business the role known demand and unknown demand plays in your success, and much more. This is a great follow-up e...

What are VCs looking for when investing in CPG Brands? I talk with Diana Melencio, partner at XRC Labs on how brands can stand out to VCs, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how to show your brand can reach $200 million. We also discuss the XRC accelerator program which invests $135k in brands and provides in-kind services. You can learn more and apply to Cohort 13 here , the deadline is Decemb...

Trade show booths can be a polarizing investment for CPG brands. Some find it extremely helpful and others find it a complete flop. Join me for a conversation with Jonathan Wright, Design Director at Coppinger Exhibits to learn how to think strategically about trade shows and how to design your booth to stand out. Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy , an online community to connect emerging...

Vanessa and her sister Kim created Omsom to celebrate Asian flavors from Asian chefs in an authentic and modern way. “No more diluted dishes, no more cultural compromise.” Join me as I talk with Vanessa about her journey starting Omsom and the lessons learned along the way. Startup to Scale is a podcast by Foodbevy , an online community to connect emerging food, beverage, and CPG founders to great...

Founders love writing the text for their packaging, website, and branding, but sometimes you’re so deep that the language isn’t resonating with new customers. Join me as Chrissy shares how to build a “sticky” brand so that your copy can be memorable in your customer's mind.  You want your copy to: Use Clear Language Make Your Customer the Hero of Your Brand Have fun and standout Learn More ab...

When Chris moved on from his first CPG startup, he took everything he learned and leveraged it to launch Proper Good , 90sec meals for busy people. He created a digital-first brand, leveraged manufacturing partners to test and launch new products every 6 weeks, and infused the brand with a ton of personality. Chris shares the details of how he launched and leveraged Shark Tank to build his communi...

When Erica launched Gr8nola, she had a secret weapon. She worked in Silicon Valley and was able to get her premium granola into tech offices like Google and others. Business was good. When the pandemic hit, everything changed and Erica had to pivot into DTC and Retail, which wasn't as easy as it sounds. Erica had to change her packaging design and messaging to reach a new consumer. Startup to...