In the Sauce

Roxana Saidi is the founder of Tache , the first true pistachio milk in the United States. On this episode of ITS, Roxana tells Ali about Tache's 5-yr long journey from idea to product launch, why cracking the supply chain puzzle is a lot, but worth it, and how she plans on competing in the big bad world of alt milk. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support...

Ashley Jones is Director of Retail Execution at Dirty Hands, a company that makes over 3,000 visits a month to top grocery stores across the country, ensuring that your product is on shelf, priced correctly, ordered regularly, and has optimal real estate. On this episode of ITS, Ashley and Ali talk about the importance of building relationships on the grocery store floor, how brands can optimize s...

Miguel Leal is the Chief Marketing Officer at Cholula , the hot sauce brand that sold to McCormick in November for $800m. Miguel has led declining brands through incredible turnarounds over the course of his career, and built marketing teams at KIND, Kettle Chips, Pop Secret, Diamond nuts (and more!). On this episode of ITS, Miguel walks Ali through the key tenets of marketing. From the importance...

Dan Frommer is the founder and editor in chief of The New Consumer , a publication about how and why people spend their time and money. On this episode of ITS, Dan walks Ali through a new survey (published today!) on consumer shopping habits and behaviour, his analysis of what's changed permanently, and what it all means for emerging CPG brands. This final episode of 2020 is a must for anyone buil...

Ali Bonar is founder and CEO of Kween , the organic, nut and allergen-free granola butter that tastes like a creamy version of cinnamon Teddy Grahams, but is actually good for you. On this episode of ITS, Ali and Ali talk about the challenges and opportunities, both from a production and a marketing perspective, of bringing something entirely new to the market. Heritage Radio Network is a listener...

Emmett Shine is Co-founder at Pattern Brands , a family of brands with the mission of finding more enjoyment in daily life. In 2019, Emmett and his team closed their iconic branding agency, Gin Lane (think Sweetgreen, Quip, Harry’s, and Care/Of) and created Pattern, where they set out to build their own brands. On today's episode of ITS, Emmett talks about that transition, what he's learned while...

Marisa Zupan is founder & CEO of United Sodas of America , the gorgeous, naturally sweetened sodas that look like an art installation. On today's episode of ITS, Marisa and Ali talk about brands as conceptual spaces, the connections between strategy and creativity, and how clarity and vision are at the foundation of all great brands. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit pod...

Natalie Smid is Growth Manager at Lunar Solar Group , an e-commerce and digital growth consultancy that works with brands on their digital strategy. On today's episode of ITS, Natalie and Ali trace back their working relationship to the day after Expo West was cancelled and the Haven's team realized the only way they'd build awareness in 2020 was digitally. With no demos or events, a lot was ridin...

Corey Rateau is Senior Category Manager at Good Eggs , the e-commerce grocery business beloved by the Bay Area. On today's episode of ITS, Corey walks Ali through what buyers are looking for from brands. They discuss how choosing new brands is a fraction of a buyer's job, and how brands need to identify the role our product will play in a store's assortment. Heritage Radio Network is a listener su...

Ben Goodwin and Eli Weiss are the Founder/CEO and the Customer Service Director of Olipop , the low sugar, prebiotic, fiber-rich healthy soda alternative that is, as they say “Killing it!” On this episode of ITS, they talk with Ali about the difference between customer service and customer experience, how expanding your team requires "depth charges," and why self awareness is critical for a founde...

Chuck Cotter leads the Food, Beverage, and Consumer Products industry group at the Law Firm Holland and Hart, advising companies of all sizes and stages. On this episode of ITS, Chuck breaks down the differences between LLCs and C-Corps, how to talk to your team about equity, what to think about as you raise capital, and the general state of CPG today. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supporte...

Kerrigan Behrens is the Co-CEO and Co-founder of Sagely Naturals , a CBD wellness company that sells in 10 thousand stores, including Ulta, CVS and Sprouts. On this episode of ITS, Kerrigan and Ali talk about the foundation that Sagely has been built on: A clear reason to exist, an underserved (unexpected) market, and a brand identity that has never wavered. Heritage Radio Network is a listener su...

Sandro Roco is the founder of Sanzo , the 1st Asian-inspired sparkling water. On today's episode of ITS, Sandro explains why CPG businesses should be built on empathy and curiosity. They also talk about launching in a way that makes sense for your product, how you can save money by digging deep before you work with creatives, and why early feedback is so critical. Heritage Radio Network is a liste...

Jen Ross and Cristina Ros Blankfein, are co-founders of Swoon , zero sugar cocktail mixers and syrups, and now!, ready-to-drink sugar free lemonades. On this episode of ITS, Jen and Cristina talk Ali through rebranding to expand into the ready-to-drink set, how it all comes down to relationships, and why listening to your super fans can be your super power. Heritage Radio Network is a listener sup...

Coulter Lewis is the Founder and CEO of Sunday , a sustainable lawn care company that is uprooting a massive industry. On this episode of ITS, Coulter and Ali talk about what it means to fully reinvent a category, how new e-commerce brands aren't just about convenience and cost anymore, and why above all, our job is to Interpret what our customers need and then go beyond what they would ask for. H...

Ayeshah Abuelhiga is the Founder & CEO of Mason Dixie Foods , the company taking on the Pillsbury dough boy one better-for-you biscuit at a time. On this episode of ITS, Ali and Ayeshah discuss how her Minority and LGBTQ-owned company is redefining Southern food, why the most important key to hiring is your authenticity and how consumer research can truly save the day. Heritage Radio Network i...

Sandra Velasquez is the Founder of Distro 101, a class focused on the nitty, gritty skills of grocery sales, distribution and merchandising. She is also the NYC Area Sales Manager for Van Leeuwen Ice Cream and National Sales rep for HiBAR, the plastic-free hair care brand. On this episode of ITS, Sandra walks Ali through the ideal cold-email to a grocery buyer, why it's not about you or your produ...

Thecla Schaeffer is the Marketing Magic Maker (Head of Marketing) at Tony’s Chocolonely , the big, bold, bright Dutch chocolate bars on a mission to make the chocolate industry more equitable and entirely free of child labor. On this episode of ITS, Thecla and Ali talk about how Tony’s became the market leader in the Netherlands, as well as the most sustainable brand in the country, by being disti...

Trevor Smith is the founder and CEO of Snack Jones , a next-generation snack box offering a curated box of better-for-you snacks delivered to your doorstep. On this episode of ITS, Trevor shares why it's important for founders to celebrate the tiny wins, what he means by "hear everyone and listen to no one," and why there really is no top of the mountain. Heritage Radio Network is a listener suppo...

Starr Edwards is the Founder of Bitchin Sauce – the vegan dips and sauces that sell like hot cakes and get more popular every day. On this episode of ITS, Starr tells Ali the story of Bitchin', what makes the brand resonate so deeply with consumers, and how they've kept true to the core business and their identity while growing exponentially. In March, HRN began producing all of our 35 weekly show...

Essie Bartels is the Founder of Essie Spice , spice blends that combine the seasonings of her native Ghana with the flavors from her travels around the world. On this episode of ITS, ali and Essie talk about representation — how Essie's business is about more than spices — and why research and gut instincts need to work together as you build your business. In March, HRN began producing all of our...

Amrit Richmond and Steven Vigilante are friends and CPG gurus who created Indie CPG - a global community of over 250 brand founders. On this episode of ITS, Amrit and Steven talk Ali through some of most common mistakes founders make, as well as some of the common strategies that work, and trends they're seeing across CPG products, categories, fundraising and more. In March, HRN began producing al...

Vanessa and Kim Pham are the founders of Omsom , the DTC ready-to-use meal starters packed with the aromatics, seasonings, and oils at the foundation of many Asian dishes. On this episode of ITS, Kim and Vanessa share their story, their views on food appropriation, and how Omsom  is helping make Asian condiments feel representative of the changing DNA of the US. In March, HRN began producing all o...

Ibraheem Basir is the Founder of A Dozen Cousins , a line of ready-to-eat beans using delicious recipes from Black and Latino cultures. On this episode of ITS, Ibraheem and Ali discuss the gap between food culture and the (very crowded) world of "natural products," and how A Dozen Cousins is built to bridge that gap. Ibraheem also shares how his experience working for Annie's and General Mills has...

Allison DeVane is founder of Teaspressa , the company that created coffee-inspired tea blends, designed to make tea drinks like lattes just like their espresso counterparts. On this episode of ITS, Allison and Ali discuss the assets and liabilities of building brick and mortar businesses alongside CPG products, especially as COVID-19 continues to threaten retail. In March, HRN began producing all...