MFD Pod

Journey with us as we unravel the surprising evolution from bagel-making to innovating bagel chips. What started as a simple offer to provide bagel dough turned into a creative partnership with a smoked fish dip company. This collaboration led to the development of bagel chips seasoned with nostalgic flavors like Old Bay, culminating in a unique licensing deal with McCormick for both Old Bay and F...

Former SpaceX IT procurement buyer turned winery owner takes us on a fascinating journey from the high-tech world to the charming realms of wine country. Our guest shares how the camaraderie and rich history of the wine industry enticed them away from the tech sector's fierce competitive spirit. We explore the challenges faced when entering the wine business and dispel the myth of simply trying to...

Michelle Breyer, the trailblazing CMO of SKU and founder of Naturally Curly, joins us in this episode to share her incredible journey from personal hair struggles to creating a game-changing platform for textured hair. Michelle opens up about how a casual conversation turned into Naturally Curly, a vital resource that caught the attention of industry giants like Procter & Gamble, transforming...

Get an insider look at the intricate challenges Sarah faced while creating a shelf-stable, freeze-dried matzo ball soup. Hear about the critical role a talented chef played in refining the recipe and slashing labor costs by 75%, and how partnerships and SOPs became crucial to manufacturing success. Understand the strategic decisions behind product features such as including three matzo balls per s...

Adelle Archer, CEO and founder of Eterneva, takes us on an emotional and enlightening journey through the innovative process of turning ashes and hair of loved ones into custom diamonds. Sparked by the loss of her dear friend Tracy, Adele delves into the heartfelt inspiration behind Eterneva and its mission to memorialize loved ones in the most unique and lasting way. We explore the intricate step...

Navigate the intricate stages of venture capital funding with us as we break down what VCs really look for in seed and Series A investments. Learn about the critical importance of consumer validation, strategic decision-making, and strong leadership. Melissa and Megan discuss the current market landscape, including how valuation compression and tightening access to capital are reshaping investment...

Navigate the complex terrain of bankruptcy options and restructuring plans with our in-depth exploration of essential steps for founders and company leaders. We tackle crucial questions about potential buyers, secured debt holders, and early determination in managing a company’s future. Listen to real-life anecdotes illustrating how bankruptcy can serve as a strategic threat to facilitate rational...

Unlock the secrets of successful business restructuring with insights that could save your company. This episode of re:COGs sheds light on Subchapter 5 bankruptcies, a pivotal amendment to Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code, designed specifically to assist small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in navigating financial turmoil. Gregory Jones, a partner at Stradley and Subchapter 5 trustee appoi...

What if your next big business idea was hiding in your kitchen? Meet Matt Weiss, co-founder and CEO of Rind Snacks, who transformed a home-based dehydration hobby into a thriving brand focused on the often-overlooked rind of fruits. In this episode, Matt shares his inspiring journey, from the humble beginnings of experimenting with fruit blends in a New York apartment to acquiring a manufacturing...

Unlock the secrets to turning a pandemic-driven trend into a nationwide brand as we sit down with Emily Heintz, the visionary CEO and founder of Sèchey. Discover how Emily leveraged the growing interest in non-alcoholic beverages to build a thriving community and launch her own successful CPG line. From the initial steps of home deliveries and pop-up stores to forming strategic partnerships, Emily...

Subscribe to our events – https://manufactured.com/events/ How can a skiing accident revolutionize the men's skincare market? In this episode, we're joined by Jake Rosenberg, founder and CEO of Krete, who shares his unexpected journey from the slopes to the skincare aisle. Jake's personal experience with skincare post-accident unveiled a glaring gap in the market, setting him on a miss...

Jacob Guss, founder and CEO of Bold Move Beverage, takes us on an exciting journey from his love for coffee to creating a unique Ready-to-Drink (RTD) concoction that masterfully combines American whiskey and premium cold brew coffee. Listen as Jacob shares his motivations behind merging these two beloved beverages and his meticulous process of blending various coffees and whiskeys to perfect the f...

Sign up for our events - www.manufactured.com/events Discover the secrets to revolutionizing the baby food industry with Erica Bethe Levin, founder and CEO of Globowl. Learn how Erica's personal experiences and keen observation of her own children's eating habits led her to identify a crucial "flavor window" between 4 and 18 months, sparking the creation of a brand dedicated to a...

Sign up for our events - www.manufactured.com/events Unlock the secrets behind scaling a multi-million dollar brand with Ryan King, CFO of Thread Wallets. You'll learn how this family-founded business skyrocketed from handcrafting wallets in a garage to hitting a million-dollar milestone in 2017. Ryan shares his personal journey of joining the business, the decision to bootstrap without outsid...

Sign up for our events - www.manufactured.com/events Unlock the secrets to operational efficiency and high-growth strategies in our latest episode with Greg Brown, SVP of Operations at Dude Wipes. Discover how a lean team of just 25 members has managed to shake up the toilet paper aisle by leveraging technology, automation, and robust retail partnerships. Whether you're curious about their sup...

Sign up for our events - www.manufactured.com/events Unlock the secrets to revolutionary insulation technology with Michael Markesbery, co-founder and CEO of OSOS Labs and SolarCore. Discover how a simple backpacking trip in Europe sparked Michael's mission to eliminate bulky, inefficient insulation in outdoor apparel, paving the way for the creation of Solacore foam—a flexible, durable aeroge...

Sign up for our events - www.manufactured.com/events Unlock the secrets to transforming a stagnant market by tuning into our riveting conversation with Heather and Enwei, the masterminds behind Heali. We'll explore their journey from chiropractic and Chinese medicine experts to innovators in the sports tape industry. Learn how their unique blend of skills led to the creation of an infused tape...

Sign up for our events - www.manufactured.com/events Strap in as we shift gears to dissect the intricate sales strategies and distribution channels within the e-bike industry. Andi sheds light on the delicate balance between online direct-to-consumer models and the traditional dealer networks, revealing how Lyric Cycles maintains its competitive edge. We'll uncover the secrets behind pricing s...

We don't only produce content – we also throw events! Sign up here - https://manufactured.com/events/ Joe Van Deman, the driving force behind USA Brands, joins us to discuss the fascinating shift from digital bytes to the tactile world of American-made apparel. As president, Joe shares his personal narrative of embracing small business entrepreneurship and the importance of quality craftsmansh...

Sign up here for our events - https://manufactured.com/events/ Unlock the secrets behind successful food industry partnerships with our latest episode featuring Joe Ertman, President of Real Vision Foods. Joe is a manufacturing maestro with years of experience. We delve deep into when it's time for emerging brands to consider a collaboration with a co-manufacturer, stressing the critical role...

Unlock the secrets to transforming a vision into a thriving health food empire with Mike Fata, co-founder of Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods. Our energizing discussion with this hemp pioneer dives into the very roots of entrepreneurial resilience and strategic acumen. Learn how Mike's personal health revolution sparked the inception of a company that would not only overcome initial sourcing and ma...

Our latest re:COGS episode peels back the layers on how understanding customer needs and leveraging real-time sales data can transform a business from its infancy to a celebrated brand. Al's wisdom, drawn from his pivotal role at Sweet Supply Chain Solutions, unveils the meticulous strategies that fuel success for both burgeoning and established companies in the retail space. This podcast is b...

In our enlightening discussion, we dissect the nuanced strategies behind financing inventory, where Gregg illuminates the balancing act of using cash versus debt. Heed his wisdom on mastering the cash conversion cycle, as illustrated by the prowess of companies like Ridge Wallets, and how a 52-week cash flow projection can steer your financial ship through seasonal market tides. Greg's advice...

Unlock the secrets of e-commerce success as we commemorate a year of insightful conversations, this time with the entrepreneurial mind of Greg Shugar from Beau Ties of Vermont. This anniversary episode is a goldmine for anyone looking to navigate the twists and turns of the digital marketplace. Greg returns to share the behind-the-scenes transformation of a traditional men's accessory brand in...

It's our 1 year podcast anniversary! Are you in LA? Come out to our 1 year anniversary happy hour – https://lu.ma/recogs Our guest today is Erin Ersenkal. Currently, Erin advises Recurate, an ROS platform that powers circularity in the fashion supply chain by providing brands and retailers with the tools to scale their resale programs. By enabling brands to create their own branded resale chan...