The Firebelly Social Show

Brian Graham is the Owner and President of Four Day Ray Brewing, a craft beer brand that prides itself on community engagement and innovative brewing practices. He is praised for his creative talents, from concocting unique brewed flavors to cleverly naming his brews, and has a hands-on approach to managing his establishments. Brian's dedication is evident through initiatives like the 'Tap for Cau...

Bryon White is the Co-founder and CEO of Yaupon Brothers, a leading CPG firm focused on producing high-quality Yaupon teas grown in America. With over a decade of experience in the CPG industry, indigenous food systems, and native agriculture, he has become an expert in social enterprise and cultural aspects. Bryon also serves as a Venture Builder at Builders + Backers, a Director of Regenerative...

Scott Rice is the Co-founder and President of Natural Careers, a boutique recruiter and career transition specialist focused on the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. Natural Careers works with health/well-being food and beverage, dietary supplement, and ingredient companies, founder-owned and portfolio investments of many private equity groups ranging from one million to over a billion dolla...

Emanuel Storch is the CEO of Blackbird Foods, a plant-based food company providing vegan seitan, frozen pizza, and plant-based meat to retail and wholesale customers. Under his visionary leadership, Blackbird Foods has successfully expanded its operations to over 3000 stores and 350 restaurants. Before his current role, Emanuel was in charge of overseeing operations at Simply Gum. He is deeply pas...

Trey Lockerbie is the Co-founder and CEO of Better Booch, a premium single-batch kombucha brewed, bottled, and canned in downtown Los Angeles. He has been a musician traveling the world who prioritizes health and wellness. Trey is also a CNBC contributor and a member of Vistage Worldwide, Inc., the world's largest executive coaching and peer advisory organization, bringing together leaders to lear...

Chris Allen is the Co-founder of Osena Spiked Coconut Water, a beverage brand that creates better-for-you alcohol options. Osena drinks are made with coconut water, naturally occurring electrolytes, 100 calories, and zero sugar for the health-conscious fun seeker. A serial entrepreneur passionate about human health, Chris' expertise spans food and beverage, wellness, health technology, biotechnolo...

Nick Brune is the Owner and CEO of Eco Caters, an organic event catering company that has been delighting clients in Washington DC., L.A., and San Diego for over 10 years. As a chef passionate about flavor and design, he served as a head chef at some of the city's premier catering establishments. Nick has a profound affection for organic farming, locally sourced ingredients, and sustainable seafoo...

Chris Conway is the Founder of Happy Being, a functional beverage brand producing iced white tea packed with turmeric, elderberry, vitamin D3, and polyphenols for a delicious and healthy refreshment that fights inflammation at the source. With over 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space, Chris is also the Founder of Solutions 4 Health and Everyday Throat Spray. As a serial entrepr...

Bill Birgen is the Founder and CTO of SAVRpak, an award-winning product that helps preserve the freshness and intended state of the food. As a serial entrepreneur, he has founded and co-founded numerous businesses, including AirFloe Mask, Midwater Collective LLC, Soggy Food Sucks LLC, Kyllburg Technologies LLC, and many others. Before becoming an entrepreneur in food tech, former DARPA expert, and...

Andrew E. Johnson is the CEO of Goode Foods, a reputable provider of high-quality canned beans and vegetables dedicated to meeting individuals' dietary and nutritional needs. During his tenure, he led a sales team that expanded brand distribution by 700%, securing deals with major retailers such as Kroger, Meijer, Walmart, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Food Lion, Shaw's, and Target. Additionally,...

Kristin Patrick is the Co-founder of Loren's Alcohol-Free Beverages, a women-owned alcohol-free boutique selling alcohol-free drinks and mixers. She is a digital learning consultant who builds outcome-based, culturally responsive interactive training modules that inspire and teach. Kristin is also a Blended Learning Coach at Noblesville Schools and an Instructional Designer at Indiana University....

Tia Glave is the Co-founder of Catalyst, a coaching program that helps organizations establish sustainable food safety cultures. The program employs a comprehensive approach incorporating proven strategies, leadership development, and technical training to build food safety systems within companies. With nearly a decade of experience, Tia is a food safety, quality, and regulatory professional who...

Joshua Rood is the Co-founder and CEO of Dr Hops, a globally recognized brand specializing in producing delightful and health-conscious alcoholic beverages. As an astute leader, creator, and builder, he has extensive experience in many domains, including videography, communication, group facilitation and training, event planning and supervision, coaching, customer relationships, and sales.  Joshua...

Michael Valenti is the CEO of Great Spirits Baking Company, a well-known and distinguished brand that crafts high-quality premium spirits-infused cakes using top-notch ingredients. As a results-driven professional, Michael uses his expertise in sales, marketing, and distribution strategies to deliver impressive outcomes for the company. An exceptional team leader and communicator, he motivates his...

David Mesa is the President of We Grow CPG, a boutique sales management agency offering elevated sales partnerships to the CPG industry. The agency's core expertise lies in helping emerging brands expand their distribution by building aggressive and strategic revenue plans from the seed stage to the late stage.  With over 20 years of experience in the CPG industry, David has extensive knowledge in...

Mariah Hilton Wood is the Co-founder and COO of Tilden, a brand that makes sophisticated, ready-to-serve nonalcoholic cocktails for the growing wave of consumers looking for choices beyond alcohol. A lifelong teetotaler from Las Vegas, she is passionate about food and beverages and solving complex supply chain issues. Previously, Mariah held various roles at InSITE, PwC, and the BYU Global Supply...

Eric Hoang is the Co-founder of YATÉ Yerba Mate, a sparkling, naturally delicious twist on tea that gives you a clean boost of energy. YATÉ is made from 100% organic yerba mate and offers plant-based benefits without adverse effects such as crashes or jitters. Eric has founded two businesses and has an intimate understanding of the entrepreneurial journey. Working across more than 30 countries, he...

Tina White is the Chief Commercial Officer at Brainiac Foods, a company specializing in creating delicious products to support brain development, performance, and health through food-based brain nutrition. With a well-established background in digital marketing, e-commerce, and brand management, it is Tina's responsibility to grow the business by fostering innovation and driving progress in the de...

Dino Dakuras works at Second City Beverage Co., the only micro-distillery in Augusta, Georgia. The company is a powerhouse in the spirits industry and has an expert team of master distillers, warehouse managers, mixologists, and sales and marketing professionals. Dino is also the President of Durty Gurl Cocktails, a company that focuses on providing high-quality cocktail mixers at competitive pric...

Dr. Josh Anthony is the Founder and CEO of Nlumn, a consulting company that helps businesses compete in the personalized nutrition and health marketplace by delivering personalized strategies at scale. Before starting Nlumn, Dr. Anthony was the Founding Chief Science Officer at the personalized nutrition company Habit. He was also the Vice President of Global Research and Development at the Campbe...

Duncan Alney is the Founder and CEO of Firebelly Marketing, an award-winning, top-ranked agency that helps founders of mission-driven food and beverage brands grow their businesses and connect with their audiences through social media marketing. Duncan has worked in marketing for 30 years and brings his expertise in engaging with clients and rebuilding brands to each project. He has worked with to...

Jordan Russell is the Founder and CEO of Ra Natural Beverages, a company that produces delicious coconut water with functional benefits. To optimize the beverage's benefits, Jordan formulates the product using ancient traditional remedies and modern scientific principles. He is a former chef and nutrition consultant with a communications and journalism degree and a diploma from the acclaimed Le Co...

Vedant Saboo is the Co-founder and President of Frutero Ice Cream. Frutero is a food and beverage brand that makes 100% tropical fruit ice creams. Vedant has spearheaded product distribution and development, significantly increased the gross margin, and led the charge to land their products in 5,000 stores and major retailers. Before Frutero, Vedant held various roles at The Blackstone Group, McKi...

Mark Haas is the CEO of Helmsman Group, a full-service food commercialization agency. The agency helps new and existing food and beverage brands by advising on and developing CPG products, processes, and operations optimized for success.  Mark is a self-proclaimed foodie who has been active in the food industry since his teens. He has a professional background that includes leading entrepreneurial...

Joey Angelo is the Founder of Su Casa Mezcal, a beverage brand producing mezcal with floral and tropical notes, hand-crafted from simple and natural ingredients to deliver the taste and essence of Mexico's natural wonders. He is also the Founder of SipMARGS, a brand that offers a bold and great-tasting sparkling margarita in the convenience of a can. With over 20 years of experience as a sales exe...