The Firebelly Social Show

Matt Oscamou is the Co-founder of Weller, a hemp-infused sparkling water brand that provides accessible, functional beverages that are simple, delicious, and natural. Before Weller, he founded and served as the CEO of Frontier Snacks. Additionally, Matt has worked as an engineer in various companies, including JVA, Inc., the City of Menlo Park, and Merrick & Company. In this episode… To thrive in...

Vinny (CocoVinny) Zaldivar is the Founder and CEO of CocoLove Water, a beverage brand that delivers the best-tasting coconut water with a purpose. In his role, he is on a mission to make coconut water fun, convenient, and better for the planet. In 2013, after inventing the world's first zero-waste coconut water removal system, he founded Coco Taps. CocoVinny is an eco-inventor, a zero-waste educat...

Will Nitze is the Founder and CEO of IQBAR, a company that produces plant-based nutritional protein bars, hydration mixes, and instant coffee that boost brain and body performance. IQBARs are keto, vegan, and paleo-friendly and are made with nutrient-dense ingredients. Before IQBAR, Will was a Sales and Marketing Manager for Wood Mackenzie, a global insight business for renewables, energy, and nat...

Scott Frohman is the Founder and CEO of Odyssey Elixir, a line of unique, delicious, and refreshing holistic beverages that harness the power of adaptogenic mushrooms, which boost energy, focus, endurance, immunity, and mood. Odyssey was born out of Scott's passion for creativity and his approach to business, which makes him eager to develop concepts and products that can affect the world. Scott h...

Michael ZonFrilli is the CEO of Bambucha Kombucha, a brand making chef-crafted, well-balanced kombucha with a flavor-forward profile and just the right amount of tart without the vinegar bite. He is a classically trained veteran chef deeply rooted in the culinary arts. Previously, Michael held chef roles at Culimetrics Restaurant & Hospitality Consulting, Market Street Cafe and Bistro, L'Auberge D...

Jordan Haddad is the Co-founder, President, and CEO of La Tierra de Acre Mezcal, a brand that creates award-winning artisanal mezcal from the best regions in Mexico. His prior experience includes working on the High Yield Bond team at Oaktree Capital and two years of M&A investment banking at Lazard. Jordan has a BBA and a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Michigan Stephen M. Ros...

Laura Silverman is the Founder of Zero Proof Nation, one of the only fully comprehensive global resource hubs devoted to non-alcoholic beverage culture. She got sober at 24, and today, she's a mental health advocate passionate about non-alcoholic beverages. As a serial entrepreneur, Laura is also the Founder of Zero Proof Nation, Booze Free in DC, The Sobriety Collective, and LMS Designs. She is a...

Vanessa Royle is the Co-founder of Tilden Cocktails, a brand that makes sophisticated, ready-to-serve nonalcoholic cocktails for the growing wave of consumers looking beyond alcohol. She has previously worked at WE Communications, Cloudflare, Jam.dev, and was a fellow at Harvard Business School and The Capital Network. Vanessa earned her BA in political science from the University of California, B...

Sid Sharma is the Founder of Wild Bay Kombucha, a vertically integrated beverage company making kombucha based out of Baltimore, Maryland. Before Wild Bay, he was an Energy Analyst at Resource Energy Systems and an Independent Consultant at The Entrepreneurs EDGE. Sid earned his BA in biochemistry and environmental studies from Case Western Reserve University and a master's in environmental manage...

Joni Kindwall-Moore is the Founder and CEO of Snacktivist, a specialty food business that sells baking mixes, specialty flours, and finished cookies made from healthy and sustainable ancient grains. She worked as a nurse before she grew Snacktivist into a full-time business. Joni is an entrepreneur, food systems activist, and ethnobotanist who studies how people use plants for food and medicine. I...

Maggie Sadowsky is the Owner and President of 8 Track Foods, a brand producing premium organic and non-GMO canned beans. She transforms food categories and innovates products with her technical food science background, consumer research insights, and intuitive eye for catching new trends. Maggie has influenced and launched over 100 successful products in the CPG industry. She is a Certified Food S...

Josh Sizemore is the CEO of Beloit Kombucha Company, a venture-backed kombucha brand with an unusual but unbelievable form factor. He is an entrepreneur with multiple successful ventures, including The CITRUS, EZ-Beverages, and Bleu'print Hospitality. Josh serves on the board and as a C-suite exec of several organizations, including the University of California, Riverside, Lionchase North America,...

Elizabeth Seelye is the Founder and Brand Wayfinder of StarryEyed Strategy, a global consultancy that provides insights, strategy, innovation, and design services to help teams navigate the future with creativity. Elizabeth currently serves on two boards — one focused on reinventing restaurant loyalty and the other on pioneering renewable energy. Additionally, she is the Co-founder of Starryside,...

Mark Bitterman is the Selmelier and CEO of The Meadow, a company offering a curated selection of artisan salt, chocolate bars, cocktail bitters, fresh-cut flowers, wines and vermouths, and accessories for the kitchen and table. He is also the CEO of Bitterman Salt Co., a salt provider to some of the world's most renowned chefs, bartenders, retailers, and food manufacturers.  Mark has written five...

Arshad Bahl is the Founder and CEO of Amrita Health Foods, a purpose-driven health food brand on a mission to develop a line of plant-based nutrition products that are vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, soy-free, GMO-free, preservative-free, and cholesterol-free. He is passionate about food manufacturing and has spent 20 years in strategic marketing, finance, and management roles in Fortune...

Lisa Li is the Founder of The Qi, a wellness brand empowering consumers through whole flower tea rituals. After feeling burnt out from working in the demanding fashion industry for 10 years, Lisa took a transformative trip to Shangri-la, where she discovered local rose tea. She launched The Qi after tasting, testing, and sourcing over 100 flowering herbs. Lisa and The Qi have been recognized by Ma...

Nolan Lewin is the Executive Director of Rutgers Food Innovation Center (FIC), a unique food business incubator and accelerator unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. The Center supports established early-stage entrepreneurs and existing food companies from concept to commercialization. Nolan worked as a Plant Manager for numerous food and beverage brands, including LiDest...

Sierra Thomas is the Founder of Pink Cloud Beverages, a premium non-alcoholic functional hemp beverage with sunshine and a swell of tropical fruit. She is a creative think tank with a marketing mindset and over 15 years of experience in sales and marketing. Sierra excels at new business development, client relationships, and developing high-profile integrated marketing campaigns. Before Pink Cloud...

Eli Bank is the Co-founder and COO of Absurd Snacks, a functional trail mix that replaces traditional nuts with crunchy beans. He is a Startup-In-Residence at the University of Richmond, bridging the gap between students and startups by helping other young entrepreneurs take advantage of resources and programs that can maximize their success. Eli graduated from the University of Richmond in 2022 w...

Jake Leonti is the CEO of F+B Therapy, a service-driven company in the food and beverage industry with a keen focus on coffee. He is a food and beverage business expert, coffee enthusiast, and leader with experience in project management, international product launch, retail market development, and operations. Jake is the Editor In Chief of CoffeeTalk Magazine , and before F+B Therapy was the Sale...

Jason Bronstad is the CEO of MALK Organics, a premium plant-based milk brand. MALK Organics promotes clean eating by creating products with six or fewer certified organic ingredients. Jason has a lot of experience working with top brands in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) space. He is an expert in specialty brand management, product development, product launches, and brand activation campaigns....

Ahmed El Azizi is the CEO of Innoviom, a global innovative food and beverage company that builds on new trends to create healthy and delicious products. Ahmed is an internationally seasoned executive with multicultural experience that spans four continents and several Fortune 500 companies and startups. He is a passionate leader who has built motivated teams and introduced innovative ideas and pro...

Doug DuMars is the CEO of Rebellious Beverage Company, known for producing high-quality, organic, pre-brewed green tea infusions. He is also a Board Member and Chief Investment Officer at DAK Global, a capital management company. In addition, Doug has held various leadership roles at The Kraft Heinz Company. He has a BS in finance from Western Michigan University and an MBA from Michigan State Uni...

Ruth Halpern is the Chief Executive Officer of CCD Innovation, a women-owned culinary product development company. Driven by strategic vision, trend insights, the creativity of the Chefs' Council, and commercialization expertise, the CCD Innovation team has provided world-class culinary development for 30 years. As the CEO, Ruth leads a team of passionate food and beverage innovators in developing...

Tim Krauss is the Co-founder of Mammoth Creameries, a brand that claims to make the cleanest and best keto ice cream on the planet. He is an experienced senior leader with a demonstrated history of working in the computer software and food and beverage industries. Before Mammoth Creameries, Tim held senior roles in General Mills, EPIC Provisions, and Dell EMC. He has a BBA in international busines...