The Startup CPG Podcast

In this bonus episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy is joined by Todd Harris, co-founder and CEO of Plift, a hemp-infused beverage brand. Todd shares Plift's mission to provide a non-alcoholic, THC-infused alternative for social drinking, aimed at democratizing cannabis access and offering a healthier option to alcohol-use. Todd elaborates on the brand's unique name, product developmen...

In this episode of Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Allison Taylor, Director of Business Development at Pint Size Hawaii, and Ahmed Chehade, Chief Operating Officer at Good Stuff Distributor, Inc. to delve into the intricacies of Direct Store Delivery (DSD) relationships in the retail sector. They explore the nuances between DSDs and broadliners, dissect market dynamics, and offer...

In this bonus episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy explores the journey of Matt Jacobs and Kristen Hogan Doyle, co-founders of Pedestrian Project. Join them as they share their inspirational story of founding a wellness brand focused on revolutionizing foot care. From identifying personal needs to collaborating with podiatrists and rigorous product testing, they've developed clean, ef...

Join Daniel Scharff in this episode of the Startup CPG podcast as he sits down with Namik Soltan, CEO of GNGR Labs and the mastermind behind GNGR Labs' famous ginger shots. They explore Namik Sultan's entrepreneurial journey, from launching amidst COVID-19 to carving a niche with spicy ginger shots launching in the NYC and Northeast markets. They range from overcoming early distribution challenges...

Join Daniel Scharff in this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast as he dives deep into beverage with Sean Lynch, known as the head of sales during the blast off years at Liquid Death and now President at Halfday. Daniel and Sean have a discussion focused on the growth of sales at Liquid Death especially around the field sales team responsible for so much of its success. Sean also emphasizes the stra...

Welcome to another bonus episode of the Startup CPG podcast! Grace Kennedy is joined by Patricia Menegoto and Kiki Huddleston from the Startup CPG team to dive into the exciting highlights of Fancy Foods 2024. They explore the inaugural Startup CPG Pavilion, showcasing standout brands and innovative products.  From trends like plant-based seafood to the allure of Korean and Japanese cuisines, they...

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff sits down with special guest Roberta Townes, a Senior Category Merchant at GNC, proud partner of the Startup CPG Community. Roberta shares insights into GNC's global impact and the strategic success stories of its diverse brand portfolio. They delve into the complexities of launching new brands and selecting prime store locations, offering...

In this bonus episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy is joined by Sarah Nathan, the visionary founder behind NOOISH, a pioneering brand revolutionizing the instant matzo ball soup market. Sarah brings a wealth of experience from both the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry and the rich tapestry of Jewish culinary traditions. Together, they explore Sarah's journey from inspiration to...

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Andrew DiLullo and Victor Vo from AdCrunch to dive into effective strategies for leveraging Meta (Instagram and Facebook) Ads to fuel growth for CPG  brands. They discuss the profitability of Meta Ads, emphasizing the importance average order value (AOV) of $75, and much more. They highlight the success of products with clear...

In this mini-episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff dives into the world of data-driven decision-making with Max Dichter, CEO of 4th & Heart, and Jamie Nguyen, the Director of Finance and Strategy. 4th & Heart, the largest and fastest-growing ghee company in the US, is on a mission to highlight the benefits of ghee over traditional butter. Follow 4th & Heart's journey, from...

In this bonus episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy sits down with Maria Covarrubias, the founder of Cien Chiles. Maria shares her inspiring journey from Guadalajara, Mexico, to becoming a chef in the USA, and the motivation behind creating her authentic, homemade-tasting salsa. They delve into her transition from a culinary career to launching Cien Chiles during the pandemic in August...

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff leads an engaging conversation with Simon Solis-Cohen, the founder of Huxley, launched in March 2024 which has roared on the scene with a lot of early success and accolades. Drawing inspiration from nature and national parks, Huxley's branding resonates with a wide audience, including Gen Z, baby boomers, and 'Diet Coke moms.' Learn about...

In this bonus episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy delves deep into the world of clean, plastic-free beauty with Justin Wolff, the founder behind Junk Theory. They discuss Junk Theory's genesis and mission to end the plastic era in beauty. From strategic partnerships to sustainable packaging innovations, they explore every facet of building a brand that prioritizes both product qualit...

Join Daniel Scharff and special guest Darren Viscount, senior natural living category manager at Bristol Farms, in this episode of Startup CPG Podcast as they explore the world of emerging health and wellness brands. Darren shares his passion for natural living products, which are influenced by his personal health journey and his overcoming of cancer. Discover the latest trends in gut health items...

In this bonus episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy sits down with Spencer Hoddeson, the CEO of Gay Water. They delve into the inspiration behind creating Gay Water, a mission-driven brand that is aiming to increase representation for the queer community in the alcohol space. With a rich background in media and tech, Spencer shares his journey of developing Gay Water, highlighting the...

Join Daniel Scharff in this episode of the Startup CPG podcast as he delves into the intricacies of exhibiting at distributor shows within the food and beverage industry with Samuel Jacobson, Senior Director of Key Accounts and Alternate Channels at HOP WTR. They explore the distinct dynamics of UNFI and KeHE shows, contrasting them with larger shows like Expo West. From buyer prep and negotiation...

Join Grace Kennedy in this bonus episode of the Startup CPG Podcast as she speaks with Jia Liao, the founder of Hotpot Queen, to explore her remarkable journey in the CPG industry. Discover how Jia’s brand brings the authentic, bold flavors of Sichuan cuisine to life with high-quality ingredients like wild mushrooms and fermented sauces. Hot Pot Queen’s products are not only bursting with the dist...

In this episode of Startup CPG Podcast, join Daniel Scharff and Kenny Hausmann, an 18-year veteran of the grocery industry, to discuss the accessibility of natural foods and the commitment to health and innovation. Kenny shares his career journey, from his early days in stores to becoming a category manager, highlighting his passion for health and alignment with Fresh Thyme's values. They explore...

Join Grace Kennedy in this bonus episode of the Startup CPG Podcast as she interviews JoLynn Henke and Peter Clarkson, the co-founders of Protéger. From personal experiences to a commitment to full-body skin health, discover how JoLynn's mother's ALS diagnosis fueled their passion for safeguarding the skin and loved ones. Explore Protéger's innovative dermal serum, a full-body product that caters...

This episode was sponsored by Hummingbirds. Go to hummingbirds.com/startupCPG This episode was sponsored by Cin7. Go to cin7.com/startupcpg This episode was sponsored by Grassroots Marketing. Schedule a call at https://calendly.com/grassrootsmarketing/grassroots-x-startupcpg-intro-call ) Join Daniel Scharff in this episode of Startup CPG Podcast as he delves into the intricacies of consumer resear...

This episode was sponsored by Hummingbirds. Go to hummingbirds.com/startupCPG This episode was sponsored by Cin7. Go to cin7.com/startupcpg This episode was sponsored by Grassroots Marketing. Schedule a call at https://calendly.com/grassrootsmarketing/grassroots-x-startupcpg-intro-call ) Join Grace Kennedy in this bonus episode of the Startup CPG podcast as she delves into the flavorful world of H...

This episode was sponsored by Hummingbirds. Go to hummingbirds.com/startupCPG This episode was sponsored by Cin7. Go to cin7.com/startupcpg This episode was sponsored by Grassroots Marketing. Schedule a call at https://calendly.com/grassrootsmarketing/grassroots-x-startupcpg-intro-call ) In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Christine McNerney, Vice President of M...

This episode was sponsored by Hummingbirds. Go to hummingbirds.com/startupCPG This episode was sponsored by Cin7. Go to cin7.com/startupcpg This episode was sponsored by Grassroots Marketing. Schedule a call at https://calendly.com/grassrootsmarketing/grassroots-x-startupcpg-intro-call ) Join Grace Kennedy in this bonus episode of the Startup CPG podcast as she is joined by Jake Deleon, the founde...

This episode was sponsored by Hummingbirds. Go to hummingbirds.com/startupCPG This episode was sponsored by Cin7. Go to cin7.com/startupcpg This episode was sponsored by Grassroots Marketing. Schedule a call at https://calendly.com/grassrootsmarketing/grassroots-x-startupcpg-intro-call ) In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Mott Smith, co-founder of Amped Kitchen...

Join Grace Kennedy as she delves into the world of healthy vegetarian delights with Aman Blana, the founder of Growee Foods, in this bonus episode of the Startup CPG Podcast. Aman shares the journey behind Growee Foods, inspired by his Indian heritage and a quest for fresh, plant-based options in the US. From battling the challenges of working with co-packers to navigating distribution channels, A...