After a highly watched and successful Buyer Series last week, we are back to our classic format of Alex and Wade chatting it out about CPG. A big part of our show is sharing perspectives both from the brand side, the buying side, and also the broker side. Alex ran a CPG brand for over 10 years and on this episode, he will share about what to consider when you are launching a CPG Brand. Wade brings over 25 years of experience as a corporate retail category manager/buyer and now is a broker/master...
Jun 28, 2025•45 min
We are back for our second edition of the buyer series and this week we are excited to bring on very knowledgeable and community driven buyers from all different areas of the country. In no particular order: Robert Johnson - New Seasons Market Jason Hostettler - Buehler's Market Kenny Hausmann - Fresh Thyme Market As always, it's "No Script, Just Chat." We will cover a range of topics surrounding buyers, tips to present to a retailer and get on shelf, how to approach a buyer at trade-shows, and ...
Jun 24, 2025•1 hr
This week is back to our normal format of Alex and Wade rapping back and forth about all things CPG. We will be focusing on the major security breach and national system outage with UNFI and how this has affected brands and retailers. With Wade's experience in attending trade-shows and some upcoming shows (Summer Fancy Food Show, Newtopia Now) he will be reviewing his tips and strategies on how to navigate the shows and getting the most out of them.
Jun 13, 2025•1 hr 1 min
It's time for another episode of our coveted Master Series. These don't come around often, and this is sure to be a good one. We are featuring the movers and shakers in the CPG industry with people, companies and brands that have changed the landscape forever for CPG. We are bringing on: Chris Hunter - Co-Founder of KOIA - Delicious Plant-Based Protein Mike Fata - CPG Investor and Advisor and Founder of Manitoba Harvest Kari Pedriana - Co-Founder of Green Spoon Sales - The Nation's Premier Natur...
Jun 06, 2025•1 hr 4 min
This week, we are going to focus on the short and long-term benefits of helping others and expecting nothing in return. We are finding the most successful people simply give with no strings attached and attract an energy that propels them personally and professionally. Wade and Alex will share how they have helped others and gained a great return for themselves. Our second topic is an important one as well: Running or working with a CPG brand is pure and utter chaos. Everyday, something goes wro...
May 31, 2025•50 min
How about an episode with no planned topics at all and Wade and Alex discuss whatever they want for an hour? We of course will cover topics in CPG but it could go off the rails and we can be talking about anything whether it's Wade hiking in the middle of nowhere, Alex golfing, tariffs, and so much more! This is our second installment of the Random Babble Series. Sit back, grab a beer (or your favorite social non-alc tonic) and enjoy!
May 23, 2025•1 hr 2 min
This week we are featuring two great founders who have built out great beverage companies. They will share their stories and how they got to where they are today and any gems they can share with the CPG community. We are bringing on: Yanni Hufnagel - Founder of Lemon Perfect Company Matt Mclean - Founder of Uncle Matt's Organic Join us for this great episode. No Script, Just Chat!
May 18, 2025•1 hr
This week we will be covering two important topics: Common founder missteps and mistakes made by brands, especially emerging and natural brands just hitting the scene and scaling. Wade and Alex will also discuss CPG brands they love that they feel are rising stars in the industry and next to hit the big time. This week's episode is sponsored by Nelly's Organic.
May 10, 2025•1 hr 1 min
The Master Series is back! This week we are welcoming on 3 distinct and awesome entrepreneurs who are running their own CPG brands or have run brands in the past. This includes: Will Nitze Founder - IQ Bar Jeff Church DreamMakers and Previous Suja Co-Founder Steve O'Dell Founder - Tenzo Tea This episode is sponsored by Power Full Energy Distribution and Robert Cogan
May 03, 2025•1 hr
This week we are doing an 'Ask Us Anything' where no topic is off-limits. Any questions you have, list them LIVE in the chat and we will answer them on the spot. If you're lucky, we may actually even bring you on to share your story and brand! Also, Alex Bayer is an expert and has an agency specializing in crowdfunding consulting, so if you're thinking of raising capital online via Wefunder or Start Engine, he can walk you through it! This episode is sponsored by Philosopher Foods and their Wefu...
Apr 25, 2025•51 min
This week we are focusing on hot trends out the gate for 2025, everything from data gathering, AI, innovations, supply chain, and more. We will also cover the daily changes and updates on tariffs and how they will continue to impact CPG Brands.This episode is sponsored by Kif & Co and Caroline Brain and they are currently raising a capital round at www.wefunder.com/kifandco
Apr 19, 2025•57 min
Join us for our special edition show bringing on guests from reputable organizations and companies based in Canada. As many know, CPG is alive and well in Canada with many brands that are growing in their home country and many entrepreneurs choose to expand to the United States and abroad. We will be bringing on (in no particular order) Sonia Parmar - VP of Reg Affairs & Gov Relations for CHFA Jules Gorham - Director of Regulatory Affairs & Policy for CHFA Steve Dontigny - Foundry Presid...
Apr 11, 2025•56 min
The newly announced Trump Tariffs will have a major impact on many manufacturers and consumers. On top of this, CPG brands will be facing higher costs for their raw materials and finished goods if sourced internationally, which will result in higher retail prices. We wanted to talk about it, review what's going to happen, get community input and comments, and give our opinion on the short and long-term effects of these tariffs.
Apr 08, 2025•34 min
We are going to discuss something very real this week. What is it like to be a founder and HAVE TO shut down their own brand. It is painful and traumatizing.We are bringing on a founder who has been through this (Erica Rankin - Former Founder of Bro Dough) and also a CPG editor and journalist who covers these types of stories. (Andrea Popova Owner of CPGD) This is an episode you don't want to miss, and know if you are struggling as a CPG founder, you are NOT alone! This episode is sponsored by R...
Apr 04, 2025•56 min
Here's the latest CPG news happening right now on April 3rd, 2025 including Trump Tariffs Goes Into Effect, Huge Series A with Lucky Energy, Acquisitions Galore with Lesser Evil and Mela, and More Investment Action On April 2nd, (yesterday) Trump has announced reciprocal tariffs on essentially all goods, unless otherwise noted. Some details will emerge on what is exempt. For food and beverage people, this will deeply impact cost of goods sold for bottles, caps, labels, cans, and just about every...
Apr 04, 2025•6 min
This week we are featuring emerging and fast growing brands on our show in all different categories including hummus, chocolate bars, and energy drinks. We are bringing on: Nick Wiseman - Founder and CEO of Little Sesame Carla Spiruoulo - CEO of Nelly's Organic Hamid Saify - CMO of Lucky Beverage Co. We are excited to talk with these brands, hear their stories, and they will share insights and tips on how they have scaled.
Mar 28, 2025•1 hr 1 min
We are doing something new and taking 'No Script, Just Chat!' to the next level. Alex and Wade have no subject matter, no topic. They are going to show up and talk about anything and everything including CPG.Can we fill an hour with random babble? What will we talk about? Come and find out and join us for the very first volume of the Random Babble Series.This episode is sponsored by Robert Cogan and Power Full Energy Distribution.
Mar 22, 2025•55 min
Here's the latest CPG news happening right now on March 19th, 2025 including Poppi Acquisition By Pepsi, Poppi Lawsuit Settlement, Trump Tariff Update, New Brand Mark's Snacks Launching PepsiCo just announced it is acquiring prebiotic soda brand Poppi for $1.95 billion, a major accomplishment for a brand founded less than ten years ago. This transaction echoes the year-on-year growth of the functional drink market, especially the better-for-you soda category, with competitor Coca-Cola launching ...
Mar 20, 2025•6 min
Another Expo West is in the books. It was a 4 day bonanza of talking, sampling, meeting, and walking to see everything we wanted to get to. Wade and Alex will recap what we saw at the show, brands to look out for, events, happy hours worth mentioning, and more.We will also discuss the state of CPG. As it gets harder and harder to operate a CPG brand in this environment, what do we think the future holds for this industry for new and emerging brands? This episode is sponsored Power Full Energy Di...
Mar 14, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Here's the latest CPG news happening right now on March 9th, 2025 including New Malk SKUs, Sweet Loren's Meteoric Rise, Expo West Recap Malk has released two new SKUs in multi-serve format: Coconut Malk and Soy Malk. These are both available in 32 oz bottles.Coconut MALK is hitting shelves nationwide Soy MALK is exclusive to Whole Foods Market and with 3 Simple Ingredients and 6g of naturally occurring protein per serving fills a much needed niche. They debuted both at Expo West this past weekTh...
Mar 09, 2025•4 min
We broadcasted live from Expo West 2025 at the Melting Forest Booth #5719 in Hall E (basement in the main conventional center). Enjoy!
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 51 min
This week is our Expert Series and we are bringing on two dynamic female entrepreneurs in the health and wellness space. Females have undoubtedly become a driving force in the growth of CPG brands across the country, many starting their own CPG brands, raising capital, and having successful exits. Ashley Rogers is a serial entrepreneur who started and built the brand Spudsy and raised a Series A and now the CEO of Sprinkles CPG, and founder of Shelfmade, a community for CPG professionals and ent...
Mar 01, 2025•58 min
Here's the latest CPG news happening right now on February 23rd, 2025 including Celsius Acquires Alani Nu / Hiyo Investment/Coca-Cola Takes on Olipop and Poppi Celsius Holdings said on Thursday it would buy health and wellness drinks brand Alani Nutrition in a $1.8 billion deal through a combination of cash and stock, boosting its portfolio to build on the growing demand for sports and energy beverages. Alani Nutrition, a female-focused brand that delivers functional beverages and wellness produ...
Feb 23, 2025•5 min
This week is back to our classic format of Alex and Wade chatting it up about all areas of CPG. This week, we are focusing on key reasons why brands fail and how CPG brands can avoid these landmines and ultimately be successful in this tough environment. We are also covering brands that we love, including up and coming brands that caught our eye with fantastic branding and a great founder team. Co-Hosts Alex Bayer and Wade Yenny with a combined experience in the CPG space of 35 years, chat about...
Feb 22, 2025•1 hr 5 min
This week's CPG Vibes episode will cover two topics: Why CPG Brands Fail, and New Brands That Alex and Wade Love. Make sure to check it out this Friday at 12 PM/3PM LIVE on Linkedin Here's the latest CPG news happening right now on February 20th, 2025 including Aura Bora Acquired, Mid-Day Squares Buys in BitCoin, and GT Kombucha Turns 30! US-based investment firm Next In Natural has acquired a majority stake in local craft sparkling water maker Aura Bora to support the company’s “next phase of g...
Feb 20, 2025•5 min
Here's the latest CPG news happening right now on February 17th, 2025 including Tru Beverage Investment, Blackbird Acquisition, How Poppi’s Super Bowl vending machine campaign spiraled out of control According to Bevnet.Com, Functional drink Tru recently closed a $4.6 million funding round highlighted by further alignment with Polar Beverage who will now be handling manufacturing, distribution and warehousing for the brand. US-based vegan food brand Blackbird Foods has announced an acquisition b...
Feb 18, 2025•5 min
Welcome to the first edition of our Buyer Series with category managers from fan favorite natural stores Fresh Thyme Market and New Seasons Market. We can't think of a better way to spend your Valentine's Day afternoon than with us! With Expo West mania in full swing and coming up in less than a month, we are going to cover some important topics including Buyer Tips on how to have a successful Expo West as a brand and also as a buyer! This is essentially an Expo West Prep episode! This includes ...
Feb 15, 2025•1 hr 2 min
Here's the latest CPG news happening right now on February 13th, 2025 including Big Olipop Raise, Chubby Snacks Shuts Down, Oatly Hits Profitability Posted on Just-Drinks.Com , US functional soda brand Olipop has raised $50m in a Series C funding round, bringing its valuation to $1.85bn. JP Morgan Private Capital’s Growth Equity Partners led the investment round. In a statement, Olipop said the cash injection marked its “final anticipated round of equity financing”, after becoming profitable “in...
Feb 13, 2025•5 min
Here's the latest CPG news happening right now on February 9th, 2025 including Liquid Death National Super Bowl Ad, New Olipop and Perfy Flavors, Mid-Day Squares RumorAccroding to Ad Week: The renegade canned water brand—with a growing lineup that now serves iced tea, sparkling and still water varieties—is buying its first national Super Bowl ad to air on Fox on Feb. 9, per an announcement released today. While building the brand and establishing street cred based on scrappy marketing, Liquid De...
Feb 09, 2025•4 min
With the recent international news of Trump imposing tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and additional tariffs on China, this regulation will undoubtedly affect thousands of CPG brands and consumers alike. We will discuss the details on the tariffs and what it means for the economy going forward (opinions, not facts!) and we will also bring on a prominent regional distributor from Canada, Robert Cogan, to share his wisdom on how the tariffs will affect Canadian brands specifically. As a second topic, we...
Feb 07, 2025•1 hr 1 min
