Bobbi Brown is a beauty industry titan, world-renowned makeup artist, best-selling author, and now, the Founder of Jones Road , the beauty brand that's recently gone viral on TikTok. On this episode of ITS, Bobbi and Ali talk authenticity: Knowing who you are, what makes you feel good in your skin, and how your business is, and should be a reflection of that. This is one to save - full of both business advice and life advice. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast netwo...
Jun 10, 2022•53 min•Ep. 160
Hailey Swartz is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Actual Veggies , the chef-crafted veggie burger popping up in retailers across the US. On this episode of ITS, Hailey sings the praises of QVC, good ol' fashioned grocery stores, testing and learning with buyers, and surrounding yourself with just the right amount of people who know what they're talking about. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by becoming a member ! In The Sauce is Powered by S...
May 18, 2022•1 hr•Ep. 159
Jake Deleon is the founder and CEO of Fila Manila , the company bringing next gen Filipino flavors to consumers across the US. On this episode of ITS, Jake and Ali talk founder-product fit, the value of curiosity and innovation, and why Amazon is a great learning tool... if you use it right. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by becoming a member ! In The Sauce is Powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy a...
May 11, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 158
George Milton is Co-Founder and CEO of Yellowbird Foods , the spunky/spicy, Austin-based hot sauce brand made with real fruit and veggies. On this episode of ITS, George and Ali talk about identifying your core consumer, finding them, and building with them where they are. In George's words, "The most expensive and inefficient way to grow is trying to steal someone else's customer." Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by becoming a membe...
Apr 27, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 157
Andrea Rose is the Produce category manager for the SoCal division of Albertsons Companies . She and her team are responsible for decisions about what their 336 stores carry, as well as how these items are retailed and merchandised. On this episode of ITS, Andrea and Ali talk about the massive ship that is the grocery store and how emerging brands can work with buyers to create wins for brands, stores, and most importantly, the consumer. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit p...
Apr 20, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 156
Becca Millstein is the co-founder and CEO of Fishwife , the super-popular, super-groovy tinned seafood company bringing ethically sourced, premium, and delicious tinned seafood to pantries across the US. On this episode of ITS, Becca tells Ali the story of Fishwife mid-Covid, shares the value of asking a lot of questions, and talks about the power of collaboration as well as growing with a deeply dedicated fan base. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Suppor...
Apr 15, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 155
Mark Samuel is the founder and CEO of IWON Organics , a legume-based food company. On this episode of ITS, Mark shares insights from 20 years of entrepreneurship and his authentic approach to business, and, well, life really. He and Ali talk about the four keys to building a strong business and what it means to create a "platform" brand. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by becoming a member ! In The Sauce is Powered by Simplecast . Se...
Apr 06, 2022•45 min•Ep. 154
Amanda Roach is a partner at Amin Talati Wasserman , a law firm that supports CPG companies on the legal issues around the FDA, FTC, and Intellectual Property. On this episode of ITS, Amanda walks Ali through trademarking and IP 101: How to set it up properly, what to keep in mind as you work on branding and packaging, how to protect your brand from copycats, and how often you need to remember to think about this stuff. Are you a business owner? Become an HRN business member! For $500 HRN will s...
Apr 01, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 153
Eleanor Hayden is a shopper marketing and merchandising expert, having built platforms at Kodiak Cakes and Siete. On this episode of ITS, Eleanor walks Ali through both digital and in-store shopper marketing, as well as Instacart. Working with retailers to engage their customers has never been easier or more important, so for emerging brands building their grocery presence, this episode is a must-listen. Are you a business owner? Become an HRN business member! For $500 HRN will shine a light on ...
Mar 24, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 152
Andrea Xu is the CEO and co-founder of Umamicart , an online one-stop-shop with Asian cuisine lovers at the very center. Umamicart has 2 missions: Helping customers seamlessly access delicious products across Asian cuisines; and secondly, providing a new digital window for mom-and-pop, immigrant-led businesses to reach consumers. On this episode of ITS, Andrea and Ali talk about learning how to ask the right questions, how building takes crazy turns, and why an early, dedicated community is so i...
Mar 16, 2022•57 min•Ep. 151
Miguel Leal is the Co-Founder & CEO of SOMOS , a new, U.S.-based Mexican food company that he founded with KINDsnacks veterans Daniel Lubetzky and Rodrigo Zuloaga. On this episode of ITS, Miguel shares the secret he's learned as CMO at KIND and Cholula: What every winning company must have, and how it powers the brand and the business to greatness. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by becoming a member ! In The Sauce is Powered by ...
Mar 10, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 150
Eddie Revis is the CMO of Magnolia Bakery and formerly VP of Brand, Marketing & Media at Chobani. On this episode of ITS, he shares his marketing "tool kit." But even more importantly for emerging brands, Eddie breaks down the way to think about marketing. It's all about the outcomes, and what you're willing to spend for them. This one is packed, folks! Enjoy! Heritage Radio Network is a listener-supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by becoming a member ! In The Sauce is...
Feb 16, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 149
Carrie Yang is the founder of Grouphugs , a YouTube growth agency helping businesses create profitable YouTube channels. On this episode of ITS, Carrie and Ali talk all things YouTube: Why it's a critical channel for CPG brands, how to build a full, holistic library of content, and best practices for editing, publishing, and community-building. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by becoming a member ! In The Sauce is Powered by Simpleca...
Feb 09, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 148
Jake Kneller is Co-founder and CEO of Sweet Nothings , a CPG brand focused on creating truly-good-for-you snacks, starting with their line of frozen spoonable smoothie cups. On this episode of ITS, Jake and Ali talk about how Sweet Nothings used consumer insights to not only help them rebrand but to move their placement in the grocery store freezer... which then grew velocity. A LOT! Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by becoming a memb...
Feb 02, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 147
Molly Fienning is Co-founder and CEO of Red Clay Hot Sauce , a modern take on Southern hot sauce. On this episode of ITS, Molly and Ali talk about the transition from restaurant small-batch to national distribution, what market really means, and how Red Clay has consistently grown 200-400% year over year since Molly took the helm. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by becoming a member ! In The Sauce is Powered by Simplecast . See Priva...
Jan 26, 2022•59 min•Ep. 146
Wade Yenny is the Director of Grocery for Jimbo’s , San Diego’s Premier Natural and Organic Food Store, and has over 25 years of experience in all areas of retail including operations, merchandising, procurement, and category management. On this episode of ITS, Wade and Ali talk about the state of the grocery store in 2022, what his sales strategy would be if he were building a brand, and why as founders we should remember what it's like to buy a car. Heritage Radio Network is a listener support...
Jan 19, 2022•1 hr•Ep. 145
Jake Karls is Co-Founder of Mid-Day Squares , the fresh, functional chocolate bar that sold over 8 million chocolate bars in its first 3 years. On this episode of ITS, Jake walks Ali through the MDS approach: Part reality TV show, part community, part self-manufacturing. All unabashedly unfiltered. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by becoming a member ! In The Sauce is Powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/pr...
Jan 12, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 144
Ryan Rogers is Ali's former buyer at Target and worked in Produce at the retailer for 14 years. On this episode of ITS, Ryan shares a wealth of knowledge about how emerging brands should pitch and plan to work with Target, how we can set ourselves up for success, and a few insider tips and tricks. A gem, this one! Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by becoming a member ! In The Sauce is Powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at http...
Dec 08, 2021•54 min•Ep. 143
Alex Piasecki and Patrick Mateer are the co-founders of Seal the Seasons , the national local foods brand that partners directly with growers to freeze and distribute local produce in more than 30 states and 4000 retail locations across the U.S. On this episode of ITS, Alex and Patrick talk about the secrets to their partnership, how the book "Traction" changed their business, how they bring their brand values to life, and why the best idea always wins. Heritage Radio Network is a listener suppo...
Dec 01, 2021•56 min•Ep. 142
Noah Wunsch is the founder of Ruby , a new, super creative line of organic hibiscus water. On this episode of ITS, Noah and Ali talk about the value of going beyond what we’ve come to think of building a brand identity, how brands need to take time figuring out where can we provide value, and why founders should seek comfort in knowing the odds are against us. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by becoming a member ! In The Sauce is Pow...
Nov 24, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 141
Carla Dunham is the CMO of Foxtrot , the company redefining the convenience store with fast delivery, proprietary inventory technology, and the vibe of a neighborhood store. On this episode of ITS, Carla distills 15 years of marketing expertise into a few clear directives for emerging brands. She also helps Ali understand what Foxtrot is looking for as they bring new items to their customers. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by becomi...
Nov 17, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 140
Jordan Schenck is the CMO and Co-Founder of Sunwink . On this episode of ITS, Jordan tells Ali about her experiences at Equinox and Impossible, how to build a communications roadmap, and why her motto is launch, launch, and launch again. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by becoming a member ! In The Sauce is Powered by Simplecast . See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/priva...
Nov 12, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 139
Lisa Carson and Connie Wang are the Co-Founders of Occo , the pre-measured spice pods popping up in kitchens everywhere. On this episode of ITS, Courtnie steps in for Ali and hears all about how Lisa and Connie think about in-house manufacturing, the importance of high-quality packaging, and how Occo is educating its consumers one recipe card at a time. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by becoming a member ! In The Sauce is Powered by...
Nov 09, 2021•53 min•Ep. 138
Erin Linfonte is a Client Strategist at ForceBrands , the leading strategic recruiting firm for consumer brands. On this episode of ITS, Erin walks Ali through the hiring process: From best practices for job descriptions, interviews, and reference calls, to onboarding and setting both you and your new hire up for success. If you're growing the team, listen to this one! Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by becoming a member ! In The Sau...
Oct 27, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 137
Jolene Delisle is the founder & creative director of The Working Assembly , a branding and creative studio that's worked with brands across the ecosystem, including Zola, The Museum of Ice Cream, Evian, Betches, FastAF, Sanzo, and Haven's Kitchen! On this episode of ITS, Jolene walks Ali through brand-building from the ground up: Why it's much deeper than a cool font or fun package, what mistakes founders make when we make our inspiration boards, and what truly makes a brand premium and last...
Oct 20, 2021•58 min•Ep. 136
Matt Weiss is the founder and CEO of Rind , the innovative, whole fruit, snack brand popping up all over the place! On this episode of ITS, Matt and Ali talk about sales channels, the rise of express e-commerce, how to think about all the emerging marketplaces, and what emerging brands can gain (beyond sales) as the market offers us more opportunities and places to get a product into the market. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by bec...
Oct 06, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 135
Ilan Nass is the Chief Strategist at Taktical , the marketing company that helps brands scale through Cross Channel Strategies, Creative Storytelling, and Efficient Media Buying. On this episode of ITS, Courtnie guest-hosts and asks Ilan ALL the questions: What is/how do emerging brands optimize SEO, how do brands maximize ads and set reasonable expectations, and after all the hoopla, what the heck happened with IOS14? Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Sup...
Sep 29, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 134
Sashee Chandran is the founder and CEO of Tea Drops , the organic, ground leaf teas that dissolve into your cup - no bag or infuser needed. On this episode of ITS, Sashee and Ali talk about sales channels and alignment - not every product makes sense in every channel, and every product has a few channels that really make sense. They also chat subscription, why it can be huge for a brand, but why it also requires more attention than you think. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonpro...
Sep 15, 2021•55 min•Ep. 133
Margaret Wishingrad is Co-Founder and CEO of Three Wishes , the cereal that is revolutionizing breakfast aisles in grocery stores across the US. On this episode of ITS, Margaret tells Ali how Three Wishes is building through grocery stores, optimizing organic marketing rather than ads, and focusing on one very basic consumer change. Heritage Radio Network is a listener supported nonprofit podcast network. Support In The Sauce by becoming a member ! In The Sauce is Powered by Simplecast . See Pri...
Aug 25, 2021•58 min•Ep. 132
Caroline Cotto is the Co-Founder & COO of Renewal Mill , an upcycled food company fighting climate change. Azora Zoe Paknad is the Founder of Goldune , a new e-commerce brand and marketplace making sustainability more fun, more inclusive and more digestible. On this episode of ITS, Ali and her guests talk about expanding the consumer perception of sustainability, driving people toward more conscious consumption in a more inclusive way, and what founders can do to build real sustainability in...
Aug 18, 2021•56 min•Ep. 131
