The Startup CPG Podcast - podcast cover

The Startup CPG Podcast

The top CPG podcast in the world, highlighting stories from founders, buyer spotlights, highly practical industry insights - all to give you a better chance at success.

Episodes

#125 The Most Common Lawsuits Hitting Brands Right Now with Handel Food Law

This episode was sponsored by Strategy Maven Agency. Go to strategymavenagency.com Want to learn about the top claims against emerging CPG brands? Join Daniel Scharff in this episode of the Startup CPG podcas t to discuss the legal landscape of the food industry with Lauren Handel from Handel Food Law . From the surge in lawsuits against emerging brands to the nuances of labeling and disability compliance, Lauren provides prevention tips and strategies for both small and established brands. Gain...

Jan 23, 202457 minSeason 4Ep. 10

#124 Beer and Non-Alc Industry Trends from Pioneering Craft Brewer Dan Kopman

This episode was sponsored by Strategy Maven Agency. Go to strategymavenagency.com Something fun is brewing in this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast as we join our host, Daniel Scharff, as he welcomes his cousin, Daniel Kopman, Co-founder and former CEO of The Saint Louis Brewery and Heavy Seas Beer, now turned academic and researcher. Kopman shares what it was like to be an early microbrewing innovator in St. Louis, home of Anheuser Busch, and many lessons learned in his journey expanding int...

Jan 16, 20241 hr 5 minSeason 4Ep. 9

#123 Jeff Church's Lessons on Entrepreneurship, from Suja Juice $140 Million/year Success to Shutting down Rowdy Energy

This episode was sponsored by Strategy Maven Agency. Go to strategymavenagency.com Can you handle the highs, survive the lows, and still rock the runway? In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by the CEO of Suja Juice and Rowdy Energy , Jeff Church. Jeff shares invaluable insights from his diverse ventures, spanning socially conscious brands like Nico Water to the rise and challenges of Suja, an impactful cold-pressed juice success.Learn about the highs and lows of ...

Jan 09, 202453 minSeason 4Ep. 8

#122 How to Launch in Foodservice with Sales Pro Jenna Cameron Part 2

This episode was sponsored by Strategy Maven Agency. Go to strategymavenagency.com We are as thrilled as you are to unveil the second part of Jenna Cameron’s episode – How to Launch in Foodservice. In this episode, Jenna dives into the nitty-gritty of building strong relationships with operators and transforming from a mere product supplier to a true strategic partner. But that’s not all – Jenna also unravels the intricate web of distributor partnerships, offering valuable guidance for emerging ...

Jan 04, 202438 minSeason 4Ep. 7

#121 How to Launch in Foodservice with Sales Pro Jenna Cameron Part 1

This episode was sponsored by Strategy Maven Agency. Go to strategymavenagency.com As we kick off the new year, we welcome you with 2024’s first podcast episode so chock-full of insights, we had to split it into two parts! Our guest, a seasoned sales pro with a decade in the food service industry, is here to spill the beans. In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, host Daniel Scharf sits down with Jenna Cameron to discuss her experience, which includes notable contributions at JUST Egg, Alph...

Jan 02, 202441 minSeason 4Ep. 6

Bonus: Getting Into Retail & Tips from a Buyer

This episode was sponsored by RangeMe. Go to rangeme.com/startupcpg This episode was sponsored by Cin7. Go to cin7.com/startupcpg This episode was sponsored by Strategy Maven Agency. Go to strategymavenagency.com Get ready for an extra special treat this holiday season! We've got an exclusive bonus episode fresh from a recent webinar, where Daniel Scharff sits down with movers and shakers in the industry. Meet Paul Voge, the brains behind Aura Bora, Clara Paye, the powerhouse founder of Unite, a...

Dec 30, 202359 minSeason 4Ep. 5

#120 Proven Sales Strategies on How to Launch Your CPG Brand with Aaron Barnholt from Cultivate CPG

This episode was sponsored by RangeMe. Go to rangeme.com/startupcpg This episode was sponsored by Cin7. Go to cin7.com/startupcpg Ever wondered how successful CPG brands navigate the complex world of retail? Struggling to find your way from premium anchor accounts to negotiating with major retailers? Look no further! In this episode of Startup CPG Podcast , we're joined by Aaron Barnholt, President of Cultivate CPG , sharing his strategies from his extensive experience in launching brands like t...

Dec 26, 202353 minSeason 4Ep. 4

#119 Lil Bucks: Cultivating Health and Sustainability Through Buckwheat with Founder Emily Griffith and Luke Peterson from A-Frame Farm

This episode was sponsored by RangeMe. Go to rangeme.com/startupcpg This episode was sponsored by Cin7. Go to cin7.com/startupcpg This episode was sponsored by Strategy Maven Agency. Go to strategymavenagency.com In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast with Daniel Scharff featuring Emily Griffith, founder of Lil Bucks , and Luke Peterson from A-Frame Farm , delve into their mission to make America fall in love with buckwheat and improve diets and soil health. Discover the wonders of regenerat...

Dec 19, 202354 minSeason 4Ep. 3

#118 From Bicycle Beginnings to Global Recognitions with Chlorophyll Water Founder, Matt Levine

This episode was sponsored by RangeMe. Go to rangeme.com/startupcpg This episode was sponsored by Cin7. Go to cin7.com/startupcpg In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast with Daniel Scharff featuring Matt Levine, the founder of Chlorophyll Water, he recounts the journey of transforming a unique product idea into a major success. Matt discusses the genesis of Chlorophyll Water, emphasizing the importance of proactivity and relationship-building in a competitive market. The entrepreneur's scrap...

Dec 12, 202350 minSeason 4Ep. 2

#117 Rebranding, Fundraising, and the Success Behind Launching Myles Comfort Foods at Target with Myles Powell

This episode was sponsored by RangeMe. Go to rangeme.com/startupcpg This episode was sponsored by Cin7. Go to cin7.com/startupcpg In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff sits down with Myles Powell, the founder of Myles Comfort Food. Myles Comfort Foods is a clean, premium comfort food brand elevating the landscape of frozen foods through the marriage of quality and clean convenience that the modern day consumer is seeking in grocery. Join us as we dive into Myles' inspiring j...

Dec 05, 202341 minSeason 4Ep. 1

Meet Season 4's Host - Startup CPG's Founder Daniel Scharff

Welcome to the Startup CPG Podcast! I’m Jessi Freitag and it’s been my pleasure to be your host for Season 3 of the show since August 2021. It’s now time for me to introduce you to your new host for Season 4 of the show, Daniel Scharff. Many of you already know Daniel as he’s the founder of Startup CPG and has been hosting webinars, in-person events, and back in the day, lots of Clubhouse sessions for the community. He's extremely active in the CPG community and has deep CPG experience, so I'm r...

Nov 30, 202330 minSeason 4Ep. 1

#116 TOAST-IT Makes a Deal on Shark Tank! All the Details from Inside the Tank with Founders Coco & Mafe

This episode was sponsored by RangeMe. Go to rangeme.com/startupcpg This episode was sponsored by Floret. Go to tryfloret.com/startupcpg This episode was sponsored by Cin7. Go to cin7.com/startupcpg You know what that sound means - we had another member of the Startup CPG community on Shark Tank! And this time it was previous podcast guests Mafe Romer & Coco Cabezas from TOAST-IT! They join us today to tell us all the details about their Season 15, Episode 2 episode of Shark Tank that aired ...

Nov 28, 202339 minSeason 3Ep. 93

#115 Pure Gold Series: Lessons on Iterating from Seth Goldman + Updates on Eat the Change & Just Ice Tea

This episode was sponsored by RangeMe. Go to rangeme.com/startupcpg This episode was sponsored by Floret. Go to tryfloret.com/startupcpg This episode was sponsored by Cin7. Go to cin7.com/startupcpg We have a really special episode today - Seth Goldman is back on the show! Over the past couple of years, Seth has come on the show a number of times for what we called the Pure Gold Series to talk field marketing, sustainability, trade shows, and even an “Ask Seth Anything.” I’ll link a playlist in ...

Nov 21, 202342 minSeason 3Ep. 92

#114 Driving Trial at Retail with Digital Rebates + Key Insights on Latest Natural Shopper Trends with Social Nature

This episode was sponsored by RangeMe. Go to rangeme.com/startupcpg This episode was sponsored by Floret. Go to tryfloret.com/startupcpg This episode was sponsored by Cin7. Go to cin7.com/startupcpg I’m so excited to have our friends at Social Nature back on the show! Today we get to chat with Annalea Krebs, founder and CEO of Social Nature, an all-in-one shopper marketing platform powered by 1 million natural shoppers. Because Social Nature has access to so much great data about natural shopper...

Nov 14, 202344 minSeason 3Ep. 91

#113 Brewing Crooked Owl Hard Tepache with Founders Cam & Dave Bailey

This episode was sponsored by RangeMe. Go to rangeme.com/startupcpg This episode was sponsored by Floret. Go to tryfloret.com/startupcpg This episode was sponsored by Cin7. Go to cin7.com/startupcpg Today I’m excited to feature another of the backpack brand winners from Startup CPG’s Mic Drop party at Expo East: Crooked Owl! Crooked Owl is the first probiotic, shelf stable, 5% ABV tepache brand on the market. They are also a member of 1% for the Planet. Through this partnership, they contribute ...

Nov 07, 202339 minSeason 3Ep. 90

#112 Naturally Nourishing Treats for Hormonal Balance with Gita Vellanki, Founder of Neeshi

This episode was sponsored by RangeMe. Go to rangeme.com/startupcpg Today I’m excited to feature one of the backpack brand winners from Startup CPG’s Mic Drop party at Expo East: Neeshi! Neeshi makes naturally nourishing and hormone balancing treats for menstruation through menopause. We’re joined today by founder Gita Vellanki. The Startup CPG team loves Neeshi’s products and so did Mic Drop attendees, so I can’t wait for you to learn more. Listen in as Gita shares about: How Neeshi got started...

Oct 31, 202338 minSeason 3Ep. 89

#111 Twrl Milk Tea: Boba is the New Sprinkle & Twrling into Sprouts, Costco, & Pop Up Grocer

This episode was sponsored by RangeMe. Go to rangeme.com/startupcpg I’m so excited today to learn from Twrl Milk Tea, a long time and very active member of the Startup CPG Community! We’re joined by co-founder Olivia Chen, and Twrl was recently a Shelfies finalist for their Ube milk tea. Twrl Milk Tea makes the world’s first canned milk tea made with pea milk and single-origin, non-GMO, organic tea, and they also make chewy cafe style boba toppings, which are the new sprinkles! Twrl is women &am...

Oct 24, 202348 minSeason 3Ep. 88

From turning down Shark Tank offers to raising $2.7 million for Nopalera with Sandra Velasquez (2023)

This episode was sponsored by RangeMe. Go to rangeme.com/startupcpg We’re bringing you an episode from the archives today while I’m on vacation - so many listeners loved this episode from February because Sandra gives such practical and actionable advice and such honest insights into topics like Shark Tank and fundraising that are so hard to find. Since this episode released, Nopalera has released their Dulce de Cuerpo products, a cactus shower gel and cactus cream in beautiful aluminum bottles,...

Oct 17, 20231 hr 2 minSeason 3Ep. 57

#110 Recapping Expo East 2023: The End of An Era

This episode was sponsored by RangeMe. Go to rangeme.com/startupcpg This episode was sponsored by Graphite Financial. Go to graphitefinancial.com/cpg It’s Expo East recap time! New Hope Network announced on the opening day of this year’s Expo East that it would be last Expo East after nearly four decades. There will be a new format next August called Newtopia Now, which will discuss a little in the episode. Whether you weren’t able to attend Expo and are hoping to learn what is was like or if yo...

Oct 10, 202337 minSeason 3Ep. 87

#109 The Third Annual Shelfies Awards Ceremony Live!

Today’s episode is a special recording of our first LinkedIn LIVE podcast episode where we announced the winners of the third annual Startup CPG Shelfies Awards! Thank you to those of you who joined live - we had so much fun! You’ll hear the voices of Startup CPG’s founder Daniel Scharff, Patricia Menegoto, Startup CPG’s Head of Marketing & Community, Jenna Movsowitz, Startup CPG’s Spotlight Magazine Managing Editor, and of course my voice. Plus, special guests presenting the branding award ...

Oct 03, 202350 minSeason 3Ep. 86

#108 Getting Discovered: How to Leverage RangeMe & RangeMe's Roots in Supporting Emerging Brands

It’s tough getting buyers’ attention, let alone getting them all the information they need to review your product. In 2014, a fellow emerging CPG brand founder realized there had to be a better way for startups and innovators to get discovered by buyers in the CPG industry. Nicky Jackson created the platform RangeMe to solve that problem and today RangeMe is the leading product discovery and sourcing platform with over 15,000 buyers. Retailers like Thrive Market, Albertsons, and many others hand...

Sep 26, 202345 minSeason 3Ep. 85

How Liquid Death is Murdering Lame Marketing with Hamid Saify (2023)

This week we're bringing you an episode from the archives, our most popular episode of all time that played this January of 2023 and was with Liquid Death. I got so many comments about this episode; I had so much fun during this episode, so I wanted to bring it back and give those of you who hadn't had a chance to listen to this one to give it a listen now and I hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think and we'll see you next week. I figured it was worth putting my soul on the line to bring you...

Sep 19, 202355 minSeason 3Ep. 53

#107 How to Turbocharge Your CX: DTC Marketing Learnings from Mr. Beast's Feastables on Chatbots, SMS, & Retention with Jess Cervellon

Today we get to learn from an incredible marketing and customer experience expert and leader. Jess Cervellon is the Vice President of Customer Experience at Feastables, a DTC/B2B Customer & Brand Experience Consultant, and Co-host of Oopsie Podcast. If you aren’t familiar with Feastables, it’s the CPG brands of YouTube star Jimmy Donaldson, better known as Mr. Beast, who is the most subscribed individual in the world with 176 million subscribers on YouTube at the time of recording. His brand...

Sep 12, 202343 minSeason 3Ep. 84

#106 Shelfies Finalists & Trends from Startup CPG's 2023 Awards

It’s awards season! Well at least here at Startup CPG it is. If you aren't aware, we have our very own annual industry award competition at Startup CPG, and this year is the Third Annual Shelfies Awards, proudly sponsored by Floret, where we recognized the most promising emerging CPG brands. Startup CPG wanted to create opportunities for industry recognition with no entry fee, no essays, and only for emerging brands. This year the categories expanded beyond food, beverage, and supplements to inc...

Sep 05, 202347 minSeason 3Ep. 83

#105 Equity Crowdfunding Insights: How Ghost Town Oats is Cultivating Community & Opportunities with Ezra Baker

Last time we talked about equity crowdfunding on the show, many of you let me know that you wanted more equity crowdfunding content. When I saw that Ghost Town Oats had launched their second Wefunder campaign, I thought it would be a great opportunity for us to talk more about equity crowdfunding and to introduce you to Ghost Town Oats if you aren’t familiar. Ghost Town Oats is the first Black-owned, queer-owned, barista-owned oat milk company. Ghost Town Oats was developed by three baristas, Mi...

Aug 29, 202342 minSeason 3Ep. 82

#104 How Project Potluck is Creating a More Inclusive, Equitable, and Colorful CPG Industry with Kathleen Casanova

I’m so excited to introduce you to today’s guest and for the chance to feature an incredible organization everyone in CPG should know about, Project Potluck. Kathleen Casanova is the Founding Executive Director of Project Potluck, which is the largest professional community inclusively for People of Color (POC) in CPG. People of Color face systemic barriers to accessing social, human, and financial capital. As a result, today’s CPG industry is not representative of the US population or the consu...

Aug 22, 202335 minSeason 3Ep. 81

#103 Reimagining Multivitamins: Tend's Real Food Supplements for Pregnancy and Beyond with Co-Founders Hannah & Behzad Varamini

Today’s guests are active members of the Startup CPG community and were a crowd favorite Backpack Brand at Startup CPG’s Expo West Alley Rally! Hannah and Behzad Varamini are the co-founders of Tend, the first snackable, real food prenatal. They are reinventing multivitamins, replacing synthetic, hard-to-stomach pills and gummies with superior real food supplements for every stage of life - beginning with pregnancy. I loved getting to hear more about their story and am so excited for you to hear...

Aug 15, 202345 minSeason 3Ep. 80

#102 Beyond the Certificate: How to Navigate Insurance Related to Fundraising and Inventory with Amelia Risk

I don’t always love talking about insurance, but I love talking about insurance with today’s guest, Danielle Holyoake, because I always learn so much and end up feeling more empowered with knowledge. Danielle, is the CRO and co-founder of Amelia Risk, a CPG insurance brokerage equipped to handle all lines of commercial insurance, and I actually met Danielle through the Startup CPG Slack back in 2021 when she helped me with an urgent insurance issue. Last year, in 2022, Danielle came on the show ...

Aug 08, 202353 minSeason 3Ep. 79

#101 Celebrating 10 Years of Growth: Family, Foodservice, and Forging your Own Path with Soom's Amy Zitelman

Making it to the 10 year mark as a food business is no small feat, and our friends at Soom Foods just passed their 10 year anniversary. Today we are joined by Soom’s CEO and co-founder, Amy Zitelman. Amy had just graduated from college when she and her sisters started Soom, and since then, her and her sister Jackie were on the Forbes 30 under 30 list, Soom has been featured by Forbes, Bon Appetit, and The New York Times, and they have grown into the trusted brand for tahini and tahini products. ...

Aug 01, 202356 minSeason 3Ep. 78

#100 Toasting to 100 Episodes of The Startup CPG Podcast with Our Favorite Moments

Today’s episode is a celebration. A celebration of 100 episodes of The Startup CPG Podcast! Can you believe it? If you’ve been listening since the beginning, that’s amazing! If this is your first episode, that’s also amazing - welcome! I want to give a heartfelt thank you to each of you as listeners and to our incredible sponsors - you all have allowed us to keep the show going! I thought to commemorate the occasion, I’d share my top 100 moments on the podcast - just kidding, I’ll just share 10-...

Jul 25, 202345 minSeason 3Ep. 77