In this bonus episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy is joined by Jen Liao, co-founder of MìLà, a brand renowned for its delicious frozen Chinese soup dumplings. Jen reveals the fascinating journey of transforming MìLà from a local restaurant into a thriving direct-to-consumer brand amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges of developing recipes for freezing, the complexities of shipping frozen products, and the ongoing process of product refinement. Jen also delves into the str...
Aug 23, 2024•44 min•Ep 70•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Jason Murrell, the Director of Grocery at JIMBO’S, a leading organic and natural foods retailer in San Diego. Jason shares his inspiring journey through the grocery retail industry and provides an inside look at JIMBO’S commitment to high ingredient standards and sustainability. Discover how JIMBO’S fosters strong ties with local brands and communities while curating quality products. Jason also sheds light on the intricate worl...
Aug 20, 2024•58 min•Ep 69•Transcript available on Metacast In this bonus episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy is joined by Patricia Menegoto and Kiki Huddleston from the Startup CPG team for an insider look at the 2024 Shelfie Awards. They dive into the intricacies of the judging process, the criteria for selecting finalists, and the standout products that are making waves in categories like skincare, pet care, Beverages, Condiments & Spicy Foods, Snacks, Frozen Foods and Plant-Based Alternatives. Grace, Patricia, and Kiki share their e...
Aug 19, 2024•1 hr•Ep 67•Transcript available on Metacast In this bonus episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy sits down with Cam Mathias, the visionary founder of Huntaway, an innovative pet food brand. Discover how Huntaway emerged during the COVID-19 lockdown with a mission to deliver nutritious, convenient, and sustainable food for dogs. Cam reveals the story behind Huntaway’s unique use of wild venison as a protein source and shares the journey of developing their innovative products. They explore the challenges and strategies of runnin...
Aug 16, 2024•37 min•Ep 68•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Glenn Cunningham, Director of Center Store for Village Supermarkets, which owns tastemaker New York stores Fairway Market, Gourmet Garage, and local area ShopRites, and is part of the Wakefern Co-op. Glenn sheds light on the cooperative model of Wakefern, providing valuable insights into grocery shopping trends and strategies for sourcing and supporting emerging brands. Glenn discusses distributor preferences and the criteria fo...
Aug 13, 2024•44 min•Ep 66•Transcript available on Metacast In this bonus episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy and Patricia Menegoto are joined by Veena Krishnan and Whitney McElwain, co-founders of Daybird, an innovative "anti-beauty" brand. Daybird's flagship product is a 4-in-1 serum skin tint that blends skincare and makeup into one streamlined solution. They delve into Daybird's unique approach, which rejects traditional beauty standards in favor of simplicity, efficacy, and personal choice. Veena and Whitney share insights on their mar...
Aug 10, 2024•45 min•Ep 65•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, join Daniel Scharff and a distinguished panel of investors, Salle Jian, Alex Malamatinas, Brandon Yahn, and Connor McKenna from the beverage industry as they explore the latest trends and opportunities in the non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beverage market. They share insights from their experiences with brands like Seedlip, Kin Euphorics, and Liquid Death, highlighting the shift in consumer preferences toward healthier and alternative drinks. They also ...
Aug 06, 2024•59 min•Ep 64•Transcript available on Metacast Join Grace Kennedy in this bonus episode of the Startup CPG podcast as she sits down with Cassie and Chelsey Maschhoff, the inspiring founders of Lottie's Meats. Raised on a family pork farm, the sisters share their journey to revolutionize the meat industry with high-quality, natural ingredients through their Denver-based venture. They delve into dispelling myths, overcoming challenges as female entrepreneurs, and their strategic approach to product development and marketing. Discover their ins...
Aug 02, 2024•42 min•Ep 63•Transcript available on Metacast Join Daniel Scharff in this episode of Startup CPG Podcast for the release of Startup CPG's Financing Database, an amazing resource crowdsourced from our community that lists all the non-dilutive lending options we could find, categorized by loan type and with info on the minimums for each provider. The database is proudly sponsored by our friends at BAGS. On today's podcast, Daniel Taylor, Co-Founder & CEO at BAGS, explains crucial challenges and financing strategies for CPG entrepreneurs, ...
Jul 30, 2024•57 min•Ep 62•Transcript available on Metacast In this bonus episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy sits down with Sam Davis-Allonce, the founder of Hot N Saucy, a unique line of hot sauces. Sam shares her inspiring journey from being a chef in New York to launching her own hot sauce brand during the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by her culinary creativity and personal cravings. She delves into the challenges and success she faced while scaling her business, including securing a co-packer, achieving organic growth through social media...
Jul 26, 2024•40 min•Ep 61•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff sits down with Tyler Killgore, Central Buyer and Category Manager at GreenAcres Market. Tyler shares his expansive journey within the grocery industry, from his rapid progression and previous experience in direct store delivery ventures to his current pivotal role. He provides deep insights into his responsibilities at GreenAcres, focusing on product sourcing, selection strategies, mentorship, and the integration of local sourcing initia...
Jul 23, 2024•45 min•Ep 60•Transcript available on Metacast 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 development, marketing strategies, and the challenges and successes of distributing their innovative beverages...
Jul 19, 2024•38 min•Ep 59•Transcript available on Metacast 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 insights into operational strategies and brand support, while highlighting these two well-regarded D...
Jul 16, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep 58•Transcript available on Metacast 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, effective solutions. Discover their strategies for consumer education and forging partnerships, starti...
Jul 12, 2024•34 min•Ep 57•Transcript available on Metacast 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 and managing field sales teams to navigating NYC's competitive beverage market. Learn how Ginger La...
Jul 10, 2024•49 min•Ep 56•Transcript available on Metacast 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 strategic importance of hiring team members aligned with brand values and reflects on his experiences wi...
Jul 09, 2024•51 min•Ep 55•Transcript available on Metacast 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 uncover the latest in clean ingredients, natural sugars, and non-alcoholic beverages. They also emph...
Jul 05, 2024•38 min•Ep 54•Transcript available on Metacast 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 individuals a deep dive into GNC's retail strategies tailored to current market trends. Whether you...
Jul 02, 2024•48 min•Ep 53•Transcript available on Metacast 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 product development, navigating challenges in recipe refinement and manufacturing decisions. Sarah s...
Jun 28, 2024•38 min•Ep 52•Transcript available on Metacast 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 problem-solving angles and the necessity of continuous testing and iteration in ad campaigns. Gain in...
Jun 25, 2024•43 min•Ep 51•Transcript available on Metacast 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 starting operations in a shared kitchen space to achieving national distribution in over 12,000 sto...
Jun 23, 2024•23 min•Ep 50•Transcript available on Metacast 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 2020, and how she balanced this venture with her corporate job until she took the leap to focus ful...
Jun 21, 2024•39 min•Ep 49•Transcript available on Metacast 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 the strategic milestones, from Expo West debut to partnerships with UNFI, Lululemon, and Misfits Mar...
Jun 18, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep 48•Transcript available on Metacast 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 quality and planet-friendly practices. Justin shares the brand's commitment to offering premium-quality pr...
Jun 14, 2024•42 min•Ep 47•Transcript available on Metacast 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 and learn about successful brand strategies that foster emotional connections. Darren highlights th...
Jun 11, 2024•54 min•Ep 46•Transcript available on Metacast 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 personal experiences and meaningful conversations that shaped the brand. They explore the challenges...
Jun 07, 2024•40 min•Ep 45•Transcript available on Metacast 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 tactics to booth management and cost-saving strategies, Daniel and Samuel offer valuable insights f...
Jun 04, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep 44•Transcript available on Metacast 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 distinctive taste of málà but are also gluten-free, vegan, and MSG-free, making them a hit among spicy f...
May 31, 2024•40 min•Ep 43•Transcript available on Metacast 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 recent industry events like Expo West and the first large-scale CPG Shabbat, discussing the importan...
May 28, 2024•53 min•Ep 42•Transcript available on Metacast 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 to a wide variety of needs from hydrating pregnant bellies to preserving tattoos. Learn how they cha...
May 24, 2024•40 min•Ep 41•Transcript available on Metacast 
