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 research methodologies with Sara Schor, principal of Schor Insights & Strategy, a specialized boutique...
May 21, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep 40•Transcript available on Metacast 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 House of Kajaana, a pioneering plant-based Indian food brand owned by Sabah Ashraf. Sabah unravels th...
May 17, 2024•46 min•Ep 39•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Merchandising Ops for Health, Beauty, and Home Categories at Thrive Market, and Jason Bidart VP of Fo...
May 14, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Ep 38•Transcript available on Metacast 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 founder and CEO of Fila Manila and Alex Sorenson, the Founder and CEO of Blank Slate Kitchen to delve into...
May 10, 2024•34 min•Ep 37•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Kitchens and a Startup CPG partner. Together, they delve into the benefits of utilizing commercial kitchens...
May 07, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep 36•Transcript available on Metacast 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, Aman reveals how mentor communities like Startup CPG have been pivotal in guiding his path. Discover ...
May 03, 2024•33 min•Ep 35•Transcript available on Metacast This episode was sponsored by Hummingbirds. Go to www.hummingbirds.com This episode was sponsored by Simply Depo. Go to www.simplydepo.com In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, join Daniel Scharff as he dives into the world of foodservice with Lizz Ingrassia and Allie Cotter of Fresh Time Market. Delving into their journey from restaurant dining to packaged retail meals, Liz and Allie share their expertise on the importance of flavor, customer-centricity, and understanding consumer needs i...
Apr 30, 2024•48 min•Ep 34•Transcript available on Metacast This episode was sponsored by Hummingbirds. Go to www.hummingbirds.com Join Daniel Scharff in this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast together with Cory Hebert from Cin7 and Jamie Valenti-Jordan, CEO of Catapult Commercialization Services, as they illuminate the challenges faced by startups during product launches and emphasize the importance of accurate data entry to prevent financial losses and share invaluable insights on leveraging Inventory Management Systems (IMS) to streamline processes e...
Apr 23, 2024•56 min•Ep 33•Transcript available on Metacast In this bonus episode of the Startup CPG podcast, originally recorded as a webinar, join Daniel Scharff together with Jonny Price and James Reina as they talk through community fundraising and crowdsourcing with Jonny from Wefunder and James Reina from Jibby Coffee who recently completed a raise. Discover why community rounds matter, how to handle financial disclosures, and the smart way to tailor your fundraising approach. James shares real-world insights from a winning campaign, stressing the ...
Apr 19, 2024•57 min•Ep 32•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Rich Gillmore, the VP of Center Store at Gelson's. Together, they delve into the dynamic world of indie retail in Southern California and explore how Gelson's stands out as a trendsetter by curating innovative brands that embody the quintessential Californian lifestyle. Rich shares valuable insights on prioritizing high-quality products, navigating the influx of brand invitations, and the delicate balance between data-driven...
Apr 16, 2024•53 min•Ep 31•Transcript available on Metacast In this bonus episode of the Startup CPG podcast, join Grace Kennedy together with Lauryn Bodden, the founder of S’noods as they delve into the captivating origin story of S’noods, the innovative noodle chips taking the snack world by storm. Lauryn shares her journey from winning a Netflix cooking competition to launching her brand, securing partnerships with major retailers, and winning a coveted booth at Expo West 2025. Gain valuable insights about finding the right partners and overcoming obs...
Apr 12, 2024•32 min•Ep 30•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, join Daniel Scharff together with Eric Wu and Adam Yee, the founders of Sobo Foods, as they share their journey of creating plant-based Asian American frozen dumplings. Explore Adam and Eric’s approach, rooted in years of entrepreneurship experience, critical industry connections, and strategic branding to position their products as nutrient-dense comfort foods appealing to a wide consumer base. Delve into the evolving diet choices in the US, with Asia...
Apr 09, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep 29•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Vanessa White, CEO of Jaju Pierogi. Together, they trace the remarkable journey of Jaju Pierogi, from crafting handcrafted delicacies to securing shelf space in 2000 stores nationwide. Vanessa shares insights into the challenges of competing with established brands while maintaining authenticity and unveils their ingenious marketing approach focused on engaging content and community connection. Learn about navigating distrib...
Apr 02, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep 28•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff, together with Peggy Shell, the founder of Creative Alignments delve into the challenges faced by startups in traditional recruiting models and the innovative time-based recruiting approach pioneered by Creative Alignments. Peggy shares insights on the drawbacks of percentage-based fee structures, emphasizing the importance of aligning company values, culture, and compensation for sustainable growth. Uncover the secrets of DIY recruiting...
Mar 26, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Ep 27•Transcript available on Metacast Join Daniel Scharff and team—Patricia Menegoto, Kiki Huddleston, and Grace Kennedy—in this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast as they delve into the vibrant world of natural products at Expo West 2024. They share their experiences, observations, and opinions on the latest trends dominating the industry. From the gummification of products to the rise of natural sweeteners and the prevalence of protein-infused items, they dissect the key themes shaping the market. Get ready to discover standout br...
Mar 26, 2024•47 min•Ep 26•Transcript available on Metacast We are just as excited as you are to share the second part of Jamie Valenti Jordan’s episode – How to Make and Scale Your Product. In this episode, Daniel Scharff and Jamie Valenti-Jordan take a deep dive into the intricate process of finding and collaborating with contract manufacturers (Comans) for startups in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) realm. From sourcing to negotiation, production runs to quality assurance, they unravel the complexities and challenges inherent in the CPG production l...
Mar 21, 2024•42 min•Ep 25•Transcript available on Metacast In this absolute gem of an episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Jamie Valenti-Jordan, CEO of Catapult Commercialization Services, with a focus on scaling products and supporting startups in the CPG industry. Part 1 of this episode unveils Jamie's expertise in rapid product launch and expansion for emerging brands with revenue under $5 million. Drawing from his experience guiding operations at Hampton Creek, Jamie stresses the importance of collaboration within the star...
Mar 19, 2024•59 min•Ep 24•Transcript available on Metacast Join Daniel Scharff and Patricia Menegoto in this bonus episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, where they chat with Maurizio Rasti and Saphira Rasti, the dynamic founders of Nowhere Bakery. Discover their captivating journey from the fashion and modeling industry to crafting healthy baked goods, focusing on gluten-free offerings and noteworthy partnerships with Gwyneth Paltrow. Get the inside scoop on Nowhere Bakery's Shark Tank experience, from filming multiple episodes daily to managing the surge...
Mar 14, 2024•35 min•Ep 23•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff dives into the world of protein with Chris Battaglia, a seasoned expert and category lead for proteins at leading e-commerce retailer Hungryroot that aims to simplify healthy eating through personalized grocery shopping, utilizing AI to gather customer taste data for tailored meal suggestions. The company's socially responsible initiatives and commitment to reducing waste resonate with a diverse consumer base, focusing on high-quality op...
Mar 12, 2024•40 min•Ep 22•Transcript available on Metacast Join Daniel Scharff in this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast featuring Eric Skae, the CEO of Carbone Fine Food with over 35 years of experience in business. Carbone's success is anchored in its association with the renowned Carbone restaurant, premium product quality, and effective branding strategies. Eric emphasizes the crucial role of strategic partnerships, the early focus on velocity, and the evolving importance of margin and pricing as a brand matures. He also reveals his approach to bra...
Mar 05, 2024•46 min•Ep 21•Transcript available on Metacast In this special bonus episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Jake Deleon, the founder and CEO of Fila Manila. With a focus on crafting award-winning sauces and spreads inspired by Filipino flavors, Jake shares insights into his appearance on the upcoming episode of Shark Tank, along with his anticipation for increased online orders and brand buzz. Drawing from his background at major CPG companies like Procter Gamble and Starbucks, Jake delves into the importance of unde...
Feb 29, 2024•44 min•Ep 20•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of Startup GPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Erin Fasano, the chief marketing officer at Core Foods with over two decades of experience in the CPG industry, and delves into the intricacies of marketing for food and beverage brands, while trying to explain the question “what is a CMO?” With a focus on emerging brands, Erin emphasizes the pivotal role of a CMO and advises aspiring marketers to start at classic CPG companies before venturing into smaller enterprises. Discover...
Feb 27, 2024•51 min•Ep 19•Transcript available on Metacast Wondering how to get on shelf and pick the right marketing programs to do well? Join expert guests Erin, Courtney, and Holly as they share their wealth of knowledge on successfully navigating the Kroger landscape. From Erin's firsthand brand experience, Courtney's expertise around submissions and promotions, and Holly's insights into category strategies, this episode is packed with actionable tips for CPG startups. Learn the art of differentiation, effective marketing strategies, and successful ...
Feb 23, 2024•1 hr•Ep 18•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff dives into the vibrant world of the natural food industry with Jonathan Lawrence, Vice President of Center Store at Fresh Thyme Market. Discover Fresh Thyme Market's mission-driven approach to offering fresh and healthy food at great value and Jonathan's passion for supporting startup brands. Explore the intricacies of building meaningful relationships with brands, tailoring assortments to community needs, and the significance of local b...
Feb 20, 2024•54 min•Ep 17•Transcript available on Metacast Step into the vibrant world of Expo West in this episode of the Startup CPG podcast where Daniel Scharff is joined by startup CPG sales legends Matt Levine from Chlorophyll Water, Clara Paye from Unite Foods, and Pierre Jamet from Fishwife. Join them as they share insider tips for Expo West - what to do before, during, and after the show to make the most of your opportunity. From prep hacks to pitch perfection, discover how to wow potential buyers. Master booth setup, keep samples fresh, and ace...
Feb 16, 2024•56 min•Ep 16•Transcript available on Metacast This episode was sponsored by Strategy Maven Agency. Go to strategymavenagency.com Join Daniel Scharff in this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast featuring Dwight K. Richmond, Director of Center Store at Town & Country Markets and an expert in the grocery sector with over 30 years of experience. Dwight takes us through his career journey, emphasizing the keys to building successful sets for retailers. He also shares invaluable insights on understanding consumer trends, adapting to market cha...
Feb 13, 2024•50 min•Ep 15•Transcript available on Metacast This episode was sponsored by Strategy Maven Agency. Go to strategymavenagency.com Welcome to another episode of the Startup CPG Podcast where Daniel Scharff introduces Leon Lewis, the accomplished founder of Daybreak Growth Partners. Leon's journey spans gaming, music, and entrepreneurship, starting his first online business at 12 and later delving into the music industry. In 2019, he founded Daybreak Growth Partners, specializing in Amazon and retail media strategy for new CPG brands. From exp...
Feb 06, 2024•59 min•Ep 14•Transcript available on Metacast This episode was sponsored by Strategy Maven Agency. Go to strategymavenagency.com Join Daniel Scharff and Startup CPG Director of Marketing & Community, Patricia Menegoto, chatting about all the exciting initiatives and events shaping the future of our community. From the upcoming Shelfie Awards to a booth giveaway for female founders they delve into the first dedicated section for Startup CPG at Expo West, the first ever Swag Fashion shows, happy hours with the TikTok Shop team, partnershi...
Feb 01, 2024•39 min•Ep 13•Transcript available on Metacast This episode was sponsored by Strategy Maven Agency. Go to strategymavenagency.com Explore the success story of the innovative sparkling water infused with botanicals, offering a unique non-alcoholic alternative for beer Enthusiasts. With a background in venture capital and e-commerce, Jordan Bass CEO and co-founder of HOP WTR dives into the burgeoning non-alcoholic beer market, consumer trends favoring moderation, and the strategic decisions that propelled HOP WTR's growth in natural channels, ...
Jan 30, 2024•47 min•Ep 12•Transcript available on Metacast This episode was sponsored by Strategy Maven Agency. Go to strategymavenagency.com This episode was sponsored by Cultivate CPG. Go to cultivatecpg.com In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff together with the Cultivate CPG president Aaron Barnholt and Eli Bank co-founder and COO of Absurd Snacks unveils the highly anticipated Startup CPG retail sales tracker. This comprehensive database empowers emerging brands with vital information on channels, store locations, numbers, webs...
Jan 25, 2024•41 min•Ep 11•Transcript available on Metacast 
