Episode description

Today is our fifth episode in the "First Hire" series where we’ve so far covered making first hires in marketing, finance, operations, and retail sales. Now we get to cover foodservice sales! Here to help us learn more about first hires in foodservice sales is Jenna Cameron. Jenna is currently the sales lead at SIMULATE and has years of experience in foodservice sales for growing brands.

Listen in as Jenna answers:

• When to hire help in foodservice sales and how full-time employees, consultants, and brokers can all fit into the picture
• How foodservice sales differs from retail sales
• Key attributes of a successful foodservice sales employee
• Why it’s important to focus within the food service channel
• How to set up a first hire in food service sales for success
• Great shows and resources for your foodservice sales hire
• And more!

And, stay tuned at the end for a bonus segment - today featuring Startup CPG Shelfie Award winner, For Good Granola - Jenna and I will share our reviews mid-episode and then at the end of the episode (51:00), you can catch a mini-interview with For Good Granola’s founder, Kiley, to learn more!

Episode Links:

• Jenna’s LinkedIn
• SIMULATE website
• Consultants/Brokers: Elohi Strategic Advisors (general foodservice strategy), Green Nature Marketing (strategic nationwide coverage), Advanced Natural Group (micromarket/c-store/corporate cafeterias)
• Trade Shows: Dot Foods (if stocked), NACUFS (C&U)
• For Good Granola Links: 
  • For Good Granola website & IG @forgoodfoods
  • Kiley’s LinkedIn

Show Links:

• Join the Startup CPG Slack community (10K+ members and growing!)
• Follow @startupcpg
• Visit host Jessi's Linkedin or website
• Questions or comments about the episode? Email Jessi at jessi@startupcpg.com