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PODCAST

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.

business entrepreneurship

All Episodes

45:32

#184 -Distributor Spotlight: Karen Slusher of Azure...

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2025/02/25

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff sits down with Karen Slusher, Chief Experience Officer of Azure Standard, to explore how this unique distributor is transforming the CPG industry. Karen shares Azure's mission-driven approach to supporting emerging and independent brands, with a focus on sustainability, transparency, and innovative distribution models like buying clubs and partnerships with independent stores.Karen dives into Azure’s family-owned ethos, its

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40:26

Founder Feature: Akua Boakye Okunseinde of Karité

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2025/02/21

In this episode of Startup CPG, Grace Kennedy sits down with Akua Boakye Okunseinde, one of the co-founders of Karité, a skincare brand rooted in the power of shea butter. Akua shares the inspiring story of how she and her two sisters—each with distinct professional backgrounds—came together to build a brand that blends Ghanaian heritage with dermatologist-backed skincare.Akua shares the brand’s evolution from a passion project to an established business, detailing key milestones such as

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45:30

#183 - How AI is Helping CPG Brands with Lentiful and...

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2025/02/18

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff sits down with Daniel Herz, co-founder and CEO of FocusFuel, and Ben Bacon, founder of Lentiful, to dive into how AI is transforming the way brands operate, market, and grow in the CPG space.Ben shares how AI tools like Claude have revolutionized his email marketing, product development, and even customer insights, helping him craft better messaging, streamline operations, and identify key customer trends. He reveals how AI helped

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41:42

Founder Feature: Breanna and Jared Golestani of Kokada

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2025/02/14

In this episode of The Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy sits down with Breanna and Jared Golestani, the co-founders of Kokada, to discuss their journey from a kitchen experiment during the pandemic to launching a nationally distributed brand. As a husband-and-wife duo, they share how their love for food (and each other) led to the creation of their delicious coconut-based spreads and snacks.Breanna and Jared dive into the origins of Kokada, inspired by Breanna’s experiences playing

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36:10

BONUS: 2025 Shelfie Awards are Here!

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2025/02/12

In this bonus episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by Patricia Menegoto and Kiki Huddleston from the Startup CPG team to dive deep into The Shelfie Awards, the biggest free awards program for emerging CPG brands. Now in its fifth year, the Shelfies offer small brands valuable visibility, credibility, and connections with retailers & media.They break down everything about the Shelfies —how they began, why they matter, and how they can help brands gain exposure

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56:32

#182 - Rewind: How to Crush Expo West

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2025/02/10

Let’s rewind, refresh, and get you ready for this year’s Expo West! 🎉 This episode originally aired in February 2024, but trust us—the insights are still absolute gold. 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

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34:43

Founder Feature: Ehime Eigbe-Akindele of Sweet Kiwi

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2025/02/07

In this episode of The Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy chats with Ehime Eigbe-Akindele, founder of Sweet Kiwi, a frozen whipped Greek yogurt brand that combines functional nutrition with irresistible taste. Ehime shares her inspiring journey from working in bankruptcy litigation at Citigroup to creating a delicious and nutritious product. She talks about her leap into entrepreneurship, the pivotal moments that shaped Sweet Kiwi, and how she turned an idea from her home kitchen into a

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23:39

Bonus: Tariffs 101 with Aaron Alpeter

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2025/02/06

In this bonus episode of The Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff sits down with supply chain expert Aaron Alpeter, founder of Izba, to break down the latest tariff changes and what they mean for CPG brands. With new tariffs potentially impacting goods from Mexico, Canada, and China, Aaron explains the potential ripple effects on supply chains, pricing, and business strategies.From understanding the true objectives behind these tariffs to exploring practical steps brands can take—like tariff

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45:12

Buyer Spotlight: John Lane, Category Manager at Raley's

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2025/02/04

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by John Lane, Category Manager for Snacks & Commercial Bread at Raley's, a division of The Raley's Companies (formerly Pantry buyer), to explore the evolving grocery landscape and the secrets behind Raley's success as a trusted grocery store chain for nearly 90 years. John shares his journey from bagging groceries to leading category management, insights into Raley's health-focused initiatives, and strategies for

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37:37

Founder Feature: Brian Bethke of BEAR Maple Farms

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2025/01/31

In this episode of The Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy sits down with Brian Bethke, founder of BEAR Maple Farms and winner of the 2024 Shelfie Award in the drink category. Brian shares his inspiring journey from building amplifiers for rock legends like Pearl Jam and Lenny Kravitz to creating a one-of-a-kind functional beverage featuring ginseng and maple water.Discover how BEAR Maple Farms combines the natural sweetness of maple water with the adaptogenic power of sustainably grown

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38:37

#180 - Meet the Startup CPG Editor: Caitlin Bricker

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2025/01/28

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff welcomes Caitlin Bricker, editor at Startup CPG, to dive into her journey from food service to retail buying and now to the editorial world. Caitlin shares her passion for finding purpose-driven brands, her insights into the evolving CPG ecosystem, and her unique perspective shaped by personal and professional experiences—including transformative moments that have influenced her approach to life and work.They discuss Caitlin’s role

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38:35

Founder Feature: Jana Goodbaum of Happy Wolf

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2025/01/24

In this episode of The Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy chats with Jana Goodbaum, co-founder of Happy Wolf, a snack company revolutionizing toddler and kids' snacks with their "wildly simple" refrigerated bars. Jana shares her journey from advertising executive to entrepreneurial mom, driven by the frustration of limited healthy snack options for her child.Discover how Jana and her co-founder, Derek, navigated challenges like product development, sourcing allergen-free ingredients,

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33:02

#179 - Bootstrap Heroes: Hazard's Hop Water, SWAIR,...

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2025/01/21

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff dives into the strategies and challenges of bootstrapping with three inspiring founders who have transformed bold ideas into thriving businesses—all without outside funding.Ryan Hansen, co-founder of Hazards Hop Water, shares how he scaled a six-figure non-alcoholic beverage brand by targeting unique markets and forging key partnerships. Carrie Sporer, co-founder of SWAIR Hair, reveals how she’s redefining hair care for fitness

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36:04

Founder Feature: Becca Wright of Piedmont Pennies

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2025/01/17

In this episode of The Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy sits down with Becca Wright, the founder of Piedmont Pennies, to discuss the journey of turning a cherished family recipe into a thriving business. Becca shares the story behind her signature bite-sized cheesy biscuit crackers, inspired by her granddad’s recipe from North Carolina, and how she transitioned from corporate America to starting her own business.Learn about the challenges and success of bootstrapping a CPG brand,

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37:38

#178 - Buyer Spotlight: Sean Goldsmith, The Zero...

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2025/01/14

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff sits down with Sean Goldsmith, co-founder of The Zero Proof, the largest online direct-to-consumer retailer of adult non-alcoholic beverages. Sean shares insights into the booming non-alcoholic beverage market, exploring trends like Dry January, the rise of wellness-driven consumer habits, and the intersection of non-alcoholic options with broader societal shifts such as Ozempic's impact on cravings.They discuss the key demographics

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29:43

Founder Feature: Nikki Seaman of Freestyle Snacks

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2025/01/10

In this episode of The Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy welcomes Nikki Seaman, founder and CEO of Freestyle Snacks, to discuss the journey behind reimagining olives as a premium, convenient snack. Nikki shares her inspiration for launching Freestyle Snacks during the pandemic, identifying a gap in the market for fresh, flavorful olives packaged for modern, on-the-go lifestyles.From early product development to navigating over 200 co-packer rejections, Nikki provides a behind-the-scenes

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56:50

#177 - Finding Your Co-Man: Lance Schwarzkopf of Copack

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2025/01/07

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff and Lance Schwarzkopf take us behind the scenes of launching a food or beverage product. They break down the complexities of working with contract manufacturers, or "co-mans," to transform a concept into a market-ready product. Daniel and Lance share essential steps for emerging brands, from developing and protecting proprietary formulas to sourcing quality ingredients and securing critical documentation, like a process authority

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37:16

Founder Feature: Val Emanuel of Rif Care

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2025/01/03

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy sits down with Val Emanuel, the inspiring co-founder of Rif Care, a two-year-old feminine care brand that prioritizes sustainability and wellness. Val shares the journey behind Rif Care's creation, from identifying gaps in the market for elevated, eco-friendly period products to overcoming challenges in manufacturing and scaling the business. She opens up about her diverse career path, the importance of sustainability in product

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46:54

#176 - Startup CPG’s 2024 Year in Review

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2024/12/30

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff sits down with Patricia Menegoto, Head of Marketing and Community at Startup CPG, to reflect on a transformative year for the community and discuss ambitious plans for the future. Together, they recount the milestones of 2024, from hosting dedicated sections at trade shows, events in 17+ cities, building partnerships such as the GNC "Next Big Thing" initiative and the expansion of the Further platform supporting female-founded

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40:11

Founder Feature: Spencer Hoddeson, Gay Water

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2024/12/27

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

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356 results

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