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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

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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58:08

#175 - E-Comm Wizards: David Fudge of Aplós

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2024/12/24

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff sits down with David Fudge, co-founder of Aplós, to discuss the journey of building a premium non-alcoholic spirits brand. David shares insights from his time leading brand at Bonobos, where he helped pioneer the direct-to-consumer model, and how those experiences informed his approach to creating Aplós—a brand redefining the cocktail experience without compromise.They explore the growing non-alcoholic beverage market, the

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38:00

Founder Feature: Joseph Rotondo of Smearcase

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2024/12/20

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy sits down with Joseph Rotondo, founder & CEO of Smearcase, the innovative brand behind the world’s first frozen cottage cheese. Joseph recounts his journey from a post-workout craving to the creation of a protein-packed dessert that’s disrupting the traditional ice cream market.Joseph shares his insights into building a category-defining product, the strategic importance of branding, and the lessons learned while navigating the

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58:46

#174 - Buyer Spotlight: Heidi Traore and Jeanette...

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2024/12/18

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff chats with Heidi Traore, Supplier Relationship Development Manager, and Jeanette Bloss, Category Manager, from NCG (National Co+op Grocers). Together, they provide an in-depth look at NCG’s role as a powerful partner for natural channel brands and co-op grocery stores.Heidi breaks down what NCG is and how it functions as a secondary cooperative, helping hundreds of co-ops across the country thrive through centralized procurement,

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35:20

Founder Feature: Caroline Howard Walker Brothers

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2024/12/13

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy chats with Caroline Howard, one of the co-founders of Walker Brothers, a kombucha brand crafting both non-alcoholic and hard kombucha. Caroline shares the story behind Walker Brothers’ inception, including how a family scoby and a shared passion for beverages sparked the brand’s journey. She dives into the creative process behind their clean, modern branding, the challenges of scaling production, and the strategic decision to brew

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62:43

#173 - The Food Investors: Capital for Emerging CPGs

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2024/12/10

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by a distinguished panel of investors, including Greer Tessler (Founding Partner at Simple Food Ventures), Daniel Faierman (General Partner at Habitat Partners), Carolyn Simmons (Partner at Melitas Ventures), and Andrew Reynolds (Co-Founder & General Partner at RCV Frontline). Together, they provide an in-depth exploration of the current fundraising environment for CPG brands, discussing realistic valuations, funding

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34:06

Founder Feature: Katie Lefkowitz of Harken Sweets

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2024/12/06

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy speaks with Katie Lefkowitz, founder of Harken Sweets, about her journey from concept to creating a successful better-for-you candy brand. Katie shares how her personal health journey inspired the development of candy bars infused with superfoods like dates and oats, offering healthier alternatives to traditional sweets.Katie covers Harken’s rapid expansion from a local launch in New York City to distribution in over 4,000 stores

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37:44

#172 - Ops Talk: 5 Things Brands Get Wrong

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2024/12/03

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff sits down with Jamie Valenti-Jordan, CEO of Catapult Commercialization Services, to tackle the five biggest mistakes brands make in operations—and how to avoid them. Jamie shares why "planning for the unexpected" isn’t just a saying, it’s a survival tactic, and explains how treating your co-manufacturer like a real partner can save you from production headaches.They also dive into the messy world of ramping up new equipment, keeping

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44:54

Founder Feature: Lindsay Hancock of My Better Batch

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2024/11/29

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy chats with Lindsay Hancock, founder of My Better Batch, about her journey from a corporate career in CPG to launching her own brand of premium cookie mixes. Lindsay shares her experience creating a product that fills a gap in the baking aisle, offering a clean, homemade flavor with simple ingredients. She delves into the challenges and strategies of working with co-manufacturers, preparing for scale, and standing out in a competitive

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46:04

#171 - SupplySide West Recap with Doss

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2024/11/26

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff explores the world of SupplySide West with Wiley Jones, Founder and CEO of Doss, who sponsored 2 lucky brands to attend SupplySide West this year - Paul and Barbara Logan from Uncle’s Ice Cream; and Mark Collis, CEO of Scout Organic.At Doss they're building tools for teams that work in the Real World. Manage your operations from PO to POS all within one platform. DossARP is a lightweight ERP and Data Platform, whether you need a

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48:28

Founder Feature: Cason Crane of Explorer Cold Brew

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2024/11/22

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy sits down with Cason Crane, the founder of Explorer Cold Brew, to explore his journey from endurance athlete and consultant to the creator of a caffeine-conscious coffee brand. Cason shares his unique story, which includes summiting the highest peaks on every continent and competing on Race to Survive Alaska, and how these experiences shaped his perspective as a founder.They dive into the origin of Explorer Cold Brew, born out of

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59:26

#171 - Buyer Spotlight: Taylor Cathala, Senior...

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2024/11/19

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, host Daniel Scharff sits down with Taylor Cathala, Senior Spirits Category Merchant at Whole Foods Market, to explore the intricacies of getting a brand into Whole Foods’ coveted spirits section. Taylor shares his journey from graphic design to category management, where he now oversees an evolving landscape of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, including spirits, mocktails, and RTD cocktails. He dives into how Whole Foods makes its product

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36:56

Founder Feature: Woo Pailet of LOO

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2024/11/15

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy is joined by Woo Pailet, co-founder of LOO, a plant-based, eco-friendly wipes brand. Woo shares the inspiration behind LOO and the drive to create sustainable, beautifully designed wipes that appeal to both environmental and aesthetic concerns. She dives into the harmful impact of traditional plastic-based wipes and how LOO provides a better alternative with fully recyclable packaging and flushable wipes.Hear about the importance of

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60:19

#169 - "How to Take Advice" with Nikhil Arora

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2024/11/12

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, host Daniel Scharff engages with Nikhil Arora, co-founder of Back to the Roots, an innovative organic gardening company now selling $100M at retail. Nikhil shares the inspiring journey of how he and his co-founder, Alejandro Velez, transformed their initial idea of growing mushrooms from coffee grounds into a successful urban farming business.Nikhil opens up about the various kinds of advice he has received along his startup journey - the good,

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42:22

Founder Feature: Sahithya Wintrich of Chutni Punch

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2024/11/08

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Grace Kennedy chats with Sahithya Wintrich, the founder of Chutni Punch. Inspired by traditional South Indian chutni powders, Sahithya has turned her family's recipes into a unique line of seasonings that can be used in many types of dishes, not just Indian food.Sahithya shares her journey into the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, discussing the challenges she faced with product development, branding, and the importance of listening to

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70:43

#168 - CPG Founder Life - What to Expect: Paul Voge

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2024/11/05

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff sits down with Paul Voge, Co-Founder and CEO at Aura Bora, a craft sparkling water company that has experienced remarkable growth from just 2 stores in 2019 to an impressive 10,000 stores in 2024. Paul shares his entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the challenges and realities of running a consumer packaged goods (CPG) startup in a fiercely competitive beverage industry.They explore the intricacies of distribution, retailer

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41:00

Founder Feature: Daniela Suarez of iCalm

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2024/11/01

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy welcomes Daniela Suarez, co-founder of iCalm Health, a pioneering company focused on creating natural supplements for stress relief. They delve into the inspiring journey of icalm, from its early beginnings to the intricacies of product development and the challenges that come with building a brand in the health industry.Daniela shares the obstacles she faced, including a startling incident involving a scam related to a celebrity

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61:41

#167 - 5 Financial Factors That Make or Break...

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2024/10/29

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff interviews Paul Bianco, founder and CEO of Graphite Financial. They highlights the essential role finance plays in startup success, particularly within the e-commerce and CPG sectors. Paul emphasizes that finance should go beyond mere number-crunching, offering actionable insights that empower founders to make informed decisions. They discuss critical financial metrics such as margins, customer acquisition costs (CAC), and product

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38:14

Founder Feature: Charlie Gentry of TruJoy

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2024/10/25

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy interviews Charlie Gentry, the founder of TruJoy, a frozen Greek yogurt brand based in Austin, Texas. Charlie shares his inspiring journey as a solo founder, detailing his motivations for creating TruJoy and navigating the competitive food industry. He discusses the development process behind his yogurt, including the creation of innovative flavors that resonate with consumers and his commitment to quality through effective product

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60:11

#166 - CPG Trade Media: Elizabeth Crawford, Brooke...

The Startup CPG Podcast ·

2024/10/22

In this episode of the Startup CPG Podcast, Daniel Scharff interviews 3 of the leading CPG journalists. He’s joined by Elizabeth Crawford, Senior Editor at FoodNavigator-USA; Brooke Just, Associate Editor at Food Business News; and Adrianne DeLuca, Reporter at BevNET & Nosh. Together, they dive into why Trade Media is crucial for building brand credibility and discuss emerging trends like startup innovation and sustainability.The panelists share their coverage focus areas and discuss

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357 results

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