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 look at building a CPG brand from the ground up. Discover how her data-driven approach, innovative packaging, and strategic focus on diverse channels like grocery, hospitality, and even Delta Air Lines snack boxes have contributed to the brand’s success.

If you’re curious about the intricacies of product design, scaling into retail, and creating a snack that stands out in a crowded market, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

Listen in as they share about:

Introduction to Freestyle Snacks
Challenges in Early Development
Product Development
Go-to-Market Strategy
Unique Brand Positioning
Expansion and Key Channels
Trends and Market Fit

Episode Links:

Website: https://www.freestylesnacking.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-seaman/

Don't forget to leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify if you enjoyed this episode. For potential sponsorship opportunities or to join the Startup CPG community, visit http://www.startupcpg.com.

Show Links:

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Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.com
Episode music by Super Fantastics

Founder Feature: Nikki Seaman of Freestyle Snacks