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

Dec 24, 2024

David Fudge, co-founder and CEO of Aplós, shares his journey in creating a premium non-alcoholic spirits brand. He dives into innovative branding and marketing strategies that challenge traditional alcohol norms, appealing especially to health-conscious consumers. Fudge emphasizes the importance of e-commerce success, leveraging influencer partnerships and AI tools. He provides valuable lessons from his prior roles, underscoring the need for authenticity and resilience in the fast-evolving beverage market. Tune in for insightful takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs!

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Revolutionizing Adult Beverages

02:04 • 8min

Crafting Luxury in Non-Alcoholic Spirits

09:56 • 9min

Navigating Non-Alcoholic Beverage Trends

18:33 • 21min

Building Authentic Relationships and Outreach Strategies for Startups

39:10 • 4min

Maximizing Influencer Engagement and Advertising Strategies

43:00 • 11min

Preparing for E-Commerce Success: Key Insights for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

53:36 • 3min

Wrapping Up and Community Engagement

56:24 • 2min

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 importance of thoughtful branding, and how Aplós balances innovation and tradition with the help of renowned mixologist Lynette Marrero. David provides actionable strategies for scaling an e-commerce business, including influencer partnerships, creative optimization, and leveraging AI tools to stay ahead in a competitive landscape.

David also reflects on lessons learned from both successes and missteps, offering actionable advice for aspiring founders looking to carve out a space in competitive markets. Whether you're interested in building a brand, excelling in e-commerce, or creating a product that stands the test of time, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.

Don’t miss this engaging conversation with one of the most thoughtful minds in CPG —tune in now!

Listen in as they share about:

The Vision and Product Development of Aplós
The Evolution of the Non-Alcoholic Beverage Market
Branding and Marketing Strategy
E-commerce Strategies
Notable Challenges and Low ROI learnings
Tools and Recommendations
Advice for Entrepreneurs

Episode Links:

Website: https://www.aplos.world/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwfudge/

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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Episode music by Super Fantastics