Advice Line with Brett Schulman of CAVA (July 2024)
Jan 2, 2025
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Brett Schulman, co-founder and CEO of CAVA, and Sean Murray, founder of Rootless Coffee Company, tackle the real struggles of early-stage entrepreneurs. They discuss scaling businesses while managing imposter syndrome and the challenges of seeking growth funding. Schulman shares essential strategies for navigating market complexities, while Murray offers insights on optimizing sales channels. Listeners gain valuable lessons on mentorship, creative problem-solving, and the emotional hurdles in building a brand, all from experts who’ve successfully tackled these challenges.
Brett Schulman emphasizes the necessity for entrepreneurs to understand consumer preferences, particularly the rising demand for healthier food options.
The episode addresses imposter syndrome, reminding founders like Devin that self-doubt is common but can be overcome through recognizing past experiences.
Strategic focus and the right investment decisions are crucial for growth, as discussed through Sean's exploration of funding options for his coffee brand.
Deep dives
Brett Schulman's Entrepreneurial Journey
Brett Schulman, co-founder of Kava, shares his initial experiences in scaling a restaurant brand from a single location to a thriving chain. His journey emphasizes the importance of understanding consumer preferences, particularly the shift towards healthier lifestyle choices that paved the way for fast-casual dining concepts. Schulman highlights that the brand's success was driven by the decision to focus on fresh, Mediterranean-inspired food that resonated with a broader audience. This focus enabled Kava to leverage its unique offerings and grow rapidly in a competitive market.
Advice on Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
The episode addresses the challenge of imposter syndrome faced by entrepreneurs, particularly through the call with Devin Strahan, founder of Devin's Spiked Root Beer. Strahan expresses feelings of self-doubt as he navigates the complexities of growing his brand after transitioning from a private chef to a beverage entrepreneur. Schulman and the hosts reassure him by emphasizing that many successful entrepreneurs experience similar feelings. They encourage Strahan to recognize his valuable past experiences and remind him that overcoming these doubts can ultimately empower him in his business journey.
Marketing Insights for Niche Brands
Sophia Bowden, founder of Little Me Allergy, discusses her mission-driven business specializing in allergy accessories for children. The conversation explores how Bowden's personal experience with her daughter's allergies inspired her to create colorful, advocacy-focused products. The hosts suggest expanding her marketing reach by leveraging partnerships with established allergy-friendly brands, emphasizing the importance of community building. They also highlight the potential benefits of participating in trade shows to gain visibility and access to consumer networks, enhancing her brand's presence in a competitive market.
Navigating Growth and Funding
Sean Murray, founder of Rootless Coffee Company, seeks guidance on when to pursue growth funding for his coffee brand. He shares how he transitioned from craft beer to coffee and has successfully built a customer base through online sales and wholesale partnerships. The hosts discuss the importance of understanding his strategic vision for the brand, particularly regarding the balance between different sales channels and growth. They advise focusing efforts on one area, such as wholesale distribution, to streamline operations and maximize potential investment opportunities, noting that capital-efficient growth is crucial.
Lessons from Scaling a Restaurant Business
Brett Schulman reflects on key lessons learned throughout his entrepreneurial journey with Kava, particularly in managing growth and navigating challenges. He emphasizes the significance of having the right people in the right roles as a primary factor in success. Schulman also discusses the necessity of prioritization, noting that focusing on fewer initiatives can help drive stronger results. His experiences underscore the importance of resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning as essential components for entrepreneurs facing the ups and downs of building a brand.
CAVA co-founder and CEO Brett Schulman joins Guy on the Advice Line, where they answer questions from three early-stage founders experiencing growing pains as they scale their companies.
Today we meet Devin, who’s navigating imposter syndrome as his spiked root beer gets picked up by stores across Texas. Then Sophia, a Los Angeles mom exploring new sales channels for the accessories she designed to support children’s allergy needs. And Sean, who’s weighing whether outside investment is the best way to grow his Michigan-based coffee roastery into a national brand.
If you’d like to be featured on a future Advice Line episode, leave us a one minute message that tells us about your business and a specific question you’d like answered. Send a voice memo to hibt@id.wondery.com or call 1-800-433-1298.
And be sure to listen to CAVA’s founding story as told by Brett and his co-founder Ted Xenohristos on the show in 2023.
This episode was produced by Carla Esteves with music by Ramtin Arablouei. It was edited by John Isabella. Our audio engineer was James Willetts.