Taste Radio

Does pickleball need its own beverage brand? Why is Jennifer Lopez, who doesn't drink alcohol, getting into the booze business? Who is Blob Guy? The hosts discuss… Also in this episode: interviews with Elavi co-founders Michelle Razavi and Nikki Elliott, who explained how they launched a package revamp for less than $200, along with Goat Rodeo Capital co-founder Carlton Fowler, who shared his perspective as an active investor in emerging and growth-stage companies. Show notes: 0:37: JLo, What Are You Doing? A Dinky Concept. Lady Boba And Blob Guy. – Jacqui chatted about her preparation and plans for the upcoming Coachella festival before sharing new speaker announcements for BevNET Live Summer 2023. The hosts collectively wondered about the scaling potential of a brand that has a hyper-specific target consumer and why authenticity is a glaring issue with Jennifer Lopez' new RTD cocktail brand. Later, BevNET's director of community Melissa Traverse joined the episode and spoke about recent and upcoming episodes of Community Call, and the hosts riffed on several notable brands including a canned boba tea and a functional granola. 30:41: Interview: Michelle Razavi & Nikki Elliott, Co-Founders, Elavi – Michelle Razavi and Nikki Elliott are the co-founders of Elavi, which markets low-sugar and gut-friendly protein bars and cashew butters. Taste Radio editor Ray Latif sat down with Razavi and Elliott at Expo West 2023 where they shared a remarkable story about a recent package revamp that was executed in two weeks and at minimal cost. 44:49: Interview: Carlton Fowler, Managing Partner, Goat Rodeo Capital – Fowler spoke with Latif as part of a new series in which he will regularly discuss investment-related topics that are relevant and top-of-mind for food and beverage founders. In this first conversation, Fowler discussed his background as an operator and the impact of that experience in his investment strategy, how investors evaluate branding at each stage of a company's development and the emergence of creator-led brands. Brands in this episode: Yesly, Spindrift, Super Coffee, Dink, LifeAid, BodyArmor, Delola, Biena, Siete, Lady Boba, Sanzo, Golden Grahams, Lacroix, Diet Coke, Forij, Kiddiewinks, Tally Kids, Elavi, RxBar, Poppi, Liquid Death, Lemon Perfect, Prime, Feastables, Nectar

Chic is not typically a word associated with fish. But it is fitting for Fishwife. A modern, super-premium brand of tinned seafood, Fishwife is the brainchild of entrepreneurs Becca Millstein and Caroline Goldfarb. Launched in December 2020, the Los Angeles-based company markets ethically sourced canned tuna, salmon, trout and anchovies from fisheries and aquaculture farms in the United States and Europe. Known for its bright and quirky label designs, Fishwife built a thriving DTC business early on and gradually introduced distribution to select brick-and-mortar retailers across the U.S. Earlier this year, Whole Foods began selling Fishwife products at stores in its Southern Pacific region and will add them to its Northern California locations this summer. In this episode, Millstein spoke about the "light bulb" moment and planning process that led to the development of Fishwife, the impact of its striking label design on trial and word of mouth marketing, her perspective on scaling a niche concept and how she navigated and learned from a potentially devastating sourcing crisis. Show notes: 0:43: Interview: Becca Millstein, Co-Founder/CEO, Fishwife - Millstein met with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif at Expo West 2023 where the entrepreneur spoke about Fishwife's emergence as a "pandemic baby," parallels between her previous career in the music industry and that of consumer products and why it was important to identify the brand's target consumer early on. She also explained how Fishwife's branding and label designs generated significant interest among consumer and trade media and foundation for DTC success, the day that Millstein worried that her business was in peril and how she planned to avoid a similar one in the future and how she assesses partnerships with other consumer brands. Brands in this episode: Fishwife, Liquid Death, Fly By Jing, Magic Spoon, Three Wishes, Scout Canning, Patagonia Provisions, Chicken of the Sea, Aura Bora, Omsom, Van Leeuwen, Jeni's, Sprinkles Cupcakes

Taste Radio's hosts pondered the potential of innovative, yet imaginary, concepts; examined why discontinued brands and products – including a line of high-profile energy shots – failed to make it; and riffed upon a bevy of new snacks and drinks. This episode also features an interview with Alexandra Dempster and Isabelle Steichen, the co-founders of Lupii, an innovative platform brand that markets lupini bean-based foods. Launched in 2020, Lupii debuted with a line of plant-based protein bars highlighted by its hero ingredient, which the brand promotes as "a high-fiber legume that has 2x more protein than chickpeas and 3x more protein than eggs." In August 2022, Lupii expanded with a three-SKU line of high-protein and high fiber pastas that contain significantly less carbs than those made with traditional ingredients. The brand is represented in hundreds of chain and independent retailers, primarily in the Northeast, Midwest and Pacific Northwest, including Whole Foods, Safeway and Jewel-Osco. Dempster and Steichen spoke about Lupii's origins and their alignment as co-founders, how they shifted from "survival mode" amid the early months of the pandemic to a focus on thoughtful growth at retail, how they were able to attract interest and funding from angel investors and their vision and plan to develop a platform brand. Show notes: 0:37: How To Meet Top Whole Foods Executives, Scotch Spray, The Fiddy/Craven Connection – Less than a week from BevNET's Meetup at the company's Newton, MA HQ, the hosts highlighted recently announced speakers for BevNET Live Summer 2023 and wondered if some products conceptualized as April Fool's jokes should be commercialized. Ray stirred the pot with his bag of discontinued brands, including those of a cap-activated chia beverage, a blue recovery drink and 50 Cent's energy shot, along with a brain-boosting product with a rather controversial name, before chatting about a highly anticipated collaboration between two massive companies, super-premium chorizo and better-for-you refreshment drinks. 31:51: Interview: Alexandra Dempster & Isabelle Steichen, Co-Founders, Lupii – Taste Radio editor Ray Latif met with Lupii's co-founders at Expo West 2023, where Steichen spoke about how a diverse population in her native country of Luxembourg exposed her to Lupini beans and their nutritional value as compared to other sources of plant and animal-based protein, why she sought to find a co-founder to launch to the brand and how she and Alexandra formed a bond and common vision for the company. They also discussed how they applied consumer insights from early DTC sales to a brick and mortar retail strategy, identifying Lupii's core consumer, how they articulate the brand's "trifecta of benefits," iterating amid growth, achieving a "sweet spot" within the pasta category and their perspective on venture funding for women-owned and -led brands. Brands in this episode: Laphroaig, Fly By Jing, Paqui, Sanzo, Ithaca Hummus, Hendrick's Gin, Moju, Neuro Drinks, 5-hour Energy, Coca-Cola, Jack Daniel's, Simply, Fanta, Lentiful, Funky Mello, Skippy, Justin's, Teddie, Tip Top Cocktails, Togronis, Crafthouse Cocktails, Three Sisters Meats, Paro, Update Energy, Phocus, Petal, Bossa Nova, Spindrift, Lemonback, Lupii, Oatly, Banza

Founded by professional athletes, OWYN is rooted in the concept that vegan and allergen-free ingredients are "only what you need" from protein and sports nutrition beverages. But what do challenger businesses need to disrupt legacy categories and outperform the brands in those spaces? According to OWYN CEO Mark Olivieri, great taste and great data. Launched in 2017, OWYN markets a core five-SKU line of RTD protein shakes made with 20 grams of plant-based protein, a "Pro Elite" line made with 35 grams of protein, and zero-sugar meal replacement beverages and protein powders. OWYN debuted as a DTC brand and has since adopted an omnichannel sales strategy emphasizing brick and mortar retail. The shift in focus has paid dividends. OWYN is carried by Kroger, Publix, Target, Walmart and Whole Foods and is outselling protein stalwarts, including Muscle Milk, according to SPINS data. The company is projecting $85 million in 2023 revenue and is on track to generate $350 million by 2025. In this episode, Olivieri, who has risen in OWYN's ranks from SVP of marketing to president and eventually its CEO, discussed the important role that data has played in the brand's growth and trajectory, how the company sources and implements a variety of information and insights into its business strategy, what he attributes to success at driving repeat purchase and how he identifies and evaluates the brand's primary competitors. Show notes: 0:46: Interview: Mark Olivieri, CEO, OWYN – Olivieri sat down with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif at Expo West 2023, where the OWYN CEO explained his belief that "the next billion dollar nutrition beverage brand has been found," why much of the brand's growth in recent years has taken place under the radar and lessons and from working with large retailers and DSD distributors. He also discussed the company's data strategy and its investment in store level, category and consumer insights and how OWYN attempts to learn from and replicate successful sales, merchandising and marketing initiatives. Brands in this episode: OWYN, Orgain, Vega, Vital Proteins

This week, the hosts discussed the relevance and sustainability of consumer trends and how to identify fads versus lasting concepts, extolled the virtues of Taste Radio VIP and highlighted two upcoming and can't miss industry events. This episode also features an interview with Honest Tea/Eat The Change co-founder Seth Goldman, who discussed lessons learned from 25 years as an entrepreneur. Show notes: 0:39: BYOS. Gender Reveal CPG. A "Skinny" Session. Swoops And Samples. – The hosts thanked listeners who have signed up as Taste Radio VIPs, encouraged Boston area entrepreneurs and industry professionals to meet up at BevNET HQ and spotlighted speakers that will be on stage at BevNET Live Summer 2023. Ray shared an idea for a gender reveal consumer brand (one met with skepticism), before the group evaluated popular fads and sustainable trends and chatted about Jacqui's timely tee and new products from tinned seafood and tamales to canned water and Calexo. 36:32: Interview: Seth Goldman, Co-Founder, Honest Tea and Eat The Change – In an interview recorded at Eat The Change's bustling booth at Expo West 2023, Goldman reflected upon his 25 years as an entrepreneur and lessons learned about the modern beverage industry, developing an effective trial strategy, consumer perception of plant-based foods and developing strong relationships with retail buyers. Brands in this episode: C4, Milo's Vita Coco, Prime, Skinnygirl, Spindrift, Monster, Drink Weird, Liquid Death, Top Of The Mornin', Eat Good Tamales, Calexo, Ekone, Hotpot Queen, Honest Tea, Beyond Meat, Eat The Change, PathWater, Krispy Kreme, Coca-Cola

Padma Lakshmi, the host of Emmy-winning TV reality competition "Top Chef" and creator of the critically acclaimed Hulu series "Taste the Nation," is one of the most recognizable and respected figures in food media. Although she wields considerable influence, Lakshmi rarely endorses products and seldom partners with consumer brands. An exception is her investment in Dah!, which markets a line of traditional Indian yogurt smoothies known as lassi. Lakshmi joined the company as a board advisor and brand partner in 2021 and has played a key role in Dah!'s marketing and education strategy. She is often featured in the brand's social media accounts, highlighting lassi's versatility, flavor and nutritional benefits. Her role as an ambassador and face of Dah! was on full display at Expo West 2023, where we spoke with Lakshmi about her approach to building interest and awareness for lassi, how the beverage aligns with her advocacy for ethnic cuisine and her criteria for investing in consumer brands. This episode also features an interview with Sandro Roco, the founder and CEO of fast-growing Asian-inspired sparkling water brand Sanzo, one that continues upon a new series for Taste Radio in which entrepreneurs share lessons learned along their respective journeys. Show notes: 0:55: Interview: Padma Lakshmi, Investor, Dah! – Lakshmi spoke with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif about her first Expo West experience before discussing her involvement with Dah!, why she doesn't make a distinction between delicious and better-for-you and how and when she typically consumes lassi. She also explained why she doesn't feel like she "promotes" the brand, how she supports retail efforts, what she describes as "most exciting aspect of the food business" and why she is generally skeptical about celebrity endorsements of consumer products. 15:54: Interview: Sandro Roco, Founder & CEO, Sanzo – One year after our first interview with Roco, we followed up with Sanzo's founder for a discussion about what he's learned regarding leadership, forecasting demand, raising growth capital, testing new products and working with mass retailers like Target. Brands in this episode: Dah!, Sanzo

A bursting-at-the-seams episode of Taste Radio includes the hosts' arguments for and against online grocery shopping, a brief report on a permanent pop-up, a candy brand's unrecognizable revamp and why they're bullish on banana flavor, but not blue colored beverages. The team also shared their take on seed-centric sweets, cascara's communication breakdown and their enthusiasm for ethnic drinks and snacks. Show notes: 0:39: "Game Of Chicken In Aisle 1." It's Called A Meetup, Ray. Just Add Raisins… And Boba. – BevNET's director of community Melissa Traverse explained her love for a regional grocery chain before Ray and John extolled the virtues of online food shopping and encouraged local food and beverage professionals to meet up for an upcoming event at BevNET HQ. The hosts also discussed a retailer's revealing admission, a brand new look for purpose-driven candy brand, a beloved soda flavor returning to the shelf, their collective bewilderment that "blue raspberry" is a thing, chocolate bark and "Seinfeld" references and Mike's praise for a Vietnamese coffee entrepreneur and a modern Pakistani brand. Brands in this episode: Little Sesame, BodyArmor, Joyride Candy, Better Sour, Fruit By The Foot, Olipop, Red Bull, Powerade, Electrolit, Remedy Organics, GT's Living Foods, Seedly, Chunky Bar, Up to Good, Wize Tea, Bai, Nam Coffee, Twirl Milk Tea, Original Sin Cider, Babo's Kitchen

In 2012, Pete Maldonado and Rashid Ali each invested $3,250 to launch better-for-you meat stick brand Chomps, money they used for the brand's first production run. After bootstrapping the company for a decade, Pete and Rashid brought in a strategic partner, one that made a slightly larger investment: $80 million in equity capital at a valuation north of $200 million. Chomps, the fastest growing natural meat snack brand in both the natural and conventional retail channels, markets meat sticks made from 100% grass-fed and finished beef and venison, and free-range turkey that contain no hormones, antibiotics and or added sugar. The products are Whole30 Approved, Certified Gluten-Free and Non-GMO Project Verified and carried by several national grocery chains including Trader Joe's, Walmart and Whole Foods. Chomps' growth has been remarkable, and yet very intentional. While not everything has gone according to plan, Maldonado and Ali's consistent emphasis on strong unit economics and profitability, along with their ambition to thoughtfully and patiently develop a billion-dollar brand, have positioned Chomps to become a major player in healthy snacking. In this episode, the entrepreneurs discussed their deliberate path and planning to build Chomps and how the pandemic impacted their decision to bring in an institutional investor, despite their long reluctance to do so. Show notes: 0:45: Pete Maldonado and Rashid Ali, Co-Founders, Chomps – Maldonado and Ali spoke with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif at Expo West 2023 where they revisited Maldonado's 2018 interview for the podcast and how Chomps has evolved since, how the Covid-19 pandemic precipitated a dramatic decline in sales that nearly bankrupted the company, and why they've declined offers to make an exit. They also discussed how hiring the right people has given the company a leg up in forecasting supply and demand, how data informs their innovation strategy and how they are passing on learnings from building Chomps to their children. Brands in this episode: Chomps

Back home and in the studio, the hosts shared additional highlights — and unexpected sights – from Expo West 2023, including introductions to several innovative and early-stage brands. Also, Ray Latif offered his take on the 2023 Seafood Expo North America and sat down with Mason Dixie Foods founder and CEO Ayeshah Abuelhiga for the first in a new series of interviews focused on lessons acquired by entrepreneurs at various stages of their respective journeys. Show notes: 0:39: Listen Up, VIPs. Anaheim's Best Parking Lot. Dr. Squatch vs. Mr. Mike. – The crew encouraged listeners to become Taste Radio VIPs and discussed the benefits that come with it, before chatting about Expo West sheen and bubble guts, Ray's luxurious workspace (not really) and his apology to exhibitors. They also spoke about meaningful and touching interactions with Expo attendees, meeting new brands and founders at Startup CPG's Alley Rally meetup, a superb wine-alternative brand and why Mike might not be welcome at a certain booth in a year's time. Later, they also sampled reformulated versions of "big name" candy bars and discussed findings from a fish-laden trade event. 36:32: Interview: Ayeshah Abuelhiga, Founder/CEO, Mason Dixie Foods – We last spoke with Abuelhiga in March, 2021 following the company's $6.3 million Series A funding round, which preceded the launch of its popular biscuit breakfast sandwiches. In the time since, Mason Dixie has experienced remarkable growth, with revenue up 300% over the past year, according to the company. It also launched a national partnership with Marriott Select Brand Hotels, where its grab-and- go breakfast items are stocked in over 3,500 of the chain's locations. This past week the company also introduced three new product lines at Expo West 2023: Liege Waffle Sandwiches, Liege Waffles and Ready-to-Heat Biscuits. In this interview, Abuelhiga discussed lessons learned from her nearly nine years as an entrepreneur, including those about raising capital, customer service, and sexism and bias in the food industry, among other topics. Brands in this episode: Fishwife, Empress Hot Sauce, Resist Nutrition, Sunwink, Tahoe Artesian Water, Katrina Brewing, Kula Ice Cream, Funky Mello, Pocket's Chocolate, Points, Wise Bar, Proxies, Acid League, Bokksu, Mason Dixie Foods, Trip, Taika, Centr, Agua Bonita, Gigantic Candy, Wixter Seafood, Thunder's Catch, Barnacle Foods, Wild Legend

Straightforward advice can be hard to come by. Unless you're getting it from Melissa Facchina. An operations expert with over 25 years of experience in food and beverage manufacturing and services, Melissa co-founded growth equity firm Siddhi Capital in 2020. Initially focused on seed and venture capital funding for early-stage brands, Siddhi has since turned its attention to investments in high-growth companies, including Mid-Day Squares, Aura Bora, Magic Spoon and immi. As Siddhi pursues its mission of "changing the landscape of food and beverage for the better," Facchina has emerged as a trusted and reliable voice within the industry, advising founders on how to build sustainable and successful businesses. Facchina's voice will become a regular fixture on Taste Radio as the investor joins the podcast for a regular series, which will feature her take on current topics and common questions related to investment in packaged food and beverage companies. This episode is the first (and extended) edition of the series, in which Facchina spoke about her background, career and the focus of Siddhi Capital, the pervasiveness of "bad information" circulating on Linkedin and why she believes that the vast amount of capital invested in food and beverage brands over the past decade has been to the detriment of the industry. She also discussed how entrepreneurs are faced with a shift in how investors perceive profitability and top-line revenue and her recommendations on how founders can navigate a potential recession. Show notes: 0:50: Melissa Facchina, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Siddhi Capital – Facchina spoke with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif about the vision for "The Siddhi Sage," how her family's business helped get her acclimated with various aspects of the food and beverage industry, why she believes a great operations strategy is the key to making healthy food more accessible and how her consulting firm Siddhi Ops created a foundation for Siddhi Capital. She also explained why venture capital has been flowing into the food and beverage industry and her perspective that the lack of attrition among upstart brands has cluttered the space and made it more challenging for founders to meet the expectations of investors. Later, she discussed why Linkedin has become inundated with unrealistic depictions of emerging brands, general confusion about how an investment firm's funds are raised and deployed and how she defines "a rockstar, unbelievable company," Brands in this episode: Mid-Day Squares, Aura Bora, Magic Spoon, immi