Taste Radio

Organic snacks are commonplace these days, but that wasn't the case just a few years ago. Nicole Dawes is one of a handful of entrepreneurs who helped who helped usher in the current golden era for organic products, having launched Late July, a brand of organic tortilla chips and crackers, in 2003. During an interview included in this episode, Dawes explained that the company was born of necessity and a heritage of entrepreneurship: at the time, there were no organic crackers, one of Dawes' favorite foods and her father was the founder of Cape Cod Potato Chips, while her mother had once owned a natural food store. Over the past 15 years, Late July has grown to become a staple in the snack aisles of grocery stores across the U.S. and today pulls in over $100 million in annual revenue. Steady growth attracted the attention of snack giant Snyder's Lance, which had been an early investor in Late July and in 2014 acquired a majority stake in the brand. Snyder's Lance was acquired by The Campbell Soup Co. last year. Listen to our full conversation with Dawes, which chronicled her entrepreneurial journey from childhood to her decision to launch Late July Snacks to its eventual sale. She also explained why staying independent early on and maintaining voting control of her company saved it from potential downfall, discussed the keys to a good working relationship with your spouse and told a remarkable story about her first sales call. This episode is presented by Blue Pacific Flavors. Show notes: 3:40: Interview: Nicole Dawes, Founder, Late July Snacks -- Recorded at NOSH Live Winter 2018, Dawes joined us for an interview shortly after a presentation that she gave at the conference. She delves into her family's heritage of entrepreneurship, how she identified an opportunity for organic snacks, and how Late July became a national brand shortly after its first trade show. She also explained why "understanding your velocity is the entire game," discussed the risks of giving up too much equity and spoke about how she navigated her way through a personal tragedy and a problem that could have cost her control of Late July. Dawes also talked about working with her husband and how they delegate family and work responsibilities and the upcoming launch of Nixie, her new sparkling water brand. Brands in this episode: Cape Cod Potato Chips, Late July Snacks, Snyder's Lance, Chatham Village Croutons

In this episode of Taste Radio Insider, we continued our exploration into the evolving food and beverage market in the U.K. from the perspective of two London-based entrepreneurs: Jarr Kombucha co-founder Adam Vanni and Moju Drinks co-founder Rich Goldsmith. Each discussed how they are scaling their brands in the emerging categories of kombucha and cold-pressed juice in the U.K., and what they view as the biggest opportunities for their respective companies. Note that our interview with Vanni came prior to the announcement that beer giant Duvel Moortgat had acquired a 60 percent majority stake in Jarr Kombucha, a deal that he alluded to during the conversation. Also in this episode: the hosts discussed notable moments and presentations from day one of BevNET Live Winter 2018, held in Santa Monica on Dec. 3 and 4. Show notes: 1:41: You Can See The Pacific From Our Room: Recorded at the Taste Radio studio at BevNET Live Winter 2018, BevNET's Ray Latif, John Craven, Mike Schneider and Jeff Klineman riffed on day one of the conference. The conversation included discussion about the semifinal round of New Beverage Showdown 16, notable presentations by GT's Living Foods founder/CEO GT Dave and Fiji Water president Elizabeth Stephenson, a breakout session on CBD beverages, BevNET's Cannabis Forum and our Best of 2018 awards. A big thanks to the sponsor of the Taste Radio studio at BevNET Live, Blue Pacific Flavors, which makes authentic fruit and sweet flavors for global food and beverage brands. 13:45: Interview: Adam Vanni, Co-Founder, Jarr Kombucha -- On location in London, BevNET CEO John Craven sat down with Vanni, who discussed the launch of Jarr and its development and compared the market for kombucha in the U.S. and U.K. He also offered insight into the evolution of the kombucha category, why it's picking up traction in British bars and restaurants and the usage occasions for British consumers. Finally, Vanni addressed capacity constraints for Jarr and funding an expansion of its facility. 25:57: Interview: Rich Goldsmith, Co-Founder, Moju Drinks -- Goldsmith spoke about the founding story for Moju, which was launched in 2015, its product portfolio and brand positioning. He also discussed the evolution of the market for cold-pressed juice in U.K., how the country "cherry picks" and adopts emerging trends from the U.S., and continued challenges in communicating the meaning of cold-pressed. Goldsmith also spoke about British consumers' growing concerns about sugary drinks, differences in U.S. and U.K. palates, and what he views as the biggest opportunity for Moju. Brands in this episode: GT's Kombucha, Fiji Water, Jarr Kombucha, KeVita, Remedy Kombucha, Go Kombucha, Equinox Kombucha, Love Kombucha, J2O, Moju Drinks

As a co-founder of Method, Adam Lowry helped marry ultra-stylish packaging and environmentally friendly cleaning products to create one of the world's most iconic consumer brands. After selling the company in 2015, however, Lowry wasn't content to simply sail off into the sunset. In his next act, he's trying to revolutionize the way people think about dairy alternatives with Ripple Foods, a maker of pea-based protein beverages and foods. Ripple has gotten off to a fast start, having captured the attention of consumers, retailers, and investors -- the company has pulled in $110 million in capital since 2014 -- with an array of innovative and nutritious alt-dairy products such as milks, creamers and yogurts. In an interview included in this episode, Lowry explored the development of both Method and Ripple and how lessons from the former factored into the foundation for the latter. He also shared his perspective on how the funding environment for CPG brands has changed, why it was important to hire a CEO early into Method's life cycle, how the company attracted world-class designer Karim Rashid to its team, and how he manages work-life balance. Show notes: 3:12: Adam Lowry, Co-Founder, Ripple Foods/Method Products -- In a call with BevNET's Ray Latif, Lowry explained how passion for environment led to the creation of Method, how the brand's first meeting at Target didn't go so well (the buyer gave Method "a snowball's chance in hell") and how the company persevered through constant challenges. He also discussed Ripple's mission and its innovative technology, its potential interest in partnerships with large food companies, the brand's edgy marketing initiatives, and why he believes that "raising money is not an indicator of success." Brands in this episode: Ripple Foods, Method Products

Veteran CPG executive Arnold Ventura cut his teeth in food and beverage as the founder of bottled aguas frescas brand Coba. While ultimately unsuccessful, his experience as a beverage entrepreneur laid the foundation for his career, as he went on to take leadership roles at PepsiCo as part of its emerging brands unit and at Califia Farms, where he spearheaded the company's business development and e-commerce divisions. In July Ventura was tapped as the CEO of bean snack brand Beanfields and in an interview included in this episode, he explained how each stop along his career has refined his perspective on business and leadership style. "I think in many ways, it's getting more swings of the bat in different situations and ultimately resulting in confidence," he said. "I can sit here today, make decisions on the fly on a daily basis and it comes from a pattern recognition because [I've] looked at so many different things." The one constant, he noted, is his approach to sales and marketing, which he described as "old school." "Whether it's food or beverage, in our world, in the CPG world, it's a romance industry," he said. "And you win a consumer one bag at a time, one bottle at a time." Listen to our full interview with Ventura which includes his take on the evolution of e-commerce and why product attributes that were once considered "holy grail" are now "table stakes" for brands. He also discussed the importance of ingredient transparency and differentiation being in lockstep. Show notes: 1:48: Whoa, We're Halfway There -- Recording from the Taste Radio studio in the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, the hosts riffed on the recently wrapped Brewbound Live Winter 2018 conference and day one of NOSH Live Winter 2018, which included an expanded Sampling Experience and Expo. Next up… Cannabis Forum and BevNET Live Winter 2018. 8:04: Interview: Arnold Ventura, CEO, Beanfields -- A Stanford MBA and former beverage entrepreneur, Ventura led the business development and e-commerce divisions at Califia Farms prior to joining Beanfields and previously worked at PepsiCo as part of its emerging brands unit. In an interview with John Craven and Mike Schneider, Ventura explores the development of his professional life amid the rapidly evolving food and beverage industries and how lessons gleaned from each role have molded his perspective on business and his leadership style. Brands in this episode: Beanfields, Naked, Izze, Califia Farms, Coba

The first thing you'll notice about AriZona co-founder Don Vultaggio's office is that it's immense. We're talking the size of an average apartment and fashioned with old-school sensibilities; think lots of wood, marble and leather. The second thing you'll notice is the commercial kitchen to the left of the entrance, conveniently staffed by a private chef. The grandeur and amenities are to be expected for the office of a billionaire and one of the richest people in the world. After a few minutes of conversation with Vultaggio, however, it is easy to envision him being just as comfortable in his first office at a beer distribution company that serviced some of the grittiest neighborhoods of Brooklyn. He cut his teeth in that rough-and-tumble world, whose inhabitants are bonded by blood, sweat and tears. And in an interview included in this episode, he explained why AriZona's success and business principles are directly tied to his early career experiences. "Work hard and be consistent," he said. "And consistency is hard to do, because it means you've got to be disciplined in a direction. And you can't give up. Because there are things that [are] successful today that we had to dig deep for." In the following interview, Vultaggio, flanked by his two sons and AriZona co-owners Wesley and Spencer, retraced his steps from his early days as a beer distributor to the development and continuing rise of AriZona, including why he views the tea brand as "an accident." He also discussed how the company has maintained its iconic 99 centpricing model for 26 years, why he views AriZona as "one big incubator," the importance of over-delivering on promises, and why running a business means handling all kinds of problems, even if it means mopping up blood. Show notes: 3:07: Don Vultaggio, Co-Founder/Chairman, AriZona; Wesley & Spencer Vultaggio, Co-Owners, AriZona -- BevNET Managing Editor Ray Latif met with Don Vultaggio and his sons Wesley, AriZona's chief creative officer, and Spencer, its CMO, at AriZona HQ on Long Island for a wide-ranging interview that covered the past, present and future of the company. Among topics of conversation: how AriZona's focus on building efficiencies into its business model has separated it from the competition, why despite never adopting a traditional marketing strategy, the brand's "cultural relevance is stronger than ever," and the company's approach to investing in better-for-you beverages. Don also explained why AriZona "is built to sell drinks, not to sell the business" and how his relationship with golf legend and AriZona partner Jack Nicklaus taught him the value of over-delivering on promises. Brands in this episode: AriZona Beverages

Nik Ingersöll spends a lot of time thinking about ugly bananas. The co-founder and CMO of Barnana, a fast-growing producer of snack foods made from imperfect and misshapen bananas, Ingersöll is responsible for the brand's marketing and design strategy. To put it another way, his job is to get people excited about snacks that might not be the most visually appealing. And he's been lauded for his efforts; Barnana is known for its bold packaging and quirky promotions, which includes the Barnana Car, which, as you may have guessed, is a big banana on wheels. In an interview included in this episode, Ingersöll spoke about how Barnana has won over consumers with an unique style that's focused on grabbing a consumer's attention from the first moment they see the brand and its snacks. "[When] that consumer is going to see that product for the very first time, they're going to see the front of the package," he said. "And if you don't capture that, nothing else matters. Because they'll never pick it up, they'll never put it in the cart." As part of our conversation, Ingersöll also discussed how the company determines what to include on front of packaging, and explained his perspective that brands have to take risks to move the market. He also spoke about how he balances internal feedback about design from investors, board members and co-workers. Show notes: 1:27: New to Nootropics? We Got Ya. -- Please do us a solid and rate Taste Radio Insider on iTunes. And if you're a brand that markets a plant-based turkey, please send us a sample. In the meantime, listen to our conversation with BevNET reporter Brad Avery, who takes us beyond the headlines of two recent articles on nootropic drinks and CBD-infused beverages that he wrote for BevNET.com. 22:23: Interview: Nik Ingersöll, Co-Founder/CMO, Barnana -- Ingersoll, who was honored by Forbes as part of its 2016 "30 Under 30" list, was recently in the Boston area for an event celebrating this year's class. He graciously visited BevNET HQ for an interview with NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg and BevNET CMO Mike Schneider which explored the branding and design strategy for Barnana, which recently underwent a rebrand. He also discussed the thought process for packaging of different product lines, why being too romantic about your story could hamper a brand's growth and the importance for designers to intimately know a brand's sourcing story. Brands in this episode: LifeAid, Barnana

Upon its launch in 1998, few could have predicted the runaway success of alkaline water brand Essentia, including the company's founder and CEO Ken Uptain. After two decades on the market, Essentia has developed into a premier bottled water brand that is nearing $180 million in annual retail sales, numbers that have attracted rumors of a potentially colossal exit. Uptain admits that the brand's remarkable growth has surprised him, yet Uptain, a mild-mannered and reserved man who was semi-retired when he launched Essentia, is taking success in stride. In an interview included in this episode, he says that he continues to run the company the same way he has for years, leading via delegation, trust and instinct. "I make a point not to change," said Uptain. "Continuity is really critical for the team. If [my employees] look at me and I'm not happy or not in a good mood, it's a big deal. And so I'm always hearing that being very consistent is so important." Listen to our full conversation with Uptain, who discussed the genesis and development of Essentia, including the impact of a major brand revamp, and why timing has been so critical to its success. He also spoke about his leadership style and the company's culture, why all potential employees have to pass "Ken's Good Guy Test," and the one thing he'll never share with his team. This episode is presented by Blue Pacific Flavors. Show notes: 2:10: Interview: Ken Uptain, Founder/CEO, Esssentia — BevNET Managing Editor Ray Latif sat down with Uptain who discussed his journey from real estate developer to bottled water entrepreneur. Uptain explained why he incubated Essentia for years before pressing the gas on retail and distribution in 2012, and why the development of direct store distribution network has been critical to its success. Uptain also shared his perspective that a healthy culture provides the foundation for a successful company and why rewarding employees will always be part of his mantra. Brands in this episode: Essentia

Hugh Thomas and Joe Benn say the best insights and feedback about their brand come from an "Ugly Mob." It may sound unseemly, but the mob is actually a group of loyal consumers of Ugly Drinks, a flavored sparkling water brand co-founded by Thomas and Benn. Based in the U.K., Ugly made its U.S. debut earlier this year via a direct-to-consumer platform and at independent retailers in metro New York. Despite differences in the British and American beverage markets, Thomas and Benn use a similar playbook for acquiring consumer insights in both countries, one rooted in a constant digital presence and interaction with its fans and customers. "We always have known that this is a digital brand and we think digital first and our consumer does as well," Thomas said in an interview included in this episode. "In the U.K. we've developed a strong social media following with millennials and Gen Z consumers and we knew when we launched in the U.S. that was going to be something that occurred as well; that's how the brand has developed, that's how we speak, that's who we are ultimately as a team." Listen to our full interview with Thomas and Benn, who discussed growth planning for both the U.S. and U.K. markets and how feedback from the "Ugly Mob" has enabled to company to rapidly iterate and innovate Show notes: 1:33: FOMO? There's Really No Need For That -- The hosts discussed recent additions to the BevNET Live Winter 2018 agenda, the conference's list of registered attendees and why you should be wary of waiting to register for the event and the preceding NOSH Live show. They also riffed on Forbes' annual "30 Under 30" list which includes Taste Radio alums, the DeCicco brothers, founders of Kitu Life, and Eugene Kang, the co-founder of Country Archer. 11:16: Interview: Hugh Thomas & Joe Benn, Co-Founders, Ugly Drinks -- We first featured Thomas and Benn way back in episode 31 of the flagship Taste Radio podcast. That was two years ago, and since then Ugly has undergone a major brand revamp, significantly expanded its retail presence in the U.K., and entered the U.S. market. In an interview with John Craven recorded in London, Thomas and Benn discussed changes in the brand and the U.K. beverage market, how their perspective of Ugly as a "digital brand" has shaped their overall business strategy, and why they are constantly tweaking the brand and products. Brands in this episode: Fiji Water, REBBL, Dry Soda, Ugly Drinks

A five-time NBA champion and 18-time all-star, Kobe Bryant is unquestionably one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Following his retirement from the NBA, his prowess as an investor is proving to be as special as his court vision. Two years after playing his final NBA game, Bryant is now the fourth largest shareholder in fast-growing sports drink brand BodyArmor, having invested a reported $6 million in the company in 2014. Following the Coca-Cola Company's acquisition of a minority stake in BodyArmor earlier this year, the value of Bryant's stake ballooned to $200 million, according to ESPN reporter Darren Rovell. Yet despite its impressive growth, the brand hasn't yet reached the ultimate goal Bryant envisions for it: becoming the number one sports drink on the market. In an interview included in this episode, Bryant, who has an active role in BodyArmor's business and marketing strategy, explained how the same ambition that fueled his NBA career drives his passion for beverage. He noted that with co-founder Mike Repole leading the way, the insatiable desire to win permeates every aspect of the brand. "It's obsessive," he said. "And it trickles all the way down to the company. We all have that same mindset." Later in this episode, BodyArmor's vice president of marketing Michael Fedele discussed the company's relationship with its athlete partners and how it incorporates them into its advertising initiatives. He also spoke about the ways the company quantifies the value of these partnerships, and those with fast-growing sports and lifestyle platforms like the UFC and Spartan Race. Show notes: 3:17: Interview: Kobe Bryant, Investor, BodyArmor -- BevNET's Ray Latif sat down with Bryant at the 2018 National Association of Convenience Stores show for a brief interview that explores his work with the brand and how he's leveraged his experience in the NBA to support BodyArmor's development. 9:00: Interview: Michael Fedele, VP of Marketing, BodyArmor -- Fedele spoke with Latif by weblink about how BodyArmor evaluates and works with athlete endorsers, how relationships with professional athletes have evolved since he worked as a marketer with vitaminwater, and discussed how the company overcame a challenging period early in his career at BodyArmor. Brands in this episode: BodyArmor, Gatorade, Vitaminwater

How did a three-year-old brand with a retail footprint of less than 2,000 locations land $7 million in new capital? Wyatt Taubman, the founder and CEO of wellness shot maker Vive Organic, explained it in three words: "test and learn." In an interview included in this episode, Taubman offered a detailed look at the Vive's strategy for raising money since its debut in 2015. From friends and family, to seed funding to the recent completion of the aforementioned $7 million Series A round, Taubman noted that each new step in financing the company was accompanied with learnings about its consumers and the retail channels where Vive excelled. That information was key to winning over investors. "We dove really deep on our early velocity and early performance to identify what we felt was going to be the right focus for us to scale the business," Taubman said. "And we stayed local in Southern California for the first two years because we wanted to make sure that we figured everything out and solved all the issues that we were facing in a more focused manner. We didn't want to get ahead of ourselves." Listen to our full interview with Taubman, who also spoke about the importance of aligning timing and opportunity, the role of competition in the brand's development and how Vive has worked with its retail partners to drive velocity. Show notes: 1:32: A Quick and Dirty Start -- The hosts riffed on the recent news that functional beverage brand Dirty Lemon has discontinued its CBD variety, discussed the episode's featured interview and thanked a couple brand owners for their visits to BevNET HQ. 10:08: Interview: Wyatt Taubman, Founder/CEO, Vive Organic -- In a interview recorded at Vive Organic headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., BevNET's John Craven and Mike Schneider sat down with Taubman for a conversation that spans Vive's three years in business and includes details about the company's thoughtful approach to raising capital. Brands in this episode: Dirty Lemon, Vive Organic, H Factor, Pricklee