DTC POD: How The Best Brands Are Built

Tono Mandly stopped by DTC Pod's Miami studio to discuss the current consumer landscape in Latin America and how Riogrande is filling a gap in the consumer market, the startup scene in LatAm, the challenges of building DTC Brands in Latin America, and the incredible potential for this $100 billion e-commerce market.3:47 - 10:22 Tono's background10:36 - 14:22 Ecommerce landscape in LatAm14:28 - 16:47 Challenges in LatAm Ecommerce17:03 - 21:18 What is Riogrande21:21 - 23:46 Consumer landscape in LatAm26:22 - 29:12 Operating in different countries 30:07 - 33:59 Startup scene in LatAm34:17 - 36:12 Fixing the lack of trust between consumers and businesses38:12 - 40:10 Opportunity in LatAm40:12 - 41:53 VCs in LatAM 41:55 - 43:07 Who should join YC This episode is brought to you by OpenStore:Visit https://open.store to get a free, no-obligation offer for your e-commerce business from OpenStore in 24 hours. Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further? Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Follow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTokTono Mandly- CEO of RiograndeRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - COO of OmniPanel

Zach Abbott maker of the world's 1st genetically engineered probiotics. Purpose-built to help our bodies handle the diets and environments of modern life joins Ramon & Blaine to discuss the science behind ZBiotics, the challenges of educating consumers on a genetically engineered probiotic, and how to lean it to being genetically engineered registered with customers. 2:02 - 8:24 Idea for ZBiotics14:57 - 20:09 The science of a hangover23:37 - 27:19 Genetically engineerings is easier than you think28:11 - 33:30 Making sure ZBiotics works35:24 - 39:19 How do you sell a genetically engineered prebiotic40:36 - 45:18 Leaning into being GMO 46:24 - 47:26 Working with a marketing and branding agency 47:57 - 49:55 Getting customer feedback49:48 - 51:14 Figuring out manufacturing52:17 - 53:48 Growing since 2021 54:12 - 56:09 The future of ZBiotics57:37 - 58:35  Where to find ZBiotics and Zach This episode is brought to you by OpenStore:Visit https://open.store to get a free, no-obligation offer for your e-commerce business from OpenStore in 24 hours. Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further? Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Follow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Zach Abbott - CEO of ZBioticsRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - COO of OmniPanel

While Aspen is still in its early days, we’re excited to have Keta Burke-Williams on the pod to discuss the logistics of building a fragrance company. In this episode of DTC pod, you’ll hear Blaine & Ramon talk with Keta about creating a scent, finding a manufacturer,  finding her voice when pitching to VCs, optimizing for online and offline sales, being smart with your resources, and tapping into your network. 8:20 - 9:20 The inspiration behind Aspen15:43 - 16:06 Consumer trust is fragile 32:34 - 33:24 Why being cheap is smart19:06 - 19:43 How to sell a scent online26:03 - 26:47 Combatting imposter syndrome 40:10 - 40:49 Don’t underestimate your network! This episode is brought to you by OpenStore:Visit https://open.store to get a free, no-obligation offer for your e-commerce business from OpenStore in 24 hours. Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further? Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Follow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Keta Burke-Williams - Founder of Aspen ApothecaryRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - COO of OmniPanel

We’re thrilled to have Kristin Toth join Blaine & Ramon on DTC Pod where she walks us through her career trajectory and how she narrowed in on supply chain & ops, being an advisor to multiple startups, why building a circular furniture company is challenging, how Fernish strategically launched in two cities to test product-market, and how Fernish has evolved over time. 1:51 - 5:49 What is Fernish?6:22 - 8:38 The story behind Fernish12:04 - 18:07 Kristin’s career trajectory18:39 - 22:15 Working at Amazon24:07 - 26:53 The role of an advisor26:54 - 31:00 Working at Fernish32:31 - 37:59 The early days of Fernish40:05 - 43:00 Data & Logistics50:48 - 52:48 What Fernish is focusing on now This episode is brought to you by OpenStore:Visit https://open.store to get a free, no-obligation offer for your e-commerce business from OpenStore in 24 hours. Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further? Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Follow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Kristin Toth - President & COO of  FernishRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - COO of OmniPanel

Paul Voge speaks with Blaine & Ramon about how creating DIY flavors with his soda stream led to a full-fledge sparkling water business.Paul discusses the challenges of building a CPG brand, being on Sharktank during the height of COVID, Aura Bora’s path into retail stores, why he prefers retail over DTC orders, and more.4:17- 6:06 Starting a CPG brand9:08 - 15:34 Co-packers and distributor15:50 - 17:04 Family & friend investors17:12 - 23:04 Filming Sharktank in COVID24:57 - 29:26 Creating new flavors29:48 - 35:29 Retail over DTC35:37 - 38:29 Watchout for chargebacks43:55 - 49:19 Retail stores that carry Aura Bora This episode is brought to you by OpenStore:Visit https://open.store to get a free, no-obligation offer for your e-commerce business from OpenStore in 24 hours. Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further? Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Follow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Paul Voge - Co-Founder of Aura BoraRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - COO of OmniPanel

Stix makes women’s at-home health essentials like fertility, pregnancy, UTI, and yeast infection products. In today’s episode, Stix cofounder Cynthia Plotch chats with Ramon & Blaine about building Stix, finding investors, talking to customers about difficult subjects, and how her prior experience at Harmless Harvest gave her the confidence to create Stix. 1:10 - 5:52 Story behind Stix8:08 - 8:45 Medical Advisory Board13:19 - 16:56 Raising VC money17:59 - 20:31 Prior startup experience22:37 - 28:57 Understanding the customer29:25 - 38:33 Customer service & conversations39:35 - 43:24 Product & Regulatory Environment45:29 - 46:13 Distribution This episode is brought to you by OpenStore:Visit https://open.store to get a free, no-obligation offer for your e-commerce business from OpenStore in 24 hours. Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further? Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Follow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Cynthia Plotch - Co-Founder of StixRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - COO of OmniPanel

Emily Elyse Miller talks to Blaine & Ramon about building OffLimits and how her creative background has informed the brand. OffLimits is also one of the early adopters of Web3, and Emily dives into how they’re currently using NFTs, what excites her about Web3, challenges with Web3, and what other brands need to consider before jumping into this. 3:16 - 7:42 Emily’s Breakfast Club Series8:06 - 10:46 Writing a Cookbook12:48 - 14:25 Idea for OffLimits15:33 - 17:35 Getting into Web321:06 - 21:52 Finding Your Day 1 Brand Champions22:35 - 25:37 OffLimits Web3 Strategy26:14 - 29:45 Tools Supporting Web330:17 - 33:58 Brands Considering Web338:53 - 41:09 OffLimit’s Cereal Toys42:21 - 44:30 Supply Chain Issues45:38 - 48:17 OffLimits Latest Web3 Project This episode is brought to you by OpenStore:Visit https://open.store to get a free, no-obligation offer for your e-commerce business from OpenStore in 24 hours. Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further? Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Follow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Emily Elyse Miller - Founder of Offlimits Ramon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - COO of OmniPanel

Geoffrey Woo joins Blaine & Ramon on DTC POD to discuss why he started Anti Fund with Jake Paul, what they look for in founders when investing, and where he sees opportunity in Web 3. Geoff also dives into why Anti Fund is not your traditional VC, managing founders’ expectations when a celebrity investor is involved, and why they prefer investing in infrastructure over pure consumer startups. 1:13 - 8:18 What is Anti Fund8:59 - 14:29 Where they’re investing15:23 - 17:38 Anti Fund’s deals18:35 - 23:27 Being in Miami This episode is brought to you by OpenStore:Visit https://open.store to get a free, no-obligation offer for your e-commerce business from OpenStore in 24 hours. Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further? Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Follow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Geoffrey Woo - Co-Founder of Anti Fund, Archive, & HVMNRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - COO of OmniPanel

On this episode of DTC Pod, Sam Madani chats with Ramon Berrios & Blaine Bolus to discuss how he built Bomani and the ups-and-downs of the entrepreneurial journey. The road to success for Bomani wasn’t easy. They faced a ton of rejection from local brewers, but they persevered and decided to pitch their concept to the biggest brewer in the country, and it worked! But that was just the first step. Sam discusses getting Bomani into customers’ hands, the process of selling to restaurants and bartenders, building brand awareness through the Cold Buzz Crew, adapting during COVID, and expanding Bomani’s retail presence.0:19 - 3:08 What’s Bomani3:51 - 5:41 Launching Bomani6:21 - 10:28 30 questions you should be asking11:32 - 15:58 Partnering with the biggest brewer in the US18:43 - 20:25 Bomani’s first investor20:26 - 22:00 Adapting to COVID22:39 - 23:44 Expanding beyond friends & family24:43 - 29:27 The cold buzz crew29:43 - 36:32 Building partnerships with bartenders and restaurants38:38 - 41:57 Getting into Whole Foods This episode is brought to you by OpenStore:Visit https://open.store to get a free, no-obligation offer for your e-commerce business from OpenStore in 24 hours. Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further? Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Follow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Sam Madani - Co-Founder & CEO of BomaniRamon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - COO of OmniPanel

Tabs Chocolate is a sexually enhancing dark chocolate founded by two University of Michigan undergrads Jake and Oliver. Blaine and Ramon are excited to have Jake Lewin and Oliver Brocato on DTC Pod to discuss how they designed  specifically for TikTok, negotiating and working with influencers, creating viral videos, and making 90K in revenue in just 3.5 weeks after launch. 2:05 - 8:24 Entrepreneur Background17:58 - 19:27  Getting Started with Tabs24:05 - 27:33 Finding the Right Channel28:44  - 31:29 Working with Influencers32:55 - 37:22 Content / Social  Strategy38:43 - 42:49 Designing for TikTok51:01 - 51:42  Bootstrapped This episode is brought to you by OpenStore:Visit https://open.store to get a free, no-obligation offer for your e-commerce business from OpenStore in 24 hours. Have any questions about the show or topics you'd like us to explore further? Shoot us a DM; we'd love to hear from you.Follow us for content, clips, giveaways, & updates!DTCPod InstagramDTCPod TwitterDTCPod TikTok Jake Lewin & Oliver Brocato- Founders of Tabs Chocolate Ramon Berrios - CEO of Trend.ioBlaine Bolus - COO of OmniPanel