The Startup CPG Podcast

Breanna and Jared Golestani, co-founders of Kokada, share their journey from a pandemic kitchen experiment to launching a coconut-based snacks brand. Breanna's background as a Jamaican national volleyball player inspires their low-sugar treats. They discuss scaling challenges, including supply chain management, and the importance of strategic partnerships. The couple reveals insights on navigating startup financing and launching their new product, Kokada Dunks, a healthier twist on nostalgic snacks. Their journey showcases love, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit.

Discover the exciting world of the Shelfie Awards! This season highlights the importance of storytelling and innovation for emerging consumer packaged goods brands. Learn about the thorough judging process and the new Sustainability Shelfies Award. Hear success stories from past winners who secured retailer deals and media coverage, showcasing the positive impact of recognition. Plus, dive into the art of packaging and how it influences a brand's success in competitive markets. Get ready for an inspiring celebration of creativity and community!

Join Matt Levine, founder of Chlorophyll Water, Clara Paye from Unite Foods, and Pierre Jamet of Fishwife, as they share their experiences from Expo West. They dive into preparation tactics to maximize trade show success, from booth design to effective pitching strategies. Learn how to engage with potential buyers, keep samples fresh, and network like a pro using platforms like LinkedIn. Hear their amusing anecdotes about handling challenges and critiques, and discover the importance of authenticity in building long-lasting business relationships.

Ehime Eigbe-Akindele, the innovative founder of Sweet Kiwi, transformed her finance career into a thriving frozen Greek yogurt brand. She discusses her inspiring leap into entrepreneurship and how she turned a homemade recipe into a hit product found in major retailers like Whole Foods. Ehime delves into the challenges of scaling, the importance of branding based on consumer feedback, and building genuine relationships with retailers. Plus, she reveals exciting collaborations, including a Smurfs-inspired launch, all while promoting healthier lifestyles!

In this enlightening discussion, Aaron Alpeter, founder of Izba, shares his expertise on navigating the complexities of tariffs in the CPG sector. He delves into the implications of recent tariff changes affecting trade with Canada, Mexico, and China. Aaron breaks down how these tariffs can disrupt supply chains and influence pricing strategies. He also offers practical advice on tariff engineering and alternative sourcing to help businesses adapt. Tune in for crucial insights that could shape the future of your brand.

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff is joined by John Lane, Category Manager for Snacks & Commercial Bread at Raley's, a division of The Raley's Companies (formerly Pantry buyer), to explore the evolving grocery landscape and the secrets behind Raley's success as a trusted grocery store chain for nearly 90 years. John shares his journey from bagging groceries to leading category management, insights into Raley's health-focused initiatives, and strategies for balancing legacy brands with emerging market entrants.Discover actionable advice for startups on standing out in the crowded grocery market, the importance of passion and planning in brand pitches, and how Raley's is shaping the future of healthy snacking.Don’t miss this insightful conversation—tune in now and follow the Startup CPG podcast for more episodes like this!Listen in as they share about:Overview of Raley’sHealth and Wellness InitiativesIndustry Trends and Snack InnovationsBalancing Legacy and Emerging BrandsSupporting Brands at Raley'sSuccess Stories in Product LaunchesNetworking and Trade ShowsEpisode Links:Website: https://www.raleys.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnlane-raleys/ 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:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics

In this episode of The Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy sits down with Brian Bethke, founder of BEAR Maple Farms and winner of the 2024 Shelfie Award in the drink category. Brian shares his inspiring journey from building amplifiers for rock legends like Pearl Jam and Lenny Kravitz to creating a one-of-a-kind functional beverage featuring ginseng and maple water.Discover how BEAR Maple Farms combines the natural sweetness of maple water with the adaptogenic power of sustainably grown ginseng to deliver a refreshing, caffeine-free energy boost. Brian opens up about the challenges and triumphs of launching a CPG brand, the pivotal moments that shaped his entrepreneurial journey, and how critical feedback led to a transformative rebrand.Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply a fan of innovative beverages, this episode is packed with insights on building a team, navigating the CPG industry, and creating a product that’s good for the mind, body, and planet.Tune in to hear Brian’s story and learn how BEAR Maple is expanding nationally in 2025!Listen in as they share about:BEAR Maple Farms Origin StoryProduct DevelopmentBranding and MarketingSales and Distribution StrategyMentorship and NetworkingCommunity and SupportAdvice to EntrepreneursPlans for 2025Episode Links:Website: https://drinkbearmaple.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-bethke/ 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:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics

Caitlin Bricker, Editor at Startup CPG, brings her rich experience from food service, retail buying, and the cannabis sector to the forefront. She passionately discusses her journey towards promoting purpose-driven brands and the dynamic changes in the CPG landscape. Caitlin highlights innovative trends like sustainability and exciting new retail initiatives such as the Grocery Run series. With a commitment to community engagement, she emphasizes storytelling's vital role in branding and shares her favorite finds, including delicious, no-sugar dairy alternatives for kids.

In this episode of The Startup CPG Podcast, Grace Kennedy chats with Jana Goodbaum, co-founder of Happy Wolf, a snack company revolutionizing toddler and kids' snacks with their "wildly simple" refrigerated bars. Jana shares her journey from advertising executive to entrepreneurial mom, driven by the frustration of limited healthy snack options for her child.Discover how Jana and her co-founder, Derek, navigated challenges like product development, sourcing allergen-free ingredients, finding the perfect co-packer, and educating consumers about their innovative refrigerated snack bars. Jana also dives into the importance of strategic branding, leveraging influencers, building a passionate community, and their milestone launch in Whole Foods.Tune in to hear how Happy Wolf is reshaping the kids' snack market, the trends driving clean eating innovation, and Jana's insights for startups entering retail and trade shows like Expo West.Don’t miss this inspiring episode. Tune in now!Listen in as they share about:Happy Wolf Overview and Founding StoryProduct DevelopmentBranding and MarketingRetail and DistributionCommunity and Social MediaAdvertising and PromotionsFuture GoalsEpisode Links:Website: https://happywolf.com/ Instagram: @happywolfsnacksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janagoodbaum/?originalSubdomain=ca 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:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics

In this episode of the Startup CPG podcast, Daniel Scharff dives into the strategies and challenges of bootstrapping with three inspiring founders who have transformed bold ideas into thriving businesses—all without outside funding.Ryan Hansen, co-founder of Hazards Hop Water, shares how he scaled a six-figure non-alcoholic beverage brand by targeting unique markets and forging key partnerships. Carrie Sporer, co-founder of SWAIR Hair, reveals how she’s redefining hair care for fitness enthusiasts with her innovative showerless shampoo, all while navigating co-founder dynamics and scaling with strategic funding choices. Ketan Vakil, founder of Gourmend Foods, discusses his mission to revolutionize gut-friendly gourmet products and shares lessons on building a loyal customer base and staying lean through production challenges.These founders share valuable insights on navigating the challenges of bootstrapping, scaling effectively, and staying true to their vision.Listen now to learn the secrets behind their success and get inspired to tackle your next big idea!To submit your brand for a future call-in episode: https://bit.ly/cpgstoriesListen in as they share about:Ryan Hansen - Hazards Hop Water- Hazards Hop Water Overview-Bootstrapping Strategy- Revenue and Sales- Future PlansCarrie Sporer - Swear Hair- Swear Hair Overview- Bootstrapping Strategy- Funding Experience- Future PlansKetan Vakil - Gourmend Foods- Gourmand Foods Overview- Bootstrapping Approach- Challenges & Key Strategies- Achievements- Future PlansEpisode Links:RyanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-hansen-mba-72795a56/ Website: https://hazardshopwater.com/ CarrieLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carriesporer/ Website: https://www.swairhair.comKetanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ketanvakil/ Website: https://www.gourmendfoods.comDon'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:Transcripts of each episode are available on the Transistor platform that hosts our podcast here (click on the episode and toggle to “Transcript” at the top)Join the Startup CPG Slack community (20K+ members and growing!)Follow @startupcpgVisit host Daniel's Linkedin Questions or comments about the episode? Email Daniel at podcast@startupcpg.comEpisode music by Super Fantastics