Episodes

This episode features an interview with Marshall Rabil, the co-owner of specialty peanut brand Hubs, who spoke about the brand’s efforts to reach younger consumers and the duality of his role as a steward and modernizer of his family’s business. Also, the hosts discussed the news that Bang Energy has filed for bankruptcy and why innovative entrepreneurs are often hamstrung by their own achievements.

Super Coffee co-founders Jim, Jake and Jordan DeCicco spoke about how shifting headwinds have influenced recent business decisions, the impact of Covid on innovation and what they learned from being on the front lines of distribution and merchandising since the outset of the pandemic. They also explained the value of being “the world’s foremost experts on Super Coffee” and how they communicate exit planning to their team.

Anna-Lena Kamenetzky, the founder and CEO of growth-stage venture capital firm Touch Capital, explained how global trends help inform the firm’s investments, which include Super Coffee, Lesser Evil and Haven’s Kitchen. She also discussed why investor feedback only works “if it's a pull and not a push,” how she evaluates the scaling potential of innovative brands, and offered her perspective on several trendy concepts, ingredients and CPG categories.

On location at Natural Products Expo East 2022, the hosts shared their respective takes on standout products and brands exhibited during the first two days of the annual trade show, which is being held at the Philadelphia Convention Center. The roundup highlights several brands that are using better-for-you, innovative and plant-based ingredients to disrupt legacy food and beverage categories.

Max Pouvreau, the founder of premium pudding brand Petit Pot, explained why he has always emphasized frugality and cautious spending, how the hire of an experienced operations executive and planning strategy helped the company scale production and achieve profitability and how being ahead of the curve on permissible indulgence has benefited the brand’s development.

In this episode, Taste Radio’s hosts reflected on recent networking and live podcast events at BevNET’s San Diego office and Super Coffee headquarters in Austin. They also addressed an often asked question from early-stage entrepreneurs and highlighted a few unusual products before Jacqui Brugliera took on one of the hottest of challenges.

Junea Rocha, the co-founder of pioneering Latin food brand Brazi Bites, explained why her advisory network was critical to the company’s formative years, the pros and cons of appearing on “Shark Tank,” why innovative brands need to scale quickly or risk being left behind and why she describes herself as “the opposite” of entrepreneurs that are great at raising money.

Chitra Agrawal, the founder and CEO of Brooklyn Delhi, a brand of Indian-inspired pantry staples crafted for modern kitchens, spoke about why consumer education requires patience, how she leveraged the brand’s strengths to win over Whole Foods and why profitability has always been top of mind. She also explained how she created favorable contracts with co-manufacturers and how an omni-channel sales strategy has benefited the company.

On the cusp of BevNET and Taste Radio networking meetups in San Diego and Austin, the hosts highlighted the value of industry connections and linking up with experienced professionals, and why showing up is half the battle. They also spoke about a new fund focused on women-led brands, a retailer focused on non-alcoholic cocktails and spirits and new products that caught the hosts’ attention.

Nick Mindel, a partner with Amberstone, a San Francisco-based venture capital firm focused on mid-stage investments in fast-growing consumer brands, shared specific details about each of its funding deals of the past 12 months, how trends influence the way the firm evaluates investment opportunities, financial metrics that will make or break a company and why Amberstone will continue to invest in consumer brands despite widespread concerns of economic slowdown.