Episodes

With a new year on the horizon, the hosts shared their expectations for the food and beverage industry in 2023, including the most pertinent opportunities and challenges faced by growing brands. They also opined on the value of Twitter for entrepreneurs and executives and highlighted notable and new products. This episode also features the second edition of Special Ops with Andrew Guard, in which the operations expert offers guidance on timely issues affecting food and beverage companies.

Their flagship products have a suggested retail price that is nearly double those of legacy and competing brands. And, yet, Serenity Kids is outpacing them all. In this episode, founders Serenity and Joe Carr spoke about why maintaining a premium price point is key to the brand’s value proposition, their thoughtful sourcing and operations strategies, how they developed a sophisticated understanding of the packaged food industry and their rigorous hiring process.

Mauro Porcini, the Chief Design Officer of PepsiCo, discussed his definition of design, both in the abstract and specific to his work in consumer products, how he convinces colleagues to align with his vision, and where he takes his cues as a creator and leader. He also explained his hiring process and the value of technical expertise versus personality or cultural savvy and how social media influences his perspective on design.

Taste Radio’s hosts reflected on the BevNET’s Winter 2022 events through the first day of BevNET Live, highlighted the winners of various competitions held throughout the week, how community was a key theme in panels and presentations and the fuel that kept Ray, John, Jacqui and Mike going amid a whirlwind schedule.

Mark Livings, co-founder and CEO of leading non-alcoholic spirits brand Lyre's, spoke about the brand’s position as a “first scaler” within a fast-growing category and how the company has prioritized market share and rapid growth. He also discussed the development of its portfolio and product road map, Lyre’s thoughtful communication strategy and how his management style supports Lyre’s torrid trajectory.

Snaxshot creator Andrea Hernandez discussed the emergence of her influential trend-predicting platform and its content strategy, her bone to pick with functional foods and beverages, how she defines a “great” product and her take on several noteworthy trends. We also sat down with legendary musician, actor and entrepreneur Steven Van Zandt, who spoke about the launch of his new wellness brand, Little Steven’s Underground Apothecary.

On the cusp of BevNET’s winter conferences in Santa Monica, the hosts spoke about how attendees can utilize the variety of resources available at the events and leverage connections with the BevNET team to engage with like-minded founders, industry executives and investors. They also hinted about a mystery speaker that no one will want to miss and riffed on some of their favorite new products sent to the office in recent weeks.

Justin Gill, the founder and CEO of Japanese barbecue sauce brand Bachan’s, spoke about how the brand’s rapid start was fueled by six years of preparation and planning prior to its debut, the intentionality of Bachan’s label and package design, why he considers high quality ingredients as key to creating consumer loyalty and his thoughtful approach to demand planning.

Dario Wolos, the founder and CEO of fast-growing Mexican-inspired restaurant chain Tacombi and consumer brand Vista Hermosa, spoke about his vision to share Mexican culture through authentic food, hospitality and experience, how the journey of building a business has come to define who he is as an entrepreneur and a leader, and his decision to align with acclaimed restaurateur Danny Meyer.

In this episode, the hosts explained why founders who regularly attend industry events are often better positioned to support their brands than those who don’t, riffed on the impact of sleek and clever packaging and marveled at a sparkling water brand’s latest LTO. This episode also features a conversation with Michael Lewis, the founder of oomph, a new brand of low-sugar, functional candy.