Episodes

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.

Nguyen Coffee Supply founder and CEO Sahra Nguyen explained how the company’s approach to storytelling via flavor and personal narrative is shifting the perception of Vietnamese coffee, why incorporating her background and beliefs into brand communication is both challenging and highly effective, and the one word that drives the company’s innovation strategy.

Outstanding Foods co-founder and CEO Bill Glaser spoke about how he has applied lessons from prior entrepreneurial ventures to the company’s business strategy, how the brand has attracted celebrity investors and involved them in marketing and promotion efforts, and the evolution of Outstanding Foods’ package design and its alignment with the company’s innovation and retail strategies.

In this episode, the hosts reflected on the passing of legendary beverage entrepreneur and Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz, and reviewed several new products and limited-time offerings. Later, operations expert Andrew Guard joined the show for the first edition of a new series in which he answers topical questions about production and scaling strategies.

Dan Lourenco and Ryan Hughes, co-founders of fast-growing lifestyle sports nutrition and energy brand Ghost, explained how emphasizing transparency and community has enabled the company to achieve massive growth, the outsized impact of a cold email on the trajectory of their business and how they are gradually becoming more comfortable with success.

Maurice Tebele and Martin Hoffstein, co-founders of fast-growing, digital-centric spirits brand JAJA Tequila, explained how “subtle integration” is the key to JAJA’s effective social media strategy, the value of risque and edgy marketing, how they elicit the best out of their respective skill sets and how they found a strategic partner that is aligned with their vision for the brand.

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.