Episodes

Alexander Harik, founder and CEO of Zesty Z, a brand of condiments, popcorn and seasonings inspired by the Mediterranean diet, discussed company’s positioning as an authentic food brand designed to reach a broad set of consumers, the process of scaling from a single product to a platform brand and how he’s navigated challenges and surprising roadblocks as an Arab-American food entrepreneur.

Chloe Epstein and Michael Sloan, the co-founders of better-for-you frozen novelty brand Chloe’s, explained why they shifted focus from foodservice to packaged goods, the leap from a slow and steady growth strategy to one that embraced national distribution and why Chloe’s is not shy about putting a target on the back of big CPG.

Nicholas Reichenbach, the founder and executive chairman of Flow Water, a premium brand of spring-sourced alkaline water known for its use of sustainable carton packaging, spoke about the company’s decision to go public just six years after its launch, how he’s attracted celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Halle Berry to support the brand and how Flow’s marketing strategy is getting consumers to trade up.

Lezlie Karls Saltarelli, Nick Saltarelli and Jake Karls, the co-founders of Mid-Day Squares, a brand of hybrid chocolate and protein bars, spoke about how the company has achieved its rapid start, the keys to its unique and compelling social strategy, how consistent communication with the brand’s consumers gave the brand a solid foundation on which to build and why a business therapist has been vital to their development.

Bill Moses, the co-founder of KeVita and the founder and CEO of fast-growing beverage alcohol brand Flying Embers, spoke about why “online success dictates the rationalization of taking a product to market,” how the company effectively allocates resources across its product lines and why having “the least polarizing liquid” is key to its innovation strategy. He also explained why personal relationships with wholesalers are critical and the importance of finding balance amid an intense drive to win.

Actresses Nina Dobrev and Julianne Hough are best known for their work in films such as “Lucky Day” and “Rock of Ages” along with popular television shows “The Vampire Diaries” and “Dancing with the Stars.” Now, they’re aiming to be equally recognized in the wine business as the co-owners of premium low-calorie wine brand Fresh Vine Wine.

Jason Wright, the co-founder and CEO of chicken- and pork-based chip brand Wilde Brands, explained how he was able to land investment without having a finished product, why he regrets working with a co-packer, how he collaborated with retail buyers to establish a new protein-centric segment within the snack category and why the keys to winning consumers over always begins with taste.

This week, we’re joined by Chris Fanucchi and Samantha Citro Alexander, the co-founders of Bitewell, a new startup platform that aims to make healthy purchasing decisions easier via curated options for grocery and restaurant delivery. Fanucchi and Citro Alexander spoke about Bitewell’s multi-pronged business model, why competition isn’t easily defined and how the company works with emerging food and beverage brands.

Honest Tea co-founder and Beyond Meat chair of the board Seth Goldman discussed how his latest venture, mission-driven platform Eat The Change, fits into the context of his career and why the company led with mushroom jerky for its debut product line. He also addressed criticism of Beyond Meat products as being overly processed, the evolution of Honest Tea as a Coca-Cola-owned brand and why he occasionally eats Pringles.

Caue Suplicy, the founder and chairman of Barnana, which markets premium snacks made from upcycled bananas, spoke about how the company analyzed consumer demand to better understand how to market and promote the brand, its strategy for sourcing and utilizing sales data, why hiring from within has benefited the brand and how he has navigated the industry as an immigrant founder.