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Lescoe chronicled his journey as an entrepreneur, including how he created a foundation for success with Food Should Taste Good, discussed his perspective on risk and explained why cash will always be king. He also spoke about the eventual sale of the company, why he got back in the food business and why he doesn’t think about happiness as a goal.
Hint founder/CEO Kara Goldin discussed the role of Hint’s brick-and-mortar retail store in supporting the company’s omnichannel strategy. She also spoke about best practices for e-commerce and why data from online sales is critical to understanding Hint’s audience. Also: a conversation with James Le Compte, the CEO of To’ak, an ultra-premium chocolate brand based in Ecuador.
One of America’s greatest chefs, Nancy Silverton spoke about her approach to cooking and food innovation. She also explained why “having a business is not a hobby,” why she’s always trying to create food that is craveable, and how she navigates the challenges of modern marketing… aka making your restaurant bathroom “Instagrammable.”
Tiesta Tea co-founder/CEO Patrick Tannous explained why hitting the pavement and building strong relationships with retail buyers has been critical to the development of his company. Robert Jakobi, a serial food entrepreneur and founder of better-for-you soup company Bou, chronicled his journey from the U.K. to the U.S. and discussed differences in how business works within the two countries.
Lifeway Foods CEO Julie Smolyansky, who took the reins of her family’s business at age 27, explained how she built a brand with over $100 million in annual sales. She also discussed how she deals with persistent criticism, the company’s innovation strategy and why Lifeway releases some new products as “a marketing expense.”
In this episode, we discuss retail strategies with the entrepreneurs behind two innovative companies -- Pete Maldonado, the co-founder of fast-growing meat stick brand Chomps, and Paul Evers and Steve Barham, the co-founders of upstart coffee brand Riff Cold Brewed -- who open up the playbook on everything from Trader Joe’s to tap rooms.
Tofurky CEO Jaime Athos discussed the origins of the plant-based meat brand and how it has evolved over its nearly four decades on the market. Athos also spoke about current challenges in the plant-based meat category/market, executing and learning from a brand revamp, the reason that Tofurky has resisted acquisition offers and why he believes that plant-based ham has to taste great, but doesn’t have to taste exactly like... ham.
From artisanal foods to craft spirits, this episode explores the evolving landscape for specialty food and distilled beverages. Rabobank’s Steven Rannekleiv discussed the emerging market for craft spirits and how the the investment community is evaluating the space. Specialty Food Association President Phil Kafarakis spoke about how the term specialty food has evolved in recent years and the ingredients and formulations that are shaping the future of the industry.
Stillhouse founder/CEO Brad Beckerman discussed the early challenges, pivots and risks along the brand’s journey. He also spoke about his background in entrepreneurship, parallels between his previous career experience in sports and music apparel and current role, and how country music legend Johnny Cash factored into a partnership with popular rapper G-Eazy.
In this episode, nutpods founder/CEO Madeline Haydon explained how she laid the groundwork for a thriving DTC business and why focusing on high quality customer service has anchored the brand’s ecommerce strategy. Also, an interview with social media maven Nicole Cogan who spoke about best practices for sponsored social campaigns and how influencer marketing has evolved in recent years.