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In an interview included in this episode, Karr opened up about Guayaki and its origins, how the brand creates evangelists for yerba mate, how viewing time as “an illusion” allowed him to align his personal and professional lives, why he considers the company to be “a reforestation vehicle,” and its unique approach to distribution and hiring.
This week’s episode features interviews with the founders of three innovative brands and focuses on how each landed placement in their dream retailers. Jesse Wolfe, the founder of O’Dang Hummus, Kuli Kuli founder/CEO Lisa Curtis, and Tyler Noyes, the co-founder of Kalahari Biltong, discussed their respective paths into popular chains, including Publix, Walmart, Sam’s Club and Wegmans, and revealed key steps along the way.
As part of our interview, Jelly Belly president/CEO Lisa Rowland Brasher discussed how the company’s focus on creating unique experiences for its consumers has contributed to its evolution into an iconic candy brand. She also discussed how “better for you” and functional varieties fit into the portfolio and recounted how one disastrous flavor that never made it to market turned out to be quite useful down the line. This episode is presented by Flavorman, the beverage architects.
Rick’s Picks founder/CEO Rick Field discussed the origins of his premium pickle brand and how he identified white space in a legacy category. He also explained why he describes his company’s journey as “champagne on a beer budget,” the dangers of hitting an entrepreneurial plateau and how innovation has spurred a renewed interest in his brand.
Stew Leonard’s president/CEO Stew Leonard Jr. spoke about the company’s focus on customer interaction and how it has helped create a unique and high-quality shopping experience. He also discussed the evolution of the chain’s food offerings and how it selects brands for its stores, its efforts to stay on top of current food trends, his perspective on leadership, and how Stew Leonard’s is planning for the future.
This edition of Taste Radio Insider features highlights from interviews with six founders, creators and industry experts who joined us on the show during the first half of 2019, including Hint founder/CEO Kara Goldin, venture capitalist Chris Hollod, Recess founder/CEO Benjamin Witte, attorney & investor Ryan Lewendon, MALK founder/CEO August Vega and nutpods founder/CEO Madeline Haydon. This episode is presented by BevSource.
In this highlight episode culled from interviews with six innovators, leaders and entrepreneurs who joined us on Taste Radio during the first half of 2019, we explore the role that innovation plays several for category-leading brands. Our guests include Vita Coco co-founder Mike Kirban, Lifeway Foods CEO Julie Smolyansky, Justin’s founder Justin Gold, Sailor Jerry Rum and Hendricks Gin creator Steve Grasse and WTRMLN WTR co-founder Jody Levy.
On the heels of the 2019 Summer Fancy Food Show, this week’s episode explores new and innovative concepts in the food and beverage industries as viewed through the lens of the annual trade show. We’re also joined by Smári Organics founder/CEO Smári Ásmundsson for a conversation about the yogurt brand’s foray into beverages and how he’s navigated production and distribution challenges along the way.
Nutrabolt CEO Doss Cunningham explained why focusing on premium as the guiding principle of the company’s business strategy was key to its development and that of its anchor brand, C4. He also discussed the mission and focus of his venture capital firm LivWell Ventures and the lessons he hopes to impart to brand owners within its portfolio. This episode is presented by Flavorman, the beverage architects.
In this week’s episode, Sebastian Dreher, the managing director of Dohler Ventures U.S., discussed the firm’s funding philosophy and why he believes that investing in emerging brands is more “art than science.” He also spoke about how he evaluates scalable innovation, why category dynamics are crucial to Dohler’s investment strategy, and why great founders are also great fundraisers.