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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.
Steve Grasse discussed the roots of his career in branding and design and how he built Sailor Jerry Rum and Hendrick’s from concepts into best-selling brands. He also explained why he views his creative agency, Quaker City Mercantile, as a “spirits company that does corporate gigs to pay for experimentation," how it helped revitalize Guinness beer and why he identifies as a filmmaker "that makes booze."
Larry Kahn, a partner and managing director with private equity firm Beechwood Capital, spoke about the courtship process between brands and potential capital partners, what entrepreneurs should and shouldn’t say in a funding pitch and why investors loathe surprises. Also: a review of recent beverage investment and acquisition deals involving Tio Gazpacho, Revive Kombucha and Dirty Lemon.